A brief hiatus for BAF but full speed ahead for the BBU

After a March 1979 concert, things went quiet for Boston Area Friends for the next 18 months. In October 1980, the organization held a New England Dance Fiddlers’ Contest and square dance party in the town of Concord.

In April 1981, the Seldom Scene played John Hancock Hall in Boston. That November, Bill Monroe played the same venue, with Dan Crary as an opening act. Over 1000 came out to the show, which attracted a glowing review.⁵⁹ In December, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver opened for Dry Branch Fire Squad, also at John Hancock Hall. 

It was nearly a full year before the next BAF show was announced – the Neon Valley Boys in late October 1982. 

The Boston Bluegrass Union, however, continued and thrived. Their schedule for the next couple of years that essentially bridged the feud illustrates the continuity:

1980

• Jan – Butch Robins, Alan O’Bryant and the Black Mtn. Band w/Company Creek
• Feb – Bob Paisley and the Southern Grass w/ Herb Applin and the Berkshire Mtn. Boys
• Mar – White Mtn. Bluegrass w/Joe Val and Herb Applin singing Louvin Bros. duets
• Apr – Johnson Mtn. Boys w/Peter Kairo
• May – Bill Harrell and the Virginians w/ Fiction Brothers
• Sept – Knoxville Grass
• Oct – Johnson Mtn. Boys w/Joe Val and Herb Applin singing Louvin Bros. duets
• Nov – Dry Branch Fire Squad w/Fire on the Mountain
• Dec – The Hot Mud Family w/Peter Kairo

1981

• January 11 – Joe Val and the New England Bluegrass Boys with Southern Rail
• February 22 – Bob Paisley and the Southern Grass with Herb Applin and the Berkshire Mtn. Boys
• March 8 – Country Gazette with Company Creek
• March 29 – Bluegrass Jamboree & Benefit for the Lilly Brothers
• April 26 – Del McCoury and the Dixie Pals with Valley Partners
• May 17 – Banjo Dan and the Midnight Plowboys with Lost in the Shuffle
• October 4 – The Johnson Mountain Boys with Boston Excelsior Mandolin Society
• November 15 – Del McCoury and the Dixie Pals with Lost in the Shuffle
• December 12 – Tony Trischka and Skyline and Leicester Flat

Footnotes –

59. Steve Morse, “An inspiring night with Bill Monroe,” Boston Globe, November 10, 1981: 75.