Lance Brown as Will Rogers

Lance Brown, as Will Rogers, is a journey into the roots of the American experience. This highly entertaining portrait of a gentle American hero honors Will Rogers in words, theater and song. After years of study, Lance has at his command a fascinating collection of Will Rogers' newspaper articles, radio monologues and off-the-cuff comments that still ring true today. After years of performing as Rogers, Brown wears the role like a second skin. This performance brings you history, heroes and hilarity, a few rope tricks and a few tears, but mostly the irrepressible spirit of Will Rogers and hope for our troubled times.

Watch Lance Brown Now

Rita Hosking and Cousin Jack

Kitchen tables, springs, loss, miners, mountains, culture clash, trailers, stray dogs, loggers, hope, forest fires—Rita Hosking's country-folk music is this and more, and always fierce and lovely. Her delivery is, to put it simply, intense. "From the first time I heard Rita sing, her voice gripped me and did not let go," (Joe Craven.)

That voice, called a "soulful howl from the mountains" (California Bluegrass Association) is calling attention around the country---"What? California girls don't sing like that!!?" But Rita, called "the real thing" by CA acoustic music fans, will tell you about her upbringing in rural Shasta County, and the old-time band of seasoned mountain characters that took her under their wings. "This California girl comes by her mountain-music sensibility with true authenticity, with original songs deeply rooted in her family's frontier experience," (Dan Ruby, FestivalPreview.com.) A descendant of Cornish miners who sang in the mines, Rita grew up with deep regard for folk music and the power of the voice.

Rita's songs have been lauded for story and sense of place, and her performances praised for capturing the audience. Honors include winner of the '08 Dave Carter Memorial Songwriting Contest at the Sisters Folk Festival, finalist for the '09 Telluride Troubadour Contest, and others as well. She has played her songs for appreciative listeners at the Strawberry Music Festival, Kate Wolf Music Festival, and many more. Rita points out that she likes to "get to the heart of the matter." As with a mystic, this means a loaded and stunning, yet gentle and compassionate delivery. As Craven adds, "Rita's messages are immediate yet patient and her quiet conviction most strong."

Visit Rita's website HERE                               Visit the Band's MySpace and listen HERE

Grat Dalton, infamous train and bank robber of the 1890’s, hid out from authorities on what is now called Dalton Mountain in the Sierra Foothills east of Fresno, California. Most of the Dalton Mountain Gang was later killed in a shootout in Coffeeville, Kansas in 1892. Over 100 years later. Living at the foot of Dalton Mountain, a mandolin picker named John Cogdill teamed up with four other bluegrass musicians from the area to form The Dalton Mountain Gang. The Gang features a notorious guitar picjer and vocalist from Caruthers named Yoseff Tucker and a driving banjo picker from Fresno named Tom Naimain. It also features Ella Naimen and a bass player, Paul Chesterton. The Dalton Mountain Gang plays their own brand of bluegrass infused with a touch of old time music that is inspired, not only by the founding fathers, but by some of the best modern performers and local musicians as well. The goal of the group is to move the audience with the driving rhythms, powerful vocals, and to have a good time doing it! Standards are layered with new original songs that retain the authentic feel of today’s bluegrass. One of the group’s trademarks is the powerful vocal sounds of Yoseff Tucker with the tight harmonies in all the right places. Instrumental prowess is woven carefully with the vocals so that the energy never stops. They were selected as a finalist for the NCBS Band of the Year. Also, Yoseff took home the prize for the NCBS Guitar Player of the Year. The Gang continues to be addicted to bluegrass festivals and has attended most Northern California events and their 24 hour per day offerings. They are driven by their love for this special kind of music and the very special people that are similarly afflicted.

Visit the band's website HERE              Visit the Gang's MySpace and listen HERE

California Borderline

California Borderline is the newly evolved incarnation of Borderline Bluegrass Band, with three of the four original members stil leading and performing in the group today, Josie Grant, Rick Grant and Kris Hare. With the addition of two talented musicians, Dick Wodrich and Jon Schaffer, the band has taken on a new and exciting sound emphasizing stellar vocals, groove and dynamics. California Borderline has already started off with a bang with its debut performance last summer at the Scott Valley Bluegrass Festival. A return booking is set there for summer 2010, with additional festival appearances set throught the summer and fall. California Borderline performs some of the Borderline material from the widely-acclaimed 2003 CD recording project, "Keeper of the Door", as well as adding lesser-known and under-recorded material, progressive adaptations of classic bluegrass songs, and original material, all remaining faithful to bluegrass' powerful and souldful bluegrass vocal style. The band features multiple vocal configurations, with all California Borderline members singing and harmonizing. Josie Grant and Dick Wodrich sing lead and harmony vocals and play rhythm guitar. Rick Grant sings harmony vocals and plays mandolin and fiddle. Kris Hare sings harmony vocals and plays banjo, and Jon Schaffer sings lead and harmony vocals and holds down a solid rhythm on upright bass. Strong harmony stacking, and lead singing; Josie Grant's unique vocals; excellent song selections; well-crafted arrangements; and "dynamics and drive" combine to make California Borderline an emerging powerhouse on the west coast bluegrass scene.

Visit California Borderline's Myspace Page

Shades of Blue

"Shades of Blue" is a modern bluegrass band emerging from the hotbed of bluegrass musicians in Northern California. Tom Shewmake and fiddle champion Melissa Lyn Lincoln front this exciting new band. Brian Burke adds his hot picking and Dave Gooding supports the low end with his driving bass. Shades of Blue adds elements from New Acoustic, Folk, Gospel, Country and Pop.

Visit the Band's MySpace and listen HERE

The Anderson Family

The Anderson Family, from Grass Valley, California, is quickly becoming one of the most popular bluegrass bands in northern California.  Mark and Christy Anderson and their four kids, Paige, Aimee, Ethan (Bo) and Daisy, are making new friends and fans every day with their unbeatable combination of outstanding lead and harmony singing, impressive instrumental abilities, savvy stagecraft and boundless energy and charisma.

From the annual CBA Father’s Day Bluegrass Festival in California to the International Bluegrass Music Association convention in Nashville, the Anderson Family has won over audiences nationwide with a traditional bluegrass sound and a fresh, modern approach

Visit the Band's website HERE                   Visit the Band's MySpace and listen HERE              

Eric Anderson has fiddled and sung with the band since 1995. Eric has won the California State Old-time Fiddler’s title three times. In additional to the fiddle, Eric also plays mandolin and guitar. He is the current president of District 5 of the California Old Time fiddler’s. Eric has over 40 fiddle students and is a veteran of the Gulf War. Rocky Rioux Santa Maria, California. Rocky Rioux, bass, lead and harmony vocals, is the heartbeat of the band. He not only keeps the band moving with his up tempo bass style, but even plays an occasional lead on the bass – while he sings along. Rocky joined the Weasels in 1994 when Rick Abrams convinced him to try playing old-time music. He began playing Bluegrass music in 1975, and when he isn’t picking, he is a rocket scientist at Vandenberg Air Force Base. Dan Baker Antelope, California
Playing guitar with the band is Dan Baker, a truck driver, who lives with his family in Antelope. He began playing music when he was a teenager, singing and playing in church. He also played rock and roll and with a 22 piece big band. Andy Alexis Sacramento, California. Andy Alexis plays banjo, hammered dulcimer and sings lead vocals with the band. He started playing traditional music 25 years ago and also plays fingerstyle guitar. He is a former member of the bands Whiskey Before Breakfast and Off to California, and won first place in banjo at the Santa Barbara Banjo and Fiddle Contest. Andy works as an air pollution specialist for the California Air Resources Board. Once, he successfully answered all the questions correctly on International Public Radio's Whad'YaKnow? and won a cheap bottle of wine.

                                                                                                                     Visit the Band's website HERE             Visit the Band's MySpace and listen HERE

Snap Jackson and the Knock On Wood Players

Snap Jackson & the Knock on Wood Players are an acoustic trio hailing from Stockton California. These three gentlemen effortlessly blend Americana, Bluegrass, Soul, & Old Time Music to create a unique, fresh, & energetic sound. It is obvious from the moment this group takes the stage that they are ready to have a good time. They have played with such notable acts as Darol Anger, Bill Nershi, and the James King Band, just to name a few. Whether it's a street corner, theatre, or outdoor festival, these boys are sure to leave a lasting impression. Be sure to catch them in a city near you. Snap Jackson & the Knock on Wood Players are proud members of The California Bluegrass Association.

                                            Visit the Band's MySpace and listen HERE

Wild Horse Drive

Wild Horse Drive is new to the Reno-Sparks area of Nevada. As the name suggests, this band is focused on a “driven” style of bluegrass that features the vocal and instrumental talents of it's four members, fast tempos and tight syncopation. Wild Horse Drive’s set list is comprised mostly of traditionally styled bluegrass tunes played with contemporary polish. With influences such as Tony Rice, Lonesome River Band, Blue Highway and J.D. Crowe, the band seeks tunes that pay tribute to the roots of the genre.

Visit the Band's website HERE             Listen to the band HERE

Wild Creek

One of our fine "home-grown" bands here in Northern Nevada is Wild Creek.   Headed-up by our 1st man and 1st lady, Don and Connie Timmer, Wild Creek delivers a fresh and vibrant sound.  This CD offers great bluegrass songs, such as "Fox  on the Run", "Nellie Kane", and "Find Me Out on a Mtn. Top", and also digs into the legacies of country artists with songs like "Boogie Grass Band" and Semenole Wind". Billy Van Dyke, banjo extraordinaire, smokes on his versions of "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" and "Earl's Breakdown".  His playing takes me back to the old days at the Shy Clown listening to a young Billy electrifying his audience with his great banjo picking.  Billy also displays his singing talents on the fun song, "Diddy Wah Diddy" and his song writing skills on "No Name Yet Blues". Don and Connie's great harmonies are heard on many of the songs, along with Randy McKnight's tight baritone.  Serious songs like "Just Like You" show-off the group's tight harmony patterns and Connie shines on "Red Clay Halo".  Randy and Don's great flat picking and fast mandolins keep up the pace with Billy's banjo, and Connie's steady bass rounds out the great melodies.
 

Visit the Band's MySpace and listen HERE