By Janeé Williams
“We play a combination of folk inspired bluegrass and Americana jazzgrass,” McBee said. “How’s that for vague? Essentially we use old time instruments and pull from those traditions, but make it our own.”
McBee helped form The Random Assortment in 2012 with Ben Witman on mandolin, Jeremy Rogers on upright bass, her mother, Theresa McBee, and sister, Melody Massimino, as the Family Style Harmonies.
McBee will be singing traditional tunes, cover songs and a mix of original pieces including one of her favorite songs ‘Gone A-rye‘ and other songs from “The Whiskey Album.”
“The Whiskey Album” was released on Dec. 15, after the group started a Kickstarter page to raise funds to help finish the album back in August. Her fans answered, pushing the project past its funding goal.
On the band’s Kickstarter page, McBee explained “The Whiskey Album’s” inception arose from “an underlying whiskey theme” coursing through the group’s material.
“We love rye whiskey. We love making music. Put those two things together and we got a collection of songs that we are really proud of and I’m excited to be able to present it to you,” McBee said on the page.
When asked about their upcoming performance McBee said, “We are excited for this show. The stage will be set up in the same room as the big vats of brewing and distilling spirits. The full Random Assortment will be there which includes banjo, mandolin, upright bass and family style harmonies.”
The venue will provide only 40 seats, creating a personal setting for the audience to connect with the band.
“It might also make them crave whiskey for some curious reason,” McBee said. “We don’t often get to perform for such an intimate crowd and it lends itself to a memorable evening.”
Chelsea McBee and The Random Assortment
Catoctin Creek Distillery
Jan. 25, 7 – 10 p.m.
120 W Main St, Purcellville
540-751-8404
Tickets are available online
