REVIEWS
The four guys of the local Bent Grass bluegrass band picked and sang their way through a bunch of quick notes Saturday in a unique set-up at the Weidner Center.
The show was moved on to the main stage, with the audience seated at tables and facing out into the hall. “I happen to believe the view is beautiful, and I hope you appreciate it,” Katie Green of Weidner Center Presents told the evening audience. The band also played an afternoon concert that was added by ticket demand. The location was moved from Fort Howard Hall, which seats about 200, to the stage, which is expansive enough to accommodate about 250 persons in a cabaret setting. Bent Grass played as part of the Community Connections series, which this season gave three local acts a chance at a Weidner gig. All generated an added performance. Because of the response, Community Connections will return next season, Green said.
Bent Grass took the opportunity to bring into a concert setting new songs from a just-release CD that’s laced with original tunes. The show brimmed with variety, in songs and styles and how the band made itself up for individual songs. There was a lot of trading off of instruments among the players, and often – not always – the playing was solid on any instrument the players picked up.
The players: Joe Hannon, mandolin (and somewhat the ringleader); Dave Sladek, banjo; Mike Strenski, bass; and Mark Wellens, guitar.
The group’s 25 songs blended bluegrass traditional (Bill Monroe’s “Blue Moon of Kentucky”), new takes on other styles (Kenny Chesney’s “When the Sun Goes Down” and John Prine’s “Paradise”) and a lot of new and nice material (Strenski’s comically sad “Storm Clouds Blow Away) and Sladek’s nimble “Butterflies on My Banjo” and touching “Jenny Bull."
Love of bluegrass flows and glows through Strenski’s homey “Bluegrass Alibi” and Sladek’s joyous “4865.”
The show included a bonus – 14-year-old David Robinson joining in in each act in displays of wonderfully fluid harmonica playing. He fit hand-in-hand with the other players’ action in such tunes as “Bluebirds” and the closing, high-speed sequence of three ever-popular songs – “I’ll Fly Away,” “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” and “Rocky Top.”
Songs were enhanced by a few lighting effects.
The guys chatted things up among themselves between songs, and the concert as a whole had a feel-good aura.
At the end, Bent Grass and Robinson got a standing ovation.
Bent Grass -"Coming Home", Like a glove. Bluegrass music is the thumb , and these four guys the fingers. Playing music the way it should be. Having fun. The music fits them and they fit the music like a glove.
Always fun to be around and hear, and always bring the crowd into the fun. One of my favorite things is to road trip with a good CD playing. Coming Home will be making lots of trips. A great mix of tunes. Truely a treat.
Congratulations Bent Grass, Jeff Goffard
Bent Grass, a popular area bluegrass band, has completed their newest CD release entitled, “Coming Home.” In this offering, the creative juices were generously flowing. Dave Sladek, who plays "a cavalcade of instruments,” has been diligently at work composing for the group. “When I’m coming home” is the title cut, and tells a modern version of the story of the prodigal son. Sladek also contributes many other tunes, including, “4865” about some of the travel experiences of the band throughout the Midwest, and is a code name for each member, based on the number of strings on their instruments. “Butterflies on my banjo”, “High on love,” a fine instrumental entitles, “ Lydia’s Breakdown” is among nine original composition of Sladek’s.
Bassist Mike Strenski, also had some inspiring moments, and has added original tunes as well. They include “Bluegrass Alibi” and a gospel song entitled, “Are you listnin’ for me Lord." Also, you will find one called “The lament of eight fingers”; a humorous tune about a down on his luck fellow, where nothing seems to go right, and it is highlighted instrumentally with Sladek on the harmonica.
The CD also treats you to traditional bluegrass tunes like “Mountain Dew” and “Long Journey Home,” plus some gospel music with this unmistakable Bent Grass four part harmony. Mandolinist Joe Hannon is often featured, and also served as the producer of the album. Mark Wellens completes the group playing guitar, and singing lead vocal on “Long black Veil”.
Bent Grass will be featured at the Weidner Center for the Performing Arts on April 5th and be officially debuting “Coming Home ” at each of the two shows. The group will also be appearing at the Third Ave. Playhouse in Sturgeon Bay, May 17th, and Celebrate De Pere, May 24th.
May 7, 2007
To Whom it may concern:
I am writing this letter to let you know that my wife and I have had the band Bentgrass several times for our annual summer party at our house in the country.
The guys from Bentgrass have been an absolute blast to party with. They have a connection with people that transcends music they genuinely love to perform. The mix of bluegrass with old hits brings everyone to their feet. Even with the older folks, young children and teenagers, Bentgrass connects America's music heritage with good old-fashioned fun.
If your looking to book just a group for your party look some where else, if looking for an steller experience for your wedding, business meeting or family gathering, book Bentgrass. You will love them.
Andrew & Lori Witt
Morgan, WI
Local Bluegrasss band, Bent Grass, gains loyal fans
By Ed Byrne
Post-Gazette Editor
It was a year ago when the De Pere-based bluegrass band Bent Grass played at Way-Morr Park in the Town of Morrison as part of the Wayside-Morrison Lions Club's Music in the Park series.
The four-man band never expected to have people come up to them after the show to ask where they could buy the band's CD.
"We didn't have one," mandolin player Joe Hannon said.
They do now, and the album "Nineteen Days" is selling so well that the group is working on a second album.
"We have eight songs picked out," Hannon said. "We want to do it over the winter when things slow down a little bit."
The band has four traditional instruments of bluegrass music: mandolin, banjo, guitar and bass.
It is instrumentally solid, but the quality that makes the band stand out is the vocals.
"We are not the most talented bluegrass musicians, but we have very strong vocals and four-part harmonies," Hannon said. "We have a knack for sitting down and working out the harmonies."
"I think having the vocal sound is what sets us apart," said Dave Sladek, who plays banjo. "We sound a bit like the Kingston Trio or the Oak Ridge Boys."
Hannon and bass player Mike Strenski were a part of a band called Grass On Tap in the 1970s.
Strenski was playing banjo in church and Sladek introduced himself.
"We ended up going to a jam session together," Sladek said. "We talked the same language as far as music was concerned."
The group plays a lot of traditional bluegrass music, but Sladek likes to compose and is writing a series of songs that will be on the second album.
Strenski also writes songs for the group.
Hannon calls one of Sladek's songs, "When I'm Coming Home," his favorites.
Sladek grew up in Merrill, and took a local legend there as the story line for another.
It is about a Chippewa girl, Jenny Bull, who fell in love with a white logger's son and ended up dying.
"The chief put a curse on the home of the logging company's owner, the Scott mansion," Sladek said.
According to the legend, lilies of the valley now grow under the tree where Jenny Bull died.
"I always wondered what if I had been the young man who fell in love with the Indian maiden." Sladek said.
Bent Grass aren't just playing bluegrass music; they're adding to it.
All four band members are playing for the love of music.
Hannon owns an outdoor recreation equipment business, quitar player Mark Wellens is a homebuilder, Sladek sells pharmaceuticals and Strenski works for the De Pere Water Treatment Plant.
The group can be contacted through their website at www.bentgrassband.com.
Bent Grass, a popular area bluegrass band, has completed their new CD release entitled, Nineteen Days. You will be treated to both traditional bluegrass music, as well as, original material, and some gospel music in this grassroots presentation. The title cut was written by the bands bass player, Mike Strenski, and tells the age old story about being separated for a time from someone you love. Strenski also authored the song "Mine For A While." Dave Sladek, who is not only versatile on the banjo, contributes some original instrumental works such as, "Peelin' Potatas" and "Full Moon over Newwood."
This band will often feature four part harmonies and some well placed accapella singing. Joe Hannon is featured on the mandolin, and Mark Wellens on the guitar. Though this group is only a year in the making, its fan base is growing with each performance. Hannon remarked, "that over the last six months, we haven't played a booking that five or six people haven't asked us for our CD, and we'd have to tell them, we're getting one in the works."
Bent Grass, appearances have included such venues as, the Green Bay Cellcom Marathon, to a winery in Fish Creek (Door C.), to local restaurants and pubs, and private parties. The bands catch line is, "Entertainment for when you just want to have fun!" For information about booking Bent Grass or to obtain their new CD, contact the band at info@bentgrassband.com.
