A preview of their 11:15 performance at the Eucalyptus Grove.
Richard Greene is known as "one of the most innovative and influential fiddle players of all time."
He grew up in Los Angeles studying classical music until his encounter with the pyrotechnic fiddling
of Scotty Stoneman; from then on Richard was a fiddler. He was the 1st place winner at the very first
Topanga Banjo?Fiddle Contest in 1961 and went on to prominence with Bill Monroe & the Bluegrass Boys
in 1966. Monroe said of him, "There's not a man in the country that can do what Richard can do."
After a stint pioneering the use of electric violin in rock music, he returned to acoustic music in
1974. With David Grisman he pioneered "New Grass" or "New Acoustic" instrumental music, founded the
trailblazing Greene String Quartet, creating a fusion of Jazz-Folk-Rock-chamber music. He has won
Grammy and IBMA awards, and his album, "Sales Tax Toddle," was Grammy-nominated for Bluegrass Album
of Year. He won the 1997 Grammy for Best Instrumental Performance of the Year and was nominated
in '98 for Best Bluegrass Recording of the Year.
Peter Feldmann has long been a musical mainstay in Southern California. Besides actively performing
bluegrass and old time music with a variety of groups, Peter is a bluegrass historian, teacher,
and producer. He was the among the first to bring many prominent folk, blues, and bluegrass
artists, including Bill Monroe, Mance Lipscomb, The Stanley Brothers, The New Lost City Ramblers,
Fred McDowell, and the Balfa Brothers to Southern California. Over a 21 year period, he produced
weekly shows on country and bluegrass music on commercial and public stations. His own music has
been heard in clubs, concerts, saloons, universities, pre-schools, at weddings, wakes, parties,
barn-raisings, calf-ropings, rodeos, auctions, fund raisers, wine tastings and chili cook offs.
Joti Rockwell is an Assistant Professor of Music, having joined the Pomona College faculty in Fall of
2007. He has taught courses in music theory, American popular music, and music and natural order, and
he has presented and published research in the areas of American music, mathematical music theory,
popular music, rhythm and meter, genre, and analysis. His Ph.D. from the University of Chicago
featured a dissertation examining the sonic and discursive foundations of bluegrass music, and prior
to his graduate work, he performed full-time as one half of the acoustic duo Rockwell Church, touring
extensively across the United States and recording five albums, one of which was for the notable
Nashville label Compass Records. He remains an active performer of roots music, bluegrass, and
contemporary concert music on the acoustic guitar and mandolin, and he also performs in Pomona's
Balinese gamelan.
Born of the timeless tradition of the all-night music session, Molly's Revenge is a dynamic, acoustic Celtic band known for its unique and infectious enthusiasm. The classic combination of bagpipes, whistle, fiddle, and song, with a backdrop of guitar, bouzouki, bodhran, and mandola, guarantees an enjoyable experience for all fans of Scottish and Irish music. Molly's Revenge has performed at many of the top folk festivals and performing arts events in the USA, and prestigious events in Australia and China. Their arrangements of traditional Celtic jigs and reels bring these dance tunes up to date with a driving, hard-edged accent that always leaves audiences shouting for more.
Their seventh full-length recording "The Western Shore" was produced by John Doyle, a founding
member of Irish supergroup Solas. Guest performers on the latest record include percussionist
Fraser Stone (Old Blind Dogs) and Moira Smiley (VOCO).
"There is an engaging freshness and yet an impressive maturity in their playing. There is also a
lovely balance of repertoire, alternating a familiar with a most arcane selection of tunes
and songs." -- Mick Moloney, National Heritage Award recipient
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
Sausage Grinder is your go-to crew for stomp, strut, rag, breakdown, and fat hillbilly jazz. Sounds so sweet like candied meat - always in all-natural casings with no electrical instrumentation. Take your pick, jelly roll or fine ground pork filling. This six player string band will sex you up and throw you down, but only after the ribs and fries is gone. See that? That's a violin, and a mandolin, a banjo, guitar, washboard, and one fat jug blowed on by The Big Boy Baby. The Sausage Grinders pushes out some of the best ol' stuff from here to there. Where else you see that stuff in Los Angeles? More raw, more flavor. This band so big they must sit down on the chair. They make tears of ground beef come out of your radio and home computer system, just like science fiction. Sausage Grinder is a ton 'o' fun. So come to the show!
Sausage Grinder will also appear at the Eucalyptus Grove at 12:20
The Railroad Stage will host the "Sing-Offs and the Intermediate Fiddle Playoffs in the morning.
Previously on the Topanga Main Stage in 2005 and 2009, 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
California-based fiddle, guitar, and banjo player, and ardent 78 collector Frank Fairfield has made his living as a musician, often found playing on the streets of Los Angeles. He opened for the Fleet Foxes on their 2008 U.S. tour and released released a 7" and his self-titled debut album on Tompkins Square.
Yep, Bill & Mike are brothers. In their younger years they lived on a farm in Virginia. They both play guitar, while Bill plays mandolin or Mike plays the banjo. They both sing, as befits a brother duet. They were exposed to the brother duets of the Monroe brothers, Stanley brothers, et al. They sound sorta like 'em, but the McClellan Brothers CD (in process) will be all original music: songs about the farm in Virginia, to songs about California!
The McClellan Brothers lived in Hawai'i-. Mike aka Mika'ele speaks & sings the Hawaiian language and is (at least according to the L. A. Dept Cultural Affairs) an L. A. Treasure for his work in Hawaiian slack key guitar. With his brother Bill, they can include Hawaiian lap steel or 'ukulele. There is an old tradition of mandolin and slack key guitar that they try to keep alive. "We've played weddings, parties, schools, universities, luaus, funerals, wakes, museums, street fairs, corn-huskings, barn-raisings, & barn-burnings. We can supply a PA (or fire extinguisher) if needed."
" 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.
Voted Best Female Western Performer by the Will Rogers Academy of Western Artists, Joyce Woodson
combines both Folk and old-time cowboy songwriting creating her own brand of music. She also
recently won Best Song of the Year for the title song of her newest CD If I Hadn't Seen the West
from the Western Music Association. Think Kate Wolf meets Sons of the Pioneers.
Writing about the disappearing California landscape and her love for the land is Woodson's
strength. Her first two albums present her original tunes in the California folk music style.
Her recent album If I Hadn't Seen the West is pure western music. Inspired by the Sons of the
Pioneers who wrote and made famous the songs, "Tumbling Tumbleweeds" and "Cool Water," she says,
"Those harmonizing voices brought the cowboy life and landscape clearly into focus for me -
so much so that I felt like I was in the saddle with them and I never wanted the trail or the
song to end."
Joyce's Web Site: www.joycewoodson.comwww.joycewoodson.com
E-mail: joyce@joycewoodson.com
"……her voice just glimmers and glistens like the gold in those Western hills." - Rich
Warren, SING OUT! Magazine
Formed in 2005, The Tumbling Tumbleweeds will be celebrating their 5 Year Anniversary this year!
Since their premiere they have gone on to capture the Academy of Western Artists Will Rogers Award
for Western Music Group of the Year and the Western Music Association Crescendo Award for Most
Promising Talent along with the Marilyn Tuttle "Best in Show" Harmony Award! They were also named
one of the Top 10 Live Acoustic Acts in Southern California by FolkWorks Magazine! Their Debut
Album titled "The Tumbling Tumbleweeds" hit #1 on the Top 10 Cowboy/Western Music CD Charts and
is receiving critical acclaim as well as radio airplay all around the World!
The core founding members consist of, vocalists "Tumbleweed Rob" Wolfskill, Big Daddy Cade"
Parenti and Chris Acuff with "Babyface" R.J. Mills on guitar and vocals. The Tumbling Tumbleweeds
also features Jean Sudbury on fiddle and Dan Dungan on upright bass. As their name suggests, The
Tumbling Tumbleweeds are a tribute to the era that gave us the Singing Cowboy such as Roy Rogers,
Gene Autry and the great swingtime cowboy band, The Sons of the Pioneers. Although The Tumbling
Tumbleweeds feel the Sons of the Pioneers are their "blue print" they do bring their very
own unique brand of entertainment to the world of Western Music with a show complete with
singing, humor, storytelling and a bit of fancy western footwork.
The Tumbling Tumbleweeds also write, perform and record their own original songs written in the
style of the delightfully unique period in which they pay tribute to!
It is also the mission of The Tumbling Tumbleweeds to reach and engage as many young people as
possible so that the legacy of Western Music isn't lost in the midst of the ever declining state
of "pop-culture" but can live on to the next generation of music lovers. This is among the many
reasons The Tumbling Tumbleweeds became members of the Western Music Association. A global
organization dedicated to the preservation and perpetuation of Western Music and the image of the
American Cowboy. Like the Western Music Association, The Tumbling Tumbleweeds feel that the music
of the West is an important component of our collective American heritage and that the genre
itself should be celebrated and nurtured and, as Big Daddy Cade puts it, "It's FUN!"
With a blend of western heritage and movie nostalgia they are "Family Entertainment" through and
through!
American Cowboy magazine calls singer, songwriter, and harmonica virtuoso Gary Allegretto's unique brand of music "Amazing. You've never seen - or heard anything like it." Indeed, Allegretto (who was a first place winner at the 40th Annual Topanga•Fiddle Contest ten years ago) recently received a "Best of the West Award," two WMA nominations, and two Grammy Award considerations for his music. His jaw-dropping performances have captivated audiences on stages around the globe. He's been featured on major motion picture and television soundtracks and is endorsed by the world's top harmonica manufacturer. Extraordinary singer, songwriter, and guitar virtuoso Ian Espinoza will join Gary for a dynamic set of American roots music.
Joe Herrington grew up on the West Texas prairie. He is a Novelist (writing of the Big Bend country), 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 six times Cowboy Poet of the Year, for the 2005 Will Rogers award and named among the top five Western Storytellers/Poets in the country.
Fur Dixon and Steve Werner are our very own Traveling American Folksingers from Van Nuys.
For seven years they've been yodeling and harmonizing their highway songs into the hearts of the
American West. Beloved by young and old alike, Fur and Steve welcome old friends and new friends
alike into their world of back roads and blue skies and of course they always, always welcome you
to sing along.
"We are proud as peacocks to participate in this 50-year milestone of a truly great piece of
grass-roots California folk history. A heartfelt hoo-rah to all the volunteers through all the
years who have worked so tirelessly to keep this festival afloat, and to keep folk music alive
in Southern California." -Fur and Steve
For more information:
www.furandsteve.com
John Weed (fiddle) and Stuart Mason (guitar, mandola, banjo) will present a program of traditional
Appalachian and Celtic music that digs deep into "The Roots of Bluegrass." Long before the time of
Bill Monroe and Ralph Stanley and the Carter Family, rural Americans were singing and fiddling
the ballads and dance tunes of Britain and Ireland, as well as the sentimental hits of the wildly
popular minstrel shows. These sources provided a well of material that later formed the basis of
the bluegrass repertoire.
Weed and Mason are both members of international touring Celtic band Molly's Revenge, and have
performed at festivals in China, Scotland, Ireland, and many of the United States. An accomplished
fiddler across genres, John Weed has lived in Ireland and immersed himself in the traditions of
Clare and Donegal. The result is an old-time Irish fiddling style that compliments his forays
into bluegrass, swing, and other American music. As a classically trained violinist, John
leverages his understanding of the instrument to bring emotion and fire to every performance.
Guitarist Stuart Mason is known for his authentic vocals, melodic mandola, and inability to hold his
whiskey. A native of West Virginia, Stuart has won awards for traditional singing (Goleta Old-Time
Fiddler's Convention), mandola (Topanga Banjo and Fiddle Contest), and songwriting (West Coast Songwriter's
Association). In July 2009 a song from his solo release "Appalachian Bride" was selected from among
286 entries to appear on the first New Times Music Awards Compilation CD (San Luis Obispo).
The LA-based Dust Bowl Cavaliers play a unique blend of bluegrass, alt-country, folk, and rockin' old-time country. From traditional mountain tunes to spirited originals to bluegrass covers of the Ramones and U2, the DBC always put on a high energy show. The band has released three self-produced CD's, and played on two CD's for CMH Records' "Pickin' On..." series of bluegrass tribute recordings. Please visit the band online at www.myspace.com/thedustbowlcavaliers.
| 12:00 | Contra Dance with The Lone Hill Ramblers |
| 2:00 | English Country Dance with James Hutson and Mary Ann Sereth |
| 3:00 | Clogging with Wendy Dodd and Rockingham Hill Street |
| 4:00 | Square Dance with Triple Chicken Foot |
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
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
“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 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
Ashley Broder is an in-demand mandolinist, violinist and cellist living in Ventura, CA.
She began her musical studies at a young age on violin. As her interest in music grew, she
absorbed knowledge from a variety of sources: music festivals, camps, schools, jams, orchestras,
contests, lessons and performances. During these ten years of classical violin training, she
picked up the mandolin and began exploring fiddle styles and improvised music, traveling from
one fiddle contest to another. Ashley decided to begin cello in college and studied with
Stephen Custer of the LA Philharmonic. For four years, she toured the US and UK with Scottish
fiddler, Jamie Laval, performing and teaching at venues and camps. Teaching camps include the
Mandolin Symposium in Santa Cruz, Swannanoa Gathering in NC, Kaufman Kamp in TN.
Some of her favorite performance venues include: The Freight and Salvage in Berkley, CA,
The Wintergrass Festival in Tacoma, WA, The Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland,
The Barking Legs Theatre in Chattanooga, TN, The Station Inn in Nashville, TN,
The Millpond Festival in Bishop, CA, Swallow Hill in Denver, CO, The Northwest Folklife Festival
in Seattle, WA.
Ukulele ain't just for Hawaiian music. Ukulele Bartt travels the world performing, teaching and
introducing this four-stringed instrument to Finger-Pickers, Flamenco Players and Country lovers
of all countries. Discover ukulele in this workshop aimed at people who play guitar and other
stringed instruments.
If you don't have an ukulele, just bring your guitar and a capo. No guitar? You're still invited!
Bartt will get you started with free chord charts, picking and strumming lessons, and everything
else. And if you already play ukulele, bring it on down!
If you wanna know about ukulele, Ukulele Bartt is the guy to ask. The Los Angeles Times calls him
a "Modern-Day Master," and he's the "Teacher of the Year" in the 40,000-teacher Los Angeles
Unified School District. The mayor of Los Angeles awarded him an official commendation, and
Bartt's instructional DVD, "Ukulele Bartt's Ultimate Ukulele," is everywhere from Nashville to
Norway. His popular workshops, including "Fancy Fingers," "Bob Wills for Ukulele," and
"Liverpool Luau," are always fun and full of learning. So visit
www.Bartt.net to find out more,
and come to Bartt's Topanga Ukulele Workshop!