Chesapeake

by Craig HarrisDobro whiz Mike Auldridge, bassist T. Michael Coleman, and lead vocalist and guitarist Lawrence Moondi Klein started Chesapeake to fill in their schedule between gigs with the Seldom Scene. But, when they were joined by mandolinist Jimmy Gaudreau, formerly of the Tony Rice Unit, the result was so successful that they agreed to make it a more permanent unit. The decision proved to be one of the best theyd ever made. Taking a more serious approach than they did with the Seldom Scene, they created one of the most innovative sounds in contemporary bluegrass. While the groups ties to the hill country tradition remains as solid as its past efforts, Chesapeake takes things a step further with well-conceived arrangements, pure-as-honey vocal harmonies, and masterful instrumentation. Chesapeake represents a natural evolution for Auldridge. A founding member of the Seldom Scene, he had grown frustrated by the bands lackadaisical attitude toward rehearsing. Although banjo player Ben Eldridge, who worked as a mathematician during the week, and the late mandolinist/vocalist John Duffey, who worked as a guitar repairman, rarely played their instruments outside of performances, Auldridge lived and breathed music. Coleman, a former sideman for Doc and Merle Watson who joined the Seldom Scene in 1988, was the same way. The two musicians had previously recorded a trio album with former Seldom Scene lead singer Lou Reid. Their disenchantment with the Seldom Scenes light touring schedule intensified when Reid left the band and the groups original lead singer, John Starling, who worked as a medical doctor, returned. Starling only remained for a little over a year. Although Moondi Klein, formerly of Rock Creek, replaced him, Auldridge and Coleman continued to seek other outlets. When Guadreau became equally frustrated with the schedule slowing down of the Tony Rice Unit, the final pieces of Chesapeake were assembled. After rehearsing for several months in Auldridges basement, the group gave its first performance. While Auldridge, Coleman, and Klein worked with both the Seldom Scene and Chesapeake for a while, they gave their notice in 1995. A wide range of material has been incorporated into Chesapeakes repertoire. While country songs by the Carter Family, Norman Blake, and Bill Emerson have been treated to modern interpretations, the band has been as effective with its renditions of tunes by folk singer/songwriters, including Tom Paxton and Steve Gillette, and rock performers such as Van Morrison and Little Feat.