PERFORMERS

JOHN REISCHMAN & THE JAYBIRD TRIO (two sets, 2:30pm - 3:10pm and 6:10pm - 6:50pm)

Bluegrass Unlimited magazine describes tone-master and composer John Reischman as "one of the world's undisputed masters" of the mandolin, a frequent accolade since his days with the Tony Rice Unit and California's Good Ol' Persons. John went on to record two outstanding solo albums and numerous sessions before forming the Jaybirds in 2001 to release a self-titled debut album, followed by the Canadian Juno-nominated “Field Guide”, and in 2005, “The Road West.”

Jim Nunally is a San Francisco Bay-area veteran of several decades as a leading guitarist, songwriter and high, lonesome singer. His third-generation traditional music roots began in Arkansas with his guitar-playing grandfather who taught Jim’s father, who in turn taught him. Jim appeared with John on the Grammy-winning CD True Life Blues, The Songs of Bill Monroe, is a producer and session stalwart, and plays select dates with David Grisman. Audiophile Audition describes Jim as "one of the best bluegrass tenors working today," with equally impressive speed, clarity and tone as a guitar man.

Chilliwack, B.C.-based Trisha Gagnon is portrayed by SingOut! as "one of the most versatile" and "irresistible" vocalists in bluegrass, her strong and distinctive style ranging from "mournful and plaintive" to "hopeful and yearning," anchoring what Dirty Linen magazine calls "gorgeous three-part harmonies”, her singing and songwriting complemented by her right-on-the-money bass rhythm.

Victory Review magazine says "Though Reischman is the leader and front man, he gives each [of them] plenty of room to shine, and together they produce music that is seamlessly excellent and rewarding."

www.thejaybirds.com

BILL EVANS AND MEGAN LYNCH (two sets, 3:10pm – 3:40 and 5:00pm - 5:40pm)

Banjo player and Banjo For Dummies author Bill Evans has performed with Dry Branch Fire Squad, Peter Rowan, David Grisman, Hazel Dickens, Laurie Lewis, Jody Stecher, Kathy Kallick, Bluegrass Intentions and his own Bill Evans String Summit. People know Nashville resident Megan Lynch from her National Championship fiddling credentials and from her performances with 3 Fox Drive, Pam Tillis, Due West, Dale Ann Bradley, Tony Trischka, Chris Jones, Roland White and Jim Hurst.

Since teaming up as a touring duo in 2008, Albany, CA and Nashville, TN bluegrass mainstays Bill Evans & Megan Lynch have been performing all around the United States and in the United Kingdom and Ireland. While virtuosic instrumental work is to be expected from these musicians, it's the outstanding lead singing of Megan and the pair's rich duo vocal sound that is a revelation. Drawing on singer-songwriter and alternative rock sources as much as traditional old-time and bluegrass music, the duo creates music that's intensely intimate but truly difficult to categorize. While rooted in bluegrass tradition, [they] display a natural and unassuming sophistication that reflects their wide-ranging interest in many kinds of contemporary and popular music.

"You've hit this one out of the park, across the river and into the next county! "Let's do something..." is one of the coolest, most imaginative and exciting projects ever. It's amazing the depths, different nuances and amazing subtleties that can spring forth when the bass, guitar and other instruments aren't masking what the fiddle and banjo are doing. Congratulations, you've explored some new ground and have laid down some truly powerful and exciting music in the process."
— Dave Higgs, Nashville Public Radio's Bluegrass Breakdown

www.beml.info

PAT ICKES & BOUND TO RIDE (two sets, 12:00pm - 12:40pm and 3:40pm - 4:20pm)

These local favorites are scheduled to perform for the 5th year at the Old Time Bluegrass Festival. The harmonies and strength of their musical talents shine, and the fact that they come from Lake County makes us even more proud and excited to have them back.

Patrick Ickes picks the five-string banjo with the hard-driving licks that anchor the band to its bluegrass roots. Born in San Francisco to the musical Ickes family, Patrick taught himself how to pick on his Grandpa's banjo at age twelve.

Phil Cornish is a mandolin player, songwriter and lead vocalist who is turning heads with his crisp, tasteful mando style, cutting-edge melodies and "born singin’ bluegrass" voice. He grew up in San Jose where he listened to his dad sing and play bluegrass for more than twenty years.

Larry Chung is a multi-instrumentalist who has always loved playing music. Born and raised in rural Illinois, Larry played classical violin and piano and eventually moved to the Bay Area to attend college at Stanford University. Over the next several years, he taught himself the guitar, the banjo, the mandolin, the Dobro, and the double bass.

Elida Ickes provides solid rhythm as bass player and vocalist. While living in Millbrae, CA, Elida played with several SF Bay Area bands. Soon after moving to Twain Harte, in the Motherlode area of the Sierra's, she joined an all-female band playing music of the Gold Rush Era and also plays with a group called Fiddle's Etc.

www.boundtoridebluegrass.com

ANDERSON FAMILY BAND (1:20pm - 2:00pm)

The Anderson Family, from Grass Valley, California, has been a popular crowd-pleasing northern California bluegrass band since their start in early 2005. At the CBA festival in 2003, Paige and Aimee were inspired by a performance of "Kids on Bluegrass", the CBA's popular program for very young pickers. Shortly after that festival, Paige started taking guitar lessons so she could play along with Mark, a fledgling banjo picker. Aimee picked up the fiddle a couple of months after that, starting out on a quarter-size instrument and also taking lessons. By the 2004 festival, Paige and Aimee were participants in "KOB", gaining valuable musical and on-stage experience and performing the two tunes the sisters had spent months working out, "Cripple Creek" and "Old Joe Clark". As Paige recalls their debut, "When our turn came, we walked out on the stage and played our first song and got a huge response. Aimee and I looked at each other with really big smiles on our faces". It's fair to say the band was born at that moment.

The family started playing in public early in 2005 and it's been full speed ahead since then. Mark and Christy Anderson and their four kids, Paige, Aimee, Ethan (Bo) and Daisy, are making new friends and fans every day with their unbeatable combination of outstanding lead and harmony singing, impressive instrumental abilities, savvy stagecraft and boundless energy and charisma.

www.andersonfamilybluegrass.com

FUR DIXON & STEVE WERNER (4:20pm - 5:00pm)

“With old-time elements penetrating [their music], it is evident that the foundations laid down by Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family are still being built on to this day in the most stunning way possible.”
-- Maverick Magazine Review.

Fur Dixon is a foot-stomping, sassy cowgirl with musical influences from June and Mother Maybelle Carter, Hazel Dickens and Johnny Cash. She is a gifted, deep and insightful writer, whose songs demolish the gap between old and new, speaking straight to the heart of the listener. Fur's voice is the voice of a dear friend heard across a campfire on a starry night.

Steve Werner is an unrepentant, motorcycle-riding, story-telling, hard-traveling, flat-picking, son of a gun. He's a cowboy-hatted, yodeling troubadour and an award-winning guitar picker, deeply rooted in the traditions of Doc Watson, Norman Blake and Merle Travis.

Hailing from Van Nuys, California, but equally at home anywhere under the western sky, well-traveled California folk favorites Fur and Steve will take you on a rollicking musical joyride through the back roads and highways of the American West. Known for their dazzling two-part harmonies, their spectacular yodeling, awesome guitar picking, wise-cracking humor all serve to compliment their old and new-timey traveling songs. Together, they're a combination that can't be beat, with a show that's fun, heartfelt and drenched in the rich traditions of Bluegrass, Western and good old American folk music.

www.furandsteve.com

RITA HOSKING (12:40pm – 1:20pm)

That voice, called a "soulful howl from the mountains" (California Bluegrass Association) is calling attention around the country---"What? California girls don't sing like that!!?" But Rita, called "the real thing" by CA acoustic music fans, will tell you about her upbringing in rural Shasta County, and the old-time band of seasoned mountain characters that took her under their wings.

"This California girl comes by her mountain-music sensibility with true authenticity, with original songs deeply rooted in her family's frontier experience."
-- Dan Ruby, FestivalPreview.com

She has played her songs for appreciative listeners at the Strawberry Music Festival, Kate Wolf Music Festival, and many more. Rita points out that she likes to "get to the heart of the matter." As with a mystic, this means a loaded and stunning, yet gentle and compassionate delivery. "Rita's messages are immediate yet patient and her quiet conviction most strong."

www.ritahosking.com

 

Local Favorites

Cobb Stompers – Local husband and wife team from Cobb Mountain with Patricia Jekel on Fiddle, Dock Jekel on Banjo and Scott Serena on Guitar, play authentic Appalachian music and have been delighting crowds at the Cobb Mountain Coffee Shop.

Uncorked – Lake County’s premier Celtic/American band, performs frequently at the Corkman’s Clipper in Clearlake. Band members include Andi Skelton and Eleanor Cook on fiddles, Don Coffin on guitar and mandolin, Dennis Hadley on accordion, and Dan Harris on banjo and mandolin.

Darin Smith – Darin expertly handles the cello, fiddle and guitar and has wowed audiences here at previous Festivals. Today he plays with the band Uncorked.

3 Deep – 3 Deep - Local musicians Sarah Ticheva, Jill Shaul, and Anna McAtee combine their musical talents, creating a dynamic trio with a flair for harmony vocals.

Clear Lake Clikkers – High Steppin’ fancy footwork describes this group of dancers from Lake County. They are dedicated to furthering clog dancing in the area and will be providing a workshop opportunity at the festival.

Konocti Fiddlers – Lake County residents are familiar with the fiddle skills of Andi Skelton. She is a fine teacher and performer who has played with the Lake County Symphony, various stage productions and past Anderson Marsh Old Time Bluegrass Festivals. She will be joined by some of her students and friends as the KONOCTI FIDDLERS to perform at the festival.

Workshop Schedule