Watermelon Mountain Jug Band
has been entertaining audiences, young and old, since 1975, and celebrated 45 years of performing in 2020! True to the original 1920’s jug bands of the South, their music comes alive with washboard, jug, kazoo, washtub bass, jaw harp, guitar and banjo. The band delights audiences with country, bluegrass, jug band, ragtime, Spanish and original music and even some rock ’n roll classics.
Band Members are professionals on stage as well as off. Gary Oleson (washtub bass) is a retired math teacher from Los Lunas High School. Five-time New Mexico banjo champion Ben Perea (banjo, guitar) is a retired band director from Valley High School in Albuquerque and owner of New Mexico Academy of Driving in Rio Rancho. Pat Houlihan (vocals, guitar, jaw harp, kazoo, jug) is a retired professor of English at Central New Mexico Community College (CNM). Barbara Piper (washboard, high-hat, percussion, background vocals) is a retired teacher from Albuquerque Public Schools and an independent education consultant.
Performances have included appearances at the KIMO Theater, Rio Grande Zoo, Albuquerque Bio Park, Rio Grande Arts and Crafts Festival, Placitas Artists Series, International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, with the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra and much more. They have performed at national and international conferences, weddings, private parties, school and community events. Their latest CD, “Radio Station WMJB,” was released in 2011. Other special recognition includes: being chosen by Jim Kweskin as one of the top 20 jug bands in the USA for the CD “Jugs Across America”receiving recognition by NM Music Awards for an original song “Beer” written by Pat Houlihan, and BenPerea playing the NM state guitar at the dedication ceremony at the request of Pimentel Guitars.
The Watermelon Mountain Jug Band is recognized as “one of New Mexico’s treasured natural resources”…“a truly unique mixture of music, mirth and pure entertainment”…“totally irresistible.” So sing along! Grab a kazoo and enjoy! It’s just too much fun to miss!
Contact Information: watermelonmountainjugband.com
Sounds of Central New Mexico is hosted by Bill Cochran, a musician with the Tijeras-based band, Reverend E & The Vagrants.
On Demand Performance - KXNM archives the Sounds of Central New Mexico as MP3 files, allowing you to listen to your favorite shows on demand, whenever you choose. Click on the audio file below to hear the Watermelon Mountain Jug Band show originally broadcast on August 20, 2021.
has been entertaining audiences, young and old, since 1975, and celebrated 45 years of performing in 2020! True to the original 1920’s jug bands of the South, their music comes alive with washboard, jug, kazoo, washtub bass, jaw harp, guitar and banjo. The band delights audiences with country, bluegrass, jug band, ragtime, Spanish and original music and even some rock ’n roll classics.
Band Members are professionals on stage as well as off. Gary Oleson (washtub bass) is a retired math teacher from Los Lunas High School. Five-time New Mexico banjo champion Ben Perea (banjo, guitar) is a retired band director from Valley High School in Albuquerque and owner of New Mexico Academy of Driving in Rio Rancho. Pat Houlihan (vocals, guitar, jaw harp, kazoo, jug) is a retired professor of English at Central New Mexico Community College (CNM). Barbara Piper (washboard, high-hat, percussion, background vocals) is a retired teacher from Albuquerque Public Schools and an independent education consultant.
Performances have included appearances at the KIMO Theater, Rio Grande Zoo, Albuquerque Bio Park, Rio Grande Arts and Crafts Festival, Placitas Artists Series, International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, with the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra and much more. They have performed at national and international conferences, weddings, private parties, school and community events. Their latest CD, “Radio Station WMJB,” was released in 2011. Other special recognition includes: being chosen by Jim Kweskin as one of the top 20 jug bands in the USA for the CD “Jugs Across America”receiving recognition by NM Music Awards for an original song “Beer” written by Pat Houlihan, and BenPerea playing the NM state guitar at the dedication ceremony at the request of Pimentel Guitars.
The Watermelon Mountain Jug Band is recognized as “one of New Mexico’s treasured natural resources”…“a truly unique mixture of music, mirth and pure entertainment”…“totally irresistible.” So sing along! Grab a kazoo and enjoy! It’s just too much fun to miss!
Contact Information: watermelonmountainjugband.com
Sounds of Central New Mexico is hosted by Bill Cochran, a musician with the Tijeras-based band, Reverend E & The Vagrants.
On Demand Performance - KXNM archives the Sounds of Central New Mexico as MP3 files, allowing you to listen to your favorite shows on demand, whenever you choose. Click on the audio file below to hear the Watermelon Mountain Jug Band show originally broadcast on August 20, 2021.