Cambria String Band to play here
The second program for the 31st season of the Weston County Concert Association will be on Sunday, Oct. 9, at 2 p.m. in Crouch Auditorium. The Cambria String Band will take the stage, giving the audience a taste of music with roots in both Wyoming and South Dakota.
Larry Roetzel, the founder of the band and a self-taught banjo player, was the Newcastle High School woodshop teacher for 31 years. For the past 45 years, he has played in various bands, and the association’s chairperson, Jan Ellis, chairman of WCCA, wants the public to know that this will be a special occasion as it will be the second to the last performance for Roetzel and the band. That’s why non-members are being given the rare opportunity to attend an association event.
“This concert will be open to purchase tickets at the door for one night,” Ellis said.
The ability to purchase a single concert ticket instead of for the whole season, Ellis said, is because Roetzel is a local celebrity. However, season memberships will also be sold at the door.
Roetzel said he finds it challenging working with musicians who know all the music rules, and the 2007 Wyoming State Banjo Champion says he can’t wait to show off his talented band.
According to the website Pegie Douglas Events (pegiedouglas.com/cambria-string-band), “Cambria String Band is the Black Hill’s own contemporary bluegrass band. They play a mix of anything from Top 40 to folk music. They are a high-energy band and feature great vocals with harmony and outstanding musicianship. Each one of the members has a long list of credits. They agree that they are playing songs that an audience will appreciate, not just what the band wants to play. This makes them a highly sought-after band in the Black Hills.”
“This concert is very special to me,” Roetzel said, “And I am looking forward to playing pop, country, and bluegrass music for the people of Newcastle.”
The next concert in the 2022-23 association’s season is coming up quickly. The classic-folk-pop group Empire Wild will play at the Crouch Auditorium on Friday, Oct. 28, at 7 p.m.
