Loose Leaf Notes

~ The following first appeared in The Floyd Press on March 16, 2011.

The Kind, celebrated its 25 year milestone anniversary at the Pine Tavern pavilion Saturday night.   This popular jam band has a following of fans from all over the New River Valley, including many from Floyd and some who have been attending gigs since the band first started playing weekly at the onetime South Main Café in Blacksburg.

Over the years, The Kind has had as many as 20 members, with lead singer and rhythm guitarist Wendy Godley and lead guitarist and vocalist Tom Snediker remaining as original members.  Wendy’s husband Rick Godley on drums, Tom’s wife Mandy Snediker (vocalist) and Steve Hunt on bass guitar make up the rest of the band’s current incarnation.

Several Floyd musicians have played with the band in the past, including Floydfest founder Kris Hodges on drums and percussionist Joringle Starchild.  Starchild, along with other guest alumni, joined the band on stage.

Described on their webpage as “Hillbilly Psychedelic Folk Rock,” the band specializes in Grateful Dead cover songs, but they also play the music of other iconic bands and musicians, such as Bob Dylan, Jefferson Airplane, and The Band.

Audience members filled the dance floor Saturday night and sang along enthusiastically to the Beatles “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” and Janis Joplin’s “Piece of my Heart,” as well as to favorite Grateful Dead songs, such as “Shakedown Street,” and “Truckin.” The band will be back at the Pine Tavern for their annual Halloween gig, Wendy Godley said.  ~ Colleen Redman

See a video of The Kind at the Pine HERE. Visit the band’s webpage HERE.