All Band Activity after 2010 is posted on the BLOG:
http://desertsunstringband.com/blog
DESERT SUN String Band's
First Performance
The new Desert Sun String Band played its first concert at the South Forty RV Ranch on Jan 15, 2010. Each year, the RV Ranch stages a “Welcome Back” party for their returning winter residents, providing food, drink and live entertainment. A good time was had by all attending.
The Band played mostly traditional Bluegrass music with a mix of old time, folk and country/western.
In the latter stages of the performance, the tables & chairs were moved aside, the lights dimmed and some nice dance music was played for a “full” dance floor. A highlight for the dancers was an original composition titled “Slow Dancing” – sang by its composer Bill DeVinney, guitarist for the band. It was an encore number as was “Ragtime Annie” featuring Sam Brown, the 86 years young fiddler for the band. The band was booked to return and provide the entertainment for next year’s party.
Friday, Jan. 22, 2010, the Desert Sun String Band will play its debut public performance in the clubhouse at Heritage Highlands from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. Tickets are $10pp at the door. Charlie Sides, the band’s leader, stated: “the band only exists because of the members love for the music, the pleasure derived from playing together and sharing their music with others.” The bands moto is : if it ain’t fun – it ain’t us!
The Band played mostly traditional Bluegrass music with a mix of old time, folk and country/western.
In the latter stages of the performance, the tables & chairs were moved aside, the lights dimmed and some nice dance music was played for a “full” dance floor. A highlight for the dancers was an original composition titled “Slow Dancing” – sang by its composer Bill DeVinney, guitarist for the band. It was an encore number as was “Ragtime Annie” featuring Sam Brown, the 86 years young fiddler for the band. The band was booked to return and provide the entertainment for next year’s party.
Friday, Jan. 22, 2010, the Desert Sun String Band will play its debut public performance in the clubhouse at Heritage Highlands from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. Tickets are $10pp at the door. Charlie Sides, the band’s leader, stated: “the band only exists because of the members love for the music, the pleasure derived from playing together and sharing their music with others.” The bands moto is : if it ain’t fun – it ain’t us!
DESERT SUN String Band
"Live on Dove Mountain"
The Debut public Performance by the DESERT SUN String Band was held on Friday, Jan 22, 2010 in the Clubhouse at Heritage Highlands. The house was filled with seating provide at tables as well as some “over flow” concert seating. All total, an audience of close to 200, attended and they were all there till the last song was performed. Who had the most “fun”, the audience or the band?
Bill Devinney singing lead with harmony by Reid Griffin and Bill Paul
The press was in attendance at the Concert. A photographer from the NW EXPLORER captured the flavor of the event. We suspect an article will be published the next addition of the Explorer newspaper. NOTE: The article was published in the Feb 24, 2010 issue of The Explorer.
Fiddleing Sam Brown and Band Leader Charlie Sides
The Desert Sun String Band’s next performance will be on the Vero Amore Pizza Restaurant’s outdoor patio from 8:00 to 11:00 PM on Friday Feb 19th and Feb 26th. There will be a $5 cover and it will be restricted to age 21+. These concerts are actually a “test” run. If successful, an Arizona Entertainment Show Case will be initiated on both the smaller Vero Amore Patio and the Bigger Patio adjacent. The Desert Sun String Band will be the Host Band and the plan is to bring in various types of Arizona bands and entertainers as well as initiating “open mic” nights.
DESERT SUN String Band
On Dove Mountain Again!
The Heritage Highlands clubhouse in Marana, AZ was the setting for the Friday, April 23, 2010 Concert staged by the DESERT SUN String Band (DDSB). There is absolutely no doubt, the band lived up to its motto: “if it ain’t fun – it ain’t us!” From start to finish, the audience was laughing, clapping or tapping their feet.
Things got started right on time; however, the banjo and bass pulled up to the door just as the other band members started playing. Bill Devinney sang a kick-off number while these two guys got there stuff on stage and tuned-up. With the full band in-place, the first set of hard driving Bluegrass music was played to a very lively and appreciative audience.
Things got started right on time; however, the banjo and bass pulled up to the door just as the other band members started playing. Bill Devinney sang a kick-off number while these two guys got there stuff on stage and tuned-up. With the full band in-place, the first set of hard driving Bluegrass music was played to a very lively and appreciative audience.
Bill DeVinney singing "Woried Man Blues" with Harmony
About midway through the first set, as the group was playing “Hand Me Down My Walking Cane”, Charlie stopped the music, saying we need “up-close and personal” support from the audience. Two somewhat reluctant and apprehensive members of the audience were brought on the stage and did a very creditable job of singing during the echo parts of the song. The entire audience joined in during the final part of the song – it was just plain fun.
Bill Paul and Sam Brown were featured on an old fiddle tune named “Flop Eared Mule” and you could hear that old mule doing some “hee-haws”. Later in the set, Sam did his rendition of “Out Behind the Barn” and, as usual, Sam stole the show. What a Showman!
The last song of the first set had Bill Paul singing the train song “Wreck of Old ‘97”. Bill’s wife, Cindy, came up on the stage before the song began and none of the band members or the audience knew what was going on. Cindy had a train like whistle which made different train whistle sounds. When the song got underway and to everyone’s delight, she added a train whistle to the song at just the appropriate times.
The second set was started with a couple of Classical Country dance songs, but the majority of the audience seems to want more of the Traditional fast paced Bluegrass. The remainder of the set was nothing but Bluegrass.
Bill Paul and Sam Brown were featured on an old fiddle tune named “Flop Eared Mule” and you could hear that old mule doing some “hee-haws”. Later in the set, Sam did his rendition of “Out Behind the Barn” and, as usual, Sam stole the show. What a Showman!
The last song of the first set had Bill Paul singing the train song “Wreck of Old ‘97”. Bill’s wife, Cindy, came up on the stage before the song began and none of the band members or the audience knew what was going on. Cindy had a train like whistle which made different train whistle sounds. When the song got underway and to everyone’s delight, she added a train whistle to the song at just the appropriate times.
The second set was started with a couple of Classical Country dance songs, but the majority of the audience seems to want more of the Traditional fast paced Bluegrass. The remainder of the set was nothing but Bluegrass.
Reid Griffin Singing slow Bluegrass "Could You Love Me One More Time"
Mid-way through the second set, the band featured Charlie singing the “Crawdad Song”. When Charlie forgot the words to one verse, the bass break was left out. No harm done, as the audience got a laugh from it. The final part of the song was replayed to include the bass break by Reid Griffin. The final set ran overtime to allow for 2 additional songs. Bill DeVinney sing his own original composition: “Slow Dancing”. The Concert was then closed out with what is considered the National Anthem of Bluegrass: “Foggy Mountain Breakdown” staring Bill Paul on the banjo.
Several of the audience members stayed around long enough to meet with the band members and to express what a fun time they had. This Concert was an out and out Total Success!
Several of the audience members stayed around long enough to meet with the band members and to express what a fun time they had. This Concert was an out and out Total Success!
DESERT SUN String Band
Performs in the Park Place Mall
June10, 2010
Reid Griffin (bass), Bill Paul (banjo), Bill DeVinney (guitar), Sam Brown (fiddle)
The DESERT SUN String Band, minus Charlie Sides (mandolin), performed as part or the Park Place Live Music Series held in the Park Place Mall, 5870 east Broadway Boulevard - Tucson , Arziona.
The Concert Series is sponsored by a new partnership between the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance (SAACA) and General Growth Properties.
The DESERT SUN String Band, minus Charlie Sides (mandolin), performed as part or the Park Place Live Music Series held in the Park Place Mall, 5870 east Broadway Boulevard - Tucson , Arziona.
The Concert Series is sponsored by a new partnership between the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance (SAACA) and General Growth Properties.
The concert was played in the air conditioned food court inside the mall. When the band played “Worried Man Blues” as a sound check, the place went wild with applause. The audience was very responsive through out the 90 minute concert. Seems it was the perfect place to escape the heat while listening to some good Bluegrass Music. A Fun Time was had by everyone.
hand clapping – toe tapping – knee slapping
hand clapping – toe tapping – knee slapping