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The Balladeers |
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The Balladeers |
Co-founded by John C. Quinn and Michael Yates, the 77th New York Regimental Balladeers are dedicated to preserving the songs, history and spirit of the 1860s. John, Mike, and fellow Balladeers John Perreault, Jim Broden and Kathleen Ross use the original Civil War music arrangements and lyrics to convey the thoughts, motives, and sorrows of the men and women who lived during one of the most defining periods of our American heritage. The songs are sung as they would have been performed in camp or the family parlor one hundred and thirty-eight years ago.
We are sensitive to the "politically correct" attitudes of today, but feel it is essential that the songs be presented using the same words, terms and dialects from that period. It is not our intention to offend anyone and the use of some of the lyrics to the songs are not our personal views. We are, however, honored to share and vocalize the songs which were sung by soldiers and civilians from the North and South.
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John C. Quinn, Sharon K. Quinn John co-founded the 77th New York Regimental Balladeers three years ago. Mr. Quinn is a noted Civil War historian, collector of militaria and performer of songs of the period. He served as historical consultant and authored the chapter introductions for the book, A War to Petrify the Heart: The Civil War Letters of a Dutchess County Volunteer, Richard T. Van Wyck. Several Letters included in the album are from John's collection of Civil War correspondence between soldiers and the home front. He has appeared on television, radio and at schools, historical societies, colleges, teacher conferences, and Civil War roundtables to discuss the penetrating first-hand accounts of the events documented in soldiers' and civilians' writings and journals from 1860-65. On Somebody's Darling John sings lead vocals and plays guitar, six-string banjo and mandolin. His rendition of Minstrel Boy, an early 1800s Irish classic, has won rave reviews and moved audiences wherever it has been performed. He resides in Windham, New York, with his wife Sharon who developed the concept for the album's cover. Sharon has taught in the Catskill Central School District for 31 years. Her art classes integrate Civil War history and the arts. Sharon produces and choreographs the Tenting Tonight visual arts program with the Balladeers' music. She is a collector of carte de visites of women in period fashions. She has incorporated these images in her unique and highly sought after handcrafted note cards and miniatures. These items are usually for sale at each performance. She resides in Windham, New York with her husband John and their Irish Setter, Traveller. |
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John Perreault John joined the 77th New York Regimental Balladeers in the spring of 1997. John plays mandolin, guitar, and acoustic bass for the Balladeers. This will be his third season with the group. When not with the Balladeers, John is very busy in the music scene. He currently performs and records with several groups playing anything from Celtic, funk, metal, to jazz. John also is a resident musician with the Compass Rose Theatre Company of Astoria. He is busy assembling a swing band, reminiscent of Django Reinhardt's Hot Club of Paris, for their upcoming summer production of "Much Ado Bout Nothing". He made his theatre debut last summer in the company's production of "As You like It", and also arranged and composed the music for their production of "A Winter's Tail". On top of all of this, John goes to college where he is studying music and also spends his winters coaching youth hockey. Please check out John's side projects:
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Gisella Montanez-Case This is Gisella's first season with the Balladeers. The extraordinary range, power and passion of her singing voice are appreciated wherever we have performed. Her beautiful voice, combined with her dramatic flair makes every concert appearance a special treat for the audience. Prior to her operatic work, she performed in operettas and musicals, touring the United States and Scandinavia in Evita with Director Hal Prince, and performing Dolly in Three Penny Opera. She has been a Semi-Finalist in the Metropolitan Opera Awards. Gisella has attended Chicago's American Conservatory of Music. The following quote from the Grand Rapids Press says it all: "The remarkable voice of Gisella Montanez-Case, a soprano makes one's hair stand on end. Here is a voice of extraordinary range and color to say nothing of power - power that is delivered without forcing or distortion of pitch. Not only does she have one of the most beautiful voices around here, she also has an innate sense of phrasing, a knowledge of how to round off a phrase so the listener never is quite sure when the note is ended." Whether singing a patriotic song like The Battle Cry of Freedom or the sentimental ballad Aura Lea, Gisella's love, respect and heart-felt passion for the music of the Antebellum and Civil War periods comes through during every performance. We know you will enjoy her marvelous singing talent. Ms. Montanez-Case resides in Glens Falls, NY with her husband Paul, their son William and dog "Cookie". |
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James Broden Jim, a native of Albany, New York, learned to play the violin in public school. While serving in the United States Navy, Jim continued to pursue violin, piano and flat pick guitar. After retiring from the Navy with twenty years of service, Jim began to focus on his true calling — playing fiddle tunes. Jim describes fiddling as a form of "wordless communication." To him, playing a thirty-two bar solo set is like telling a story. The musical story might be sad, aristocratic, or funny, depending on the tune. According to Broden, "when playing at a contra-dance his fiddle talks to the dancers and their dance movements act as a reply." Jim has been playing with the 77th New York Regimental Balladeers since they initiated their highly praised concert series in the spring of 1998. On Somebody's Darling and Shenandoah, Jim supplies a rich instrumental harmony to enhance and blend with the vocal arrangements. Mr. Broden resides in Schenectady, New York. |
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Major Capers Major joined the 77th Regimental Balladeers in 1997 to work as our Sound Engineer. Major grew up in the Bronx, New York, where he learned to play the violin and to appreciate music. Major was accepted to Trinity College in Connecticut and started his career in broadcasting as a radio and talk show host (1972-1976). Major also performed as a DJ at Trinity campus and private events. Major is a history buff and enjoys reading about both American and World history. "As a member of the 77th Regimental Balladeers I most enjoy having the opportunity to share with our audiences the music, slides and readings of the Civil War period. I hope that these performances help to preserve the historical events of this period, and help us greater appreciate the role that all of our ancestors have played to make this a great country." |
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Elizabeth Graham Elizabeth joined the 77th New York Regimental Balladeers in late July. She first performed with the group at the Adult Learning Institute's Tenting Tonight concert program. Elizabeth is an accomplished violinist. She studied classical violin with Alfredo Cavaleri at St. Rose College. She has performed with the Union College Orchestra and at a number of studio recording sessions. Ms. Graham is a certified Social Studies teacher and a former 19th and 20th century antiques dealer. Her passion for the history of the antebellum and Civil War periods and musical talents are a natural fit with the Balladeers' type of music. Elizabeth works as a commercial stylist on video, television and photographic projects. Ms. Graham resides in Niskayuna with her daughters Katryn and Mikael. |
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Joe Prusch Joseph has played with the Balladeers since the summer of 2000. He "rounds out" the group sound, playing fiddles, flutes, harmonicas, backing vocals, and mountain (Appalachian) dulcimer. Joseph is a Schenectady High School graduate who is currently attending Ithaca College for a degree in both music education and performance in viola, which he studies with Ms. Debra Moree. At Ithaca, he has studied Baroque music period performance with Dr. Pablo Cohen. Prior to college, he was under the tutelage of Ms. Barbara Lapidus for 10 years in both violin and viola. He is a former member of the Empire State Youth Orchestra and the Capital District Youth Chorale (formerly the Schenectady County Community College Children's Chorus). Joseph has been interested in historical music performance since middle school, when he began to take an interest in various European traditional music and descended musical traditions. At Schenectady High School he was a member of the Madrigal Singers, an elite group of choristers dedicated to the performance of the madrigal music of Renaissance Europe. At the 1997 Fiesta-Val national music competition, he won the "Outstanding Accompanist" award for his rendition of the Italian madrigal "So Ben Mi Cha Bon Tempo" in a lute solo. He has appeared with the world-renowned duo Bells & Motley, a dance/mediaeval/Renaissance/traditional ensemble from Marcellus, NY, who have been offered gigs as far away as Indonesia. This is Joseph's first foray into the world of Civil War period and Antebellum music. He has an interest in the traditional music of the British Isles and of Germany and Austria, all of which were important components of American music of this period. His global historical knowledge coupled with a seeming 6th sense for music is helping the Balladeers explore all regions of Civil War music. Outside of music, Joseph enjoys writing short stories and poetry, reading history books, watching Mystery Science Theater 3000, and avoiding meat. If you are anxious to meet him, you will most likely find him between 9pm and 6am at the Brandywine Diner in Schenectady, just off Exit 5 of I-890. |
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Bill Lonecke Bill brought his tenor banjo talents to the Balladeers six months ago. He is an avid living history participant and a highly dedicated social studies teacher. He has been playing tenor banjo since the eighth grade. Bill started playing the cello in Junior High School on Staten Island, New York. According to Bill, the transiton from cello to the tenor banjo was fairly comfortable since the finger positions and tunings are the same. Bill's lively and melodic banjo picking adds much to the Balladeers' music. He's also a writer of Civil War non-fiction. His book "A War for Love" is available at our concerts. Mr. Lonecke, his wife Barbara, sons Jason and Justin and their daughter, Cindy reside in the tiny hamlet of Maplecrest, New York located in the heart of the Great Northern Catskill mountains. The Lonecke's are also members of the Civil War Heritage Foundation (CWHF). Its purpose is to educate the public about our American Heritage. You'll usually find the entire family at an encampment or living history event portraying Civil War personalities in the first person. Bill is very approachable and is always eager to share his passion for the history of this period with our concert audience. |
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Michael J.Yates (1997-2000) Mike was a co-founder of the 77th New York Regimental Balladeers. Mr. Yates collects original Civil War sheet music, poetry and letters from soldiers to their families and friends. He plays the guitar, five-string banjo, and piano. He brings many years and a variety of vocal experiences to Somebody's Darling. In addition to Civil War music, he likes to listen to and perform Celtic folk songs. Mike enjoys performing in school, college, and historical society programs of Civil War music for students, teachers, and general audiences. Mr. Yates has also appeared at book signings, re-enactments, and on Public Radio. His performance on Somebody's Darling, which is also featured in this album, received special mention by Caffe Lena. Mike resides with his wife Kathleen, their two sons, Joel and Dan, and their daughter, Tia, in Saratoga Springs, New York. |
