VIENNA — Katahdin Valley Boys, one of Maine’s most popular and respected bluegrass bands, return to the Vienna Union Hall at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 18. Their repertoire features tight harmonies and smooth solos.

They take pride in presenting audiences with top quality traditional and contemporary bluegrass and gospel music, including numerous original tunes since 1998.

The Katahdin Valley Boys were honored as recipients of the Bluegrass Band of the Year Award for 2012 by the Maine Country Music Association and in 2008, 2009 and 2011 by the Maine Academy of Country Music. Each member brings many years of experience and professional showmanship with hard driving, traditional bluegrass sound. They are unique in that all four band members are featured instrumentally and vocally in each set of every show.

The Katahdin Valley Boys comprise Ken Brooks on guitar and vocals, Dan Simons on mandolin and vocals, Jeff Folger on banjo and vocals and Steve Bixby on bass and vocals.

Simons, of Vienna, is a well-seasoned musician who plays bluegrass mandolin, sings lead and harmony vocals, and is a talented guitar player. He draws from a wealth of experience, having played with several roots and bluegrass ensembles and various local groups. He has a great sense of fun and humor. His banter throughout the show keeps the audience smiling. The Katahdin Valley Boys added Simons to the band in 2016.

Folger is a native of Sidney. A towering lead and tenor harmony singer, Folger plays the five-string banjo in a traditional, hard driving style. The classic sounds of Ralph Stanley, Earl Scruggs and J.D. Crowe have been a major part of his musical influence. Folger has been performing since 1993 and has been with the Katahdin Valley Boys since 1998 as a founding member.

Brooks calls Athens home. He was honored by the Maine County Music Association as an inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2012. His superb rhythm and lead guitar picking, along with lead and harmony vocals, enhance the band’s all-around sound. Brooks brings a wealth of experience and vast repertoire to the band. Performing since 1965, he has played with several popular bluegrass bands. Brooks has an extensive discography, having recorded as a solo and ensemble artist. The Katahdin Valley Boys have incorporated his vocal excellence and solid guitar work into the band.

Bixby plays the upright bass, performs much of the MC work and adds his vocal work to the show. Originally from Ashland, Massachusetts, Bixby lives on the Pemaquid Peninsula in Round Pond. At the invitation of a friend to join him at a festival in New York State, Bixby caught the bluegrass bug in 1978 and began playing bluegrass bass in 1980. An accomplished bass player and recording artist, he has performed with several well known bluegrass acts and at numerous bluegrass festivals throughout the northeast.

The combination of vocals, instruments and stage presence offers great family entertainment allowing for varied and exciting combinations of harmonies of both gospel and secular tunes. Song selections for each set of every show are compiled with great care from a vast repertoire to present a dynamic and interesting show for all audience members.

Tickets are on sale at $12 locally or $13 online. For information and tickets, call 207-293-2674 or 207-293-2362 or email viennaunionhall@gmail.com.

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