From the flatlands of the Midwest comes a band of urban hillbillies
who joined the bluegrass revolution and set out to bring the mountain
sounds to those seeking a respite from the daily grind. The Solar
String Band was established in the living room of Mr. Baber's Neighbor
with the intentions of nothing more than a good time. With the release
of their self-titled album, Mr. Baber's Neighbors: The Solar String
Band offers their own interpretation of the bluegrass experience.
From the traditional, high lonesome sounds of days gone by, jug-band
music, rags and reels, to the modern jam-grass arena, MBN:TSSB takes
the listener on a musical journey which connects them to the roots of
the genre while opening rhythmic doors to the future. Armed with
Banjo, Guitar, Fiddle, Mandolin, Dobro and a Bass Fiddle, Mr. Baber's
Neighbors adds organic, heartfelt harmonies to complete their
wholesome sound.
To date, MBN:TSSB has played such music festivals as the Wakarusa
Music and Camping Festival, Camp Euforia, Schwagstock and the 80/35
Music Festival as well as shared the stage with such artists as
Railroad Earth, Drew Emmitt, Cornmeal, Hot Buttered Run String Band,
Vince Herman, Bob Black, Split Lip Rayfield, Emmitt-Nershi Band, The
Breakfast, Great American Taxi, Tony Furtado, Special Consensus,
Ekoostic Hookah, Blue Turtle Seduction, Chuck Prophet and David Zollo
to name a few, at such venues as the Iowa State Fair, Des Moines'
Temple of Performing Arts, the historic Hoyt Sherman Place Theater,
Iowa City Mill Restaurant, as well as college campuses, community and
Bluegrass festivals and honky-tonks all across the Midwest.
So, if given the chance, don't miss out on a true twisted knee
slappin', down home hootenanny and your opportunity to become an
esteemed member of the Baberhood!!!
Jeff Blanchard: Guitar/Vocals
Jerry Hoehle: Bass/Vocals
Paul Perkins: Banjo/Vocals
Charlie Formaro: Dobro
Billy Kearney: Fiddle/Mandolin/ Vocals
