On Oct. 19, 75 people came to see Richard Wood and Gordon Belsher from Prince Edward Island perform their first fiddle concert at Hampstead Hill Club in West Granby. Wood has performed across Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. Wood has also made many celebrity guest appearances, including Good Morning America, The David Letterman Show, and at Carnegie Hall.
“Wood has quite the following in Granby,” said Eric Myers, a board member at Hampstead Hill Club, “and we were excited to host him at HHC.”
Bill Ross, a member of the Hampstead Hill Club, knows at least one of the fiddlers and in the past, he has hosted them at his formerbed and breakfast when they were touring on the east coast. Ross asked the fiddlers if they would perform at a small venue because they had a rare night off while touring in the Granby area. They agreed to do the concert for a nominal fee.
It was the first time that the Hampstead Hill Club held a fiddle concert that featured international artists rather than a local band. Myers said that beyond that, they try to do a few things each year for the members that help make the club special. For events at this non-profit club, the board members set a low price that encourages participation but covers event costs.
“It was a very intimate event in a classic New England setting. We were extremely fortunate to have these world-famous artists perform at our club,” Myers said. “It was a fun-filled evening for all attendees.”
“It far exceeded our expectations to have show-quality musicians at our humble establishment,” Myers said. “If they tour in our area next year, we will ask them to come back.”
Founded in 1935, the Hampstead Hill Club is a swimming, recreation and social club.