Donna the Buffalo spends over half of each year on the road, and claims to have put one million miles on the original engine of their tour bus, traveling from their home in Trumansburg, N.Y., on down to Suwannee, and from MerleFest to Grand Targhee, and “every fine venue in between.”
The band name was suggested by a musician friend as “Dawn of the Buffalo,” but it was misheard as “Donna the Buffalo,” and over 20 later, they are still “Donna the Buffalo.” The followers of the group are called the Herd, a self-described “tribe” of people who met at the group’s festivals.
The band says its sound has its roots “in old time fiddle music that evolved into a soulful electric American mix infused with elements of cajun/ zydeco, rock, folk, reggae, and country.” Their songs often express social and moral responsibility as core values, but they say they’re also playing for those who just want to come out and party.
Donna the Buffalo band members include Jeb Puryear (vocals, electric guitar) and Tara Nevins (vocals, guitar, fiddle, accordion, scrubboard) joined by David McCracken (Hammond organ, Hohner Clavinet, and piano), Kyle Spark (bass) and Mark Raudabaugh (drums).
“It’s been really fun with this lineup,” Puryear said. “You get to the point where you’re playing on a really high level, things are clicking and it’s like turning on the key to a really good car. It just goes.”
“It’s a great feeling to promote such a feeling of community, like you’re really part of something that’s happening, like a movement or a positive force,” said Nevins. “All those people that come and follow you, and you recognize them, and you become friends with them — you’re all moving along for the same purpose. It’s very powerful, actually.”
Donna The Buffalo plays New Hope Winery on Friday, Sept. 15, at 8 p.m. (doors 7 p.m.). Tickets are $25, and are available online. New Hope Winery is located at 6123 Lower York Road in Solebury.
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