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If your Bluegrass Band is not listed, let us know. If you know of a Bluegrass Band not listed, please let us know. See note below.
Send all information to Bluegrass Bands/Old Time Music
Note: Our listing are limited to all of New Mexico and parts of Arizona, Colorado, West Texas, and Oklahoma.
SWT & BMA reserves the right to decide which bands are to be listed on this site. Decisions are final and made
as to the content and style of music played by a band. Also, the distance, from the focal point of Albuquerque, New Mexico,
to where each band is located, is a strong consideration in the decision process. All bands listed are to promote
Southwest Pickers either by word of mouth or as a listing on their own web site.
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Bluegrass Odyssey
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Specializing in Bluegrass music that will really "Pick" you up.
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L to R - John, Peaches, George, Irmi, and Carl
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Bluegrass Odyssey consists of:
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George Butterfield - Guitar, Lead Vocal
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Irmi Butterfield - Electric Bass
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Morys "Peaches" Hines - Banjo/Vocals
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Carl Seager - Fiddle/Mandolin/Vocals
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John McNair -Mandolin/Vocals
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Bluegrass Odyssey, formed in the spring of 2003 in Albuquerque, NM. Inspired by such bands as Hot Rize, Lost & Found, Lonesome River Band, Blue Highway and several others, Bluegrass Odyssey offers the music each of these groups have made known throughout the bluegrass world.
Bluegrass Odyssey will cause most anyone to start toe taping, hand clapping and even singing with the flow of the music. With a good hard driving banjo leading the way throughout most of the songs, the upbeat singing, the strength of the fiddle, guitar and bass all follow along giving a true blend to the bluegrass music played.
And we do project much excitement in our music. George does most of the singing with a mellow voice that makes you feel that you are singing with him.
Bluegrass Odyssey will play and has played good hard driving bluegrass for some of the following activities (not all inclusive):
Sports Events, Restaurants, Private Parties, Reunions, Weddings, Fund Raisers, Festivals/Fairs, Schools-Public & Private, Senior Citizen Centers, Assisted Living and Nursing Homes.
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Coyote Crossing
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L to R: Steve, Marlene, Lance, Tony, Jym
COYOTE CROSSING presents traditional bluegrass, gospel, and original acoustic music. Each of the band members are dedicated aficionados of bluegrass, and they have all played with numerous bands in the past. While their performances emphasize vocal harmonies, they back it up with powerful yet tasteful instrumental work – all guaranteed to get your foot tapping.
Coyote Crossing has been around for many years, as everything from a duo to a sextet. As it exists today, the band was "born" in April, 2004 - and four of those original five members are still performing with the band. Since that time, Coyote Crossing has performed at restaurants, weddings, fundraisers, parties and festivals. They captured First Place in the Bluegrass Band Contest at the "Santa Fe Bluegrass and Old Time Music Festival" in 2004, and were part of the entertainment booked for that festival in 2005. They were also selected to perform at the "Enchanted Desert Bluegrass Festival", held at Balloon Fiesta Park in Albuquerque in May of 2005.
Tony Brozena started playing five string in Baltimore, first with a jug band based on the work of Jim Kweskin and Bill Keith. He soon added guitar to his arsenal and was influenced by the New Lost City Ramblers. He continues today, playing both bluegrass and old time styles.
Lance and Marlene Gray are former members of the Arizona band "Raw Deal". Lance Gray's bass, and his wife Marlene's rhythm guitar, provide the foundation for the band. They also perform vocally in both the lead and harmony positions. Marlene occasionally plays the autoharp as well.
Steve Morgan is the founding member of Coyote Crossing, having been with the band for a number of years through several configurations. Steve writes most of the original material done by the band, plays guitar, and sings on both lead and harmony vocals.
Jym Ferril has been performing with various bands in the Albuquerque area for more than 20 years. He rounds out the group, playing both dobro and guitar. He also sings lead and harmony, providing the bass vocal on the bands four-part gospel numbers.
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The Duke City Swampcoolers are an acoustic music group that does a mixture of folk, bluegrass, and gospel music. Members of the group are Jesse Rael (vocal, bass, clawhammer banjo, mandolin, guitar, dobro and sound man), Bill Dufault (vocal/songwriter, guitar, mandolin), John Bryan (vocal/songwriter, banjo, bass, and sound man), Tony Smith (vocal/songwriter, guitar, bass) and Aaron Combs(fiddler) .
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Nob Hillbillies
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L to R: Marlene, Lance, Kevin, Dave, Price.
NOB HILLBILLIES
The Nob Hillbillies are comprised of very talented musicians based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Nob Hillbillies were formed in 2003 at the Santa Fe Bluegrass Festival when Dave McKisson, Kevin Dullea and Price Quarles recruited John Shively to compete in the band contest. The chemistry was apparent to all and the Nob Hillbillies were formed. Since then they had been joined by Amanda McKisson as their fiddler. And as of January 2007 Lance and Marlene Gray have replaced Amanda McKisson and Jon Shively. We also will have special appearances from time to time by Ezra Bussman on Fiddle.
The Nob Hillbillies main focus is to keep the bluegrass tradition alive by playing a variety of Appalachian traditional, Gospel and Folk music with a few new favorites mixed in as well as originals. Their vocal abilities compliment their musical talent and music is a weaving of all the Bluegrass favorites. There songs are presented in a crisp, clear and well-composed fashion.
Dave McKisson - Mandolin, Kevin Dullea - Lead guitar, Price Quarles - Banjo, Lance Gray - Bass & Marlene Gray Rhythm Guitar & Autoharp
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The Hot Club of Santa Fe is an acoustic (plus electric bass) string band based in Santa Fe, New Mexico. They play an eclectic repertoire that includes hot swing, gypsy jazz, and bluegrass. Band members are Bob Gray on mandolin and vocals, Grey Howell on fiddle and banjo, Patrick Longmire on guitar, and Kent Scarborough on bass and vocals. The Hot Club of Santa Fe has been wowing audiences in New Mexico with high energy performances, unique arrangements, and virtuoso musicianship since 2004. This band plays original songs composed by band members along with music ranging from 20th century jazz and swing standards to songs by composers such as Bill Monroe, Django Reinhardt, Bob Wills, Sam Bush, and Chris Thile. The band’s repertoire emphasizes melodic vocals and vocal harmonies as well as hot instrumental numbers.
Band members have won several music awards including 2nd place in the Telluride Band Contest and 2-time winner of the Santa Fe Bluegrass and Old Time Music Festival mandolin contest. The band members have also opened shows for and shared the stage with many notable performers including Vassar Clements, Ralph Stanley, Hot Rize, Country Gazette, Alison Krauss, New Grass Revival, David Grisman, Tony Rice, David Grier, Matt Flinner, Steven Bennett, Beppe Gambetta, Carlo Aonzo, Doc Watson, and Lyle Lovett.
The Hot Club of Santa Fe will provide an energetic and memorable performance for your concert, festival, or private party. For bookings and additional information, please contact:
Pat Longmire (telephone: 505-983-7715, fax: 505-820-6471)
or email us at hot_club_santafe@yahoo.com.
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The Band Higher Ground is an eclectic blend of truly accomplished musicians who enjoy watching all the pieces of a tune fall naturally into place. Each member brings new ideas to old standard tunes, as well as thoughts on how to put the most into original or contemporary selections. From diverse backgrounds, Higher Ground performs an interesting array of traditional, original and contemporary bluegrass tunes. With four members providing vocal contributions, the swapping of lead and harmonies offers something new and appealing for each song in their repertoire.
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L to R: Gregg, Don, Richard and Aimee
". . . a significant voice of modern bluegrass music" - Bluegrass Unlimited
They call New Mexico home now. But they come from the flat cornfields of the Midwest and the misty Appalachians. They've walked the back roads of red clay Georgia and the ridges of the Blue Ridge hill country. They're as much at home in dusty badlands as beside whispering mountain creeks. Most of all, they love making music. Music from the heart of the Land of Enchantment. They're Raising Cane and they're one of the hottest bluegrass bands in the Southwest. Hailing these days from across New Mexico, Raising Cane is Gregg Daigle on lead guitar and banjo, Don Grieser on mandolin, Aimee Hoyt on rhythm guitar and Rich Sanchez on bass. In less than a year, Raising Cane has shared the stage with national acts such as Peter Rowan and Tony Rice, the Nashville Bluegrass Band, Rhonda Vincent and the Rage, the Cherryholmes, IIIrd Tyme Out, and Blue Highway. Mike Compton of the Nashville Bluegrass Band calls their debut, self-titled CD "a personal and unique statement of down-to-earth themes, well thought out and tastefully executed," and dobro legend Sally Van Meter has signed on to produce the band's second album. While preserving the great traditions of the genre's folk roots, Raising Cane now applies a rich, pleasing patina of America's great Southwest with music that spins stories, tugs at the emotions, and brings a broad smile to all those who hear it. Raising Cane. Bringing enchantment to a grand old tradition.
Gregg Daigle - vocals, lead guitar, banjo
Don Grieser - vocals, mandolin
Aimee Hoyt - vocals, rhythm guitar
Rich Sanchez - vocals, bass
Contact:
Gregg Daigle - (505) 243-4910
Raising Cane
PO Box 69
Pine Hill, NM 87552
email: info@raisingcanebluegrass.com
For current news and schedule information, MP3 files, promotional materials, or to join our mailing list, please visit our website at www.raisingcanebluegrass.com.
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Formed in early 1977 when most of its members were living or working in Los Alamos, Atomic Grass has been one of the longest-running bluegrass music groups in northern New Mexico. The group has performed throughout New Mexico and the Southwest at concerts, festivals, weddings, parties and community events. This four-member band's repertoire includes the traditional bluegrass songs as well as modern compositions from contemporary country and acoustic music songwriters. Their sound is composed of smooth vocal harmonies and tight, lively instrumentals with banjo, mandolin, guitar and string bass. Ron Hale plays rhythm and lead guitar; Haywood Martin plays mandolin; Larry Longmire plays a hard-driving Scruggs-style banjo; and Phil Vergamini plays acoustic string bass and is a founding member of the band.
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Richard, Al, Richard Bray, Ben
About 15 years ago, four local musicians formed a band and played in New Mexico, Arizona, Texas and Oklahoma. Three of those musicians have re-grouped and Cross Country is playing again.
The original three members are Al Whitehouse (mandolin), Ben Perea (banjo) and Richard Bray, (guitar and vocals). Joining them on bass is Richard McDowell.
Contact Al Whitehouse
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Hey
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L-R: Linda Vik: fiddle; Tim Shaffer: guitar, mandolin, fiddle; Jane Phillips: fiddle, bass; Chris Carlson: fiddle, banjo.
Old-time dance band, active around Albuquerque for the past four years, and two-time placers in the Santa Fe band contest.
Please visit our web site
http://www.folkmads.org/hey.html
For Band Information Contact
shelvinrock@comcast.net
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FoxFire Bluegrass
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Left to Right:
Kevin - Banjo/mandolin/dobro; Timothy - Bass;
Brian - Guitar; Stephanie - Fiddle/Mandolin
The Haisman kids (Foxfire) are a Bluegrass band from Bloomfield, NM (Four Corners). Playing Traditional High Energy Bluegrass, Gospel and some Folk/Old Time music.
While enjoying the Southwest Pickers Festival 2002, they took time to compete in the Bluegrass Band contest and won 1st place. Kevin won 1st place in bluegrass banjo.
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Born Ready Bluegrass" is one of the most fun and creative bluegrass bands around. They've performed in Durango for Snow Down and Melt Down, the Santa Fe festival (2nd place 2002) in addition to performing for the US State Department/Department of Energy throughout the year playing for foreign delegations from around the world who love sampling good old down home American music. Lead singer Bruce Bortner is also one hot 5-string banjo picker. He has jammed with musicians ranging from the Rolling Stones to the legendary Kingston Trio, including shows with Don Reno and Bill Monroe. Mary Kay Hoppe has degrees in music performance and Music Therapy. She makes her mark with powerful vocals and solid bluegrass guitar strumming. Marj Dye is classically trained but converted to bluegrass stand up bass. She has played with several well-known professionally acclaimed bluegrass bands and shared the stage with Bill Monroe. Join "Born Ready Bluegrass" for a lively upbeat music performance spanning Buddy Holly, the Eagles, Everly Brothers as well as Bill Monroe classics, all done in foot tappin' bluegrass style.
For more information contact:
Mary Kay Hoppe
(505) 856-1263
rkhoppe@msn.com
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While the Placitas Mountain Band may have changed the name of our mountain, it is true to traditional bluegrass music. Their concerts contain the lively bluegrass sounds from the forties along with quieter numbers, giving the audience a taste of times past. They have established themselves as a crowd-pleasing band, hired for all kinds of events from opening for Merle Haggard at the Ohkay Casino in 2005, to house parties. They have played the Tricentennial Parade in Balloon Park, the Tricentennial Concert at the KIMO Theater, the Sunport, the New Mexico State Fair for several years, the National Multi-media Art Conference, the Sandoval Historical Society, and multiple times at UNM for various occasions. Gary Libman plays autoharp, banjo, and recorder; Joe Ferrara plays mandolin; Doug Chapman plays tenor guitar and does vocals; Jerry Grayson plays dobro, banjo, and guitar; Roger Schense plays guitar and is lead vocalist; Shirley Metzler plays fiddle, and Mary Schense plays bass. Shirley Metzler is in the Who's Who of New Mexico Musicians. Roger, Mary, and Jerry perform as far afield as Texas, Minnesota, Florida, Scotland, and Belgium.
For contact information:
Roger Schense: rschense@comcast.net , Phone 505-298-4544
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HOBOS IN LIMBO came together in a kitchen in Southwest Albuquerque one morning in May of 2003 with Virginia born street performer "Fast Heart" Mart, bluegrass banjo player Kevin Jones and punk rock bassist Roblyn Crawford. Each possessed an undying love of mountain music, and each shared the missions of revitalizing and interpreting the songs they loved best, while continuing to write new material in the genre that would stand the test of time.
The two songwriters in the band are prolific. Kevin Jones and "Fast Heart" Mart have written modern bluegrass songs that have the sincere feel of olde-tyme music without being derivative. The compositions are fresh and the topics often modern, (credit card debt, The Apocalypse, divorce, gentrification) and often ageless, (the splendor of the ocean, racism, unrequited love.)
In in July of 2003, The Hobos recorded a session on their front porch. This became their first CD entitled "...on the porch...". This rare cd includes two Kevin Jones originals, eleven standards, a cameo by a resident cat, a rainstorm, and even crazy neighbors drag racing. "...on the porch..." can now be purchased and downloaded in mP3 format from their site at http://www.soundclick.com/hobosinlimbo.
You can visit HOBOS IN LIMBO on myspace for music, photos and current concert schedule http://www.myspace.com/hobosinlimbo
To book HOBOS IN LIMBO for your event, please write to hobosinlimbo@fastheartmart.com.
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Muddy River String Band
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The Muddy River String Band draws the listener down a dusty lane echoing with acoustic memories of lonely mountain melodies. Rousing
bluegrass tunes cause toes to tap of their own accord. Art Garcia
leads the Muddy River String Band with smooth vocals and driving
mandolin picking. His original music journeys to a folksy, sepia-toned
vision of bygone days. Diane Prior’s liquid, bluesy voice adds power
to the ensemble, while her hammered dulcimer fulfills a longing for
simpler times. Ben Prior adds the unique sound of the ‘cello with his
rhythmic, pulsing accompaniment and unusual, improvised leads. Ben
Chavez on rhythm guitar and banjo and Lynda Garcia on bass round out the band.
Muddy River String Band plays an eclectic mix of Americana. From
folk to blues, bluegrass to old-time, we play what we like. Our
unusual instrumentation includes the hammered dulcimer and the 'cello.
Our music is bright and energetic, with the occasional moody tune.
The Muddy River String Band is available for special events, parties,
weddings, and reunions.
For booking contact us at MuddyRiverSB@gmail.com
http://muddyriverstringband.com
http://www.myspace.com/muddyriverstringband
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Holy Water and Whiskey plays traditional, folk, bluegrass, gospel, and some select “whiskey” tunes. The group bases it’s selections on solid and straightforward instrumental playing with a special focus on the beautiful harmonies found in the songs that they play. Their voices create a relaxing, enjoyable and family-friendly listening experience. (Some suspect that they may have been triplets separated at birth, at last reunited.) The music is nestled somewhere between woodstoves and solar energy, between organic food and chocolate chip cookies, between angels and coal mines.
The group consists of Maggie Washburne on bass, Scott Altenbach on guitar, and Bruce Washburne on guitar and banjo. Bruce and Maggie met in a band in Hawaii and were married 26 years ago, and have been playing music together ever since. In 2004 they started singing with Scott, former hard rock miner and veteran of the coffee house circuit in Colorado, and the trio has been having a great time with their music ever since.
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Desert Skies Band is the award winning Haroldson family of Aztec, New Mexico. The band enjoys playing music of many genres, from Texas fiddle to Bluegrass, from Celtic to cowboy, from Gypsy to Gospel. They will entertain you with their energetic, foot tapping tunes from around the globe. The fiddle is the star instrument of the band but you will also be treated to the sounds of the mandolin, Irish Tin Whistle, guitar and assorted other traditional instruments, along with some sweet family harmonies. Brock's beautiful, original tunes written especially the band, win the hearts of audiences all over.
Desert Skies has appeared on stage at festivals, churches, conventions, private parties and public events. They have enjoyed performing at many venues from local events to appearances at the National Old Time Fiddle contest in Weiser, Idaho. Desert Skies was excited to win 2nd place in the battle of the bands at Weiser this year! Along with the band accomplishments, the family has many individual awards including state fiddle championship titles.
The 3 oldest children will entertain music lovers with their amazing skill on the fiddle and mandolin and their ability to swap instruments with each other and their folks,. But no performance is complete without a few tunes with the little girls on stage. Audiences especially delight in seeing 4 year old Jocelyn as she sings and fiddles with her family.
A Desert Skies performance will definitely include a lot of fiddling and expert pickin' but you will also hear some fun singing and see a little Irish dancing and clogging from the girls!
You can contact us by e mail- dennis@desertskiesband.com , our home phone 505-334-3178 or our cell phone 505-215-1950.
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Ben "Skipper" Perea on Banjo and lead guitar
JoAnn Sartorius "The Jewel of Santa Fe" on vocals, kazoo, jug, spoons, and dried vegetables
Barbara "Loose hands Leyden" Piper on washboard and percussion
Gary "G-Bucket" Oleson on washtub bass
Our newest addition, Pat "Hot Lips" Houlihan on guitar, vocals, jaw harp, harmonica, and original tunes.
The Watermelon Mountain Jug Band has been entertaining audiences, young and old, since 1975. True to the original 1920’s jug bands of the South, our music comes alive with washboard, jug, kazoo, washtub bass, spoons, guitar and banjo. The band delights audiences with jug band, ragtime, country and bluegrass music with some rock ‘n roll or a Spanish ranchera added for spice. Ben might even play a classical piece. Performances have included appearances at the KIMO Theater, Rio Grande Zoo, Albuquerque Bio Park, Rio Grande Arts and Crafts Fair, Placitas Artists Series, and with the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra. We also play for national and international conferences, weddings and private parties.
For booking fees, dates, and promo packs, contact:
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L-R: Erika Gerety, Bruce Thomson, Peter Esherick, Gary Blank, John Brinduse
As both dancers and musicians, we thrive on the energy that flows from the band to the dancers on a good medley (and back to the band when it all comes together!). Not wed to a particular style, you'll hear everything from the lilt of Scottish fiddling to the syncopated percussion of the hammer dulcimer. Inspired by bands like Air Dance and mentored by the Albuquerque Megaband, Hands Five combines some old-time southern style, New England, Celtic, and "Newtime" music. With some of the band members from Santa Fe and others from Albuquerque, finding time to practice is always an interesting process. We all know "Hands Four" as the call to dancers to get organized at the start of a dance, so Hands Five seemed an appropriate name for a band of five in a perpetual state of reorganization. We hope to start work soon on a CD entitled "From the Top".
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Over the years, audiences everywhere have grown to savor the combination of fiery Celtic reels, hot bluegrass instrumentals and traditional American fiddle tunes coming from the flying fingers of Albuquerque's Page family!
Award-winning vocals are punctuated by lightning speed leads on hammered dulcimer, mandolin and bouzouki, with the driving rhythms of bass and guitar pulling it all together.
Cutting edge artists of today, like The Next Chapter, inspire a new vocabulary with terms such as 'Neo-Celtic' or 'New Grass.' The Next Chapter's explosive music of today is laying the foundation for the acoustic music of tomorrow.
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Ten Cats Laughing is Lisa and Guy Dicharry. We sing and play guitar, banjo, mandolin, and resonator guitar . . . just not all at the same time. We play original material and songs we wish we’d written. We have too many musical influences to name here, so we won’t. We play music whether or not anyone asks us to, or even wants us to. We’ve got it all: hot pickin’, cool pickin’, and – unique among bands – pickin’ on a medium setting. The choice is yours."
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Eric Carlson
Guitar-picker Eric Carlson of Santa Fe.
Eric Carlson and the Mystery Ship of Santa Fe, NM play original and
traditional folk-music with old-time roots and some bluegrass seasoning.
However, their music spans beyond the usual boundaries those words suggest.
Santa Fe is home to a rich diversity of first-class international
musicians, as well as a surprisingly lively bluegrass and old-time music
scene, offering a great deal of knowledge and inspiration that Eric the
crew draw from. The Mystery Ship features Hilary Schacht of fiddle, Michael
Lawless on mandolin, and Richard Hardy on upright bass.
Eric's latest CD "The Ship in the Sky" contains original and traditional
songs and instrumentals that explore a recurrent oceanic theme amid the
desert southwest. Though seafaring music in the desert may seem ironic to
some, the grand vistas and broad horizons of the ocean and the southwest
landscape have a lot in common. They both share a vast, humbling, and moody
spirit. Perhaps the new CD speaks to a deep memory of the ocean that we all
share regardless of where we live. All life began in the sea after all, and
some would say that it still runs through our veins, our blood having a
salinity remarkably similar to that of the sea. The land itself in the high
desert retains the memory of the ocean that once lay above it long ago. One
can find ancient marine fossils from the desert of Southern New Mexico to
the peaks of the Rocky Mountains. Indeed, bluegrass legend Peter Rowan once
wrote "In the high desert mountains, I dream of the sea, dream of the sea."
Find out about upcoming performances and hear some music at
www.myspace.com/theshipinthesky.
For booking or information Contact Eric at (505)984-3297 or email carlson@cybermesa.com for more info.
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