Staber & Chasnoff

Location: R.A. Fountain

from our promo for this concert

Dick played mandolin for Del McCoury from 1969-1975. He performed on three of McCoury’s early-’70s recordings, and he released three critically acclaimed records himself as a solo artist, with lots of friends acoompanying, on Rounder in the 1980s. He also has played with Don Stover, 19778-78, and Bob Paisley, 1979-81, and he has written several songs that have been recorded by contemporary bluegrass stars.

Together, Staber and Chasnoff have released 3 independently produced CDs, copies of which will be available at their Fountain appearance.

Although they perform some bluegrass tunes, Staber and Chasnoff play a style of music that’s more akin to the brother duets popular in the 1930s. The Monroe Brothers–Bill, Charlie, and Birch–are favorites, but most of their covers of Bill Monroe tunes pre-date his creation of what’s known today as bluegrass.

Dick’s got the prettiest tone on the mandolin we’ve heard in Fountain, and their harmonies are simply beautiful. We’re fortunate that they enjoy stopping by to play here on their annual migration South for the winter.

Tags: Appalachian, bluegrass gospel, folk, old-time, original, tradtional bluegrass