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Travers Chandler & Avery County

Avery County came together after two long-time bluegrass sidemen decided that after many years it was time to play the music they wanted. With numerous IBMA awards on their mantles after stints with The James King Band, Danny Paisley and The Southern Grass, The Country Gentlemen and numerous others, the band has come together to bring back the sounds of traditional, edge-of-your-seat, bluegrass that was spread from country to city during the 1950s & ‘60s.

Forget the clichés… this is the music that moved with hard-luck Southerners from the hills and hollers of the South to the dirty cities of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast in the middle of the last century when work in the fields and mines was harder to come by than the factories further north. Once rural Southern folk then found themselves crowded in a smoky barroom to hear the familiar sounds they once loved to hear on their families’ Carolina porches. This is the music of Travers Chandler and Avery County...and what we like to call "Baltimore Barroom Bluegrass".

Putting on a show that is as authentic as it is entertaining, the band can go from family bluegrass festival to college night club with an ease that only seasoned professionals can master. The new record, titled State of Depression, features more obscure, hard-core material from the likes of Charlie Moore, the Easter Brothers, Charlie Monroe, Ted Lundy and Bob Paisley as well as a pair of tunes from the deep catalogue of hardcore country honky tonkers Vernon Oxford and Hank Williams, Jr. These pickers are proud to say that this is your grandfather’s bluegrass.

http://www.averycountyband.com/fr_home.cfm

Foggy Hogtown Boys

For a while, The Foggy Hogtown Boys may have been a well kept secret, but apparently there have been some leaks. Over the last five years, an ever-widening audience has been raving about the band! With four critically acclaimed CDs and tours from coast to coast, the Toronto-based Foggy Hogtown Boys have established themselves as one of the most exciting bluegrass bands in the country.

The FHB are- Andrew Collins on mandolin, Chris Coole on guitar, Max Heineman on bass, Chris Quinn on banjo and John Showman on fiddle. From the band’s inception, it was apparent that this particular group of musicians had a special chemistry that translated into some very powerful and entertaining music. This is not just five hot pickers in the same place, playing the same tune at the same time. The Foggy Hogtown Boys are a band with a unique sound that is the sum of its members’ personalities and musicianship. Although instrumentally the band has the power to dazzle any audience, the song is always given top priority. This commitment is evident in the care taken to arrange each song in a way that allows the story and feeling of the lyrics to surface and not be overshadowed by pyrotechnics.

Although, the group draws a great deal of inspiration and material from the "golden age" of bluegrass and country music, solid original songs written by members in the band blend well among the old chestnuts. In 2005 they released "Northern White Clouds" - a 100 Canadian content bluegrass album that features some excellent writing from all the members of the band. In 2007 - Pigtown Fling - a collection of original bluegrass and old-time instrumentals.Their latest album The Golden West (2008) is a mix of original and traditional bluegrass music with elements of old-time music and honky-tonk thrown in.

Seeing is believing. The live show is the thing with the Foggy Hogtown Boys. The band always delivers a highly entertaining and diverse show - ballads, breakdowns, gospel quartets and lots of laughs!

http://foggyhogtownboys.com/foggy/index.html

Hillbenders

Undeniably the hottest young band on the acoustic scene, The HillBenders have been winning over audiences from coast to coast with their unique style, original compositions and relentless drive. These buzz-worthy bluegrass whiz-kids are quickly rising above many of their peers and gaining international recognition for their aggressive combination of contemporary influences with traditional inspiration and instrumentation, as well as their infectiously energetic stage performances.

Claiming the championship title at the 2009 Telluride Bluegrass Band Competition helped put The HillBenders on the map, and their recent victory at the 2010 National Single Microphone Championships prove that they continue to be a force to be reckoned with. One look at their 2010 tour schedule confirms that The HillBenders have become a must-see act with appearances at some of the country’s premiere music events such as the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Fan Fest, Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival, Walnut Valley Festival, Mullberry Mountain Harvest Festival, Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Silver Dollar City’s Bluegrass and Bar-B-Q festival and many more.

The HillBenders released their debut album Down To My Last Dollar in spring 2010. Produced by Jeremy Chapman and featuring Jeremy Garrett of the Infamous Stringdusters on fiddle, this highly anticipated release is the first full-length effort from the group. With 11 of the 13 tracks on the album being original compositions, The HillBenders are giving listeners a truly unique experience far from the typical bluegrass fare.

Formed in the spring of 2008, the band’s members hail from distant corners of the U.S. but now base themselves in Springfield, MO. Rooted in the traditions of bluegrass, The HillBenders push the boundaries of the genre by combining influences from country, rock, blues, jazz and Americana into their sound to produce something entirely new. Some say it’s newgrass, some say it’s bluegrass, some say it’s neither, but everyone says that whatever it is, it’s incredible!

http://www.hillbenders.com/

Lonesome Traveler

Lonesome Traveler, Colorado’s distinctive Americana sextet, are bringing their music to audiences across the country with a remarkable veracity to match their diligence and talent. In five short years they’ve gone from being the toast of small jams and casual pickin’ parties to solid, sought-after performers at bluegrass, folk and country venues everywhere.

The Traveler’s third album, Looking for a Way — produced by Grammy winner Gene Libbea — is proof positive that they’re on the right path with original songs that augment traditional folk and bluegrass instrumentation with contemporary themes and heartfelt lyrics that leave audiences radiant.

Lonesome Traveler’s three lead singers trade off with virtuosic precision on tales of restless wandering, confusion and heartbreak, while band members swoop and swirl around the central microphones. Their vibrant and affable personalities are readily apparent in lively, family-friendly stage banter, complementing the spirited musical program.

The Travelers crisscross the nation in a veggie-oil van, appearing like a modern medicine show extolling the twin virtues of exceptional, honest music and lower-impact touring. Make no mistake: this multiple award-winning troupe is no dog and pony show; their talent and professionalism are just as great as their performances. Their often plaintive yet dynamic repertoire of original songs and much-loved standards demonstrates that these Travelers are the real deal.

http://www.lonesometravelerband.com/

http://www.penn.com/~juliay/bullindex.html

http://www.joshsloneandcoaltown.net/

Echo Valley has been pleasing bluegrass fans throughout the midwest for over 20 years. Originally formed in 1983, this band is well versed in traditional bluegrass and gospel music and has an extensive repertoire of classic bluegrass and original songs.

Their hard driving style of bluegrass makes them a must see. Original lyrics, strong vocals, creative musicianship, and great stage presence makes Echo Valley one of Indiana’s finest bluegrass groups.

http://echovalley.webs.com/

http://www.kentuckyborder.com/

Since their inception in the beginning of 2009, New County Grass has been making a name for themselves in the mid-Michigan area as a state-of-the-art, version 2.0, hard-driving, high-energy bluegrass band with a contemporary edge. Though the band is relatively new, hard-driving bluegrass music is nothing new to its members.

Dean DuBois (banjo, harmony vocals) brings some of the best traditional, hard-driving, in your face, banjo playing to NCG. Dean started playing music at the age of 4, learning chords on the guitar. It was the summers in Arkansas where he met the Wooten Brothers and began learning bluegrass music.

Brent Estep (bass, harmony vocals) brings the hard-driving backbone that NCG fans have come to appreciate and enjoy. Brent began cutting his teeth on bluegrass music at an early age, listening to J.D. Crowe and the New South, Lonesome River Band, and IIIrd Tyme Out. Most of all, Brent enjoys the sound and talent of his father, Duane.

Duane Estep (mandolin, lead and harmony vocals) has been playing and singing bluegrass music for nearly all of his life. Duane brings unique, high-energy mandolin playing to NCG.

Kyle Estep (guitar, lead and harmony vocals) appreciates traditional, authentic bluegrass music, which he brings to NCG. Learning from the "Tony Rice School of Music", Kyle brings powerful rhythm and lead guitar to NCG.

Kyle and Julie Estep were recently married in 2009 and they have a home in Grand Blanc, MI. Recognizing the importance of education, Kyle received his Bachelor's degree in Information Systems and has began pursuing a Master's Degree in Business Administration from the University of Michigan. He also enjoys traveling, learning the Spanish language and frequently talks with friends and colleagues living in Mexico.

http://www.newcountygrass.com/

Leading the group New Outlook is husband & wife team Lori Lyn & Brad Lambert. Lori plays upright bass and contributes powerful lead and harmony vocals reminiscent of some of the greats she listend to as a child. Dolly Parton, Connie Smith and more recently her good friend Dale Ann Bradley, are among the long list of favorite artists that influenced her soulful singing.

Brad brings to the band his own style of hard-driving banjo pickin’ and lead and harmony vocals and adding his talents on various other instruments as well. His influences include Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, Jimmy Martin and the Stanley Brothers...the music his father turned him onto as a youngster. Terry Baucom and Sammy Shelor top his list as most respected talents in the business today. Lori & Brad also collaborate together by writing much of their material. Currently they reside in Wapakoneta, Ohio.

http://www.newoutlookbluegrass.com/

From the mountains of Kalamazoo, the Schlitz Creek Bluegrass Band brings you bluegrass music as it should be sung and played. They cannot be classified as strictly traditional or progressive, or entirely talented or talentless, as they are armed with a polished repertoire of standard bluegrass tunes as well as a collection of refreshing and unusual choices for a bluegrass band. The boys pull material from such legends as the Dillards, the Monkees, Bob Seger, Lennon & McCartney, Kenny Rogers, Jerry Reed, and Merle Haggard. Their high-energy stage show has quickly made Schlitz Creek a crowd favorite on the local bluegrass festival circuit. The Schlitz boys also perform several old country standards, popular instrumentals, and frequently accept audience requests during the shows.

http://www.schlitzcreek.com/

The Suzuki Fiddlers are showing skills at more than just classical music. Many of these up and coming young fiddlers/violinists have come a long way in their playing ability showing they can handle other styles of music to include fiddlin’ as well as classical.

The Suzuki Method works on the principal that every child has the capacity to develop musical ability during the early years. A child learns music in much the same way the "mother tongue" language is learned. The parent’s role is vital in the development of early learning ability; parents attend lessons with the child and help with practice at home. The parent’s knowledge of the instrument and of music develops along with the child’s.

The basic principles of the Suzuki Method consist of listening, repetition, motivation and encouragement. The primary goal is to nurture not only the child’s musical abilities but also the total human being.

The Suzuki Fiddlers are returning to our stage for a single performance on Saturday afternoon.

Young students enrolled in the Suzuki Violin Program receive private and group lessons each week. At least one parent must be present at each session. Parents learn the basics of the violin with their children and need not know anything about music prior to enrollment.

The Suzuki method was first introduced to the US in the late 1950s and the movement soon flourished in America also. Today there are hundreds of Talent Education associations throughout the USA.

Suzuki’s methods have touched the lives of thousands of students, parents, and teachers in over forty countries. His death in 1998 was mourned around the world.

Wayne began playing guitar when he was nine years old. His father took him to American Legion dances and introduced him to the band’s guitar player, who showed Wayne a few chords. At age 12, he joined his first band. He played rhythm guitar and sang backup with his brother David in "The Initials." The group played for high school dances and local gigs for four years. Wayne then formed his own group, the "Contours." The group played with Arthur Smith’s "Cracker Jacks" on two occasions, as well as for local dances. They stayed together for three years. Later Wayne was inspired by Jimi Hendrix and the Beatles, and started playing rock music. He played in a rock band throughout high school at dances and concerts.

In 1971 Wayne and long time friend David Parker visited Marion, NC to see Lester Flatt and Mac Wiseman perform at a bluegrass festival. Shortly after that, he and David formed the "East Maiden Express" bluegrass group, where Wayne played mandolin. The group performed locally and traveled to Estes Park, Colorado, where they played for several months. The group had their final performance at the Union Grove Fiddler’s Convention in 1973.

In 1974 Wayne joined the navy. His duty stations included Midway Island, the School of Music in Little Creek, VA, and the Seventh Fleet Band in Yokosuka, Japan on board the USS Oklahoma City. His travels carried him to Thailand, Korea, Philippines, Hong Kong, and to Mauritius Island.

In 1978 Wayne was honorably discharged from the Navy and began studying music at the San Joaquin Delta College and later entered The Conservatory of Music at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, CA. He studied Music Therapy, and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music. Upon graduating in 1983 Wayne and family traveled back to North Carolina.

In 1987 Wayne auditioned for the Navy Band and was accepted. He has served 21 years in the Navy, 18 of which have been with the "Country Current."

Emory Lester is one of this day’s foremost exponents of the acoustic mandolin. The power and attack of his mandolin playing are unmatched, and his sound is infectious. His 1993 recording Pale Rider, and 1995 recording The Emory Lester Set has placed him among the elite mandolinists of our time. But there is more to this musician than first meets the ear. He has long been an accomplished multi-instrumentalist, and has performed with many jazz groups as a violinist.

Originally from Pennsylvania, Kene Hyatt is one of the foremost bass players in acoustic music today. A master bassist, Kene studied at the York University in Toronto, and excelled in Jazz bass. A past winner of the ‘Bass Player of the Year’ award at the Central Ontario Bluegrass Awards, Kene has regularly performed with Emory Lester and other bluegrass artists, as well as branching out to other genres such as rock, salsa, and country.

http://www.waynetaylorandappaloosa.com/