It was my great pleasure to have known all (but Dave Guard, regretfully) combinations of the Kingston Trio, New Kingston Trio, Grove Trio, current trio. To drop names, that would be me being a baby-sitter for Bob & Louise Shane when he lived in Roswell, GA, traveling with Bob Shane on some of the Trio's gigs, staying with Shane ay his home in Sausalito and accompanying him to the final shows at the Hungry I, playing football with Jim Conner & Pat Horine (Pat caught my TD pass because he outran Jim like nobody's business), taking up tickets for the NKT at their shows, visiting with Bob & Bobbie Shane in their home, dining with them many times, and the thing I cherish most, was the last time I personally saw Bob Shane were his finally words to me "I love you."
There are others out there that can make my "resume" pale in comparison. But,
I have met Bob Haworth a number of times though I doubt he would remember me, he is a very nice man a plays a mean cross-cut saw (if that is the correct name for that particular kind of saw). BUT, more than of the former members of the other Trios (not the current one) have told me Bob was called in DESPITE the fact he could not hold (sustain) a note, had trouble staying on key, and difficulty hitting the notes Nick sang. So, it is sort of like calling the kettle black and was the reason he was asked to leave (a decision made prior to his making his demands). A lot of his comments may very well be true, although disgruntled individuals comments should sometimes be taken with a grain of salt.
This particular group was contacted by Bob Shane (or at least Mike Marvin was) and asked if he thought he could get Josh up to "snuff" to perform as a Trio member and were they interested in purchasing a lease of the Trio name for ten years with an option to renew. I don't know what percentage arrangement was made for Shane to receive (he still owns the entity known as the Kingston Trio. and to quote him "I say who the Kingston Trio is!"
The current is laboring under the burden of having a small group of people who got upset with the way the transfer of personnel occurred. From most all of the reports I have heard, including the three times I have seen them (all 3 times was while Josh was with them), they were entertaining and gave people their money's worth. The last report I heard about their show was before the largest crowd ever (4,000+). So, it looks like it boils done to whom you hear. Folks upset with the Grove break up, almost to a person with say nothing positive. People not in the "know" give them a standing ovation (at least for the 3 I say and I understand from others who saw them, they still are getting them). They even got a Standing O BEFORE their show started when they played before the 4,000+ crowd (of course, that at a folk review concert where the Four Freshmen had the prime time show at 8:00 and the trio's time was opening act at 10:00 am! Maybe the crowd stood because their appreciative of anyone showing up to perform at that hour!
Anyway, go see them if you haven't and make your own decision. We are all entitled to our own opinion. Don't jump on someone who doesn't echo your opinion.
Responses