Our Lineup
Check back often to get the most up-to-date information about our lineup. Click on their names and photos to link to band websites with more information and clips of their music.
Booking is complete for this year's festival. For information about booking please visit our Booking Information page.
Seldom Scene
Audie Blaylock & Redline
John Reischman & the Jaybirds
The Dixie Bee-Liners
The Freight Hoppers
Jeff and Vida Band
Town Mountain
Great Bear Trio
Cis Hinkle
Titan Valley Warheads
Burnett Family Bluegrass
Muskellunge Bluegrass
Tony Norris & Friends
Providence
The Knockabouts
Run Boy Run
Todd's Musical Petting Zoo
Chuck Cheesman's Dancing with No Shoes On
Tweeners
Seldom Scene
Founding member, banjo player Ben Eldridge has been with The Seldom Scene since 1971, and still performs with the same fire and enthusiasm that characterized the band's early days as a progressive group that took bluegrass music to new heights. Dudley Connell plays a masterful guitar and provides powerful lead vocals and musical virtuosity. Audiences delight in Connell's renditions of traditional songs like "Old Train", folk ballads such as "Blue Diamond Mine", and blues songs like "Rollin' and Tumblin'". Dobro player Fred Travers is also an accomplished vocalist who brings solid lead and harmony to the band. Ronnie Simpkins plays rock-steady bass for the group and provides the bass vocals as well. Lou Reid plays mandolin and provides tenor vocals, and is a former member of Ricky Skaggs band, Quicksilver. Whether on lead, providing harmony, Reid's vocals are the epitome of the powerful, "high, lonesome" tenor that is the signature of bluegrass music.
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Audie Blaylock & Redline
Audie Blaylock continues to wow audiences by bringing the energy of the early days of bluegrass to every show. Blaylock is joined by Redline: Jason Johnson on mandolin and vocals, Matthew Wallace on bass and vocals, Evan Ward on banjo and vocals, and Patrick McAvinue on fiddle.
Born in El Paso, Texas into a family whose roots go back to the hills of Virginia and Tennessee, Audie learned to play guitar and sing with his parents and siblings, and went on to play locally in the Lansing, Michigan area where he grew up. In 1982, at age 19, Audie Blaylock joined Jimmy Martin and The Sunny Mountain Boys and spent nine years on the road learning the craft of bluegrass from one of the music's first-generation legends.
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John Reischman & the Jaybirds
John Reischman and the Jaybirds deliver a fresh blend of original songs and instrumentals, old-time heritage, and bluegrass power. As one of the acoustic world’s top-ranked mandolin players and composers, veteran artist John Reischman is renowned for his exquisite taste, tone and impeccable musicianship. Jim Nunally is a San Francisco Bay-area veteran of several decades as a leading guitarist, songwriter and high, lonesome singer. Jim is also a producer and session stalwart, and plays select dates with David Grisman. Chilliwack, B.C.-based Trisha Gagnon anchors gorgeous three-part harmonies. Her singing and heart-felt songwriting is complemented by her right-on-the-money bass rhythm. Nanaimo, B.C.-based Nick Hornbuckle has developed his own voice on the five-string banjo, a unique sound with a two-finger roll unlike other contemporary banjo players. Spokane, WA-based Greg Spatz is hailed as a "world-class bluegrass fiddler" by Fiddler magazine. His wide-ranging chops have made him a popular West Coast player for years.
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The Dixie Bee-Liners
Known equally for her golden pipes and lead foot, Brandi Hart grew up singing and playing music in Southern Baptist church choirs. Her thoughtfully penned originals cover a surprisingly broad range, from hard-driving bluesy scorchers to ancient-toned instrumentals. She plays rhythm guitar, Nashville guitar, fiddle, and mountain dulcimer. Bluegrass veteran Buddy Woodward is also a gifted songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, playing the mandolin, guitar, banjo, bass, and (*gasp!*) drums. Rachel Renee Johnson is fiddler and vocalist, and a protegé of Becky Buller's. Robin Davis is lead guitarist and mandolin player. Originally from Pagosa Springs, Colorado, Robin relocated to Nashville to join The Dixie Bee-Liners in 2009. Double-bassist Jeremy Darrow came back to his bluegrass roots after formal jazz studies. Banjo picker Casey Henry joined The Bee-Liners in August 2009. She rounds out the sextet with her signature Scruggs-tone punch. All these dynamic improvisational styles add jaw-dropping grit, humor, and emotion to the band’s live performances.
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The Freight Hoppers
During the 1990s, The Freight Hoppers became the most popular modern day old time music string band in the world. They recorded two critically acclaimed albums that climbed into the top 20 of Billboard’s Americana music charts. They toured extensively in the U.S., Canada and Europe, appeared on Garrison Keillor's " A Prairie Home Companion,” and elevated the popularity of old time music all over the world. The original band ceased touring in 2002, but re-formed in 2007 with original members David Bass (fiddle) and Frank Lee (banjo/vocals) and new members Isaac Deal (guitar/vocals) and Bradley Adams (bass). The Freight Hoppers are one of our featured contra dance bands, in addition to playing on the main stage.
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Jeff and Vida Band
Jeff and Vida met in New York City in 1997 but soon left for New Orleans where they began writing and performing on a regular basis. They quickly became a force on the New Orleans music scene, winning multiple awards and building a solid following among fans and critics alike. Following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Jeff and Vida relocated to Nashville where they became part of the burgeoning alternative music scene. A performance at the Ryman Auditorium and a New York Times article which featured them alongside Nashville neighbors Old Crow Medicine Show, Gillian Welch and Todd Snider, is a sure sign their music is welcome wherever they choose to hang their hats.
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Town Mountain
Imagine a band with one foot proudly planted in the path of traditional bluegrass, and one foot stepping out into the unknown forefront of American string music. This is Town Mountain. Great original songs, tight vocal harmonies, a charismatic stage presence, and instrumental expertise place this group in the upper tier of contemporary acoustic bands. But, in the end, despite these qualities, it’s always the undeniable, irresistible energy of a live Town Mountain show that truly sets this group apart. Town Mountain features Robert Greer (lead vocal, guitar), Jesse Langlais (banjo, harmony vocal), Barrett Smith (bass, lead guitar, harmony vocal), and Phil Barker (mandolin, harmony vocal).
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Great Bear Trio
In Great Bear Trio, brothers Andrew (fiddle, guitar, bouzouki) and Noah VanNorstrand (fiddle, mandolin, feet) and their mother Kim Yerton (piano), take to the stage to perform the music they grew up learning in their living room in Syracuse, NY. Though in their early twenties, the VanNorstrand brothers, have been professional dance musicians for over ten years, playing dances and concerts from the east coast to Alaska, and on Garrison Keillor's A Prairie Home Companion. As one of the nation’s most sought after contra dance bands, they delight audiences with their high-energy performances and creative arrangements that draw upon many musical traditions. Great Bear Trio is one of our featured contra dance bands, in addition to playing on the main stage.
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Cis Hinkle
Our featured dance caller, Cis Hinkle, has delighted contra and square dancers since 1985 with her skilled teaching, playful enthusiasm, and masterful selection of dances. She is in great demand at music and dance festivals all over the US, England, and Denmark. Cis calls smooth-flowing contras and lively squares that delight dancers of every skill level.
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Titan Valley Warheads
Titan Valley is a five piece bluegrass band from Tucson, Arizona. Formed in 1981, the band has performed throughout Arizona and the southwest playing a blend of bluegrass, western, western swing and old time country music. Known for their tight harmonies and instrumental skills Titan Valley has been voted Best Bluegrass Band by the Tucson Area Music Awards, won the prestigious “Best Band” title at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival and performed for appreciative crowds at festivals, concerts and both private and corporate events. TVW features Earl Edmonson (guitar), Ed Davenport (bass), Gary Kuitert (mandolin), Andy McCune, (banjo), and Don Johnson (fiddle).
Burnett Family Bluegrass
From the mountains of Northern Arizona comes the sound of Burnett Family Bluegrass. This is family music at its best with hard-driving instrumentals and fine-tuned harmonies. The intricate breaks show a deep understanding of intimate musical detail that skyrocketed them from good to outstanding in the field of Bluegrass. Brian on guitar and mandolin; Connie on stand-up bass; Rachel on fiddle, mandolin; Jessie on mandolin, fiddle, guitar, banjo; and Ryan on banjo, fiddle, guitar, and mandolin.
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Muskellunge Bluegrass
Prior to moving to Flagstaff in 1998, Nolan McKelvey (guitar) performed at the Newport Folk Festival, Telluride Bluegrass Festival and other festivals across the United States. Nolan has been referred to as "one of the best songwriters of the Southwest." Aaron Tyler (mandolin) has played in and around Arizona for over twenty years and was the state champion mandolinist at the Wickenberg Bluegrass Festival in 1998. His playing has been referred to as "adrenolin" for his unmatched speed and dexterity. Bass player Tim Hogan has traveled the country with several nationally-known acts, including Acoustic Semi, and the In-Betweens. Frank Dedera (banjo) has performed at festivals throughout the Southwest and Four Corners region.
Tony Norris & Friends
No western entertainer does it all with the warmth and wit of Tony Norris. Based in Flagstaff, Arizona, he is a regular at storytelling festivals, cowboy poetry gatherings, schools, campfires, and corporate conferences. Young and old alike are captivated by his homespun charm and rich tenor voice. With the accompaniment of his big Martin guitar and healthy doses of humor, he invites the adventurous spirit in each of us to leave the everyday world behind and journey into the old West. Performing solo or in an ensemble, his concerts are for those who want to hear the old songs, learn about the West, relax and have a good time.
Tony is the recipient of the Viola Award for Music, which recognizes excellence and significant contributions to the arts in Flagstaff.
Providence
Providence is a fresh new band located in Phoenix, AZ with superb talent and a dynamic and original sound. The group features Thomas Porter (guitar/vocals), Michael Rolland (fiddle/vocals), Billy Parker (mandolin/vocals), Peter Rolland (bass/vocals), and John Burton (banjo/vocals). Providence performs an eclectic mix of traditional, contemporary, and original music. The group has quickly earned a reputation for powerful vocals, creative songwriting and exhilarating instrumentals. They are bound to open your ears and eyes to the homegrown talent which is second to none.
Knockabouts
Once upon a time in the little hamlet of Flagstaff, Arizona, John McGregor bought a bottle of Bushmills Irish Whiskey and dove in head first. Ordinarily, this would be just another Tuesday afternoon. However, from this bottle of Bushmills, great inspiration was born. Thus began the journey of the Knockabouts, Arizona's favorite Celtic Pub Band. Just like our founding beverage, the Knockabouts are the perfect blend of time-honored tradition, bawdy good taste, rowdy energy, and smooth harmonies. The Knockabouts' music brings the best of authentic traditional pub tunes, and blends them with a unique sound that can only come from a band that appreciates a good whiskey, the way the Knockabouts do. John McGregor (Irish whistle, vocals), Ron Barton (guitar, citern, lead vocals), Jacquie McGregor (lead vocals, flute), Kari Barton (fiddle), The McKay (bodhran, djembe).
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Run Boy Run
Run Boy Run is an award-winning contemporary Appalachian band based in Tucson, Arizona. The band is made up of members Bekah Sandoval (vocals, fiddle), Jen Sandoval (vocals, mandolin), Grace Rolland (vocals, cello), Matt Rolland (guitar, fiddle), Mary-Jane Epps (fiddle, banjo), and Jesse Allen (bass). Run Boy Run presents an innovative blend of vocal and instrumental styles with the haunting melodies, lively dance tunes, and traditional stories of Appalachia.
Todd's Musical Petting Zoo
Ever pluck a harp or drum on a djembe? Ever womp-womp on a didgeridoo or buzz into a shofar? Ever strum a mountain dulcimer or frail a banjo? All of these traditional folk instruments and about 100 more are part of Todd Crowley’s Traveling Musical Petting Zoo. From accordian to zither, The Zoo is a fully interactive, hands-on exhibition for musicians, young and old, novice to professional at folk and bluegrass festivals across the US and Canada.
Todd believes a folk instrument is part of the folk tradition, where the sharing of one’s love and knowledge of the music, song, and stories of the past help to keep these traditions alive. The instruments in the zoo tell a story of their own each time a child connects to the folk tradition by trying an instrument for the first time or an adult rediscovers the joy of making music.
Chuck Cheesman's "Dancing with No Shoes On"
Chuck Cheesman is a performing songwriter and children's music educator. He has recorded two albums of original music and a collection of songs for young children called A Family Songbook. Originally from Chicago, he is a former instructor at Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music. Chuck now makes his home in Flagstaff, Arizona where he writes, performs, and teaches the Dancing With No Shoes On! music program for children and their parents.
Tweeners
Entertainment between main stage acts are provided by our “tweener” acts. We hope you enjoy these short sets; please show these artists your appreciation. Check back shortly before the festival for a comlete list of tweener performers.
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Presented by Flagstaff Friends of
Traditional Music. Contact us at
(928) 525-1695
or PIPinfo@pickininthepines.org