The Official Site of
Dyer Switch
L.- R.: JoAnn Sifo; Bob Altschuler; Shaun Batho;
Nick Viscio; Tom Benson
Photo by Shannon Savage/SavEdge Solutions
Booking and Information
About Dyer Switch
CD Release Announcement
Sound bites use
The Official Site of |
L.- R.: JoAnn Sifo; Bob Altschuler; Shaun Batho; Nick Viscio; Tom Benson Photo by Shannon Savage/SavEdge Solutions |
| Discography Booking and Information About Dyer Switch CD Release Announcement Sound bites use |
Dyer Switch Band performs what can best be described as traditional bluegrass music with a contemporary edge. They play the songs of the first generation bluegrass music giants like Bill Monroe and Carter Stanley, as well as tunes they have written themselves. The band also includes songs they have found from other styles of music or from lesser-known, but talented songwriters. One music reviewer said of their performance … "The local five piece offered authentic rustic music rendered with grit and vigor…". Their recordings have received considerable airplay on bluegrass radio shows throughout North America and Europe. In 1998 they were Northeast Country Music Association Award nominees in the categories of "Bluegrass Band of the Year" and "Song of the Year" for "Gotta Feelin’", from their most recent recording "American Airwaves". "Gotta Feelin’" also appears on "Northeast Country Music Presents…", a compilation CD consisting of original songs performed by NortheastCMA artists.
The members consist of: JoAnn Sifo/vocals and guitar; Bob Altschuler/banjo and resophonic guitar; Nick Viscio/fiddle; Shaun Batho/bass fiddle; and Tom Benson/ mandolin, guitar and vocals.
In addition to singing lead and harmony and playing a fine rhythm guitar, JoAnn Sifo has co-written a song that was recorded by a country artist and charted at number one in the Netherlands. She can sing a soft ballad or belt out a bluesy number with equal skill. JoAnn is certainly the heart and soul of the band.
Nick Viscio's fiddling can be compared to players that are much older than he is. One need only to listen to him perform a few songs and this will be apparent. While Nick is classically trained as a violinist, he has been performing and mastering other styles of music all of his life.
Bob Altschuler is a unique five-string banjo stylist. He has all the traditional bluegrass sounds mastered but can play a blues number or a jazz tune. Although Bob began playing banjo at an older age than most, his enthusiasm is boundless. His playing brings a high level of energy to the band.
Shaun Batho grew up playing bluegrass music. Shaun played banjo with the band a few years ago for a stint with his own band and was asked to return for his great feeling for the music and for his dedication. In addition to bass, Shaun has mastered most of the "bluegrass" instruments.
Tom Benson was recently honored by his induction into the New York State Country Music Hall of Fame. Tom brings his skill as a musician and a songwriter as well as an entertainer to The Dyer Switch Band. At any given time Tom may jump off the stage to dance with an audience member or swing the mandolin around and start to play it behind his head.
Tom plays a Bluett F-5 style mandolin from Bluett Bros. Violins in York, PA. Tom says," The Bluett mandolin compares very well to any F-5 I have heard or played. The sound is just right for Monroe style I play. I have played it along side of Gilchrists and Gibsons and the consensus of opinion is that this mandolin will hold its own with anyone's".
The Dyer Switch Band continues to appear at festivals, clubs, fairs and coffeehouses from Maine to North Carolina to Kentucky. They have appeared on many radio stations in their travels. They have also showcased at The New York State Association of Agricultural Fairs and are associate members of that organization. They have also performed at the Peaceful Valley Bluegrass Festival in Shinhopple, New York, among many others. While performing at a festival in Virginia, an audience member insisted that the band was not from "up there in New York", but from somewhere down in the bluegrass music heartland!
The Dyer Switch Band puts on a high-energy show that has a something in it for the old die hard bluegrass fan, to the bluegrass uninitiated and for every one from nine months to ninety years.
Independence Records is pleased to announce the release of "American Airwaves", the newest release by the Dyer Switch Band.
The recording contains seventeen songs, including five originals, two of which are instrumentals. "Morning Lamb Blues" is a mournful waltz written by JoAnn, which was inspired by poet William Blake, and "Medicine Dance", written by Tom, influenced by the latter year Bill Monroe style.
The vocal originals include "Who Is The One?", a tale of suspicion written by Tom; "Heaven Only Knows", a gospel song with a strong message written by JoAnn, and "III Wind", a joint effort by JoAnn and Tom, which is a new take on the tragic romance songs of yesteryear.
"Gotta Feelin"' is a swing tune which appears twice on the CD. The second cut has the addition of drums and a clarinet. "Gotta Feelin"' is a new song with an older song period feeling. The song was written by Bob Bates, a Nashville recording artist, who has appeared on WSM's Earnest Tubb Record Shop Midnight Jamboree.
Bob also appeared on the Grand Ole Opry with Charlie Louvin many times. Bob plays the cello on the beautiful ballad by Randall Hylton, "Have I Loved You Too Late?", which JoAnn sings.
JoAnn also sings with her very unique style on "California Blues", a Jimmie Rodgers song, recorded and mixed with the late 1920's sound in mind. Bob Altshuler does a fine job on the Dobro on this song, and guest Peter Davis gives it the "30'6" feel with twin clarinets and a honky-tonk style piano. Another Jimmie Rodgers tune, which Tom sings, "Brakeman's Blues", is also on this CD. The bass intro. leads to a boogie woogie beat that is a real toe tapper.
"Behind These Prison Walls Of Love" is a Blue Sky Boys song that is performed as a duet by Tom and JoAnn; "How Long Blues" is a rousing "blues-grass" tune and "Washington County" is an up tempo fiddle tune. "1 Hear A Choo-Choo Comln"', Is a Stanley Brothers tune at breakneck speed, and "This Little Light Of Mine", Is a Louvln Brothers gospel duet with just Tom on the mandolin and JoAnn on the guitar. JoAnn sings the tenor and high baritone harmonies on "Walk Softly" and Tom does a fine job on the "bluegrass" tune "Rocky Road Blues", which has some rockin' voice/banjo/fiddle/mandolin interplay on the last chorus.
Independence Records and the Dyer Switch Band hope that you enjoy their newest release.
THE DYER SWITCH BAND
1762 Hamburg Street
Schenectady, New York 12304-4675
518.393.7370
Send check or money order to the above address.
CD's $15.00 plus $2.00 S&H
Cassettes $10.00 plus $2.00 S&H
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