Bobby and Doug leave the Noisemakers

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  • #25880
    Avatar of OSCAROSCAR
    Participant

    Bobby and Doug leaving the Noisemakers

    Man… that’s crazy. I really dug them both. Doug’s role seemed to be getting bigger and bigger. They will be missed!

    Quote:
    This summer’s Noisemakers run will feature two new members, fiddle- mandolin player Ross Holmes and guitarist Gibb Droll, while also marking the departure of longtime Noisemaker band members Bobby Reed and Doug Derryberry Bruce explains: “As the years go by and my music changes, I’ve been increasingly interested in hearing some new sounds in my band. As I get older, I’ve become more of a folkie than a jazzer, and I’ve felt the need to move the music accordingly.”
    “Bobby Read is one of the greatest musicians I know. I’ve loved playing with him , and hope to always have opportunities to work with him. He was with us for twenty years, and I’m so grateful for his great taste, good humor, soul and musicianship during his long tenure.”
    “When I released the Spirit Trail album in 1998, I needed to find a guitar player who could play John Leventhal’s great orchestral guitar parts that enhanced that music so much. Doug Derryberry filled that bill and much more, with his guitar, strong vocals and mandolin playing giving us what we needed for fifteen years. He has been the oracle of the band; we all have gone to Doug for help in remembering old parts, chords, lyrics and endings through the years. Thanks go out to both of these great people for their efforts and contributions adding so much to our sound for many years.”
    Guitarist Gibb Droll is an American composer, songwriter, painter, and scorer of film. He is noted for his numerous side projects, including those with Ken Coomer (Wilco), Bryn Davies (The Tony Rice Unit, Jack White), and the prolific songwriter and poet Kevin Kinney. Gibb is highly sought after as a touring and studio guitarist, most recently collaborating with his long time friend Brandi Carlile.
    Ross Holmes started playing the fiddle and violin at age nine and boasts an impressive resume of musical collaborations. Ross has toured, recorded and performed with Mumford and Sons, Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Old Crow Medicine Show and Bruce’s country cousin, Ricky Skaggs. Ross is also a member of the banjo/fiddle duo ChessBoxer who will support the Noisemakers on a number of dates this summer.
    #33976
    Avatar of JF1JF1
    Participant

    What garbage. Such a shame. I’ll hold out hope before I completely trash this, and I’m sure there are more reasons for this than just the sound of Bruce’s music. I’m sure Bruce is also trying to cater to a specific demographic – we can see this with the locations of the Noisemakers tour and that his following seems to have widdled away to predominately blue grass/folk fans who live in the south. And I understand that at the end of the day, this is a business. But what Bruce had going from Here Comes the Noisemakers up until this point was special, and it’s all my personal bias, but I have no idea why you’d change that. I couldn’t be more disappointed.

    I get annoyed thinking about how if Bruce had a slightly bigger following, this probably wouldn’t have happened. And I don’t understand how there’s been for the most part an inverse correlation between Bruce’s following and his live shows getting better and better (At least in my opinion). I guess a lot of that has to do with time, but this is a whole other discussion.

    The next 20 live recordings you listen to, I bet somewhere between 10-14 will no longer be possible to play, or at least in it’s current form without Bobby Read. Great Divide, Red Plains, White Wheeled Limousine, Candy Mountain Run, and the list goes on, and on, and on. Spirit Trail, what I thought was Bruce’s favorite album – a lot of that is unplayable now without a sax. Same goes for Hot House. And without and ewi, a lot of Big Swing Face isn’t possible.

    Now I’m sure Bruce will find ways to play songs in new ways, obviously that’s why he’s making this change. But I go see Bruce and Skaggs to get my blue grass/folk fix. Nothing should be interfering with the Noisemakers, yet this has.

    Also I don’t understand this from the perspective of the rest of the band, specifically Sonny and JV. I consider the trio of Bruce, Sonny, and JV to be the best rhythm section in the world today, without exaggeration. Turning this band into a folk band is going to take away the Noisemkaers biggest strength – their ability to drive a song while maintaing incredibly advanced and spontaneous rhythms and melodies. A mix that’s very rare to see in a live show, and almost unheard of at the level in which they do it.

    Well I’ve been holding this post in for a while, and sorry that I’m using this board to vent! I’m sure I’m not the only one with this opinion though.

    #33977
    Avatar of rmtylerrmtyler
    Participant

    Yeah, I can’t say I’m happy about this, not that it matters. An artist obviously needs to move and stretch in directions that interest him, and I’ll withhold judgment until I hear the new lineup (doesn’t look like I’ll see it live this summer), but I don’t sense this is a direction I’m likely to follow as closely. Doug and Bobby added so much that appealed to me. They will certainly be missed.

    #33978
    Avatar of Si TwiningSi Twining
    Keymaster

    Each to their own. I’ve put up a page thanking Bobby and Doug, which is really what their “Hall of Fame” pages were about in December:

    https://bruuuce.com/2014/04/09/thank-you-bobby-and-doug/

    However!

    I’m currently writing a new page welcoming Ross and Gibb. From what I hear, they are two exciting additions. This is what I’ve written so far, in part:

    Quote:
    Bobby and Doug both made invaluable, irreplaceable contributions to the music. And they are not being replaced – there is no sax player in the world who could replace Bobby Read. Same for the harmonies and guitar of Doug Derryberry. We’re being treated to something new… a change in direction, just as when The Range went their separate ways, and later when John Molo, Debbie Henry, Michael Baker, John d’Earth and co moved on (and it’s notable that they have all guested since).

    These changes have earnt our close attention for the last thirty years. This is actually the first turnaround in permanent band members since Sonny joined in 2002, so it marks an exciting time in Noisemakers history. Many of you have commented to me how much colour Andy Leftwich added when Bruce and Ricky Skaggs would trade musicians on tour, so a fiddle is a wonderful addition. Likewise with a change in voice across the stage on guitar.

    I’m all for a balance of opinions… but Bruce has made some changes in the past that people jumped on before they heard the end product (“Almost no piano” in 2002, to pick one!). Not many complained at the end product though. Let’s wait and see what comes – a fiddle is tremendously exciting, I think.

    This is a change in direction, rather than a new band. I don’t think it means we won’t hear some songs any more – just a new slant on them. As the band evolves, so will the songs. Isn’t that why we follow them?

    #33979
    Avatar of babytweety2yobabytweety2yo
    Participant

    I have to agree with the to each their own statement Si made. Some people will like it, some won’t, but I don’t think its something we should judge. We all know Bruce is a constant learner and loves to try different styles of music. I think that is what makes him a unique artist. We don’t always hear him play the same music, he’s always bringing something new for us to listen to. That is what I like about him.

    In my opinion don’t knock it till you try it, you just might like it!

    #33980
    Avatar of David DayDavid Day
    Participant

    Finally! An ‘official announcement’ of some sorts! So glad to see ‘kudos’ to Bobby and Doug! What a great loss!

    On one hand, I remember when Bruce added Bobby and John D’earth. My thoughts were one of ‘what the hell happened to me’! Then, when John left, my thoughts were one of ‘maybe one day we’ll meet across the great divide’! But, to my surprise and chagrin, the Noise seemed to flourish and even become better!

    On another hand, Bobby, throughout the many years, had become a ‘mainstay’, a friend, a great musician, gentleman and someone I always look forward to seeing to this day! We will miss Bobby greatly!!!

    A wise man once said, ‘It takes change to make progress.’ And, there is ‘gonna be some changes made’! But, ‘business decisions’ must be made to make it so!

    I say all that to say…..The Range, The Dead, Garcia, Waters, Pat, Bonnie, Bradford, JV, JT, Bobby, Sonny, Mo and others! It all has been most excellent!!! What awaits us next???

    I dunno! But, it’s either ‘the road not taken’ or ‘the valley road’! What ever road you may choose, I’m very sure it will be ‘pastures of plenty’! :)

    That’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it! :)

    After all the ‘miles of aisles’, I’m still havin’ a ball! I hope you will as well! :)

    David Day
    Lake Lanier, GA
    Go DAWGS!

    #33981
    Avatar of GuinnessGoonGuinnessGoon
    Participant

    JF1 – I totally agree and couldn’t say it better myself. I’m not a fan of the folkie/blue grass thing and can’t believe Bruce gave Bobby and Doug the pink slip.
    The Noisemakers were so tight and now bringing in these new guys who probably are not big improvisation players will lessen the song quality.
    The jams will be shorter now and the set lists will most likely be somewhat the same revolving 30 songs.
    I guess I’m not that pissed that none of these shows are near me.
    I thought about the Kentucky show as its a 5 hour drive but now I am glad I didn’t grab tix as that long of drive wouldn’t be worth it knowing that Bruce has yet changed his mind on his music and now wants to be a folkie/bluegrass band.

    Don’t fix what ain’t broke.

    …as much as I am sure the ‘makers will still rock…I am really let down by this.

    #33982
    Avatar of TakavlTakavl
    Participant

    Eh.

    If there’s one thing we all should know by now, it’s this — Bruce loves to throw his “fans” sliders. Not curveballs, but sliders.
    The last such time he did so was probably with “Big Swing Face” and that was, what with no piano and its pseudo-electronica/funk direction, probably a hard slider. (It was also the very definition of a “one-off.”) But now? Not so much. This is kinda like people complaining about “Camp Meeting” (Wanna have some fun? Go to Amazon and read the idiotic reviews from people who “just want Bruce to sing!”) Jazz to bluegrass to classical to r&b to pop etc etc.; everything that BH likes to do. This is surprising?

    Bob and Doug — They’re great players and quite adept at the genre-jumping BH required…but sax guys and guitar players are a dime a dozen. This is not to diminish in any way their contributions and time-served. Hey, how about that George Marinelli? Is anyone upset that he’s still gone? (What’s more interesting IMHO is how JT, JV, and Sonny interact with the new dudes, which brings up…)

    “As I’ve gotten older I’m more of a folkie than a jazzer,” THIS is a bit worrisome (as more of a rock/jazz/pop/classical-with-the-bluegrass-as-a-garnish dude myself) but probably shouldn’t be — again, see BH’ diverse palette. However — are Sonny, JT and JV on-board with this? How “folkie” will it be? (Can’t really see those three being down with, as BH used to joke, a possible nomination/win for the Ebony/Jet bluegrass chair.) Notice that BH is touring with Sonny (what are they gonna do, a cool half-hour of “out” improv!?) as an opener for Metheny’s Unity Band (NOT “folkie” LOL) and then the Weir dates (also NOT “folkie”)…the “folkie” thing can be caricatured any which way you want, but only until the material (new and/or reinterpretations) gets aired out will we be able to properly judge.

    In any case, this bullshit is probably pointless — ‘cuz BH is gonna do what BH wants to do. :-) If we go along for the ride, so be it. If not, maybe we’ll catch him down the road…

    T

    #33983
    Avatar of David DayDavid Day
    Participant

    Hey Guys! Peace!!! Not to get ‘your panties in a wad’! I do agree with all of you! I’m disappointed as well!

    Bobby, Doug and Noise, as we know them, will be greatly missed! I can’t fathom a fiddle player playing Tango King, Candy Mountain nor Resting Place, but you never know!

    Just give this a chance! I’m sure there will be a ‘reunion tour’ at some point! But, in the meantime enjoy! You guys should know this by now! You never know what’s next!!!….

    DD
    LL, GA

    #33984
    Avatar of David DayDavid Day
    Participant

    Oh! Just one final thought on this!…..

    The show goes on!….

    DD
    LL, GA

    #33985
    Avatar of GuinnessGoonGuinnessGoon
    Participant

    Hey T – wow man I thought that you might have passed away or something. Its good to see you out of the woodwork and making a guest appearance…long time brah.

    The ‘Big Swing Face’ thing worked tho. Many great jams with that shite and yes the white people feel the funk.

    I know what my earlier comment is jumping the gun but its probably because I hate folkie/bluegrass shit as it goes nowhere for me. Bruce’s music takes me to many places and hopefully it still will…especially with 2 new guys who may not be good at improvisational jamming.

    Earlier this year, Bob Weir finally brought out Ratdog after a 5 year hiatus and when he announced the his saxman Kenny Brooks and his axeman Mark Karan won’t be involved but instead an additional bass player Rob Wasserman will join along with the stellar Steve Kimock…most fans went nuts about no sax but two basses. The idea of Ratdog with no sax is just crazy and to have 2 bass players sounds even crazier….but it actually worked mostly because Steve Kimock is one of the best guitarists on the jam scene so his stellar playing made it work….that being said…who knows maybe Bruce’s new ‘makers might pull it off…hopefully they practice the shit out of that catalog and not just 30 songs neither…teach ’em at least 70 so the set list will be diverse. Its almost like seeing a show with Moyes instead of Sonny, you know they’ll play the same 12 songs each night without playing your request.

    Welcome back T-bone

    #33986
    Avatar of A.J.A.J.
    Participant
    Takavl, post: 9179 wrote:
    Eh.

    If there’s one thing we all should know by now, it’s this — Bruce loves to throw his “fans” sliders. Not curveballs, but sliders.

    Bob and Doug — They’re great players and quite adept at the genre-jumping BH required…but sax guys and guitar players are a dime a dozen. This is not to diminish in any way their contributions and time-served. Hey, how about that George Marinelli? Is anyone upset that he’s still gone? (What’s more interesting IMHO is how JT, JV, and Sonny interact with the new dudes, which brings up…)

    ‘cuz BH is gonna do what BH wants to do. :-) If we go along for the ride, so be it. If not, maybe we’ll catch him down the road…

    T

    I agree, Tis a shame to see both these guy go, excellent musicians that can’t be replaced. But like you said, Bruce will do what he wants to do, we’ve seen this many times before and things turned into a well oiled machine…

    #33987
    Avatar of HDbahnHDbahn
    Participant

    From 20 seconds of youtube, I’d say I’m more hopefull of the new guitar than the fiddle, but that doesn’t mean I expect to ever hear the solos in Country Doctor or Preacher In The Ring(II) the same again. And I don’t think you can feel End Of The Innocence the same way without Bobby (although if anything it creates more space for JT – I heard Jesse Colin Young in 2012 with keyboards in Jim Rothermel’s horn parts). It will always be what Bruce wants, though, and I’ll give it a listen although many of my favorites have already disappeared. Well, the only window sticker on my car says I Don’t Like Bluegrass (I Love It) – Infamous Stringdusters, but I’ll always know when Bruce was quite the sage, it was The Changes that got me hooked.

    #33988
    Avatar of TakavlTakavl
    Participant
    HDbahn, post: 9188 wrote:
    From 20 seconds of youtube, I’d say I’m more hopefull of the new guitar than the fiddle,

    Alright, I waited at least a good 24 hours from the time I watched the clips until now; what — a cooling-off period? 😆 Can I say, with all caveats and all due respects and IMHOs etc…

    Forget what I said about (which was mostly good) Bob and Doug (but still, git/sax guys ARE numerous)…these two latest NM are not my cup o’ tea. Sorry Bruce. I know that you and the new dudes don’t give a shit but damn…a Mumford & Sons backup and a Stevie Ray clone? Really? Wow.

    Here’s hoping that I’m proved wrong and BH comes up with some crazy new reinterpretations of tunes, and just plain ol’ new tunes too! (I can also get where BH might’ve been coming from regarding the same band for at least a decade.)

    For some perspective, it might be worthwhile delving into any bandleader and his/her touring/recording band members — lots of flux, lots of comings/goings. I’m thinking of Mingus and Zappa in particular, and BH. Perhaps the clips (Droll/Holmes) that were posted were the best available? :?::neutral::lol:

    It ain’t the end of the world —

    T

    #33989
    Avatar of A.J.A.J.
    Participant

    It would be interesting to go back in time and see what people were saying when Doug/Bobby first joined the band…

    #33990
    Avatar of Si TwiningSi Twining
    Keymaster

    I can give you a quote from Bruce at the time Doug joined, back in ’98. From the Boston Globe:

    “Hornsby will preview a bunch of the new songs this Sunday night at the South Shore Music Circus in Cohasset. He’s also added a guitarist (Doug Derryberry from the D.C. area) for the first time in years. “He adds a lot of texture,” says Hornsby. “He plays electric 12-string and Rickenbacker and acoustic 12-string. Some of the new songs have mostly guitar. Again, it was just time for a change.”

    And the initial reaction to Doug, on the old “newsgroup”:

    The guitarist’s name is Doug Derryberry (yes, that *IS* his last name,
    no joke!). He is a friend of mine from college, and just recently
    (this past spring?) got the gig to be the guitarist in Bruce’s band.

    Doug has played in numerous groups around the DC/Charlottesville area,
    starting out in an acoustic duo back in college called “Derryberry and
    Alagia” with John Alagia. Doug and John also produce records for a lot
    of people in the DC/Charlottesville area….they have their own studio
    called “Rutabaga Studios”.

    Some Dave Matthews Band fans out there might be familiar with John, as
    he produced the first (independent) DMB album, “Remember Two Things”,
    and continues to work with Dave on vocal arrangements and
    pre-production work for all of the DMB albums.

    In any case, Doug is a VERY good guitar player, but from my
    conversations with him before coming out for the shows, it seems like
    he knows his role is as a rhythm guy and backup vocalist….that he
    wouldn’t be stepping out to rip tons of solos, as the “lead” guy in
    the band is Bruce. Plus, he is a versatile guitarist, and can play all
    sorts of styles of music quite well, which is probably one of the
    reasons Bruce chose him to be in the band…as Bruce can beak into any
    type of song (rock, jazz, folk, ragtime, bluegrass, etc.) at a moments
    notice.

    And as for him looking “a little lost most of the time”….well, he
    ALWAYS looks like that, whether he’s on stage or watching a football
    game on TV!

    #33991
    Avatar of Si TwiningSi Twining
    Keymaster

    I can find nothing on Bobby when he first joined – I think that was before the internet! The only snippet I could find from around ’95 (maybe a couple of years after he joined) is that he was playing mandolin as well as sax. Never knew that.

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