HARRISBURG — Red Molly, the all-girl folk/bluegrass band known for their lush harmonies, stellar songwriting and dynamic stage presence, pays a return visit to the region on Wednesday, September 15. They will perform at the Stage on Herr, Harrisburg's newest stage and bar. According to co-owner John Traylor, this venue is perfect for groups like Red Molly because it offers the audience an intimate "listening room" experience not replicated anywhere else in the area.

The trio fist came together during the 2004 Falcon Ridge Folk Festival in New York state where its members discovered a mutual love of country, bluegrass and old-time gospel during a late-night jam. Over the past six years Red Molly's popularity has skyrocketed; netting them appearances at major festivals throughout the United States, a feature in Sing Out! magazine and several #1 songs on the Folk DJ chart.

Fans attending the concert may notice a new face in the band. Last July long-time band member Carolann Solebello left the group to pursue a solo career and spend more time with her family. After an extensive search for a replacement the two remaining members, Abbie Gardner and Laurie MacAllister, settled on Austin-based musician Molly Venter. The newest "Molly" brings strong songwriting skills and an exciting modern musical sensibility to the group. The trio has been busy co-writing together for the first time (aided by the ease of sending MP3s back and forth over the Internet), reinventing fan favorites, and learning new songs. "This is an exciting time for the band; we're so thrilled that Molly has joined us", says MacAlllister. Gardner adds, "We couldn’t have even hoped for a more perfect fit."

This is Red Molly's fourth visit to the Harrisburg region. Previously they played in a collaborative concert with the Susquehanna Folk Music Society at several locales, including the Dauphin County's Sunset Series at Fort Hunter Park and for Harrisburg City's Italian Lake Concert Series.

To find out more about Red Molly, visit the web site at http://www.redmolly.com/.

Concert Details:
Stage on Herr presents Red Molly, 9 p.m.
(doors open at 7 p.m.),

Wednesday, September 15,
268 Herr St. in Harrisburg.
Admission is $15.

Tickets and information available at
http://harrisburgarts.com/

Jess Hayden is a musician and concert promoter who programs events for the Susquehanna Folk Music Society. Her vision for "Trad Talk" is to expose readers to the very best tradition-based artists performing in our region and the venues that present them. You can contact her at jessh (at) showcasepa.net

This article was originally published in the September 6 edition of ShowcaseNow! Magazine. Trad Talk is a regular feature of ShowcaseNow! Magazine and is used by permission. To read other columns Jess has written for ShowcaseNow! (starting with issue 7-7) visit ShowcaseNow.net and click on "Past Issues".