ABOUT THE BAND
The seed that eventually became American-roots band, Payne’s Grey Sky, was planted in the summer of 2007 by high school friends Rich Dymond (bass, guitar) and Jimi Scheffel (vocals, guitar) with Dave Sahloff (drums, percussion) joining the band soon after. In 2021, the band was fortunate to recruit Arnold Richter (keyboard, accordion) and added Betsy Scheffel (backing vocals, harmonies) full time in 2023. Payne’s Grey Sky’s influences are many – From classics like Dylan, The Band, and The Rolling Stones to contemporary acts like The Lumineers, Dawes, and The Avett Brothers. Over the years, Payne’s Grey Sky has lovingly donated their time for local annual fundraising events, including YWCA’s Tunes for Tots, The Rosemary D. Gruner Memorial Bike for Cancer Care, and The Delisio Memorial Golf Tournament benefitting the Special Olympics. Payne’s Grey Sky has played at a number of local venues throughout the Hudson Valley and released their debut CD in June 2015. Since then, Jimi has continued to write new songs that the band performs during their live shows. We have released a single, Wishing For, in 2022 and are putting the finishing touches on our latest single, Shade of Grey. Be on the lookout in late 2024 for its release. Check out the compilation videos below to hear some originals and covers the band performs.
Payne’s Grey Sky Originals
Cover Songs Performed by PGS
MUSIC
About These Recordings
Our debut self titled CD was recorded over the course of a year starting in July 2014. Final mixing and mastering were completed in May 2015. All songs were recorded by Dave Cook at Area 52 Studio in Saugerties, NY. We were fortunate to have many guest musicians join us in the studio to contribute their talents to our first album. Click the album artwork to listen to the CD or download our songs for free!
Professor Louie ~ piano, organ, accordian
Connor Kennedy ~ Electric guitar
Henry “Hawk” Hermann ~ violin
Will Bryant ~ piano
Terry McCann ~ mandolin, vocals
Gabriel Dresdale ~ cello
Tim Reid ~ Electric guitar
Casey Erdmann ~ vocals
Jim Rauter ~ mandolin
Chris Tedesco ~ violin
Wishing For, released as a single in 2022, was recorded by fellow band member, Arnold Richter. The band ventured up to Purling, NY, to visit Arnold’s home studio in January of 2022. While no guest musicians joined the band for this recording, we did add Betsy Scheffel to sing backing vocals and she now performs regularly with the band. Click the album artwork to listen to / download Wishing For!
Shades of Grey, the band’s latest single, was released in January, 2025. Initial recording took place at the same time Wishing For was recorded back in 2022 at Arnold’s home studio. After sitting on the song for a couple years, we finally dusted it off and finished it. Once backing vocals were added, Jimi decided to spice it up with some tasteful, electric guitar licks. Click the album artwork to listen to / download Shades of Grey!
UPCOMING SHOWS
LISTEN TO PGS
