FARMINGTON – Wilf Clark and The Misty Mountaineers will be performing a benefit concert for the Franklin County Fiddlers’ trip to New Orleans on Saturday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. at Nordica Auditorium in Merrill Hall at UMF.
Wilf Clark and The Misty Mountaineers has been a staple in the New England area for 30 years. Established in 1975 on St. Albans Mtn. in Maine, the members have changed over the years but the style and desire to please a crowd has stayed the same. The band features a traditional, hard-driving style of bluegrass and gospel.
The one original member remaining from the band’s beginning in 1975 is mandolinist Wilf Clark. Wilf is the son of country legend, Yodeling Slim Clark. He plays a hard driving mandolin style and is also a strong lead singer. The rest of the band in made up of veteran performers throughout Maine. Dotty Farrell, the bass player comes from a country background and anchors the group with a powerful drive. She is a former Miss Downeast Country Music and Downeast Bass Player of the Year.
Jay Smith, a talented 19-year-old college student from Industry, is the band’s current fiddler. Jay is a solid bluegrass fiddler who has also performed with his brother as The Smith Brothers around the state for the past nine years. Bernie Staples provides solid rhythm and lead guitar. His high tenor over the vocal styling of Wilf makes for a fine old-time bluegrass sound. Suzie Gibson plays Scruggs style banjo and also contributes vocals. Bob Coombs plays dobro as well singing lead and back-up vocals. The band performed at the Joe Val Festival in 2007 and has been hired to return for February 14, 2009. They were voted Maine Academy of Music’s Bluegrass Band of the Year in 2007 and 2008.
This concert will benefit The Franklin County Fiddlers’ trip to New Orleans in April. Join The Misty Mountaineers, The Smith Brothers and The Franklin County Fiddlers for an enjoyable evening of music.
