Pickin' 2009 Lineup
The Claire Lynch Band
www.clairelynch.com
By any measure, The Claire Lynch Band is high on the bluegrass world’s A-List, with musicians
whose accolades include International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Female Vocalist of the
Year and two Grammy nominations for Best Bluegrass Album (Claire); two IBMA Guitar Player of
the Year awards (Jim Hurst); and two IBMA Bass Player of the Year awards (Mark Schatz).
Claire’s musical direction dates back to the days of the Front Porch String Band, resulting in a
seasoned sound that is simultaneously unpretentious and richly textured. It’s a down-home, front
porch sensibility until you realize that it’s a rare front porch, indeed, that has ever hosted musicians
of this caliber. Jim Hurst throws out impossible leads effortlessly, and the band is grounded by bassist
Mark Schatz’s deft touch and masterful instinct for groove. Ontario native Jason Thomas brings
monster chops on fiddle and mandolin, supported by remarkable musical versatility and imagination
that have made him instantly at home in one of the greatest bluegrass bands currently on the scene.
Dolly Parton credits Claire with one of the sweetest, purest and best lead voices in the music business
today. Claire’s harmonies have graced the recordings of many stellar musicians, from Ralph Stanley
to Linda Ronstadt. Equally gifted as a songwriter, her songs have been recorded by The Seldom Scene,
Patty Loveless, Kathy Mattea, The Cherryholmes, The Whites and others.
Since March 2006 The Claire Lynch Band has been touring with a moving and impressive CD, New
Day and in October 2007, Rounder released a new CD titled Crowd Favorites A Claire Lynch
Collection. Songs include many favorites from her five Rounder projects, along with four Front Porch
String Band classics newly recorded by The Claire Lynch Band.
Whether you are a longtime fan of Claire and the Front Porch String Band, or are new to the bluegrass
sound, The Claire Lynch Band will jump to the top of your personal A-List, right from the first song.
Bluegrass Etc with Byron Berline
Byron Berline
www.tricopolisrecords.com/bluegrassetc.htmlwww.doublestop.com
Byron Berline is an American fiddle player. He is widely considered one of the world's preeminent fiddle players and is also one of the most significant figures in contemporary bluegrass music. In his career, Berline has recorded with several of the best known musicians of modern time, including The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Elton John, The Byrds, Earl Scruggs, Dillard & Clark, Willie Nelson, Bill Monroe, John Denver, Rod Stewart, The Eagles, The Band, Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris, Alabama, Mary Chapin Carpenter, The Dillards, and many others. His music has also appeared in many television and film soundtracks, including Star Trek, Basic Instinct, Blaze, and Back to the Future III.
John Moore
In addition to being the mandolinist, guitarist and vocalist for Bluegrass Etc., John was also the mandolinist with the internationally acclaimed band CALIFORNIA, the International Bluegrass Music Association’s 1992, 1993 and 1994 Instrumental Band of the Year (see the cover story in the August 1992 issue of Bluegrass Unlimited magazine) Instrument.gif (8148 bytes)John’s musical performances have led him throughout the U.S. and Canada, Europe and Japan, as well as in to the studio doing sessions for other artists. He does radio and television commercials, movie soundtracks including “Blaze” for Touchstone Pictures, “El Diablo” for HBO, “Christmas in Connecticut” in which he also appeared and “The Spitfire Grill” for Hallmark Hall of Fame. John also recorded the soundtrack for, and appeared in the CBS Television Special “The Legend of the Beverly Hillbillies” in a four piece band with Roy Clark, Byron Berline and Earl Scruggs. He recently recorded a Grammy nominated album with Byron Berline, Vince Gill, Bill Bryson, Dennis Caplinger, Rick Cunha and Jann Browne, and another with Mike Oldfield of "Tubular Bells" fame. John was featured on the cover of the May/June 1993 issue of Bluegrass Now magazine, and is most recently featured on the cover of the May/ June 1999 issue of Flatpick Guitar magazine.
Dennis Caplinger
Multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Dennis Caplinger is one of the most sought after studio musicians in California and often travels to Nashville, Tennessee to do sessions. He is currently under contract with Network Productions of San Diego, Ca. recording numerous television and radio commercials as well as writing and recording music for their extensive music library - one of the largest in the world. His movie soundtrack credits include “Back to the Future III”, “El Diablo”, “Rio Diablo” and Steven King’s “Apt Pupil” among others Dennis’ playing is regularly featured on the soundtrack of the Warner Bros. cartoons “Pinky and the Brain” and “Histeria”, as well as on recent commercials forInstrument.gif (8148 bytes) “New York Life”, “Supercuts”, “Subway Sandwiches” and “Discover Card” featuring John Lithgow. He is a regular in the Academy of Country Music Awards Show band, and has just finished recording on new album projects with Rita Coolidge and mandolinist John Reishmann Dennis is a frequent contributor to Banjo Newsletter and can be seen in the October 1999 issue of Bluegrass Now magazine which contains a feature article on him.Bill Bryson
He is one of the legendary bass players of the L.A. Country/ Bluegrass music scene and had been held in high esteem for the last 30 years. He was a founding member of the Desert Rose Band and the Laurel Canyon Ramblers. He has also toured extensively with Dan Fogelberg, Chris Hillman (of the Byrds), Bernie Leadon (of the Eagles) and the Bluegrass Cardinals. Bill has recorded with Merle Haggard, Buck Owens, Glen Campbell, Mary-Chapin Carpenter, Emmy Lou Harris and the Oak Ridge Boys to name a few. He has won two Grammys and has been nominated numerous times for the Academy of Country Music's Bass Player of the Year Award. His credits also include feature films such as "The Long Riders" , "Cannery Row" and "Bound for Glory" as well as numerous television and radio commercials.The Bluegrass Patriots
www.bluegrasspatriots.com
Dan Mitchell, Glenn Zankey, Danny Rogers, Ken Seaman, and Willie McDonald are celebrating the 29th year of the Bluegrass Patriots in 2009–- one of the longest-running acts in bluegrass.
The Patriots have been recognized as one of the top traditional bands in bluegrass. Their highly acclaimed When You and I Were Young, Maggie received nationwide attention in 1991, when the title cut appeared on Bluegrass Unlimited's National Bluegrass Survey for several months. The CD received a prestigious Highlight review in Bluegrass Unlimited.
The Bluegrass Patriots, true to their name, are loyal and dedicated to bluegrass music. Not only are they where bluegrass has been, they are in the midst of where bluegrass is going--helping to shape its future.
Finders & Youngberg
www.findersandyoungberg.comErin Youngberg
plays the bass. Ironically, she is the youngest, yet has the most experience of the group. She started performing in her daddy's bluegrass band when she was 9 yrs. old in Jackson, WY. "E" also sings and has begun contributing on the songwriting front. She has played with Uncle Earl and recorded all bass parts on their most recent CD. Erin hunts elk.
Aaron Youngberg
plays banjo and pedal steel. He is the proud owner & engineer at Swingfingers Recording Studio in Fort Collins, CO. "Double A" engineered, produced and mixed “Keep Your Suitcase Packed." Aaron often plays with other country and honkytonk bands in the Fort Collins area. Mr. Youngberg is an expert snowboarder and pen-flipper.Amy Finders
sings and plays mandolin. She has a “spunky, charming personality and a powerful, soulful voice that can go from the effervescent, clearwater high-country sound of, say, Dolly Parton, to the sultry, sassy, swinging blues of a young Maria Muldaur.” She's afraid of snowboarding and elk, but loves ninjas.Mike Finders
has played guitar since he was 7 yrs. old, growing up in the middle of Iowa. He also plays harmonica, sings, writes songs, and teaches the youth of America. Mike has won the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest at Merlefest twice: bluegrass category in 2004, and gospel category in 2005 and yet he still gets mentioned last. He likes to do dishes...he used to be a ninja.The Badly Bent
www.thebadlybent.com
The Badly Bent has been entrenched in the bluegrass music scene since 1997. Based in Durango, Colorado, The Badly Bent has proven its musicianship through the winning of prestigious music competitions and receiving accolades from many of its peers in the bluegrass industry. These boys are not newcomers to either the bluegrass scene or performing in front of large audiences.
The Badly Bent does not present itself as one of the new pseudo-bluegrass jam bands. Although their musical prowess allows them to explore the edges of traditional music, the listener will find that the music never strays far from the roots established by the fathers of the genre. Their love for the genuine bluegrass sound is so evident every time they take the stage. And, that emotion is totally contagious with the audience. Everyone has a good time. But, don’t be surprised when they pull a song out of the hat that everyone says, “Now, where have I heard that before?” Their repertoire will please even the most discriminating listener.
The Badly Bent started in Durango with a group of well-known musicians gathering to become the top of the bluegrass scene. The configuration of the band evolved to its current form in 2007. Sharing lead vocals are Pat Dressen (guitar) and Mark Epstein (banjo). Robb Brophy (mandolin) provides the band’s tenor harmony vocals and Jimmy Largent on bass rounds out the ensemble of The Badly Bent.
Since releasing their first CD in February of 2005, The Badly Bent has gone on to achieve a variety of accomplishments. In March, 2005, the band’s CD was recognized on the FAR Chart, a feat only recognized by a few prominent independent musicians. In June 2005, The Badly Bent took first place in the coveted Telluride Bluegrass Festival’s band competition. In November 2005, the band was featured on the popular bluegrassradio.org internet channel as the Band of the Month. In October of 2006, the band’s CD was nominated for three awards by the Just Plain Folks music society. Collectively, these accomplishments firmly place The Badly Bent in the mainstream of active bluegrass bands.
The band relies on its driving instrumentation and accurate vocals to produce the unique Badly Bent sound. Their self-titled CD reflects how the band has congealed into a tight, driving sound. Their first CD was produced by Grammy award winner Sally Van Meter, mixed by Jim Tuttle, and mastered by Grammy award winner Dave Glasser at Airshow Mastering. Several songs on the CD were written by band members including Where’s That Cold Wind Come From?, Dusty Knob and More Dollars Than Sense. The project contains some well-known bluegrass standards (Cold Sheets of Rain, Love Me or Leave Me Alone, Rank Strangers, If That’s The Way You Feel, Brown Mountain Light) as well as some old traditional songs (Butcher Boy, Grandfather’s Clock, Spinning Wheel). The band included several other songs that were lesser known at the time (Coal Tattoo, Remington Ride, Same Old Bluegrass Story). In the words of Tim Stafford of Blue Highway, “Spirited picking and vocals that manage to capture both the fun of the front porch and the intricacies of modern bluegrass.”
The Badly Bent released its second CD, “Olive or Twist,” in April of 2007. In that same month,Olive or Twist made the FAR Chart once again. Also produced by Sally Van Meter, this CD also has a mix of songs from a variety of sources. The original songs include You Finally Slipped My Mind, Olive or Twist, Day of Pain, Stoney Ridge, and I’ll Just Stay Away. Other songs on the CD are I Wonder Where You Are Tonight, Loving You Again, Eighth of February, Devil Chased Me Around the Stump, Walk Out In the Rain, Red Georgia Clay, If You Ever Change Your Mind, The Rain Will Do My Crying, Who Will Sing For Me, and Counting the Days.
The Badly Bent has received wonderful responses and recommendations from festival promoters and audiences alike.
- "Just a note to let you know that we appreciate your talent, professionalism and willingness to help out. You folks were an excellent addition to the festival and I would recommend you to anyone I know! “ George Gertz, North Fork Valley Bluegrass Festival
- "You guys are a great group. I think there is no doubt in any ones' mind that a return visit from The Badly Bent would be welcomed.” Lynn Gretz, Black Hill Bluegrass Festival
- "A standing ovation at Telluride is kicking butt in my book - good job!” anonymous website comment
- "Thank You!. The Southwest Pickers wish to thank you for a memorable 33rd Santa Fe Bluegrass and Old Time Music Festival last weekend. Your performance created the ambiance and energy we all look for in the festival. Again, thank you for your participation.” Steve Morgan, Southwest Pickers
- "Thanks for doing such a great job and for making our fest-goers so happy!” Stacey Board, Torrey Music Festival
Lonesome Traveler Bluegrass Band
www.lonesometravelerband.com
Bluegrass for the Front Range of Northern Colorado and beyond... The Lonesome Traveler Bluegrass Band features tight 3 part harmony from vocalists Jodi Boyce on mandolin, Dustin Scott on guitar and Ansel Foxley on resonator guitar, great fingerstyle guitar from Rick Scott, smooth fiddle from Chad Fisher and solid dawg-house bass from Evan Neal.
LTBB is rooted in the great traditions of bluegrass, but our progressive sound reflects influences from blues, rock & roll, traditional country and Celtic music. We are continuing to expand the limits of bluegrass with our original songs while honoring the roots of bluegrass.
LTBB released their self-titled debut CD, in August of 2006 and have had rapid success with that project. LTBB also ended 2006 with two awards - 2nd place in the Wickenburg Bluegrass Festival Band contest and 1st Place vocal duet (Dustin and Jodi) at the Wickenburg Bluegrass Festival. Since then, the band has played several festivals around Colorado and beyond, and also competed in the prestigious RockGrass and Telluride Bluegrass Festival Band Contest where they won 2nd place in both contests in 2007. Adding to the list of awards for the band, Ansel placed 1st in the 2007 RockyGrass Dobro contest.
The Hartmans
www.hartmanfamilyband.com
The Hartmans, from Loveland, Co, have been entertaining audiences throughout the US for over five years. The unique, appealing blend of vocal harmonies and tasteful instrumental arrangements created by these five siblings has given them the reputation as one of the most up-and-coming young bluegrass bands in the nation. Their keen sense of tradition blended with a thriving enthusiasm for fresh, innovative sounds, sets apart their brand new album, Borrowed Time. This album features not only their own arrangements of timeless melodies but also well-crafted original songs, including the title track. In their live performances The Hartmans aim to create inspiring moments that will be remembered by their audiences. In the words of Pete Wernick, "Dr. Banjo", A band this young with this much talent is sure to warm the heart of any bluegrass fan.
Ashleigh Caudill & Friends
www.ashleighcaudill.com
Ashleigh Caudill once again returns to her home town of Montrose with a group of the finest musicians in the country! Ashleigh is a fine bass player, singer and songwriter. She has spent the past few years at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, as well as playing stints with New England Bluegrass Band, Joy Kills Sorrow, Lincoln Meyers and the String Alliance, Two Bits a Gander, April Vertch, and others. She also had the opportunity to play at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, and was featured live on XM radio. Ashleigh’s friends include: Joe Walsh on mandolin, Mike Barnett on fiddle, Wes Corbett on banjo and Grant Gordy on guitar. Joe has shared the stage with Bela Fleck, Earl Scruggs, Emmylou Harris, Ricky Skaggs, David Grisman, and Gillian Welch, has played at the Kennedy Center and the Country Music Hall of Fame, and has performed throughout New England with some of the finest bands in the New England, including Northern Lights and the New England Bluegrass Band. Mike is an 18-year-old native of Nashville, Tennessee, has played with the Gordon Stone Band and toured nationally with the legendary Jesse McReynolds & the Virginia Boys, including appearances on the Grand Ole Opry. He also plays with the New England-based folk/bluegrass group, Northern Lights, as well as Amy Gallatin, and the well renouned banjoist, Tony Trischka. Mike is a real child prodigy. He is the youngest instructor ever to teach at the Fiddle School at Vanderbilt University (at age 15), and he put out his own CD, “Lost Indian”, in 2004, followed by performing on the Gordon Stone album “Rhymes with Orange”, in 2005. Also in 2005, Mike placed in the top 10 in the Grand Master Fiddler Championship in Nashville. Wes is a native of Bainbridge Island, Washington and has studied banjo with Dave Keenan, Bill Evans, Dennis Caplinger, and Seattle-based guitarist John Miller. In the past several years Wes has appeared with the David Grisman Quintet, the Mike Marshall and Darol Anger duo, Matt Glaser, Crooked Still and has toured Internationally with the Biscuit Burners. Wes is currently touring with Boston based string band Joy Kills Sorrow and New Old Stock, featuring Simon Chrisman and Tristan and Tashina Clarridge. Grant is based in Denver, Colorado. He is the guitarist for the David Grisman Quintet, has played onstage with Chris Thile and performed at Carnegie Hall with Edgar Meyer and Mike Marshall.
Alternate Route
www.fleetingmoment.com
Hometown favorite Alternate Route, the host band for Pickin at the Pavilion 2008, performs a mix of traditional bluegrass, newgrass, classic country and more. While they sometimes branch off from the traditional path, they always connect back up with the "routes" of the music.
The band features Kara Caudill on guitar and vocals, Dave Werden on dobro, mandolin and vocals, Zoe Werden on bass and vocals, and Marcus Caudill on mandolin and vocals. While these musicians have been around the Colorado bluegrass scene for many years and have played together on and off in many different configurations, here they are, finally all together as Alternate Route!