The Dry Branch Fire Squad is an American traditional-style bluegrass band from Virginia, which is fronted by Ron Thomason. The band is known for its showy performances and for Thomason's humorous interludes. The Dry Branch Fire Squad is the host band of Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival, formerly called the Winterhawk Bluegrass Festival. The band also hosts the High Mountain Hay Fever festival in Colorado as a fundraiser for a local medical clinic.
History Dry Branch Fire Squad was founded by Thomason, a former member of the Clinch Mountain Boys, in October 1976."Ron Thomason – Told You That To Tell You This" Bluegrass Unlimited, August 1st, 2011 By Chris Stuart It is named for a small town in Southwest Virginia where Thomason was born. The band has gone through many lineup changes; Thomason has been the one constant, serving as the band's MC, lead singer, and mandolin player. He also plays banjo and guitar on occasion, and during performances often demonstrates hambone technique which he learned as a child.
In 1978 the band released a self-titled debut album, and in 1979 they performed at Bill Monroe's Bean Blossom Festival.
In 1981 the Dry Branch Fire Squad signed with Rounder Records, and released the first of many recordings with that label.
In 1984 the band began hosting the newly organized Winterhawk Bluegrass Festival.
At one time banjoist Bill Evans and singer Suzanne Thomas performed and recorded with the band.
The band has performed at the annual Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco every year since 2003.
Long-time members Brian Aldridge and Dan Russell retired at the end of 2015. Former member, Adam McIntosh, rejoined the band playing guitar and mandolin and assuming tenor singing duties. Jeff Byrd also joined replacing Dan Russell on bass.
In 2016 band is composed of Adam McIntosh (guitar, mandolin), Tom Boyd (banjo, resophonic guitar), Jeff Byrd (bass), and Ron Thomason (mandolin, banjo, guitar).
In 2017 a performance by the band was filmed for inclusion in the film Bluegrass Court Jester."Bluegrass Court Jester gets his due in upcoming film". Bluegrass Today, on April 5, 2017 by John Lawless.
The Dry Branch Fire Squad is a regular at the Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival, and has been the opening act for the Sunday morning gospel set for every single year, twice per summer, since the festival began, totaling 40 years and 80 festivals. After a break for COVID year, Dry Branch Fire Squad is slated to resume their record for the 81st festival in May 2021.
Selected recordings The Dry Branch Fire Squad - 1978 On Tour - Live at the Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival - 1979 Born to Be Lonesome - 1981 Antiques and Inventions - 1981 Fannin' the Flames - 1982 Good Neighbors and Friends - 1985 Golgotha - 1986 Tried and True - 1987 Fertile Ground - 1989 Long Journey - 1991 Just for the Record - 1993 Live! at Last - 1996 Memories That Bless and Burn - 1999 Hand-Hewn - 2001 Live at the Newburyport Firehouse - 2005 Thirtieth Anniversary Special - 2007 Echoes of the Mountains - 2009 The Gospel Way - 2014 Don't Forget This Song - 2014
References
External links Dry Branch Fire Squad homepage Grey Fox Music Festival Dry Branch Fire Squad at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival