Music of the Mountains: Where to be and what to see -- Steve Balgooyen of MMB3/MVB3 Organ Trio

Send us Fan MailThere’s a new group in the Peak to Peak area that emphasizes their use of the organ, and they play in various lineups. Primarily, the group is called the MMB3 Organ Trio, and it consists of Ryan McCurry playing the Hammond organ, John Massone playing the guitar, Stephen “Steve” Balgooyen playing the drums, and all three of them providing vocals. Occasionally, when McCurry can’t make a gig, the trio bills themselves as MVB3, bringing in Todd VanSelus on electric bass and Massone playing organ as well as guitar. Sometimes, though, the stars align and all four can play together in a quartet!In particular, Balgooyen has been interested in starting an organ trio for many years. He’s played in many other groups over the years, including the local group Trickster Carousel, and his desire to start an organ trio was shared by Massone, who independently posted a Craiglist ad hoping to start one. Balgooyen responded to the ad and told Massone he knew a few organ players who could join. VanSelus then called to ask Balgooyen to fill in for the usual drummer for his band, The Atom Collective, at St. Julien’s. There, Balgooyen met McCurry, a frequent keyboard sub for the band who subbed that night, and asked him if he was interested in playing organ in a trio. McCurry enthusiastically accepted, and MMB3 cemented its primary lineup.Our theme song is courtesy of singer-songwriter Brittney Wagner. Stream her record Better off Dead here. Support the showThank you for listening to The Mountain-Ear Podcast, featuring news and culture from peak to peak! Additional pages are linked below.If you want to be involved in the podcast or paper, contact:Barbara Hardt, our editor-in-chief, at [email protected] Hickman, multimedia producer, at [email protected] Lammers, podcast host, at [email protected] inquiries: [email protected] to our website for all of the latest news. Subscribe to The Mountain-Ear in print and online.Submit local events to promote them in the paper and on our website.Find us on Facebook @mtnear and Instagram @mtn.earListen and watch on YouTube today.Share this podcast by scrolling to the bottom of our website home page or by heading to our main hub on Buzzsprout.Thank you for listening!