I had the pleasure of capturing the legendary band The Kingston Trio at the Spencer Theater in Alto, New Mexico, in the Sierra Blanca Mountains. The venue was such a treat to take pictures in; it has a rich history all its own. But I was there to enjoy an amazing band that has traveled around the world and won so many awards, I would have to write a whole separate article.
The Kingston Trio started in 1957, coming out of the San Francisco Bay nightclub scene in the 1950s and 1960s. They are an American folk and pop band with an original lineup of Dave Guard, Bob Shane, and Nick Reynolds. They created hits from their first album, and before they knew it, their rendition of “Tom Dooley” had become the most famous among those who have performed the song. In 1959, they received a GRAMMY award for Best Country and Western Recording for the song “Tom Dooley.” Multiple albums, songs, and GRAMMY awards later, the band is still going strong. A few members changed out, some have passed away, but the heart and soul of The Kingston Trio is still alive.
The Spencer Theater was nearly full of patrons from multiple generations singing along with every song. The current members of the band are Mike Marvin, who was taken in by the Reynolds family as a teenager and learned the ropes from the ground up, telling fun stories of what it was like living in the Reynolds household – his biggest memory was washing a lot of dishes as they were always entertaining guests. Tim Gorelangton joined the band as a true fan of the Trio and is one of the few musicians outside of The Kingston Trio that Nick Reynolds ever recorded with. Gorelangton‘s main goal is to ensure that the group’s music remains true to its original intentions. Then there is Paul Robinson, the newest member of the group. He has toured internationally as lead guitarist with folk-swing inventor Dan Hicks, pop icon Al Stewart (Year of the Cat), Romeo Void’s Debora Iyall, and the Hot Club of San Francisco. He also tours with the band Hot Licks when he can. He has been a The Kingston Trio follower since the age of 10. Then do not forget their bass player, Jim Stanley, a legendary bassist who has graced the stage with many famous musicians over time.
The Kingston Trio‘s music lives on because it resonates with so many generations. They produce true folk music; their music is recognizable, fun, and, as they say, it’s living-room music. So, the next time you are walking down the street or washing dishes, and you start singing a tune, it probably is a The Kingston Trio song or a song inspired by the group. If you want to learn more about The Kingston Trio, follow these links, and also while you can, try to catch their show:
https://www.facebook.com/kingston.trio
https://www.instagram.com/kingston.trio?
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