Cedar Hill is an all acoustic, bluegrass band made up of six accomplished musicians and singers who have stayed close to their Ozark Mountain roots. Originally formed by Frank Ray and his Uncle Richard Orchard, it was genuine, soulful, emotion packed music that could only be classified as "the real thing". Now, reformed with equally talented members, they are still the real thing.
Cedar Hill has recently signed with Hay Holler Records of Blacksburg, Virginia, recognized for producing traditional bluegrass music including originals by member Mel Besher. Bluegrass Now magazine says "One of the fastest rising bluegrass bands in the country is Cedar Hill. If you worry about the future of traditional bluegrass, you need to check them out."
Speaking of Frank Ray and Mel Besher, Rick-R-Tone Records CEO Fred Congdon said, "Those two guys produced Journey of Faith, one of the best CD’s you’ll ever hear." And, they did it using their regular band members. Fred was not alone in his assessment of their CD. Bluegrass Unlimited called it "A Minor masterpiece that deserves to be an integral part of any serious bluegrass collection."
Members are Frank Ray (Mandolin, vocals), Lisa Ray (fiddle, vocals), Rob Collin (bass, vocals), Kenny Cantrell (banjo), Mel Besher (guitar, vocals,), and Joe Wieneman (guitar, mandolin, fiddle, baritone.)
On stage, The Corklickers (Old Time String Band) are absolute fun. They don’t play the same song twice and every song you want to hear it again.
The Corklickers have a long history of music beginning in 1976. They’ve performed at the Carter Fold, Chicago Folk Festival, Kent State, and Brandywine Music Festival to name a few stops.
When vocalist and claw-hammer-style banjo man Mark Adams lets go with, "I saw Eve and Adam driven from the door. When the apple they was eatin’ from the bushes I was peekin’. I can prove it I’m the man who ate the core." An audience is inclined to believe him.
Mark and his brother Gil recall learning "Dixie" while they were students at Lincoln Elementary School in Kingsport, NC. They know between three and five verses of the minstrel classic and perform it to the pleasure of audiences wherever they travel. Gil, now playing fiddle, bought his first banjo at Uncle Sam’s in Bristol, TN and grew up with a good tonic of Flat & Scruggs and Bonnie Lou & Buster.
Guitarist Mack Vannoy, with wry humor, tells folks that he has been with the group so long because, "I’m just too sorry to quit." That humor extends to Mark who explains, "I guess our name comes from when people drank all the whiskey then they licked the cork. Once we had three fiddle players, but we couldn’t tell the worst one of them to leave so they played on."
Hopefully, the current lineup’s second fiddle man, Rick Palmer, is not the worst one. Palmer seems to always smile when he is sawin’ on the bow, and he tunes his strings to standard, as does Gil.
Stand-up bassist Rick Moore has a day job and likes playing the old tunes because it is different than the usual plate of pop, country, and bluegrass. Moore has blazed several music trails including a stint with Troublesome Hollow.
All the roads traveled and lessons learned by The Corklickers come together in their recent CD, which is titled Uncorked. This CD is an absolute winning addition to a collector’s stack and also pure enjoyment. The 19 songs on Uncorked make up a total of 72 minutes of listening, dancing, and just a tad of ole-time philosophy
Mandolinist David Davis has been nurturing the distinctive style and sound of the Alabama-based Warrior River Boys for more than a dozen years. The energy and the clear direction of the band reflect the give and take of old and new that keeps bluegrass music fresh and exciting. This group is definitely one to keep your eye on! The history of the band is one of the most revered in all bluegrass.
In the late 1930's a young man from Cullman Alabama , Cleo Davis, joined forces with mandolinist Bill Monroe and created a style of music that would change popular music forever. The band was called Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys. Cleo Davis, who played the guitar and sang, answered an ad in a Georgia newspaper and took the job as the first Bluegrass Boy.
David Davis developed a burning desire to sustain his family's heritage drawing on his childhood influences from his uncle Cleo, his father Leddell Davis and his grandfather J.H. Bailey. Due to his declining health in 1984, Garry Thurmond (band leader), handed the reins of the Warrior River Boys to twenty-three year old David Davis. This band was one of Alabama 's oldest traditional groups with more than a 30-year history. David Davis and the Warrior River Boys then wrote their own history.
David and the WRB have traveled over one million miles performing at a majority of the major Bluegrass venues from coast to coast in the United States and the Canadian provinces. David says, "My hope is that, as long as people desire an honest heartfelt music, there will always be a place for our kind of music."
DD and the WRB have recorded on and been part of over thirty albums. Their fast moving live show explodes with high energy as David's bluesy mandolin style, soulful singing and veteran musicianship leads the way for a very talented group of musicians. DD and the WRB define traditional bluegrass music with their heart-felt singing and tasteful instrumentation as they present a clean-cut family oriented show, playing the music they love for the fans they love!
Joining David are Owen Saunders, Daniel Grindstaff, Adam Duke, and Marty Hays
Lead singer and guitarist Donnie Voiles has written many original songs and continues to write new songs for the band. Banjoist Jack Chaffins singing baritone, has a hard driving right hand that shows influence from JD Crowe and the great Earl Scruggs. Tracey Reliford provides solid rhythm on bass and sings tenor and lead. Jim Cornell, the newest member, plays mandolin and is a multi-talented musician also singing baritone and bass.
Original material, strong vocals, creative musicianship, and great stage presence makes Echo Valley one of Indiana's finest bluegrass groups. They are now in the studio creating a new CD.
The Henhouse Prowlers have played any and all types of events. They are as equally comfortable playing a wedding/reception as they are alongside a raucous Rock and Roll outfit. Bluegrass music runs through the roots of this culture, touching nearly everyone that comes in contact with it. Combine that with the talent that courses through the Henhouse Prowlers and you've got one powerful group of musicians.
Members include Ben Benedict (Guitar), Jon Goldfine (Bass), J.R. Hinshaw (Fiddle), Martin McWhorter (Mandolin), James Weigel (Dobro), and Ben Wright (Banjo).
All the popular standard bluegrass tunes are included such as "Rocky Top," "Dueling Banjos," "Fox On The Run," "Orange Blossom Special, " "Blue Moon of Kentucky," and much, much more. They also include more widely known tunes such as "Bye Bye, Love," "House Of The Rising Sun," "Charlie Brown," "Margaritaville," tunes from the movie "Oh, Brother, Where Art Thou" and many originals.
With great 2, 3 and 4 part harmonies and red hot blazing instrumentals, this group will leave you wanting more. They can play background music and set the perfect mood for cocktails or go table to table taking requests and interacting with the crowd. They offer a full blown stage show which includes their great music, comedy, crowd interaction and can even include a magic show.
Always dressed appropriately and ready to have fun, Kentucky Blue members include David Cottrell (banjo, vocals), Dave Cosson (guitar), Marty Harley (fiddle), Laurie Cottrell (bass), and Ron Mobley (mandolin, vocals.)
The brothers-and-sister band Lonesome Meadow from Westerville, OH is generating excitement with their ability and love for traditional bluegrass. Anne Marie, Jhn and Gary Jackson have grown up listening to bluegrass, but amazed everyone with their ability when they decided a few years ago to take up instruments and play on their own. Since then they've played in front of audiences at a number of different venues. Dad, Mark, plays bass with the group.
Named in honor of Bill Monroe, "The Father of Bluegrass," they play an upbeat blend of classic & traditional bluegrass, bluegrass gospel and heartfelt originals. Called "The Hardest Working Band In Bluegrass Music", the group plays an average of 125 shows a year at major venues across the upper Midwest.
The only bluegrass band EVER nominated as "Artist of the Year" (2004) by the Minnesota Music Academy, they won the MMA's "Bluegrass Album of the Year" award in (2003). The group also took home awards for "Best Female Vocalist", "Best Guitar", "Best Mandolin" and "Best Banjo" at the Minnesota Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Association's Awards Banquet.
Members are Lisa Fuglie (fiddle, mandolin, vocals), Matt Thompson (mandolin, fiddle, vocals), Art Blackburn (guitar, vocals), Mark Anderson (bass, vocals), and Benji Flaming (banjo.) Monroe Crossing is award winning, upbeat, family friendly entertainment at its finest!
Members include Bill Bach (banjo, guitar), Stan Taylor (mandolin, guitar), Joe Overholsher (guitar), and Rick Hagens (bass.)
Stephanie Stevenson plays string bass, guitar, and sings lead and tenor in close duets with her husband Art. Her rock solid bass playing gives High Water's music a strong rhythmic drive. Stephanie's original songs are some of High Water's most frequent requests. Her voice has been described as "a marvelously supple instrument." Art and Stephanie were married in 1994 and live near Babcock, Wisconsin. In November 2000, Stephanie was nominated for the "Favorite Female Bluegrass Vocalist" Award by the Minnesota Bluegrass and Old Time Music Association. In February 2002, Art and Stephanie Stevenson released their own CD "The Winding Stream" featuring duet singing and ballads.
Dale Reichert picks the 5-string banjo in a hard-driving, lightning fast style. Dale also sings baritone and bass vocals, plays the Dobro, and is featured on all of High Water's recordings. Before joining High Water, he worked with bluegrass groups in Ohio, Kentucky, and Minnesota. Dale also spent several years along with Art Stevenson as a member of the Wisconsin River Bluegrass Boys. Dale lives with his wife and daughter near Custer, Wisconsin. In November 2000, Dale was nominated for the "Favorite Banjo Player" Award by the Minnesota Bluegrass and Old Time Music Association.
Bruce King, mandolin and vocals, joined High Water in March 2001. Bruce has lived in Wisconsin for most of his life, and has played with many of the state's best known bluegrass bands, including Alive And Pickin', The Rounders, Jerry Wicentowski, and Blue Eagle. Bruce lives in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin with his wife and two sons. Bruce has studied the mandolin styles of Bill Monroe, Jesse McReynolds, and other masters and brings a hard-driving sound to the music of High Water. On trio and quartet vocal numbers, Bruce sings lead, tenor or high baritone harmony.
A 30 minute fiddle program by the Fort Wayne Suzuki guild. NIBGA awarded them $3,000 for the expansion of their spring fiddle program. Each spring students are taught a number of old time fiddle tunes to broaden their experience. NIBGA has ask that they perform these tunes at our festival. Appearing before a live audience is very important for their training.
