ORIGIN
The Unexpected Party is a group of friends who have a common interest...music. Greg and Joanne Meyer began by inviting us to their home for one evening each week to play our various instruments and to share pie and coffee afterwards. The more we played, the more fun we had and the sound we created was both unique and entertaining. We decided to play in public for the first time in January 1995.
We limit our performances to about 20-25 gigs per year, although we could be busy every weekend. We enjoy people and their reactions to our music and we enjoy one another. We're just a group of friends that like to share our music and ....we share a lot of laughs!
THE MUSIC
The tunes the group plays are considered traditional folk songs. Most are from early America but many are melodies which originated in the British Isles. Several songs from the civil war era and a few Anot so traditional@ tunes are mixed in for variety. The group relies on the blending of sounds of the different instruments for the strength of their appeal and the result is uniquely theirs. During the Fall and early winter the numerous Christmas tunes fill their play list.
THE RECORDINGS
We are very proud of our first album is called ABy the River@. It is a collection of our most favorite tunes, about 20 total and is almost 45 minutes long. After numerous requests, we recorded and released our collection of Christmas tunes called: AThe Unexpected CHRISTMAS Party@. It is over one hour long! A 3rd album looks like it may be in the future.
THE INSTRUMENTS
The two hammered dulcimers are the featured instruments for the group and are played by Greg Meyer and Jean Adkins. Greg also plays an autoharp, button box, bowed psaltery and an Irish drum called a bodhran. They are joined by Greg=s wife Joanne who plays Celtic harp, concertina, clawhammer banjo and penny whistle; Joyce Boddy plays flute, penny whistle, washboard, eggs and various percussion instruments. Her husband Jim plays several types of harmonicas, bodhran, tin whistle, jaw harp and occasionally the rainstick. Gary Kinzy, a friend of Jim and Joyce, has been playing the acoustic bass with the group since 1997 and adds an extraordinary dimension. In the 60's Gary played with a rock band from the Parma area called AKicks Inc.@ In 1998 our guitarist Nancy joined the group. She plays a beautiful 12 string guitar with a nice full sound to balance off the group.
THE PLAYERS
Greg who became enamored with hammered dulcimers after seeing them at different craft shows in 1991, began building hammered dulcimers in 1992. He has since completed dozens of hammered dulcimers, a dozen folk harps, three MacArthur harps, two autoharps, a bowed psaltery, two civil war style minstrel banjos and several Native American flutes. Greg can sometimes be seen (and heard) playing the jug...at least until he passes out!
Joanne first began playing the hammered dulcimer early in 1992 and Greg later that same year. Joanne switched to Celtic harp in December of 1992. She has a classical piano background but has found the harp especially rewarding. The concertina is her latest accomplishment where she excels on our recording in a French-Canadian song called Cabri Waltz. Another instrument Joanne sometimes plays with the group is the clawhammer style banjo. Not all of these instruments are played at the same time however!
Jean also saw someone playing the historic dulcimer many years ago at a craft show. She then attended a dulcimer camp at Morehead College in Berea, Kentucky, where she purchased her first instrument. She is now playing one built by Greg. She first met Greg and Joanne at a dulcimer festival in Columbus in April 1994 and began playing about a year later. She has been playing the piano since the age of five but the hammered dulcimer and occasionally the harp are her featured instruments. She sings too but has yet to make her debut with the group.
Jim and Joyce on harmonica and flute bring different sounds to an otherwise string group. Different songs call for different accompaniments so you=ll see these two wielding many different instruments during the course of a performance. Jim admits to enjoying playing around a campfire as much as or more than playing in public!
Gary and Nancy are what hold the groups tunes together. Most of the above instruments play the melodies and the bass and guitar add the much-needed harmonizing rhythm to the group. They first met after joining our group and are now Anewlyweds@!
All live Southwest of Cleveland in Olmsted Falls, Ohio, or Olmsted Township, Ohio, except for Jean who, with her husband Tim, lives in Elyria, Ohio.
THE GIGS
This type of music is gaining popularity all across the nation. The Unexpected Party has played at numerous folk festivals, historical events, craft shows, banquets and Christmas events throughout northern Ohio. The origins of the songs and types of instruments are explained to the audience. We also provide background music for dinners, receptions and garden weddings.
The Unexpected Party can be heard and seen at area historical events, craft shows, festivals, club meetings, garden weddings, retirement centers, Christmas parties and celebrations of all sorts.
For playing dates, bookings and information about the group contact: Greg or Joanne at 440-235-1327, Jim or Joyce at 440-235-2499, or Jean at 440-323-3442.
