Before the band could consolidate its new lineup, founder and spiritual leader Duffey died of a heart attack. With the addition of two new bandmembers, the Seldom Scene recorded the appropriately titled Change of Scenery in 1988. The band's smooth harmonies, love of eclectic material, and Duffey's colorful stage antics further separated the band from its peers. These sessions included John Starling on guitar and lead vocals, Mike Auldridge on resophonic guitar and … Two other band mates from the original Seldom Scene line-up are on the new record—vocalist John Starling, who played from 1971 to 1977, and bass player Tom Gray, who played until 1986. Mandolin, Guitar / Lou Reid. If other bands used a fiddler, the Seldom Scene used a Dobro; if others relied on old standards, the Seldom Scene played rock classics like J.J. Cale's "After Midnight." Unfortunately there are no concert dates for Seldom Scene scheduled in 2021. Since their inception in 1971, the Seldom Scene have thrived on playing bluegrass a little differently than everyone else. Three of the Seldom Scene members were former members of the Country Gentlemen. Seldom Scene. Before the band could consolidate its new lineup, founder and spiritual leader Duffey died of a heart attack. Co-produced by the band and Rounder Records co-founder Ken Irwin, the album also spotlights The Seldom Scene’s sheer ingenuity as song arrangers, with even the most starkly composed tracks taking on wondrously intricate textures and tones. Here, original members Ben Eldridge and Tom Gray swap stories of their childhoods and beyond with Smithsonian Folkways producer Pete Reiniger. Through skilled musicianship and an urban approach to the genre, the band have been at the forefront of both the progressive and traditional bluegrass scenes, and have continued to amaze fans and influence future generations of musicians well into the 21st century. Singer Mondi Klein, bassist Coleman, and original member Auldridge parted ways with the band to turn the progressive bluegrass band Chesapeake into a full-time project. The Scene has been instrumental in starting the progressive bluegrass movement as their shows include bluegrass versions of country music, rock, and even pop. Guitar / Dudley Connell. In what turned out to be a reunion of sorts, the band welcomed back both Starling and Gray to rework many of the band's most requested live songs for their 2014 studio album Long Time...Seldom Scene, which featured guest spots from Emmylou Harris, Chris Eldridge, and Rickie Simpkins. While Eldridge is the only remaining original member, the band continues to carry the spirit set forth by the Seldom Scene in 1971. Together, the re-formed band recorded 1996's Dream Scene. The group's first two Sugar Hill albums, 1978's Act Four and 1981's After Midnight, continued to draw material from traditional sources like Jimmie Rodgers and contemporary ones like Eric Clapton. The Seldom Scene have performed at the White House many times, and continue to tour year-round and members of the original Seldom Scene lineup have been inducted in International Bluegrass Music Association’s Hall of Fame. Some fans objected to Coleman's electric bass, but despite this "progressive" change, albums like 1990's Scenic Roots proved to be more traditional than earlier efforts. The band derived its name from its once-a-week performances, first at the Red Fox Inn in Bethesda, Maryland, and later at the Birchmere Restaurant in Alexandria, Virginia. Lou has a second band, Lou Reid and Carolina, with his wife Christy, but only books dates when the Scene isn’t booked. "John was 80 percent of the Seldom Scene," Eldridge told The Boston Herald, and no one, not even the band, could picture continuing without him. As a member of the Country Gentlemen, Duffey was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Honor in 1996. Songkick is the first to know of new tour announcements and concert information, so if your favorite artists are not currently on tour, join Songkick to track Seldom Scene and get concert alerts when they play near you, like 5834 other Seldom Scene fans. Singer Mondi Klein, bassist Coleman, and original member Auldridge parted ways with the band to turn the progressive bluegrass band Chesapeake into a full-time project. "The last year has been real tough for the band," Connell admitted to The Baltimore Sun in 1998. Ben still works several days a week as a mathematician. The addition of Rosenthal and a change of labels to Sugar Hill did little to alter the Seldom Scene's basic sound. – Seldom Scene bandmate Mike Auldridge commenting on John Duffey. The Seldom Scene formed in Bethesda, Maryland, in 1971 and released its first album, “Act 1,” in 1972. Still, many wanted the band to continue, and the year-old lineup wanted to carry on the work they had begun with Duffey, so they recruited ex-member Lou Reid to help out on vocals and play mandolin. On Changes, The Seldom Scene more than proves itself up to task, gracing every song with breathtaking instrumental interplay and heavenly three-part harmonies. Guitar / Dudley ConnellMandolin, Guitar / Lou ReidBanjo, Fiddle / Ron StewartDobro / Fred TraversBass / Ronnie Simpkins. Original bass player Gray also left, making room for T. Michael Coleman. Dr. Starling, who played guitar and alternated lead vocals with mandolinist John Duffey, formed the Seldom Scene in 1971 with dobroist Mike Auldridge, banjoist Ben Eldridge … Their early shows around the area included a six-year stint at Bethesda’s Red Fox Inn. The name Seldom Scene was an inside joke, reflecting the fact that all the members were working day jobs. The Seldom Scene is an American bluegrass band formed in 1971 in Bethesda, Maryland out of the weekly jam sessions in the basement of banjo player Ben Eldridge. In 1995 and 1996 the Seldom Scene weathered more changes than several bands combined. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more open and connected. On our latest episode of The Breakdown, the Seldom Scene’s classic 1975 release, Live at the Cellar Door, is featured, and if ever there was a party of a bluegrass album, this is it. Seldom Scene is on Facebook. LISTEN: APPLE PODCASTS • MP3 Hosts Patrick M’Gonigle and Emma John interview original Seldom Scene band members … For The Seldom Scene, it's taken not only talented musicians, a signature sound, and a solid repertoire, but also a sheer sense of fun. "Because [John] was not only a wonderful musician and singer, but also kind of the personality of the band." John Starling, one of the smoothest voices in bluegrass and a founding member of the Seldom Scene, died Thursday night in Fredericksburg, VA. They perfor… Read Full Biography. Mr. Auldridge was a graphic artist for the old Washington Star newspaper. Starling was the last surviving member of what is arguably the greatest vocal trio bluegrass has known. The Seldom Scene is an American bluegrass band formed in 1971 in Bethesda, Maryland out of the weekly jam sessions in the basement of banjo player Ben Eldridge.These sessions included John Starling on guitar and lead vocals, Mike Auldridge on resophonic guitar and baritone vocals, and Tom Gray on bass.Then came mandolinist John Duffey, who had quit the Country Gentlemen two years before due … The Seldom Scene's remaining members recruited Dobroist Fred Travers, bassist Ronnie Simpkins, and former Johnson Mountain Boys singer Dudley Connell. After playing for six weeks at a small Washington, D.C., club called the Rabbit's Foot, the group found a home at the Red Fox Inn in Bethesda, Maryland. Join Facebook to connect with Seldom Scene and others you may know. The Seldom Scene is an American bluegrass band formed in 1971 in Bethesda, Maryland. The Seldom Scene's remaining members recruited Dobroist Fred Travers, bassist Ronnie Simpkins, and former Johnson Mountain Boys singer Dudley Connell. The band also had a talent for turning pop songs like the Beatles' "What Goes On" into standard bluegrass material. Hometown: Washington, District of Columbia. A … The Seldom Scene are founding member Ben Eldridge (banjo), Lou Reid (mandolin/vocals), Dudley Connell (guitar/vocals), Ronnie Simpkins (bass/vocals), and Fred Travers (dobro/vocals). The Seldom Scene's remaining members recruited Dobroist Fred Travers, bassist Ronnie Simpkins, and former Johnson Mountain Boys singer Dudley Connell. Here, singer and mandolin player Lou Reid talks with original member Ben Eldridge about joining the legendary bluegrass band twice—the first time in 1986, then for good in 1997. Early albums like 1973's Act 1 and 1975's Live at the Cellar Door set the pace for progressive bluegrass while defining a unique sound that included Starling's smooth vocals, Duffey's versatile tenor, and Auldridge's ringing Dobro. The Seldom Scene is an American bluegrass band formed in 1971 in Bethesda, Maryland out of the weekly jam sessions in the basement of banjo player Ben Eldridge. In 1993 Reid left the band and was replaced with ex-member John Starling. Together, the re-formed band recorded 1996's Dream Scene. Together, the re-formed band recorded 1996's Dream Scene. Mr. Auldridge was a graphic artist for the old Washington Star newspaper. They agreed to play one night a week at local clubs, perform occasionally at concerts and festivals on weekends, and make records. What does it take for a bluegrass band to remain popular for more than four decades? The Seldom Scene is a Bluegrass band formed in 1971 in Bethesda, Maryland. [2] Appearing with fellow Seldom Scene member, dobro player and baritone vocalist Mike Auldridge , Duffey played mandolin and provided tenor vocals for two tracks on the Tony Rice album Tony Rice Plays and Sings Bluegrass . In 1971, mandolinist John Duffey, banjo player Ben Eldridge, guitarist John Starling, bassist Tom Gray, and Dobro player Mike Auldridge formed the Seldom Scene. The album was produced by three-time GRAMMY award-winning Smithsonian Folkways Sound Production Supervisor Pete … And the list of contributors on that is something else (e.g., Emmylou Harry, Lowell George, Bill Payne, Ricky Skaggs, Tony Rice, Sam Bush, John Cowan, Herb Peterson, Buddy Emmons, and all members of The Seldom Scene). The group hit hard in Bluegrass-world when they released their debut album ‘‘ Act I’’ in 1972. The Seldom Scene is an American bluegrass band formed in 1971 in Bethesda, Maryland. The Seldom Scene's remaining members recruited Dobroist Fred Travers, bassist Ronnie Simpkins, and former Johnson Mountain Boys singer Dudley Connell. Find the latest tracks, albums, and images from The Seldom Scene. In 1995, dissension came to surface within the Seldom Scene because of their light touring schedule and the feeling among certain members that the band had lost its progressive edge. The Grammy winner and member of the Bluegrass Hall of Fame was 79. Seldom Scene. Banjo, Fiddle / Ron Stewart. The Scene has been instrumental in starting the progressive bluegrass movement as their shows include bluegrass versions of country music, rock, and even pop. Reid has played with several other important acts, including Quicksilver, the Rickey Skaggs Band, Vince Gill, and Carolina. For The Seldom Scene, it's taken not only talented musicians, a signature sound, and a solid repertoire, but also a sheer sense of fun. Dobro / Fred Travers. Before the band could consolidate its new lineup, founder and spiritual leader Duffey died of a heart attack. On the new album Changes, The Seldom Scene more than proves itself up to task. It was also the band's first recording for the Smithsonian Folkways label. Longtime guitarist and banjo player Ben Eldridge retired in 2016, ending a continuous 44-year stint with the group, and was replaced by Rickie Simpkins, who was then usurped by multi-instrumentalist Ron Stewart, who made his studio debut on 2019 Changes, the band's first release for Rounder. Listen to music from The Seldom Scene. They also operate a day care for children. The members of the Seldom Scene still have day jobs. When performing live, the group enjoyed stretching out on songs like "After Midnight," allowing Duffey and Auldridge to take extended solos that sounded closer to jazz than bluegrass. Related Video The Seldom Scene member Lou Reid on Joining the Band Ronnie Simpkins, Dudley Connell, and Fred Travers on Joining The Seldom Scene. In 1977, Starling left the group to return to his medical practice and was replaced by vocalist Phil Rosenthal. The Seldom Scene's remaining members recruited Dobroist Fred Travers, bassist Ronnie Simpkins, and former Johnson Mountain Boys singer Dudley Connell. Each of the band members had a job during the week; Duffey repaired musical instruments, Eldridge was a mathematician, Starling a physician, Auldridge a graphic artist, and Gray a cartographer with National Geographic. That ensemble soon morphed into the Seldom Scene, with original members John Duffey, John Starling, Mike Auldridge, Ben Eldridge, Tom Gray, and Dave Auldridge. Band Members: Lou Reid, Ron Stewart, Dudley Connell, Fred Travers, Ronnie Simpkins. A highly rated force in the newgrass strain of bluegrass, with excellent harmonies and musicianship. Music fans around our area are very familiar with The Seldom Scene, as the popular American bluegrass band has been performing around Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C., since it … Home Welcome News Band Tour Media Contact Back To Top. Changes is due June 7. Their 2000 recording Scene It All features both ringing Dobro and tight harmonies, as well as covers by Chuck Berry, Bruce Springsteen, and Bob Dylan, while 2007's Different Roads anthology and the all-new Scenechronized continue the group's love affair with melody and impeccable musicianship. The name Seldom Scene was an inside joke, reflecting the fact that all the members were working day jobs. Although Starling remained with the band for only a year, his return proved a real treat to fans of the early-'70s lineup, as did the Seldom Scene's 1994 recording Like We Used to Be. The later album included both "Lay Down Sally" and concert favorite "After Midnight." The Seldom Scene. Powered by Squarespace. Members of the 1979 Seldom Scene: John Duffey (Mandolin), Ben Eldridge (Banjo), Mike Auldridge (Dobro), Phil Rosenthal (Guitar), & Tom Gray (Bass) In 1986, after making five albums with the Seldom Scene, Rosenthal departed and was replaced by Lou Reid. Find The Seldom Scene bio, music, credits, awards, & streaming links on AllMusic - A highly rated force in the newgrass strain of… A highly rated force in the newgrass strain of bluegrass, with excellent harmonies and musicianship. For a number of years, the Scene held down a weekly spot at a Bethesda, Maryland, club called The Red Fox Inn. Together, the re-formed band recorded 1996's Dream Scene. The Scene lineup changed over the years, but Duffey was still a member upon his untimely death at the age of 62 from a heart attack on this day, December 10, in 1996, only 2 months after his induction into the IBMA Hall of Fame as a member of the classic edition of the Country Gentlemen. Before the band could consolidate its new lineup, founder and spiritual leader Duffey died of a heart attack.