Music
I started playing Bluegrass in 1971, after I was introduced to the music at a club in San Francisco. Within a few weeks I had dumped a whole collection of rock & roll records for $1 a piece, bought my first guitar, and began learning to play Bluegrass and other traditional forms of music. I have never looked back. This has become a five-decade passion for me.
Throughout this time I have been a member of a number of bluegrass bands: Fickle Hill (Arcata, California); the Friends of Sally Johnson; the Grand Ole Ospreys; the Fossils; and Pearly Blue, all of the latter in Washington state.
Below, you will find information about, and sound/video recordings of all these groups.
For all video and audio, simply click on the Blue links.
Throughout this time I have been a member of a number of bluegrass bands: Fickle Hill (Arcata, California); the Friends of Sally Johnson; the Grand Ole Ospreys; the Fossils; and Pearly Blue, all of the latter in Washington state.
Below, you will find information about, and sound/video recordings of all these groups.
For all video and audio, simply click on the Blue links.
Jen Dunton ~ Barry Brower ~ Tom Moran
My wife Jen and I have been playing, singing and recording traditional forms of Bluegrass, Country, and Americana music since we met in 1997. Some of these recordings were done at home and others in performance with our group, Pearly Blue, which began as a trio with Tom Moran, then evolved into a full Bluegrass band. Jen also performs with her own group, the Dunton Sisters, who released a wonderful CD, Singing In My Heart.
Here are some duet recordings of the two of us, and some with Tom:
Lonesome Wind Blues
I Remember Loving You
The Storms Are On The Ocean
I Can't Wait
You Have Been A Friend To Me
Here are some duet recordings of the two of us, and some with Tom:
Lonesome Wind Blues
I Remember Loving You
The Storms Are On The Ocean
I Can't Wait
You Have Been A Friend To Me
Pearly Blue
Pearly Blue was a traditional bluegrass band my wife and I put together in 2007 based in Anacortes, Washington. Various musicians made up the band: Barry Brower, guitar; Jen Dunton-Brower, acoustic bass; Rich Jones, banjo; Pete Martin, mandolin/fiddle; Mike Schway, fiddle; Bill Scott, banjo/mandolin; and Loren Wohlgemuth, mandolin.
Florida Blues
Deep River Blues
I Want To Be Loved
Darling Nellie Across The Sea
Florida Blues
Deep River Blues
I Want To Be Loved
Darling Nellie Across The Sea
The Fossils
The Fossils were originally formed in 1993. The first version of the group consisted of Harley Worthington, banjo; John Welch, mandolin/vocal; Kevin Bennett, fiddle/vocals; Al Hutteball, bass; Barry Brower, guitar/vocals.
We'll Meet Again Sweetheart
Angel Band
Big Country
In 1997 the group coalesced around a core group of four musicians: Doug Bright, fiddle/mandolin/vocals; Belle Chenault, bass/vocals; Bill Scott, banjo/lead guitar/vocals; and me. In 2000 the band released The Fossil Record (Voyager VC-0348). Here are some Live cuts of the band:
Bluegrass Ramble
Shine On Me
Liberty
We'll Meet Again Sweetheart
Angel Band
Big Country
In 1997 the group coalesced around a core group of four musicians: Doug Bright, fiddle/mandolin/vocals; Belle Chenault, bass/vocals; Bill Scott, banjo/lead guitar/vocals; and me. In 2000 the band released The Fossil Record (Voyager VC-0348). Here are some Live cuts of the band:
Bluegrass Ramble
Shine On Me
Liberty
Friends of Sally Johnson
L-R: Barry, Vivian Williams, Phil Williams, Harley Bray, Shera Bray
In 1984 I started jamming with Phil and Vivian Williams; Harley and Shera Bray; and John Welch. Phil and wife Vivian were founders of the Northwest Folklife Festival and the most influential folk musicians in Washington state. Harley Bray made legendary recordings with the Bray Brothers and Red Cravens in the 1950s/60s.
In 1985 we began performing with Vivian, fiddle; Phil, bass and mandolin; Harley, banjo: Shera, guitar; John, mandolin; Barry, guitar. Later I switched over to mandolin when John left the band. This configuration lasted until I left in 1990.
YouTube Videos (scroll to locate)
Harley's Breakdown
Think of What You've Done
Jenny Lynn
In 1985 we began performing with Vivian, fiddle; Phil, bass and mandolin; Harley, banjo: Shera, guitar; John, mandolin; Barry, guitar. Later I switched over to mandolin when John left the band. This configuration lasted until I left in 1990.
YouTube Videos (scroll to locate)
Harley's Breakdown
Think of What You've Done
Jenny Lynn
Fickle Hill
The first bluegrass group I ever played with was based in Arcata, California. Originally a duet of Dave Johns, guitar and Mike "Spumoni" Manetas, mandolin, the group expanded to a full bluegrass band in 1973 with Brooks Otis, banjo; Judy Power, fiddle; Gary Grounds, bass; Barry Brower, guitar. Later, Dave and Judy left the group and Ro Purser joined on dobro.
During my time in the group, 1973-80, we played a lot of shows locally and were regulars at the Jambalaya Club in Arcata. As well, we opened shows for Bill Monroe, Doc Watson, Jim & Jesse, and performed at the 1979 Grass Valley Bluegrass Festival.
How Mountain Gals Can Love
Body and Soul
Souvenirs
During my time in the group, 1973-80, we played a lot of shows locally and were regulars at the Jambalaya Club in Arcata. As well, we opened shows for Bill Monroe, Doc Watson, Jim & Jesse, and performed at the 1979 Grass Valley Bluegrass Festival.
How Mountain Gals Can Love
Body and Soul
Souvenirs
Grand Ole Ospreys
- I have always admired the singing of my friend Laurel Bliss. She has developed a devoted following from her recordings with Cliff Perry and Carol Elizabeth Jones. In the early 90s I began playing a lot with her and her husband, bassist John Clark; banjoist Gene Wilson; mandolinist Stan Miller; and fiddler Fred Weisz. We chose the name Grand Ole Ospreys along with the moniker "Birds of Play."
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Banks of the Ohio
Road Of Broken Hearts
Original Compositions
While I have not spent a lot of time writing songs and instrumentals I have come up with a few over the years. These are presented below.
Winter Blues
This was the first piece I ever wrote, in 1977. Folks kid me about it maybe being "autobiographical" but really, it's just something that popped into my head one (sunny, summer) day. This and My Carolina Darlin' and Lost in This World are recorded on The Fossils CD (Voyager VRCD-0348).
My Carolina Darlin'
Perhaps my favorite of the pieces I have written. I don't have a "Carolina Darlin'" (a Washington one instead) but I wanted to write something in the style and thematic character of southern songs.
Lost in This World
The line "I think of you in daylight, dream of you at midnight" popped into my head one day and I ran with it...
Rock the Boat
I sometimes play the fiddle, mostly in the "oldtime" style rather than bluegrass. I have managed to come up with a number of fiddle tunes over the years and this is one of my favorites. One of the parts reminded me of a rocking boat...can you figure out which? (This piece is notated below)
Jumpoff Joe
This was the first fiddle tune I wrote. It is named for a little creek that crosses underneath Interstate 5 north of Grants Pass, Oregon. Other than that, I don't know the local history of "Jumpoff Joe." (This piece is notated below)
Winter Blues
This was the first piece I ever wrote, in 1977. Folks kid me about it maybe being "autobiographical" but really, it's just something that popped into my head one (sunny, summer) day. This and My Carolina Darlin' and Lost in This World are recorded on The Fossils CD (Voyager VRCD-0348).
My Carolina Darlin'
Perhaps my favorite of the pieces I have written. I don't have a "Carolina Darlin'" (a Washington one instead) but I wanted to write something in the style and thematic character of southern songs.
Lost in This World
The line "I think of you in daylight, dream of you at midnight" popped into my head one day and I ran with it...
Rock the Boat
I sometimes play the fiddle, mostly in the "oldtime" style rather than bluegrass. I have managed to come up with a number of fiddle tunes over the years and this is one of my favorites. One of the parts reminded me of a rocking boat...can you figure out which? (This piece is notated below)
Jumpoff Joe
This was the first fiddle tune I wrote. It is named for a little creek that crosses underneath Interstate 5 north of Grants Pass, Oregon. Other than that, I don't know the local history of "Jumpoff Joe." (This piece is notated below)
Miscellaneous Recordings
Videos
I have videotaped many bluegrass groups. Here you will see the results of those efforts on YouTube: The Vern Williams Band; Del McCoury Band; Nashville Bluegrass Band; Kentucky Rose; Weary Hearts; Johnson Mountain Boys; James Bryan; Barry & Holly Tashian, and more. At the link, scroll for a potpourri of groups.
Also, here are videos of my own groups:
Pearly Blue
Friends of Sally Johnson
The Fossils
Audio
Audio tracks my various bands have made over the years.
Fiddle Tunes Notated
Click Here
Fiddle is not my main instrument but I do play it some (listen to Rock the Boat and Jumpoff Joe in the Original Compositions above). As well, I have written a number of fiddle tunes, some of which are notated. These are available for you to learn and/or perform and I encourage you to do that if you are interested.