The Boston Bluegrass Union presents The Seldom Scene in concert at the National Heritage Museum in Lexington on Saturday, March 11th. The Seldom Scene has long been regarded as one of the most progressive bands in bluegrass and as one of the finest acts in the whole genre. The Washington, D.C. based quintet returns to the Boston
area for their first visit in a number of years.
The Seldom Scene formed in 1971 in Washington, D.C., with mandolinist John Duffey, banjo player Ben Eldridge, guitarist John Starling, dobro player Mike Auldridge, and bassist Tom Gray.
Duffey, a musical instrument repairman, was the driving force behind the band's creation, as he had grown weary of long road tours during his ten years with the Country Gentlemen. He chose only other musicians with demanding day jobs that would prevent them from traveling beyond the Washington area on tour; Starling was a surgeon, Eldridge a mathematician, Auldridge a graphic artist, and Gray a cartographer with the National Geographic.
The group's name was intended as a joke on the idea that they wouldn't be seen much on stage, initially playing only once a week at Bethesda, Maryland or Alexandria, Virginia. This didn't last long.
For 25 years the Seldom Scene remained extremely popular in bluegrass circles even with the near-constant personnel changes. But the band was dealt what seemed a crushing blow in late 1996, when founder and leader John Duffey suffered a fatal heart attack. The band again stopped recording and made no live appearances for some
time. Duffey had been widely regarded as one of the most powerful and entertaining stage performers in bluegrass, and it seemed that there was no one who could replace him.
Nonetheless, the band was simply too popular to disappear for good. Banjoist Ben Eldridge, the sole remaining original member and a significant force in banjo music in his own right, assumed leadership of the band. Former guitarist Lou Reid rejoined the band on mandolin.
Initially the new Scene concentrated on live performances, but in 2000 the group recorded a new album, 'Scene it All.' The Seldom Scene continues to tour and record for the Sugar Hill label. Their latest recording is 'Dream Scene.'
The current line-up consists of banjoist Ben Eldridge, guitarist Dudley Connell, bassist Ronnie Simpkins, dobroist Fred Travers, and mandolinist Lou Reid.
Since 1976, the BBU has been the premier source for bluegrass in the Northeast. We continue to present exciting concerts, host the annual Joe Val Bluegrass Festival, present education programs for children and adults, and host picking parties throughout the region.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.bbu.org, via mail with check and SASE to BBU, PO Box 650061, W. Newton, MA 02465.
