The Burnett Family. A group comprised of Mom, Dad and three kids, that is in the bluegrass fast track and on the rise. They won the coveted Telluride prize and appear in many festivals. They live in Arizona and have family in San Diego. They will bring their hard driving bluegrass sound and well tuned harmonies to Fallbrook. www.burnettfamilybuegrass.com Trails and Rails. A fast rising western group that opened here for Dave Stamey twice. They deserve their own show--superb instrumentals on guitar, banjo and autoharp. Elegant harmonies doing western classics, train songs and fine prize winning originals. www.trailsandrails.net Prickly Pair, a husband-wife duo from Wyoming, Les and Locke Hamilton. Yes, they wore those big hats. They are ranchers. Gotta have the hats. more suitable to the Tetons and cattle. As a duo they have received many awards. They played with the Cactus Choral and were a big hit. www.thepricklypair.com
Tim Flannery and Friends. If you’re into baseball, you’ll know Tim. He’s a former Padre. If you’re into music, you’ll know he puts on a great show, what one reviewer calls “...folksy bluegrass porch music...” He sings and plays simply from the heart. His back-up is superb, San Diego’s best. Tim opened our our 2009 season and will also start our 2010 season.
Sid Hausman and Washtub Jerry. Delightfully quirky. Sid is a cowboy story teller, singer and one of the best banjo and bones players around. Jerry proves you can get excellent bass back-up from a washtub, a truly American folk instrument. They were out here for the NAMM Show in Anaheim (National Association of Music Merchants) where only specialty (and special) performers are booked.
Paddy Doyle’s Boots. Lively Irish music done by Danny Oberbeck and his, group from Riverside who take us back to our Irish roots, even if we don’t have any. Fun, hummable, toe-tapping music.
Little Windows. Mark Weems and Julie Glaub tour nationally and abroad focusing on the art of pure voice and tight harmonies in traditional songs backed on guitar, fiddle, banjo. www.littlewindows.net
Bayou Seco, from New Mexico--Ken Keppler and Jeanie McLerie on fiddle, guitar, banjo, accordion and harmonica. They have collected tunes from traditional singers specializing in Cajun music of SW Louisiana and Hispanic, Tohono O’Odham and cowboy music of New Mexico and Arizona. See www.bayouseco.com.
Small Potatoes, AKA Rich Prezioso and Jacquie Manning, chose their name in 1993 saying if they didn’t make it the name would be a reminder of their limitations and if they did, it would be wryly amusing. Since then they have traveled a million miles while appearing on every major folk stage in the nation and being popular repeat performers. Their music is wonderfully eclectic, as they say, “…through carefully developed indecision” covering cowboy to Celtic. If they have a motto it is, “Make ‘em laugh, make ‘em cry, make ‘em think.” Prezioso’s song, 1000 Candles, 1000 Cranes has been named by Rich Warren of WFMT Radio in Chicago as one of the most outstanding songs written in the last 50 years. Manning and Prezioso have two great voices, fine guitar, some tin whistle, mandolin, and bodhran for an act that is a truly rare blend of vocal and instrumental abilities. www.smallpotatoesmusic.com
Albert & Gage from Austin, “a town overflowing with gifted singer/songwriters and guitar heroes” and they are among the best says the Houston Press.
Silverado Bluegrass Band, one of San Diego’s most highly respected bluegrass groups. www.silveradobluegrassband.com.
Peter Sprague and Fred Benedetti, jazz from two of San Diego’s eminent musicians. Sprague is a jazz guitarist, composer, producer, recording engineer and surfer. He came to Del Mar with his family as a kid in 1986 and began guitar at 12. Has been named “Best of…” something musically in San Diego since 1988. Named Best Jazz Artist in 2004 and 2007. He often teams up with Fred Benedetti who began guitar at age 9. Today Fred is a full time professor of music at Grossmont College and a studio musician featured on 100+ CDs, movie sound tracks and commercials. Peter and Fred both have long lists of credentials and have played with the world’s best musicians. See www.petersprague.com and look Benedetti up on Google.
Sara Grey with Kieron Means, balladeers from Scotland. This is one of those serendipitous things that can happen. Sara called from Scotland (yes, she’d heard of FAMS). A balladeer with a luscious voice, she was born and raised in the US, went to Scotland as a folk singer, fell in love with the musical traditions there and stayed. She’s been there 30 years as a much in demand as an interpreter and collector of Scottish music. Kieron is her son who has developed a fine reputation of his own as a Scottish singer.
Riders of the Purple Sage. Music of Gene Autry, Sons of the Pioneers and others who created America’s favorites like Tumbling Tumbleweed, recreated with some energizing modern touches including banjo and fiddle like you won’t believe. See www.ridersofthepurplesage.com.
The Folk Collection. A trip down memory lane with the songs and sounds of the 60s Folk Era - soul stirring recreations of the songs that touched our hearts such as Blowin' in the Wind, Early Morning Rain, Four Strong Winds and others done in rich four-part harmony. Shades of the Kingston Trio, Peter, Paul and Mary, John Denver, the Limeliters and others. A fun time was had by all.
Larry Robinson and Friends, David Beldock on guitar and Evan and Melody Robinson on harmony vocals. Larry's rich baritone has been a Fallbrook favorite for years. This was a concert long to be remembered. It was standing room only and had a wonderful family feel.
The Brombies, a bluegrass foursome from Los Angeles, have a nice story attached to their name. “Brumbies” are wild horses that roam the outback of Australia brought there by Jack Brumby, the “Man from Snowy River.” Seems the band liked the idea of music stampeding to the beat of wild horses—or something like that—but they misspelled it. Once they established the name, error and all, they decided to keep it. They also have some nice music credits. They performed at the IBMA (International Bluegrass Festival) After Hours Showcase in Nashville last year and were among the winners at the Chris Austin Songwriters Contest at Merlefest in Wilkesboro, NC. They have also appeared locally at bluegrass events in Grass Valley, Topanga Canyon, Blythe, Valley Center, Julian and other locations.
“Swing West” with David Dekker and Friends played an eclectic blend of vintage and western swing, folk, blues, country and an occasional cowboy tune with superb guitar, bass, violin and vocals.
Juan Duprey and “Soneros del Caribe”, a trio of Puerto Rican descents specializing in the music of Cuba. Juan played an instrument called the Tres, a Cuban bass guitar. They entertained us with their Latin sounds and told us about the instruments and rhythms in a concert/workshop setting. Cuban hors d’oeuvres were enjoyed by all.
