The Spurs USA Bringing Country Classics to Infinity Hall

The Spurs USA

(NORFOLK, Conn.) – Classic country outfit The Spurs USA performs at Infinity Hall in Norfolk on Sunday, September 23, 2012, at 7:30 p.m. Founded by Winsted, Conn., native John Barrett, the group performs favorites by Merle Haggard, Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn and others of that genre.
“We are thrilled at the opportunity to play at Infinity Hall, a sort of dream come true for many musicians,“ said Barrett, who now lives in Great Barrington, Mass. An original member of San Francisco Bay area band The Rhythm Dukes, Barrett has played with Saint Anthony’s fife and drum corp. The Gilbert School Band, Cushing Academy Band, U-CONN marching band and orchestra, US Army 1st Cavalry Division Band (Vietnam) and many small combos through the years as well. He was especially fond of his Rock ‘n Roll band in Winsted called the Fascinations, consisting of other Winsted friends including Ed and George Smith, Jack Kempf, Torrington’s Al Brown,  Clair and Ritchie Litke, Goshen’s Tommy “Turk” Coury and Al Fellows.  The band was a big hit at fraternity parties at U-CONN.

With the Spurs USA, Barrett performs “great tunes mixed with pedal steel guitar, fiddle, country crooning and personality plus… The synergy of this little band is magical.” The Spurs USA specializes in country swing, ballads, and popular music of the 1940s to ‘80s that so many people tell the members they miss.  “We have all played in bands for years and wanted to get together and do something we loved that was different. Turned out, everyone loves it!” said Barrett, who is the bass player for the group.

The band also features lead singer and lead guitarist Dwight O’Neil. O’Neil hails from Memphis but now lives in Canaan, N.Y. His greatest influences growing up in the south were Merle Haggard, Hank Williams and the like. His song lists brings the crowd to their feet. Spurs USA drummer Bob Jones, a Stockbridge resident, focuses mainly on rock, blues, and loves country.  He also lends his pipes on tunes as he has a rich and powerful Cash-like baritone voice.

Andy Gordon, from Lenox, is an extraordinary multi-talented musician. He plays seasoned banjo and pedal steel all over the place, most notably with the Sun Mountain Fiddler. Saratoga Springs resident Dona Frank-Federico has been playing and singing since the age of 10. In her words she, “makes the most noise” in the band, singing and dancing her heart out. Fiddle player Paul Rice is known as “one of the best in the Berkshires and Beyond” and can fiddle a tune of almost any tempo and style with showmanship and ease.

Tickets at: 860.666.6306 or Infinity Hall

 

 

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