Bluegrass music at church concert

MADRID — The Reeds Mill Church, 995 Reed’s Mill Rd., will host the Sandy River Ramblers bluegrass band Sunday, Sept. 24, for the second annual concert of gospel music and songs about Maine. The first show last September was a big success with a full house, lots of audience participation, and a good time all around.
Stan Keach, the bandleader and chief songwriter, says, “We love to sing Gospel songs and hymns, but we haven’t had many opportunities to do that lately, so we’re really looking forward to coming back to Madrid this year.” Keach wrote or co-wrote all the songs on the Ramblers’ CD, — “Cry of the Loon and other original songs about Maine” — and some of those songs of Maine will be featured at this performance.

The Ramblers also boast the amazing banjo playing of Madrid’s own Bud Godsoe, who will also play some dobro and guitar, and the fiddling of 18-year-old virtuoso Finn Woodruff. Vocally, there’s lots of variety, with lead singer Keach and two, stunningly good young singers — Julie Davenport and 15-year-old Dana Reynolds. The three- and four-part harmonies are another big asset of the band.

The concert begins at 2 p.m. and is free to the public; a free-will offering will be taken. There will be delicious deserts for sale at intermission.

To get to the Reeds Mill Church, take Reeds Mill Road from Route 4 and go exactly five miles, then look for the church, which will be well-marked, on the right. For more information, call Virginia at 207-639-2713 or Stan at 207-397-2241.

The Sandy River Ramblers (Submitted photo.)