Info

Following time living in the western US and eastern Europe, Burlington, Vermont musician Colby Crehan has returned to the stage with Marsh Lights.  The former vocalist and songwriter for the Bluegrass Gospel Project and PossumHaw reunites with PossumHaw bandmates for the new 5-piece acoustic project.

“What we create is so different from when we started back in 2004, the time finally came to acknowledge that with a new name,” says Colby. “Marsh Lights frees us to try new things and venture into new stylistic territory.”

Marsh Lights’ new songs explore bravery, darkness, spirituality, and grace with lyrics that often employ metaphoric places and female heroes and perspectives. And Marsh Lights pulls from the old songbook of PossumHaw, particularly the songs found on their last recording, the live 2017 album Limberpine

“While I don’t write autobiographical songs,” says Colby, “I can always relate to the characters and stories in the songs in a deeply personal way.  I hope our listeners will feel the same connection.”

In addition to Colby’s lyrical pieces, the band also plays instrumentals written by banjoist Ryan Crehan and mandolinist Stephen Waud.  “The instrumentals are high-energy, expressive and a lot of fun.  They provide a great contrast and really set the stage on fire” says Colby. 

Marsh Lights plays acoustic folk-grass music with a hyper-literate edge and beautiful execution. Colby and her band-mates have received accolades, including Vermont Vocalist of the Year and Vermont Song of the Year (Tammie Awards, Barre-Montpelier Times-Argus). Stunning past performances by the Bluegrass Gospel Project and PossumHaw have included appearances at premier venues such as Flynn Mainstage and Higher Ground, and have reached thousands of audience members around the Northeast. The group’s strong rapport built over years of performing together makes for a band that can go light and heavy, solemn and joyful, fast and slow.

Colby is joined by her husband, Ryan Crehan, who provides warm harmony vocals and banjo playing that is sometimes plaintive and other times hard-driving. Ryan also draws the audience in as front man for the group.

Also on the stage is Charley Eiseman, long-time friend and musical collaborator. Charley’s equally warm vocals join Colby and Ryan’s for hauntingly sweet three-part harmonies. Charley plays lead acoustic guitar with nuanced blues and jazz inflections.

Stephen Waud brings amazing mandolin chops to the stage, equally equipped to fire up the crowd or mine tender turns of musical phrase. Stephen previously performed with the Modern Grass Quintet.

Mitch Barron, a long-time essential presence in the Vermont folk music scene, brings his skilled upright bass playing to the stage, along with deep, rich vocal backup.

Shows

2025 Performances

Seven Stars Arts Center, Sharon, VT, Saturday, March 8, 2025

Whallonsburg Grange, Whallonsburg, NY, Saturday, April 12, 2025

Prior Performances

Whallonsburg Grange, Whallonsburg, NY, 2023

Old Fire House, Tinmouth, VT, 2023

Vergennes Opera House, Vergennes, VT, 2023

Westford Music Series, Westford, VT, 2023

Burnham Hall, Lincoln, VT, 2024

Saturday Night Coffee House Concert Series, Unitarian Universalist Church of Rutland, VT, 2024

Schroon Lake Live!, Schroon Lake, NY, 2024

Francestown Old Meeting House, Francestown, NH, 2024

Island Arts Concert Series, N. Hero, VT, 2024

Valley Stage Productions, Richmond Congregational Church, VT, 2024

Contact

To inquire about bookings, contact marshlightsmusic@gmail.com

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Music

The new album from Marsh Lights, Cover the Water, is available now.

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Previous recordings from members of Marsh Lights:

*Free shipping on all orders in the US*

Limberpine, 2017
Waiting and Watching, 2014
Fortune’s Name, 2011
Madtom, 2007

Marsh Lights

Recorded live in April 2024 at the Stetson Studio in Colchester, Vermont, the album features the newest songwriting by lead vocalist Colby Crehan brought to life by the dynamic quintet.


“the combination of talent, passion, and songwriting in the band is breathtaking.”

-Mary-Nell Bockman, Manager, Whallonsburg Grange


Copyright Samuel James

Our new album cover artwork was provided by Samuel James, who produces amazing time-lapse photos of fireflies. Check out more at samueljamesstudio.com