Yes, the exclamation point is part of the band’s name – I like the POW! statement it makes (at least to me) about this terrific band.

Barnstar!

Barnstar! is a group of extremely talented local musicians playing bluegrass music. According to Zachariah Hickman who formed the band, they have not played many shows over the past year which explains why I’d not seen them perform. Zachariah plays the double bass and sings; when he’s not performing with Barnstar!, he performs with Josh Ritter.

Zachariah Hickman

Every member of this band is an excellent musician and each has a solid solo career. Mark Erelli plays guitar, writes some of the music they played, and sings. I thoroughly enjoyed his voice as well as his guitar playing.

Mark Erelli

Charlie Rose plays the banjo, sings and writes.

Charlie Rose and Zachariah

And then there’s Taylor ‘Old Train’ Armerding and Jake Armerding, father and son. I had heard many good things about them but had never seen them perform. Talent definitely runs in their family! Taylor plays mandolin and sings, while Jake plays fiddle most of the time and sings.

Jake Armerding

Taylor Armerding

They performed a mix of original music and covers, including an incredible cover of ‘Sexual Healing’, led by Mark. There were also lovely versions of Dawes’ ‘When My Time Comes’ and Neil Young’s ‘Cowgirl in the Sand.’  They performed some original gospel songs, too.

Charlie and Zachariah

The show I saw was the late show at Club Passim.  At the beginning of the set, Zachariah looked around the audience, realized there were no children, and declared without apology that there would be cussing at that show!

Zachariah, Mark and Taylor

The band had great rapport with the audience, many of whom had seen the band perform. They are going to the studio this week to record their sophomore album and I’m looking forward to its release and more shows!