Berachah Valley
About Us

Origins:

Berachah Valley was founded in the spring of 2005 when a few friends came together searching for a place to play traditional bluegrass, gospel, and traditional renditions of current favorites. Audiences quickly see the result is a uniquely smooth combination of musicianship and  female vocal harmonies influenced by the recordings of  The Isaac's,  The Forbes Family, Emmylou Harris, The Whites, Seldom Scene, Longview, Ricky Skaggs, Vince Gill, The Bluegrass Cardinals, and others.

The name for the band is found in its theme Bible verse, II Chronicles 20:26. The players will testify that the clearly evident camaraderie seen on stage is the natural fruit of the great blessing of good friendships and shared faith.

Berachah Valley has had the good fortune to travel to Indiana, Tennessee, Michigan, Maryland, Kentucky, North Carolina and Ohio to perform at many bluegrass festivals, bluegrass and gospel venues, radio programs, TV programs, and community events.

This is Berachah Valley.

Willis Baker plays dobro and provides extensive experience in the local bluegrass scene. Cathy Baker plays rhythm guitar, sings lead and harmony. Michelle Edester continues to blossom with her command of the mandolin. Merrell Boggs is banjo player -extraordinaire!!!  He also provides the group with much original material.  Mike Elliott generates much enthusiasm with his explosive lead guitar breaks. On the bass is  Larry Collins, who plays with much pathos with every movement and motion. Leisa Hinkle's instrument is her voice!  She can be a song's best friend. She provides lead vocals and group harmonies along with Cathy, Michelle, and Larry.

Venues:

The group has played at various venues in and around southwestern Ohio. Berachah Valley routinely plays theme festivals, fairs, radio programs, regional TV programs, regional events, private parties, reunions and churches. Berachah Valley has been given the opportunity to perform with the entertainers such as Blue Highway, Paul Williams and The Victory Trio, Rhonda Vincent, Daily and Vincent, The Moron Brothers, Continental Divide, Pine Mountain Railroad, Don Rigsby and The Lost and Found.

 

The following is a list of festivals/events that Berachah Valley has had the opportunity to perform:
          2010 Schedule: Partial listing......
           The Wheeling Jamboree, Wheeling, West Virginia
           The Osborne Brothers Festival, Hyden, Kentucky
           The Renfro Valley Bluegrass Festival, Renfro Valley, Kentucky
           The Old Mill Bluegrass Festival, West Liberty, Kentucky
           The Mountain Music Jamboree, Maggie Valley, North Carolina
           The 32nd Annual Old Time Music Festival, Waynesville, Ohio
           Pickin' On CF Bluegrass Festival, Milan, Michigan
           The 3rd Annual Bluegrass Festival, Fairplay, Maryland
           Indiana Jamboree, Bedford, Indiana
           The Famous Old Time Music Company, Wapakoneta, Ohio
          
           ........and many, many more.

  • Salt River Bluegrass Festival-Midland, Michigan
  • Old Mill Bluegrass Festival-West Liberty, Kentucky
  • Morgan County Sorghum Festival-West Liberty, Kentucky
  • Lebanon Opry House-Lebanon, Ohio
  • Covington Bluegrass Festival-Covington, Ohio
  • Harvest Time Restaurant-Connersville, Indiana
  • Gospel Festival-Gratis, Ohio
  • Pickin' In The Holler Festival-Middletown, Ohio
  • Middletown Arts Festival-Middletown, Ohio
  • Appalachian Mountain Festival-Waynesville Chamber of Commerce-Waynesville, Ohio
  • Ole Tyme Music Festival-Caesar's Creek State Park, Pioneer Village- Harveysburg, Ohio
  • Fairborn Policeman Benefit with DJ Joe Mullins, WBZI-Fairborn, Ohio
  • Public Access CATV Channel 23 Gospel Hour
  • Public TV Program- Betty's Bluegrass-New Carlisle, Ohio
  • Hicey Park Autumn Festival-Harveysburg, Ohio
  • Eastwood Park Music Festival-Dayton, Ohio
  • Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Bluegrass Association Fish Fry -Dayton, Ohio
  • Public TV Program-Gospel Thru Music-New Carlisle, Ohio
  • Mansfield Bluegrass Festival-Mansfield, Ohio
  • Harvest Ranch Music Event
  • Victoria's Country Inn
  • The Stagecoach Inn
  • Hunter Pizzeria
  • Pennyroyal Pizza
  • The Manchester Inn
  • 1110 AM WGNZ is the radio station we played on countless times.
  • An Evening of Bluegrass/Gospel Music Concert-Coming Together Center-Dayton, Ohio
  • July 4th Celebration-Middletown, Ohio
  • Summer of Sounds Concert Series- "The Best of Bluegrass"- Middletown, Ohio
  • Rose Chapel Outdoor Singing-Dayton, Ohio
  • The Caesar's Creek Beach Appalachian Music Festival-Waynesville, Ohio
  • Sons of God Jam-Drexel, Ohio
  • Perry's Monument-Bass Island, Put-In-Bay, Ohio
  • Main Street Gospel Singing- Miamisburg, Ohio
  • Lion's Club-Lynn, Indiana
  • Masonic Lodge-Franklin, Ohio
  • Clark Home Place-South Lebanon, Ohio
  • Kilburn's Lodge-Lebanon, Ohio
  • TV Middletown-Middletown, Ohio
  • Various churches, too many to list

The band has also taken a little time to record a couple of compact discs filled with their trademark  harmonies. These recordings include their most requested songs as well as band member favorites. These CD's are available by direct contact with the band or at our live appearances. See the contact information below.

Reviews:

The following are comments made by promoters/event organizers:

Berachah Valley has had the distinct pleasure of being invited to play the Main Street Arts and Music Festival for three consecutive years. Here is what their website had to say in review:

"Their bluegrass styling have drawn comparisons to such industry icons as The Whites and The Carter Family but make no mistake about it they are in a class of their own. This group of excellent musicians is fronted by three very talented female singers. Check'em out on the Road Apple Old Time Music Stage." -http://www.alphadawgrecords.com/MAMF/music.html

"Thank you for coming last night to The CTC. You did a fantastic job and everyone enjoyed it. " --Steve Cate-CTC promoter

"Berachah Valley-thank you for the blessing you gave us this year. We are looking forward to next year." --Marvin and Mabel Collins-Business Owners/Festival Organizers

"We are glad to have Berachah Valley this morning. Their name means "blessing." They are a blessing to us. --Pastor Mark Combs-Calvary Church, Kettering, Ohio

"There will be a press release in the Middletown Journal 'GO' section Friday this week about the artists. I submitted your picture as one to be included in the article. TV Middletown will also be filming that day. Thank you. See you at the show." --Robert Hoffman-Festival Organizer

"Berachah Valley-thank you for the outstanding and well received performance. There were many positive comments. Keep up with the good work." --Jim Porter, Eastview Baptist Church

"Thank you so much for sharing your music with folks at AMMF and for being flexible in your performance time." --John and Gwen Noftsger-Appalachian Music Event Organizers

Contact:

We can be reached on the web at http://www.berachahvalley.com, as well as on MySpace.com. The MySpace URL is http://www.myspace.com/berachahvalley

For more information on booking, performance fees and recordings contact: Willis & Cathy Baker [cyob@aol.com]  or phone 937-477-6550 or 937-746-7902.   

(C) 2008 Berachah Valley

Copyright © Berachah Valley 2010