Buckhorn Mountain Boys
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Buckhorn Mountain Boys

Band Americana Bluegrass

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"Boise Weekly's Top 5 Bands of the Year"

What is bluegrass you might ask? Well the folks at Princeton University define it as "a type of country music played at rapid tempo on banjos and guitars." We here at the Weekly define it as "fiddle-funk", a recipe the Idaho foursome known as The Buckhorn Mountain Boys have perfected with a precise mix of talent, fun and instrumentation. Formed nearly thirty years ago, The Buckhorn Mountain Boys established themselves as one of the most popular bluegrass bands in the Northwest. They reorganized in March 2001 and have steadily positioned themselves as Idaho's premier boot-stompin', toe-tappin' bluegrass band. With Al Jackson on lead vocals, guitar and mandolin, Mike Bond on banjo, Rue Frisbee on fiddle and Donna Bond on stand-up bass, this quartet prides themselves on performance, perfection and tradition.

In May of last year, the band released their first album, Take The Backroad Home. Not only was it released on the BMBs own label, but it was produced entirely by them as well. Whether this ensemble is opening for national touring acts like the Del McCoury Band or playing a street festival in downtown Boise, or a bluegrass festival somewhere, expect a traditional bluegrass sound combined with a festive original style - Boise Weekly


"One More River..CD Review"

The Buckhorn Mountain Boys hail from Idaho, a state seldom percieved as a bluegrass state, but a state that has, nonetheless, produced some fine music and musicians. Many of the original compositions contained on this recording were written by regional songwriters. The band has been a regional favorite, since being formed in 1976 by guitar player and lead vocalist, Al Jackson. Current band members include Mike Bond (banjo, vocals), Donna Bond (bass, vocals), and Rue Frisbee (fiddle, vocals). Guest Dobro player, Pat Massie, joins the band, to good effect, on several cuts, where the Dobro is appropriate.

To date, the group has recorded three CDs, with "One More River" their latest effort. One standout tune, "Maggie's A-Waltzin," is a curious composition recieving considerable airplay around the country from its early release on Volume 77 of Prime Cuts of Bluegrass. Written by Rick and Lora Wingerter, the song recounts how the waltzing of an elderly woman transports her back to happier days, when life was fresh and love was new. The song starts with a fiddle intro using the old scratchy sound some of us associate with 78-rpm records and the song then morphs into quality sound with modern equipment and finally fades back to the old sound once again. Other highlights include "This Old Hat," an enjoyable well-written song I'd not heard before and the band also provides an inspired arrangement of the old favorite, "Life Is Like A Mountain Railway."

This album provides some very appealing songs, done mostly in the traditional style, with what some listener's call "today's" sound. The music is new, unique, and should gain the band a great deal of attention.

Johnny Pearce - Bluegrass Now...February 2006


"The Buckhorn Mountain Boys - One More River"

From the hills of Idaho come the Buckhorn Mountain Boys with an admirable offering of contemporary bluegrass. The band has been around since 1976 and was formed by Al Jackson (guitar, mandolin, and lead vocals). The group has had at least one previous recording to their credit, and this latest consists of 13 titles, most of which were composed by regional songwriters including Steve Brown, Dale Keys, and Steve Eaton, among others. Some of the more prestigous titles include "Blow Wyoming Blow,""Red Eye Saloon,""This Old Hat," and banjoist Mike Bond's "Buckhorn Mountain Breakdown." There are also rousing interpretations of "Life Is Like A Mountain Railway," and the classic Tommy Jackson instrumental "Tomahawk." A member of the local media lauds the Buckhorn Mountain Boys as "...one of the freshest sounds to come along in quite awhile..." and "One More River" clearly establishes them as as the state of Idaho's premier bluegrass band.

Les McIntyre - Bluegrass Unlimited...December 2005


"Buckhron Mountain Boys, CD Review"

"One More River" is one more solid release (the third) of traditional bluegrass by The Buckhorn Mountain Boys, a quartet based in Nampa, Idaho. The thirteen tracks affirm that bluegrass and bluegrass songwriting are alive and well in cowboy country.

In its second incarnation, The Buckhorn Mountain Boys consists of original founder Al Jackson (lead vocals, guitar, mandolin), Mike and Donna Bond (banjo and bass), and Rue Frisbee (fiddle, guitar). Pat Massie guests on Dobro. Each demonstrates sound musicianship, credible vocals, and unequivocal appreciation and respect for traditional bluegrass.

A Jackson co-write and a Mike Bond instrumental are the album's only originals, however, all but two of the remaining tracks on "One More River" feature regional songwriters. Moreover,songs like "Wild Western Windblown Band" (Bruce Hauser) and "Blow Wyoming Blow" (Jackson/Dan Leavitt) are set regionally as well.

It all adds up to hard-driving traditional bluegrass within the context of the American northwest. Because they're happy to share the spotlight, The Buckhorn Mountain Boys have distinguished themselves with a collection that truely shines.

Tim Walsh - Bluegrass Now (Nov 2006)


"The Buckhorn Mountain Boys "One More River""

A very spiffy band of folks from the state of Idaho has a fine CD out with their special brand of bluegrass music. "One More River", contains very well executed music on the vocals and the instruments. The band consists of Al Jackson (lead vocals, guitar & mandolin), Mike Bond (banjo & vocals), Rue Frisbee (fiddle & vocals), and Donna Bond (bass & vocals), with special guest, Pat Massie on Dobro. Songs of note include "Wild Western Windblown Band", and "Maggie's A-Waltzin"...a very unique song with an interesting intro and ending. This band represents the music very well on stage and equally well on their CD..."One More River".

George McKnight. - uptownbluegrass.com


Discography

Take The Backroad Home; BMB Records 2003
LIVE, Warts And All; BMB Records 2004
One More River; BMB Records 2005

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Bio

First formed in 1976, the Buckhorn Mountain Boys reorganized in 2001 and play traditional bluegrass music and are based out of Nampa, in southwestern Idaho.

Their traditional based but highly original sound is centered around the lead vocals of Al Jackson, who also plays guitar and mandolin. Al started playing bluegrass music in the early 70s and was the founder and leader of the original Buckhorn Mountain Boys.

Mike Bond, is BMBs banjo player and could be considered one of the pioneers of bluegrass music in Idaho. Mike played with some early bluegrass bands in the state before settling in with "Ragged But Right" for 17 years. He was also one of the founders of the Idaho Bluegrass Association. He sings mostly tenor harmony lending to the band "high lonesome sound".

Rue Frisbee is widely known throughout Idaho as one of the most tasteful bluegrass fiddle players. In his earlier days, he competed widely in numerous fiddle contest throughout the northwest including the National Old Time Fiddlers Contest in Weiser Idaho. He played with "Too Far Gone" for 15 years as well as other bluegrass and country bands. Rue also plays guitar and sings harmony on the quartets and provides the bands comic relief.

Donna Bond plays stand-up bass and is one of the best in the business. Her energy and drive contribute to BMBs powerhouse rhythm section and her high harmony vocals fill the bands powerful and edgy trios. She also played for 17 years in "Ragged But Right" with her husband Mike.

The Buckhorn Mountain Boys have open shows for and shared the stage with several high level national bluegrass acts including; the Del McCoury Band, IIIrd Time Out, Lost Highway, Cherryholmes, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver and Country Current. Boise Weekly selected the Buckhorn Mountain Boys as one of the Top 5 bands in Boise Idaho for 2004. They have appeared at numerous festivals including: The Bannock County Bluegrass Festival in Idaho, The Darrington Bluegrass Festival in Washington, The Battle Mountain Music Festival in Nevada, and the Portland Rose Festival in Oregon as well as numerous concert appearances throughout the Western United States.

They have produced and released three CDs on their own independent BMB Records label. Their latest CD, "One More River" has recieved radio play across the U.S as well as Canada, Australia, and Europe.

The Buckhorn Mountain Boys pride themselves on playing traditional based bluegrass music but have also developed their own unique sound. They have been described as playing "traditional bluegrass music with an original flair". Each member of the BMB has spent years playing bluegrass and that knowledge has helped them perfect their own signature sound. They shape that sound by blending voices and instruments through smooth transitions, rapid-fire licks and stunning instrumentals. Bluegrass Now magazine says, "their music is new and should gain the band a great deal of attention". Bluegrass Unlimited says, "One More River clearly establishes them as the state of Idaho's premier bluegrass band".

QUOTES;

"These guys are one of the best, freshest sounds to come along in quite awhile. If you have a chance to lay your hands on any of their albums, you will never regret it". Mitch Pruitte. KFXD Radio, Boise, Idaho.

"One More River is a fine collection of great songs performed with the band's powerful western flair". Dave Higgs, Nashville Public Radio.

"This four piece ensemble combines traditional bluegrass with original flair. They have a deep appreciation for the preservation of true bluegrass and it shows in their tight vocal harmonies and obvious joy in what they do". Molly King, Boise Weekly.

"I always look for a surprise in each issue of Prime Cuts, and this band was it for this issue". Rich Baker, WOSU Radio

"hard driving traditional bluegrass within the context of the American northwest. The Buckhorn Mountain Boys have distinguished themselves with a collection that truely shines". Tim Walsh, Bluegrass Now Magazine.