Breakneck Mountain’s Company’s Comin’ is the group’s debut 1991 recording. The group first got together at the 1990 “Salty Dog” festival in Cambridge, Maine at a late night jam session and have been picking together ever since. Breakneck Mountain is a real place. It was the sight of the annual Breakneck Mountain Bluegrass Festival (1984-1995) for eleven years, hosted by Joe and Nellie Kennedy, two of the group’s founding members. Joe and Nellie live in Harmony, Maine.
Joe plays harmonica and was introduced to bluegrass by the “Circle Be Unbroken” album.
Nellie, Joe's wife, plays upright bass and was raised on country music. She began her bluegrass career in the early 1970’s.
The other founding member are
Don DePoy. He grew up in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia in a family band that has five generations of mountain music tradition. In 1989 Don and his family moved to Newburgh, Maine to enjoy the country life. He plays both banjo and guitar characteristic of his native state of Virginia.
Ken Brooks, of Glenburn, Maine, joined the band shortly after the group was founded. His rhythm guitar provides a graceful foundation for the group’s music. His easy vocal is quintessential bluegrass. Rounding out the group is
Bill Thibodeau. Bill comes from a nationally recognized Maine bluegrass family. With his mandolin, guitar and fiddle, he adds the perfect rhythm and smooth style to the band. Bill lives in Bangor, Maine.
2018 UPDATE: Joe and Nellie Kennedy still reside in Harmony, Maine.
Ken and Jane Brooks now live in Athens, Maine and often team up with Joe and Nellie to perform as Brooks and Kennedy.
Don DePoy and wife Martha Hills now reside in Don’s childhood home in Swoope, Virginia. They tour regionally as Me & Martha and when in Maine they team up with Joe and Nellie as Three Yankees and a Hillbilly.
Bill Thibodeau lives in Cumberland, Rhode Island and continues to dazzle with his instrument virtuosity in Rock Hearts Band.
Track Order
1 Old Man In The Shanty (3:09) 1,5,4-A,C,E,F,G
2 Age (2:55) 3,4,2-A,C,E,F,G
3 Sea Of Heartbreak (3:12) 3,4,2-A,C,E,F,G
4 It Seems There’s Nothing I Can Do (2:30) 4,2,3- A,C,E,F,G
5 Lost All Your Love (4:04) 1,4,3-A,B,C,E,F,G
6 Gone, Gone, Gone (2:54) 1,3,4-A,C,E,F,G,I
7 Old Country Church (3:29) 2,4,3,1-A,C,E,F,G,I
8 Whispering Waters (3:09) 1,5,4-A,C,E,F,G
9 Running Wild (2:54) 4,3-A,C,E,F,H
10 Higgins Stream - Inst. (3:19) A,B,C,E,F,G,H
11 The Singer (3:03) 4,2,3-A,D,E,F,G
12 Dark Hollow (2:51) 3,4,2-A,C,E,F,G
13 All I Ever Want (2:45) 1,4,3-A,B,D,E,F,G,H
14 Company’s Comin’ (2:59) 2,4,1-A,C,E,F,G
Breakneck Mountain Band (Alphabetically)
Kenny Brooks A - Rhythm Guitar B - Lead Guitar
Don DePoy C - Banjo D - Lead Guitar
Joe Kennedy E – Harmonica
Nellie Kennedy F - Bass Fiddle
Bill Thibodeau G - Mandolin H - Fiddle I - Lead Guitar
Breakneck Mountain Band Members Current Contact Information
Joe Kennedy - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008103991589
Nellie Kennedy - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nellie.kennedy.3?ref=br_rs
Don DePoy - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/me.and.martha
Ken Brooks - P.O. Box 62, Athens, ME 04912
Bill Thibodeau - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bill.thibodeau3
Production Credits
Produced by Don DePoy and Bill Thibodeau
Recording Engineer Jim England
Special thanks to Jeff for lending his ear.
Recorded at Cold Moon Studio in Bangor, Maine, June 1991.
Cassette #: Skyline Records #109 CD # Skyline Media #109
Copyright: © 1991. D.DePoy © 2018. D.DePoy
All songs BMI except as noted.
“Higgins Stream” and “Whispering Waters” B. Thibodeau