Gray and New Gloucester Gazette

Mar 29, 2010 – According to Sam Pfeifle, the Portland Symphony Orchestra was writing a grant to bring Chris Thile, the former mandolin player of Nickel Creek, now with the Punch Brothers, to Portland. The hope was for Thile to make the New England debut of his symphony for mandolin.

Since Pfeifle is the music writer for the Portland Phoenix, the Secretary of the Portland Music Foundation, and happens to be a member of the bluegrass band, the Grassholes, he was asked to write a recommendation as part of the grant application.

Upon receipt of the grant, Mandolin Madness was born, with the Punch Brothers playing Friday, and the PSO debuting the mandolin symphony on Sunday. Ultimately, the PSO contacted SPACE seeking a collaboration to add a local element. Knowing that Pfeifle was familiar with the grant AND that he is entrenched in the music scene, the powers that be at SPACE asked if he'd like to be involved. After Pfeifle shared his desire to curate a mandolin festival, SPACE gave him carte blanche to create the event.

Sam went on to explain that Jason Phelps had covered a Chris Thile song on the Jerks of Grass' most recent album, and as a teacher at 317 Main could be a valuable resource. As soon as Pfeifle and Phelps put their heads together, they agreed that the legendary Al Hawkes and his mandolin should be the centerpiece of the event. It was also decided that Cumberland Crossing, whose Ronnie Gallant is a local mandolin legend and one of Pfeifle's favorite players, and happens to be a former bandmate of Jason's in Jerks of Grass, was another obvious choice. Pfeifle's band, the Grassholes would ultimately round out the show.

The performers played to a packed house at SPACE, and Pfeifle commented, "Once the line-up was together, we just kind of let it roll and promoted it heavily and got a lot of support from SPACE and the PSO to make it a big event. Luckily it all came together and people came out to see it. It was obviously very gratifying."

So back to Old Home Week, after a mandolin orchestra from 317 Main did a couple of classical pieces, 11 year-old Tucker Pierce of New Gloucester played a couple of duets with Jason Phelps. They were followed by the band Fen which includes Tucker's older brother, 15 year-old Jack, along with William Morse and Josh Espy.

You may notice the Mame Pierce appear again in this story, Jack and Tucker's dad Dan is a member of the Grassholes. The Pierce Family has its own band too! The Squash and Gourds. In addition to Tucker, Jack, and Dad, daughter Samantha, her friend Sarah Logan, and Sarah's dad Carter are also members. Although they did not perform at the mandolin Fest, you can catch them at the North Star Cafe on the first Sunday of each month at 1PM.

The Cumberland Crossing gang consists of mandolin player Ronnie Gallant, guitarist Craig John, Erica Kingston on bass, Bill Holden on dobro, he's from North Yarmouth, and Skip King on the banjo who is from Gray.

As for the Grassholes, except for Laura Jumper on fiddle, and Robert Neilson on mandolin (Rob grew up in New Gloucester), everyone else is local. They are Field Rider on banjo, and Dan Pierce on bass, both from New Gloucester , and Sam Pfeifle of Gray. Another member, Seth Doyle was not able to join the group due to a death in the family.

All in all, Gray, New Gloucester, and North Yarmouth were VERY well represented both in personnel and talent. The most important thing to note is that even if you're not a bluegrass fan, you have got to appreciate the command of their instruments that these performers have. Absolutely amazing!

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