Inspired by a fierce and uncompromising loyalty to the most traditional aspects of bluegrass and old-time mountain music, Ohio-based Dry Branch Fire Squad draws its audience into the ancient emotional resonances in which bluegrass is rooted, and provides a strong taste of the culture in which it evolved.

The quartet offers a timeless mix of straightforward stories packed with emotion, sung from the heart to the uncluttered accompaniment of mandolin, guitar, banjo, and bass. Between songs, listeners find themselves captivated by mandolinist Ron Thomason's knowing, unsentimental evocations of mountain culture, then rendered helpless with laughter by his brilliantly wry, all-too-true commentaries on life beyond Appalachia.

In the band, Ron is joined by guitarist Brian Aldridge, banjo player and wonderful high baritone Tom Boyd, and Dan Russell on bass. The group recently released a double CD titled Live at the Newburyport Firehouse (Rounder).