BS: Three On A String

Subject: Three On A String
From: BlueJay
Date: 13 Apr 00 - 02:20 PM

Please allow me to ramble in introduction. About fifteen years ago, there was a radio show on KCFR in Denver, CO called "Bluegrass Breakdown". Tremendous show, hosted by a guy named David Higgs, who has since moved to Nashville. (He was one of my first e-mail contacts when I got my computer). He often had live simul-casts, with such people as Mike Cross, Hot Rize, Berline, Crary & Hickman, Bryan Bowers, John McCuen, The seldom Scene, to name just a few. One of my favorite acts was a band called "Three On A String". They said they were from the Washington DC area, and played regularly back then at a place called the Birchmere. There. Now my question. Has anyone heard of these guys? They were great! Their set was material as diverse as Shel Silverstein's Peg Leg Johnson, Make Me A Pallet On Your Floor, Steve Goodman's Vegematic, and Hoagie Carmichal's Huggin' and a Chalkin'. I've looked, but never found any recordings of these guys. Are they still around? (I doubt it after so long). Maybe the same guys have different modern incarnations. If so that would definitely be worth a look. I think I've seen a few Mudcatters from the Wash. DC or maryland area. Anyone know these guys?

Subject: RE: BS: Three On A String
From: GUEST,Rex
Date: 13 Apr 00 - 06:10 PM

I don't actually know them personally, but they are very much alive and well, in the area of Birmingham, Alabama (I don't know anything about the Washington, D. C. connection). I've seen them at a couple of community benefit type appearances in the past few years. They are still doing songs of the type you mentioned. They are a lot of fun.

Subject: RE: BS: Three On A String
From: Bill in Alabama
Date: 13 Apr 00 - 06:25 PM

Three On A String is Jerry Ryan's Birmingham, Alabama-based band. They used to appear at bluegrass festivals throughout the southeast, but for several years they have been more of a full-time show band, working national conventions, etc. The band is still very active, with a large number of enthusiastic and faithful followers.
Bobby Horton, the banjo-player for TOAS, has become rather well-known for his many albums of Civil War Music, and for his work on the Ken Burns series on the Civil War as well as the Baseball series which Burns did. They have performed well and widely for some 30 years, nearly, with hardly any substantive change in personnel. They're dear friends, and fine fellows.

Subject: RE: BS: Three On A String
From: BlueJay
Date: 14 Apr 00 - 02:10 PM

Rex and Bill in Alabama, thank you. I'm glad TOAS is not lost and forgotten. Perhaps the most interesting thing is how they worked a TRUMPET in to bluegrass tunes. At least they did when I heard them.