Three Cats and a Dog

Traditional tunes and old songs by …

Richard Gregory-Allen, on Fiddle, Mandola and Vocals;

Jim Shaw, on Guitar, Banjo, Dobro, Soprano Sax and Harmony Vocals; and

John Alden, on Bass, Accordion, Guitar and Lead Vocals.

“Three Cats and a Dog” is a trio of musicians (and a sheepdog in spirit) who appear regularly around Cape Cod and Eastern Massachusetts. They perform a lively and eclectic mix of Celtic, American and Canadian fiddle tunes; traditional country songs (especially those by Hank Williams); as well as some blues, jazz, and acoustic old time music. The band consists of Richard Gregory-Allen on fiddle, mandola and backup vocals; Jim Shaw on guitar, banjo, dobro, soprano saxophone and harmony vocals; and John Alden on upright bass, button accordion, guitar and lead vocals.

"Three Cats and A Dog" is happy to play almost anywhere! They regularly play for weddings and private parties, for concerts, festivals and contradances, and in restaurants and taverns. And while as a trio they are a popular high-energy contradance band, they are also a complete "contradance kit." John is a wonderful dance caller, who can interest advanced dancers, but he really specializes in getting beginners and "non-dancers" involved. He teaches and calls an interesting variety of New England contra dances, square dances, mixers and even silly party dances.

Richard started out as a classical violist and then moved over to playing "fiddle" tunes. In addition to tunes from the Celtic countries, Texas and Eastern North America, his repertoire includes an interesting variety of music from other regions of the world. He is interested in including many different fiddle styles in his playing and to this end has studied with a diverse group of fiddle masters including Darol Anger, John Blake, Kevin Burke, Vassar Clements, Randy Elmore, Johnny Frigo, Matt Glaser, Johnny Gimble, Martin Hayes, Aubrey Haynie, Charlie Lennon, Buddy MacMaster, Natalie MacMaster, Bruce Molsky, Mark O'Connor, Buddy Spicher, Claude Williams and Mark Wood. Richard is a mathematician and information systems business consultant. Along with John and Jim, he also performs with the Woods Hole Folk Orchestra.

Jim started out playing woodwinds, but switched to acoustic guitar during the "folk scare" of the 60's. He probably remembers that obscure Kingston Trio song that's been bothering you for the last 10 years! He has been playing “old-timey” music on the banjo for nearly 30 years. Jim is a (the) physics and astronomy professor at Cape Cod Community College.

John got his musical start on washtub bass and quickly got involved playing with an old time string band. He will play just about any instrument he can get his hands on, and loves to sing old country songs. John farms cranberries, coaches girls soccer, calls contradances, and is a building contractor. In that role, he specializes in creating solutions to difficult geometrical challenges (e.g. eyebrow dormers in log homes!).

Technical Sound Information

If you have hired us for a gig and need more information about our sound system requirements, you can view a stage diagram and a mixer sheet here.