by Mike Foley
The motto of the Catskill Mountain String Band, “Good Friends, Great Music,” is not a mere catch phrase; it speaks both to the group’s origins and to its musical focus.
When Bruno Bruzzese returned to the Catskill region after years of touring and playing, he was pleased to find several friends from his early days, still around and still picking. Before long, his kitchen became a gathering place for impromptu jams. A given Wednesday night might include Mark Patton, who had played with Frank Wakefield and Bill Keith; his neighbor Jim McManus on banjo; and Andy Bing on mandolin or Dobro, with Bruno on fiddle. Before long, the casual gatherings evolved into a distinct group sharing their love of classic bluegrass and early fiddle music.
The band increasingly wished to share their music with others, and they found an ideal venue in Woodstock’s Catskill Mountain Pizza Company, long a gathering place for local bluegrass and old-time musicians whose owner, Bryan Roef, is also a mandolin player and avid bluegrass fan. They soon were playing there once a month and posting videos of their performances on the Catskill Mountain String Band You Tube channel. Those videos helped create a fan base far beyond the Catskills; one, “The Old Spinning Wheel,” gathered more than 160,000 views!
In 2024, Mark Patton had to bow out due to competing obligations. Brandon Whightsel, who had been sitting in on the Wednesday night sessions, began playing guitar and singing with the band. Soon after, Geoff Harden, long time staple of the Woodstock bluegrass and old-timey scene, started sitting in on bass and soon became a regular.
Despite the modest personnel changes, the focus of the band remains constant, with its emphasis on a shared affection for early bluegrass greats, with a bit of old-time fiddle music and a dash of classic country—in other words, “Good Friends, Great Music.”
Band Members
 |
 |
 |
 |
Andy Bing first performed with a rock band in college and in the years since has played bluegrass, old-time, and folk music on mandolin, dobro, and banjo in bands throughout the Northeast.
Bruno Bruzzese plays fiddle and banjo with a love for the early sounds of bluegrass music. During his musical journey through the U.S.A., Europe, Canada and Mexico, he has played many styles of music with some great players, but bluegrass remains his most enduring passion. He is well known in the Hudson Valley and has musical connections throughout the U.S.A.
Geoffrey Harden plays bass, fiddle, and guitar and has performed and recorded with many acclaimed bluegrass and old-time bands who play fast and sing high. He and Sarah Harden host a popular old-time music festival and a long-running series of string band sessions in Woodstock.
Brandon Whightsel picked up a guitar thirty years ago, writing his first lyrics as soon as he learned two chords. He performed and recorded original songs with a folk-rock band until being bitten by the bluegrass bug. Now he enjoys the melodies and community that accompany traditional music.
Visit the band’s website for details on upcoming shows and links to videos and more.
