Dry Branch Fire Squad
Bands / Ensembles
Dry Branch Fire Squad (1976–present) is a traditional bluegrass band from Virginia, led by mandolinist, singer and humorist Ron Thomason who formerly played with the Clinch Mountain Boys. He founded the band in October 1976 with guitarist John Baker, banjo player Robert Leach and bassist John Carpenter. Mary Jo Leet joined as a vocalist soon after, and her husband, Charlie Leet, later played bass and sang harmony. Banjo player Bill Evans and singer and multi-instrumentalist Suzanne Thomas also performed and recorded with the band. The lineup around Thomason has changed often. The band's repertoire mixes bluegrass, old-time and Southern gospel songs with Thomason's comic monologues.
In the newsletter
- No. 4 July—Sept. 1995
- No. 7 Spring 1996
- No. 8 Summer 1996
- No. 10 Winter 1997
- No. 13 Fall 1997
- No. 18 Winter 1999
- No. 21 Fall 1999
- No. 24 Fall 2000
- No. 32 April 2003