From an online collaboration on Fiddle Hell Online, Betsy Branch, George Penk and Sue Songer made it official by creating Fiddle Hellions. These Portland legends have played for bands that have built the foundation for one of the strongest music scenes in the Northwest: Joyride, Jigsaw, Night Owl, Campaign for Reel Time, Stage Crew, the Portland Megaband, The Quarks, and Wild Hair. Now together, they weave together melody and harmony that reflects their musical familiarity and long-time friendships with each other. Twin fiddlers, Betsy and George, interlace energetic, inventive playing with driving, rhythmic chording, unison melody and delicate harmony lines. Sue, on piano, brings decades of experience and depth to both contras and English Country. She is the co-editor of the Portland Collection, a three-volume set of tunes that CDSS has described as “the staple resource for musicians around the world.”
Campaign for Reel Time
Campaign for Real Time is a trio including Betsy on fiddle, Bill Tomczak on clarinet, sax & percussion, and Mark Douglass on piano. They play for contras and English Country Dance, and they might be having more fun than the dancers. Along with 2 other bands, C4RT is one of the host bands for Portland’s 3rd Saturday contra dances, starting up again (fingers crossed) in April 2022.
Fine Companions
This quartet has become a regional favorite for English Country Dancing. The band features Betsy on fiddle, Lisa Scott on piano, Bill Tomczak on clarinet & saxophone, and Erik Weberg on flute. Lots of dreamy textures and rich harmonies! Plus plenty of laughter.
The Portland Megaband
This huge contra dance band puts on a benefit dance each March. For more info, visit Portland Megaband. Betsy helps to choose the tunes, make arrangements for the band, and (with Sue Songer) records the practice CD for the group each year.
Besides these bands, Betsy collaborates regularly with a wide variety of musicians in a mix of combinations. These include: Elizabeth Nicholson, Leela Grace, Kate Gregory, Nancy Conescu, Larry Unger, Sue Songer, George Penk, Maldon Meehan, and Peter Siegel (and many others!).
