It all started with an obscure book, Mountain Minstrelsy of Pennsylvania, published nearly a century ago as a collection of song lyrics gathered in the mountains of Pennsylvania by Henry Shoemaker, a folklorist and "song catcher." The book eventually found its way into the hands of David Bielanko and Christine Smith (members of the rock band Marah) shortly after they relocated from Brooklyn to rural central Pennsylvania. Excited by the idea of a new and relevant album based upon the lost writings, Bielanko and Smith took liberties in writing new original music, as well as reworking the 100+ year old song lyrics.
Finally they put together an analog studio in an old church in Millheim, PA and recruited a band to tackle the recordings, including Gus, an 8-year-old fiddle prodigy, which became Marah Presents Mountain Minstrelsy of Pennsylvania. In support of the record, made on a Studer 8 Track tape machine and mastered directly to a vinyl lathe, Mountain Minstrelsy will present the same raw, authentic approach to this unique live performance.
The Jersey Corn Pickers are a Philly area band that plays original and traditional, high energy bluegrass and Americana music. Their style is informed by their love of old time, folk, rock, blues, traditional country, and all manner of American roots music.
They are busy performing at clubs, coffee houses and festivals all over the northeast promoting their self-titled debut CD. They’ve opened for bluegrass legends Peter Rowan and Tony Trischka and many more. They recently performed at the 2013 Philadelphia Folk Festival and appeared on the Gene Shay Folk Show on WXPN in Philadelphia. Their live shows are rowdy affairs that will put a smile on your face!
