Written By Patricia Bianca
Although it is a common practice for U.S. towns to adopt a sister city in Europe, adopting a European musical band is far more unique. Leave it to Taneytown to kick-start the trend.
“Taneytown,” the band, is based in the Netherlands, but their music is pure Americana with gritty, heartfelt lyrics and swinging rhythms. Founded in 2004, the band had barely gotten started before the town they had named themselves after “discovered” them.
Linda Snyder, owner of Taneytown Antiques, came upon the band’s website while searching for the town’s website. “We looked over the photos and listened to some of their music,” said Linda, “and I was mightily impressed.”
`Linda interviewed the group via email for the town’s newsletter and further syncronicity brought the band stateside for their first taste of true Americana.
Days after the interview appeared in the newsletter, visitors from Baltimore, a professional musician named Claudia San Soucie and her husband, John Van Tiel, who hails from the Netherlands, discovered the article and hand-delivered a copy to Taneytown’s lead singer, Edwin Jongedijk back in Europe.
Encouraged by the couple’s invitation to “crash” at their place and with further support from the town, “Taneytown” was able to hold their first U.S. concert at Northwest Middle School’s auditorium in October, 2006. They returned in May, 2007, playing several area locations.
The group is comprised of five long-time friends and fans of country and “roots” music. Edwin Jongedijk is the lead vocalist and plays guitar; Joost Prinsen plays lead guitar and harmonica; Benjamin Vernooij plays the piano and keyboard; Martin Wieringa plays the bass and harmonica; and Niek Stok plays drums and percussion. “Taneytown” describes their own music as “Americana with some traditional country rock influences.”
Edwin Jongedijk was playing guitar in a band that performed country and Southern rock numbers when he conceived of the idea of starting his own group to showcase the many songs he had written himself. He was busy recruiting some of his old friends for the endeavor when he heard the Steve Earle song, “Taneytown.” Although the song’s theme of rural racism wasn’t terribly inspiring to Edwin, the name of the song was.
“It was the sound of the name,” Edwin explained. “And the fact that we’re into Americana music and Steve Earle is as well, so we thought if we named our band after this song, people will know what kind of music we play. It’s sounds cool. It has a nice ring to it. It fits the music.”
The band released their namesake debut CD in 2005 and received great reviews in Europe, where the Americana music has a small but loyal base of fans that is beginning to blossom. “Taneytown’s” sound has been compared to the early works of established artists like Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp, Kris Kristofferson and, of course, Steve Earle.
They are now on their second printing of the CD, having sold well over 500 copies, many of which were eagerly purchased by fans here in Carroll County.
“When [Taneytown] came last October, they were unsure of what to expect and what we expected of them,” said Taneytown’s Director of Economic Development Nancy McCormick. “People assumed the band was from Taneytown, and therefore, didn’t seem excited about them. Word of mouth spread on how great they were and their music was. We had no problem booking them this year.”
The band’s May 2007 tour included festivals and coffee houses in Taneytown, Mount Airy, Westminster, Ellicott City, Canton and Keymar. The band members expressed both amazement and gratitude at their reception here in the U.S. “Of course, we have the same things back home,” said lead guitarist Joost Prinsen, “but it’s different when you go to another country and you are received in such an overwhelming, kind and hospitable way.”
The hospitality included the free loan of music instruments by businessman/musician Rick Galloway, of Rick and Company, LLC, who also served as sound technician at each of the concerts, and free accommodations with local philanthropists Larry and Linda Webster at their tree farm in Keymar.
Apparently the group from The Netherlands is doing its part to spur interest in Taneytown. “We just hope that things like this go both ways,” said Joost. “The community does a lot for us, so we hope we can do something for the community in return.”
The group is currently working on a video to gain television exposure and plans to begin work on their second CD very soon. Those interested can hear sound clips and purchase their current CD on the band’s website at <www.taneytown.nl>.
