High Mountain Hay Fever


2007 Festival Performer Profiles

Dry Branch Fire Squad, Festival Hosts In thirty-plus years of music making, Rounder recording artists Dry Branch Fire Squad have become an institution in American acoustic music. Inspired by a fierce and uncompromising loyalty to the most traditional aspects of bluegrass, old time and southern gospel music, Dry Branch Fire Squad is fueled by the musical vision and cultural commentary of Ron Thomason. Unlike most bluegrass groups, Dry Branch Fire Squad sells neither itself, its members, nor even particular bluegrass songs. What it markets are the emotions that stimulated the creation of bluegrass and mountain music as well as a taste of the culture in which this music evolved. A native of southwest Virginia, Thomason founded the Dry Branch Fire Squad in 1976. To date, the band has recorded over twenty-one projects and performed at the most prestigious acoustic music venues and festivals in North America. Most bluegrass observers agree that Dry Branch's current line-up is one of its strongest ever: in addition to Ron Thomason on mandolin, guitar and lead vocals, other group members are Brian Aldridge on guitar, mandolin and harmony vocals, Danny Russell on acoustic bass and harmony vocals and Tom Boyd on banjo and harmony vocals. This year, Dry Branch Fire Squad will once again tour from coast to coast, appearing at some of the most prestigious music events in North America and the group will also host the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival, the largest bluegrass festival in the Northeast, as well as the High Mountain Hay Fever Bluegrass Festival. Dry Branch Fire Squad website Dry Branch Fire Squad record for Rounder Records

Sons and Brothers, Festival Hosts For the past seven or so years the Sons and Brothers have been captivating audiences around the country with their fusion of bluegrass, gospel, and western music. Made up of three brothers and their dad, Sons and Brothers has been described as one of Colorado’s most exciting acoustic bands, bringing a unique combination of energy, instrumental prowess and tight powerful family harmony to the bluegrass genre. Rooted solidly in the Mountain West, the band describes its brand of music as “Westgrass,” songs with western and Gospel themes, built around the bluegrass lead instruments of mandolin, fiddle, dobro and banjo. The band is composed of Frank Wolking (guitar and mandolin), and sons Mike (dobro, banjo and lead guitar), Aaron (lead vocals and bass) and Joe (mandolin and fiddle). The Sons and Brothers’ sound is fresh, exciting and vibrant. A typical performance will feature a dynamic contrast of songs and sounds ranging from stirring ballads and powerful gospel numbers to fire breathing instrumentals to poignant stories of family life to classic waltzes and tales of broken hearts. Between the songs Sons and Brothers develops a powerful connection with audiences by sharing the good natured relationship that exists within the family and by presenting the songs with insightful introductions interspersed with doses of Aaron’s irrepressible sense of humor. The Sons and Brothers band won the 2004 National Bluegrass Playoffs in Victorville, California and has performed across the United States, as well as in Scotland, England and Wales. They have been featured at numerous premier concert venues, festivals, and gatherings. The past several years have seen the Sons and Brothers perform at events along side of such notable artists as The Seldom Scene, Ralph Stanley, and IIIrd Tyme Out just to name a few. The band’s 2005 release “Westgrass” has received great reviews from coast to coast and their new release “Count the Score Even” was released in 2006. Sons and Brothers website

Laurie Lewis and the Right Hands Laurie Lewis has become a quiet legend during her 30-year career which includes a Grammy and twice being named Female Vocalist of the Year by the IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association). This sweet-singing California fiddler and songwriter is something very special. "Judging by the respect she has among fans and peers in the industry," says IBMA executive director Dan Hays, "Laurie is one of the pre-eminent bluegrass and Americana artists of our time. She spreads her talent over several genres - bluegrass, folk, country - and with the recognition she has within all those fields, I would certainly say she's one of the top five female artists of the last 30 years. And she continues to make great music." Lewis's stage shows are renowned for their musical virtuosity and front-porch friendliness that invite audiences into her music. As with everything she plays, the point is sharing, not strutting. Along with Lewis, Right Hands includes of Tom Rozum, whose versatility and diverse musical influences come to the fore every night on stage with the band. He plays primarily mandolin with the band, but is also an accomplished fiddle, mandola, and guitar player. He is a fine lead vocalist, the ideal harmony partner for Laurie. Todd Phillips has been appearing regularly with Laurie since the summer of 1996. Craig Smith’s banjo playing displays impeccable taste, timing and tone that have made him a much-sought-after studio player. Scott Huffman, a consummate musician on both guitar and banjo, is North Carolina's best-kept musical secret. Laurie Lewis website

The Bradley Walker Band Before he got his recording contract, Bradley Walker had already performed on the Grand Ole Opry, appeared on national television and sung at some of America's leading bluegrass festivals. He belongs to a tradition that includes such outstanding stylists as Vern Gosdin, Merle Haggard, Mel Street, Gene Watson, George Jones, Lefty Frizzell, and Keith Whitley, all of whom he cites as influences. "It's not like I'm on any kind of campaign to bring back traditional country music," says Walker. "It's just that this is the kind of music I love, the kind of music that makes me happiest. I've been singing this way all my life." Singing the music he loves earned Bradley 2007 IBMA Male Vocalist of the Year Award for his album, Highway of Dreams. "He really is one amazing singer," says Grammy award-winning producer Carl Jackson, who has worked with everyone from Emmylou Harris to Ricky Skaggs and many other greats. But he reserves extra praise for this new stylist. "Bradley is a special person, as well as a talent.” Bradley was born with Muscular Dystrophy, and has been in a wheelchair his entire life. But this young man is as fiercely independent as he is musically gifted. He built his own home in Alabama, designing it for maximum mobility and comfort. He is also completely at ease in his customized van, and has been working a day job ever since his high-school graduation, in addition to singing and traveling to festivals regularly. "My whole outlook on life is that if you're able to get out and work, then do it," says Walker. "My parents always encouraged me to be able to do things on my own. I wouldn't be where I am today if it hadn't been for them." Bradley has shared the stage with bands like IIIrd Tyme Out, Larry Cordle & Lonesome Standard Time, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, The Lonesome River Band, and other bluegrass headliners. The band includes David Babb on bass and vocals, Dustin Benson on guitar and vocals, Jenni Gardner on mandolin and vocals and Patton Wages picking banjo, guitar and contributing on vocals. Bradley Walker website Bradley Walker records for Rounder Records

Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper Award-winning fiddler Michael Cleveland brings dynamic traditional bluegrass to the stage with his band, Flamekeeper, in a show that will leave the audience talking. A four-time winner of the International Bluegrass Music Association's Fiddle Player of the Year award, Mike and his talented band present a program of tight vocal trios and duos, blistering instrumentals, and fiddle-and-banjo duets that echo the first-generation stars of bluegrass. The show is rounded out with Mike's dry wit and the band's sense of fun. Considered one of the premier bluegrass fiddlers of his generation, Mike picked up a fiddle at age four, and his talent was recognized early. In 1993 he was chosen to be part of the Bluegrass Youth All Stars at the IBMA’s awards show. Later that year Mike made his Grand Ole Opry debut as a guest of Alison Krauss. His list of guest appearances over the years is a who's who of bluegrass legends including Bill Monroe, Jim and Jesse, Ralph Stanley, Mac Wiseman, Doc Watson, Larry Sparks, Doyle Lawson, and J.D. Crowe. Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper won the 2007 IBMA Instrumental Group of the Year award and Michael won the 2007 Instrumental Performer of the Year for Fiddle. The Flamekeepers include Jesse Brock, mandolin and vocals, who has spent a lifetime in bluegrass, starting with his family band at the age of nine, and later with national acts such as Chris Jones and the Night Drivers and The Lynn Morris Band. Guitarist Todd Rakestraw has been singing and playing music since childhood and became interested in bluegrass when he heard his mother's copy of Flatt and Scruggs' "Foggy Mountain Jamboree" album. John Batchelor, the red headed, 20-year-old, self-taught banjo picker from Back Swamp, North Carolina, has a strong musical family background in southern gospel music, and has played for Avery County, Marshall Stephenson and the Bluegrass Train, and New River Gospel. A native of Austin, Texas, bass player Marshall Wilborn has played with some of the great bluegrass bands including Jimmy Martin and the Sunny Mountain Boys, The Johnson Mountain Boys, The Lynn Morris Band, and Longview. Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper website Michael Cleveland records for Rounder Records

Dan Paisley & the Southern Grass Dan Paisley & the Southern Grass is a hard-driving, hot-as-a-firecracker bluegrass band with a sound rooted deep in the mountains of southwest Virginia. They have become known around the world for their musicianship and dedication to the traditional style. For over 25 years the band has maintained their distinctive brand of hard-driving bluegrass music combining soulful and powerful harmony singing with exciting instrumental work. The ensemble has become known for its unwavering sense of timing, its relaxed, often self-deprecating joviality on stage, and its dynamic repertoire. From lilting ballad to fiery hoedown, Paisley's music encompasses the entire spectrum of the bluegrass tradition. The band consists of Danny Paisley, singing lead and tenor and playing guitar, brother Michael Paisley on bass, T.J. Lundy on fiddle, Bobby Lundy on banjo and baritone vocals, and Donnie Eldreth on mandolin and harmony vocals. Dan Paisely & the Southern Grass website

The Charlie Sizemore Band Charlie Sizemore is an artist much respected and loved for both his musical talents and his unshakeable musical integrity. His reputation as “The Real Deal” is based equally on his considerable musical talents and his resolute commitment to doing things the right way, and has only added luster to his place as one of the finest bluegrass artists of his generation. He is a powerful songwriter whose songs have been recorded by Ralph Stanley, Jimmy Martin, Doyle Lawson and Dry Branch Fire Squad to name a few, Soulful and heartfelt, Charlie Sizemore’s singing is capable of bringing a new level of emotion and insight to songs new and old. Charlie Sizemore was raised on Puncheon Creek in Magoffin Country in Eastern Kentucky. The son and grandson of banjo players, he became fascinated by the sounds of bluegrass and mountain music as a child. His first instrument was the fiddle, which he began playing when he was six years old. A few years later, Charlie played lead guitar for regional favorite Lum Patton before touring the eastern U.S. with the Goins Brothers Band. He also managed to find time to focus on school and graduated early and near the top of his high school class. At the age of sixteen Charlie joined Ralph Stanley's band as lead singer, replacing Keith Whitley. Nine years and more than a dozen Stanley albums later, Charlie formed his own band and entered college. The Charlie Sizemore Band has made seven critically acclaimed albums including his latest release on Rounder Records, Good News. Over the years, he built a large following among fans and performers alike, demonstrated by the numerous artists who have appeared on his records including the Oak Ridge Boys, Vern Gosdin, Alison Krauss, Kathy Mattea, Tom T. Hall, J. D. Crowe and Ralph Stanley. The band's new 2007 album, Good News made an impressive jump to #4 on the Bluegrass Unlimited National Bluegrass Top 15 Album Chart. The November Bluegrass Music Profiles Top 20 Hot Single Chart has two singles appearing: #10 Alison's Band and #19 It Won't Be Far From Here and the album at #3 on the BMP Top 10 Bluegrass CDs. The band features Danny Barnes on mandolin and vocals, Matt DeSpain playing dobro, John Pennell on bass and Wayne Fields on banjo. Charlie Sizemore Band website The Charlie Sizemore Band record for Rounder Records

The Alecia Nugent Band Make way for Alecia Nugent. This unassuming lady from Hickory Grove, Louisiana is poised to set the woods ablaze while cutting wide swaths of new roads for herself. Nugent’s career was born of a life in music, thanks to her parents’ strong influence. Performing throughout the south with her family band, Alecia cites influences as varied as Reba McIntire, Carl Smith, Ray Price, and Loretta Lynn. Mix in the indelible sounds and styles of legendary bluegrass acts like Flatt & Scruggs and the Stanley Brothers, and you have some idea where Nugent’s unmistakable style originated. “Alecia Nugent's voice has a touch of the hills, a touch of Nashville, and a touch of the torch singer -- and she can definitely touch listeners,” says Dave Shiflett of the Bloomberg News and Wall Street Journal. She has indeed touched a lot of listeners -- Alecia won the 2007 Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America Traditional Female Vocalist of the Year award. The band includes Jennifer Strickland playing bass and singing vocals, Tony Watt on guitar, and Jenny Gardner and Tom Boyd sitting in on mandolin and banjo, respectively. Alecia Nugent's website The Alecia Nugent Band record for Rounder Records

The Corndrinkers The Corndrinkers take the stage for some real foot stomping in the style of the old-time barn dance. Tom Duffee (banjo), Barbara Kuhns (fiddle), Linda Scutt (fiddle), Doug Smith (guitar), and Al Turnbull (bass) have been playing old fashioned country music together for over twenty six years. Since 1975 they have been performing the old songs and hot fiddle tunes at festivals and square dances featuring twin fiddling, raucous banjo, and vocal harmonies reminiscent of Uncle Dave Macon, the Skillet Lickers, Charlie Poole, the Carter Family, and other country music performers of the 1920’s and ‘30s. They play music with a recklessness, passion, and reverence that gets people on their feet dancing and clapping all night long. The Corndrinkers capture the spirit, sensitivity, and honesty of real old-time country music. The Corndrinkers have played at festivals throughout the Southern Appalachians, including the Carter Fold in Hiltons, Virginia, and Fiddler's Grove in Union Grove, North Carolina.

Diane Ferlatte, Storyteller Diane Ferlatte, a native of New Orleans, can readily remember childhood years of sitting on the porch of her grandparents' home, captivated by the oral stories of family generations past, their spirit, their journeys, and their heartfelt fantasies coming more alive in each moment. Her path to becoming a professional storyteller began with the adoption of her son Joey, then three years old. After weeks of searching for creative ways to increase his interest in books and lessen his interest in television, Diane began to use animation and characters while reading to him and his sister. It worked! Joey started to enjoy books and stories. Now an internationally renowned storyteller, Diane has traveled the globe. She views storytelling as a traditional art form that can promote literacy, imagination, and values. She loves to tell stories that hold truths touching upon our common humanity, including personal stories, historical stories, myths, fables, legends, as well as other tales from across the world. Diane has received numerous honors including grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Storytelling Network's Circle of Excellence Award, as well as the California Arts Council's highest ranking. All of her recordings have also received awards including Parent's Choice, The American Library Association, and many more. Diane's Latest CD, Wickety Whack-Brer Rabbit is Back, has been honored to receive The American Library Association's 2007 Notable Children's Recording Award Dianne Ferlatte website

The Wronglers The Wronglers (Warren Hellman, Chris Hellman, Nate Levine, Bill Martin, Krista Martin, and Colleen Browne) made their stage debut in October of 2006 at Warren's Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival in San Francisco, and they played there again last year. The band combines bluegrass, folk, and old-time techniques, producing an intelligent, intimate sound with an abundance of twang. Warren's love of bluegrass and old-time music permeates every aspect of his life, and his excitement at playing on stage for an audience brings him a huge sense of involvement and satisfaction. He describes the band's repertoire as "simple songs played by complicated people." The Wronglers on MySpace

Heidi Clare and Lonesome Cowboy Hobo Wyoming Slim Let's just keep this simple. Heidi Clare is widely acknowledged as the best old-time fiddler on the stage today. “What you get here is MUSCLE, pure and simple, powerful and purposeful, seemingly limitless and untiring,” says Ron Thomason of Dry Branch Fire Squad. “Heidi Clare plays like she's defining 'bearing down.' This is athletic fiddling done by an athlete. To find fiddle chords and drone notes like these you'd have to listen to John Carson, Ray Cline, or G.B. Grayson. There comes a time in modern convention when even those with the strength, taste, and talent to muscle through a tune tend to lighten up for the sake of melody, clarity, or finesse. But Heidi just refuses. Once she's in her "groove" (her word) it would take an old-time southwest Ohio bluegrass bar fight to dislodge her. And those are as gone as the fiddlers who defined the standards that Heidi Clare emulates." Heidi recently played on the NAFTA tour this fall, a troupe that not only included her band but also bands from Canada and Mexico and was built around the theme of North American music and dance. Heidi will be teaming up with Lonesome Cowboy Hobo Wyoming Slim. Little is known about this singing cowboy other than rumors that he is the same person who used to go by the nom de plume of Lonesome Cowboy Hobo Colorado Slim until there was some trouble with horses in that state where it's rumored that he went to sleep and the horses tried to eat him. The duo has a new album release due in the spring. Website? Um, well, no....

Palmer Divide Palmer Divide is an exciting and original bluegrass band emerging on the Rocky Mountain acoustic musical scene. Comprised of personnel born and raised in Nebraska, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Virginia, Palmer Divide met and formed on the Front Range of Colorado with all members bringing a passion for writing and performing original bluegrass music to the group. They have shared the stage with such musical luminaries as Ricky Skaggs, Vince Gill, Michael Martin Murphy, and many countless others. This band prides itself on creating, composing, and performing all new and original bluegrass music penned by its members. Palmer Divide are: Mickey Stinnett on resonator guitar, banjo and guitar, Greg Reed on guitar and mandolin, Jody Adams on mandolin, fiddle and guitar, and Dick Carlson on upright bass.

Blue Canyon Boys The Blue Canyon Boys have been picking and entertaining audiences with their unique style of bluegrass in the Colorado area for over four years. This high energy, bluegrass powerhouse consists of Gary Dark on mandolin, Jason Hicks on guitar, Drew Garrett on bass, and Jeff Scroggins on banjo. Blending incredible brother-duet-style vocals and hard-driving instrumental proficiency, this energetic band has quickly become a mainstay of the front range bluegrass scene. In 2006 the Blue Canyon Boys released their debut CD, Just An Ol’ Dirt Road, consisting of well-crafted originals and great traditional songs. Rooting themselves in tradition, The Blue Canyon Boys draw upon influences like the Stanley Brothers, Jim and Jesse, Jimmy Martin, Bill Monroe and others to entertain audiences with a thoughtful selection of traditional and original songs, fine musicianship and humorous stage presence. Blue Canyon Boys website

Lonesome Traveler Bluegrass Band In their almost 3 years of performing, Lonesome Traveler has entertained bluegrass fans, families, as well as people that may be hearing bluegrass for the first time. Included in their show are original songs and tunes by four of the bands’ members, carefully chosen re-worked bluegrass classics, tight 3-part vocal harmonies and lively instrumentals. Lonesome Traveler blends their northern Colorado roots with traditional bluegrass in music that shows influences of folk, classic country and rock, blues and Celtic music. In 2007, Lonesome Traveler accomplished a feat never done before - the band won 2nd place in both the Telluride and Rocky Grass bluegrass band contests. They followed up 2007's success with the release of their second CD, 'Listen To That Sound', in April of 2008. This CD has already received rave reviews and was ranked #6 in the KRFC Top Ten for April/May 2008. The Lonesome Traveler Bluegrass Band features tight harmony from Jodi Boyce and Dustin Scott, great finger-style guitar from Rick Scott, solid dawg-house bass from Evan Neal, fine fiddle from Chad Fisher and great dobro from Ansel Foxley. Lonesome Traveler Bluegrass Band on MySpace

Don Belveal, Emcee Don Belveal will return to significant emcee duty at the 2007 High Mountain Hay Fever festival. Don does his homework and knows more about some of the bands than they may know about themsleves. Allegedly, Don is a highly regarded attorney with practices in Canon City and Colorado Springs. It is rumored that he once played guitar and knows so much about the Martin company that his initials could have been C.F. He is best known amongst his friends for his fine cooking and a rapier wit that is actually worthy of the cliché and has been appreciated by those who have attended our previous festivals. And he is very much appreciated by the performers as well who are grateful for the Saturday evening BBQ he's prepared for them the past couple of years.