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 The Bunkum Valley Boys Related stories in this issue:
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Meet the Artists
The following are a few local bluegrass bands we caught up with. If you’re ever in the area, or are looking for someone to play at your next engagement, give them a call. For a list of other bluegrass bands throughout the state, see the link below. Meet The Bunkum Valley Boys, from Daviess County The Bunkum Valley Boys are based out of Bunkum Valley, Daviess County. The band features the Monroe brothers Mark and Jim, who play banjo and guitar respectively, Josh Monroe (Mark’s son) on mandolin, and Bloomington’s Chip Jackson who plays bass and acts as M.C. The Bunkum Valley Boys have played together, with some changes in personnel, for 20 years now. They play traditional bluegrass, much of which is original. They have a CD out called A New Start, which out of 14 tracks, features 11 original songs. The Bunkum Valley Boys have taken first place at the Monroe County Fair for bluegrass, and Josh, who is 22 years old, played in the international bluegrass competition held by SPBGMA (Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music Association). The band he played in, called Midwest Wind, placed 3rd out of 24 bands from around the world. The competition was broadcast live throughout the world, via the internet. The Bunkum Valley Boys play throughout Daviess County, at local fairs and private parties. They will also be featured at the Indiana State Fair on the Traditional Arts Stage on August 16th, and can be heard at the Merom Bluff Chautauqua on the 3rd and 4th of June in Sullivan County. They will also be at White River Valley Antique Association in Elnora on September 8th. For information on the Merom Bluff Festival call 812-356-4782. To contact the Bunkum Valley Boys call Jim Malone at 812-636-7533 or email [email protected].
Bill Lorton (left) and Keith Dunnigan of The Fret Set, get together at Greencastle’s courthouse square after the Old-Time Fiddle and Picking Contest. Keith won first place for guitar. We met Keith Dunnigan at the Heritage Fair, in Putnam County, where he won first place in the Old Time Fiddle and Picking Contest for his guitar playing. Keith is originally from St. Louis, but is living and working in Indianapolis temporarily. While in Indiana, he plays with The Fret Set, who plays throughout the area at local events, and each Thursday at the Walden Inn in Greencastle. Keith sings and plays mandolin and guitar. He is also a beginning student of banjo and fiddle. Keith says, “I was an adult learner and got interested in playing when a Christian bluegrass guitar-playing friend encouraged me. He helped me pick out my first guitar and taught me to play bluegrass guitar.” He has played guitar for 13 years now, and mandolin for four years. Keith describes “Frets” as playing a mixture of both old-time and bluegrass, tending more towards the old-time style. He explains, “Old-time music is a very broad class of instrumental and vocal music. In bluegrass, generally the music is played faster and does not accompany dancers. In bluegrass each instrument takes its turn to solo so that all do not play at the same time. In old-time we can play at the same time and it's not impolite!” He also describes bluegrass and old-time music as very “social”. It’s common for musicians, such as Keith and Bill Lorton to get together and pick or play in a park or wherever they are. You can reach Keith Dunnigan at [email protected] or visit the Walden Inn on Thursdays to see The Fret Set. Call the Walden Inn at 765-653-2761
Flatland Pickers features Lani Rose on vocals and mandolin, her husband Zorba Rose on banjo and bass, and long-time friend Doug Cooper on bass and guitar. They are all from Indianapolis, with Doug Cooper now living in Cincinnati. Flatland Pickers write much of their own music, do new arrangements of old songs, and also cover some standards. All three members were raised in musical families, and have been playing together as Flatland Pickers for the past three years. Their first CD, “Haven’t Heard of You Either”, was released this year and is available at Border’s at Keystone, Trax at Castleton, and The Good Earth Natural Food Store in Broadripple. You can contact Flatland Pickers by e-mailing FLPMSG@hot mail.com for booking information and show schedules. For a list of other bluegrass bands in Indiana visit Bluegrass Crossroads of Indiana, which is also a great source of information on events, clubs, and bluegrass radio. |
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All Feature Articles, artwork and photographs ©2000 by Southernin.com. Some information on the 'County Info' pages is taken directly from brochures published by Visitors Bureaus and Chambers of Commerce.
The Flatland Pickers play a version of traditional music they call “New Grass”. Their music has many of the same characteristics as bluegrass, but also incorporates elements of jazz, rock, old-time, gospel and folk. This gives Flatland Pickers a unique sound that is easy on the ears and is sure to get toes a’tappin’.