It's natural to associate country music and bluegrass mainly with the Southeast, since many of the most popular artists were based and recorded there.
But New England has country music roots which are just as deep and strong and long-lived. In fact, swings through Vermont, Maine, upstate New York and southern Canada were the mainstay of many country acts during the 40's and 50's. Some northeast cities even had their own live stage shows and radio broadcasts, such as Boston's WCOP Hayloft Jamboree and Schenectady, New York's WGY Radio Ranch, which featured local and national country artists on weekly stage shows.
Thus it's not surprising to find bands like Big Spike living and thriving in rural northern Vermont! Big Spike plays traditional bluegrass and country in the traditional bluegrass style.
With many decades of band experience among them, Big Spike are entertainers who bring a sense of humor and a deep understanding of the music and the songs to the stage. Whether it's a driving instrumental, a "heart song" done duet style, or a tight a capella gospel quartet, audiences respond enthusiastically.
Here's what people have been saying about "A New Day":
"You've selected a killer menu of material which you all pick and sing with some real power, energy and feeling. ...You all have forged your own hard-driving, highly distinctive sound and I'll be doing my best to get the word out in Nashville and in our other syndicated locations." — Dave Higgs, Bluegrass Breakdown, Nashville Public Radio
"If Big Spike hasn't already proven itself to be the full bluegrass package - with tight vocal harmonies, instrumental prowess, and a gift for not only unearthing, but writing some great songs - then their brand new disc, 'A New Day', drives the point home pretty clearly." — Jedd Kettler, County Courier, Enosburg, VT
"If you love hard driving, traditional bluegrass with great vocals and instrumental excellence, than seek out Big Spike. This Vermont based band is the real deal. Their stage shows hark back to the early days of bluegrass when performances were graced with style, presence, and the right blend of humor backed by a powerhouse delivery. Their new CD, 'A New Day', showcases the band at its best. Big Spike would be a great addition to any festival line-up. They're sensational." — Carol Beaugard, Lonesome Pine RFD, WFDU, Teaneck, NJ
"['A New Day' is] fabulous. I've added virtually every cut from the CD into the rotation of songs featured on our bluegrass songs. It's simply great traditional bluegrass music done very well. — Marty Scarbrough, Program Director, KASU, Jonesboro, Arkansas
"['A New Day'] sounds great. It will be on my playlist for awhile. — Brother Brian's Bluegrass Show, CFRC, Kingston Ontario
"Move over bluegrass, here comes greengrass, courtesy of Vermont's sizzling pickers and singers, Big Spike. Their new CD, 'A New Day', is guaranteed to put a smile on your face, a spring in your step, and a 'spike' in your day." — "Mr. Charlie" Frazier, Blues For Breakfast, WIZN, Burlington, VT
"['A New Day' is] not only a really, really good album, it's radio-friendly right through." — Eddie O'Strange Town & Country Radio Show, New Zealand
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