The Seldom Scene At The Berkshire Mountains Music Festival

John Duffey, Phil Rosenthal, Mike Auldridge, Ben Eldrich, Tom Gray

[@namcat53]

I'm glad I saw the original group in the D.C. area many times. The Cellar Door was the best.

[@ruddim10]

Best ever. Most synched group in recent memory. Each one an unbelievable talent.

[@randyjones7818]

I saw the.same band feb.1986.with Phil Rosenthal playing..interesting duffey playing mule skinner blues of monroes..as always.mike auldridge is just great.player and.ben sounds great on banjo...

[@petersampson4635]

I've got Seldom Scene at the Cellar Door from when it first come out. Greetings from Australia 🇦🇺. I actually had it cranking all this morning. 👍Giddyup!

[@donclemons7637]

I believe I was here. Thanks for sharing. Fantastic sound of the seldom scene. Legends ,sadly gone forever. RIP 😞❤️🙏

[@rgahrens]

That's the way I remember many of my concert goings....."I believe I was there"....Thanks for the comment!

[@ThomasLjung]

This is amazing. Wish I could have been there!

[@SBrown-ov9lz]

I miss them, alot!

[@SBrown-ov9lz]

I think it was 1979 when I was there, (a very very hot weather-wise weekend! I was also there in 1986, the second and last time there at Rothross's farm. I have a photo of Bill Monroe's bus, but not now sure when. He had a nurse present with him to aid him, kinda sad, but I got to experience him! Seldom Scene was very popular at that time in the world of Bluegrass, labeled as "progressive Bluegrass" venturing outside of traditional and gospel bluegrass music. When I lived in Annapolis, Md. early 1980's, I saw the Scene play at the Birchmere in Alexadria, twice, also at a festival in Gettysburg, Pa. After that was in 1989 in Norwich, Ct. They played along with Johnson Mountain Boys. Also later at Strawberry fest in Preston, Ct. Mostly the original cast including Duffey, Aldridge, Eldridge, Grey, but not Rosenthal, or Starling. The last performance I attended labeled "Seldom Scene" only included one of the original members, Ben Eldridge (banjo) in 2005 in of all places, New Bedford, Mass. I met all of them personally. Mike Aldridge and I exchanged emails regarding his Chesapeake endeavors. Recently I found this film-sound take, 16mm I think, with great sound! I was there! I think I was sitted at the lower left at the stage. I think 1979 or 80?

[@rgahrens]

I never got to the Birchmere but my friend saw the Scene there many times. Thanks for the memories.

[@BostonDeadHead]

Wow do I miss that fest. It was always raining there though.

[@CAROLUSPRIMA]

Sound is excellent. Recorded from the board?

[@rgahrens]

HaHa! I wish! No, I had one of those first generation SONY video cameras.

[@namcat53]

Don't they make bigger "cowboy" hats? I'm glad I saw the original group in and around D.C. in the early 70's. The Cellar Door was a great small club; no cowboy hats.

[@lornaleary8240]

Hi Robert. My parents found my t-shirt that the Seldom Scene autographed. I’m trying to send to you.

[@Dlrealife]

Send me one, too :-)

[@ioanniskostoulas3843]

That's great.. Thanks a lot! What year...late 70s ,early 80s?

[@rgahrens]

Yes. I can't remember exactly what year.

[@bry8tiyze]

Had to be pre-1984 when name changed to Winterhawk.

[@NancyKelly-q4l]

Anyone know what year this is? I was there in 1982-

[@lornaleary2266]

Hi Robert. I was at this festival and I see my parents, my uncle and me sitting in the crowd. Do you have other pictures from this festival? The Seldom Scene autographed my tank top and my legs! I was hoping someone out there has a picture of this. Thanks for the great memory.

[@rgahrens]

Hi Lorna, That is so cool! I don't have any other pictures. John Duffey autographed album for me, though.... Can you say at what time in the video you and your family appear? That would be fun to see!

[@lornaleary2266]

@@rgahrens Hi Robert! OMG I was really not expecting to hear from you at all never mind this quickly. What caught my eye was when I googled images for “the Seldom Scene at the Berkshire Mountains” and I was in the first row of images which led me to your video. My dad is a Dobro player, my uncle sitting next to him is a Hall of Fame dobro player and my mom played from guitar to bass and from as early as she could remember sang background in my grandfather’s band/radio show. Her father (my grandfather) was a local radio DJ and a bluegrass music promotor. I guess a bit more information than you were looking for. But anyway, here we are. 21:52 mark.

[@rgahrens]

@@lornaleary2266 I am now getting chills. Honest..... I attended that festival with a few friends, of which I have not really seen in 40 years. I never....I NEVER noticed them in any of this video. While looking for you at 21:52, I caught a glimpse of what I thought might be one of them at 21:54! I saw this guy smoking a butt and sipping on a rum and it was them! Unmistakable.. I swear that this is really spooky.......you have no idea......

[@lornaleary2266]

@@rgahrens that's amazing! I do remember running into my orthodontist or as I refer to him the "devil in the white lab coat" at this festival.

[@SBrown-ov9lz]

While it does not matter today, it was 1987 for me at Berkshire.Today, June 28, 2022, except for Ben, last I looked, he's still with us, must be 99 by now! My current follow sound is a recent I have only heard just recently.....Cannon Ball....cant think of HER name just now...wow!!! Alzheimer's sucks!

[@mandoist]

Pretty sure this was the last festival with the Berkshire Mountains Bg Festival name, 1981.

[@mtgreenwoodbustout]

I was a senior in high school in 1981 and I could care less about this kind of music at the time. One of my biggest regrets in life. I've been addicted to bluegrass for the past 15 years.

[@SBrown-ov9lz]

It may have been. Don't know either. Rothross family had owned the property located in Acromdale, NY. where the festival had been held from 78 to 81??? . Who knows why Birckshere Mountain Bluegrass ended there?

[@ulrichfriehe3459]

Correct name is Ben Eldridge.

[@namcat53]

Thanks; it's so easy to check first.

[@CritterEldridge]

Good shirt at 24:17

[@rgahrens]

Honored to have you visit, Chris. The Scene brought a lot of joy to our family.....Still does. We listen to many cuts from "Baptizing" Sunday Mornings. And you are correct.....classic shirt...!

[@christaputt4041]

I think they are my favorite band. I've seen them many times. I was in my teens, the first, and was blown away! I've also had the opportunity to meet them a few times, including Mr. Duffy. I can't put into words how much I miss live bluegrass music since this pandemic started. Thank you so much for posting this!