Amanda Shires was born and raised in Lubbock and Mineral Wells, TX. At the age of ten, smitten by the sight of a green and orange pawn shop fiddle, Amanda quickly became obsessed with the instrument and the sounds of western swing and country fiddle. Tutored by Lanny Fiel, she joined his Ranch Dance Fiddle Band, and while attending Lubbock High School also performed in school, city and regional orchestras and symphonies.
Born in Toronto, Camille was raised in Whitby, Ontario by a mother who played the piano every night and a music encyclopedia for a father. As a child she performed at various events and festivals throughout Ontario and Québec. At age 17, wanting to clear her head of any outside influence while planning her next step she went to Ecuador for a few months on a trip that was to change everything. Suddenly the only thing that mattered was getting on trains and moving.
The Be Good Tanyas are an acoustic trio with folk and americana influences, hailing from Vancouver, British Columbia. They play a combination of original and traditional material, and are notable for their lush vocal harmonies. The group features Frazey Ford (guitar, vocals), Samantha Parton (guitar, mandolin, banjo, vocals) and Trish Klein (electric guitar, banjo, harmony vocals). Jolie Holland is a former member and also a frequent guest.
Guitarist Paul Tasker & singer Iona Macdonald formed Doghouse Roses in late 2005 after one too many nights listening to old music whilst drinking red wine. They soon developed a sound that lies in the spaces between Pentangle and Fairport Convention, with a nod to Gillian Welch on the way. Doghouse Roses have released two EPs to date and their full length debut, “How’ve You Been (All This Time)?” was released on the 6th of October, and preceded by a single, “Greener the Grass / Years”, in May.
Will Oldham (born 24 December 1970, Louisville, Kentucky) is an American singer-songwriter, actor, and musician. His music is often (perhaps inappropriately) placed under the genre of "alt-country". Oldham has recorded under many names, including Palace, Palace Music, Palace Brothers, and Bonnie Billy. He often plays and records with other musicians, including Dave Pajo and his brothers Ned and Paul Oldham, but is generally the chief creator of the music.
Justin Earle comes from good stock... His father (legendary and ground-breaking singer/songwriter Steve Earle) must have taught him well. But don't be so quick to compare him to his father. Whatever he may have learned from his old man, he continues to prove himself as an individual- always forging his own path no matter where the others are going. Maybe that is the most important lesson he learned from his father (as well as being the main thing they have in common artistically). Aside from that, you must speak a different language when discussing Justin Earle.
John Cameron Fogerty (born May 28, 1945 in Berkeley, California, USA) is an American rock singer, songwriter, and guitarist, best known for his time with the swamp rock/roots rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival and as a solo recording artist. John Fogerty began a solo career, originally under the name The Blue Ridge Rangers for his 1973 LP debut. Fogerty played all of the instruments on covers of others' country music hits, such as "Jambalaya" (which was a Top 40 hit). Prior to performing country & western tunes he released a rock & roll single in late 1973, also as The Blue Ridge Rangers.
1) THE BELIEVERS (www.thebelieversusa.com) are currently touring to support their new 2009 release "Lucky You." Their previous release "Crashyertown" was released in April 2005 to critical acclaim and spent 16 straight weeks in the top 20 of the Americana Music Association chart. More acclaim followed overseas when Crashyertown hit #1 on the Euro-Americana chart - being chosen as album of the week on many BBC shows including the legendary Bob Harris Country Program.
Brian Blade (born 1970 in Shreveport, Louisiana) is an American jazz drummer and composer. Brian made his first appearances as a sideman with pianist Brad Mehldau, Joshua Redman, Kenny Garrett, and continued to work as a sideman with other musicians commonly known as "young lions." As a leader, he has released three albums - Fellowship, Perceptual, and most recently, Season of Changes, his Verve Music Group debut. Season of Changes has received rave reviews and continues to grow in popularity.