The Foghorn Stringband plays old time string band music deeply rooted in the American folk tradition. It’s a pre-copyright, post-bluegrass style, but the members of Foghorn put their own stamp on it. Stephen “Sammy” Lind’s fiddle and Caleb Klauder’s mandolin play tight unison lead lines supported by Peter Leone’s three-finger banjo picking and anchored by the bedrock rhythms of Nadine Landry’s bass. It’s a sound that could be coming to you from a big console radio in a 1930’s living room, or an Appalachian front porch; instead it’s being delivered by a group of players from the thriving old time music scene of Portland, Oregon. Proof positive that folk music will remain vital as long as there are folks who want to play it.
Dedication to the music and the band’s sense of camaraderie marks every note the band plays, live or in the studio. Foghorn play in unison, gathered around a single mike, no flashy picking or solos, carried along by their driving rhythms and fierce determination to keep traditional music alive and exciting for this and future generations. The band’s genuine enthusiasm for the music keeps them a mainstay in the folk and old time music circuit.
Foghorn has toured extensively throughout the US, the UK, Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Malaysia, playing a variety of stages including the Tonder Music Festival, the Newport Folk Festival, the Rainforest World Music Festival, the Chicago Folk and Roots Festival, Pick-a-thon Roots Music Festival, The Seattle Folk Life Festival, The Bristol Rhythm and Roots Festival, Bumbershoot and the ROMP Festival.
Sweet Sunny South is a four piece string band hailing from Paonia, Colorado consisting of guitar(Rob Miller), upright bass(Shelley Gray), fiddle(Cory Obert), mandolin and banjo(Bill Powers). The band makes original music that blends elements of bluegrass, old-time, country, and swing to create a decidedly unique sound. Their specialty is creating a full entertainment experience through live performance, a journey if you will, taking the audience along for the ride across dusty landscapes of the American countryside. There’s high lonesome ballads, for the winsome and rocking old-time fiddle tunes for the dancers. All four members sing and play around a single microphone and while this approach brings to mind the glory days of the Grand Ol’ Opry, the band’s sound feels new, fresh and dynamic. Smiles warm the room while real, true music fills the air. Sweet Sunny South’s vibe is contagious and gives everyone permission to feel good.
In August 2005, the Gillette Brothers traveled to Japan representing the State of Texas at the World Expo – Aichi/Nagoya, performing their music at the US Pavilion. In October 2008, the Gillette Brothers toured Somerset, England for two weeks, performing in village halls and the Bridgewater Arts Center.
