Next Friday, Oct. 4 at 7:30 p.m., the Molly’s Boys Jugband will play and sing contemporary and old-time songs, blues, folk, rock, and original tunes in the Coolidge Theatre at the Deane Center for the Performing Arts at 104 Main Street in Wellsboro. This is the third in the Deane Center’s indoor fall concert series being sponsored by Ward Manufacturing and C&N. 

The three-member band includes Jay Short of Williamsport on lead guitar, Gerry Cavaliere of Danville on guitar and Dave Driskell of Wellsboro on clarinet, saxophone, flute, and tenor banjo as well as the jug, washboard, and musical saw.

Cavaliere, a songwriter and a teacher, now retired, helped form the band to perform with him in his public school classroom in 2017 as a way to teach his students about teamwork and self-esteem. The band then began playing for educational school assemblies, which rapidly evolved into performances at fairs, clubs, and special events. He also lends his time and talent to an electric band, The OldHeads. Both bands play Cavaliere’s original songs.

Driskell is a classically trained professional musician who has toured the
U.S. and Europe for more than forty years with the Sadie Green Sales Jugband of Wellsboro. He has been a member of Molly’s Boys since it was founded.

Jay Short of Williamsport joined the band as the lead guitar player this year. He has been playing rock, country, bluegrass, blues and R&B on guitar for fifty years and performed with many local bands including; King Biscuit, Blue Willy & the Billtown Jukes, Blues & Gasoline, Dirty Bird and Mystery Trayne.

“Our name is the result of our first real gig seven years ago in May of 2018,” said Driskell. “We played in Lewisburg for a little girl named Molly on her third birthday. Ever since, we have been called Molly’s Boys Jugband.”
 
The band played for Molly on her fourth birthday in 2019 but not again since the COVID pandemic in 2020. “Molly is 9 now,” said Driskell.
 
These two guitarists and woodwind player perform their music with feeling and expertise. Together, this trio delights audiences with their rhythmical, bluesy style and their invitation to participate by playing handmade spoons, washboards and other ear-tickling inventive instruments.
 
The concert is BYOB with audience members encouraged to bring their favorite snacks and beverages and sit at a table with family and friends.

Admission is $20. For tickets and to reserve a table, call the Deane Center at 570-724-6220.  

For more information about the fall concert series, call the Deane Center at 570-724-6220 or visit deanecenter.com.