e
op-
to
l
,
on
n
d
t loll
or a
erka
of
apmber
rry
ck
e
and
.
upng
issue 37 working_Layout 1 11/1/2013 1:17 PM Page 33
Randy Smith & His Merry Men, Special
Guests, Return To Northern New England
Joe Milliken
Randy Smith and His Band of
Merry Men are soon returning to the
area, which means if you have not
yet seen this group of veteran, northern New England musicians… it is
simply time to come, listen and experience it for yourself. Sponsored by
Drew’s Salsa in Chester, Vermont,
Randy and the boys will be performing an intimate show at Alstead, New
Hampshire’s Mole Hill Theatre Night
Club on November 27, another opportunity to see this great band upclose and personal!
Currently based in Charlotte,
North Carolina, Smith is a Billboard
and International award winner and
with his original rock band - Vermont’s own 8084 - Randy has toured
throughout the United States and
Canada with such national recording
artists as Blue Oyster Cult, Rick Derringer, Edgar Winter, Foghat and
April Wine. 8084’s self-titled debut release in 1987 was produced by former drummer of the band New
England, Hirsh Gardner.
Smith formed the Merry Men
over a year ago, which includes fellow 8084 band mates Gary Spaulding on drums and percussion and
Roy Alan Brown on bass and vocals,
as well as veteran Long Island guitarist Rich Abel and national awardwinning and U. S. Fiddler Hall of
Famer, Scott Campbell. “The Merry
Men began as a simple project,
which would allow me to perform and
spread my music with a live,
singer/songwriter format.”
“Over the last five years my
style of song writing has become
more intimate and dare I say, ‘mature.’ I look around and based upon
my own life experiences, I feel
I have much to share with the audience with regards to the everyday
struggles and joy that we all experience… creating this connection is
what drives me now. For me, I’m simply the conduit that connects perfect
strangers together through the songs
and various emotions.”
The new arrangements of
Randy’s songs combine an alt-country vibe with a certain rock sensibility.
A unique, balanced blend of guitar,
fiddle solos and pristine vocal harmonies. When you see them perform
live, you can sense the connection
which all members feel onstage. “The
vocal harmonies and vibe from the
fiddle,” Roy Brown stated. “Along with
Randy’s professionalism and experience, I really can feel the chemistry
within this mix of individuals.” Scott
Campbell added, “I really enjoy the
electricity generated by the guys in
this band.”
Guitarist Rich Abel feels much
of the same; “I really enjoy playing
Randy’s original music in an acoustic
setting. The songs cover a gamut of
genres and emotions which really
moved me when I first heard them
and having come from an acoustic
band myself back in the 70’s, this really seemed like a great opportunity.
We all love the vocals, which can really be heard and appreciated within
this venue, as opposed to a screaming rock band. All the members of this
group bring a certain talent, which is
quite complimentary to each other…
plus it’s just a lot of fun!”
The Merry Men set list includes a selection of songs from Smith’s previous solo
CD titled Bittersweet, including “Cowboys,” “All My Life,” “Savannah’s Song”
and others, as well as several fan-favorites from Randy’s days with 8084
and killer versions of such rock classics
as Kansas’ “Dust In The Wind” and Rod
Stewart’s “Handbags and Gladrags.”
One can also expect to hear a surprise
spri nkled in, as well as a special guest
or two.
So how might this band be different from Smith’s previous musical experiences?
“I believe, one of the main differences is the actual purpose of the
music,” Randy explains. “When I was
younger, it was all about making it big,
partying, getting the girls, accolades