~ ShoreGrass

*Welcome to the old* ShoreGrass website! We have MOVED!! Finally got a domain name we could remember, and the band website is now located at: www.shoregrass.com** Please visit us there and change your bookmark. If I knew how to redirect you automatically, I would do so... Band Bio CD Information Upcoming Performances Contact Information Photos (click on thumbnails with green borders for larger photos)

ShoreGrass Band
Bio of the Band ShoreGrass is a bluegrass band from the Connecticut shoreline, comprised of Barbara and Frank Shaw (guitar and banjo), Paul Pozzi (mandolin), Larry Rothermel (fiddle) and Bob Csugie (bass). Started by the Shaws of Branford as a duet, the group has expanded to the traditional five bluegrass pieces and has performed as a quintet in the local area since December, 1999. Their music is a lively mix of traditional American bluegrass and folk songs as well as original pieces reflecting their roots in contemporary music. They are avid fans of old-time mountain music, as well as gospel, early country and the music of such bluegrass pioneers as Bill Monroe, Flatt & Scruggs and Ralph Stanley. All five members of ShoreGrass sing, giving the group that unique bluegrass blend of guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle and bass while alternating leads on 3 and 4-part vocal harmonies. Their musicianship gives the audience an ensemble experience that demonstrates the range and uniqueness of each instrument as well as an unusually rich vocal blend, all delivered with the special sense of humor that marks all ShoreGrass performances. Past performances include: Beardsley Park ZooFolk Concert Series Blackstone Library Branford Chamber of Commerce Branford Folk Music Society Branford High School Branford River Festival Cheshire Strawberry Festival Fiery Hill Festival (NY) First Congregational Church of Branford Guilford Savings Bank Harbor Village New Haven Folk Festival Newtown's Edmond Town Hall NOMAD Festival (Northeast Music and Dance) Private parties galore.... St. John's Folk Traditions Night The Branford Festival The Space Willie's Steak House WPKN - live WSHU - live
		Barbara plays guitar, sings and writes original music for the group. She is a retired information technology consultant and is currently a freelance writer and photographer.
		Frank plays banjo and is a manufacturing engineer. He was bass player and vocalist in the 70’s Folk / Rock band Clean Living, which recorded two albums on the Vanguard label. He sings lead and baritone.
		Paul (PJ) Pozzi plays mandolin and sings tenor and lead. He works by day (and night) as an architect and spends a lot of time on the tennis courts.
		Larry Rothermel is director of the strings program at the town's intermediate school, and also plays violin with the New Haven Civic Orchestra and trumpet with the Branford Town Band.
		Bob Csugie is a multi-instrumentalist and music teacher. He's versatile in several genres, but saves the best for bluegrass! Bob spends a lot of time commuting, since he is the only one in the band who lives away from Branford..
Our Debut CD! ShoreGrass released their debut CD "In Connecticut" in late 2001. It was recorded at American Melody Studio in Guilford, CT, engineered and mixed by nationally renowned musician Phil Rosenthal. The songs reflect their strong roots in traditional acoustic music as well as their affection for New England, especially the debut of the instrumental "Connecticut Waltz," and "I Can't Go Home," which comments on changes in hometown Branford, CT. This CD was selected for review by the Philadelphia Folksong Society, which said: "...they sound terrific. Their enthusiasm is infectious, their blend is sweet, their repertoire is varied easy listening. I gave this CD the old dishwashing test and it lasted all the way through the dinnerware, even surviving the wok, which gets done last." A testimonial about the "Connecticut Waltz" from the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce: "Connecticut Waltz" is a beautiful song that eases the mind of everything and brings thoughts of times past. The song is easy listening and uplifting at the same time with a refreshing melody. It seems this waltz would be a great representation for Connecticut and we thank you for taking the time and effort to put it together. This is a time when people understand how important it is to have "roots" and you are offering a song that can symbolize people's love for Connecticut!

*Recording session at the American Melody Studio*

*Watching Phil do the rough mix at the board*
Here are some sound clips from our CD:
Connecticut Waltz		Other states have a waltz. Why not Connecticut? Written by Barbara for her home state. Lyrics soon!
One More Miner		About a grandfather who worked in the mines of Arizona. Written by Barbara, sung by Paul (lead) with Barbara and Frank doing harmony.
Other CD news: We're making (slow) progress on our upcoming CD of "Songs of the Civil War Era." Check with us in the next few months for a recording of this collection of songs popular on both sides during the war years as well as some written about the war in later years. The band presents their interpretation of several familiar soldier songs from the period, as well as a selection of sentimental ballads, hymns and popular songs of the past and present representing both the Union and Confederacy. The live program includes commentary and a bit of history about each song. (Haven't decided yet whether any of the commentary will make it to the CD!)
OK, we have to confess that we have made no progress lately on our Civil War CD. We would still love to do it, but have not had the time nor sufficient impetus to keep it moving recently. But stay tuned...
Following are some sound clips from our live "Songs of the Civil War Era" program. If you are interested in presenting this program, contact us and let's talk!
Battle Cry of Freedom		A little sample of both North and South versions of this famous song from 1862.
Vacant Chair		Willie Grout of the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry died at the Battle of Balls Bluff, VA in October, 1861. His family celebrated Thanksgiving the following month without him.
Shall We Gather at the River		Written by Baptist minister Robert Lowry in 1864.

ShoreGrass has the following upcoming performances:
Note: The Friday, February 7, 2003, 10:00 pm, ShoreGrass appearance LIVE on WSHU 91.1 fm radio (an NPR affiliate) in Fairfield, CT is archived on the internet at: http://www.wshu.org/profiles/. You can listen to the entire program (takes a LONG time to download, however) and also see the photos that were taken there.
Saturday, January 29, 2005, 7:30 pm, ShoreGrass at St. John's 6th Annual Folk Traditions Night in New Haven, CT. Donation $10. Info: http://www.ctfolk.com/stjohns.html or Robert Messore (203) 787-9642.
Saturday, March 5, 2005, 8:00 pm, ShoreGrass at Unitarian Church in New London, CT with Shady Creek and Second Circle. $12. Info: Gary Davis (860) 228-8192.
Saturday, April 16, 2005, 4:00 pm, ShoreGrass at Trinity Episcopal Church in Newtown, CT. Free will donation. Info: Bill Meiners (203) 426-4082.
Saturday, May 21, 2005, 6:30 pm, ShoreGrass at 5th Annual Armed Forces Day Tribute at Edmonds Town Hall in Newtown, CT. $10. Info: Marty Maciag (203) 426-4817 evenings.
More events in the works . . .

Here are a few photos of past performances: (click on thumbnails for larger photos)

New Haven Folk Festival 9/18/2004	Fiery Hill Festival 7/3/2004		Newtown, CT 5/2004


Branford River Festival 2003	Armed Forces Day Tribute in Newtown, CT with Roger Sprung Band 5/17/2003		Guilford Savings Bank 5/3/2003


WSHU Profiles in Folk, 2/7/2003	Onstage at the Blackstone Library 2002		*Lupus Benefit at BHS 2002*


Branford River Festival 2002	*St. John's Traditional Night 2002*		*Branford Folk Music Society, 2001*


*"Soup for All" Benefit 2001*	Branford River Festival 2000		Branford Festival 2000



		For further information about our CD or booking, or to sign up to be on our e-mail list, send a note to: ShoreGrass@snet.net. We would love to hear from you if you have visited this site.