Union Springs

Style: Bluegrass

Formed: April, 1992

Stomping grounds: Southwest Ohio/Northern Kentucky

Union Springs play contemporary bluegrass -- not newgrass but not "traditional," either -- following in the tradition of some of the great artists like Red Allen, the Osborne Brothers, J.D. Crowe, the Traditional Grass. "We like a healthy, but not excessive, dose of originals, and the same with unappreciated evergreens. We like good harmony singing as much, if not more than, hot picking, though we like to think we can do that, too." [Jon Weisberger]

Band Members:

Gabe Conley, banjo

Chris Davis, mandolin, lead & harmony vocals

Randy Pollard, fiddle, lead & harmony vocals

Ray Townsend, guitar, lead & harmony vocals

Jon Weisberger, acoustic bass, harmony vocals

Business & Correspondence Address:

68 W. Lakeside Avenue, Lakeside Park, KY 41017

Phone: 606/578-8001

E-mail: jondw@ix.netcom.com [Jon Weisberger]

Current Label: Copper Creek

Address: PO Box 3161, Roanoke, VA 24015

Discography:

Last Train Headed South Copper Creek CCCD-0140 (1995)

Help Me, Lord Vetco CD 3070 (1994)

Ten Past Midnight Vetco CD 3066 (1992)

Other Notes:

Since Union Springs doesn't have a Web page, here's some text from their promo sheet:

From Southwest Ohio, birthplace of such great bluegrass acts as Red Allen, the Osborne Brothers, and the Traditional Grass comes Union Springs, carrying on and extending the area’s tradition of hard-driving rhythm and smooth, high singing. From a handful of local shows in 1992, the group has expanded its performing area to dozens of venues in more than 10 states, recording three albums and attracting critical acclaim and audience enthusiasm along the way. Union Springs has twice finished among the top 5 finalists at SPBGMA’s International Bluegrass Band Competition.

Combining sparkling instrumental work with razor-sharp harmony singing and easy going audience appeal, Union Springs offers audiences a many-sided show rooted in outstanding musicianship and the creative use of bluegrass tradition.

Union Springs is…

Gabe Conley, banjo. Prior to joining in 1995, Gabe served apprenticeships with Jim McCall and the Walker Mountain Boys, and the Boys From Indiana.

Chris Davis, mandolin, lead & harmony vocals. Chris is the newest and youngest member of Union Springs, but has already accumulated experience as a third-generation bluegrass picker. His high lead is featured in many of the band’s vocal arrangements.

Randy Pollard, fiddle, lead & harmony vocals. Union Springs’ original banjo player and frequent guest with the Boys From Indiana, Randy moved to the fiddle in 1994.

Ray Townsend, guitar, lead & harmony vocals. With membership in the Traditional Grass and the Allen-Lilly Band on his resume, Ray joined as second lead vocalist in 1994.

Jon Weisberger, bass, harmony vocals. Proficient on both upright and electric bass, Jon is the other founding member of Union Springs. He is a frequent writer on bluegrass for publications such as Bluegrass Unlimited.

Union Springs has appeared at…

Willard & Jean’s (OH) - Boone County Festival (KY) - Huron Valley Eagles Club (MI) - Brandywine Friends Of Old-Time Music (DE) - AFBA Wind Gap Festival (PA ) - Lazy River Festival (NY) - Mountaineer Opry House (WV) - NIBA Festival (IN) - Sandpiper Inn (MD) - Lucketts Old Schoolhouse (VA) - Amana Colonies Festival (IA) - Brown County Festival (OH) - KFOB Meadowgreen Park (KY) - Boys From Indiana Homecoming (IN) Salt River Festival (MI) - Elizabeth Moose Lodge (PA) - Bracken County Festival (KY) - Highland County Festival (OH) - Dearborn County Fair (IN) - Woodward’s Café (KY) - Lawrenceburg Festival (IN) - Conover Hall (OH) and more…