The musical project started 20 years ago with just five friends playing in a new coffee shop.Two decades later, the project has seen band members come and go, but nobody ever really leaves for good.
The band specializes in taking Sicilian, American and Celtic folk songs and changing the musical arrangement to suit their group. They call that 鈥渟tamping the songs with Meb-tonic.鈥� Host Frank Stasio talks with co-founder Larry Vellani about the genesis of the group and the upcoming festival , an event organized in part by Mebanesville to celebrate Sicilian culture and lore. It takes place Sunday, Feb. 16 in Saxapahaw鈥檚 Culture Mill. Also joining Vellani are band members Peggy Boswell on the pennywhistle; Jane Davis on the violin and vocals; Fernando Su谩rez Gonz谩lez on the accordion; and Eli Addleman on the double-bass.