Today we’d like to introduce you to Paula Bradley.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Paula. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’m a musician playing in three active bands: “Moonshine Holler”, an old time American roots duet with my husband Bill Dillof, where I play guitar, banjo, and banjo-uke, sing and clog dance; my juke joint combo “Miss Paula & The Twangbusters” (me on piano, rhythm guitar and lead vocals); and my newest project, “The Spurs USA”, an established classic country and western swing ensemble that invited me to join on piano and vocals. All three groups play concerts, parties, weddings, dances (square, swing and country/honkytonk) and are known for bringing high-energy, rollicking FUN to any occasion!
When I started playing traditional roots music I never imagined that I would have some of the musical opportunities that have come my way, including being part of several exciting touring acts. I joined renowned fiddler Bruce Molsky and banjo wizard Tony Trischka to form “Jawbone” and we played across the country and headlined the Alaska Folk Festival. I’ve accompanied Bruce at a number of music camps and concerts and joined him and fiddler Brittany Haas (Crooked Still, David Rawlings) on tour in Sweden. In 2009 I was asked to play banjo in the all-female Americana/old time band “Uncle Earl” on tours of the southern US and Germany. All of these musical adventures were terrific opportunities and more importantly, great fun!
Everybody always says, “Of course you play the banjo, you’re from West Virginia”, and while it’s true that I’m a proud native West Virginian, I primarily grew up in New Jersey. I was always musical: singing in choirs (church and school) and assorted ensembles, taking piano lessons from age 4, and teaching myself guitar and ukulele as a young teen. The first songs I learned on guitar were from Jimmie Rodgers – I had the roots music bug at an early age – and through Philadelphia Folk Song Society concerts, I heard wonderful traditional artists, many now long gone. I was particularly drawn to early blues and country music; at age 14 I convinced my dad to take me to the Philadelphia Folk Festival (we camped!) – mind-blowing and life-changing!
After college, I finally got my hands on a banjo and started learning old time styles, and clog dancing (!), mostly thanks to Pittsburgh dance instructor and bon vivant Delores Heagy. In 1981 I moved to Cincinnati where I found a thriving live music scene that included blues, bluegrass and Irish music. Eventually I became a co-director of the concert presenter organization “Cincinnati Folk Life”, joined an all gal clogging trio, The Dancin’ Fools, and, still playing the banjo and guitar, teamed up with two dear friends to form the old-time string band “The Rhythm Rats”, who played many folk festivals and music camps as well as made two well-received recordings: “Pretty Crowin’ Chicken” and “I Believe I’ll Go Back Home,” on the Marimac label. Also, inspired by the strong piano scene (Big Joe Duskin, Pigmeat Jarrett), I worked on boogie woogie and blues piano styles, learning from some great local players.
In 1998, my day job (Finance) transferred me to western Mass. where I now live with my husband and old time musician, Bill Dillof. The two of us started performing together in 2000 as “Moonshine Holler” and we’re still performing more than ever 18 years later, self-releasing our CD “Old Time Melodies” in 2015. We sometimes team up with Vermont fiddler Jim Burns to play as the trio “Run Mountain.” Past musical projects include the old-time band “The Haywire Gang” (1 CD) and the female-fronted honky tonk country band “Girl Howdy” (2 EPs and 1 live CD), who played throughout the Northeast for over a decade until our last show in late 2015.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
When I had a full time job, it was very difficult for me to spend as much time as I wanted honing my musical skills – there was just never enough time and it was frustrating. Now that I don’t have a regular day job, the time challenge is managing all the aspects of promotion required to stay an active performer in today’s wired world while still having time to grow musically and creatively. In addition, live music is under siege – many venues are closing or changing their formats and pay is diminishing. It’s a tougher business than it used to be, and in larger bands (>2 members), the economics and logistics are very challenging. But the joy in performing and creating is still there despite these struggles.
Moonshine Holler; Miss Paula & The Twangbusters; The Spurs USA – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I really enjoy performing and connecting with audiences. No matter which band or which venue, every chance to engage with an audience is something that I treasure – it’s really a gift. I enjoy seeing them smile, dance, clap, sing along…respond, and that joy is visible and infectious! Also, all three bands take great pride in really knowing the music we present and being able to “breathe” it when we play. We know the sources, but we also want to bring not only our passion for what we’re playing, but part of ourselves, to every song.
Besides knowing hundreds of songs by heart, I also am proud to have learned many songs for folks to make their events truly personal and really special. These songs aren’t always in my comfort zone, but as a performing musician, I aim to please, and enjoy the challenge of learning new and different material.
Also, and this may seem obvious, I’m a professional. Event planners/concert organizers know that when they hire me, I’m going to be on time, looking sharp (!), prepared and ready to play and entertain. I will be prompt and responsive in communications, which can sometimes be quite involved. And I will do everything I can to make their event a success!
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Positive customer feedback is one measure, of course, especially when the venue/event invites me back! But my personal definition includes taking some risks and trying new creative ideas and seeing those risks succeed. I’ve been put on the spot many times – to sing a song I barely know, for example, but I’m pretty fearless at this stage of the game. That wasn’t always the case, so that feels like success! And when the “band in my head” is the band that I’m playing with right NOW, that’s success! Working with others to realize a creative vision is very fulfilling.
Pricing:
- CD: Moonshine Holler – Old Time Melodies” $9 99. Available at: https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/moonshineholler
Contact Info:
- Website: www.reverbnation.com/moonshineholler; www.reverbnation.com/twangbusters
- Phone: 413-281-7336
- Email: pcbradley@hotmail.com; twangbusters@gmail.com
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/moonshineholler; www.facebook.com/twangbusters; www.facebook.com/spursUSA
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/banjosole
- Other: https://www.gigmasters.com/americana-band/moonshine-holler
Image Credit:
Edd Cote
Jack Grassa
Frank Davis
Robin Reid
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