Ole Yeller Dog Acoustic Trio
Three musicians, vocalists, and songwriters playing a variety of music in a folk/jam style.
Some folks have an idea what they would name their future child, boat, or business. A musician like Michael Lagasse knew he wanted to name a band after one of his favorite traditional songs, "Ole Yeller Dog Came Trottin through the Meetinghouse."
Not just any new band can live up to the name. The right band is be comprised of acoustic performers who feel as comfortable playing a fast reel in G from the 1860s, as they do performing one of Jimmy Buffett's iconic songs in a folky acoustic way. It needs to be a relatively small band, with singers who can harmonize, and instrumentalists who can keep up with Lagassee, known for his guitar picking, mandolin playing, and fiddling. Finally, this ideal group of musicians has to be convivial, humble, and delight in jamming with the group or any passing musician invited on stage.
In 2025, Lagasse finally formed the acoustic trio Ole Yeller Dog with guitarist and vocalist Kevin "Kilo" Buonagurio and bass player and vocalist Chris Clark. Since then, they've performed at Stetson Kennedy's in Beluthahatchee Park and at PK Kitchen in downtown St. Augustine. Their talents are as boundless as their schedules are challenging: all perform with other bands (sometimes the same other band), and all actively promote and show up for still other bands, performers, and festivals.
The band plays old songs in new ways and newer songs in older styles, peppered with original music. All three are songwriters. They frequently turn their gigs into jams when other well-known or up-and-coming local musicians show up.
