The Housatonic Philharmonic is a trio of Berkshire-based musicians with extensive performing experience in old-time traditional, Celtic, and American Folk music. With Tim Gray on hammered dulcimer, piano and pennywhistle, Paul Rice on fiddle, banjo, and vocals. and Andy Gordon on banjo and spoons, the Housatonic Philharmonic has appeared on the lawn at Tanglewood, WAMC's performance place, Bobby Flay's syndicated Food Network show, and recorded the soundtrack for the PBS special on the Jacob's Ladder Trail. They play at festivals, weddings, town celebrations, and other public and private performance venues in the northeast.
The Housatonic Philharmonic plays old time jigs, reels, hoedowns and waltzes, timeless tunes that have been passed down through many generations of traditional musicians. They also play some more recent and original tunes with an old-time ambience. Their first CD, Timeless Tunes, was released in 2000, and their most recent CD, Housatonic Philharmonic, was released in October 2008.
Andy Gordon: Andy is a native of Bennington, Vermont. He holds a masters degree in education from Antioch New England Graduate School. Andy works as a mental health case worker for the Massachusetts Dept. of Mental Health. For close to two decades he has been featured in the Sun Mountain Band playing throughout the United States and Carribean Islands. He was also a member of the popular local band Swing Shift for many years. Currently Andy is playing in four musical groups. Along with Tim, Andy has also shared the stage with Pete Seeger. He lives in Lenox with his wife and daughter.
Tim Gray: Born in Freeport, New York, is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts. For thirty years Tim and his wife have owned Golden Hill Plant Nursery in Lee. Tim is Executive Director of the Housatonic River Initiative, a citizen's advocacy group dedicated to cleaning up the Housatonic River as well as a founding member and past president of the Lee,Ma. Land Trust. He is the licensed Housatonic Riverkeeper and has received over a dozen awards for his work. Tim and his wife live in Lee.Tim also played with Swing Shift for many years. His long time association with square dance caller Cliff Brodeur led him to share the stage many times with Pete Seeger. Tim was a featured performer on Arlo Guthrie's critically acclaimed "Son of the Wind" CD.
Paul Rice: Paul was born and raised in Hinsdale, Massachusetts. A graduate of Westfield State College, Paul has been involved with music his entire life. Paul plays fiddle, banjo, mandolin, dobro, and sings with the band. Paul writes original singing and fiddle tunes which the band performs. Paul was a member of the popular Eureka String Band, writing and arranging many of the group's songs. Lauren's Lullaby, one of Paul's original tunes written for his daughter, was performed by well known artists Jay Ungar and Molly Mason.
Paul organized a fund raising concert which raised over $6000.00 to stop a massive garbage dump proposed for the headwaters of the Housatonic River. Since 1994 Paul has been teaching fiddle, guitar, banjo, and mandolin both privately and at Wood Brothers Music Store. Paul is also a craftsman having built many fiddles and other instruments. Paul lives in Hinsdale, Ma. with his wife and daughter.
