From the southern shores of Nova Scotia, this award winning Bluegrass Band has been entertaining fans for more than 30 years.
Known for their smooth blend of harmony singing and great acoustic instrumentation, their repertoire includes traditional and contemporary favorites as well as an impressive list of original material.
It was in the spring of 1978, when "Close to Home" founding members Kevin Baker and Jim Bollivar first joined together in a bluegrass band named "Rider". It was later that same year, shortly after their first stage performance at the Gates' Jamboree in Stanburne Nova Scotia, that the band changed their name to “Close to Home”. It was at one of the early Gates’ shows that country music legend Patsy Montana offered encouragement to the young band to “stick with it boys!”…advice they took to heart. As with many bands, members change over the course of 30 years. By 1982 , original banjo player Paul Bruhm had been replaced by Brian Mitton. At about the same time David Ramey had passed the bass duties on to Bud Webster and with the departure of Dave Wilneff, Kevin had switched from guitar to mandolin. Both Brian and Bud had previously been with the band Cedar Hill. Also by this time Ron Ramey was handling the dobro duties in award winning fashion.
By the fall of 1986 Gordon Hubley, formerly of the band Mountain Road, had replaced Brian Mitton on banjo and was adding his baritone vocal to round out the smooth sound Close To Home have become known for.
It was this group of Kevin, Jim, Gordon, Bud and Ron that recorded the bands first album in 1988 which won album of the year at the ECBMA’s that year.
By 1992 Warren Beeler had taken over on bass from Bud Webster. Warren stayed on for a few years until his departure to New Brunswick left the band in need of a bass player.
It was at the Triple D Bluegrass festival in Black Rock Nova Scotia in 1994 when the "newest" member of the band, Richard Hubley (Gordons son) stepped up for his turn at playing the bass and adding his harmony vocals.
By the late 90’s Ron Ramey had departed the band and Close To Home became the foursome they are today. The line up of Kevin, Jim, Gordon and Richard remain together today and have recorded three CD’s to date.
“All in Good Tyme” recorded in 2003 and the gospel project “One Sunday Morning” from 2005 were recorded at Ray Legeres Acoustic Horizon studio in Sackville, N.B.
The bands latest CD, “New Memories”, released in June 2008, was recorded at Ocean Sound Productions,Coldbrook N.S. with Carey Langille at the controls.
Over the years, Close To Home have won numerous Eastern Canadian Bluegrass Music awards including Band of the Year, Vocal Group on four occasions and in 2005, lead singer Kevin Baker received the Male Vocalist award for the fifth time, an ECBMA master recognition.
Close To Home enjoy playing their brand of Bluegrass music and entertaining their many loyal fans …and hope to do so for another 30 years…at least!! |
