The old yellers
Their unique brand of Indie Folk Rock has been compared to luminaries of American music like Johnny Cash, The Band, Neil Young, Waylon Jennings, The Eagles, Steve Earle and The Grateful Dead. They have an Outlaw Country, Rock and Roll Vibe that is undeniable. The band is a true original. They showcase Great Songwriting, Great Harmonies and remain ever true to themselves, the integrity of their songs, their audience and each other.
“The Old Yellers have all the makings of a classic American band.”
- IRISH EXAMINER
In conjunction with Bluesky Firehorse Productions, Job One in OLD YELLER Nation is to make great original music and make a difference in our global community. We strive to help make the world to be a better place. Our MOTTO is: MUSIC IS MEDICINE FOR LIFE.
The Old Yellers write and perform original music, playing gigs, connecting to people, helping forge true community, working for real change and taking care of each other while having a damn good time doing it. We like to say “it’s not about making money, it’s about making friends” In the end, we hope money, recognition and a better world for all will come because we are working for the right reasons and staying true to what we believe in.
“Music makes a difference in our world that will last long into the future”
OUR Mission Statement
The Band
Core Members:
michael berly
Guitars, Banjo, Vocals and Ukulele
From Southern California by way of Ohio, Michael Berly has always been a true lover of music. He began singing at a very early age, performing in public for the first time at the age of six. In The Old Yellers, he sings, plays guitars, ukulele and banjo and is the bands primary songwriter, working collaboratively with the rest of the group to create The Old Yellers large repertoire of original material. Besides being a full time Yeller, he loves to try and play piano, being in nature and he is also a Doctor of Chinese medicine, a Professor, lecturer and an Acupuncturist just to keep things interesting.
Matty V. Hartless -
Bass and Vocals
From Morgantown, West Virginia, Matty V. has been making music for over 30 years. He has played, toured, and recorded with a giant list of performers from around the United States. His incredible vocal harmonies and songwriting skills are equally matched to his talent on the bass guitar and his ability to lead any rhythm section to the right groove every time. Besides his work with The Yellers, he also works as a songwriter, session player, producer, engineer and talent scout with his publishing company Silver Saturn Music.
From Berkeley, California. Simon Lucas is a drummer and percussionist extraordinaire. He studied music at Humboldt State University in Arcata, California and has honed his skills in a number of great bands over the years including the Von Trapp family band, Life After Wartime and of course The Old Yellers. Everyone he plays with feels blessed to have his talent and skill driving the show from the rhythm seat. Outside music he enjoys disc golf and his lovely family.
The Old Yellers Family
The Bands powerhouse core has been blessed to surround themselves with a cast of stellar musicians who have, for over 20 years, formed the family band that Goes with The Old Yellers. We Play with these folks whenever we can.
Meet the lads below:
Tim Connell -
Mandolin, Piano, Melodica, and Whistles.
A graduate of the prestigious New England Conservatory of Music. A virtuoso multi-instrumentalist with thirty years professional performing experience who plays piano, melodica, mandolin, tin whistle, and low whistle with the band and is our master of mayhem. He is a rising star in acoustic music having toured and played with David Grisman, Mike Marshall and other luminaries. He is a diamond in the rough asset to the core Yellers when his busy touring, recording and teaching schedule allows. Tim additionally has an online music and mandolin course that is second to none and plays with his other project Rio Con Brio.
Diego Joyeux -
Guitars, Vocals, Keys and Pedal Steel
From Southern California, Diego Joyeux is a musician’s musician. His skill as a multi-instrumentalist is second to none and is augmented by his great vocals and harmony, his excellent songwriting, and his tasteful and incendiary guitar work. Besides being a Yeller, the DDOG, is a highly sought after sideman for many other bands and a master gardener, chef, woodcrafter and videographer. If he isn’t playing music with someone, he can usually be found filming stellar independent movies or hiding out in his garden tending his bees.
MORE
of
The Old Yellers Family
Wayne Waits
An Original Old Yeller, we honor the memory of one of the true greats. The Legendary Wayniac our percussion player and dear friend. Looking forward to seeing you again in the Angel Band.
Chris “DOC” Metro
Growing up with a love of the Blues, Jazz, Rock and Bluegrass, inspired his own style on the harp. Besides harmonica, he plays guitar and banjo, and some say he’s an actual doctor, others say he just plays one on TV. We are always blessed when the Doctor is IN.
Paul Brainard
A student of the prestigious New England Conservatory of music, multi-instrumentalist and wizard of the Pedal Steel, Paul has played with a who’s who of Americana artists including She and Him, EELS, Bobby Bare Jr., The Decemberists, Caleb Klauder and of course has recorded with The Old Yellers.
Ken Coleman
Our excellent guitarist and musical band leader for many years who has played with multiple acts including Freddy Trujillo and the Country politans, is also a fantastic historian, educator and author of the book “Dangerous Subjects”
Joe Chiusano
A stellar musician and veteran of numerous rock and roll bands in the Portland music scene. Rumor has it he was the original bass player for the Beatles. When he’s not making music he loves cooking and saving the texas prairie chicken.
Dan Eccles
An impressive Telecaster player (it’s an original ‘96), a multi-instrumentalist and soulful musician with a very tasteful, understated style Dan knows how to leave and fill up space perfect every time. He is a great musician with a super ear who enjoys recording and studio work as much as he does live performance.
Matt cadenelli
Our long time drummer and friend, the Don of Division Street is a talented songwriter, singer and multi-instrumentalist who knows how to lay down a powerhouse groove. Check him out in his band Wanderlodge.
Lewi Longmire
The De Facto mayor of Portland and musician extraordinaire. He is generally playing 7 nights a week and 365 days a year with just about everyone you can imagine. A multi-instrumental musical force to be reckoned with, our friend and yours, the one and only.
conor and al O’Donnell
HONORARY OLD YELLERS
OUR DEAR FRIENDS FROM IRELAND AND LONG TIME COLLABORATORS. IT IS A TRUE HONOR TO COUNT THESE FOLKS AS REAL FAMILY. OUR VERSION OF IRISH MUSICAL ROYALTY. .
SEAN DEVITT
OUR GREAT FRIEND AND OUR GO TO IRISH DRUMMER. A TRUE PLAYER AND IN HIGH DEMAND SESSION DRUMMER WE ARE ALWAYS LUCKY WHEN
History and Such
The Old Yellers began in early 2000 when founding members Michael Berly and Matty V Hartless came together with the goal of writing great songs built around vocal harmonies and well crafted stories. The idea was to write songs with a message that could be felt and understood by nearly anyone. They were joined by their great friends Diego Joyeux and Wayne Waits. They recorded an album and toured Europe for a month honing their live sound in the Pacific Northwest. Not long after they were joined by Tim Connell and this core group has been playing together in one form or another ever since.
In the years that followed, albums were made, tours were undertaken, fun was had and many great musicians would take their turn coming in and adding to the overall magic. It is difficult to label their music as any one genre. At times they have seemed more Rock and Roll, or Alt-Country, or Americana, or Folk Rock. They have played Irish music, they are Outlaw Country but no matter what you want to call it, there is and always has been, a consistency, a uniqueness, something special, that has woven itself throughout the path they have traveled. Whether you call them The Old Yellers or The Yellers, they are are at heart, an American band, writing and performing their own original music, that above all, strives to evolve the consciousness of the global community and generate a real revolution of spirit.