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First formed in the stairwells and kitchens of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, The Steep Canyon Rangers have built a reputation as a powerful, engaging quintet seasoned by constant touring. As the current International Bluegrass Music Association’s ‘Emerging Artist of the Year’, they have carved out a special spot in the world of bluegrass music creating a sound that looks forward and backwards at the same time. On stage and in the studio, Woody Platt, Mike Guggino, Charles Humphrey, Nicky Sanders, and Graham Sharp have perfected their ensemble using fierce dynamics and seamless harmonies. The Rangers base their sound around a stunning catalogue of original songs, drawing on the sounds of early bluegrass, honky tonk and blues.
‘It’s pretty impressive when three girls aged 20, 17 and 15 just blow the doors off the place and easily assert themselves as the premier act of the day’ but this is exactly how a recent performance from The Lovell Sisters was reviewed back in May 2007. The Lovell Sisters feature the tight harmonies of Jessica, Megan and Rebecca Lovell and their innovative fusion of country, folk, and contemporary acoustic music. Based in Calhoun, Georgia, they bring youthful vigour to their live performances that in 2006 saw them make nearly 100 appearances in over 21 states! Their fiery instrumentals and energetic songs are showcased on their debut album, ‘When Forever Rolls Around’, a project engineered in Nashville by co-producer, Brent Truitt, who has played mandolin with the Dixie Chicks, Dolly Parton, and Alison Krauss. According to Larry Mullen in Bluegrass Now the band could be playing any form of music with their talents so bluegrass is fortunate to have them under its tent.
The Malpass Brothers blend their own brand of vintage country and gospel music with comic banter. They have shared the microphone with greats such as Hal Ketchum, Willie Nelson and Doc Watson. From Goldsboro, North Carolina, Christopher Malpass supplies the amazing harmony vocals while brother Taylor Malpass provides novel musicianship for the group! He sports a Gibson mandolin on most of the group songs, but also thrills the audience with electric guitar licks. The young men are supported by their father Chris Malpass on the upright bass.
Red Wine is one of Europe’s premier bluegrass bands appearing at some of the major international festivals in Italy, France, Switzerland, Austria, Holland and Germany. Their style has elements of both traditional and contemporary acoustic music with a sound and approach that embraces traditional bluegrass, swing, gospel and country. Martino Coppo (mandolin & guitar) and Silvio Ferretti (vocals, banjo, dobro, guitar) have been touring in both Europe and the USA for many years as well as appearing on Italy's national TV. Supporting the band's rhythm is Luca Bartolini with his hard-driving guitar and Stefano Cavallo playing acoustic bass.
The classic bluegrass band Sunny Side is undoubtedly one of the best you can see and hear within Europe. In the relatively short time since its existence the band has sprung up to the forefront of the Czech bluegrass scene. Making a welcomed return to the festival, the band includes an excellent guitar player and high positioned singer, Pavel Handlík; banjo player, Petr Vosta; Radim Duda on mandolin and Mirek Prokop with rhythmic acoustic bass. Their repertoire contains traditional and well-known songs but mainly it’s their true classic sound that ensures a really great stage show.
The Jeff and Vida Band from New Orleans perform original material spanning from Appalachian bluegrass to alternative country. Their live performances showcase Vida’s powerful voice, Jeff’s superb picking on mandolin, guitar and banjo, Mike Kerwin’s slap-you-in-the-face bass playing and tight well-arranged harmonies. With ballads that sound like they could have been written fifty years ago and raucous barnstorming numbers that keep your feet tappin, their live shows are exciting and unique, full of humour, good music and unforgettable songs.
Bluegrass Experience has been a vital force in the US bluegrass scene for over 30 years. Since being named the World’s Champion Bluegrass Band in 1972, the group has performed professionally throughout the eastern half of the United States appearing at many major festivals and recording 3 albums. The band members have worked or recorded with some of the greats of the genre including Bill Monroe, Chubby Wise, Bobby Hicks, Jimmy Mills, Roland White, Wilma Lee Cooper, Gene Wooten and many others.
The Toy Hearts are a six-piece traditional and contemporary bluegrass band from Birmingham, England. Formed in 2001, they have created and honed their own distinctive bluegrass sound, close vocal harmonies and virtuoso instrumental drive. Their original material draws on influences from western swing, jazz and country. They have built up an enviable reputation and loyal following by consistently delivering exciting and energetic performances of their own brand of bluegrass.
Danny Carter’s hard driving blues-rock stylings coupled with brother Tim’s acoustic-folk-bluegrass style ensures that this is not just another bluegrass band from North Carolina. The brothers teamed up to pursue their musical journey together as an acoustic duo after college. They began playing the ski resorts and various venues in the mountains of North Carolina. Soon the urge to experiment and create led them towards a more folk/rock/bluegrass direction by adding drums and bass to their ever developing sound. About this time Tim began learning and playing the mandolin and harmonica. The electric/acoustic, folk/rock/bluegrass/blues sound of the Brothers was born!
The Boxcar Preachers are five guys from Austin, Texas whose traditional arrangements and watertight harmonies are putting new legs on the darker side of old-time/string band music. Indeed their music and their stage persona, would have fitted perfectly into the movie, “Oh Brother, Where art Thou?”. The dubious heroes in that story are escaped prisoners who start making music and somehow transform into a recording sensation. Fortunately, it’s only the ancestors of the Boxcar Preachers who were criminals. And if this local string band hasn’t yet become a recording sensation, give them time; their second CD has just hit the streets. It’s raw, it’s vital and comes straight from the heart.
Carmel & The Ravens are soaring to new heights on the international scene with their breathtaking, contemporary sound. Hailing from Westmeath, the band features Carmel on lead vocals whose flair for delivering stirring, original material is backed by immaculate harmony singing and precise, steady musicianship. As the Number 1 European Bluegrass Band 2005-2006, voted by the European Bluegrass Music Association (EBMA), they represented Europe in Nashville where they were selected by the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) to perform their original music at the World of Bluegrass Business Conference. The members write their own material and collaborate with top American and Irish bluegrass songwriters including Tim O'Brien, Charlie McGettigan and Kevin Sheerin.
Playing traditional and contemporary bluegrass as well as acoustic country music, Woodbine are a four piece band from Athy, CountyKildare. Comprising Liam Wright on guitar, dobro and bass fiddle, Nicola O’Brien on double bass, Tony O’Brien on rhythm guitar and Paddy Chanders on mandolin, guitar and bass fiddle, all four members provide superb vocal harmonies with material arranged to suit the band’s line-up.Woodbine have played at all the Irish bluegrass and folk festivals over the past few years and released their first album in June 2004.
The Rough Deal String Band play music inspired by many sources, tunes gleaned from the old and the new. Everything they play comes from a passion for and love of old-time music. Bill Whelan plays five string banjo in the band. For more years than he cares to remember, Bill played upright bass with various bluegrass and Irish traditional music bands. Now he sticks to playing banjo in his own unique style. Tim Rogers plays fiddle and adds vocals to the group. Originally from New England, Tim also plays mandolin, banjo and harmonica. Ben Keogh features on guitar and vocals. Equally at home singing cowboy 'prairie' songs or dark Appalachian mountain ballads, Ben has an enviable talent for effortlessly singing the most complex vocal harmonies.
The Knotty Pine String Band continue to bring their eclectic mix of music to a wide bluegrass audience with their mixture of traditional and contemporary material. In 1994, when the newly formed Knotty Pine String Band first appeared at the Bluegrass Festival in the Ulster American Folk Park, nobody knew just what the future held in store for the band. Over the next 13 years the band went on to appear at all the major festivals in both Ireland and the UK and were the first Irish band to appear at the European World of Bluegrass Festival in The Netherlands. Knotty Pine is still a major force in the bluegrass scene both at home and abroad. In 2007 the band continues to entertain and captivate their audience in the same engaging way that first awarded them recognition.
The Broken String Band play traditional, raw acoustic Appalachian mountain music at its foot tappin’ best. This dynamic band features Geordie McAdam who has teamed up with his old friend Michael Ash. Both are former members of The Black Mountain String Band. They play old-time music with real passion and enthusiasm. Along with Geordie and Michael are the Muirhead brothers, Ivan and Adrian. Two exceptional musicians with a long tradition of music in the family, this pair add the bluegrass sound and drive to the band. With bass player Big Walty, these guys have real talent and gel together with ease. Fun is their number one priority!
Northern Exposure from Armagh comprise of two brothers Pete and Patsy Toman and Pete’s son, Jonathan. They have taken part in most of the bluegrass festivals in Ireland. Patsy’s role in the band is lead singer and guitarist, while Pete sings and plays double bass. Jonathan is the mainstay in the band with his exhilarating banjo playing and guitar picking. Jonathan was involved in a banjo album called 'Banjo Influence', a CD featuring a number of players from all over the world.
Jack Bernhardt is a Professor at Wake Community College, Raleigh, North Carolina. A professor of anthropology, Jack will once again enthral our visitors with his informative and entertaining insight into the musical traditions of American folk music. In January 1980, he moved to Chapel Hill, North Carolina and developed a strong interest in country music and playing guitar. He began making trips to Galax, Virginia, and Mount Airy, North Carolina interviewing musicians and recording musical performances. In 1987, he was hired by the Raleigh News and Observer as their correspondent covering country and traditional music.
According to Spectator magazine "Shady Grove's Charles Pettee plays bluegrass with a fire and intensity you find only in true believers.” From Asheville, North Carolina, Charles has over 25 years touring experience with professional bluegrass group The Shady Grove Band. His distinctive mandolin style, voice, and original compositions are an essential part of the group's appeal. He has hosted workshops on both guitar and mandolin technique at some of the most prestigious music festivals in the US and Europe including MerleFest in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. His educational programs are in high demand for their ability to both engage and entertain a wide span of generations and cultural backgrounds. Either solo, or with The Shady Grove Band, he has performed almost four thousand shows in his years as a professional musician.
As a performer, promoter and student of Southern traditional music for over 45 years John Currie possesses a wealth of knowledge about ‘old-time’ music. A member of The Sons of Dixie, John’s primary instruments are the fiddle & 5-string banjo however John can also play the guitar, mandolin, bass & dobro. Former columnist for The Old-Time Herald, the international magazine devoted to old-time music, John is also the host of radio program Back Porch Bluegrass on WOPY-AM in Jacksonville and was a music researcher/advisor for the film Songcatcher (2000).
