Thursday, July 18
7PM
At Ballard Park, Westport, NY
(Rain location: Westport Heritage House)

Big Spike will return for another smoking Bluegrass concert at Ballard Park’s Performance Pavilion in Westport on Thursday evening, July 18 at 7:00 pm. Many will remember them  as the “House Band” for the “Otis Mountain Music Festival.”

About Big Spike

Big Spike plays and sings bluegrass music the right way. With impeccable vocal harmonies, a powerful stage presence, a sense of humor, and mastery of their instruments, they bring back a sense of the “golden age” of bluegrass.

Based in northern Vermont, they play hard-driving traditional bluegrass, with an emphasis on 3- and 4-part harmonies. They feature twin fiddles and solid original material in the traditional style. Its members are long-time mainstays of the New England bluegrass scene.

About the Band Members

Members of Big Spike are alumni of some of the most well-known regional and national bands, including Three Wheel Drive, Smokin’ Grass, The David Bromberg Band, The Spark Gap Wonder Boys, Two Chord Jones, and Bob Yellin & The Joint Chiefs Of Bluegrass.

Banjo player Bill Gaston was introduced to Bluegrass at age 15 by Steve Lutke, a legendary banjo player around the New Jersey/New York area. Bill began playing banjo when he was 22. He primarily sings lead and tenor with Big Spike Bluegrass, though he can sing all the vocal parts.

Michael Santosusso plays upright bass and sings tenor and lead. He started out playing jazz bass and musical theatre, but made the switch to bluegrass. He was a founding member of the newgrass/jamband Smokin’ Grass and has performed in over 30 states. Mike’s motto is “sing high, play low”.

Guitarist Matt Schrag joined Big Spike in 2012 and has already made his mark with his solid rhythm, inventive lead work and fine solo and harmony singing.

Fiddle player Freeman Corey grew up on a dairy farm in Benson, VT. Son of a fine old time fiddler, he started playing swing and old-time fiddle tunes at age 10 and grew up listening to traditional music. He has played with many square dance, swing, and bluegrass bands around New England.

Mandolin player Neil Rossi doubles on fiddle, and sings lead and baritone. Neil has been a member of many well-known bands over the past 35 years, including The Spark Gap Wonder Boys, The David Bromberg Band, and many others. He also plays banjo and guitar, and writes much of their original material.

Go to www.bigspikebluegrass.com to learn more about Big Spike.

More about Ballard Park Concerts

Concerts begin every Thursday at about 7pm (when the hot setting sun leaves the stage ) at the Performance Pavilion on Main Street, Westport. Bring lawn chairs, a blanket, and/or picnic. In case of rain concerts will be moved into the Westport Heritage House across the street. Donations are always appreciated.

This Big Spike bluegrass concert is sponsored by Weichert Realty.

For more information email artsco@westelcom.com. Also for more information and Youtube music sampling visit www.ballardparkny.org. or www.bigspikebluegrass.com.

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