“Where the Hell is Alamosa” are lyrics to an iconic song created by the Alamosa band Tumbleweed. Whether the song is part of the playlist when Tumbleweed re-forms for a reunion concert Saturday, Jan. 17, at Society Hall is part of the wait-and-see.
The original Tumbleweed formed in the fall of 1973 to be the house band for the newly opened Goalpost night club. What followed was a 17-year run as Tumbleweed branched out and entertained crowds largely in Colorado and New Mexico with its wide-ranging variety of intricate and challenging arrangements.
SHOW INFORMATION
WHO: Tumbleweed
WHAT: Band reunion concert
WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 17, at 7 p.m. (doors open 6 p.m.)
WHERE: Society Hall, 400 Ross Ave., Alamosa
TICKETS: $20 in advance from the Society Hall website or at the Green Spot, at 711 State Ave. in Alamosa.
“Tumbleweed always seemed to feel most at home in the mountain resort areas and became regulars at such well-known clubs as the Old Dillon Inn in Silverthorne and many other high country clubs,” said Don Richmond, one of the original band members.
Numerous different musicians moved through the ranks of Tumbleweed over the years, with the current lineup being Richmond on guitars, fiddle, banjo, pedal steel, harmonica, trumpet and vocals; Rob “Robear” Bosdorf on guitar, pedal steel and vocals (and clarinet if he’s feeling brave); Dale Smith on cajon and vocals; Roger Dawson on bass and vocals; and Scott Russell, another of the original bandmates, on guitar, mandolin, accordion and vocals.
This version of Tumbleweed is a 5-piece powerhouse of a band, with a wide range of instruments, including acoustic and electric guitars (often 3 lead guitar players) bass, drums, pedal steels (2 onstage) mandolin, accordion, fiddle, banjo, harmonica, trumpet, and even a clarinet making an occasional appearance, Richmond said.
Although usually thought of as a country band, Tumbleweed played (and plays) material from rock to blues to reggae to bluegrass to old hippie anthems and pretty much whatever members feel like.
“With several active songwriters in the band, there was always a mix or original and cover material happening. It was always an interesting night, and no one (least of all the band) was ever sure what was going to happen,” said Richmond.
The concert at Society Hall will feel the same. The show will begin at 7 p.m.; doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $20 and are available at the Society Hall website or at the Green Spot, at 711 State Ave. in Alamosa.