Driver Parks Knicely

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They call it Progressive Medicine Show music- a lively mix of blues, swing and vintage country, gospel, old-time mountain music- whatever it takes for a trio of string band musicians to just hop out of the wagon and get things shakin'. Driven by their musical passion, master fingerstyle guitarist Bob Driver and mandolin/tenor guitar player Steve Parks have been playing together in the Shenandoah Valley for roughly two decades. They've long been noted for their intriguing sound, unique repertoire and energetic, fun performances. Neil Knicely fills it out on bass adding a solid, fat bottom.

With a wide repertoire of vocal and instrumental music for listening or dancing, they're perfect for concerts, weddings, nightclubs, parties and conferences.

Off and on since 1986, and regularly since 2000, they've played scores of performances in the Mid-Atlantic region including: Virginia Highlands Festival Oak Grove Music Festival Blue Ridge Community College Folk Festival First Night Harrisonburg Arts Center, Carrboro N.C. work with the Thompson & Trammel Dance Company

The Tunes: 1) Mystery Train 2) Is your Name Miller? (Driver) 3) Big Bad Bill 4) My Filter Broke (Driver) 5) Dinah 6) Southern Roll (Driver) 7) Root, Hog or Die 8) Lovesick Blues 9) Lonesome Rail (Driver) 10) Lynchburg (Driver) 11) Shout Baby Shout 12) Take Your Burden to the Lord 13) We Gotta Go (Driver) Click on "My Filter Broke" for an mp3 (2.9 MB) Click on "Big Bad Bill" for another mp3 (3.6 MB)

Bob Driver- Guitar, Vocals and Songwriting A genuine master of fingerstyle blues guitar, BOB DRIVER has been performing since the mid-seventies, learning from 1930s bluesman Buddy Moss and appearing with the likes of Jorma Kaukonen and the Rev. Billy C. Wirtz. In 1986 he teamed up with Steve Parks, Deborah Crae and Two-Gun Terry to form the Belzona Bluzz Revue for an acclaimed three years of playing acoustic blues and swing music. With an encyclopedic knowledge of vintage American music he's able to use powerful authentic stylings on both traditional and original music. Bob is a popular full-time guitar instructor working in Harrisonburg. If you want to learn great roots-style guitar he's your man! Contact him at robert_driver@earthlink.net

Steve Parks- Multi-instrumentalist and luthier An accomplished musician noted for music filled with vibrancy and life, multi-instrumentalist STEVE PARKS performs a high energy mix of traditional American music on the mandolin, tenor guitar, mountain dulcimer, guitar, and whatever else he happens to grab at the moment. With a solid background in traditional music, from working with old masters of appalachian music to historic interpretation at the Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia, Steve has also plays jazz, street music, musical theater, and has learned from all sorts of folks on his travels. This makes for a well rounded education and polished, lively performance. Playing for thirty years, he's worked as a solo performer and in several bands. Steve is one of the few to be awarded first place in both the Old-Time Band competition at the Galax, VA, Fiddler's Convention (with Edd Michael and the Green Island Pickers, 1986) AND twice winning first place in the Non-Traditional String Band contest at the Appalachian String Band Festival at Clifftop, W. VA (with Cuttin' Up Gumby, 1997 and 2001).

Neil Knicely- bass Coming from several generations of musicians, Neil has been steeped in music of many styles all his life. A versatile bassist, he works with us, the Footworks Dance Ensemble, Mark Schatz' band, his own family and a variety of others..