BELMONT – Autumn is the time for apple picking, cider, and visiting orchards in the Lakes Region. It is also time for some good old-fashioned bluegrass music. A group of four men with a lot of musical talent join together every autumn to play their favorite bluegrass songs .
.. among the apple trees at Smith Orchard.
According to band member Dave Shaw, the Smith Orchard Pickers are an informal bluegrass band. Their musical sound draws an audience on the weekends as they tune up and begin to play right in the orchard. Bluegrass music fits nicely in the old-fashioned setting of Smith Orchard.
The Richter family owns and operates the orchard, which is a well-cared-for place that welcomes families every fall for apple picking. With its rustic gift shop area, wagon rides to take families to the best apple picking areas, and casual atmosphere, one can see why the Smith Orchard Pickers love to play on site. Shaw said, “We have played as a group for about four or five years.
When the band first performed at the orchard, we were called the Dave Gettis Band, but after Dave passed away, we became the Smith Orchard Pickers.” One unique aspect of bluegrass bands in the area is that many members play in more than one band; thus, musicians know one another and enjoy sharing their talents. One aspect of bluegrass music is that it is a bit of an underground thing and members frequently play in other bands as well without competition among musicians.
This is true for the Smith Orchard Pic.