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| Stone Street STRUMMERS Banjo Band |
| Founded 1981 by Dick Alley |
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When Steve Caddick asked me ( Dick Alley ) to write the history of the Stone Street Strummers for the purpose of printing it in the NEBS newsletter, I was delighted to fulfill his request. I began a giant memory search, trying to recall the chain of events that led to the inception of the Stone Street Strummers. Thank God Steve didn't ask me to do it in twenty-five words or less! In order to focus on that which led me to organize the Strummers, I must first go back to the spring of 1966. I was living at the time in Bay Shore, NY. One day I saw an old banjo in the window of a used furniture store. For some unknown reason, I felt compelled to buy it. It required some replacement parts, such as strings, head, resonator, etc. A local music store helped me with this, as well as providing me with a book written by Harry Reser, "How to play the Tenor Banjo.” (By the way, that banjo happened to be a Vega "Little Wonders,” but that meant little to me at the time.) So with Harry Reser's book and my determination, I started to teach myself how to play the tenor banjo. A few weeks later, I learned that not too far from where I lived there was a banjo band known as the Long Island Banjo Society. I managed to acquire the phone number of the president, Archie Accectuli. I called him and he invited me down to their next rehearsal. I informed him that I was only new to the banjo and could not really play. He assured me that it didn't matter. He said, "Once you join our group you won't be the same again. Banjo playing is like an infectious disease. Once you catch it there is no cure for it." Well, by now I was straining at the bit, and couldn't wait to get to my first rehearsal meeting with the L.I.B.S.It was early when I arrived at their hall for that rehearsal. Feeling every bit a stranger, I wasn't sure what to expect. Two of their members approached me and welcomed me, shook my hand and introduced themselves. I was then introduced to other members. It was at that moment that I heard, for the first time, a sound that I can only describe as "singing strings.” Until now, I had never heard more than one banjo player at a time. But here were five banjo players playing together at the same time. Their president was right. At that moment I became infected. Joining the L.I.B.S. proved to be the most positive move I could have made in my pursuit to learn the banjo. I was frustrated in the beginning. Everyone played too fast, or at least that's what I thought. But it motivated me. In my view, motivation should be the key element for any new student to the banjo. Joining a banjo band is where you get it. The L.I.B.S. played their share of nursing homes, veterans’ hospitals, retirement homes, parades, church affairs, etc. The one most memorable experience that stands out in my mind is that of meeting such nice people along the way. It was the memory of these lasting friendships that I carried with me through the years. This was the one lingering thought that I kept alive in my mind, that some time in the future perhaps I might be able in some way to be an extension of this friendship. In 1976, due to working conditions, I moved my family to Walpole, Mass. For the next six years I began to become acquainted with a few people that played banjo. Notably, members of the Parson's Plunkers. I was invited by their director and founder, the Rev. Bob Ryder, to play with them on several occasions. Not long after that I began to realize it was time to give serious thought to starting my own group. In October 1981, after having invited several banjo players I knew, we met at the Knights of Columbus hall on Stone Street (hence the future name of the band), for the purpose of starting up a banjo band. Twelve players showed up for that first rehearsal. They were: Steve and Bill Caddick, Russ Hatch, Frank Correa, Paul Simpson, Joe Rebeiro, Paul Gookin, Bryant Stott (tuba), Dave Wiggins, Barry Calben, Emmett Brown and myself. It became evident right away what our needs would be, such as the type of music played and ways to spread the word of the band’s existence. For the first few weeks there wasn't much change in our growth. We lost a few, gained a few. However, there was a steady and noticeable improvement in the music and our sound. I had not yet made any attempt to gain public exposure. There would be time for this. There was still more work to be done. The first public performance took place in March, 1982.As the spring of 1982 approached, one of our members, Paul Gookin, told me that Norton High School was holding a talent show at the school in March. I made the contact and they scheduled us to perform. Ten members were able to make that first public performance. They were: Steve and Bill Caddick, Paul Gookin, Don Farwell, Nick Socci, Dave Cohen, Joe Tomlinson, Russ Hatch, Bryant Stott, and myself. As a result of that first performance, and to my surprise, the band shared first prize. Also in 1982, we performed our first banjo convention in Worcester, Mass. The convention was sponsored by the New England Banjo Society. We continued to meet at the K of C hall for the next three years. By then it became apparent that we needed to look for more suitable quarters. The first lady to join our group, Dorrie Stearns, suggested that I contact the United Church of Walpole and seek their permission to practice in their community room. The officials of the church were gracious enough to grant us permission, for which I am forever grateful. I would add at this point a suggestion to any band that is finding it difficult to find suitable quarters in which to hold their rehearsals. They might look to their local churches. Many of them have a suitable hall that is not always being used. From my personal point of view, I much prefer this type of environment to that of a back room of a bar. There is less distraction. By 1990, running the band as its director, preparing our monthly newsletters, attending rehearsals and booking jobs were beginning to take a toll on me. I asked for a volunteer to take over the directorship. Tom Fee agreed to try his hand at it. Another member, Jim Spencer, came forward and asked if he could help by taking over the responsibility for the newsletter. Prior to these changes, we had elected officers. Things were becoming easier for me. While I no longer participate in running the band, it is in capable hands. Our president, Hal Storey, is one of the most remarkable and dedicated men I have ever had the pleasure to know. For instance, from where he lives on Cape Cod to the rehearsal hall in Walpole, the distance is ninety-five miles, one way. Through the year he makes every rehearsal, as well as every performance, regardless of how many miles it might be. Don Farwell, one of our original members, is our treasurer, another faithful and dedicated member. No band could ask for a more experienced and thorough person to take care of their books than Don. Dick Leggee took over the booking of jobs plus the added duty of helping Jim Spencer produce the newsletter. Dick joined our group four years ago as a banjo player. When our tuba player moved to Florida, Dick volunteered to take his place as a tuba player even though he did not know how to play one. With a few lessons and a lot of encouragement he has now developed into a fine tuba player. Peter Mahar, our secretary, keeps our records. Rick Jenkins recently became our music librarian. He has also become our Master of Ceremonies. This allows Tom Fee, the director, more time to devote to the band’s direction. In summation, I don't believe our band is any different, or experiences any different type of growing pains than any other band. But there is one strong point about the Stone Street Strummers of which I am very proud, and I believe some bands might have a hard time comparing to! From 1981 through the present date, our band members have maintained an eighty-seven percent average in their attendance at all rehearsals and performances. Each and every one of our members is strongly dedicated and always shows the very best. Our members are what have made the Stone Street Strummers the great band that it is. Dick Alley Since this history was written, there have been many changes to the Stone Street Strummers Banjo Band. All but one of the original players (Steve Caddick) have moved on, passed on, or are to old and frail to perform further. We miss them all. The band however, continues on with a vibrant mix of dedicated musicians, many having tenure of more than 10 years. Dick Alley started a band that after 25 years continues to spark a memory, create a smile and draw out the best in people through the upbeat, happy music that is so much of our American history. We all look forward to the next 25 years and beyond as the Stone Street Strummers!Our club door is always open for new members. Also, should any member from another band happen to be in the area any Wednesday night , they have an open invitation to come and sit in at the American Legion Hall, Mechanics Street, Foxboro, MA.
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