About the Bondville Boys
Traditional and Original Bluegrass
Jake Geppert and Tom Morris originally formed The Bondville Boys, in 1991. The Bondville Boys originally featured Jake Geppert on banjo, guitar, vocals and mandolin, Tom Morris on guitar, vocals and banjo, Will Goodwin on Bass, Vocals and Dave Arnold on Mandolin and Vocals. In the early 2000’s, Will Goodwin moved to Massachusetts and was replaced by Dennis Fink on Bass. Laura Molinelli, a long time musician and friend of the band would sometimes join on guitar and vocals through the years and became a full time member in 2013. Later, Ben Campbell joined the band on Mandolin, Vocals and Chris Heins on Bass and Vocals.
The Bondville Boys played together from 1991 to 2018, when Thomas Morris, one of the original founders passed away unexpectedly to the flu and meningitis. For more information about Tom Morris and The Bondville Boys, visit bondvilleboys.com
Thomas Morris, Founding Member of The Bondville Boys
1956 – 2018
The Bondville Boys lost one of our founding members, Tom Morris, this last February 18, 2018. Tom played guitar, banjo, sang vocals and wrote several songs for the Bondville Boys, over the last 30 years. The Bondville Boys has been like a second family to all of its members over the years and we are all deeply saddened by the loss of such a great friend and a fine musician.
The Bondville Boys will be taking a break as we all try to adjust to this unexpected loss.
We would like to thank all of our fans and friends who have supported and followed us for so many years. We thank you for including us in your lives. We hope you enjoyed our music, as much as, we enjoyed playing for you.
“Peace, Love and Three Part Harmony”, The Bondville Boys
For more information about Thomas, his official obituary is included below:
Thomas M. Morris, Obituary
Thomas M. Morris, 61, of Jamaica, Vermont. Died on February 18, 2018, from an acute illness. He is survived by his dog Jackson, his sweetie Nancy Jean Henry, and his three brothers, Francis K. Morris and wife Ellen Howard of Brookline, Mass.; Donald C. Morris and his wife Betsy, and Stephen D. Morris and his wife Nancy, all of Southborough, Mass. He also leaves a niece Meghan Morris, and nephews Robert Howard, Chuck, Sean and Matthew Morris. Tom’s life centered around Nancy Jean, the love of his life for 27 years, and The Bondville Boys, a local bluegrass band in which he joyously played banjo and guitar, and wrote songs, with dear friends, for almost 30 years. Tom played a lot of hockey and refereed thousands of games including a benefit game with his home team, the Boston Bruins. He also loved the Red Sox, his garden, stacking wood, and the house he and Nancy Jean made into a loving home over the years. Tom was born in Southboro Mass. in 1956, the son of the late Donald C. Morris and Stephanie A. (Kret) Morris. He graduated from Algonquin Regional High School and attended UMass Stockbridge School of Agriculture with a degree in Turf Management. Tom worked as a Greenskeeper in Massachusetts and Vermont for 35 years after which he and Nancy Jean established their own property services business in 2004. When younger, Tom was heavily involved in sports and he continued to live a very active athletic life, with hockey as well as running and bicycling. In Jamaica, Tom was often seen running or biking up and down the local roads he loved, or in the center of town, banjo around his chest, bedecked in his beloved shorts, Hawaiian shirts and work boots, with a big grin and a sweet wave to all. He loved Jamaica and Jamaica loved him back and the town is dimmer without his glow, his music, and his sweet gentle ways.
Memorial Information: A memorial mass was held at Saint Anne Church in Southborough MA on February 28, 2018. There will be a gathering to celebrate Tom’s life in the Summer, at a date to be announced. Donations to the Jamaica Food Pantry please (PO Box 179 Jamaica VT 05343). Tom’s life was spent trying to make the world a better place. He volunteered whenever he could, stepped up to help people and loved to pay it forward. The best way that we can honor this man is to follow in his lead, step in when someone needs help, volunteer when asked and pay it forward. Nancy Jean says, “Think WWTD (What would Tommy Do?)” So, honor this wonderful man and help make the world a better place!
www.facebook.com/Bondvilleboys
More History on The Bondville Boys!
Three members of Southern Vermont’s favorite Bluegrass Band, “THE BONDVILLE BOYS” (Jake Geppert, Tom Morris and Laura Molinelli) have played together for over twenty years. Joined by Dennis Fink (bass, vocals) and most recently Ben Campbell (guitars, mandolin, vocals) this quintet was known for their sweet harmonies, sick picking, off-topic stage banter, good energy, washboard solos and ecclectic set-lists. The Bondville Boys played a huge assortment of music, including a ton of original tunes and everything from Flatt and Scruggs to Blondie. Come check us out!
“Some of us are from Bondville and some of us are boys”
History of the Bondville Boys and more…
Since 1990, the Bondville Boys have played hard-edged bluegrass throughout
Western New England, sharing the stage with Del McCoury, the Nashville
Bluegrass Band and the Gibson Brothers, among others. The five-piece group
currently has two live CD’s, with a mix of traditional bluegrass with original songs.
Vocalist and guitarist Laura Molinelli has released four CDs under her own
name, while multi-instrumentalist and singer Jake Geppert released his
second non-bluegrass CD of original songs. Mandolin player Dave Arnold and
original Bondville Boy Tom Morris, on guitar and banjo, both contribute
strong original songs to the new CDs and their live show, anchored by the other
Bondvillian, Dennis Fink on bass.
This band has played at many events and bluegrass festivals in New England Including :
Noppett Hill Bluegrass Festival , Lanesbouro,MA
Jenny Brook Bluegrass Festival, Weston ,VT
The Weston Playhouse Weston,VT
Stratton Mnt ,VT
West River Farmers Market, Londonderry, VT
Orvis Days, Manchester ,VT
Vermont Country Store, Weston ,Vt
Vermont Apple Festival Springfeild ,VT
We are available for parties, concerts and festivals!