The Bill Thibodeau Band is hitting the Southern New England bluegrass music scene hard and fast with powerful rhythmic-drive and hard core traditions. This ambitious energized band is rapidly becoming a local favorite at several festivals and venues. Bill Thibodeau and two of the band members are descendants of first generation bluegrass pioneers, pickers and families which adds a marinated flavor to this unique group. A must see–and hear. We hope to pluck at your heart strings and raise your spirits in laughter, tears, and uncontrollable tapping of your feet!
The Band
Jesse Burdick (banjo and vocals) was born in Johnston, RI and currently calls Ivor, VA home. He has performed extensively throughout the Eastern Coast of the United States as well as Japan with many great bluegrass acts. Jesse is proud to endorse the Deering Banjo Co. as an official artist and also wields a Gibson ’28.
Cathy Bumgarner Day is bluegrass fiddler and a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist from Connecticut who was trained in a bluegrass family with a rich musical heritage from Smoky Mountains in North Carolina. Cathy is a fourth generation fiddler and began performing at age 10 around New England, NY, and PA in the 1980s with the Bumgarner Family, who later changed their name to the Rose City Bluegrass Band.
During her college years, she played with SassyGrass, an all-girl bluegrass band with New England favorites, Suzi Gibson and Betsy Rome. She hosted the Magic of Bluegrass Radio on WHUS 91.7FM and is an advocate for Bluegrass music in the Schools, giving private lessons on fiddle and bass.
Debbie Hall was born and raised in Rhode Island. Debbie learned to play bluegrass bass from her father the late Bill Hall, and remained in his well-established regional band Bill Hall and the Northwind Bluegrass for twelve years. Today Debbie adds a sweet tone to the vocal blend, while the thumping drive of her bass lays the foundation for the Bill Thibodeau Band’s exciting hard-driving sound.
Sal Sauco (mando/guitar) is both an avid student, user and pusher of bluegrass. Since his very first jam he has been addicted and he feeds his habit regularly. Formerly with the Lightning Brothers, he has also played with the Lizzy James & Greystone Rail, and other RI based bands. Sal is an alumni of Leadership Bluegrass and is a founding member and the current President of the Rhode Island Bluegrass Alliance.
Bill Thibodeau has been involved with bluegrass music all of his life. His father, the late Sam Tidwell, was in the music since the late 50s performing with some of the greats and leading his own band which Bill was an occasional sub. Bill was a member of Bluegrass Supply Co and many other bands from Maine and formed his own band 6 years ago while in Maine. He moved to Rhode Island and continued the Bill THibodeau Band along with other great players from Southern New Engeland. Bill is on the board for Rhode Island Bluegrass Alliance and is a teacher of all bluegrass instruments.
For more info contact Bill at billytgrass@gmail.com or Bill Thibodeau Band on FB
