BELLOWS FALLS — Like maple syrup, fall foliage, and baked bean suppers, the Woods Tea Company has been synonymous with New England since the early 1980s, when the band was formed.
On Saturday, March 30, at 7:30 p.m., the trio of Howard Wooden on bass and guitar, Patti Casey on guitar and flutes, and Pete Sutherland on fiddle will perform at Immanuel Episcopal Church, 20 Church St.
In various permutations, Woods Tea Company has been entertaining audiences throughout the U.S. since 1981 with a blend of traditional, original, and vintage musical styles.
In 1981, penny-whistler Rusty Jacobs and guitarist Bruce Morgan were beginning their musical careers in Vermont, playing in local clubs and bars. One night they happened upon an old wooden crate with the words “Woods Tea Company” stenciled on the side, and the duo was named.
Since then, the band has seen growth in its repertoire and changes in its personnel, including following the tragic deaths of Jacobs from a heart attack and of fiddler Chip Chase in a motorcycle accident.
According to a news release, “people have come and gone and the music has evolved, but the spirit of fun and audience participation in which the group was founded many years ago remains bright and alive as ever.”