Fredheads Play Tribute To The Songs Of Fred Eaglesmith

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Happy to welcome Fredheads since March 21, 2000.

Auld, Audrey … Austin, Sherry … Back Forty Band, The … Banta, John … Banta, Larry … Beaudry, Patrick … Bunting, James … Cox, Bryan … DeWitt, Rick … Don Valley Boyz, The … Fred's Not Here … Holt, Dan … Hoyt, Jody … La Sala, Steve … Molloy, Ed III … Schultz, Joshua … Silvestro, Tony … Speed River Valley Mountain Boys … Stew Dogs, The … Tiger Tom & the Redneck Revival … Young, Jeff

Audrey Auld

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Song: Crazier (sample: MP3, 333 KB)

Home town: Woy Woy Bay, NSW, Australia

E-mail: [email protected]

WWW: http://www.recklessrecords.com

Profile: see web site

Audrey Auld: Vocal

Bill Chambers: Acoustic Guitar, Mandolin, Bass, Banjo, Harmony Vocal

Mixed By Nash Chambers

Recorded at The Bone-Yard, Woy Woy Bay , Australia Feb 2k 1x ADAT 2x condenser mics

The first Fred album I heard was 'Drive In Movie', closely followed by 'Lipstick, Lies & Gasoline'. I became intrigued and obsessed with his music and was pushed over the edge when I heard a live-recording from "the Moot". This opened up a whole new dimension to Fred. There is so much inspiration to be found in his beautiful blend of heartache and humour enhanced by the outrageously unique sounds of the Flying Squirrels. What a unit! Bill and I have had our world turned around by discovering Fred. Bill likened the effect of hearing Fred's music to the first time he heard the Freewheelin' Bob Dylan in the '60s. We wonder, how long will it be before the whole world is over-run with Fredheads?"

Audrey Auld is from the island tacked on the bottom of Australia - Tasmania, and is now based at Woy Woy Bay on the central coast of New South Wales. Her first release was an EP 'Audrey' in 1997, followed by an album in 1999 "Looking Back To See" by 'Bill & Audrey'. Bill Chambers is founder of the Dead Ringer Band and is one of Australia's foremost country musicians. Bill and Audrey established their own label, Reckless Records in order to record, promote and distribute whatever the hell they wanted to! Without being retro purists, they love music with hillbilly spirit and an original sound.

The next Reckless release will be Audrey's debut solo album 'The Fallen', due July 2000. Ten of the twelve tracks are originals, and one of the covers is 'Alcohol & Pills' by Fred.

For the past 2 years the Victoria on the Park Hotel, Enmore has been home to 'Bill & Audrey's Hillbilly Jam' each week - Sydney's longest running country gig. Check out their web site.

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Sherry Austin

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Song: Drive-In Movie (sample: MP3, 497 KB)

Home town: Santa Cruz, CA, USA

E-mail: saustin@sasquatch .com

A former waitress (dog catcher, meter maid) at the only joint in town, Sherry now lives in the Santa Cruz mountains on a 12 acre "farm". Farm animals consist of 2 toy poodles, and two cats. No tractor, no hay. An avid horticulturalist, and a self-described hortisexual, she hopes to develop a garden consisting of rare and unusual plants.... (the gun is merely to keep the deer out).. Live music is her other passion. She can be seen digging the amphitheatre when her back is behaving...

Sherry Austin: Vocal and Acoustic Guitar

Kim Elking: Mandolin, Harmony Vocals

Charlie Wallace: Dobro

Craig Owens: Bass, Harmony Vocals

Recorded at Armadillo Recorders, Aptos, California. Dave Neilsen at the helm wih Dave Gordon co-piloting.

I first became aware of Fred when I heard Dar Williams' version of "Wilder Than Her". I sought out his music, fully expecting to find an aging Native American folkie. Needless to say, I was somewhat shocked to find a picture of an angry looking Canadian guy in a leather jacket. I walked out of the record store unsure of what I'd hear in his cd's. A short time later, Fred came to town and opened for Robert Earl Keen. I was hooked. My two favorite CD's are "Paradise Motel" and "Drive In Movie" (this week)...

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The Back Forty Band

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Song: Alcohol & Pills (sample: MP3, 327 KB)

Home town: Oakville, ON, Canada

E-mail: c/o Tom McNally [email protected]

WWW:

Profile:

Tom McNally - bass, vocals

Steve Moffatt - lead guitar

Sonny Nickleson - rhythm guitar, vocals

Neil Downey - drums, vocals

Bookworm T - organ

Recording info:

Recorded, mixed, and mastered using a digital audio workstation, consisting of a Dell Dimension XPS R450 PC, 128 MB RAM, an Echo Layla digital mutitrack system, and some killer software from Sonic Foundry: Vegas, Sound Forge XP, and CD Architect. Various Shure and AudioTechnica mics, nothing fancy. An old Teac 2A mixer was used as a preamp.

Sez Tom: "I first heard of Fred when Bruce Richards loaned me Drive-In Movie. I thought, "Wow, this is one great songwriter. After that I picked up From The Paradise Motel, and was knocked out. Those songs were so heartbreaking, I couldn't listen to it all in one sitting.

"Then, hearing Fred and the boys live, I was amazed at how Fred could turn the crowd's emotions on a dime, leaving them rolling in the aisles with his between-song patter, then literally bringing people to tears with the next tune. That is one exceptional talent.

"Fred's more recent CDs have taken him into wider musical territory, and his arrangements & lyrics leave plenty of room for other interpretations. That's why we decided to take Alcohol & Pills from a country lament into more of a rock style".

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John Banta

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Song: Lucille (sample: MP3, 218 KB)

Home town: Wisconsin Rapids, WI, USA

E-mail: [email protected]

WWW: http://www.geocities.com/acousticfringe

John is one half of an acoustic duo called ACOUSTIC FRINGE that plays in and around the central Wisconsin area. (They don't play enough Fred music though) By day John drives a propane truck for Amerigas. He is married to Jody and has two daughters, Heather 19 and Samantha 15.

John Banta, lead vocal, backing vocal and guitar.

Jack Faville, (the other half of Acoustic Fringe) back up vocal, tambourine, percussion and bass guitar.

Larry Banta, backing vocal.

Recorded early Jan 2k by Larry Banta in Larry's music room (Bloomington IL) using a Roland VS-880 digital recorder. Guitar used was Larry's Martin D-41, (what a beauty.) Jack is playing a Carvin fretless acoustic bass. His percussion sounds consist of thumping his guitar case along with slapping a pizza pan, (for pictures check out the above link to the Acoustic Fringe website) Microphones used were Rode NT-1 and NT-2 as well as a Carvin CM-90. Mixed early Feb 2k by John and Larry at John's house.

John discovered Fred opening for Robert Earl Keen in May of '98. Both he and Jody have been relentless, dedicated fans ever since. Last year they traveled to Ontario CA to attend Fred's annual picnic and had a fantastic time, they plan to attend again in 2000.

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Larry Banta

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Song: 49 Tons (sample: MP3, 209 KB)

Home town: Bloomington, IL, USA

E-mail: [email protected]

WWW: None

I am not from Mars. I am a singer songwriter, from Earth. and I have fought the folk singer tag for twenty years. Maybe I should just give in.         My original songs are stories about things that have happened and people I have known. I didn't really realize this until years later. A songwriter can also make up a story, but it will probably end up being about something he learned in real life. You can write about a Martian, but it could be the Martian has the traits of your mother. I don't have a video camera, I don't tend to use a picture camera, or record my life or family. I am not a historian.

However, happenings have substance and weight. They anchor the composer and audience in the same harbor. The wind is fate. Our sails are poetry as we try to cheat the wind. We go fast, maybe we sail to Mars, and, if we are able to return home, we anchor again to reality as best we can.         Truth may or may not be stranger than fiction, but fiction based on truth is stranger than either.  

Larry Banta, Martin D-18 12 string w/ bottle slide, Vocal

John Banta, backing vocal

Further credit to Larry.....he played Washboard Hank's Martin D-18 the same weekend it got ran over by a semi-truck........Sorry Hank.

Recorded early Jan 2k by John Banta in Larry's music room (Bloomington IL) using a Roland VS-880 digital recorder. Guitar used was Larry's Martin D-18 12 string, (another beauty.) Microphones used were Rode NT-1 and NT-2. Mixed early Feb 2k by John and Larry at John's house.

This song was quite unexpectedly recorded in just one take.

Many songwriters have influenced me. I won't bother to mention them here. What's the point? Fred J. Eaglesmith is the greatest songwriter ever, bar none. My favorite is "Water in the Fuel." Let's just say that if Fred had misplaced his best forty-nine songs, Fred's fiftieth best song "Harold Wilson" should still be placed number one for all songs of all time. I suspect Fred is a Martian with powers above those of mortal men. I truly expect that, when I get to Judgement Day, the angel will ask, "Do you believe in Jesus." I'll hopefully say, "I believe in Fred." The angel will smile and ask if I know the song "49 Tons" as he opens wide the door to the Paradise Motel. 

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Patrick Beaudry & Tony Silvestro

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Song: Freight Train (sample: MP3, 245 KB)

Home town: Ottawa, ON, Canada

E-mail: [email protected]

Profile:

Patrick: My occupation(s) are Translator/Proofreader/Editor. My hobbies include listening to and playing music (guitar, harmonica, vocals) and auto racing (watching, unfortunately, not driving). I hosted a blues radio show for 13 years but love all kinds of music.  

Patrick Beaudry, guitar & backing vocals

Tony Silvestro: lead vocals

Recording info:

Patrick: Song recorded in my basement studio called the "Masonite Lodge" on a Fostex Multitracker. Guitar is a Norman ST-68 through a Peavey Bandit 112 using a Audio-technica ATM41HE microphone. Guitar track recorded on Dec. 31, 1999 and vocals in early January 2000.  

Patrick: I was introduced to Fred's music by a local Ottawa DJ from CHUO-FM who did a show before mine. At first I was not too impressed with some of the music he was playing but Fred just stood out. I was introduced to Fred at around the time of Drive-In movie and have since bought every recording he has that is available. 

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James Bunting

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Song: Carter (sample: MP3, 402 KB)

Home town: The Kibbes are from Enfield, CT, USA; Jim is from Granby, CT

E-mail: [email protected]

I reside in rural Granby, CT, and could be best described as a closet musician/aspiring instrument builder who plays out on very infrequent occasions. My partner in musical crime is friend/keyboardist/disc jockey Chris Kibbe. Me, Chris and Chris' wife Angie get together as often as possible and put together arrangements of their favorite songs.   The three part harmony heard on "Carter" is a product of Chris and Angie's singing/arranging experience with their own group, The Risen Gospel Band, a New England based quartet. The three of us are starting to write material for a CD project, planned for release by 2000 end. 

Jim Bunting: Guitar, Mandolin and Vocal

Chris Kibbe: Bass Keyboard and Harmony Vocal.

Angie Kibbe: Harmony Vocal.

All the music was recorded in one afternoon at Chris' condo. I'm playing a Martin D-18 miked with a V-Tech microphone through an 8-channel Peavey board, taping onto a Fostex 4-channel scratchpad recorder. I'm also playing a 1917 Gibson A-model mandolin and a no-name fiddle for those respective parts. Chris recorded the bass and piano parts on his Korg N-1 keyboard, and arranged all the harmony vocals, which he and Angie performed.  

       Last year I attended the Cry Cry Cry show in Stanford, CT that Fred and the Squirrels opened up. I didn't even know there was going to be an opening act, and I was wondering what to expect when they took the stage (I'm sure most people who have never seen Washboard Hank before have the same initial reaction). I was very much looking forward to the show, and was thinking that whoever would open for Cry Cry Cry better bring something to the picnic. Of course, I didn't have long to wait. By the time Willie had taken his first atmospheric solo I was locked in. How I had never heard of these guys before, I'll never know. I got on the digest the next day and have been an official Fredhead ever since. This baptism of fire is nothing new to anyone who has seen Fred, and I get such a charge out of bringing recruits to his shows and seeing the same thing happen to them. (I think Bellows Falls netted Fred five more 'heads from my group alone).  

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Bryan Cox

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Song: Harold Wilson (sample: MP3, 247 KB)

Home town: Bloomington, IL, USA

E-mail: [email protected]

Profile:

Bryan works at a local hospital in Bloomington, IL as an equipment technician. He has a wife and 2 kids. His hobbies include music and collecting guitars along with other various instruments.

Bryan Cox, Vocal and Taylor acoustic guitar

John Banta, backing vocals

Recording info:

Recorded early Jan 2k by John & Larry Banta in Larry's music room in Bloomington IL using a Roland VS-880 digital recorder. Mics used were a Rode NT-1 and NT-2. Mixed early Feb 2k at John's house in Wis. 

Bryan discovered Fred opening for Robert Earl Keen in May of '98. He has all of Fred's available material. He says it's been in his changer for about 2 years now and he has never taken it out. When people ask him why he listens only to Fred Eaglesmith music, Bryan replies, "Well, until somebody can come up with something better.............."

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Rick DeWitt

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Song: I'm Just Dreamin' (sample: MP3, 292 KB)

Home town: Peotone, IL, USA

E-mail: [email protected]

WWW:

I manage a music store (instruments) to pay the bills. For love , I play guitar and sing and try to spend quality time with my family. Other interests include bicycling, reading, listening to all types of music. Ray and I have been playing together in various projects for probably ten years, and are currently working as a duo playing folk, country, and swing among other styles. Al has a full time gig with a local country band. My favorite artists are: The Flying Burrito Bros., Guy Clark, Fred (of course), The Band, The Beatles, Van Morrison, Micheal McDermott, Steve Earle, and a bunch more.

Rick DeWitt, Guitar, vocals

Ray Cassady, Bass

Al Joseph, Fiddle

Roger Pampel, Engineer

Recorded at Oakwood Studios in Matteson, IL.

I read a review of 'Lipstick, Lies' in Acoustic Guitar Mag. It sounded like something I might be interested in. When I heard the CD, I was just amazed at the songs. I am into lyrics big time and Fred has some of the best I've ever heard. They really reached out and grabbed me. I learned "Water in the Fuel" right away. I started ordering everything I could and was even more impressed with each new one I received. I think that living in Peotone, which is a rural farming community helps. A lot of Fred's songs have small town characters and many of those images are universal. The farming songs also hit close to home. It's sad to drive out into the country in late fall or early spring and see the farm auction signs. You realize that another farmer didn't make it. I can also identify with situation of the government man taking the property in "Time to get a gun". We've been fighting the state for many years to keep an airport from being built over our town.  

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The Don Valley Boyz

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Song: White Rose (sample: MP3, 194 KB)

Home town: Toronto, ON, Canada

E-mail: c/o Peter Lawson

Bob Cutler - banjo

Garth Douglas: 12-string guitar, lead vocals

Eric Jonnason: 6-string guitar

Brian McSweeney: mandolin

Peter Lawson: bass

"We also do Willie P. songs and play house parties!"

Recorded in Peter's basement on a Fostex R-8 using a Fostex 1240 mixer. Rane pre amps and audio technica mikes for the Vox, the instuments with he exception of the Mandolin are going direct into the fostex. The tracks were then mixed down onto a DAT tape. This was then put into Wave Lab Lite and finally run through Clean and burned to CD.

Before their was Fred there was Willie P. In the 70's he was our guru and still is. I think Eric first found fred (sounds religious) at the Peterboro Folk Festival.. I came to fred via a friend in guelph about three years ago. Crashin and Burnin just blew me away and that was it. I couldn't get enough and turned on the rest of the BOYZ and threatened to burn their houses down if they didn't come to the Picnic Last year. so that's kind of it and bye the way we are workin on little buffaloe... I wonder if we could get some of the contributers to commit to the August weekend and we could maybe all play a tune.  

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Fred's Not Here

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Song: Soda Machine (sample: MP3, 362 KB)

Home town: Oakville, ON, Canada

E-mail: c/o Bruce Richards

Bruce Richards: Acoustic Guitar, Vocal

Tom McNally: bass, mandolin, organ

Steve Moffatt: lead guitar, harmonica

Irene, Karen & Barb: patience & encouragement (most of the time)

Recorded at Practical Studios, Oakville, Ontario, Canada, the coziest studio setting imaginable. A variety of flavored chips and lots of cold beer combined with the camaraderie of guys who have played together for a long time to make this tune. Tom McNally was the recording engineer for the sessions. See The Back Forty Band above for info on recording gear used.

Sez Bruce - I was introduced to the music by Bob Smith from Ottawa who told me about this guy who sells his cassettes in hand-made wooden boxes. That was enough for me. Thanks to Canada Post I had to re-build the wooden box but nothing stops a true FredHead. Once I'd listened to some of the early material I went about acquiring everything that was available from Fred (thanks for your help Mary) and attending the shows. It didn't take long for our band "Overland Express" to become fans and incorporate a number of Fred tunes. On the other side of the country, my daughter in Vancouver recently attended a show and is now hooked in. That's one more fatherly responsibility fulfilled.

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Dan Holt

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Song: Ten Ton Chain (sample: MP3, 543 KB)

Home town: Willoughby, OH, USA

E-mail: [email protected]

WWW: Listen to other songs of Dans' at www.mp3.com/dan holt

Dan is a singer/songwriter/musician with two self-produced albums available via his web site.

Performed, arranged, engineered and produced by Dan Holt

Recorded December 30, 1999.  

After a lot of badgering by my friend Chris Young (she just kept saying things like "You've got to check this guy out!"), I found a promo cassette with three songs from "50 Odd Dollars" in a coffee house near my home. I just remember driving around, listening to "Mighty Big Car," and thinking "Who is this guy?" I chose "Ten Ton Chain" to cover because it had a murkiness which apealed to me. Fred seems to write dark songs that sometimes teater on the brink of madness, I like that. 

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Steve La Sala

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Song: Go Out and Plough (sample: MP3, 213 KB)

Home town: Manahawkin, NJ, USA

E-mail: [email protected]

WWW: http://www.fmowor ld.com/fezo

Profile: See http:/ /www.fmoworld.com/fezo/biotxt.htm

Here's the quick tale. I've been playing guitar for enough years now that I don't like to admit it. Have always been a sucker for a really good song. There's alot of good writers out there....John Stewart, Radney Foster, John Hiatt, Robert Earl Keen....just naming a couple. I write and try to do my part (check out the site), but Fred tops the list.

It's all me folks. Had some other plans but let's forget that.

Recording info:

Recorded at the famous Fezo recording studio which happens to be my music room. Recorded on a Yamaha MD8 multi-track minidisc recorder. The low guitar is a Martin M-36, the high guitar a Stagnitto original built by my long time friend Jim Stagnitto, close to a 000 style. Bass is my ancient 1974 Guild bass that I've owned since new played through my 1966 Ampeg B-12 also owned since new. Three vocal tracks, good thing I can stand listening to myself in triplicate! Next time I'll tie up my sometimes band mates and make them come on down. 

In May of 1996 I went to the Tin Angel in Philadelphia to see Robert Earl Keen. I look on the program and the warm up act was some guy named Fred Eaglesmith (we Fredheads owe a huge debt of gratitude to Robert Earl!) I thought he might be some local Pilly act, then they started! Freight Train, Wilder Than Her, Good Enough, The Dog Song (Hi, Fred!) astounding stuff played perfectly. Bought 'Drive In Movie' that night and have never looked back. A tremendous writer. The most real writer I have ever encountered, and a terrific live act to boot. Time to get an Airstream! 

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Ed Molloy III & Jody Hoyt

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Song: Ninety-Nine Miles An Hour (sample: MP3, 228 KB)

Home town:Ed lives in North Hatfield, Mass. Jody is from Williamsburg, Mass. USA

E-mail: c/o Ed Molloy III

WWW:

Profile:

From Ed: I've been playing since I was about 13 (I'm 47) and have known Jody for years. I've worked for him for 12 yrs and the company, a Marvin Window distributor has a number of musicians who work there and we get together periodically and jam. We call ourselves the Wild Mullions. Jody and I get together on our own more often and do our thing.

Ed & Jody put together a very entertaining CD booklet to accompany their submission. Click to see a scan of the front and back.

The text on the front reads:

• Ed Molloy III: guitar, lead vocals, his idea in the first place
• Jody Hoyt: guitar, banjo, harmonica, harmony vocals, creaky chair

• Ed's guitar - 60's vintage Epiphone Texan
• Ed's banjo - handcrafted, unknown date, pie plate with an old broomstick neck and fence wire
• Jody's guitar - early 70's vintage cheap, rice burner, don't even get me started on that one, boy!
• Jody's harmonica - standard 80's International Harvester D-1800 Turbo Diesel Blowmaster

Produced by the sweat of our brow, the grace of God, a sharp stick and a catchers mitt.

Recorded on a Tascam Porta One Ministudio 4 track at We Don't Need No Stinkin' Studio.

Brian Molloy: Additional mixing, production, software piracy and help with beer consumption.

Mixed at the Teletubbie Zone (Again! Again!)

Thanks to Chris Eldredge for letting us use real microphones rather than the aluminum cans and string we were using. You'll get them back someday, promise!

My brother Brian turned me on to Fred after seeing him perform at a local music and balloon fest a number of years back. I was hooked immediately, and when I finally got to see him live, well that was all it took. Like other favorites of mine, Townes van Zandt, John Prine, Steve Earle, James McMurtry, Fred had a way of giving up a slice of real life in a song that is just rare to find. I've seen him every time he's come back to the area since that first show and plan on keeping it up.  

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Joshua Schultz

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Song: I Like Trains (sample: MP3, 659 KB)

Home town: Half Moon Bay, CA, USA

E-mail: [email protected]

WWW: http://members.tripod.com/jayroach_2000/

An alternative country, roots rock music lover by morning & night, lipoprotein metabolism molecular biologist by day - which of course pays the rent. I was born & raised in Allentown, PA (yes…of "we're living here in Allentown" fame), educated in Lewiston, ME (home of the Alternative Country Bates Motel), Chicago, Illinois (The Roots Rock University of Illinois) and Berkeley, California (vanguard of prominent protest music of the 60's, Fantasy Records, CCR, and springboard for the infamous Manifesto d'Unibomber and a few other politically useless persuasions). During the early 90's, I had an illuminating 4-year stint in Canada where I ate a lot of Shawarmas, met a whole bunch of great people, including my sweetheart and soul mate, Janetta (whom I recently wed), and worked as a Staff Scientist and Assistant Professor at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute. I returned to the Bay Area in 1998 and transmigrated into the foggy industrial biotech sector; in pursuit of knowledge, love, mo' music, salt water, sand (no black flies here!), drugs (medicinally relevant, of course) and gold (in the spirit of the 49'ers). Janetta and I currently make our home in the tranquil and charming coastal town of Half Moon Bay.

Joshua Schultz: guitars, percussion, lead vocals

Tom McNally: bass, percussion, backing vocals

Janetta Roach: fond encouragement and artistic guidance

The original tracks were laid down in the comfortable confines of Crooked Candle Productions (i.e. our living room/studio) onto a Tascam DA38. My old faithful Guild D40C acoustic, circa '84, was recorded both direct and microphoned ambiently. The Guild has a Highlander IP2 which was run into a Fishman Blender with some added tremolo via a Lexicon MP100. The other clean acoustic channel was routed through (Hafler P3000) a stereo pair of Daedalus (C81) cabinets. Vocals were recorded using ADK (Audio Deutchkraft, Inc) A51 condenser microphones with a gain and presence boost from ART's Pro MPA & VLA. Electric guitars, Gibson Howard Roberts Fusion and ESP telecaster, were played through the Pro MPA/VLA and into an early 60's Gibson GA-45 RVT, aka "The Saturn" tremolo monster amp, which was microphoned with a Shure SM58. All tracks, including a couple of percussion grooves (conga, tamba, clave, shekere, symbol, brushes, etc.) were mixed through a Yamaha 01V and onto the DA38. The original 8-track was pre-mastered down to a stereo DAT (Panasonic SV-3800).

The 2-track DAT was mailed across the border to Tom McNally, who adeptly added bass, percussion, backup vocals and some cool dynamics and effects via his DAW setup. Hats off to Tom for his quintessential touch!

It all started down at the Ottawa Folklore Centre, many moons ago, on one of those lovely, cold and dreary spring days. I was somewhat ignorant of much of the great Canadian Alternative folkgrass scene up until the time that I met Janetta. Willie P. was in the Folklore Centre hanging around before a harmonica workshop, and Janetta and I were picking and gazing at the beautiful new acoustic guitars when Janetta excitedly said, "Hey, that's Willie P. Bennett who's an amazing musician and he plays with Fred Eaglesmith, etc..etc..etc.." Later that Summer, I had my first musical encounter with Fred & The Flying Squirrels at Le Mouton Noir (aka The Black Sheep), on the banks of the Gatineau River in Wakefield, Quebec. And the rest (as they must say down in Alberton, Ontario) is Fredhead History! 

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Speed River Valley Mountain Boys

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Song: Thirty Years of Farmin' (sample: MP3, 536 KB)

Home town: Guelph, ON, Canada

E-mail: c/o Rob Witherspoon

From their early traditional bluegrass days of playing "Momma Don't 'Low" for hours on end, the Speed River Valley Mountain Boys have evolved into an acoustic trio that treads a blurry line between bluegrass, country, folk and acoustic rock. Drawing from this melting pot of musical styles the Boys blend selected, mostly obscure, traditional and cover songs with original material.

SRVMB plays a variety of venues but specialize in BBQ's and other events where food, and in particular grilled meat, is the main enticement.

Guitarist, vocalist and fill-in bass player Rob Witherspoon, in his quest to fully understand bluegrass, works in turfgrass research when not touring southern Ontario with the Boys. Mandolinist David "Thin White" Duke is a recovering former rock guitarist who spends his daylight hours teaching. The cut that appears on "20 Odd Hollers" was made in the absence of their regular double-bass player Ranj Feduck, although his electric bass makes an appearance. Ranj is on a soul and spicy noodle searching journey through the Far East and was last spotted crossing the Mekong River into Laos. A CD project is in the works should he ever return.

Rob Witherspoon, Lead Vocals, guitar and bass

David Duke, Harmony Vocals and Mandolin

Stephen Morris, production and editing

Microphones, wires, mixing board, computers, compact discs..... it was all very confusing and disorienting, but we're better now. Recorded through a mixing board to PC with final edit using CoolEdit software then burned to CD. Instruments were Daion cedar-topped acoustic guitar, El Degas A-style mandolin and Fender Jazz electric bass. 

We didn't know much about Fred until Rob saw the band play a completely acoustic concert at St.Jacobs Schoolhouse a few years back. His songs struck a common chord with these rural-raised Ontario boys - it didn't hurt that Fred used common chords in most of his songs as well. Fred's written some darn good songs and we just couldn't resist playing them.

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The Stew Dogs

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Song: Mighty Big Car (sample: MP3, 351 KB)

Home town: Cleveland, OH, USA

E-mail: c/o Pokey or Scratchy

WWW: http://www.angelfire.com/oh2/stewdogs

The Stew Dogs are Cleveland's ONLY High Lonesome 23^rd Century Cowpunk Band!

They are: Second cousins three times removed Scratchy Johnson and Pokey Worm, a.k.a. Pokey Dokey.

The Stew Dogs are regular performers at The Bookstore on West 25^th Street in Cleveland.

Scratchy: Electric Guitar, Keyboards, some percussion, Background Vocals

Pokey: Rhythm Guitar, Lead Vocals, Guiro

Recorded in 2 takes (one per track) with only one microphone, on Scratchy's ancient reel-to-reel in his living room.

Our friend Bob found 50 Odd Dollars in a cheapies bin last fall. He thought it sounded like something the Stew Dogs would like. Boy Howdy, was he ever right! Been Fredheads ever since!

P.S. Bein' a Fredhead ain't nothin' but fun! Our thanx to the 7 Shells!!!!!!!! 

Sez Scratchy: "I would say it has changed my life and saved me from my evil ways!"

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Tiger Tom & The Redneck Revival

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Song: Good Enough (sample: MP3, 314 KB)

Home town: Washington D.C.

E-mail: [email protected]

Beer, Pork Rinds and Moon Pies. Not the kind of stuff you hear alot about on the radio. Which is why Tiger Tom & the Redneck Revival have dedicated themselves to keeping the redneck tradition alive and well. Tiger Tom had been playing bars around DC for years when he met up with the Revival, and the mix of fat bass lines, steady beats, and driving melodies has made this one of the premier alt-country acts in the nation's capital. 

Tiger Tom: Guitar and Vocals

Eric Sandin: Bass and Vocals

Scot Russell: Guitar and Vocals

Rick Hasselkus: Drums and Vocals

Mixed by: Scot Russell

Recorded at The Mattress Factory, Fairfax, VA.

For Booking Info, please e-mail [email protected]

I first saw Fred at Merlefest in 1998 and was immediately blown away. His version of White trash enthralled me and gave me a renewed sense of security in my alt-country pork-rind sensibilities. I have since had the good fortune of catching him a couple of other times and honestly feel if we all had a ittle bit more Fred in us we'd probably all be better people. His songwriting is next to genious, and I must say I write every song now with a critical Fred eye on them. To me, Fred defines what roots music is....fun, honest and acceptable. Keep on rocking Fred...we love you man! 

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Jeff Young

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Song: Summerlea (sample: MP3, 197 KB)

Home town: Cleveland, OH, USA

E-mail: [email protected]

Vintage '46 music lover born Detroit, Michigan, lived in Cleveland, Ohio since a young kid. Took up guitar as a high school junior to the sounds of Peter, Paul and Mary, Joan Baez, Kingston Trio and of course Bob Dylan. Have been playing ever since for amusement, I have never been in a band or played for large crowds, except for playing "Summerlea" in a Club Med talent show in Juatulco, Mexico in front of 600 people with a pick-up harmonica player who was learning to play for his high school senior project.

First heard Fred in 1994; "Summerlea" played over the PA before a Chris Smither concert where "From the Paradise Motel" was recorded. I bought the CD, listened to it for four hours driving home and immediately called Fred, got Mary, and wound up with two LP's, the boxed cassettes and every other CD as it became available.

When I first saw Fred perform live at Wilbert's, I made several requests from the earlier albums. At the break, Fred came up to me and asked "How do you know all these songs?". He apparently didn't realize he had fans in Cleveland back then that knew his earlier work.

By day I build houses and develop real estate on the east side of Cleveland. In my spare time I play my guitars, listen to music or play a little golf.

When I became aware of this project in November of last year, I volunteered to cover "Summerlea" not thinking it would ever actually happen. Now I am thrilled to be a part of such a great group, the performers and the Seven Shells.

Jeff Young: vocals, guitar

Kevin Richards: mandolin

Bob Frank: harmonica

Ray DeForest: bass

Recorded at MetroSync Studios, 5000 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 216-881-2488 www.metrosync studios.com

Recorded Monday night, February 14, 2000 in three takes. The first two takes were the complete song; both were acceptable, but we preferred the second. The song was recorded as a live in-studio performance with only harmonies on chorus added as a third take. I played a Takamine PSF-45C acoustically and sang into two separate mikes. Mandolin, bass and harmonica were each recorded into their own separate mikes. Kevin Richards on mandolin is my former guitar teacher and a founding member of the First String Band; Ray DeForest is his bass player and Bob Frank on harmonica has played with Kevin in various different groups. We had never played together until the recording session, so it was truly an ad-lib effort.

I have listened to and played a lot of great music over the years. Nothing has captured my attention like Fred's music. Tucked inside his song's poetry are phrases that just sound like universal truths ("drinkin' don't take the place, the banker does with an empty face")! I have never lived on a farm or been a farmer or lost a farm, but somehow you know when you listen to the songs that we are all connected and these things are happening to us (even if only remotely). When Fred sings "Rodeo Rose up and left him.......And to this very day, if you ask Kelly James, he doesn't understand" we have all been there. The bottom line is I have been a Fredhead since 1994 and looking back it is remarkable to me how significant a part of my life Fred's music has become. So, thanks Fred, for being Fred!

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