2012 MELTDOWN LINEUP


Charlie Sizemore

In addition to being one of bluegrass music’s most distinctive and expressive vocal stylists, Charlie Sizemore is also recognized as being one of its most literate and thoughtful songwriters, with impeccable taste in choosing lesser-known, under-appreciated, well-written tunes by other writers.  Based in both in Salyersville, Kentucky and Nashville, where he runs a successful law practice, Sizemore has moved a long way from his roots in eastern Kentucky, on Puncheon Creek, in the state’s quintessentially Appalachian county, Magoffin. In other ways, however, he is as deeply close as ever, as connected to the sources of his musical inspiration as when he joined Ralph Stanley’s Clinch Mountain Boys at age seventeen, replacing the late Keith Whitley, for the next nine and a half years. “Charlie Sizemore gave me nine and one half years of honest and dependable service as lead singer in the late seventies and early eighties,” Stanley reflects today. “He was one of my top lead singers that I have had through the years. Charlie knows music and knows how to make it right.” Not only did Sizemore give his boss Ralph Stanley “honest and dependable service,” but during that time all of Sizemore’s earlier experience and influences paid off and led to the creation of one of the most subtle and sophisticated styles of lead singing in bluegrass today.  His remarkable tone and understated attack underpin the notion that he is truly a singer’s singer, possessed of exquisite taste and feeling.

Chatham County Line

Ten years in, the four gentlemen that form Chatham County Line have a lot to reflect on. Sold out shows in the US and overseas, appearances on national Radio & TV, four solid selling records, and four really dirty suits. "We want to be the band that puts on the most professional show in the business of what we do" reflects singer/guitarist/writer Dave Wilson. "I get tired of going to a show and the band stands around on stage doing nothing for 40% of the gig, if you're there for us, we are gonna prove we are there for you."

It is that sincerity of showmanship and professionalism that has led to countless miles on the road for CCL. "We've wore out two vans by now and I've actually worn out a few ties as well, you ever hear of someone wearing out a tie?" asks John Teer, mandolin, fiddle and high tenor singer for the band. It is this sweat equity that has fans driving hundreds of miles to catch Chatham County Line at work on the road. "We've had fans travel from another country to catch a show," reflects banjoist Chandler Holt, continuing, "That's when you know you're doing something right."

The band released Wildwood in the summer of 2010 and continues to burn up stages from the southeast to the northwest and overseas from Bristol, UK to Amsterdam…and of course, their home away from home, Norway.

Cahalan Morrison and Eli West

With a handful of acoustic instruments and the clear harmonies of bluegrass song traditions, Cahalen and Eli have created an entirely new strain of roots music. Their sound crosses the warmth old-time with the fierceness of bluegrass, and high lonesome harmonies that would fit into any evening at the Opry. Together, they’ve taken time-tested musical traditions and bent them into new shapes to fit a new world.

Cahalen Morrison is a genuine, old-time musician, who blends his love of American roots music with the dusty land of his childhood in rural New Mexico. Building on influences like Norman Blake, Greg Brown, and Tim O’Brien, his music twists and turns in familiar, yet unexpected ways.
Eli West, a distinctive multi-instrumentalist with bluegrass roots, has found common ground with Cahalen from which many beautiful ideas have grown. Based in Seattle, Eli enjoys arranging and writing with an addiction to syncopation and crooked harmonies.

The roots of Cahalen Morrison & Eli West are strong, their branches are shady, and the guitars, banjos, mandolins, and harmonies will carry you far off the beaten path to a place under open Western skies.

The Freight Hoppers

The Freight Hoppers play hard driving old time music with an emotional, raw excitement that keeps one foot planted in the past and the other in the present. Of course that’s only when they keep their feet still, for this is high energy dance music of an older day played like there's no tomorrow. Finding their passion from a love of string band music of the 1920's and 30's, The Freight Hoppers have been entertaining crowds of fans at festivals and music halls alike as they travel around the country.

The heart of the band is held together by the powerhouse fiddle and banjo combo of David Bass and Frank Lee, while the rhythm section of Isaac Deal on guitar and Bradley Adams on upright bass keep the groove moving. Add in the vocal duo of Frank and Isaac, and the "have to see it to believe it" dancing of David Bass and you've got yourself one of the most exciting traditional bands to come out of the woodwork. Based out of the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina, The Freight Hoppers draw from a deep source of rural southern music for their inspiration, and are proud to present music that is still very much alive and meaningful to today's world.

The Lost Pines

One of the fastest rising groups on the Austin music scene, the Lost Pines took less than two years to go from busking on the street corners of South Congress to finishing runner up in the bluegrass category of the Austin Chronicle’s Annual Readers’ Poll.  Taking their cues from such contemporary songwriters as Gillian Welch and Tim O’Brien, they use the rich canon of traditional music as a launch pad, melding the themes of unrequited love, economic hardship, and wanderlust with the contemporary realities of city life.  With a knack for balancing old with new, fiery picking with soulful vocals and respect for tradition with an eye towards the future, the Lost Pines create music that is both timely and timeless.

The group formed in early 2007 when songwriters Christian Ward and Talia Bryce met and began swapping songs around campfires and barbecues in the backyards of Austin.  They were soon joined by Northwestern University School of Music graduate Marc Lionetti on guitar and released their first album, “Middle of the Morning,” in the spring of 2008. The band strengthened its attack by adding Austin standouts Brian Durkin on bass, Jon Kemppainen on fiddle and Alex Rueb on mandolin.

Barely three years into their career, the Lost Pines are already carving out a niche in the Texas bluegrass scene.  With their astonishing musical maturity and an arsenal of well-crafted songs, the Lost Pines are poised to take their place among the giants of the Austin music scene, ensuring they will continue to treat audiences to their brand of traditional music for years to come.

Jeff Scroggins and Colorado

Jeff Scroggins and Colorado is a high energy, high mountain “bluegrass explosion,” that features the amazing banjo playing of Jeff Scroggins. Jeff’s fiery style and lightning fast licks have earned him many fans worldwide, and have left many a first time listener in stunned disbelief! It also features the award winning mandolin playing of Jeff’s son Tristan Scroggins. Tristan is also an accomplished songwriter, and his and Jeff’s original instrumentals play a large role in the band’s unique and energetic sound.

The band also features incredible bluegrass vocals, led by the powerful voice of front man Greg Blake. Greg has twice been nominated for SPBGMA’s “Traditional Male Vocalist of the Year” award, and his phenomenal bluegrass guitar playing has earned him 9 nominations and an amazing 5 consecutive wins as SPBGMA’s Guitarist of the Year!

Annie Savage also brings to the group strong vocals and an aggressive fiddle style that is well suited to the band’s high energy approach, and she, along with bassist Sebie Denson round out the band’s stellar bluegrass vocal trio. Sebie attended South Plains College’s Bluegrass music program and his knowledge of bluegrass music and excellent arranging skills have made him the “de facto music director” of the band. Sebie’s tasteful and driving bass playing is the cornerstone of the band’s sound.


Dr. Harlan's Amazing Bluegrass Tonic

Dr. Harlan's Amazing Bluegrass Tonic provides a mixture of classic, contemporary, and original bluegrass music that is specially formulated to cure all your ailments! In just a couple short years, the band has developed a strong following across Colorado with creative arrangements, sharp vocal harmonies, and solid original songwriting. When you need a quick pick-me-up, come try a taste of the good doctor's tonic!
Members: Todd Friesen (Guitar), Nate Thompson (Mandolin), Brad Van Loenen (Bass), Eric Davis (Banjo), Jay Timp (Dobro)

 

 

 

Run Boy Run

Run Boy Run, the 2011 Telluride bluegrass band competition winner, is an old-time Appalachian band based in Tucson, Arizona. The band is made up of members Bekah Sandoval on vocals & fiddle, Jen Sandoval on vocals & mandolin, Matt Rolland on guitar & fiddle, Grace Rolland on vocals & cello, and Jesse Allen on bass.
Run Boy Run presents an innovative blend of vocal and instrumental styles with the haunting melodies, lively dance tunes, and traditional stories of Appalachia. Run Boy Run was also the 2009 Pickin’ in the Pines Band Contest award winner.

 

Colorado College Bluegrass Ensemble

The Colorado College Bluegrass Ensemble is an instrumental and vocal band created to provide for students a challenging and creative environment in which to develop material with the feel and structure of Bluegrass music. The ensemble draws mainly from traditional sources including Bill Monroe, Flatt and Scruggs, Jimmy Martin, and the Stanley Brothers. The ensemble receives credit and is by audition only. The members are Tom Bunn, vocals and guitar, Ethan Varian, guitar, Charlie Broadbent, vocals, guitar and mandolin, Matt Rubin, vocals and banjo and Kyle Dern, bass. They are directed by Keith Reed, Performance Faculty, Colorado College.

 


Bar D Wranglers

Durango’s own chuck wagon superstars. The Meltdown is pleased to have the Bar D Wranglers once again gracing our stages. The band consists of: Gary Cook, a 2 time National Flatpick Champion guitar player singing tenor, Matt Palmer playing a hot fiddle and singing baritone, Joel Racheff singing comedy and playing upright bass, guitar, banjo and mandolin and Levi Mullen singing lead vocals and playing guitar.

Wild Mountain

Wild Mountain is an all acoustic string band from Durango, Colorado that plays a unique blend of original bluegrass and Americana music focusing on life 'West of the 100th Meridian."

The band is a rich blend of musical styles featuring the husband and wife team of Brad Bartlett and Estella Moore on guitar, fiddle and vocals. Their original songwriting is the heart of Wild Mountain and mixes traditional and regional ‘mountain music’ with engaging historic, social, and environmental themes.

Rusty Charpentier (bass, vocals), a virtuoso musician, is a music major at Fort Lewis College in Durango where he is mastering violin and numerous other stringed instruments.

Mark Epstein (banjo, dobro and vocals) is the newest member and one of the best banjo players in the Southwest. Mark performed with the bluegrass favorites, The Badly Bent, winners of the 2005 Telluride Bluegrass band competition.

Wild Mountain is currently working on their second CD which will be available in winter, 2011.

Wild Mountain is honest, engaging, and remains an integral part of the Southwest music scene.

Waiting on Trial

It’s old timey with that youthful energy that old timey music had before old people were the only ones playing it. Musically their sound is distinct with Chris Lane’s melodic rolls on banjo and Ryan Doty and Eric Elliot on guitar and mandolin (respectively) bringing unique styles to their leads. Vocally the band shines with bluesy harmony parts throughout their original material. Eric Elliot’s lead vocals ring true with a classic vaudeville tone, hinting of a time gone on.  The band is pleased to announce the recent addition of local multi-instrumentalist, Robin Davis on fiddle. Robin can find a note like none other and his leads and backup bring the band to new levels of good times. Rounding out the quintet of Waiting on Trial is Ryan Zernis on bass. As a collective whole, Waiting on Trial is a welcoming addition to the Durango acoustic scene..

Blue Moon Ramblers

The Blue Moon Ramblers are a Durango tradition. George Usinowicz (banjo) began playing Sundays at the Strater Hotel's Diamond Belle Saloon with the Marmot Mudflaps in 1986. A few years later he and Red Greer (fiddle) founded the Blue Moon Ramblers and continued the Belle's Sunday night tradition. Veteran Durango musician Jenny Winegardener (guitar, bass) joined early on, adding her beautiful whiskey toned vocals. The band recently welcomed Glenn "Junior" Keefe (bass).  Also, the band will be joined by Peter Neds (not pictured) ; one of the hottest country guitarists to ever call Durango home. They've been playing their unique blend of country and bluegrass to appreciative crowds at the Belle all these years. They are the only band who has played all the Durango Meltdowns. Please extend a warm welcome to the Blue Moon Ramblers.

Whistle Stop

Whistle Stop is a traditional bluegrass/gospel family band with a very unique sound of three female vocalists. Their love of bluegrass music started on a “camping trip” to Wickenburg, AZ in November 1995. To our pleasant surprise we were introduced to bluegrass music and it's wonderful family environment. Brittany, 21,  shows her style on lead and rhythm guitar; and is a strong young vocalist. Her song writing talents clearly define Whistle Stop's sound and direction. Briana, 18,  plays a spirited fiddle and a critical part in the family blend of vocals. She frequently surprises the audience with the maturity her voice commands. Carol, in addition to vocals, adds her Dobro skills, and Greg adds the standup bass and harmony vocals.
  We are pleased to be incoorporating the award winning talents of Tristan Scroggins.  He is a highly talented young mandolin player hailing from the Denver, CO area.

San Juan String Band

The San Juan String Band combines their passion for the environment with their love of music to provide conservation education and environmental awareness through music with three part vocal harmonies. The group plays old traditional bluegrass tunes, ballads, and original songs. Their music is about mountains, rivers, forests, and the animals and people who live there. Their fun, interactive style engages audiences from preschool through adult. Band members are employees and a volunteer with the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management and include Laurie Swisher (guitar/vocals), Melissa Zwisler Largent (cello), Sally Zwisler (banjo/harmonica/dulcimer/vocals), and Joni Vanderbilt (mandolin/vocals).

Bluegrass Cadillac

Bluegrass Cadillac from Pagosa Springs, Colorado is very excited to be performing at the Durango Bluegrass Meltdown once again.  You may remember Randall Davis’ superb banjo playing and Clay Campbell’s strong lead vocal from previous Meltdown appearances in such bands as the Blanco Basin Boys, Cross Creek and Buckshot Party.  The current  version of Bluegrass Cadillac includes Ron Sutcliffe, an accomplished multi-instrumentalist, on mandolin and Melinda Lutz on guitar and adding a nice female vocal touch.  Bluegrass Cadillac has been delighting Pagosa music fans with regular performances at Nello’s Bistro and The Springs Resort and at many special events, fundraisers and private parties.  Newspaper columnist, Cynda Green, of the Pagosa Daily Post recently commented that the band is “...right on with their vocal harmonies and  instrumentals.  The name says it all.”  In Pagosa they are known as a fun band who engages the audience with a warm, down-home style. 

Salt Lick Scramblers

This band comes from the hills of the flat lands, from the crumbs on the table...from the bottom of the barrel.  They've got everything to look forward to, except their future. With everywhere in the world to go, they've got nowhere to run. With the all-star line-up of Fretboard Frederico on guitar, Tuneless Tucker on banjo, Fidgety Fricke on bass and Sawditty Shafer on fiddle, this group is destined to break something.

 

Missionary Ridge

With its origins stemming from the weekly jam session at Durango Brewing Company, Missionary Ridge is a new band to the Durango bluegrass scene. The members are made up of some familiar faces and some newcomers to bluegrass as well. Banjo player and vocalist Mark Epstein was with The Badly Bent for many years and, in addition to Missionary Ridge, plays with Durango-based Wild Mountain. Recently, Mark has been sitting in on banjo with Michael Martin Murphey at several regional events. Prior to moving to Durango, Mark played in the Front Range-based band Fret Knot for 10 years. Don Cooke played mandolin with the Down the Road band, and now is back on fiddle, and handles much of the singing for Missionary Ridge. Don has been playing bluegrass and related music for almost 40 years, beginning with the Big River Boys down in Albuquerque, and subsequently with dozens of bands over the years. His wife, Abbie Cooke, plays the electric upright bass, and comes from a more jazz inspired vocal tradition, which the band puts to use on some swing tunes and standards not usually found in the bluegrass repertoire. Marc Katz has been playing mandolin for just a few years and is fairly new to bluegrass. He’s better known as co-founder of local mega-company Mercury Payment Systems. Jim Harvey, well known to those who attend the weekly jam sessions, holds down the guitar chores. He’s one of those misguided souls who believes that all will be well if he simply finds the right guitar. He’s currently on guitar number 537, and is absolutely certain that number 538 will be “the one.”

 

Rusted Prairie

Rusted Prairie hails from the backyards of Spring Hollow and Bear Creek and the spaces in-between, blending traditional bluegrass, folk ballads and upbeat originals. No strangers to the music scene in the Four-Corners, the lineup includes vocal blends by rhythm guitar player Bruce Whitehead, Sue Coulter on bass and mandolin, Carol Calkin on fiddle, and Michelle Fletcher on guitar and bass. Duane Tucker drives the group with banjo melodies and foot stomping originals, with Jeff Moorehead rounding out the ensemble with blazing dobro and six-string flat-picking.

This band works hard, and their passion for music is obvious in their performances and at local fund-raising events. In addition to sharing their musical talents around the community, Rusted Prairie makes time to encourage young people to develop a love for bluegrass music by mentoring students in the String Club at Escalante Middle School. The band also made three appearances at local schools during the 2011 Meltdown.

The audience is encouraged to join in the fun by dancing and providing an occasional “hoot & holler” when the feeling so moves.  Don’t miss this opportunity to see Rusted Prairie!