California Bluegrass peppered with every influence you can imagine. Whiskey Chimp takes its audience on a genre-bending roller coaster of musical emotions. While making a clear nod to the bluegrass roots of their music, Whiskey Chimp is by no means letting it box them into a statically traditional and predictable format. They embrace string band music, yet treat it with a whimsical irreverence that could make the old guard shake their banjos in protest. Featuring tight four-part harmonies and blazing instrumental prowess, The Chimp, as they are affectionately known by their fans, takes its audience on a genre bending roller coaster of musical emotions. In order to capture the essence of their raucous concerts, the album “Ventura” was recorded live in the studio. Their live show is so outstanding that the Chimp was invited to play at the hallowed grounds of the famous McCabes Guitar shop in Santa Monica not once, but twice, to a rowdy and appreciative full house both times. With a “makes strange bedfellows” blend of musical history behind them (punk, heavy metal, country, mariachi, rockabilly, cajun and even a jugband) this group of friends has found a common ground in string band music. Whiskey Chimp features Chris Cairn’s traditional bluegrass banjo, Toby Emery’s punk vocals and mandolin, Bill Flores’ seemingly bottomless talent on accordian/clarinet/dobro/fiddle, Stanley Gonzales vocals and rock-n-roll ukulele, Brent Harding’s vocals and slapping upright bass, Mark Parson’s cajun-styled vocals and fiddle, Cory Scrivner’s roots and folk based vocals/guitar. Please visit the band at their Web site, http://www.whiskeychimpband.com
"Fur Dixon & Steve Werner create music that is essential, by all the definitions of that word: their music is 'absolutely necessary, indispensable; it 'constitutes the essence' of the genre; and it is, 'by its very nature or in the highest sense, natural, spontaneous.' They are first-rate, fiercely harmonious, and their guitar playing fits their originals so well that you don't know and don't care if they brought a fiddle or mandolin or banjo player with them. The train is leaving the station anyway, under a full head of steam and a whistle blowing eight to the bar." — Larry Wines, Host of radio’s “Tied to the Tracks”
“With ever-growing audiences of fans and friends, the popularity of this duo continues to grow by leaps and bounds.”— Carl Gage, Folkworks
Full review at: http://www.folkworks.org/content/view/35693/167
Skyrocketing folk favorites Fur Dixon and Steve Werner have built a solid reputation with their sizzling two-part harmonies, spectacular yodeling, awesome guitar picking, BBQ chicken, baked lasagna and wise-cracking humor which all serve to compliment their incredible original traveling songs. Their two CDs, “The Pearl and the Swine” and “Travelers” are a one-two knockout punch of real-deal American Folk music, filled with songs that are quickly becoming classics. They effortlessly bridge the rich traditions of Bluegrass, Western and good old American folk music.
They have wowed ‘em all over the west, headlining at such places as the Getty Center Concert Series, Tucson Folk Festival, Peter Strauss Ranch Summer Concert Series, Friends of Bodie Days, Bluegrass at the Braemar, Ojai Concert Series, Underwood Farms Bluegrass, Folk and Old Time Festival, and of course the Topanga Banjo•Fiddle Contest, which they proudly call their home festival.
The Railroad Stage, where they’ve packed ‘em in for the past two years, frankly, can’t contain ‘em anymore. So we’re moving Fur and Steve, along with their all-star band of pickers to the main stage. Get your voices ready, friends. This here is folk music. There will be singalongs. Give Fur and Steve a look and listen at: www.myspace.com/furandsteve
Previously on the Topanga Main Stage in 2005, Susie's "Appalachian Folksongs of Jean Ritchie" has been featured on the Railroad Stage in the past few years. Now she's back with her full Hilonesome Band to showcase the new release for 2008, the Laurie Lewis produced "Green Kentucky Blues," critically acclaimed by Vintage Guitar, Bluegrass Unlimited and Sing Out! magazines. Susie's Hilonesome Band ~ the best in Appalachia to Bluegrass Americana fusion are hot Southern California bluegrass players collected to showcase the songwriting genius of lead guitarist Rob Carlson. The band features Steve Rankin on mandolin, Rodger Phillips on banjo, Charlie Otte on fiddle, Carlson on dobro and guitar, and the amazing Fred Sanders from The Eight Hand String Band on bass. Entertainment Weekly writes "...she can blow the roof off any joint lucky enough to book her." Winner of the Just Plain Folks 2006 Music Award for Best Roots Album and Folkworks Magazine's Pick for Best Bluegrass Album of 2005, "Blue Eyed Darlin'" is gorgeous eclectic blends of Appalachian mountain folk and exciting new bluegrass-inspired originals, all with the remarkable voice of Susie Glaze. Please visit Susie at her Web Site www.susieglaze.com and www.myspace.com/susieglaze
Paul Statman was born in Leeds and raised in Birmingham, England. A self-taught rhythm guitarist and singer, he was 'press-ganged' into the premier bluegrass band in Jerusalem, Israel to play mandolin. Upon hearing Dawg music, he realized that this was what he really wanted to play, so he started to learn Grisman's tunes. One of Paul's previous dawgalike band incarnations, Tipsy Gypsy won the band category at TBFC in 2004 with Dave Volk on guitar. Paul also took home 1st place in Advanced Mandolin. A long time composer, Paul is currently working with The Statmen to produce a CD of his original music. The Statmen are Dave Volk (guitar), Ron Vance (bass), Connor Vance (violin)
"Storytelling through song" will explore the elements of telling a story through song, (beginning middle end, mood, point of view) and play examples of various styles of story songs. Stephanie's music is new and very catchy; an engaging mixture of bluegrass, folk, roots, and jazz with sophisticated lyrics and killer instrumentation set in a folky mountain vibe. Stephanie is backed by an impressive acoustic ensemble: Danny Ciarfalia (guitar and vocals), Luke Halpin (mandolin and vocals) and Brian Netzley (bass and vocals). Her illustrious band members have worked as studio musicians in Nashville, toured this country as well as others, and opened for everyone from Kenny Chesney to Merle Haggard. You can visit Stephanie and learn more at her Web site, http://www.stephaniebettman.com
Exploring the roots of American Music, these boys dynamically recreate the music of the Carter Family, Jimmie Rodgers, and other country music greats with wonderful harmonies, hot pickin' and yodeling madness, with guitars, mandolin, banjo, slide guitar and uke. "Country music . . . with the hairy side out!"
Peter Feldmann
A singer and multi- instrumentalist with many years' performing experience throughout California and the West, Peter has been presenting bluegrass, folk, string band, and related music since the early 1960's. He is known as the founder of the Santa Barbara Old Time Fiddler's Convention and the original Bluebird Café in Santa Barbara, a music club highly influential on the Southern California Music scene. Peter's tribute CD to Uncle Dave Macon, "Grey Cat On The Tennessee Farm," was named to the nation's Top Ten Bluegrass albums of 2005 by the Chicago Tribune.
David Jackson
Being in the right place at the right time, and lucky, David Jackson's career began with 3 years on The Andy Williams show as a comedian and bassist and little has changed in the intervening years (if hair loss doesn't count). Writing "Joy To The World" (with Hoyt Axton for 3 Dog Night) and "The No,No Song" (Again, with Hoyt, for Ringo Starr) and playing with Jackson Browne, Glenn Campbell, Roger Miller and John Denver still left time to sandwich in a wide variety of music over the years. Still, there is so much more playing to do.
Rick Cunha
May truly be described as a guitar player’s guitar player and one of America's finest songwriters. Rick has performed in concert with Mason Williams (for whom he also produces), Emmylou Harris, John Stewart, Anne Murray, Jennifer Warnes, Buck Owens and The Smothers Brothers, to name a few. His songs have been recorded by Ms. Warnes, Ian Matthews, The Smothers Brothers, Michael Johnson and many other artists. Mr. Cunha's solo recording career began in 1974 with an album for the GRC label that included his song "Yo-Yo-Man," which has since been immortalized on television and in concert by Tom Smothers. Other solo albums include "Cunha Tunes" and "Moving Pictures". Please visit Peter at his great Web Site, www.bluegrasswest.com
"A real flair for writing . . . on a par with the best of Tom Paxton," says the CTMS Journal. Ross Altman, L.A.'s most sought-after activist folksinger, has sung with Arlo and Pete and Sam Hinton and Johnny Walker. But more than that he has sung with the very people who created the music he sings -- the folk, meaning the poor folk. He has sung -- even daily for the last dozen years -- at nursing homes, psychiatric facilities, and schools for the developmentally disabled. He has sung for the disadvantaged and disenfranchised, for the homeless and homebound, for human rights groups and animal rights groups, for peace groups and environmental groups, for labor unions and outreach programs, for folk festivals and fringe festivals. Please visit Ross at his Web site, http://www.ultimate.com/altman
Mike is a founding member and advisory board member for the Western Music Association. His background includes Broadcasting for KCRW and KCSN FM in Los Angeles & KBBQ in Ventura, Ca. Mike was one of three that began the McCabes Concert Series in 1969 and began performing at Topanga with the band Trailmix back in 1980. Mike and Trailmix perform traditional and contemporary Cowboy and Western Swing. Mike regularly hosts the Cowboy Music and Poetry segment at the Topanga Banjo Fiddle Contest.
From East Los Angeles and compared to Los Lobos, Tremoloco’s songs are Spanish, English, honky-tonk, Tex-Mex, rock and roll, they play it all. With Los Lobos drummer Cougar Estrada, Dave Alvin alum Rick Shea on guitars and Tony Zamora’s earthy lyrics and vocals, this band should be crowd favorites.
Beginning as a tribute to the Sons of the Pioneers, they continue in their quest to pay homage to their rich musical legacy with a show complete with singing, humor, storytelling and a bit of fancy western footwork! Named one of the Top 10 Live Acoustic Acts in Southern California by FolkWorks Magazine, their debut album titled “The Tumbling Tumbleweeds” has become #1 on the Top 10 Cowboy/Western Music CD Charts and is receiving critical acclaim as well as radio airplay all around the World. You can visit their Web Site at www.thetumblingtumbleweeds.com
Joe Herrington is a Novelist, Cowboy Poet and Western Storyteller. His stories and poems are homespun and told in the Western tradition of honor, courage and rugged characters. His stories and poems not only entertain but also prod the soul with a truer understanding of the deep values and solid character of the American Cowboy. He has been nominated five times Cowboy Poet of the Year, for the 2005 Will Rogers award and in 2007, the Western Music Association named him among the top five Western Storytellers/Poets in the country. Visit Joe at http://joeherrington.com/
Singer/songwriter/guitarist Ray Doyle has contributed to more than a dozen CDs as a longtime member of the popular cowboy and Western band Wylie & the Wild West. He has logged countless miles performing on five continents at venues ranging from the Grand Ole Opry to the Kennedy and Lincoln Centers. Ray has played at national folk festivals and cowboy poetry gatherings, at French rodeos and in Australian wool sheds. Born in Dublin, Ireland, Ray emigrated with his family to Canada, and eventually settled near Hollywood, California. His newly released second solo CD, “The Emigrant Trail”, celebrates Ray’s Irish heritage, Western music influences and first-hand emigrant experience. Visit Ray at his Web Site, www.myspace.com/raydoylemusic
Los Zanjeros is a roots trio of brothers Michael and Bill McClellan with Mike Mahaney offering vocals in Spanish, Hawaiian and English. "These guys have a unique sound and energy."
With an arsenal of banjos, guitars, mandolin, fiddle, pedal steel, upright bass, and thundering drums, their sound is a wholesome mishmash of creek mud, rusty nails and your mom’s cookin’. It’s sincere, straight-forward and passionate, effortlessly combining such disparate musical styles as rock, country, bluegrass, and punk to create an incomprehensibly smooth and accessible sound for true believers and skeptics alike. Please visit the band at their great Web Site, http://www.rosespawnshop.org/
"Merle Jagger, L.A.'s all-instrumental Country and Bluegrass songsmiths, with a handful of special guest players will be playing all-acoustic while trading licks and furious rhythms. Please visit them at their Web Site, http://www.myspace.com/merlejagger
"Sometimes in Tune" formed 5 years ago when Laura Garfield (fiddle) and Margee Schubert (banjo) dared each other to play in public. Joel Garfield offered his services on backup guitar -- for one hour. That first gig netted $5 in tips - enough to encourage them -- and after a few weeks the trio figured they had played long enough to be a band. A name was chosen and the lineup has never changed. The Band plays most Sunday mornings at the Studio City Farmer's Market. Please visit the band at their Web site, http://sometimesintune.com
The Hollow Trees are a “Folk Music for Families” group from Los Angeles who play upbeat, acoustic, Americana-style music for all ages. Inspired by bluegrass, country, swing, and folk music, they perform classic standards, strange and wonderful covers and great original songs. Come by and join the fun! Please visit their Web site at www.thehollowtrees.com
Sing along and share music from the '70's, 50's, 30's, and '90's -- 1890's that is. Gigi & Mike throw a musical party for the whole family with their lively sing-along hootenannies. They use folk songs to investigate history and storytelling, as well as share how music is written, how lives used to be lived in generations past, how musical instruments can work for kids, and how kids can tell their own stories through song. And they'll be putting together a fun percussion band, so be ready to raise your hand to join in. Please visit their Web site at www.gigiandmike.com
Rooted in traditional American fiddle music, Triple Chicken Foot plays from the heart. The music, simple and repetitive, lends itself to being driven strong and direct - that’s how the Foot likes it. In the past, when the work was all done, the music began (be it the radio or pa’s fiddle or banjo) bringing people together to dance, relax and have a good time. Triple Chicken Foot plays it that way. The repetoire is as simple as their set up – fiddle tunes, ballads, call and response numbers – all played around a single microphone. They draw their material from such classic sources as the Carter Family, the Skillet Lickers, the Camp Creek Boys, Uncle Dave Macon and The Watson Family. Whether it’s a backyard BBQ, a park picnic or a fancy church-style wedding -Triple Chicken Foot is guaranteed to get those feet tapping. Bust Down! Triple Chicken Foot is: Benjamin Guzmán on fiddle and mandolin, Mike Heinle on upright bass and banjo, Scott McDougall on guitjo, and Kelly Marie Martin on guitar. They all sing. Please visit and hear them at their Web Site, http://www.myspace.com/triplechickenfoot
“Uncle Butch” Hibben has been playing the saw since the early 1980s; however, he did not actually hear another saw player (sawyer) until at least five years after he developed his own style. His playing can be heard (usually in the background) at occasional concerts by the Barn Doors bluegrass band and at various festivals in the Southern California area. His floppy hat and overalls, along with his saw and wagon, often make him the subject of photographers at these events. When not playing saw, Uncle Butch can be found calling square dances and repairing computers. He lives in the Lake Mathews area of Riverside County with his wife of 27 years; he is the father of 5, the grandfather of 20, and the great-grandfather of one. See his new album at http://cdbaby.com/cd/butchhibben
For 26 years, the Scottish Fiddlers of Los Angeles have been playing and performing the wonderful fiddle music of Scotland - from traditional strathspeys, reels and jigs going back to the 17th century to modern compositions. Many classic Scottish tunes that we play have made their way to the US and become Southern Fiddle style standards, including tunes like Devil's Dream (originally De'il among the Tailors) or Soldier's Joy. The group welcomes musicians playing fiddle and other instruments to add "flavor" to the vast repertoire of Scottish fiddle music. To the Scottish Fiddlers of Los Angeles, this music is pure fun! Visit us at www.scottishfiddlers.org