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Rik Barron
Plays:
- Tree Of Life
- Deering John Hartford
- Eagle II
- Woodsongs Campfire Longneck
- Vega Senator 17-Fret Tenor Banjo
Rik is a folk festival veteran whose unique guitar and banjo styles have caught the attention of audience members and music critics alike. As a teenager he was named best instrumentalist by the Newfoundland Folk Artist Association, and his kid friendly tunes earned him three East Coast Music Awards.
www.rikbarron.com
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Dom Flemons
Plays:
Dom Flemons is a multi-instrumentalist and a songster. Playing in a broad range of old-time blues, country, string band, rock and jazz, he has impressed audiences with his outrageous performance style. "I always try keep the audience guessing," Dom says, "it makes the performance more interesting." Dom currently in upper Manhattan in New York City. As a member of the Carolina Chocolate Drops, Dom has toured all over the world going as far as Ireland, England, Scotland, France, Holland and Belgium. He is up for most any type of gig having played from coffee houses to street corners to house parties to the big-time venues.
reverbnation.com/domflemons
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Rhiannon Giddens
Plays:
Rhiannon is a show-stopper -- not only for her glorious voice but also for her incredible versatility. She ranges across many styles and genres, and is equally at ease singing opera, blues, gospel and Gaelic or whatever the moment takes. A rare talent!
www.rhisong.com
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George Grove
Plays:
George Grove, 36-year veteran of The Kingston Trio (as of 2012), has been playing Deering banjos exclusively for over 25 years, both on-stage and in the recording studio. His custom Deering banjo known as "The Banjosaurus" was used for The Kingston Trio's CD Live At The Crazy Horse (released 1994). The "Tom Dooley Banjo" was used for the Trio's Christmas album, Glad Tidings (released December, 2009). And his "Vega Kingston Trio 'George Grove'" was used for their CD Born At The Right Time (released February, 2012). George says that his only problem with his Deering banjos is "which one shall I use? Each banjo has a distinctive voice and personality -- I wish I could tour with all three banjos!"
www.kingstontrio.com
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Taj Mahal
Plays:
Composer, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Taj Mahal is one of the most prominent and influential figures in late 20th century blues and roots music. Though his career began more than four decades ago with American blues, he has broadened his artistic scope over the years to include music representing virtually every corner of the world – west Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe, the Hawaiian islands and so much more. What ties it all together is his insatiable interest in musical discovery. Over the years, his passion and curiosity have led him around the world, and the resulting global perspective is reflected in his music.
www.tajblues.com
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John McCutcheon
Plays:
One of the most prolific and respected children's artists, John McCutcheon has consistently produced quality children's albums (and folk albums) since the early '70s. McCutcheon is first and foremost an instrumentalist. Like thousands of others in the '60s, McCutcheon, a Wisconsin native, taught himself how to play a mail-order guitar and joined the local folk scene. His interest became more serious, however, when he sought to find the roots of this music. McCutcheon headed for Appalachia and learned from some of the legendary greats of traditional folk music. Along the way, he became adept at a multitude of instruments, including fiddle, banjo, guitar, autoharp, jaw harp, and especially the hammered dulcimer. McCutcheon is considered one of the undisputed masters on the hammered dulcimer and adapts much of his music around the instrument.
www.folkmusic.com
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Michael Miles
Plays:
Michael J. Miles is a rare and engaging artist. He grew up in Chicago in an Irish family where music was served like dinner—everybody had some. His blue collar father played the player piano and filled the house with singing. Everybody sang. Everyone read. Everyone debated politics.
www.milesmusic.org
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Tao Rodriguez Seeger
Plays:
Tao Rodriguez Seeger is an American contemporary folk musician. He plays banjo, guitar, harmonica, and sings in Spanish and in English. He is known as a founder of The Mammals and is the grandson of folk musician Pete Seeger.
www.taorodriguezseeger.com
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Linda Williams
Plays:
Robin and Linda Williams are like your next-door neighbors - assuming your neighbors are the salt-of-the-earth and top-flight performers to boot. One minute you picture borrowing a cup of sugar from these two; the next, you're completely stunned by their jaw-dropping talent. Bottom line: You feel right at home at a Robin and Linda concert, and their music stays with you like an old friend.
www.robinandlinda.com