The Foothill Bluegrass Band

The heart of the Foothill Band’s music is traditional bluegrass with three-part harmony and played exclusively with acoustic instruments. The band also performs many gospel numbers in traditional four-part harmony.

Former schoolmates Scott Rowell and Dave Beaumont performed bluegrass music together on many occasions as teenagers. Several years ago, at a local picking party, they heard the golden voice of Bill Neely and the Foothill Band was launched. The band was completed a few months later with the addition of veteran bluegrass performer Jerry Foley who was also an old friend of some of the original members. Since that time the band has been fortunate to acquire another veteran bluegrass musician; Jim Cooper.

Since its formation the Foothill Band has performed at bluegrass festivals, city functions, reunions, parties, the Florida Opry, the San Ann Rattlesnake Festival, the Dade City Kumquat Festival, county fairs, VIP dinners, and other events throughout central Florida. The band is currently in the process of making their first CD expected to be out this summer.

The Band Members

Dave Beaumont

Originally from the Dade City, Florida area, now residing in Tampa, Dave started playing bluegrass music at the young age of 12. He has been a member of several bluegrass bands including “A Piece of Bluegrass,” and “The Hired Hands,” but has spent most of his 25-year musical career performing with his three brothers and two sisters in the “Beaumont Family Band.” Now a member of Foothill, Dave’s primary instrument is the banjo but regularly plays acoustic guitar. Dave also sings lead or baritone parts on many numbers.

Jerry Foley

Currently residing in Valrico, Florida, originally from Indiana, Jerry is again playing and singing bluegrass after an eight year hiatus from the bluegrass scene. Jerry has been a regular bluegrass festival performer with several bands including the “Bluegrass Ordeal,” “Cabin Fever,” “The Bluegrass Parlor Band,” and “Saw Grass.” “Saw Grass” was a winner in several bluegrass band contests. Jerry is the primary vocal coordinator of the band, singing lead and baritone, and plays the mandolin.

Bill Neely

Bill comes from the hills of West Virginia, where bluegrass is in the soul of many. Bill started singing as a teenager with his brother and two sisters in gospel quartet. Bill does most of the lead singing and often provides bass vocal on gospel numbers. Bill plays rhythm with his1999 Martin Vintage re-issue HD-28 guitar. Bill has been playing and singing old-time gospel and bluegrass all of his life, actively performing with the bluegrass gospel group “Hallelujah Side” back in Virginia. Moving to Florida in 1992, Bill now resides in Zephyrhills, Florida.

Scott Rowell

Scott’s interest in music began when he learned to play the harmonica from his dad. He soon learned to play the guitar and fiddle as a teenager and eventually moved into bluegrass. Formerly with “A Piece of Bluegrass,” he was a winner in a state harmonica and band contest. Scott, who was lived his entire life in Dade City, Florida, has also returned to the bluegrass scene as a member of Foothill Band after being away from music for a number of years. Scott plays the acoustic guitar and fiddle and supplies tenor or lead on many Foothill numbers.

Jim Cooper

As a young boy Jim learned to play the acoustic guitar during sing-alongs with his family and friends. At age Twelve, Jim’s band “The Ranch Hand Troubadors,” played regular radio shows in the days when radio shows were popular. After joining the Navy, Jim played in both country bands and with the “Ships’ Orchestra.” Years later Jim returned to his bluegrass roots when he and some acquaintances formed the “Bluegrass Ordeal.” To date, Jim has played with several bluegrass bands including “Sawgrass,” “American Standard Bluegrass,” and “Crossfire” featuring Nashville fiddle player Aubrey Haney. Foothill feels fortunate to have Jim as their acoustic bass player. Jim also provides baritone harmony on many numbers for the Foothill band.