By: Rick Landers
Bob Melissinos – photo credit: Ginger C0ve
The era of folk music surrounds us today with folksingers performing at house concerts, local listening room venues, festivals and other haunts where roots and traditional music enthusiasts gather to hear songs well-worn throughout the years, as well as new folk or folk with a twist.
One of the most sought after ensembles, Shenandoah Run, resides a stone’s throw from the Shenandoah Mountains and river. And, not that it’s of critical importance, I’ll add that the song, “Shenandoah River” was written about a river in Missouri.
Shenandoah Run is the brainchild of Bob Melissinos who founded the group decades ago. Over the years members of the group have come and gone, and come back again. Today, the group includes: Bob who plays guitar; Jill Nelson (mandolin), John Werntz (bass); Joe Dickey (banjo), Leslie Smile Hoyle (violin), Jim Johnson (guitar, mandolin, bouzouki, banjo), Ben Hamblin (guitar), and Renee Moyer (percussion).
The group’s 2023 schedule and beyond reinforces the interest music enthusiasts continue to share in their love of folk music by The Kingston Trio, Peter, Paul & Mary, Phil Ochs, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Joni Mitchell, Gordon Lightfoot and more. Several members of the group have their own songwriting credentials with their work winding their way into Shenandoah Run’s set lists.
And true to their love of tradition, Melissino was performing at places like The Bitter End and other Greenwich Village venues during the early ’60s when folk music provocateurs, beatniks, hootenanny gatherings, and clean cut buskers walked the streets near New York’s Washington Square to inform, protest and entertain with their acoustic guitars, mandolins, banjos, tambourines and other music making “machines”.
Today, he’s the center piece that keeps the big Shenandoah Run wheel turning, seeking out gigs, coordinating the group’s members to be prepared for the performances, pulling in backup musicians when needed, negotiating the bucks, setting down protocols to keep relationships intact and vibrant, marketing and all the other aspects band leaders take on when they are given the helm of a working band’s journey.
Before becoming a band leader myself, I admit never giving much attention to the the “backstage” work necessary to pull a gig together, let alone arranging practice sessions, helping lift and tote equipment, reconnoitering venue logistics ahead of performances and much, much more.
During the past year, Bob’s been a mentor and become a good friend, who has been gracious and generous in giving to me and others some of his hard won experience-based advice, that we all welcome and will treasure until, “the cows come home.”
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Rick Landers: Bob, we’ve hung out a bit, but have not dug much into your early days in Greenwich Village. How’d you end up there, what were the atmospherics like with so much talent blossoming in that scene?
Bob Melissinos: Rick, thanks for the opportunity to open up about my past relationships with folk music and how I was influenced to participate in the music scene and why I am still so involved in it.
I got started in folk music by accident. I was only 17 when I got introduced to the music. My parents enrolled me in a private boys’ school in Manhattan when my father told me that he did not think I was getting the right education in public school.
One of the boys I went to school with had a friend who was a guitarist and banjo player. He was interested in playing with others and my friend introduced us to each other. I didn’t know then that I was introduced to playing and performing until a brief time later.
When one of my local friends also showed interest, the banjo player brought in a 4th young man and we started The Coachmen, not really knowing what we were doing, but anxious to put something together.
Shenandoah Run (L to R) – Jill Nelson, Joe Dickey, Leslie Smith Hoyle, Jim Johnson, Bob Melissinos, John Werntz, Ben Hamblin and Renee Moyer (Photo credit: Ginger Cove)
In hindsight, had my father not changed schools, I would never have gotten involved in music to any degree. With the growth of folk music, we quickly found an audience. What we were learning was how crowded the folk music scene was becoming and we could not grow if we did not seek opportunities to perform and present songs in a style that was appealing without mimicking the work of others, such as the Kingston Trio. Easier said than done.
We were part of the rapidly growing mass of quality folk singers. Open mic nights would prove successful. So would sheer determination to be accepted. The volume of talented folk musicians was never-ending. We ran into the same musicians time after time.
Rick: What was your impression of some of the now well-known folks you met when they were just starting out? Were you surprised they became famous?
Bob Melissinos: Several of the performers were extremely talented, such as Cass Elliott, Richie Havens, Peter, Paul and Mary. There were, at the same time, several comedians who were getting recognized, performing at the same venues as the singers, people such as Richard Pryor, Woody Allen and Bill Cosby.
Rick: How did The Coachmen get on the bill to perform at the 1964 World’s Fair?
Bob Melissinos: I really do not remember how we got invited, but it was not The Coachmen who got invited but another group I was with for a short time, Brick City. We did not last that long but we were regular performers on Fordham University radio.
Rick: Were you playing six-string back in the day or did you dive into the 12-string like Richie Havens, Roger (Jim) McGuinn, Tim Buckley and other folkies?
Bob Melissinos: I started out learning how to play tenor guitar. I had it strung the same way as the higher strings on a 6-string. Over time, I learned the 12-string. I don’t play it as much as I would like, but I am quite contented playing 6-string most of the time.
Rick: How’d you end up in the D.C. area and at the time were you venturing into rock music or were you committed to the folk scene?
Bob Melissinos: I came to D.C. because of my job. I was a Sales Manager for an Exxon Division and I was promoted to D.C. to manage their Federal Government Division. At that time, I was not involved in music at all as I had just come out of a divorce and was focused on my daytime job. It would be several years before I got bitten by the bug to get back into music.
Rick: I understand, you not only founded Shenandoah Run, but have kept it going for quite a long time. Being a band leader is a chore, given the logistics, the band member dynamics, and how things can change “on a dime” when you think everything’s good to go. How do you keep going when the going gets tough?
Bob Melissinos: Quite honestly, it was the time involved in managing the Exxon operation that helped develop my management skills. When you are managing millions of dollars, obstacles, indecisiveness, and egos tend to get in the way and management must take control. How you manage this environment can be a tremendous learning situation.
I took those skills and transferred them to the music, keeping in mind that what I was potentially doing was establishing a management style geared towards a collection of “individual business entities” who were part of an artistic venture. These people joined the band because there was a commonality of skills and tastes in music with a willingness to share their music love to others. So far, it has worked for over 12 years and shows no signs of wearing out.
Rick: What have been some of the highlights performing in the D.C. area over the years?
Bob Melissinos: Playing at some of the venues we have played at and the relationships we have developed with audience members and other musicians cannot be understated. We have performed at many venues time and time again and have developed fans who regularly show up for some of our performances.
Their reaction to our music and our presentation is so satisfying. I doubt there are many businesses that can provide the same level of personal satisfaction.
Rick: This may take a bit to get through, but who are the current members of Shenandoah Run, what they play, and what do they bring to the table, beyond the music? I’m thinking personalities, fun factor, helping keeping things running smoothly, stuff like that.
Bob Melissinos: The current members of Shenandoah Run are as follows:
Bob Melissinos: Plays 6 and 12-string rhythm guitar. I am an outgoing person who encourages band members to use their many skills, both musical and otherwise. I like people who have a sense of humor and are willing to show it. I bring a democratic emphasis to the group, where everyone, including me, has an equal vote as everyone else in the group, whether it be for song selection or the structure of each song.
John Werntz: Plays bass. John brings an understanding of songs and song structure. He is a stickler for tempo, volume control and clarity of the music when it is played. He has a wicked sense of humor and is one of the most talented musicians I have ever come across. John is one of the original nine members.
Joe Dickey: Plays 5-string banjo. Joe is a quiet individual who gives input on songs when we go through the selection process. Joe is also an original member. He comes to the group after a 20-year membership of a bluegrass group. Joe provides feedback on new song selection.
Renee Moyer: Vocalist and percussion artist. Renee comes from a strong musical background, performing in plays and musicals all over the D.C. area. Her musical background is very important when it comes to structuring harmonies, which is very critical to the music we perform. Her input is always considered due to her background and her ability to structure harmonies. Renee has her BA in Theater Arts from George Mason University.
Jill Nelson: Plays 6-string guitar, octave guitar and percussion. Jill is a schoolteacher with a very gifted voice. Super sense of humor and likes to keep things light. She and Renee work well together in working on harmonies. Jill is responsible for our website, posting all activities and future performances.
Ben Hamblin: Lead 6-string guitarist, vocalist. Ben is our lead guitarist who has a nice, smooth style. His tenor voice adds much to vocal constructs. Ben has taken over responsibility for the creation of set lists for each performance. He has an easy-going personality and develops song timing for the group.
Jim Johnson: Jim is new to the group, having joined us last fall. Jim plays 6-string guitar, mandolin, and banjo. He plays off of Ben very well, creating some high energy instrumentals. He brings a solid baritone voice to the vocal mix, giving our vocals balance. Jim is a talented songwriter, and we hope to be adding some of his music to our set lineups. He has an upbeat personality.
Leslie Smile Hoyle: Leslie is our fiddle player, and her skill set is phenomenal. She provides instrument balance and regularly fills in instrumental breaks with unique arrangements that only set to enhance our overall sound. She is a talented violin teacher and brings that skill to every song. In several songs, she is the instrument balance each song needs.
Rick: You’ve been a great sounding board for me, a new band leader. What kind of advice do you want to give to others who are taking on that role?
Bob Melissinos: Set your requirements and support your choices. Give each member of your group the ability to interject their position and feelings on every aspect of your music. Get each member’s buy-in, both pro and con. If necessary, present several views of each song, giving each member the option of providing feedback. We have had songs we declared we would not do turn out to be huge hits in our repertoire. Attitude can have a dramatic effect on your finished product.
Rick: So, given all the work being a band leader, as well as a performer in your band, how do you find the time to listen to music to find new songs to perform, ones that you think will connect with your audience’s, but songs that your band mates will like playing?
Bob Melissinos: This is relatively simple. Have everyone provide song selections and then go through each song to see how the rest of the group reacts. A group is a joint effort and song selection should be one step in the process. At times, you may want to re-visit some songs that were previously rejected. Tastes can change, along with ideas of how a song may be presented. At times, while I am writing proposals or responding to inquiries, I will listen to music or dial in videos on my laptop.
Rick: What was life like at home when you were a kid, with respect to music in the house? Were your parents musically inclined, did they grasp the hold music had on you and your motivation to make a go at it as a career or avocation?
Bob Melissinos: It was a little odd in my house. I took piano lessons for 3 months when I was 6 and hated it so I stopped. I did spend a little time teaching myself to play but that ended a short while later. My dad was tone deaf, so he was not a good source of music. My mother did write music but some of her songs were difficult to follow. She did not have an appreciation for folk songs. Since I wasn’t introduced to folk music until I was 17, I was not motivated by anything musical.
Rick: Have you ever had the urge to go on tour?
Bob Melissinos: I wouldn’t mind giving it a try. I would love to present music in totally different environments, such as Luray Caverns. I would think the acoustics would be phenomenal there. There are other areas of folk music appreciation, and I am confident enough in my group that we would be welcomed, just as we are to local venues.
Rick: Besides music, what else have you dug into with respect to the arts or any other hobbyist kind of thing?
Bob Melissinos: I graduated from college with a Bachelor in Fine Arts degree. I have been into painting, pottery, advertising and sketching, to name a few.
Rick: Are there ways that you and Shenandoah Run give back to the community, like volunteering to play in support of others?
Bob Melissinos: Absolutely. A few years back, we performed a benefit for a new animal shelter in Montgomery County, working in conjunction with Montgomery County Fire Department.
Last year, held a benefit for Ukraine. We sold over 300 tickets and raised over $17,000. Included in the program was an introduction from the former US Ambassador to Ukraine. If presented with the opportunity, we would do a benefit again.
Rick: What gigs do you have coming up and what about a studio recording projects in the works or planned?
Bob Melissinos: In August, we will be at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas, September at Jammin Java for the 17th time, November will be the Chesapeake Arts Center. We already have five bookings for early 2024 and are working on more. This coming October and December, we are going into studio to record our next CD. We hope to be ready for release by early Spring of 2024.
Rick: In days past, did you have many folks who supported you and kept you going in the right direction? Any shout outs to any who have helped you and others along the way?
Bob Melissinos: I have a friend who conducts several vocal groups, including groups of 55 or more singers. For several years, I would go to his groups’ performances and they always looked like they were having an absolute ball. I finally decided I wanted to get back into the music scene and I asked him what should I do; his answer was simple…..”Just do it” he said.
He suggested I look for meet-ups and I did and that is where I found some people for the beginning of Shenandoah Run. Within 60 days, I had 9 people, including me, who wanted to make a go of it. The rest is history. My friend’s name is Bill Colosimo, Director of the Alexandria Singers. Bill gave the group the opportunity for our first performance in DC.
