Ron Noyes band, featuring Center Harbor guitarist, cuts fourth album

CENTER HARBOR — The Ron Noyes Band, based in Concord, has been around since 2002 and has evolved from a jam band into a bluesy roots-rock outfit known for thoughtful lyrics, tight arrangements and instrumentation that is equally effective whether its sensitive or searing.

2010 has seen a few milestones for the band. A poll by readers of the Hippo lifestyle newspaper named the band as the best in New Hampshire and late last month the group released its fourth album, "Dust Bowl Diary" on Roundcat Records. The CD is the first recording for the band that features their current guitarist Jarrod Taylor, who lives and grew up in Center Harbor and teaches local budding guitarists at Greenlaw's Music in Laconia and out of a private studio in Winnisquam.

The album also carries some nationally-recognized star power. When Blues Traveler was touring through the area in 2004, frontman and harmonica player John Popper picked up a copy of a previous Roy Noyes Band album and was so impressed that he sought the members out and offered to play on a future recording. Popper's inimitable harmonica playing is heard on "Last to Know," the fifth of 11 tracks on "Dust Bowl Diary."

Taylor, who graduated from Inter-Lakes High School in 1998, joined the Ron Noyes Band two years ago after he answered an ad on Craigslist. At that point in his life, he had already dedicated himself to his love of music and had recently graduated Suma Cum Laude from the Berklee College of Music, where he was a "Pro Music" major.

Taylor grew up around music, something which runs in his family. Nearly all members of his immediate family, going back to his harp and piano playing great-grandmother, are handy with instruments.

"It's a lot of fun," he said about being in the Ron Noyes Band. The band mates get along well, he said, and all but one of them makes a living with their art, whether it's performing live or teaching. As "Dust Bowl Diary" is the first recording Taylor's been a part of he said working with the band has also been a learning experience.

Recording a professional-quality album was a first for Taylor. "It's so different than playing live," he said, but added that he's pleased with the results. And he's not the only one.

Their album release party, held at the Tupelo Music Hall in Londonderry, was over-sold, with audience members taking up every available square inch of floor space. It's been selling well, too, and about half of the initial production run of 1,000 physical copies have already been sold — not bad for a local band on a local, independent label. More copies have been sold electronically.

Now that the work of producing the album is complete, the band is gearing up for its touring cycle. The band plays in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maine and Vermont. Their next gig will be at Penuche's Ale House in Concord on Saturday night.

"Dust Bowl Diary" is available, either a physical or electronic copy, from CDBaby.com, iTunes, or at Amazon.com. The album can be purchased locally at Greenlaw's and at select other retailers throughout the state.

Will the album propel the Ron Noyes Band to a status of fame and stardom? It may or may not, but in either case it will allow them to continue doing what they love.

"My whole life, I've always loved music. It was always there, always something I've liked. I'd rather do what I like," said Taylor.

CAPTION for RON NOYES BAND in AA:

The Concord-based Ron Noyes Band is enjoying a banner year, thanks in part to the addition of guitarist Jarrod Taylor (second from left), who lives and grew up in Center Harbor and teaches guitar locally. (Courtesy photo)