Cheap Shots is an energetic six-person acoustic band that draws upon an eclectic mix of Old Time, Celtic, Contra Dance, Folk, Country, Old Blues, Bluegrass, Swing, and Klezmer. Intertwining instrumental and vocal music (including original songs), the band features hammer dulcimer, fiddle, guitar, mandolin, banjo, bass, and the occasional Bodh ran (Irish drum). Cheap Shots won the Old Time Band contest at the 2006 Santa Fe Bluegrass Festival.

“Cheap Shots” has been together since 2004.

For contra dances, the band enjoys playing New England and Southern style contra music.

The six band members include:

Pat Aruffo on fiddle
John Brinduse on keyboard, some guitar, and percussion
Bill Balassi on guitar and mandolin
Peter Esherick on hammered dulcimer and mandolin and banjo
Erika Gerety on bass, mandolin, and vocals
Dave Para on guitar, banjo, gourd banjo, vocals, leaf, artificial teeth and anything else he finds at the flea market

Contact information for Cheap Shots: contact Erika in Albuquerque (505) 294-6909 or email

Check out their website or Facebook page

Cheap Shots has played at the following venues: Tucson Folk Festival, Santa Fe Old Time and Bluegrass festival, Albuquerque Folk Festival, Durango Contra Dance, Balloon Museum, The Albuquerque Airport Old Town plaza, Shade Tree Cafe, Old Town Pizza, Hidden Valley Association, Maxwell Museum, UNM Faculty Club, Socorro Dance Camp Festival, The Celtic Festival, The Chocolate and Coffee fest, Celtic Christmas fest, The Irish American Club, FolkMads Dances in Santa Fe and Albuquerque, Las Cruces Contra Contra Dance, Piano Source, Weems, Bacon Fest, Herb Fest, Wildlife West Fest, Front Porch Radio, Explora, Arts and Medicine, private weddings and parties and more…