Whether it was divine province or just dumb luck it certainly was fortunate that singer, guitar and mandolin player Dick Stock met singer and banjo player Moe Safford met at a jam session shortly after Dick moved to the beautiful Helderberg Mountains in Upstate New York. Not only were they neighbors but they had a common interest in the many variations of bluegrass music especially the hard driving variety. After a few more jam sessions the Hilltown Ramblers were formed and started playing regularly in 1993. In the ensuing 30 plus years the band has played hundreds of times in a variety of venues including state and local parks, county fairs, and numerous clubs, breweries, cafes, and coffeehouses. It has always been important for the band to give back to the community appearing at numerous benefits and at schools, libraries, hospitals, and nursing facilities.
Dick Stock and Moe Safford continue to lead the Hilltown Ramblers to this day and are joined by their long time guitarist “Smilin’” Jim Selkirk. Most recently they have been joined by the extraordinary Tom White on the fiddle and the phenomenal Gene Lemme on the upright bass.
The Hilltown Ramblers have released a new album “Clear Mountains", a homage to their origins in the Helderbergs, now available on all the major streaming services. More original songs destined to become classics are joined by their heartfelt arrangements of some classic tunes. Bluegrass DJs are already mentioning the “awesome harmonies" on the new album.
Their first album “It’s About Time” was well received and had copies sent to England and Japan. A mix of original tunes as well as arrangements of friends songs and a couple choice standards, Greg Haymes called it "Trademark Hilltown harmonies over a bed of bluegrass and gospel with some folk and country thrown in for good measure." in his Albany Times Union review. Nothing makes a musician prouder than to hear some of their songs played at a jam session at a bluegrass festival.
For more on The Hilltown Ramblers visit our website www.hilltownramblers.com.
