Bernie, Bill, and Charlie
Easily one of my best scores this year were two cassettes by this homegrown basement folk trio out of Peekskill, NY. I met Bernie while hiking the Appalachian Trail this summer, at the Greymoor Monastery for Franciscan Monks. He was painting the shelter they provide there for hikers when I walked up. He had a tape deck playing this gorgeous folk music with great deadpan vocals and heavenly mandolin runs. I was very stoked to sit and have lunch with the guy while he painted and listen to the music which seemed to perfectly fit where I was in time and space. I was almost positive it had to be the radio, like WFMU playing a strange buried Holy Modal Rounders 70s session, or Michael Hurley’s lost cousins cutting a home demo. But alas, when I inquired about the tunes, Bernie said it was him, his cousin and a friend. They got together every weekend and spun out these beautiful versions of old favorites with what he described as a very personal approach to the music. They only ever played a few open mics, and the occasional family get together, but had made a few tapes for friends. I asked Bernie if he’d send me one, and sure enough when I got home there it was in my mailbox. I’m sure this is the last place he’d ever expect his music to show up, a chance meeting with a wayward stranger into wayward music, that winds up on the world wide web … a place I don’t think Bernie visits, but nonetheless, its here for you to enjoy, which I hope you do.
19 Comments
hey banana, the tracks you sent me for this had no corresponding names so I’ll have to sort them out and post them later today…
Bananarama, See if you can post the guys address or email so we can all get copies.
Love it!!!! Please post their contact info.
glad you dig! i am not home right now, but i will try to get the address from somebody there. bernie is a very cool dude, and i’m sure would love to hear from any fans of the music.
Bernie Here!
Banana is right, I don’t get on the web much. Just read from 2007 what banana put out there, I’m floored! Sorry I’m so late but Capricorn’s are late bloomers. Have CD’s now, we record with a taskcam digital recorder, sound is great! Will send banana some copies, good to hear from you and looking forward to talking with you soon. I’ll write a letter up to Vermont unless other available. Rock Steady!
-Bernie
Banana,
I cannot thank you enough for posting this! My name is Mike and I am the nephew of Bernie and Bill of B.B.C. It is always great to find someone who loves and appreciates our music as much as we do. If you need CD’s or DVD’s, let us know! My email is wwefan4life@optonline.net. Thanks again! Keep the music alive!
-Mike
Also, be sure to check out our website. It is http://www.myspace.com/bbcberniebillcharley
Hey Bernie and Mike. Write a letter? what is this strange language you speak, bernie? Must be trying to keep Bill employed. Great job with the myspace page Mike! hey we also use a Zoom Handy Recorder H2, with that and the tascam we now have digital tracks coming out of our ears
No problem, Charley. I had fun making it. I am currently working on a “best of” compilation for Bernie. You will receive copies when it’s complete. I am looking at 10-15 tracks at this time. Haha about keeping Bill employed. What’s your email? That way we can talk electronically and I can send you pics and other info. I’ll talk with you soon.
-Mike
Bernie! Mike! Charlie!
Hey Guys! Bernie, just recently got the letter you sent to my Vermont address along time ago. With the new tapes. They are awesome! That is my parents house so I can always receive mail there, but my new address is:
J.D.F.
528 5th St. West
Missoula, MT 59801
I migrated westward…! Looking forward to hearing what you have been up to. Cheers, Jack
Thanks, Jack. I’m sure Bernie will appreciate this information. Given the fact that he is rarely on the internet (he is getting it configured at his house as we speak) perhaps you could call him with this information. I’m sure he’d enjoy speaking with you. (914) 739-0191 Thanks again, Jack!
-Mike
very mellow , I dig it. I live in the hudson valley in New York where Bernie & Bill seem to have lived when they made this great music. A great area to live and this music reflects that.I do believe that photo was taken at Sams point in Ellenville , NY. a very magical place. I just discovered the Waxidermy site and it’s a great one- thanks
Fred,
Hey! Mike here. Nephew of Bernie and Bill. Glad you love this music. Thanks for the support! Where in the Hudson Valley are you located? Don’t know if you know this, but we recently completed a “best of” CD compilation. It features 16 of our best tracks. If you would like a copy, email me at wwefan4life@optonline.net and I will gladly send you one. Rock on!
-Mike
Just wanted to let everyone know that we have 2 gigs coming up this summer. We will be performing live at the Hartsdale Train Station as part of the annual Farmer’s Market and Summer Concert Series. We will be there from 10:00AM-11:30AM. Hope to see everyone there! CDs will also be provided for a small fee of $5.00!
The dates for these gigs are Saturday, July 11 and Saturday, August 22nd.
Hey, guys! Just wanted to inform you all that we have a new youtube video up. It features Bernie and Charley performing live at the Hartsdale Farmer’s Market along with their friend, Hyram. Check it out at this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qauJQIYxKiU
Thanks!
Hey, all! Just wanted to tell you that B.B.C. band member, bernie will be performing live at PJ Kelly’s Pub And Restaurant in Peekskill, NY. along with “The Crossroads Band” on Sunday, August 16 from 5-9 PM. Come on down for a great night of food, drinks, and live entertainment.
B.B.C. band members, Bernie and Charley along with their friend Hiram, will be performing live at the annual Burke Wheelchair Games in White Plains, NY. beginning at 9:00 AM. This is an all day free event filled with great music, wheelchair races, and food. Please come down and support these great athletes and brilliant musicians.
Hey, guys! We now have a new band! It’s “Charles and Bernard” It’s 2 of the 3 original members of “BBC” Check us out at http://www.myspace.com/charlesandbernard for sound clips and show listings!