Dean Sapp & Harford Express
Dean Sapp grew up in a family whose musical roots go back to the beginnings of bluegrass music. His picking started at age 6 on guitar, moved to banjo at age 8, and continued to evolve throughout his formative years. Taught by his uncles the late (Sonny Miller) his brother( John Miller jr) and Dean’ s grandfather John Miller sr. Dean has honed his singing, picking, and songwriting to what one reviewer has written: "Is it going out on a limb to credit Dean Sapp as one of most underrated singers on bluegrass today? No, it isn’t. If you love mainstream grass, just give a listen to the man from the shores of the Chesapeake.".With fifteen recording projects to his credit, Sapp has earned the respect of his songwriting peers in the bluegrass genre. Original material with a sound that Bluegrass Unlimited says "sounds like it could have been written 30 or 40 years ago the base on which each project is based, built upon with solid cover songs and driving instrumentals". A 14 day tour of Australia, and appearances at I.B.M.A.’s Songwriter’s Showcase validate the strength of Sapp’s songwriting. He is often called upon to do songwriting workshops at festivals where the group performs. Dean heads up the Harford Express playing the banjo. His first love. Dean’ s style of Banjo playing comes from his watching and listening to Earl Scruggs during his childhood formative years at the legendary Sun Set Park in West Grove Pa.
A proprietor of a ‘stringed instruments only' music shop, Dean is also a Martin Guitars factory warranty repairman. And too many others to list here. His ‘Old Train' custom made guitars take their name from his “Old Train Music’ record label which also records other bluegrass acts in the Mid-Atlantic area. The ’Evening of Bluegrass Concert' series has established Dean as a promoter of family style bluegrass on the Delmarva Peninsula, providing another much needed off season venue for nationally known acts. Backed by the Harford Express (formed in 1986), Dean Sapp banjo in hand fronts a group that can play to any audience, from county fairs to concert halls, festival stages to churches. Outstanding original music,, old favorites, creative cover songs, tight harmonies, hot pickin’ , and a good dose of fun make Dean Sapp & Harford Express a crowd pleaser where ever he performs.
Dean Sapp & Harford Express the real sound of bluegrass.
Darin Hirschy (bass guitar, tenor vocals)
Since age 7 Darin has played guitar. In college he played with D&D Express, a Sparta, NC based acoustic group. In 1995 he joined Windy Ridge on bass and tenor harmony. Darin's voice may sound somewhat familiar to longtime Harford Express fans, as well as it should. His uncle, Charlie Edwards, was Harford Express' original guitar player and co-featured singer as Dean played banjo in the formative years. With a voice and style as reminiscent of his uncle's, Darin has brought back the "original" sound of the Harford Express. His energetic bass playing compliments the band's driving style. Darin enjoys outdoor activities as well as bluegrass music.
Tom Valiquette (guitar, vocals)
Tom Valiquette, better known to the Bluegrass community as Tom James, started his musical career at the young age of 13. By 15, he was playing in a country/square dance band in central Ohio. Buck Owens and Ray Price were among his earliest influences. Tom enlisted in the U.S. Air Force at age 18 and played with several bands during his enlistment all over the world. arriving at Dover Air Force Base in 1987. By 1991 he was hired by a local country/western radio station to produce and host a Sunday evening Bluegreass show. That is when he met Dean Sapp. They became instant friends. That is also when he acquired the name Tom James for his radio program. In 1993 Tom became the founding member of a local Bluegrass band. After 6 years with that arrangement he left to join up with Mike Van Hoy and the Sycamore Boys. Tom retired from the service in 1996 after 20 years of service to his country. Tom is now employed by W.L. Gore & Associates, and enjoys yard work and hitting the weekend yard sales with wife Jackie.