By Ana Diaz —
Earlier this month, a crowd of several dozen gathered at Miami Hamilton Downtown to hear a local bluegrass band play. Ma Crow & Company is a local staple based in Cincinnati, but they play all over the region, including in Kentucky and Indiana. The Appalachian Studies Department at Miami sponsors a local bluegrass band on the first Tuesday of every month to celebrate Appalachian culture and bring people together through music.
Ma Crow & Company consists of Ma Crow on guitar and vocals, Mike Thompson on banjo, Steve Johnston on mandolin, John Vennemeyer on fiddle, and Vicki Abbott on bass. They have played at Miami Hamilton Downtown five years in a row now, becoming something of a fixture in the local community and connecting those who love music or have Appalachian roots.
The group was casual and told silly jokes as they set up to play, but by the time they got started, they had a seriousness of purpose. They played a variety of bluegrass classics and newer songs, including a “grassed up” version of Beatles song “I’ve Just Seen A Face.” While their set was mostly relaxed, without much foot-tapping energy, Ma Crow & Company clearly captivated the audience with the lovely harmonies of their string instruments and vocals.
The band even played “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” inviting the audience to sing along to the this classic, originally by John Denver. The band proved the power of music to transport people to a different time and place; the whole audience seemed to be remembering their own country roads as they sang along to the song.
As the band finished out the night after an hour and a half of playing, John Vennemeyer remarked how excited he was for the opportunities to play in Hamilton. “That’s the sign of a healthy city,” he said, adding that it’s important to offer “diverse music opportunities” for everyone.
For anyone looking to hear some free music or connect with others with Appalachian roots, join Miami for the next Down Home, Downtown event Tuesday, April 5, for a performance by Evan Lanier and the Bluegrass Express.