Banjo player Tom Burr went looking to form a bluegrass group about seven years ago. The first member he discovered, singer and rhythm guitarist Shirley Stevens, was a diamond in the rough.

Stevens had just sung at a bluegrass jam session in Marcellus when Burr asked her to join his budding band.

“I timidly approached her with the idea that anyone with this kind of talent would be long snatched up,” Burr said. “But she said ‘sure, I'd love to.'”

Diamond Someday would eventually add singer and bassist Karen Campolieto, mandolin player Ed VanCott, guitarist Dick DeNeve and fiddler Dave Willson to the mix. Several of the players also sing, and Willson yodels on at least one song in every performance.

Though Stevens' role as lead singer distinguishes Diamond Someday from the bulk of male-led bluegrass groups, the band's composition is typical of the genre. They play a mix of songs written by Stevens and traditional bluegrass staples at about 30 to 40 shows a year at clubs, festivals, weddings and other venues in central New York. Like most bluegrass groups, Burr said, Diamond Someday plays best before an enthusiastic crowd.

“We like audiences really hootin' and hollerin', and cheering and clapping,” Burr said. “The louder they are, the better we play.”

David Wilcox

253-5311 ext. 245

david.wilcox@lee.net

If you go.

Who: Diamond Someday

When: 7 p.m. Saturday, April 11

Where: Burritt's Cafe, 8914 N. Seneca St., Weedsport

Cost: Free

Info: Call 834-6870