The Clumsy Lovers are the hottest band coming out of Canada today. Their "Raging bluegrass Celtic rock", style has inspired other neighbors to the north such as The Duhks.
Often imitated but never surpassed, Clumsy has released their seventh album "Smart Kid". Often referred to as the hardest working band in show business, Clumsy has spent much of the last ten years on the road and have over 1500 live shows to their credit.
Clumsy Lovers have been a festival favorite since the beginning, having graced our stage on five previous occasions. We feel like the whole OysterGrass experience is somehow embodied in these talented and deep spirits. Don't miss their triumphant return for an unprecedented 6th appearance on Sat. July 26th.
Terri Hendrix with Lloyd Maines
Also returning
are Grammy winners Terri Hendrix and Legendary Steel Guitarist
Lloyd Maines. Terri Hendrix is a Grammy winning songwriter and
has one of the most unique musical styles in pop music today.
Her winning charm and playful lyrics make for a totally satisfying
concert experience. Terri says,"The Spiritual Kind is the
ninth record I've released independently. It was recorded with
pretty much the same approach I've had on all my records, in
that I didn't worry about being too loud for folk, too pop for
country, too country for jazz, or too this or too that for any
other genre. It's a little more acoustic-driven, with a lot more
harmonica. I just wrote what I felt like writing and sang how
I felt like singing. I like all styles of music, and that's what
we did on this album". Hendrix and Maines have been playing
together since 1998. Lloyd Maines won a Grammy
for producing the Dixie chicks 2002 Album of the Year "Home".
Dixie Chicks songbird Natalie Maines just happens to be Lloyd's
daughter. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree is this musical
family. Lloyd comes from the great tradition of the Austin/Lubbock
Texas sound having been around when Buddy Holly broke loose and
himself being part of the great Joe Ely's band for many years.
From his first tracks on Joe Ely's 1977 self titled album, which
established him as one of Texas' elite musicians, he's appeared
on countless projects working with artists from Ely, Terry Allen,
Butch Hancock, Guy Clark, Radney Foster to the Dixie Chicks,
Ted Roddy, Bruce Robison to popping up in surprising places,
on David Byrne, Uncle Tupelo and Wilco projects. These days though,
Lloyd's jaw dropping steel riffs are only half the reason he's
become one of the most sought after men in music. He's also been
a record producer for a little over two decades.
Although playing this year as a duo Terri and Lloyd are planning
to blow away the audience and fill the stage with sound.
Terri Hendrix video page Terri Hendrix Website
Lloyd Maines Biography Terri and Lloyd at the 2004 Oyster Ridge Fest
Stairwell Sisters
The Stairwell Sisters fill the stage with the traditional mountain roots music that will set "yer toe to tappin". The Stairwells have appeared on National Public Radio's Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Kieller. This San Francisco's all-gal urban old-time teardown, have amassed a rowdy repertoire of timeless tunes plus a solid standing of smart, original material that is winning praise on a national level. Counter-culturalists of every generation enjoy their energetic musicianship, tight vocal arrangements and red-hot buckdancing. What do the critics say?
"...five women
who attack string instruments with a veracity that rivals some
of rock's most venerated fret-burners…played with a gospel
spirit and an expressive playfulness…rarely have songs taken
from the public domain sounded so modern and vital."
- DALLAS OBSERVER
Stairwell Sisters website Stairwell Sisters Video Stairwell Sisters My Space
Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers
Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers
is a Massachusetts’ quartet made up of two distinct parts.
In one corner stands the unmistakably jubilant personality of
rock-n-roll’s The Sixers; in the other sits an authentic
American songwriter in a period of profound growth. Rising triumphantly
in the center is a band whose music is the perfect marriage of
the two.
On stage, these new songs add another layer to an already engaging
live show that effortlessly mixes rollicking shoulder-to-shoulder
singalongs, casually-spun four-part fables, and triumphant moments
of musical synchronicity. . Honed over hundreds of gigs across
the country, The Sixers shows are vivid celebrations of camaraderie
and friendship.
For the past few years, Kellogg & The Sixers have toured
non-stop, some years clocking in close to 300 shows. They’ve
shared the stage with
such notable and diverse artists as Guster, James Brown, Jason
Mraz, Kathleen Edwards, Carbon Leaf, Mike Doughty, Josh Ritter,
and Pat
McGee Band. In addition, the band shared arena stages with million-selling
American band O.A.R.
SK will take the ORMF stage two weeks after their appearance at the Mile High Fest in Denver where they will appear with Tom Petty, John Mayer and Dave Matthews. Don't miss Oyster Ridge After Dark, (When the stars come out).
“Kellogg’s music is semi-gritty,
melodic alt-country. Think
early Wilco, Whiskeytown, or Tom Petty. Relaxed, yet
passionate.”
— Boston Globe
“Few things are more gratifying than hearing everything
fall
into place for a promising band. That’s just what happens
with
Glassjaw Boxer.”
— USA Today
SK6ers My Space Stephen Kellogg Website
The Paperboys
From Vancouver, BC. The Paperboys are making their Wyoming debut. A family oriented Celtic Grass Rock group with stunning vocals and precision instrumentality. It's been said that the Paperboy's music is hard to describe. Truth is you could add Son Jarocho and world beat to that list. Call it Guinness with a Tequila chaser or a place where Irish, Mexican and Roots music collide. This group will fiddle their way into your heart, and they truly are an international band touring most of the year in the UK, Ireland, Germany and Switzerland.
Fall Down With You Video Paperboys Website Paperboys My Space
L'Angelus is America's favorite "Cajun" band. Hailing from Lafayette, Louisiana and fronted by Katie, Steve and Paige Rees the band can include any number of other siblings. In fact the recent birth of the latest baby Rees brings the total potential band members to eight. L'Angelus plays a blend of Cajun fiddle tunes, zydeco, saxophone driven swamp pop and good old New Orleans rhythm and blues. The label that the band most embraces is that of Cajun. "It's really simple," explains Paige Rees, "We're a Cajun band because we use the themes of our ancestors lives in our music, because we use our music the way our ancestors did, to bring people together to celebrate life and family and because our Mama can make a roux." This band made their first ORMF appearance last year and took the festival by storm. Everyone was completely captivated by the talent, energy and pure joy these youngsters brought to the stage.
Don't miss the encore appearance of this remarkable family Cajun dance band, a true tour de force.
Look for workshops on Cajun Cooking, Cajun Dancing and Cajun Music.
L'Angelus Website L'Angelus promo video L'Angelus at ORMF 2007
This soulful, seductive quiver of 20-something songwriters and multi-instrumentalists reign from points across the United States. Since Oct. 2006, Dan Rodriguez, Bonnie Paine, Dango Rose, Sage T. Cook and Bridget Law have herded in a greatly applauded neo-acoustic gyptic revival at festivals, clubs, house concerts and theaters from the Rockies to the Ozarks and all points in between.
Each Elephant possesses remarkable and uncanny vocal abilities which can be heard during every performance. The individual members also carry a vast amount of instrumental talent - Rodriguez plays a distinctive finger-style acoustic guitar while Law enchants the audience with her fiddle. Rose grooves on the upright bass and mandolin while Cook plays a variety of instruments including electric banjo, electric guitar, mandolin and upright bass. Ms. Paine channels the rhythmic mean on the washboard and djembe, and occasionally will bow an eerie yet angelic line out of the musical saw. Bonnie’s vocal prowess has been compared to the likes of Natalie Merchant and Grace Slick but her uniqueness cannot be pinned down by comparison.
Whether it is distance, personal obstacles or differing states of mind, the contributors to this concept are constantly working to break down the barriers in order to remove the obstacles and to embrace the revival. This is the dance we all revel in and the celebration is open for us all to share. In this respect, we can all help to revive the lost energies of the mystic Elephant tribes.
Mike Mangione
Mike Mangione is a man on the move. Featured in M magazine and selected as New York Magazines pick of the week, coming off a slot on the soundtrack of Will Ferrell's "Anchorman: The life of Ron Burgundy" and now to have a song picked up for commercials by one of the largest food chains in America, whew, that is life at a different speed, but, Mike is no stranger to change. This native of Chicago has moved around a lot before settling into his current life in Milwaukee following the release "There and Back". Mangione has logged about 150 shows a year promoting his new CD "Tenebrae". Don't miss Mike's one show only on Sunday right after the State Guitar Contests. This might be your only chance to see what the East Coast is buzzing about and besides how many bands do you see that feature a fiddler and a Cellist.
Mike Mangione's Website Mike Mangione's My Space
The importance of artists’ work can be measured by the response from their peers, the media, and their audience. That being said, the world has taken notice of The Biscuit Burners, and has welcomed their Fiery Mountain Music with open arms. Whether it is national praise from Aerosmith’s Joe Perry or Billy Cardine’s performance with the three-time Grammy Winning Edgar Meyer at Carnegie Hall, the musical community respects The Biscuit Burners. With appearances on BBC World TV’s “Destination Music”, National Public Radio’s “Mountain Stage”, and XM’s Bluegrass Junction, along with coverage in magazines such as Singer & Musician, Bluegrass Unlimited, Dirty Linen, American Songwriter, it is evident that the international media community supports The Biscuit Burners. With sellout concerts from Pennsylvania to California, and top bill appearances at major festivals, it is clear that their fans love The Biscuit Burners. A fresh approach to acoustic music with roots that date as far back as mountain music can reach, The Biscuit Burners offer their Fiery Mountain Music with innovative instrumentation, resplendent harmonies, and captivating original material. Their unique yet familiar material pulls strong from their respect of traditional mountain music, their love of bluegrass and classic country, and their appreciation of music from the far corners of the world.
The Biscuit Burners are proud to announce the addition of Odessa Jorgensen (fiddle, vocals) and Wes Corbett (banjo) to band, joining Mary Lucey (bass and vocals), Billy Cardine (dobro and vocals), and Dan Bletz (guitar). Both seasoned and highly skilled musicians, Odessa and Wes bring immense talent and a fresh perspective to a band that is already known for their Fiery Mountain Music.
Robin Kessinger
Robin Kessinger is a flatpick legend. A West Virginian who has gained both state and national recognition as a champion flat-picker Robin has held the state titles in Kentucky, Ohio, Georgia and West Virginia. In 1985 Robin was the first place winner of the National Guitar Championships in Winfield, Kansas. Robin is also well known as a teacher. He has taught in all the big music workshops including the Augusta Heritage Workshops and Steve Kaufman's Flatpicking Camp. Robin has performed on public radio and television and has done too many concerts and festivals to mention. His recordings have sold all over the world and Robin has toured many foreign countries including Ireland and Japan. Robin comes from a long line of talented and famous musicians, the most famous, (other than Robin), is his late uncle, the legendary fiddler Clark Kessinger. Robin has been with the festival since the beginning and continues to be the heart and soul of the OysterGrass experience.
Robin will perform each day of the festival and will teach a Flat-Pick Workshop for students of all ages and abilities.
Dirty Sweet
They bailed which was DIRTY but did return our money which was SWEET!