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Joe Craven

Joe Craven is a musical madman with anything that has strings attached or not; violins, mandolins, tin cans, bedpans, gas cans, cookie tins, chamberlins, tenor guitars, panitars, mouthbows, charangos, banjos, ad infinitum…. His stage setup often resembles a yard sale.

Educator, visual artist, former museum curator, motivational speaker, actor/storyteller and festival emcee, Joe's work is born out of respect and reverence and seeks to honor the creative energy in everyone. An advocate of the folk arts, Joe's educational mission is to empower individuals to take possession of their own music and tell their stories by "demystifying" art through self-expression as a daily ritual.

For almost 17 years, Joe Craven was the highly respected multi-instrumentalist with the David Grisman Quintet.

Scott Gates and
Chuck Hailes

Scott Gates and Chuck Hailes are of a like mind, they live in the world of live acoustic music, sharing a passion for roots and bluegrass music as well as traditional mountain music. Scott Gates is as close to a musical Prodigy on the mandolin as you will ever meet and has started playing guitar with the same fire and brilliance.

Scott has been a mainstay at Bluegrass festivals for many years and holds a special place in heart for these festivals and the people he sees year after year. This especially holds true for the kids he meets with that same fire to play music in their eyes that he had as a young boy.

Having performed all over the country and with artists as varied as John and Nathan McEuen, Steve Martin, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Kenny Loggins and a virtual who's who of bluegrass players, Scott has started writing music of his own and will be bringing many of these tunes to you this year.

Chuck Hailes, Scott's partner in this new venture is one of the top Bass players in the country. Schooled in classical and Jazz bass playing and technique, Chuck writes his own music and has teamed with Scott to create many new musical gems. With a background in bluegrass music, Chuck sings and plays in a way that is uniquely his own. The future of this music we love so much is very bright indeed.

Scott celebrated his 18th birthday recently and has been busy appearing on the Ellen Show with Steve Martin, recording on Kenny Loggins' new family album and touring the country with Nathan McEuen.

John York

JOHN YORK, singer, composer, instrumentalist, member of the Byrds with Roger McGuinn, Clarence White and Gene Parsons,the Sir Douglas Quintet (with Dr. John,) The Mamas and The Papas touring band, Johnny Rivers, Lightning Hopkins, Gene Clark, Rick Danko, Richard Manuel & Nicky Hopkins and David Carradine. Currently touring with Barry McGuire.

"John York is the last pure voice of the Silver Sixties..." (Kim Fowley)

Kirsten Proffit

Kirsten’s musical journey began some twenty odd years ago. After just a handful of public performances, Kirsten earned multiple nominations in the Orange County Music Awards which resulted in her winning "Best Female Artist." After a quick time-out to sing the National Anthem at Dodger Stadium, Kirsten attracted the attention of producer Bruce Witkin (Johnny Depp's vocals for Sweeney Todd).

Since, Kirsten’s songs have been prominently featured on hit television shows like “Dawson’s Creek,” “Friday Night Lights” and “The Osbourne’s,” as well as the DVD soundtracks of “Felicity” and “Party of Five.” She also had her music featured in the legendary Martin Short’s film “Jiminy Glick in Lalawood.” Kirsten is routinely invited to share the stage with such high-profile artists as Duncan Sheik, Paula Cole, and the Steve Miller Band. Excelling in intimate acoustic performances or with a full band, Kirsten delivers a powerful and passionate set.

Border Radio

Border Radio got their start in 2000, and quickly outgrew the bay window at Buster's Coffee House when they added a fiddle player to the band. Lead singer Kelly McCune writes many of the songs for the band.

They were invited to the New Folk Competition at the prestigious Kerrville Folk Festival in Texas and have played all over Southern California, including the Skirball Museum, Pershing Square, the Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival, Autry National Center, Topanga Banjo Fiddle Contest and Folk Festival, and many city parks and listening rooms.

The Border Radio sound moves from a hard-driving string band song to a lush ballad to a toe-tapping swing tune. Kelly's songs are soulful and soaring, and the next minute they take you on a train ride to the past.

Susie Glaze and the Hilonesome Band

Broadway actress and singer, award-winning recording artist and critically-acclaimed Bluegrass powerhouse vocalist, Susie Glaze has been called by BLUEGRASS UNLIMITED "...an important voice on the California Bluegrass scene."

A native Tennessean, Susie grew up in the shadow of the Grand Ole Opry, learning the craft of country and bluegrass from a short distance by regular immersion of Flatt & Scruggs, Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn among others. When just 16 she sang for her brother Rick's writer's nights song showcases in Nashville.

Cathy-Anne McClintock

Multi award-winning Americana/folk artist, Cathy-Anne McClintock,showcases her unique vocal stying along with her well crafted, personal songs creating a beautiful outcome that she'd describe as pop/folk/bluegrass fusion.

Nominated in the Country category for Hollywood Music and Media Awards 2010, included in Music Connection's HOT 100 Unsigned Artists 2009, selected as one of Women's Radio Hot Up'N'Comers of 2010, and featured in Oscar Award Winner Ed Zwick's, Leaving Normal.

Along with her former group Tumbleweed, she was 9 time winner of British Columbia's Best Bluegrass Group, Country CD and Country Group, featured in Billboard, The Record,Marquee, Disney, Showtime and HBO.

Her song, 'I Wanna Live Like That' has been recorded and released by a vast array of artists over 35 times internationally.

John Batdorf

Starting as a recording artist with Batdorf and Rodney and Silver, John made albums and toured the US and Canada. He spent several years as a staff songwriter and sang background vocals on some really great recordings by Rod Stewart, Motley Crue, Dave Mason, Eric Anderson, The Jefferson Starship, Berlin, Donna Summer, Dwight Yoakum, Boy Meets Girl, Mickey Thomas, Stan Ridgeway, James Lee Stanley, David Lee Roth and The London Choir Boys to name a few.

John has recorded a recent CD with James Lee Stanley All Wood And Stones (a highly original take on early Rolling Stones songs, done acoustically with tight harmonies) along with his first solo EP, Side One." His first full length solo CD, Home Again is an acoustic guitar and vocal enthusiasts dream come true! John's 2008 CD, Still Burnin' teams him up again with Mark Rodney. Johns' new CD, Old Man Dreamin' is taking on the world!

Robert Earl "Robby" Longley

Robert Earl Longley, also known as "Robby" to his friends and fans, is a world-class level guitarist and symphonic composer. His original compositions include ten of his own CDs, three theatrical films, and a two-hour long improvisational performance to a silent film. Robert's concert material is a presentation of masterfully executed fingerstyle techniques on the flamenco guitar that delivers sophisticated melodies in symphonic movements unprecedented on solo guitar. The best way to describe his music is to say that if film composer, Ennio Morriconi had only a guitar at his disposal, he would be Robert Earl Longley.

In Los Angeles, Robert entered eight local guitar competitions within a 2-year period and took first place in all eight. It was then that he decided to play a different kind of music that would allow him to express himself, unencumbered by style or tradition. Remembering his childhood exposure to the music of Carlos Montoya, Chet Atkins, Paco de Lucia and Julian Bream, Robert fused all these influences into his own fingerstyle guitar sound. He found himself further inspired by the groundbreaking keyboard virtuosity of Keith Emerson who, ironically, claimed to have been inspired by the guitar work of Pete Townsend and Jimmy Hendrix.

The Statmen

The Statmen play a fusion of bluegrass, swing, gypsy jazz and Latin with original compositions by mandolinist Paul Statman. The gypsy swing rhythm of the band is contagious, and it's not unheard of for people to get to their feet and dance to The Statmen's music.

This band started in 2001 and won the band contest at the 2004 Topanga Banjo Fiddle Contest. Their fiddler, Connor Vance, also took the 1st place advanced guitar prize this year.

Sabrina & Craig

What do you get when you put a highly educated, six-foot-one, blonde-haired, award-winning, female singer together with a highly educated, Olympic bronze medal, male, award-winning, finger-style guitartist?

Well, they call it "Sabrina & Craig" but other folks have called it "incredibly entertaining;" "an act that emits an abundance of love and wit, both personally and musically;" " fantastic, sophisticated, spirited, and intelligent;" and "a festival for the ears and soul thing."

Sabrina & Craig's signature sound comes from the combination of Craig's award winning, finely-crafted guitar voicings and masterful finger-style playing along with vocal harmonies that are smooth and sweet. The blend of Craig's straight up, storyteller style and Sabrina's sometimes sweet, sometimes sassy, always dynamic performances have delighted audiences everywhere.

And for added flavor, Sabrina mixes in a little spice with bass, percussion, and ukulele.

Tracy Newman and the Reinforcements

Tracy Newman grew up in L.A. She started playing guitar at 14, strumming for hours each day, sitting on the diving board of her family’s pool. Back then she was influenced by the Kingston Trio, because she could actually play some of their songs, especially “Tom Dooley” which had, and still has, only two chords. -- After high school, Tracy wanted to be a folksinger, but her parents insisted she go to college. She went to the U of A in Tucson but soon stopped attending college and was playing on street corners for money. Understandably, this freaked out her mother who flew to Tucson and dragged her back to LA for “help.” It’s taken Tracy a while to get back to her dream. -- Along the way, she worked as a TV writer on "Cheers" and in 1997, won an Emmy and the prestigious Peabody Award for writing the ground-breaking “coming out” episode of “Ellen.” In 2001, she helped create the ABC comedy, "According to Jim," which just completed it’s eighth and final season of production.
Tracy has been writing songs all along and is once again performing full-time. Her debut CD is “A Place in the Sun.” The Reinforcements, are made up of Gene Lippmann, Rebecca Leigh, John Cartwright, John O’Kennedy, and Doug Knoll. This is a funny, moving and memorable show.

Boyd & Wain

Boyd and Wain are an award winning Anglo-American Americana/Folk duo. Their music is pure roots and rhythm and the songs are compelling, home grown tales of everyday life… Katy pokes fun as easily as she tells a story of unfulfilled dreams. The sound is honest and original, the vocals are passionate and Benny's fiddlin' is just plain brilliant.

In a previous life, Katy Boyd won the prestigious USA West Coast Songwriter's Association's annual contest. She ran off to England for adventure, and stayed. Benny Wain has been playing fiddle in festivals, pubs and concert halls since the age of 12, sharing stages with the Oyster Band, Shane McGowan, the Dubliners and Davey Arthur.

They are playing major festivals all over the UK, including the Belfast Nashville Songwriters Festival. Their debut CD Ain't No Fairy Tale debuted in the RMR Folk Chart in June this year at position 36, and is getting great reviews across the UK. Last year they won the notable Trowbridge Village Pump Festival Unsigned Artist Competition.

Ukulele Bartt

The Los Angeles Times calls Ukulele Bartt a "Modern-Day Master."

Bartt was honored as "Teacher of the Year" in the 40,000-teacher Los Angeles Unified School District, America's second-largest district.

He's been awarded a commendation from the mayor of Los Angeles.

He performs and teaches around the world, and now he can teach YOU!

Come to Bartt's Ukulele Workshop and walk away with a newfound respect for the diminutive instrument.

More at Bartt.net

Gary Allegretto

Blues Revue Magazine calls singer, songwriter, and harmonica virtuoso "one of the best harp players you'll hear" and "one of the classiest acts in the music business today." American Cowboy Magazine recently exclaimed Gary's unique brand of roots music, " Amazing. You've never seen - or heard anything like it." As Southland Blues Magazine says, "Allegretto sings with a natural storytelling appeal that’s easy to understand. His harmonica gives the program a zest that ensures magnetic forces. One listen and you’re under his spell. One listen and his audience is sold on pure blues with a message that comes from the heart." Indeed, Allegretto has received multiple awards and Grammy Award considerations for his music.

His jaw-dropping performances have captivated audiences on stages around the globe. He's been featured on major motion picture and television soundtracks and is endorsed by the world's top harmonica manufacturer.

In addition to his performance, Gary will be providing his unique and popular harmonica workshop ~ the opportunity to learn from one of the best! For more info please visit: www.garyallegretto.com.

Miles Francis

Meet Miles Francis, an 18 year old singer songwriter with natural talent. He was born and raised in Southern California and at the age of twelve taught himself to play guitar and began writing his own songs. He quickly developed into a promising songwriter.

Miles often would say “There isn’t a moment in my day when I don’t hear a melody or lyric swirling in my head. Music flows through me, it’s like breathing.”

At an early age Miles has been inspired to write about his personal experiences and has been performing his material at local clubs, coffee houses and benefit concerts. Miles has been influenced by John Mayer, Jason Mraz and Jack Johnson.

His songs attracted the attention of veteran producer/engineer Pat Regan and co-producer/engineer Jim Crichton. The two of them have produced Miles debut release at Sound Image Studios.

John Zipperer

John is a singer/songwriter, musician, former music teacher at the world renowned Musicians Institute in Hollywood, CA., actor and veteran of many bands. John has performed and taught with such greats as Tim Bogert (Vanilla Fudge, Cactus), Doane Perry (Jethro Tull) Dave Sutton and many other well known names in the Los Angeles music community.

He brings a multitude of talents and years of experience to his role of Band Leader. His focus on new material and new approaches to familiar material makes every performance fresh and keeps audiences coming back again and again.

Robert Morgan Fisher

Robert Morgan Fisher has two CD's: Follow a Hunch (1996) and Built Myself a Greenhouse (2005). "A Life in Music" was a Folk Finalist in the 2005 International Songwriting Competition. "Angel Within" won the 2006 International Narrative Songwriting Competition.

"We'll Buy a Flag" and "Jester King" went #1 on Neil Young's Living With War: Songs of Our Time web site.

He's co-written numerous songs with fellow neo-narrative singer/songwriter Darryl Purpose.

His short fiction has appeared in many literary journals.

Robert lives in Los Angeles with his wife and two sons.

RMF Short stories with "companion songs" can be found at: http://bluerailroad.com

Bill Dempsey

Bill Dempsey began his career as a trombonist studying classical music and jazz. During the early 60's he became interested in folk music. At one point he was playing trombone in a small orchestra and working weekends in a jazz band. After finishing work he would rush off to sing and play at a local coffeehouse. It soon became clear that singing and playing guitar was what he wanted to do.

Over the years Bill has continued to learn new instruments and new kinds of music while staying close to the folk and traditional music he loves.

Some know Bill as the Shanty man on the brig Pilgrim in Dana Point California. Bill books the Tall Ships Festival at the Ocean Institute there. Others recall him as part of the groups 'Open All Night' or 'Monday Night Waltz'. Seniors know him as 'Banjo Bill'. Students know him as Mr. Dempsey the music teacher and los ninos call him Maestro.

David Nigel Lloyd

David Nigel Lloyd has intrigued West Coast audiences for over fifteen years. He sings of pumpkin kings, fairy queens, ancient Irish warriors loosed upon dusty oil towns, East African juju men, idiot presidents, divine drunkards, wanderers, and prisoners both great and small. In between he regales his audience with odd bits of erudition, shaggy biography, and the occasional surreal folk tale.

He accompanies himself on an eight-stringed octar (a mongrel mandocello-like instrument); on a steel-stringed guitar with a unique drop-tuning; and on a nylon string guitar tuned regularly.

With his "spirited singing and full-bodied playing" (as Dirty Linen described it), his musical sensibility takes no backseat to his lyrical gifts. His repertoire blends ancient ballads with his own poetry and an oddball musical taste, which ranges easily from Indian to Peruvian music. According to the LA Weekly, DNL is "some serious traditional fun."

Cross Town Cowboys

The Cross Town Cowboys record and perform original and traditional Western music. The boys believe very deeply in the positive power of music to inspire. It is the band's sincerest wish to help return Western music to the forefront of American culture. The band hopes to lend a hand to our fellow countrymen in the return to the values set by our cowboy heroes. The Cross Town Cowboys are out to "Save The West," one good cowboy/cowgirl at a time.

SAVE THE WEST!, The Cross Town Cowboys debut CD was awarded a "Top Five" nomination for "Best Cowboy/Western Swing Album" in 2009!

Some know Bill as the Shanty man on the brig Pilgrim in Dana Point California. Bill books the Tall Ships Festival at the Ocean Institute there. Others recall him as part of the groups 'Open All Night' or 'Monday Night Waltz'. Seniors know him as 'Banjo Bill'. Students know him as Mr. Dempsey the music teacher and los ninos call him Maestro.

Brad Stubbs

Brad Stubbs was born in the hills of Pennsylvania and raised by a musical family known for singing together on the front porch. As a child the family moved to Chicago where he was immersed in the local folk and blues scene before moving to California.

Brad is a songwriter, performer and producer who fronted the alt-country group Bandwagon. Brad also played mandolin with the folk-punk act Girl George and The Dragons which included Naomi Ruth Eisenberg (founding member of Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks.) Girl George was immortalized in the 2002 song "Arizona Star" by Guy Clark.

In 2009 Brad released experimental music under the name Techno Cowboy in which he explores unconventional sounds and instruments. Brad has written and licensed music for film, television and children's programs. In 2009, he released an album for children called Songs For Kids. It was recorded with the help of his 9 year old nephew. It includes the popular songs "Cowboy Christmas", "Lucky Dog" and "Where's The Band?"
Brad is currently finsihing a new collection of folk songs which is due to released in 2010.

Swingin' Sophisticats

Simply the hottest swing and vintage jazz band in Southern California!

Glen Carpenter

Glen has been playing guitar since the age of 16. At 20, he began his studies in classical guitar and composition, and has since been featured in local newspapers and has received awards for his service to the local music community.

Glen has studied classical guitar, jazz guitar, blues guitar, and classical piano with multiple teachers and influences and is currently expanding his career as a solo artist, teacher, and composer. He is playing shows and teaching in and around the Ventura County area.

Wayward Maggie

Wayward Maggie is a quirky, fun female duo whose members are Jess Hawk Oakenstar and Kate DeLaPointe.

Jess, born and raised in Zimbabwe, is a widely traveled solo guitarist/singer/songwriter and "one-woman band" who has toured nationally (36 states across the US) and internationally (in Australia and New Zealand). She has received much critical acclaim for her two albums, Leave a Little Light Behind and Your Heart Will Show You, and she still performs regularly as a solo act.

Kate comes from a family of career musicians. She plays piano and guitar, appeared on Souls of the Sound, an acoustic album featuring Northwestern female singer-songwriters, and performed regularly in the Seattle area before moving to AZ.

Jess and Kate met at a library in the desert where they both work and decided to form a duo after jamming together and excitedly realizing, "Gosh! This feels like a wonderful fit!" Their musical presentation/persona comes to rest somewhere between mournfully dark and rockingly/rollickingly comedic, but it's hard to pin them down. However, most importantly, their voices harmonize exquisitely - to the delight of their audiences.

Lee Penn Sky

After healing from a horrific traffic accident Lee, who had been a prolific songwriter but never stepped from behind the shelter of a band, ventured into the spotlight himself. Healing from his injuries gave him time to figure out who he wanted to be as an artist and time to hone his skills and style.

Lee plays folk-oriented songs that span the Americana range, and are rooted in his Michigan childhood and the high-plains desert of Idaho, where he now resides. He has an affinity for Texan songwriters like Robert Earl Keen, Steve Earle, Willie Nelson, and the late great Townes Van Zandt but he doesn't emulate his heroes.

Lee's songwriting is deceptively simple, but the unadorned nature of his writing makes the songs all the more powerful - he has a way of cutting to the heart of a matter not unlike Kris Kristofferson.

Lee has played at many festivals, fairs and showcases and was a songwriting finalist at the Snowbird Mountain Music Festival, headlined at the Denver Post Underground Music Showcase and has appeared on Park City TVs show Soundtracks.

Bruce Sanborn

Hailed as "…the best rocker in L.A…." Sanborn has an eclectic career as a musician, singer/song-writer, award-winning journalist and screenwriter, broadcaster and playwright.

A native of Los Angeles, Sanborn grew up in a musical family and started piano lessons at an early age. "It never took hold. They were teaching me music I had no interest in playing." It wasn't until he was in his early teens that he got himself a guitar. "That made all the difference. A piano is the rich girl on the other side of town who needs to be romanced and cajoled. A guitar is the tattooed chick at the bar who's ready to party anytime. Take a wild guess which one's a better fit."

Sanborn started singing and performing at the age of five. Over the years he has toured the U.S. as an actor, dancer and singer, performed in dozens of nightclubs, comedy clubs, theaters; on film, television and radio.

With his powerful vocals and searing lyrics, Sanborn brings an unsurpassed energy and enthusiasm to the stage. Backed by some of the top musicians in L.A., his live shows have become legendary and are not to be missed.

Wicked Saints

Wicked Saints is a folk-rock/americana band with a great range of originals and covers. Influences range from cajun styles to rock, blues and reggae. Singer/songwriter Paul McCarty hails from New Orleans. His southern roots show in his songs.

Paul is backed up by the illustrious Chad Watson on bass. Chad is from Missouri and has played with many luminaries including Charlie Rich, Janis Ian, Freddy Fender and more. Drummer John Gannon, from San Pedro, has an impressive dynamic presence, and Bobby Thomas (the band's lone northerner from Pennsylvania) adds beautiful colors on piano and accordion.

Wicked Saints have played all around Los Angeles venues, including Kulak’s Woodshed, Genghis Cohen, The Unurban, and many more.