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Bob Batura - vocals, guitar, harmonica In January of 1975 I started college and discovered that my roommate was very talented at guitar, harmonica, and vocals. His signature song was Billy Joel's "Piano Man". Within the first few weeks, I said "I wanna do that too." The following summer I bought a $75 acoustic 6-string and taught myself to play and sing a handful of tunes. Over the years that guitar took many hiatuses in the closet and attic. In 2000 it all changed. Pickin' and strumming four or five songs for fun on the front porch with friends evolved into the formation of an actual band, the Filmore Valley Boys. Now after 6 years, a hundred songs, and some personnel changes, I've made all kinds of musical dreams come true with wonderful musician friends. The sky is the limit for the next hundred songs.....might have to include "Piano Man".Bob Batura, vocals and guitar back to top |
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I
always wanted to be a troubadour - traveling from town to town singing
and playing for my dinner. Unfortunately modern times and family
life have made that lifestyle impractical. With the Filmore Valley
Boys, I have been given a chance to pursue my dream and feel that
special feeling that only good times and great music can bring.
I hope that our performance will bring that same special feeling
to you. |
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While
returning from Merlefest in 1995, I said to my wife, "Some day I'd
love to play an instrument." She jokingly replied, "You've said
that a million times! When we get home, get my father's old violin
down from the closet and learn to play it - or shut up!" -- and
that's what I did. Two weeks later, I started taking fiddle lessons
and discovered I could actually play. Shortly thereafter, I discovered
old-time music and fell in love with it. Over the next few years,
I also learned to play mandolin and clawhammer style banjo. Playing
at numerous old-time and bluegrass jams, festivals and workshops
has added to my musical knowledge. In 2003, at a week-long old-time
music workshop, I was exposed to playing stand-up bass. The next
thing I knew, another rather large instrument joined the collection.
Since then, I've been playing stand-up bass at regular bluegrass
jam sessions and in several developing bands. In December 2005,
I joined the Filmore Valley Boys as their bass (and occasional banjo)
player and found a whole new world of musical enjoyment. |
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I
started playing classical piano when I was three years old and the violin
at seven. Until 1997, I played in community orchestras in Boston and
Raleigh. In the Boston area, I played with a symphony that was one of
the longest continuously-operating symphonies in the United States (founded
in 1913). In 1997 I attended a violin repair workshop at Augusta Heritage
Festival. It was also “Irish Week” that same week. I had so much fun
learning Irish music at Augusta, I came home with the resolve to try
other types of music including jazz and folk. In 2002, I joined the
Filmore Valley Boys and have had an incredible time exploring new musical
worlds with some great musicians. - Anne Shamp, violin |
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Barrett Panton -mandolin, vocals I
love the music and the music loves me. |
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