Kathy Kallick, John Reischman, Sally Van Meter, Paul Shelasky, and Bethany Raine Sorkey
This reunion of this beloved Bay Area band is a chance for Kathy, John, Sally, Paul, and Bethany to revisit some of their favorite music from days gone by. Expect performances that go far beyond nostalgia, as these musicians have continued to evolve; their music is filled with dazzling playing, passionate singing, inclusive humor, and some really good ol’ songs.
The Good Ol’ Persons were formed in 1975 as a result of the success of five women performing at a Freight & Salvage open mic. The name filled a spur-of-the-moment need and provided a wry comment on the dominant bluegrass culture of the era. It didn’t take long for a band to form, for men to infiltrate — and for the music to become more important than a gimmicky name.
The Good Ol’ Persons were among the first bluegrass bands to feature the songwriting, lead playing, and vocal harmonies of women, and went on to be trendsetters in the incorporation of Latin, swing, folk, Cajun, and other musical genres into their bluegrass. The band released several albums, toured throughout the US (including Bill Monroe’s Beanblossom Festival) and Europe, and had a profound influence on several generations of bluegrassers.
Since 1995, members of the band have continued to enjoy successful musical careers (as well as occasional GOP reunions). Kathy, Sally, and John are Grammy and IBMA award winners; Kathy, John, and Paul were awarded Lifetime Memberships by the California Bluegrass Association; all are outstanding performers, composers, producers, bandleaders, and teachers.