Who is Tilly Foster, you ask? Well, for starters, they’re a local bluegrass band with deep roots in the Hudson Valley—and a name that pays tribute to a little-known piece of local history. The group is named after Mr. Tilly Foster, a 19th-century iron mine owner and philanthropist based in Brewster, NY. His legacy as both an industrious businessman and generous community figure lives on, in a way, through the band that now bears his name. And fittingly, most of the band’s current lineup also calls this region home, with several members residing right here in Dutchess County.
The band came together in 2017, following the breakup of the Buckeye Rooster Band. That shift opened the door to something new. Longtime friends Bryan Lynch (banjo) and Mike Colucci (mandolin)—who met as students at the Crane School of Music—joined forces with Tim Fogarty (guitar), a high school friend of Bryan’s. Together, they set out to create music that honored their bluegrass roots while also exploring new musical territory.
As their sound evolved, so did their lineup. They were soon joined by Vicky Triola, a classically trained fiddle player and graduate of the Berklee College of Music, who brought both technical finesse and soulful improvisation to the group. Rounding out the band is Shane Pettit, a seasoned bassist and retired member of the US Army Band at West Point. Shane’s steady groove and musical versatility helped the band solidify its rhythmic foundation—and gave their live performances an extra layer of depth.
In 2019, the band released their debut LP, Nor’Easter, a collection of original songs that reflect both the weather and the musical climate of the Northeast. One standout track, “Songs for an Empty Porch,” quickly became a fan favorite. That track, along with others from the LP, is now being re-released under Hound Dog Records later this summer. The recording process took place at Black Sheep Recording Studios in Gardiner, NY, with the help of producer and local music legend Vito Petroccitto. The band is eager to bring these songs to the stage this summer and beyond.
Tilly Foster’s music is rooted in the bluegrass tradition, but don’t expect a strict adherence to genre rules. Their sound reflects a wide range of influences—from the classic stylings of Flatt & Scruggs, Bill Monroe, and the Osborne Brothers to the more adventurous explorations of modern “newgrass” bands like Greensky Bluegrass and the Infamous Stringdusters. You’ll also hear echoes of the Grateful Dead, the storytelling of Johnny Cash, and even a touch of punk attitude à la The Clash. The result is a sound that’s both familiar and fresh—deeply musical, lyrically rich, and full of heart.
Here are some of their upcoming performances scheduled for 2025:
- July 16 – Brewster Summer Concert Series (6:30–8:30 PM)
- August 11 – Innes (Private Corporate Event), Accord, NY
- August 21 – Wappingers Summer Concert Series at Schlather’s Park (6:00 PM)
- August 24 – Poughkeepsie Porchfest
- September 21 – Sunday Bluegrass Brunch at Daryl’s House Club
- (More performances will be scheduled and announced soon—stay tuned!)
Listen to Tilly Foster on Spotify
