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THE BANDS... |
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| MICHAEL CLEVELAND & FLAMEKEEPER | |||
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As for Flamekeeper, this high-energy band was awarded this year's IBMA
"Instrumental Group of the Year" title and several of the
band members have had their own IBMA nominations for "Instrumental
Album of the Year." Like Michael, Jesse Brock (mandolin)
is a Dale Ann Bradley alumnus. Marshall Wilborn (bass) is well-known
for his stints with Jimmy Martin, the Johnson Mountain Boys, the Lynn
Morris Band, and Longview. Todd Rakestraw (guitar) was a part
of the original Union Station band when Alison Krauss was still a youngster.
She has since recorded several of Todd's songs. You won't believe that
self-taught John Mark Batchelor (banjo) has only been playing
for five years. His skills are incredibly strong. This band will surely
have the place rockin'! |
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| THE JEANETTE WILLIAMS BAND | |||
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The title track of her forthcoming release "Thank You For Caring"
is a duet with country music legend George Jones. Written by Dixie and
Tom T. Hall, the song tells the true story of a little girl Miss Dixie
met while gathering items for the relief effort in the aftermath of
hurricane Katrina. A portion of the proceeds from album sales will be
donated to the American Red Cross for continuing disaster relief. The
new project will also feature Jeanette's song "Enough Of You",
winner in the bluegrass division of the 2007 Chris Austin Songwriting
Contest at MerleFest. We're excited that Jeanette and her great band
will be with us both Friday and Saturday. |
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| BILL YATES & THE COUNTRY GENTLEMEN TRIBUTE BAND | |||
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As on the CD, the majority of the vocals are handled by Mike Phipps
(guitar, typcially with Jay Armsworth & Eastern Tradition), whose
voice sounds so much like the late Charlie Waller's that it's scary.
Additional vocals are provided by Darren Beachley (guitar, of
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver). Making return appearances to our festival
are the ever-solid Dave Propst (mandolin) and Dave MacGlashen
(bass) who were members of the fine Shenandoah Blue band. Mark Clifton
(resonator guitar) comes by way of Cliff Waldron & The New Shades
of Grass. If you're a fan of the Country Gentlemen sound (and who isn't?),
this is definitely a band that'll take you down Memory Lane. |
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| MOUNTAIN THERAPY | |||
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Lonnie and Marsha Wellman (guitar and acoustic bass, respectively) are the driving vocal and rhythm forces of Mountain Therapy. Their roots are deep in bluegrass and they both come from rich musical heritages. Tim Custer plays banjo, sings lead and bass, and handles the emcee duties with aplomb. Tim was crowned the Mid-Atlantic Banjo Champion for the second year in a row in October of 2002. Tim was also awarded the Tri-State Banjo Championship five times and the Maryland State Banjo Championship four times. Their CD "Looking Back" is getting great "buzz" in bluegrass circles throughout the country. And don't forget to check our "Links" page to get to info about Tim's fine Coleman Station Bluegrass Festival. |
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| BLUE SHADES | |||
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Brad Foust (lead and harmony vocals / rhythm guitar and mandolin)
performed with "True Bluegrass" band on mandolin and was known
for his high tenor work. In the early '80s he performed with the legendary
Mac Martin and the Dixie Travelers on mandolin and tenor and lead vocals.
Don Fronk (mandolin and guitar / harmony and lead vocals) also
started pickin' at the age of eight, and over the years has performed
with the bands "Sassafras," "Trade Secret," and
"Ground Speed." Troy Wigfield (harmony and lead vocals
/ bass) has been playing music over twenty years, in bands ranging from
country and country-rock to bluegrass. A strong vocalist, he has a wide
range and the rare ability to sing bass, lead and tenor. Fairmont W.
Va.'s banjo wizard Vince Bartlebaugh provides some of the most
creative, tasteful banjo playing you'll hear. Bluegrass Unlimited calls
their CD "Chasing Dreams" a "musicial extravaganza that
offers something for just about everyone." We agree. |
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| POVERTY HOLLOW | |||
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Most of the faces in the band will be familiar to local fans. Don
and Pam Mulhollem (guitar and bass, respectively) have performed
for years with the popular Mainline Gospel Band and Pam was the driving
force behind the Bluegrass Club at Mount Pleasant High School. John
Larimer (resonator guitar, guitar) played both bluegrass with the
Pickin@bluegrass band and country/rock with Whitehorse. John also performs
solo at various venues and is a talented songwriter. Gary Shaffer
(banjo) has reemerged onto the bluegrass scene following the demise
of the popular Jerusalem Ridge gospel bluegrass group several years
ago. (We're glad he has.) Gary also functions as the band's "harmony
mechanic." You'd never know Dave Watson (mandolin, guitar)
has only been pickin' for a few years. This 15 year old mando-wiz guested
with Lorraine Jordan and Carolina Road on our stage last year and showed
why he's one to watch. |
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| HIDDEN DRIVE | |||
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Brothers Jim and Ron Dick (guitar and mandolin, respectively) are the nucleus of the band, having grown up with the music thanks to their parents, Jim Sr. and Audrey, who often join them onstage for a few numbers. (Ron will be a busy guy this weekend, as he's also going to be performing with Mt. Therapy.) They're joined by Faron Reckhart (banjo) and Steve Thompson (bass), both seasoned veterans. A new recording project is in the planning stages. It's about time, guys! They've got some fine music to offer. |
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| NEW GENERATION | |||
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Brothers Jacob Richter (banjo, vocals) and Ray Richter
(bass, banjo, guitar, vocals) are from Normalville, Pa. They are joined
by Jacob "J.J." Hauger (guitar, banjo, vocals) of Acme,
Pa. They're off to a great start and we're expecting big things from
them in the future. |
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TOM BECKMAN | ||
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In "real life" Tom works in the health care field and lives
just down the road from the festival. He's a regular at various musical
venues throughout the area, including Fort Ligonier Days and the VYN
coffeehouse concerts in Ligonier. His original songs touch kids and
adults alike and we're glad he's here to help make our festival a truly
family oriented event. |
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DAN SCHALL | ||
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In the 1990's Dan was presented with the "Harry Denman Award for Evangelism" by the Western Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church. Dan will present his gospel service on Sunday morning. |
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