Bluegrass Jam w/ The Allegheny Drifters featuring The Ron Mesing & John Mackin Duo

NEW DATE SATURDAY, AUGUST 22!

The Allegheny Drifters have become one of the most popular and hard-working bands in western Pennsylvania. Their high-energy performances and smooth vocals make them a hit with audiences everywhere. They have become ambassadors for traditional bluegrass music, creating new friends for this exciting, authentically American style. The success of their 3 albums has earned them national and international recognition. The Allegheny Drifters are Bernie Cunningham on guitar, Bob Artis on mandolin, Karen Artis on bass, and Gregg Welty on banjo.www.alleghenydrifters.com

The Ron Mesing & John Mackin Duo
Ron Mesing has played and recorded with many bluegrass legends throughout the years. Some of them include Ricky Skaggs, Red Allen, Marty Stuart, Josh Graves and Kenny Baker. He also has played in quite a few bluegrass and country bands over the past 40 years. He recently completed his 5th solo Dobro album called “Speechless”. Unlike the previous solo albums that were backed up by various musicians, “Speechless” is an all instrumental Dobro album with guitar backup by John Mackin. Similar to John, Ron got his roots from his musical family. His Dad and uncles played the old Jimmy Rodgers and Delmore Brothers style of music. Later in life he met his wife Debbie who was also brought up in a musical family. She is an excellent singer, plays bass and guitar and has performed on many of Ron’s and other musicians projects. Ron can be seen and heard playing with various bands in and around the Pittsburgh area.

John Mackin has been playing around the Pittsburgh area most of his life (so far). He started out playing with his dad, uncle and cousin. They played square dances, churches and parties. In 1969 John joined a folk band called Times Five that played local clubs and events. In 1972 he met Wendy Boehmer a banjo player who he later married and Ron Mesing, a Dobro player from the area, they played in a band called the Willow Creek Ramblers. In 1983 adding Ron's wife, Debbie Mesing to the mix on bass they formed the M&M Express which is still playing to this day. The M&M Express has played several radio and TV shows around the Pittsburgh area including the Wheeling Jamboree. They have one recording event to their credit called “Reno Bound” on the Old Homestead label. John also plays various events throughout the year with his old D-28 Martin guitar.

Location

Eden Hall Campus
Hilda M. Willis Amphitheater

Directions

6035 Ridge Road Gibsonia, PA 15044

Contact Information

Communications
(412) 365-1335
communications@chatham.edu

Related Links

• Eden Hall Campus Summer Series
• Calliope