The 1973 meeting of folksinger/guitarist John Strong and guitarist/songwriter Hank Soto was the genesis of an iconic local band. The Lake George Arts Project and the Village of Lake George are celebrating the Stony Creek Band’s 50th anniversary with a party in Shepard Park on Thursday, August 24. The party begins at 6:30 p.m. with an opening performance by The Switch. The Stony Creek Band will follow.
In the 1970s, the duo of Strong and Soto was joined by a bass player, and they toured New York and New England coffee houses playing their brand of folk music. After settling in Stony Creek, New York, the band grew to a seven-piece group with drums, rock guitar, pedal steel guitar and banjo. According to a Lake George Arts Project press release, for a time, the band was the largest year-round employer in the small hamlet of Stony Creek.
In the 1980’s the band evolved into its current configuration which includes producer/ singer /songwriter Dave Maswick on bass, Blues Hall of Fame member Mike Lomaestro on drums, and noted bluegrass mandolin virtuoso Fred Lantz.
The Stony Creek Band has performed hundreds of times over the decades including a live performance on international TV for the closing ceremonies of the Goodwill Winter Games, an appearance at a New York State gubernatorial inauguration, a February outdoor appearance at the 25th anniversary celebration of the “Miracle on Ice” and a live performance on NBC’s TODAY show with Meredith Viera and Ann Curry.
The Stony Creek Band 50th Anniversary Party is free and open to the public. Organizers recommend attendees bring a blanket or chair. Fireworks will follow the Stony Creek Band performance.
Featured image: The Stony Creek Band/Courtesy photo