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Testimonials
Read the Rave Reviews – Dunedin’s Own Valley Bluegrass
Since our inception we have entertained people in a myriad of settings and places all across the country. We have a reputation of the highest standard in the bluegrass community and have accordingly received glowing praise from audience member testimonials and reviews. We pride ourselves in being able to cater for country music experts and novices alike, while still maintaining a true commitment to our beloved genre. Regardless of whether the event is a wedding, a festival or a gig at the local pub, we never fail to entertain and excite those in attendance with our catchy country sound and dynamic set lists. Explore our testimonials below to learn more.
Rave Reviews
"You really know how to entertain!"
- Judy Smitheram, Secretary Christchurch Folk Club
“Thank you for making our wedding swing!"
- Gabrielle Airey
"If you want uplifting. Go see Valley Bluegrass"
- Hyram Ballard, The Chaps
"Just like home!”"
- Visitor from North Carolina on hearing Valley Bluegrass.
"You are a good banjo player."
- Banjo virtuoso Jens Kruger to Robbie Stevens, Brisbane 2014.
"Thanks again for playing at the dinner. I know a conference dinner is not an ideal audience, as people are mostly interested in talking to each other, but you guys were wonderful. I’ve had nothing but compliments and praise for the choice of the music. Cheers, Sean Connelly" NZ Geographical Society Dinner, Larnach Castle, Dunedin
"Thank you to you and the band and lovely caller who were absolutely fantastic at our wedding! We had such a great night!" Wedding of Ling and Ed, Pukehiki Hall, Pukehiki, Otago Peninsula.
Review - Valley Bluegrass, Saturday 31st October, 2015, Wellington Bluegrass Society
What a pleasure it was to hear Valley Bluegrass from Dunedin at the WBS on Saturday night. Their two well-balanced sets allowed all the musicians to shine; with Robbie Stevens on banjo; the renowned Read Hudson on guitar and dobro, Carola Dunbar on fiddle, Richard Dingwall on mandolin and Erin Morton on bass all displaying fine musical ability as well as a real feel for bluegrass music.
The tightness of their playing was a real feature with credit to Nick on the sound desk, as they delivered the whole concert through just one microphone.
Beginning with old-time tune Angelina the Baker, the band played a variety of mostly standard bluegrass songs and tunes with Doc Watson’s Beaumont Rag, Jim and Jesse’s Blue Ridge Mountain Blues and fiddle tune Salt Creek being particularly well-received by the large audience. Lesser known numbers I’ll Rise When the Rooster Crows by Uncle Dave Macon, the Kruger Brothers’ Forever and a Day and Gillian Welch’s No-one Knows My Name were other highlights of the first bracket.
The second half began with Home Sweet Home and The Wabash Cannonball featuring Read Hudson playing some impressive licks on dobro, and Robbie playing guitar. Robbie’s picking on his ‘other’ banjo in Nashville Blues was outstanding while Carola shone in Vassar Clements’ Holiday Shuffle and Read in Richard Thompson’s motorbike ballad 1952 Vincent Black Lightning.
Erin sang a lovely song written by her fellow “Delgirl” band-member Lynn Vare and there was time for Tim O’Brien’s Nellie Kane and Bill Monroe’s gentle Lonesome Moonlight Waltz before Eight More Miles to Louisville was announced as the band’s final piece. Of course there was an encore and they assured themselves a second by tearing up Flatt and Scruggs’Foggy Mountain Special. A rousing version of the Stanley Brothers’ Pig in a Pen, rounded out a very enjoyable night of bluegrass by a band in top form.
Todd Foster