Mount Pearl's First Bluegrass & Old Time Country Music Festival July 15th, 16th, 17th - 2005 Visit www.mountpearl.ca for more info Download new festival poster here and Festival Press Release here Birchmountain Bluegrass, Nova Scotia Three time ECMA winner for “Bluegrass Group of the Year”. The Birchmountain Bluegrass Band combines the deep-rooted folk traditions of rural North America with the musical legacy of its own family members as it skillfully brews up a heady collaboration of instrument and voice. One microphone, fiddle, a banjo, a mandolin, an up-right bass, an acoustic guitar and four-part harmony come together to delight the senses and touch the soul of every listener. The band stays true to its heritage, consistently delivering a refreshingly uncluttered musical statement. Comprised of brothers, cousins, husbands and wives, The Birchmountain Bluegrass Band treats its audiences to intricate acoustical patterns and rich harmonies - the trademarks of the traditional bluegrass sound. Their repertoire is extensive - - a balanced blend of traditional pieces and original compositions. There is not a day that we don’t play,” says Larry be it a gig, a rehearsal or just pickin’ around the table. Our music is our lifestyle. Bolt Brothers, Willis ,Virginia www.boltbrothers.com The Bolt Brothers Band is a four-person bluegrass gospel group that originates in Floyd County Virginia minutes away from the world famous Galax Old Time Fiddler's Convention. This group has had the privilege of sharing the stage with the late and great “Father of Bluegrass” Bill Monroe, Ralph Stanley, New Tradition, Primitive Quartet as well as many other top name groups. They are no strangers to performing on stage. Their experience has grown from years of hard work and dedication. The Bolt Brothers Band is totally confident being on stage and behind the microphone. They are capable of delivering a quality performance. Over the years the band has developed a unique style ranging from their creative hard driving music and soulful vocals. They bring their audiences into their performance. The band members write many of the songs they perform. They were featured as MasterSheild's newest recording artist in December 2002 Bluegrass Unlimited and Bluegrass Now magazines. Throughout, the years this band has won several awards and individual awards in various competitions. Most recently, placed 8 th at the 31 st SPBGMA International Bluegrass Competition in Nashville, TN. This band speaks to every one at heart by combining laughter, comedy, and by having a serious dedication to what they stand for. They are a pleasure to be around and you can tell they absolute enjoy what they do! Bluegrass Revival, Prince Edward Island Formed in 1999, Bluegrass Revival performs traditional and gospel bluegrass style music. Originally a group of four, Bluegrass Revival started performing the Bluegrass style of music in a little country church. We soon grew to love the unique mountain style of music with its beautiful harmonies, acoustic instrumentation and from-the-heart lyrics. The band grew to its existing six members and has acquired a song repertoire of over 100 songs and continue to perform in churches, for benefits and bluegrass festivals in Prince Edward Island and the Maritime region. Newfoundland & Labrador Groups: Atlantic Union, Pouch Cove NL http://www.atlanticunion.net Atlantic Union is an adventurous St. John's based trio specializing in fresh approaches to traditional tunes from both sides of the Atlantic. Between them, Andrew Lang, Sally Goddard and Dan Rubin play more than a dozen instruments, including fiddle, mandolin, mandocello, guitar, bouzouki, accordion, concertina and string bass. All three are vocalists, with broad interests in traditional and original music. The group has released two recordings. The first "Atlantic Union" earned an award as Best Atlantic Ceilidh album while the second "The Whole Dance" released in 2005, includes some traditional country and old timey material as well as Celtic tunes. Atlantic Union has appeared on local and national radio and television and at local folk festivals. Tours in Europe and Australia are in planning for the coming year. Avalon Ramblers, St.John's NL Formed in 2003, Avalon Ramblers perform an eclectic mix of bluegrass and oldtime country tunes. All the group members are experienced musicians who have been playing in various bands for many years and are now enjoying playing together the music that they all grew up listening to. Band members are George Jarvis (banjo and resonator guitar); Herb Davis (guitar and lap steel); Jimmy Linegar (vocals; guitar and fiddle); Jack Botsford (Bass); Frank Davis (vocals; guitar and mandolin). The group features Newfoundland country music pioneer Jimmy Linegar. Jimmy's vocals, guitar and fiddle are a major part of the groups sound. His vocal and flat-top pickin' treatments of Hank Snow favorites are authentic and captivating. Bart and The Breadpicks , St.John's NLhttp://www.bartandthebreadpicks.com Formed out of the Holy Heart Music community, Bart and the Breadpicks are a local bluegrass group who are quickly becoming favourites of the fledgling local youth-folk scene. The band features Tom Power (Banjo/Vocals), Emilia Bartellas (Fiddle/Vocals), Bart Pierson (Guitar/Dobro), Daniel Banoub (Guitar), Rob Pittman (Bass Fiddle) and Stephen Aylward (Mandolin). Influenced by bluegrass artists such as Bill Monroe, The Stanley Brothers, Ricky Skaggs and Allison Krauss, non-bluegrass artists such as Django Reinhardt, Stephane Grappelli, Britney Spears and Joel Plaskett, the band is constantly crossing the lines between traditional and progressive bluegrass. All in all, Bart and the Breadpicks are consummate musicians and a nice crowd of youngsters Ryman Country, St.John's NL Molly and I are originally from Bell Island and first started singing and playing Country and Irish/Newfoundland music at parties and clubs on the Island. A group called The Bell Islanders was my first band experience. I've been in St. John's for many years and played the Avalon area weekend circuit at clubs, legions, community halls etc. with various bands eg. The Carl Hibbs Band, Galaxy, Smokey ... Molly has sung everything from church solos at many weddings to country and 50's rock & roll with various bands on and off the Island. For the past few years we have been back to the oldtime country that we both started with and have become especially interested in local efforts to revive and keep oldtime country and bluegrass music alive in this area. We have performed at many local acoustic music events promoted by the Bluegrass and Oldtime Country Music Society -- NL including the Bluegrass & Oldtime Country Jamboree at the PSN Theater in June 2004. Crooked Stovepipe, St.John's NL http://www.crookedstovepipe.com/index.htm Crooked Stovepipe has been bringing bluegrass to Newfoundland audiences for over three decades. The band includes founding members Ted Rowe (guitar, vocals) and Neil Rosenberg (banjo, guitar, vocals) along with Rex Yetman (mandolin, vocals), Dave Rowe (bass, vocals) and Pat Moran (fiddle). Their albums include Newfoundland Bluegrass (1994) and Pickin' on the Rock (1997). In the 1950s and '60s, Jamestown, Bonavista Bay native Yetman was an original member of the pioneering Canadian bluegrass band the York County Boys. From 1984 to 1991, Grammy winner Rosenberg, author of the book Bluegrass. A History, was host of the weekly radio show "Bluegrass Country" on KIX FM. In addition to their many Newfoundland and Labrador appearances, they've played at festivals and concerts in Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Alberta. Fiddlers Blue, St.John's NL Caroline Koenig, Rosa Ernst, and Caroline Clarke have been making music together for the last few months. With varied musical backgrounds from the classical style of Rosa on fiddle, to blues and bluegrass styles of Caroline (Clarke that is) on mandolin, and the gutsy vocal style of Caroline Koenig, they have come together to create their own sound. Their pure love for music, and the obvious fun they’re having really comes through, making for highly entertaining and dynamic trio. Five For Silver, St.John's NL http://www.fiveforsilver.com/ Five for Silver is an acoustic five-piece band based in St. Johns. Together almost one year, all of the band members play several instruments and bring their own musical history and influences to the group. The result is a mixture of musical styles that ranges from traditional fiddle tunes and bluegrass to classic country and folk. Blues Dobro,reels on harmonica, bluegrass mandolin and vintage guitar twang with clean vocals and lots of acoustic attitude! Welcome to the next round of Tradgrass! Forward and Lewis, Carbonear NL Fred Forward & Jordan Lewis both residing in Carbonear,Conception Bay NL, are lifelong friends who have maintained a keen interest in oldtime country music throughout the years.Although only in recent months have they entered the public eye,they have charmed their listening audience with country, bluegrass and gospel songs that confirms their years of dedication to this style of music.Rich vocal harmony as well as outstanding instrumentals are qualities that lend the professional touch to their performance. With a special interest in country gospel they have immediately captured the attention of various churches in their area.Through their music Fred and Jordan have made it well known their intent to help others and to promote oldtime country & bluegrass music in Newfoundland & Labrador. Greeleys Reel, Upper Island Cove NL Greeley’s Reel is a six (6) piece band from the Conception Bay North Area which specializes in a combination of bluegrass and traditional Newfoundland music. A self titled CD was released in 2004 which featured traditional music. With the addition of a banjo player in the fall of 2004, the group has moved to an increased bluegrass component. Performers in the group are: Justin Greeley: Mandolin, Vocals; Michael Greeley: Guitar, Lead Vocals ; Tony Menchions: Banjo, Vocals; Jack Smith: Bass Guitar, Vocals; Tom Greeley: Guitar, Vocals; Aubrey Greeley: Fiddle The band was formed seven years ago, and has been performing at festivals, benefits, clubs/bars and private venues since inception. We have performed alongside such groups as The Masterless Men, Shanneyganock, The Irish Descendants, Banshee, The Government Rams, etc. In 2004 the group performed at festivals in Carbonear, Salmon Cove, Upper Island Cove, and Brigus. Neil & Terri, St.John's NL Neil Rosenberg and Terri Thomson have been performing together for several years. They began keeping musical company in the BANNERMAN PARK BAND and branched off as a duo. Neil came to St. John's in 1968. A native of the western US, he's been playing music since he was 7. He started on guitar and banjo as a teenager and has played in many groups over the years. He's a founding member of CROOKED STOVEPIPE, Newfoundland's longest-lived bluegrass band, and has been a member of the BLACK AUKS since 1994. Terri grew up in downtown St. John's listening to the BIG 6 and her father's accordion, harmonica, and spoons. She started playing fiddle when she was an adult. Over the years she has been in a number of all-female local bands including WEST WIND, BOX OFFICE, RAGING GRANNIES, and the SCALLYWAGS. In the Nineties she started playing with Art Stoyles and together with Bob Rutherford they founded the Bannerman Park Band. They are regular guests at the Kirk Café and other local acoustic country venues. Featured performers this year and last at St. John's Folk Club, they also have appeared at the Burin Folk Festival and were special guests at the Jamestown Coffee House in Bonavista Bay. They have also performed outside the province at Sweets Mill Music Camp in California, and the Cat in the Cream Coffee House in Oberlin, Ohio.Neil and Terri play old-time country songs and tunes from Newfoundland and beyond, including a number of well-known bluegrass pieces. Savage Creek, Logy Bay NL Savage Creek band combines Bluegrass with Old Time Country ballads that stand the test of time. Formed as the "house band" for Cafes in the Cove coffee houses the members have enjoyed playing together since 2002. Rosemary Ash sings clear lead and harmony vocals strongly influenced by her experience in B.C's Bluegrass music scene. Her broad vocal range and natural style lets you know that she loves to sing. Rosemary plays rhythm guitar and displays her song writing talents in several of the band's tunes. John Lacey sings lead and harmony vocals and plays both flat-picking and finger-style lead guitar. His mellow voice is an integral part of "Savage Creek". In the early 1970's John's band, "Country Dream" released "Ward Six", a timeless compilation of folk and bluegrass tunes that can still be heard on local radio. For many years it has been John's great pleasure to teach guitar. Clay Coombs is a talented guitar player who has picked up the mandolin to add to the bands bluegrass sound. He is usually to be found playing for seniors events and fund raisers or frequenting music stores and pawn shops looking for instruments. Clay loves to get people singing and he has a huge repertoire of well-known songs. Jim Wade is having a great time playing the fiddle on the various styles of music in Savage Creek's repertoire. His smooth vocal style can be heard in the classic country songs he loves to play on guitar. Savage Creek combine their own styles and years of experience to create " a good time had by all" Shepherds Way, Mount Pearl NL For the past eight years , Shepherd's Way has been playing Gospel music twice a month at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Mount Pearl . The band has also provided music for other types of events through the years and can play everything from fiddle tunes to Christmas songs. Three of the present members are from the Lear Family, a band that played at folk festivals, including the Canadian Heritage Festival (Alberta 1987), concerts etc. throughout the 1980's and 1990's. Shepherd's Way members are: Derek Kinsella ( guitar, vocals ), Hedley Wicks (guitar ), Judy Lear ( bass , vocals ) , Michele Lear ( mandolin, vocals ), Ed Lear ( fiddle, 5-string banjo ,vocals ). The band is pleased to be part of Newfoundland's first Bluegrass and Oldtime Country Music festival in Mount Pearl. Scalliwag, Sunnyside NL "Scalliwag" consists of the 6 members of the Smith family from Sunnyside, NL: father Phil, mother Muriel, sisters Sandra & Shelley and brothers Philip & Edward. The family began singing together when the boys were in high school. The boys decided they wanted to play at the Fog Festival in nearby Arnold's Cove; Phil & Muriel agreed to play with them and they became "Family Harmony", singing mostly Irish Newfoundland music. The two girls joined the group soon after, and they all agreed to change their name to Scalliwag in memory of Muriel's dad, Harvey Pitcher who affectionately referred to them as "a bunch of scallywags". They all love to sing and play music, but the greatest benefit for this group is the time they spend together as a family.