BIOGRAPHY

The Hilltown Ramblers were formed in 1993 by three residents of the beautiful Helderberg Mountains in rural western Albany County in upstate New York. Shortly after moving to the East Berne area in 1991 mandolin player Dick Stock met banjo player Moe Safford at a local bluegrass jam; Moe then invited Chuck Batcher to come play bass at Dick's 40th birthday party. The trio quickly realized they had a common interest in bluegrass and related acoustic music forms , an uncommon knack for harmonizing well together, and live less than five minutes apart. The Hilltown Ramblers were soon formed and were first  joined by Morrie Safford on guitar. Jim Selkirk of Hannacroix, NY replaced Morrie on the acoustic guitar, but we played so many train songs Jim got a job on the railroad.  An old friend, George Geel,  took the spot until he moved to Tennessee.  Morrie returned in 2005 and gave the band another spark.

While the Hilltown Ramblers are adept at covering the classics of traditional and contemporary bluegrass paying special homage to the late "Father of Bluegrass Music", Bill Monroe, they are especially proud of the reception they have received for their original material. Songs such as "Everytime the Train Went By", & "I Met Her in the Mountains" , and  "Pickin' in the Fields" stand up well among the classics. Moe and Morrie Safford's "Walkin' on the Water" is bound to become a bluegrass gospel standard. Jim Selkirk's unique instrumental arrangements range from traditional to new acoustic music styles and always keep the toes tapping.

Dick Stock has the most performance experience in the group having played in bands, as a solo, and in a duo with Paul Strausman who has gone on to become a noted children's musician recording on the Gentle Wind label. Stock and Strausman received rave reviews in the local and college press where their music was once described as "something you can bite off and chew". Moe Safford played in bands as a youngster and went on to play banjo with the Gifford Hollow Boys before forming the Ramblers. Moe is also known for his wry "up Home"  humor which brings a chuckle from the audience. While he has played guitar for many years, the Ramblers is Jim Selkirk?s first professional gig and he has blossomed with the experience.  A relative musical neophyte, Chuck Batcher can keep the audiences smiling with a song like "'Ukulele Lady" and "I'm My Own Grandpa", and he can pull an occasional magic trick out his hat.

The Hilltown Ramblers have performed at hundreds of venues in their career including clubs and coffeehouses such as the venerable Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs, NY, county fairs including the Schatikoke(Rensselaer County) and Altamont(Albany, Schenectady, and Greene Counties) Fairs, as well as numerous town parks, Bluegrass and harvest festivals. The Hilltown Ramblers are sure to please audiences of all ages. After an appearance at Caffe Lena the manager exclaimed they had never seen so many smiling faces leaving the Caffe after a performance. The Ramblers released their first CD, "It's About Time" in 2004 and are now preparing songs for a second CD to hopefully come out in 2007.

For more information on the Hilltown Ramblers visit our web site at www.hilltownramblers.com or contact Dick Stock at (518)872-2833 or write to us at 50 Bush Drive, East Berne, NY 12059 or e-mail hilltownramblers@yahoo.com.

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