Artist description Damning the torpedoes, and flying in the face of common sense, The Ragwagon Band forges onward in it's quest for Old Time Folk 'n Roll Nirvana. We've saved you a seat, climb on board. Ya look good today. You really do. From The Ragwagon, Red Riley Red@Ragwagon.com

Music Style Folk Rock, Jug Band Jazz, Acoustic Country, Piedmont Blues

Musical Influences Tom Rush, Jim Kewskin, The Band, John Sebastian, Paul Geremia, Mississippi John Hurt, Tom Waits, Tracy Nelson, Alan Toussant, Dylan, Miles, Mose, Elvis, The Beatles, Maria Muldaur, Geoff Muldaur, Garrison Keillor, Hargus Robbins, George Gershwin

Similar Artists Hot Tuna, Squirrel Nut Zippers, Dan Hicks, Fleetwood Mac, Kweskin Jug Band, Rubber Soul Beatles, Maria Muldaur, The Byrds

Artist History Early History: Amy Hanish Anderson dropped out of the Rhode Island School of Design shortly after the Summer of Love, creating cosmic space for her momentous meeting with Ragtime and Blues enthusiasts "D Douglas" Red Riley and Gilby Hager. Riley declared her a singularly gifted singer and Hager heartily agreed. Shortly thereafter, the three hooked up with fledgling violinist Diane Orson and stride-piano maniac Handsome John Garrick and The Ragwagon Band was born. Ragwagon quickly became known for their tight musical proficiency and enthusiastic, free-wheeling shows. Not surprisingly, the teenage folkies soon found themselves in demand on the Northeast folk club and coffeehouse circuit. Fondly remembered gigs include Salt - in Newport, RI; an extended run at Cape Cod's Beachcomber Inn; and regular visits to the infamous Jolly Beggar Saloon in Mystic, Connecticut; a venue Red now grudgingly admits Diane was far too young to patronize. The end of the decade brought important changes when Diane moved on to college and John was given the opportunity to further his promising acting career. Gilby, Amy, & Red, performing with bass player Gary Macdonald, developed a tight blend of ragtime jug band music, blues, folk rock and country while turning themselves into veteran performers, clearly at home with an audience and each other. A favorite audience quote: "We loved going to see you at The Jolly Beggar, you seemed to have such a good time performing that we'd always catch your mood and leave smiling at the end of the evening.." Toward the end of the decade, with Gil feeling the need to continue his education, and both Amy and Red developing a strong interest in theater, Ragwagon decided on a short break from performing to pursue these and other interests. It was mutually agreed that this step would enable each individual to develop as an artist and bring back to the group influences that would make the total Ragwagon experience more enjoyable for all concerned. This short break lasted approximately 25 years. ******************************** A Reunion and a CD -- (a letter from Red) It's probably all my fault. When I heard, in 1996, the news of a reunion picnic being held by the little Shakespeare theater that so many of us were involved with back in the old days, I could have kept still. A simple "Why yes, I'd love to attend" would have been more than sufficient. Really now... No need to go calling people on the telephone, sending Email and generally making a nuisance of myself. No need to get folks all excited and convince them to try to do what was clearly impossible. Much better to maintain one's quiet dignity and comport oneself in a manner befitting a man of some,...(cough)...forty-plus years. That's the whole point, right there, of course. The prime of life thing, I mean.... Good, legitimate grown-up job. Satisfactory salary plus benefits. Nice enough living quarters in the capital of the entire civilized world--New York City. Things to do, places to go, people to meet, etc. etc. Still, ........ something was missing. I missed the music. I'd missed it for too long, for decades. The community of the old bands from back in the days before home computers and compact discs and digital everything-you-can-imagine. I missed the acoustic guitars and the vintage blues. I missed Amy's sweet, smokey singing with Eddie playing his exquisite piano, and Gilby blowing on that old moonshine jug he picked up God-knows-where. I missed Sadie Green and Basin Street and Salt and The Kettle of Fish and The Gaslight and Club 47.... I missed Ragwagon! So blame me, if you must. It turned out that I was not alone in my fond remembrances and, while we did have to move a mountain across an ocean to do it, we staged the Ragwagon Reunion Concert in 1997, and then were not smart enough to let it go at that. We really ought to be old enough to know better. Apparently, we are not. We hope you enjoy our music. Write if ya get the chance. From The Ragwagon, Red Riley Red@Ragwagon.com

Group Members Amy Hanish Anderson, Gilby Hager, David J. Anderson, Ed Rashed & Red Riley,

Instruments Martin and Guild 12 string guitars, Chickering Grand Piano, Violin, Fiddle, Farfisa and Hammond B-3 organs, drums, lap steel guitar, Martin ukulele, bongo drums. kazoo, Fender electric and Martin acoustic fretless and fretted basses, Jerry Jones electric twelve string guitar, Martin, Gibson, Guild, acoustic 6 string guitars, Hohner Harmonicas, Irish pipes, Psaltry and many more.

Albums The Ragwagon Band

Press Reviews "I get this great three-song CD,... music as it ought to be... just wishing there was more stuff on it! Damn, man, get that thing off the press. I'll play the hell out of it!" --- Mike Kelsey "These Friends of Mine," WFHB/////////////// "Got the demo and I really like what I hear...look for Ragwagon on early January playlists...Looking forward to your full length disc!" --- Skip Mowry "Folk Beat" WRBC////////////// "Got the disc today!...samples from an upcoming release?... I like it!" --- Chris Darling, "Us Folk" WMPG RADIO //////////////////////// "The Ragwagon Band CD is wonderful...we were struck by how much fun emanated from the loudspeakers. Musically tight and focused, spiritually a hoot! Thanks for sending it along." -- Stephen Snyder WGBH

Location NYC, NY - USA

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