Colby, Kansas — July 19-21, 2002

from Hill City, Kansas
The New Old-Timers

The New Old-Timers: are an ever-faithful, most talented group from Hill City, Kansas. They've been together for YEARS, and have been with Pickin' on the Plains since before we were an official festival—lending their expertise on promotion and organization, and always bringing a following of fans! They fill the bill for historical gatherings and enjoy playing for old-time dances. They're becoming annual performers at Fort Larned's 4th of July and Christmas celebrations, and guitar player J.F. has helped out with the Buffalo Cavalry reenactment at Nicodemus, Kansas. However, as their name implies, the group is also "new". . .and excels at modern bluegrass tunes as well.

Todd Toman, newest member of the group, is a long-time fiddler, organizer and judge at fiddle events. He was instrumental (no pun intended!) in founding the Hell Creek Hoe-down at Wilson Lake in central Kansas. He's inspired the group with a new enthusiasm created by his driving fiddle and hot fire mandolin picking.

Joe Vincent is a self-taught musician and luthier who is extremely versatile, playing old-time clawhammer, 3-finger style, melodic and newgrass banjo with equal ease. He's a wonderful originator of tunes, and his knowledge and skill of different banjo styles enables the group to perform a broad spectrum of music.

Kenna Vincent, a charming bass player and lead and harmony singer, played saxophone in a professional jazz band at Manhattan, Kansas before becoming a bluegrass fanatic. Kenna is passionate about her bluegrass, hosting regular picking events at her home in the country and developing withdrawal symptoms if the group doesn't pick at least once a week!

J.F. Stover digs the rhythm out of his Martin guitar and sets a lighter tone with his finger picking. He's a natural-born entertainer with a contagious smile, a host of stories and an endless repertoire of colorful songs for all ages and occasions. In a former life, J.F. sang on street corners in Germany and played in a Balalaika band.

These four are oh-so-o-o-o versatile, performing everything from old-time simple ballads, fiddle and gospel tunes, to almost Cajun, blues, bluegrass and newgrass tunes! They're genuine favorites of ours with a place of honor at Pickin' on the Plains and also with so-o-o-o-o many fans!