Hub Hollow Brings Bluegrass to the Gardens

When looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle of downtown Morristown, the three acres of gardens at , filled with heirloom roses and wisteria blossoms, can provide the perfect respite. The sounds within this serene space ordinarily range from birds chirping to the gentle gurgle of the fountain.

This will not be the case on Sunday afternoon.

At 4 p.m. July 10, the gardens will instead fill with the sounds of Somerset County-based band Hub Hollow as they play an afternoon concert. Guests are invited to enjoy a tour of the museum before claiming a spot on the museum lawn.

“It’s a good opportunity for families to bring a picnic and enjoy a nice event in the gardens,” said Karen Hollywood, events and programs coordinator at Macculloch Hall.

While Macculloch Hall’s gardens often host afternoon programs during the summer, such as Lunch with the Librarian and Shakespeare in the Garden, concerts are less common; this will be Hub Hollow’s first performance at the historic house museum.

“It’s going to be great to play in the gardens,” said the band’s dobroist, Tim Ryan, who serves on Macculloch Hall Historical Museum’s Board of Trustees. “It’s a fun setting.”

Although it’s Hub Hollow’s first performance at the museum, musical events have been taking place at Macculloch Hall for over 200 years; the Macculloch family, who lived in the home during the 19th and early 20th centuries, often hosted parties featuring piano-playing and dancing.

“Music was a big part of their lives,” Hollywood said.

Ryan describes Hub Hollow’s sound as being rooted in bluegrass and Americana; as in traditional bluegrass music, the band plays string instruments such as the guitar, mandolin and the Dobro (also called a resonator guitar). However, despite the presence of classic bluegrass elements such as three-part harmonies and acoustic arrangements, their style is not strictly old-fashioned.

“We also take more contemporary stuff, like Bob Dylan, and play that as well,” Ryan said.

The band has been playing together for about 20  years, and were friends before they were bandmates; four of its members grew up together in Somerset County. Tim Ryan met guitarist John Turpin at five years old and attended grade school with mandolinist Jason Frigerio and his twin sister, vocalist Jill (who is married to Turpin).

“We all grew up together and played music together in high school,” Ryan said. “It’s amazing to have a hobby with your closest friends.”

Hub Hollow’s members went their separate ways for college, but started playing music together again four years ago in New Jersey; that’s also when bassist Rick Chance, a friend of John Turpin’s, relocated to the area from Colorado and joined the band.

“We started playing together in an organized way, out in public; not just for ourselves,” Ryan said. “Now, we play a lot of private parties and at local bars.”

The band often plays shows throughout Somerset County and is looking forward to playing in a more intimate setting on Sunday and sharing their unique sound with a new audience.

“It’s going to be a quieter scene; it’s different from playing in a loud bar. It’s a really fun setting,” Ryan said.

To explore the museum before the show, including the exhibit “Coming of Age: Early American Silversmiths; Masters, Apprentices, Trade Partners and Taste” in the upstairs gallery, arrive before the last tour begins at 3 p.m.

For more information about Hub Hollow, visit www.hubhollow.com.