Does anyone else dislike this time change? The days are getting shorter, and the earlier darkness can lead to an overall feeling of drabness. Fortunately, there are a few live music events on the horizon that will provide the mood booster that you need this time of year.
Let’s start with the Wendell Full Moon Coffeehouse because nothing conjures up a feeling of warmth and community like a coffeehouse. Their monthly coffeehouse, held at the Wendell Town Hall, will take place this Saturday, Nov. 8, at 7:30 p.m. They will welcome The Cropdusters, a country and western band led by Beck Mitus, who you may know from her work with her siblings and their band The Green Sisters.
The Cropdusters formed with the only goal of playing the best country western music they could.
“We play popular classic covers from Patsy Cline to Merle Haggard with some Ernest Tubb and Loretta Lynn, too, and much, much more!” Mitus told Sounds Local. You could add Patty Loveless, Bonnie Raitt, Clint Black and Martina McBride to the list — and there is still more.
In addition to Mitus, who handles vocals and rhythm guitar, the band includes Tim Bowles on pedal steel, Dave Nelson on vocals and lead guitar, Brian Doiron on bass and Roger Williams on vocals and drums.
“If you like country classics, we are the band for you,” Mitus said. “We love to sing and play and enjoy the music together.”
I couldn’t resist asking Mitus about the Green Sisters. Sister Brie also has a side band called BriezyJane and the Hurricane, who were at the Four Star Brewery in Northfield this past weekend. The group will be at Floodwater Brewing in Shelburne Falls on Saturday, Nov. 29. As for the Green Sisters, they are very much together. “Hmmm … the Sisters have our annual Thanksgiving Eve show at the Bull Run in Shirley and a few other fun ones in the works!” she answered.
Looking ahead at the Full Moon Coffeehouse schedule, I’m happy to let you know that one of the fun things in the works is a Green Sisters show at the Full Moon Coffeehouse on in April 2026.
So if you are looking for a special way to spend your Saturday night and enjoy a night of classic country music, head to Wendell.
There is an open mic before the show and if you are interested in performing at the show go to wendellfullmoon.org and you’ll find instructions on how to sign up. Each show at the coffeehouse is a benefit for an environmental and service organization and this month’s show will benefit the Wendell Meetinghouse.
Admission is a sliding scale donation $7 – $20 (cash only) at the door. (No advance tickets or reservations available.)
Donna the Buffalo at the Shea Theater
Members of the Herd will be out in full force on Friday, Nov. 7, at 8 p.m., when rootsy cajun jam band Donna the Buffalo plays the Shea Theater Arts Center in Turners Falls. The Herd, in case you aren’t familiar, is what the band’s following of diehard fans who meet up at shows and sometimes follow them on tour call themselves.
Donna the Buffalo, a band that has stood the test of time, has been an enormous fan favorite since they formed more than 30 years ago.
Tara Nevins and Jeb Puryear met at a fiddle festival and founded Donna the Buffalo in 1989. Nevins plays fiddle, acoustic guitar, accordion, washboard and tambourine while Puryear plays guitar. The two of them both sing and they have worked with various musicians over the years. The current lineup includes Chris English on drums, David McCracken on keyboards and Ted Pecchio on bass.
The highly danceable brand of music they play is a unique blend of zydeco and folk rock, incorporating elements of folk, country, bluegrass, rock and zydeco. Nevins’ playing the washboard is what gives their sound that spicy zydeco flair.
From the beginning, the band has been lumped under the moniker “jam band,” but the fact that they come from a fiddle tradition background and rely on a more traditional verse-chorus-verse song structure doesn’t really fit into the jam model. On the other hand, they are a great live act and have earned their reputation based on the strength of those live shows, which is something they do share with the jam scene.
An interesting aside about their unusual name: a friend and fellow musician suggested the band name of “Dawn of the Buffalo” which was misheard as “Donna the Buffalo,” and it stuck.
The band founded the Finger Lakes Grass Roots Festival in 1991 in their hometown of Trumansburg, New York. The festival, which continues to this day, which is slated to be held next year, July 16-19, and benefits arts- and education-related organizations.
Donna the Buffalo, a band that truly embraces the festival spirit, are festival favorites who have played all the major festivals, including Newport Folk Festival, Bonnaroo, Telluride, Austin City Limits Festival, Merle Fest, and Philadelphia Folk Festival. They have also played the Green River Festival. They’ve opened for The Dead and have toured with Peter Rowan, Del McCoury, Los Lobos, Little Feat, Jim Lauderdale, Rusted Root, and Railroad Earth, among others.
Nevins and Puryear write all the material, including “Positive Friction” which is about learning from challenges, and “These Are Better Days,” which reflects the spirit of optimism that they convey in their music. This message is one of the factors that appeal to their fans and expands on the spirit of community the band fosters.
With 11 albums and thousands of shows, Donna the Buffalo continues to win over new fans while delighting their loyal following. This is one band that is guaranteed to have you dancing your blues away.
There are some changes in Shea’s Saturday night schedule. The Prince tribute band LoveSexy was initially slated to play, but that has been canceled. Instead, they are hosting Let’s Go Crazy: an all-vinyl Prince dance party that will take place at 8 p.m. D.J. Dan Cashman will be on hand spinning all the hits, deep cuts and more, creating a night of non-stop Prince music and dancing.
Tickets are available at sheatheater.org or at the door. Both shows are all ages.
Hilltown Ham Hocks at Incandescent Brewing
If the idea of music in the afternoon appeals to you during these early dark days, then head to Incandescent Brewing in Bernardston on Sunday, Nov. 9, and check out the Hilltown Ham Hocks, who will be playing from 2-5 p.m.
The band describes itself as a modern folk band with roots in old-time music. They play both original and cover tunes as they weave together folk, bluegrass and old-time sounds.
This show is the Hilltown Ham Hocks’ last full-band show for 2025 (don’t worry, they will be back next year), so don’t miss out!
This show is free.