Who are the Hay Burners? They are Deb Brisson, Mark Pelletier, Peter Ryan, John Wallace and Doug Wilhelm. These local legends will bring their propulsive and tuneful blend of original songs —including some new material —and favorite covers to a night of live music with an open dance floor at the Town Hall Theater in Middlebury on Friday, April 21, from 7:30-10:30 p.m.
The evening will feature the twin guitar mastery of Mark Pelletier on Telecaster, Clint Bierman on Gibson, Brisson on rhythm guitar, Pete Ryan on bass, John Wallace on drums and Doug Wilhelm on congas, harmonica and percussion. Their songs are real and heartfelt–rootsy, soulful and bluesy, rockin’alt country with twanging telecaster, rhythmic acoustic and bass driving drums. Brisson’s vocals are influenced by Bonnie Raitt, Lucinda Williams, Emmylou Harris and Sheryl Crow, but are all her own.
Ever wonder where they got the name “Hay Burners?”Well, according to the band’s bio on their reverbnation.com page, “the songs were arranged, rehearsed and some even birthed in the loft above Deb’s horse barn. At times the music got so hot up there, you could almost see the hay start to burn.”
Catch Deb Brisson and The Hay Burners at Town Hall Theater this Friday evening. Tickets are $15, and are available at the THT Box Office: 802-382-9222, www.townhalltheater.org, or in person Monday-Saturday 12-5 p.m.