In fact, I mean “The Americana Band” and not just a general term for bands that play American music. As you may know, this genre can be loosely defined as a culturally rich type of music that is basically country, but also encompasses bluegrass, folk, rock, and contemporary. It’s a crazy combination of music genres that is gaining prominence.

So this article is about how cool Americana is? No, this is written simply to acknowledge a pure and authentic American band: “The Americana Band”.

The band

The American band is a 9-piece ensemble that combines American swing, bluegrass, rock, and folk music. They are known locally for their modern spin on American cultural heritage songs with a rich mix of original and humorous Boston songs. The band has already performed at several major events including: USS Constitution Bicentennial Salute, Sail Boston 2000, Stride Against Breast Cancer at Hatch Shell, and the Museum of Fine Arts. The band also appeared on FBX, WBZ, and the local cable channel along with producing award-winning albums.

The members

The Boston-based band included multi-talented musicians from all over Boston. Some of them are advisers to the Berklee College of Music and the New England Conservatory.

Watson Reid – Lead vocals, Rhythm guitar

Watson Reid left a solid 29-year career in 1995 after founding Walden Green Music & Video Studios. His dream is to combine music and charity. Reid formed a band that will focus its energies on enriching and enlivening American cultural music and called it “The Americana Band.” He is President of the Broughton Charitable Foundation, Trustee of the Berklee Charitable Foundation, and Overseer of the New England Conservatory.

Stephen Webber – Banjo vocals, acoustic, electric guitar, mandolin, music director

Stephen is a certified multi-talented artist. He is an Emmy Award winner and has toured abroad together with his own bands. He is primarily a producer, songwriter and performer and also owns a recording studio in Nashville.

Larry Flint – Voice, Electric Bass

Larry Flint is a featured performer at the famous Danny J nightclub in Boston. He is also a producer on many country albums and has toured throughout the United States.

John Aldrich – Lead Guitar, Vocals

John Aldrich is a favorite of commercial jingle writers. Many of his works have been used at Sesame St., McDonald’s, and 7-11. He is the founder of the songwriting department at Berklee College.

Mark Kohler – Drums, Percussion

Mark is a product of Berklee College of Music and has been signing professionally for 21 years.

Matt Leavenworth: violin, mandolin, guitar, voice

Matt is the type to beat when it comes to playing the mandolin. He is the mandolin musician behind many award-winning country albums.

Mark Greel: trumpet, saxophone, flugelhorn, flute, voice

Greel currently leads the Mark Greel Band. He had worked on several commercials and appeared on Jazz at Noon.

Larry Luddecke- Keyboards, harmonica, vocals

Larry is an achiever in the music industry. He wrote and produced soundtracks for several Walt Disney films.

Seth Pappas- Drums

Seth has toured and performed with music icons in America and Europe.

Scott Shetler – Clarinet, Saxophone

Scott has toured and performed with the brightest and most talented artists. He is also one of the best trumpeters in Boston.