More Information Coming Soon!
Torrey Music Festival Performers |
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The Badly Bent Band of Annuals Will Barclay Mark Baysinger Bill & Shelly of Sweet Sunny South Black Hens The Stacey Board Trio Bob Cantonwine Russ Chapman Don Gomes & The Bristlecones |
Kate Graves |
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The Badly Bent
The Badly Bent has been entrenched in the bluegrass music scene since 1997. The Badly Bent, based in Durango, CO has proven its musicianship through the winning of prestigious music competitions and receiving accolades from many of its peers in the bluegrass industry.
Sharing lead vocals are Pat Dressen (guitar) and Mark Epstein (banjo) with harmony vocals by Robb Brophy (mandolin) and Jimmy Largent (bass).
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 realized 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.
Band of Annuals
"That devastating combo of heartbreaking alt-country earnestness and perfect pop-hook craftsmanship is elusive, which makes the victory all the sweeter when a band in your own back yard nails it. Band Of Annuals are that band right now." (BF) City Weekly
William Barclay
Will has spent most of his life in the Southwest but has followed his muse as far as Ireland to combine his interest in music with history and original cultures. His first instrument was harmonica but in the 40 years since he learned to play it Will also learned to play the fiddle, flute, dulcimer, banjo and bass guitar. Not just a highly experienced instrumentalist Will is also a strong singer/ songwriter that writes emotionally compelling songs reflecting his various influences and experiences.
Mark Baysinger is an Ozark Hillbilly who grew up on Old Time, Gospel and Honky Tonk. He carries a paperback of Beatles songs in his guitar case and played his first bar show at the age of 15. He and Martha, his bell-like 12 string, have innovated a finger style combining the 3 finger roll and a flat pick. His claim to fame is releasing the song “It Did Me In” on Capital Records in 1974, recorded by Brewer and Shipley. Shortly after that he went into obscurity, and started storing up a cache of old time rock n roll songs to be released later this year. His debut solo album is called, 12 Bells at the Double Nickel.
Bill (Powers) and Shelley (Gray) are one half of the Paonia, Colorado-based Oldtime-bluegrass band Sweet Sunny South. All the while that Bill has been writing songs for SSS and otherwise, Shelley has been right there working them out, helping arrange and adding her smiling voice to the mix. Their comfort with one another as musical partners, life partners and parents create a laid-back vibe that endears the audience to them.
The music is acoustic and based in the folk tradition. They draw from their bluegrass and old time background but also inject some country, blues and a little swing. The songs are catchy and engaging, funny, sad, lonesome and uplifting. Most of the songs are original, but appropriate covers and traditional tunes are part of their repertoire as well.
For fans of Sweet Sunny South, you’ll hear stripped down versions of some old favorites as well as a whole slew of new songs that have the same beloved attributes that have drawn so many people to Sweet Sunny South.
Black Hens
"The Black Hens started as a fluke; a thrown together project birthed from a one-off jam session with SLC folk powerhouses: Glade, David Williams, Band of Annuals members jeremi Hanson and Brent Dreiling while in … you guessed it, Albuquerque. Over the course of three long days, The Black Hens officially formed, played a gig at Launch Pad and recorded their debut release with the help of New Mexico friends, Jeffrey Richards (Hazeldine, Vic Chesnutt, Nels Andrews,Neutral Milk Hotel) & Chris Kitchen (Brightcarvers). Together they create a gentle (yet rockin’), feel-good sound just twangy enough to add the "-country" after "alt."
–Sasha Kent, SLUG Magazine Review My Space
Singer and guitarist, Bob Cantonwine enjoyed a 1950s childhood and adolescence in the 60s. He lists some of his early musical influences as The Everly Brothers and 60s folk heroes like Bob Dylan, Peter, Paul and Mary and The Kingston Trio. "It was the power of Dylan's lyrics and the magic of the others' harmonies that excited me", says he. Junior high and high school garage bands had him covering The Beatles, Kinks and Stones while also singing in school choirs. While in the army serving in Viet Nam, he discovered James Taylor. Upon returning home in 1971, he was blown away by John Denver's songs. Since then, there have been literally hundreds of artists that Bob says have influenced him as a music lover and performer.
A seasoned performer, he has appeared at many venues around the Salt Lake City area including the Gallivan Center; Salt Lake City Downtown Brown Bag Series; Salt Lake City Avenues Street Fair; Red Butte Garden; Downtown Farmers Market; various local Coffeehouses and Restaurants; live on KRCL radio; Intermountain Acoustic Music Association stages; the Sprague Library summer series; Torrey Music Festival; and private parties and gatherings. Bob played his first Unitarian Coffeehouse in 1975. It is still a favorite place to play.
Stacey Board Trio
Born in the south, Stacey Board and her acoustic guitar now call Utah home. In her nine years in Utah, she has released 5 CDs ranging from solo acoustic to rocking with a full band. Readers of the Salt Lake City Weekly have three times awarded her "Best Folk/Acoustic Artist." Her current release "Look to the Sun" has been described as "layered, restless and insistent" by the Missoula Independent. Her trio mates Jamie Dalton and Melissa Warner round out her acoustic Americana sound with harmonies and subtle textures. An award-winning songwriter with intelligence, wit and soul, Stacey Board and her trio should not be missed.
With lyrical wit and medicine-show sensibility, Russ Chapman stomps and sings highly original music drawn from the deep well of Americana- with a blend of folk-blues, early swing and New Orleans 'swamp music.' Hailed in Nashville as a 'songwriter's songwriter,' and now residing in tiny Paonia, Colorado, Russ has recorded and performed with multiple Grammy winners, including members of Ricky Skagg's Kentucky Thunder, Jim Lauderdale's band, and America's favorite cowboys- Riders in the Sky. It was during a co-writing session with Earth, Wind and Fire's founding member Ronnie Laws, that a giddy Laws proclaimed, 'You've got a good thing there, man!' Indeed...from the melodically percussive guitar style and inspired wordsmithing, to an impressive ability to stomp and shuffle his feet, there is something positively fun and refreshing about Russ Chapman. Or as John Anglim (KAFM radio) put it, 'Every once in a while an artist comes along who defies description...Russ Chapman is unforgettable!
& the Bristlcones
Eclecticism is almost an occupational hazard when it comes to acoustic musicians, but with Don Gomes, it almost seems as if he was born with broad musical tastes. After years of playing everywhere from four-star restaurants to backyard barbecues, Gomes has developed a repertoire that connects with diverse audiences. Gomes' adventurous tastes were shaped by his peripatetic upbringing. A California native, he has also lived in Utah (twice), Indiana, Texas, and elsewhere. As a result of his travels, he effortlessly applies his sturdy, dextrous guitar work and rich baritone to songs drawn from all corners of our nation -- from the Great American Songbook to dusty backwoods ballads. His approach to songcraft perfectly illustrates the old saying that music knows no boundaries.
The two may also be joined by one of several surprise guests.
[Kate will be performing at TMF with Jes Raymond, Jess Raymond - sonicbids.com]
Kate Graves is a singer-songwriter based out of Seattle, Washington. In 2007 she released her debut EP “Little Owl”. She was a finalist in both the Founder’s Folk & Bluegrass Festival and N.C.S.C songwriting contests. She also received honorable mentions in the prestigious Rocky Mountain Folks Festival & Telluride Troubadour contests. Kate is currently touring and looking forward to recording her first full length album. You can hear her music at www.kategravesmusic.com.
Marv Hamilton
& Fifth Fret
Award-winning singer-songwriter Marv Hamilton released his debut album, Wing and a Prayer (acoustic blues, ballads and “Redrock eco-folk”), in 2000 under his own indie label, Best Dog Records, followed by his second release, The Mind Will Follow (acoustic and electric folk, rock, blues and earthmusic) in 2006. Marv is a three-time winner in KRCL/Founder’s Title Co. Folk and Bluegrass Performing Songwriter Showcase and a 2001 Kerrville Newfolk Finalist at Kerrville, Texas. Steve Seskin, Nashville hit writer for Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Kenney Chesney and others says, “If you don’t feel something when you listen to Marv, you’re probably dead”.
Together, Marv Hamilton and Fifth Fret create a unique style of roots, blues, Americana and "Marvmusic".
Dale's first performance in Nashville was at the famed Bluebird Cafe with Tim O'Brien, Mary Gauthier, and the Tashians. Dale later hosted two of his own songwriter rounds at the Bluebird, with guests Jon Pennel (from Union Station), Sam Bush, and Julie Lee, among others.
Dale's self titled debut CD was released in March of 2003 and continues to receive airplay on independent and college stations around the world including Utah's own KRCL 90.9 FM.
Dale was recently selected as a top singer songwriter for the University of Utah's Levalley Endowment Songwriter Workshop and for the Park City Songwriter Festival.
Lonnie Knight
Lonnie Knight is a song guitarist of the first order. He never seems to be playing just to play, or to dazzle. Even his solos are smartly conceived comments on the lyrical intent of his songs. They are never "breaks" from the song, but musical statements that move the song forward as surely as the lyrics do. Some would unhesitatingly rank Lonnie's guitar work alongside the best song guitarists in the modern folk world, including Richard Thompson, Patty Larkin, Richard Shindell, and Brooks Williams. On stage, Lonnie is unassumingly charismatic, droll, and innately cool, in the way many instinctive musicians are; but with an honest, unflinching kindness, one that sees life as it really is. As he searches through the clutter of our disappointments, failures, weaknesses, regrets, unhealed scars, and ailing dreams, that kindness lets him see our lives as we see them, but also as the stuff of song.
"I know if you hear Lonnie Knight's music, you'll be awed by his guitar playing; but I think you'll also be drawn to his closely observed, real-life poetry. Lonnie Knight's unique blend of hard-won wisdom and kind-eyed empathy gives his writing an intimate credibility, and a redemptive grace. When he sings of "major truths in minor keys," or warns that "this old house won't stand another rain," we know not only what he means, but also how he feels. So when that same soft, slightly wrinkled voice whispers that he still knows how to turn his battered life toward "Better Days," you're sure he's pointing the way for us, too." Scott Alarik, Folk Music Writer, The Boston Globe
The Lab Dogs
The Lab Dogs play bluegrass boldly and boisterously. The band formed late in the last century and we sometimes practice in a lab - hence the name. The current lineup inclues Kevin Jones, Ron Rood, Erik Brunvand, Peter Netka, Eric Merkt and Bill Thomas. Due to some legal issues, and threats of bodily harm, former members of the Lab Dogs cannot be mentioned. On the mandolin Kevin Jones is pretty darn good. His singing has been compared to Tiny Tims but without the tenderness.
Ron Roodsings and plays guitar. He also plays the accordion and the ukulele but the band has voted he stick with the guitar or better yet, play air-guitar.
Erik Brunvandstands in the back and plays only two notes for everyone else's twenty, which is a pretty good deal. Erik teaches at the University and he has a dog named Scruggs.
Since his late teens, Peter Netka has been a bluegrass player. He's played with the Utah Valley Boys, the Salt City Bluegrass Boys and now he's a Dog. His Dobro is a Dobro.
Being both good looking and smart, Eric Merkt is not your typical banjo player. In fact, most people think he's either a mandolin player or an archaeologist.
Being the new-kid in the band, Bill Thomas has yet to experience the ridicule and embarrassment the rest of the Dogs have come to know
More about the Lab Dogs
Durango, Colorado, based singer/songwriter, Sally Shuffield, has been compared to Iris Dement and early Nanci Griffith by “No Depression” Magazine and the Colorado Bluegrass Music Association. She writes and sings songs about growing up in rural Arkansas, as well as traveling and living throughout the West.
With the release of her third CD, “Something in the Water,” she firmly establishes herself as a leading new voice in the Americana/folk tradition. The CD charted nationally on the Folk and American Roots radio charts.
According to Deb Reynolds at KRZA in Alamosa, Colorado, "Sally Shuffield is the real deal -- an American folksinger in the traditional sense of the term." Her music has been widely played on public radio stations across the country and internationally, charting this year on the folk and American Roots Charts.
Sally recently opened the show for Robert Earl Keen in Durango, Colorado, where the Durango Herald said of her performance, the “sublimely voiced Sally Shuffield is able to make a good tune look easy.”
Sally tours all over the country, playing prestigious festivals and concert series.
Listeners have a hard time sticking Tangle Ridge into a niche. Their music has a bluegrass heart and a newgrass brain with old time country blues on one hand and modern singer songwriter sensibilities on the other. Call it Americana, call it folk-grass call it alternative country it doesn’t much matter to Wayne county native Gilbert Hunt who rips up the fiddle tunes on fiddle or guitar and writes and sings many of the band’s straight ahead bluegrass tunes. Caroline Kueneman sings leads and fills in the bottom end on stand up bass. Paul Eichenberger’s mandolin and low down harmony vocals bring that old time sound to the fore. Steve Lutz switch hits on guitar and Dobro, sings leads, harmony and brings a wide range of songs to the group, original and otherwise from all the branches of the Americana music tree. One thing is easy to define, these folks have the harmony thing down, their a-cappela version of the gospel tune, “The Mill” will bring you to your knees shouting “Allelulia Baby”. Not surprising since Steve and Caroline sang and played together as a duo for 10 years and in this current band configuration for 5 more.
Vapor Trails
“Playing in Torrey always feels like coming home,” comments Vapor Trails fiddler, mandolinist and vocalist J.S. “Shawn” Foster.
Maybe that’s because many of the group’s five members have property or homes in the area or maybe, as bassist-vocalist Don Gomes theorizes, it’s because the Torrey environs feels like a natural backdrop for the group’s rustic, hand-hewn mix of old-time, singer-songwriter, and acoustic pop.
In addition to Foster and Gomes, members include Dianna Cannon, vocals and guitar; Barry Scholl, guitar and Dobro; and Debora Threedy, hammered dulcimer and vocals. Past performances include the Salt Lake City Avenues Street Fair, the Salt Lake Farmer’s Market, the Women’s Bar Association Convention, and many other venues. The group also was recently selected to write and record a song commemorating the legacy of renowned author Wallace Stegner on the centennial of Stegner’s birth.
"Engaging performances, haunting harmonies, poetic, political, stellar vocals." Curve Magazine
Multi-instrumentalist Miriam Davidson and songwriter Kiya Heartwood have made an art of inspiring performances and award winning songs, seducing the listener with soulful confessions, political broadside and a wicked groove. Their songs combine a passionate mix of intelligent lyrics, spellbinding storytelling and breathtaking harmony over a full roots-and-roll sound.
Winning over audiences with their engaging performances, passionate activism and superb execution, they perform all over the country at venues such as The Kennedy Center, The Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival, The Bluebird Café, The National Women's Music Festival, The Kerrville Folk Festival, and The Philadelphia Folk Festival.
Whether it’s a song about politics, true love, or Calamity Jane, Wishing Chair "has a passion about the truth, about being emotionally available to tell it."