About
The Shendo Mandos (aka The Shenandoah Valley Mandolin Orchestra) was active for a number of years from the late '80s to the late '90s. During that time they played a number of venues in and around Harrisonburg, VA.
Two-Gun Terry bought an old, short school bus for us to ride around in. The whole ensemble fit in the bus for the longer trips.
Our repertoire included old-time songs, polkas, old popular songs, and some traditional mandolin orchestra material from the early 20th century. We also had a few original arrangements.
During that wild ride, we recorded one cassette. Since it is not otherwise available it is being made available here for a free download. We hope you enjoy it!
The Recording
Side 1
Side 2
Original Liner Notes
The Shendo Mandos formed in obscurity sometime in the late 1980s in Two-Gun Terry's music room. (We've never been able to agree on which year.) It was a beautiful spring day; the air was full of pollen and the sound of a dozen mandolins going off at the same time. Maybe it was just the weather, but our hearts filled with mirth and inspiration. In truth, the music probably reflected more mirth than inspiration, but since we had no tape records running, that point is lost to the ages. The Shendo Mandos congealed from this session and have been fairly stable over the years (certainly more stable that its individual members), with just a few musicians joining or quitting. We have about 15 members at any time, which, coincidentally, is the capacity of Two-Gun's music room.
At the time of this recording our membership includes:
First mandolins: Jim Gaskins, Phyllis Gaskins, Karen Lee, Autumn Richie, Buck Smith, Mike Williams. Second mandolins: Sheila Martell, Steve Parks, Two-Gun Terry. Mandolas: Paul Rosen, Becky Sasser. Octave Mandolin: Mel Lee. Mandocello: Jim Scott. Guitars: Larry Ledeen, Rob Miller. Bass: Terry Newman.
We would like to thank the Takoma Mandoleers for inspiration and for allowing us to raid their rare music library.
Thanks also to Suzanne Kennedy for her help through the years.
Recorded at Alive Studios in Harrisonburg, VA, on April 9, 1994. Engineered by Abe Rittenhouse.
© 1994 Shenandoah Valley Mandolin Orchestra
The Band
Most of the people featured in this picture are on the recording:
Related
If you enjoyed that, you might enjoy these:
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Buzzard Rock Bayou Boys cassette
This was another band by three of the members of the Shendo Mandos. Old time, Western Swing, and Cajun.
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The Mando Mafia
Our sister band: another mandolin-based group, from Charlottesville, and a great inspiration to us.