Duffey proposed some rules that the others agreed to including playing only one night a week at local clubs, doing occasional concerts and festivals on weekends, making records, and keeping their day jobs. Duffey repaired musical instruments, Eldridge was a mathematician, Starling a physician, Auldridge a graphic artist, and Gray a cartographer with National Geographic. The Scene's first home was the Red Fox Inn in Bethesda, Maryland, where they spent six years before starting weekly performances at The Birchmere Music Hall in Alexandria, Virginia.
Bluegrass reached a second peak in popularity in the early 1970s, and the progressive bluegrass style played by The Seldom Scene was particularly popular. Duffey's stratospheric tenor anchored the group, but the vocal blend of Duffey/Starling/Auldridge set a new standard that attracted new audiences to what had been a niche music. Their weekly shows included bluegrass versions of country music, rock, and even classical pop. The band's popularity soon forced them to play more than once a week--but they continued to maintain their image as being seldom seen, and on several of their early album covers were photographed with the stage lights on only their feet, or with their backs to the camera.
Though the Scene remained a non-touring band, they were prolific recorders, producing seven albums in their first five years of existence, including two live albums (among the first live bluegrass albums). But the band's philosophy of not touring and maintaining their day jobs eventually caused some changes in membership.
In 1977, John Starling left the group to focus on his medical career, and was replaced by singer and songwriter Phil Rosenthal, whose song "Muddy Water" had been recorded by the Scene on two earlier albums. Around the same time, the group switched record labels from Rebel Records to Sugar Hill; however, while Starling had been officially the band's frontman, these changes made little significant difference to the band's overall sound.
The band recorded several more albums in the 1980s and firmly established themselves as one of the most influential bluegrass bands. In 1986, Rosenthal and Tom Gray both left the band to focus on other pursuits, and were replaced by Lou Reid and T. Michael Coleman, respectively. Coleman proved to be very controversial, as many purists objected to his use of an electric bass in what is an acoustic genre, but the albums produced by the band after Coleman's arrival maintained the traditional appeal of any of the Scene's earlier albums.
Reid left the band in 1993, and Duffey convinced former member John Starling to return to the band for the next year. During that year the Scene recorded the album "Like We Used To Be," but Starling did not wish to stay with the band long term. He was replaced in 1994 by lead singer Moondi Klein.
Throughout these changes, John Duffey remained the group's spiritual center and greatest influence, and his initial ideas about keeping a light touring schedule and staying close to home continued to prevail. Though there had been disagreements about this philosophy before, it wasn't until after Starling left for the second time that it cost the band a majority of its members at once. During 1995 and 1996, Klein and Coleman, along with original member Mike Auldridge, left the group to form a new band called Chesapeake. This new band became a full-time project for its members, and for a time the Scene stopped recording.
Duffey and Ben Eldridge, the two remaining original members, recruited resophonic guitar player Fred Travers, bassist Ronnie Simpkins, and guitarist and singer Dudley Connell to join the band, and the reconstituted group recorded an album in 1996 and resumed live appearances.
For 25 years The Seldom Scene remained extremely popular in bluegrass circles even with the near-constant personnel changes. But the band was dealt what seemed a crushing blow in late 1996, when founder and leader John Duffey suffered a fatal heart attack. The band again stopped recording and made no live appearances for some years. Duffey had been widely regarded as one of the most powerful and entertaining stage performers in bluegrass, and there was no one who could replace him.
Nonetheless, the band was simply too popular to disappear for good. Banjoist Ben Eldridge, the sole remaining original member and a significant force in banjo music in his own right, assumed leadership of the band. Former guitarist Lou Reid rejoined the band on mandolin. Initially the new Scene concentrated on live performances, but in 2000 the group recorded a new album, "Scene it All." The Seldom Scene continues to tour, and remains on the Sugar Hill label for future recordings.
The band currently consists of Dudley Connell (guitar/lead vocals), Ben Eldridge (banjo), Lou Reid (mandolin/tenor vocals), Fred Travers (dobro/lead vocals), and Ronnie Simpkins (bass/baritone vocals).
John Starling died in May 2019.
Discography
Act I (Rebel, 1972)
Act II (Rebel, 1973)
Act III (Rebel, 1973)
Old Train (Rebel, 1973)
Live At The Cellar Door (Rebel, 1975)
The New Seldom Scene Album (Rebel, 1976)
Baptizing (Rebel, 1978)
Act IV (Sugar Hill, 1979)
After Midnight (Sugar Hill, 1981)
At The Scene (Sugar Hill, 1983)
Blue Ridge with Jonathan Edwards (Sugar Hill, 1985)
15th Anniversary Celebration (Sugar Hill, 1986)
A Change Of Scenery (Sugar Hill, 1988)
Scenic Roots (Sugar Hill, 1990)
Scene 20: 20th Anniversary Concert (Sugar Hill, 1992)
Like We Used To Be (Sugar Hill, 1994)
Dream Scene (Sugar Hill, 1996)
Scene It All (Sugar Hill, 2000)
External links
Official site
[crowd noise]
The Seldom Scene Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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==Other Songs==
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# '''[[The Seldom Scene:Seldom Scene - Through The Bottom Of The Glass|Seldom Scene - Through The Bottom Of The Glass]]'''
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The Seldom Scene's song "[band membership change]" is a reflective piece that speaks to the changes that inevitably come with time, both in a band and in life. The lyrics recount the various changes the band has experienced, including new members and departures, and acknowledge the bittersweet nature of these transitions. Despite the challenges and uncertainties that arise as a result of these changes, the singer ultimately concludes that they are necessary to move forward and grow.
The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the band's history and the different personalities that have shaped it, as well as the conflicts and tensions that have arisen along the way. The line "there have been times when we disagreed, most times we aired it out" speaks to the importance of communication and collaboration in any creative endeavor, while the refrain of "goodbye old friend, hello stranger" captures the sense of loss and renewal that comes with each new chapter.
Line by Line Meaning
In sixty-five we were a brand new band
The band started in 1965 with a fresh group of musicians.
Two guitars, a bass, a banjo, and a mandolin
The band consisted of two guitarists, a bassist, a banjo player, and a mandolin player.
We played around Virginia and the Caroline
The band performed in various locations within Virginia and the Caroline area.
We all had a dream of makin' it big
The band members had aspirations of becoming a successful musical act.
We knew it was work, but we didn't care
The band was aware that achieving their dream required effort, but they were willing to take on the challenge.
Cause every day we got to play some music
Despite the work required, the band members found enjoyment in playing music together on a regular basis.
And it was like heaven on earth
Playing music together was a source of great joy and fulfillment for the band members.
But one by one the members changed
Over time, the original members of the band left and were replaced by new musicians.
And the times we had started to fade
The band's fond memories of playing together became less pronounced as the original members departed.
Though the faces changed, the music stayed the same
While the band membership shifted, their musical style and repertoire remained consistent over time.
And we kept on playin' through the joy and through the pain
The band persisted in playing music despite the challenges and difficulties they faced along the way.
Cause it's a hard thing to watch your dreams go by
It can be difficult to see one's aspirations slip away or change with time.
But it's harder to let them die
Even when it is challenging, it is still more difficult to give up on one's dreams entirely.
So we kept on playin' even after they were gone
The band continued to perform and make music even after the original members had moved on.
And we never let the music die
The band ensured that their musical legacy and passion for playing continued despite the changes that occurred.
Contributed by Elijah L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@philrosenthal
This brings back memories. Playing in this band was so easy, such solid rhythm, great playing, and singing with John Duffey - that required all you had to offer. He could hold a note longer than anyone I ever sang with. Hope more of this surfaces. Phil R.
@keithclark2136
Phil Rosenthal S/S STILL THE BEST YOUR VOCALS PUT THE ICING ON THE CAKE THAT HAS YET TO BE CUT.
@annieemccord5668
Phil Rosenthal you added so much to this group. Your singing and your songs not to mention your playing!
@scottorado
Thank you, Phil!
@tankmac5584
Phil - Bluegrass legend !
@peterjackson4623
The Scene was the best when Phil was singing and playing lead. John Starling was a bit before I was turned on to them. I enjoyed my weekly time at the Birchmere watching them perform. Just totally great musicians all the way around
@wiscgaloot
This is the bluegrass that I fell in love with 40+ years ago! Love Seldom Scene.
@SQAE
RIP MIKE AULDRIDGE - I believe he is the best Dobro player who ever lived, founding member of my favorite Bluegrass band, The Seldom Scene, and a personal friend. He leaves a hole that music may not be able to fill.
@aalbi2781
His instrumental version of Tennessee Stud circa 1971 is phenomenal. First heard it in college. Haunts me to this day in a very good way.
@bassmangotdbluz
Check out Emmett Franz with The Petersens. Watch out, Jerry Douglas!