BOUNTIFUL—What started out as a group of friends and neighbors playing bluegrass music together has developed into a fun, upbeat group called Bridging Betty. The band won first place at Bountiful’s Got Talent and their popularity has continued to grow. 

“During COVID we did videos on YouTube,” said Bryan Beach, leader of the band. “We broke out after COVID. The band started loosely in 2020, but we got more serious a couple of years ago.”

 Beach got his start in music when he was young. “I played in a lot of bands,” he said. “My family wasn’t really artistic but at 17 I begged my parents to buy me a guitar. I’m self taught and was passionate about music at a young age.”

In college Beach played in a rock band. “I got older and realized I didn’t want to stay up all night in bars,” he said. “I played piano in a Jazz trio at a lot of weddings. That was more lucrative than the rock band.”

Beach said in his late 30s or so he started playing bluegrass. “I like the wide range of music. It’s all fun and good – I’ve always been into it. My wife plays the guitar and has a good voice. She plays the mandolin in the band and sings.”

The people in his neighborhood got together to form the band, he said. “One played the guitar and I started on the banjo, my wife played the mandolin, my brother-in-law played the upright bass. There were four of us then a lady in the neighborhood who played the violin started playing the country fiddle. My buddy plays the accordion so sometimes we have him and a drummer.”

None of them grew up playing that type of music, said Beach. “I realize bluegrass isn’t for everybody but they can appreciate it. It’s for all ages and a family friendly crowd at the festivals.”

Beach said his six kids are pretty musical. “They started playing bluegrass but thought it was lame and moved on.”

Bridging Betty is made up of Bryan Beach banjo/lead singer; Pamela Beach mandolin, singer; Van Hoover upright bass; Natalie Flores fiddle; Jared Steenblik guitar; Adam Groves drums and Taylor Wagner piano/accordion. 

“The name came from my wife’s elementary school teacher,” Beach said. “Her name was Betty Bridgforth. She used to sing and dance and was really animated in class with old-time music. We used some of those songs so we named it after her. People have come up at a concert and said, ‘I had her as a teacher too.’”

Bridging Betty will play at the Bountiful Farmers Market Aug. 8 from 6 – 8 p.m. They also have a concert at Cherry Hill Aug. 23 from 8:30 – 10 p.m. as part of the Concerts on the Hill series. For more information about the band and for upcoming events visit them on Instagram @bridgingbetty.