Down Home Goodness

How is it living VT? It’s the Mitch here and I have got some down home goodness to share with y’all! One of the best things I love about living near mountains is the music that they can inspire. Sometimes when I am standing in my front yard in Charlotte, I can see Camels Hump in the background. Upon looking at this wondrous Mountain, a particular music vibe is invoked. I am reminded instantly of traditional mountain music and want to go to a local barn dance party to shake it!


Fortunately there is a band that can fulfill my need for crooning! I am talking about the Starline Rhythm Boys, based out of Montpelier, VT. These guys have been pickin’ around the state for a few years now, and have developed quite a reputation. The boys encompass elements of hillbilly, rockabilly, and bluegrass. Starline Rhythm Boys are comprised of Danny Coane (banjo, guitar, and vocals), Billy Bratcher (upright bass), and Al Lemery (electric guitar). I have had the distinct pleasure of checking these guys out a few times and I have always had a great time. Their style is traditional and you can easily be transported into the 40’s and 50’s. It is pretty cool that a stripped down three piece, can fill up so much musical space and create such a full sound.


So if y’all get a chance this fall and winter, do yourselves a favor and check out these guys. They will be playing at Red Square, on 10/29/08 at 8pm. They will also be playing at the Old Lantern, for a Venison dinner on 11/22/08 starting at 8pm. You can also check them out at www.myspace.com/starlinerhythmboys and at www.starlinerhythmboys.com. Until next time VT! Peace, the Mitch

PS - The Vermont Music Blog will be in attendance at the Old Lantern! Come say hi - we may have blow up banjos!

Seth Yacavone

I feel like this Vermont guitar amazingness is always included in so much cool music stuff, yet never talked about as much in comparison to how good he is. I also get the sense that he likes it this way. Always enough under the radar to not have to deal with the blow up of being a great musician so you can always keep the creative flow in honest check and the meaning in your life uninhibited. I may also be thinking this because I am still recovering from the amazing Trey show at Higher Ground last night where I briefly ran into Seth, reminding me I needed to write this post.

My most recent Seth Yacavone rockin' time was at yet another wedding - this one being two amazing and beautiful souls brought together by the power of Phish (and learned of the band's official reunion while on their honeymoon). Up in the countryside of Northern Vermont under a tent amidst the foliage, Seth Yacavone and a team of other great Vermont musicians absolutely tore it up. And I think I have said this before, but besides Seth's kick ass guitar playing - his voice is just raw blues and so right on! And the fun he has when playing is just plain cool. Like when he played the first half of Dark Side of the Moon and held a tape recorder to the microphone for the sound effects. I can't imagine another musician doing this while making it as natural and fun as Seth did.

And to all you hippies getting married out there - I highly suggest hiring Seth to play your wedding - and if you don't, please refrain from the DJ. There is nothing worse than going to your heady friend's wedding only to be stuck dancing to Play That Funky Music White Boy with the creepy uncle. Way more fun to grab a couple of brooms and have a broom guitar dual with that uncle instead.

KTR Recording

Hi there, The Mitch here! So there are a lot of talented Vermont musicians out there, we all know that. Not every band however will get a chance to get their music recorded professionally. Recording is expensive and very time consuming. Sometimes, if bands get some studio time, the producer might not capture the bands sound quite well, or it might not be the right creative space for a particular band. Having been in several studios in Vermont, I can attest to this.


I have come across a sound engineer with his own studio that has no problem truly capturing a band's sound or creative interest. His name is Kyle T. Rose and he is the creator and owner of KTR Recording which is based out of Richmond, VT. I have been fortunate to know Kyle for a while now, and had a chance to play music with him several times. In addition to being a talented saxophone and guitar player, Kyle also knows his way around the studio. He is also a part of the rockin' staff at Advanced Music in Burlington. Judging from working with him in the studio for past ventures, Kyle has a laid back approach and believes in creating a comfortable and inviting experience for recording artist. His studio is well equiped and has plenty of space. I believe one of the greatest things about KTR Recording, is that it is affordable for most Vermont musicians. So if there are people out there who are looking to record any aspect of yourself, your band, or anything recording wise you need, go check out KTR Recording at www.ktr-recording.com.

New Open Mike Night

A few paces down the road from Higher Ground is a place one might not consider to be a live music venue - The Ground Round. Well, on Saturday nights they are. The new and improved Ground Round located on Williston Road in South Burlington now has an open mike night on Saturdays which seems to be getting quite popular.

The Ground Round in general is gaining in popularity points. They are the only franchise in Vermont to be a member of the Vermont Fresh Network. Way to go! It's also important to understand the business side of a franchise. Franchises get a bad rap in Vermont because people think they are national businesses. That is actually false. Franchises use a national business model, but are individually owned and operated. Meaning the owner of The Ground Round in South Burlington lives right here in Vermont. And this owner listened to what Vermonters were saying about where they want to eat and actually made the changes to reflect those interests - local Vermont products!

The Ground Round in South Burlington also gets involved in such activities as sponsoring the Go Red For Women Luncheon and other programs with the Vermont Chapter of the American Heart Association. It was for such an event that brought me to The Ground Round last night and was so surprised and impressed at the local food selection: local chicken, cheese, desserts and exceptionally delicious healthy options as well. It will definitely bring myself and The Mitch there again soon!

And now they have an open mike night every Saturday! Someone please go, take some pics, and send them to me to feature on the Vermont Music Blog!

Vermont's Best Live Music Venue - for 10 years

It doesn't matter what area of Vermont you live in, Higher Ground owns the live music circuit in Vermont. It is every local band's dream to play there (and fill the room) and anyone who enjoys live music in Vermont needs to check out a show there. I think lots of folks, especially those older than myself, seem to think it's just for kids or something. There is no type that goes to Higher Ground. It is a live music venue, meaning you don't go there for a night at the bars - you go there to enjoy live music. The crowd depicts what music is playing. From bouncy hippie music to two-steppin' country - um, vastly different audiences at those shows. From intelligent folk music to rap - more vastly different audiences.

Ok, I have done enough bossing around to have people check out Higher Ground. What I really wanted to write about was three coolio areas/aspects of Higher Ground (besides that they have music for everyone, unless of course you belong to the lame group of people who say you don't like music).

1.) They have really stepped it up from their old venue in Winooski.
While I still have nostalgic memories of my times at the old Higher Ground, especially it being the first place in Vermont I actually would go out by myself because I had too many of the "lame type" of associates in my early 20's. It was also one of the first places I actually ran into an ex with a better looking dude - that rocked. And of course my days of drooling over some of the bouncers...


The new venue off Williston Road - it is just top notch. First of all the bathrooms are always clean and never sketchy and that rocks. It's easy to get to and easy to park. The sound is incredible and there are two different venues in one. More than anything though is how close you can actually get to the music if you so choose. I love seeing nationally touring bands and being able to actually get up close and see (even if it is crowded up there). Personally I prefer the "back bar" where I get rowdy with all of my fabulous friends I have made over the years - all due to our love of music - and get served great drinks by my most favorite bartender from any bar.

2.) The owners actually care about the people. And that rocks. They are accessible, pleasant, and generous. For instance, right now until October 1, you can get five tickets for $50. I usually spend an average of $50 for two tickets! And the list of participating bands is impressive - check out the Higher Ground link for how to purchase.

3.) They are hip and do neat things, like their partnership with JDK, the uber-cool design shop in Burlington. The partnership creates art worthy posters. As stated in the new design book the partnership just published, "Poster design announces an art form that is neither the sole province of the museum nor the rarefied art collector - it belongs to the masses." Certain shows have fantastic posters made and are sold to patrons to keep the music alive in their own spaces. Many of these posters make up the decor of our music room in the farmhouse!

While I sit here romanticizing about Higher Ground, I realize I have tickets to a show tonight and want nothing more than to get off the computer and out the door, so here I go!

And you go - to www.highergroundmusic.com!

Contact Oops

I just saw that my post has my email wrong below (well, had, I just fixed it). My email is raecarter@hotmail.com.

I am also realizing my farmhouse, VT PR business life is leaving less and less room to get out and see the music I used to see and less time to be able to research to write! Yikes! I'd like to keep this blog going and have heard it's a helpful resource for many.

Sooooo, I am looking for a few writers. No, there is certainly not any pay, but if you are a Vermont musicians or Vermont music lover, this may be a cool way to share your thoughts on Vermont music with others. The only "rules" are the music has to be made by Vermonters and music news and activities in Vermont. This is NOT a place to promote out of state bands coming through Vermont.

Please email me - raecarter@hotmail.com. I'll change the blog up to reflect the writers!

The Vermont Music Blog Needs Your Help!

I need more submissions from Vermont musicians! I am glad those of you I have written about send me info, but I am looking for new bands and folks I haven't written about to get in touch and let me know about you! I am happy to list any Vermont musician or band with an active website on the blog as well as Vermont music venues and other Vermont music related websites and blogs. The best email to us is raecarter@hotmail.com as that is where I manage my music activities.

The Mitch is also now reviewing bands! If you have a CD you would like him to review, please sent to:
Mitch Pauley
564 Garen Road, Suite 4
Charlotte, VT 05445

We also want to get the Farmhouse Improvisational Series going and are looking for musicians who would like to come play old Americana, blues, and jazz standards and see what interesting Vermont twists we can create. We plan to hold the Farmhouse Improvisational Series on Monday evenings from 6:30/7 - 9:30-10 in our Farmhouse Music Room in Charlotte. Please email me at raecarter@hotmail.com or The Mitch at pauleymitch@yahoo.com to sign up!

Look forward to hearing from folks!