Railroad Earth's Horn O' Plenty at the beloved Sherman Theater has become an annual Thanksgiving weekend tradition cherished by both the band and their fans. This two-night event typically features support from Pennsylvania-based bluegrass, folk, and Americana bands, offering a unique opportunity for the Northeast PA community to show their love for live music. The Sherman Theater, a historic venue in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, provides an intimate setting for this much-anticipated celebration.
Railroad Earth (“RRE”) delivers a captivating blend of bluegrass, folk, rock, and jam band influences, enhanced by their top-notch musicianship and seamless transitions between songs and musical styles. The band consists of:
- Todd Sheaffer (lead vocals, acoustic guitars)
- Tim Carbone (violins, electric guitar, vocals)
- John Skehan (mandolin, bouzouki, piano, vocals)
- Carey Harmon (drums, hand percussion, vocals)
- Dave Speranza (upright and electric bass)
- Matt Slocum (keys)
- Mike Robinson (banjo, pedal steel, acoustic guitar)
Their live shows are renowned for their high energy, improvisational talents, and deep connection with their audience.
Friday Night Highlights
The first night featured support from The Dishonest Fiddlers, a Pennsylvania bluegrass band that describes their unique sound as "browngrass." Combining traditional bluegrass instrumentation with contemporary influences, they bring tight harmonies, virtuosic musicianship, and an engaging stage presence. Their use of electric bass and guitars adds a touch of “Dylan Goes Electric” flair to the bluegrass scene.
Railroad Earth's Friday set showcased a poignant opening segue, “Chasin’ a Rainbow” > “Happy Song,” and included memorable performances of George Harrison’s “Any Road,” the introspective “Storms,” the anthemic “Mighty River,” and a fitting second-set closer, “Long Way to Go.”
Saturday Night Highlights
On Saturday, the band was joined by Smilo and the Ghost, a folk-rock band from Erie, Pennsylvania, known for their energetic live shows and a modern blend of traditional folk, bluegrass, and country sounds.
RRE’s energy carried over from the previous night, opening with an electrifying rendition of “Black Elk Speaks.” The highlight of the first set was a nearly 30-minute segment starting with the high-energy “It’s So Good,” transitioning seamlessly into The Waterboys’ “Fisherman’s Blues,” and culminating in a spirited performance of “Seven Mountain Story.”
The weekend concluded with an epic finale. Sunday’s closing set featured a 40-minute medley of “New Lee Highway Blues” > “Farewell to Isinglass” > “Captain Nowhere” > “Birds of America,” followed by a foot-stomping run of “Dandelion Wire” > “Like a Buddha” > “Running Wild.” The encore ended the event on a high note with a fan-favorite, “Elko.”
Friday, 11/29/24 – Setlist
Set 1:
Chasin’ A Rainbow > Happy Song, Been Down This Road, Lonecroft Farewell, Said What You Mean > Grandfather Mountain, Blues Highway, Any Road, Everything Comes Together
Set 2:
Storms, Just So You Know, Old Man and the Land, Mighty River, All Alone, Crossing the Gap > Slippin’ Away, Long Walk Home > Head, Long Way To Go
