Carrie hassler and hard rain

[Jackie Walters]

Anybody hear of Carrie Hassler and Hard Rain? Her group recently opened for Marty Raybon here in Byron Center, Michigan on Saturday night. Wow, she and her band are totally awesome. She has an awesome voice. Her band is young and very talented. They sure have a good time on stage..nice to see that. She took a Bob Seger tune, "Turn the Page" and made it a rip roaring bluegrass tune..amazing. They made the song very dramatic. If you have the chance go see her and the group, you'll not be disappointed.
Marty Raybon was awesome too, he sure knows how to get the audience involved..he too has an awesome voice..it was a great time had by all...

[AlanN]

Glad to hear that Marty was in fine form.

[Bill Van Liere]

Sorry I missed that one, I really enjoy her CD. I was busy with a Grand River Folk Arts Society gig last Sat. Lousy turnout with the weather situation, or maybe people wanted see and hear Carrie rather than us.

[Mark Walker]

I was at the concert too. #LOVED Carrie Hassler & Hard Rain. #As the MC of the event said when introducing them, "If they don't win 'Emerging Artists of the Year' at the next IBMA awards, it'll be a CRIME!"

Marty Raybon was great too. #His on-stage antics, jokes and humor are half the fun of his show. #Man, his mandolin player (Scott Napier) is phenomenal too. (For that matter, Hassler's twin-brother pickers - Kevin and Keith McKinnon - are no slouches. #Kevin plays an incredible mandolin himself, and Keith is equally adept at guitar!) #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

Yeah, the weather sure was lousy. #Never been to a Byron goes Bluegrass event before (though in past years they've had IIIrd Tyme Out, Randy Kohrs, The Chapmans, Ronnie Bowman and Honi Deaton & Dream) but the hall was still at least 3/5 full. #Not bad given SNOW, SLEET, FREEZING RAIN, ICE and WIND - all in about a three-hour time-period. #(But hey, it's MICHIGAN in winter!) http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

[Andrew Lewis]

Saw her at Frisco Bluegrass Festival and thought they were great. Bought the CD. It has some real gems on it.

[surfandstrum]

I checked her out on You Tube and was very impressed...Thanks for bringing up the thread...I'm gonna try and buy the CD...

[Bernie Daniel]

I do like many of the songs by Carrie Hassler - she is aired on Bluegrass Junction frequently. #She has a great voice.

But I find her model of a bluegrass band -- four pickers assembelled around a singer who does not play an instrument is a less than best arrangement. #

A better bluegrass band model for example is Allison Krause and Union Station -- Alison was a former national fiddle champ and still wields a mean bow and is also a great singer. #

I'm not sure the cause but this is a trend that seems to be increasing -- a female singer who does not play with a band of pickers behind her. #There are getting to be lots of other examples of this: Valerie Smith and Liberty Pike, Alecia Nugent etc. #There may be male examples too but I don't know of any. #

I have always felt the thing that set a bluegrass band off from country band was that all the performers (and the fans) could PICK.

A band focused around one lead singer with no instrument --who basically has to sing all the time or just stand there tends to be uni-dimensional in my view. #I only like to hear a few songs from them and then I want to hear a different voice.

That is the way country went down the tubes I think -- all to focus on a lead singer and the insturments were a side show. #But that is just my opinion.

[jasona]

Who bloody cares if the singer is also a picker as long as it sounds good? I REALLY don't understand your point Bernie. It is first and foremost about the music isn't it?

[Bernie Daniel]

: jasona: Who bloody cares if the singer is also a picker as long as it sounds good?

Obviously, for one -- I do!

And I think I gave my reasons too didn't I?

I sugggest that you re-read my post for the answer -- its there. #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Steve Perry]

Mandolin1944 sez...

"That is the way country went down the tubes I think -- all to focus on a lead singer and the insturments were a side show. #But that is just my opinion."

I'll strongly agree that Country has gone down the tubes, but I'm not so sure your reason is quite correct. #If you'll look back through history, you'll see that the singer had always been the "star". #It was always
Hank Williams and the drifting cowboys or Ernest Tubb and the texas troubadors... #Not really until Alabama came along did the band become the "Star".

[Rroyd]

I haven't seen Carrie Hassler and Hard Rain in person, but have enjoyed their airplay on Sirius, and plan to get their CD. Hopefully this discussion won't color my opinion of the group. #However, I do tend to share Bernie's view a bit, having been in bands with the guitar holding or empty-handed lead singer, who spent a large portion of the time watching the other members take their breaks, or stood by while someone else did a song. #Sometimes it seemed like they were getting full-time pay for a part-time job, especially if that was their only contribution, no matter how good they were. #I guess seeing people like Rhonda Vincent, Vince Gill and Brad Paisley might alter the perception of the front person's responsibilities, and seeing some performer dancing around with a mike stand as part of the act doesn't quite cut it for me. #Let's at least make them learn to play rhythm guitar if they want to be in the band. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Mark Walker]

I noticed the musicians/pickers instruments are all "wirelessly mic'd" and they all meander around stage - kind of different than being stuck in front of a microphone stand. #

Contrast that with Marty Raybon - they were all lined up in an even line! #Both were great shows though! # I'd pay to see them again! #

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[Jonathan Peck]

There are getting to be lots of other examples of this: Valerie Smith and Liberty Pike, Alecia Nugent etc. #There may be male examples too but I don't know of any. #
I'm glad you mentioned this, I totally forgot about Alecia Nugent. Man, I love her voice. That lady can sing, and her recent album has some great pickin' on it. I believe Adam Steffey does the honors on this one

[Rocky Top]

Carrie Hassler & Hard Rain are all from my neck of the woods and I saw them last year when they opened up for Mountain Heart & Rhonda Vincent. I can see where Mandolin1944 is coming from. It doeslook strange to see a bluegrass group on stage and the front man (or woman) not playing an instrument, but I'm afraid we're gonna see alot more of it. Bluegrass is changing and changing quickly and, in my opinion, not for the better.

[surfandstrum]

So true...I'm hoping lead singers will pick up instruments again as time goes on...Sierra Hull can play mando/guitar and sing...We'll see what this next generation brings...

[Jonathan Peck]

Isn't the voice an instrument? To sing like that takes a bit of practice and dedication doncha' think?

[AlanN]

RV is unique in that the front (woman) sings and picks. Notwithstanding AK and US, there aren't too many who do that. You gotta give both of those ladies a lot of credit for operating like that in basically a man's world.

Ronnie Bowman's band has a similar deal as the thread subject, and I think Kenny Smith too.

[Lowell]

Alecia Nugent, Carrie Hassler, Garnet Bowman, Valerie Smith, Melonie Cannon, etc, etc... Some of you are going to miss out on a lot of great music!

[midmando]

I hear what you guys are saying, but I would also say that a voice like that is a gift. Most of us can sing some, and all of us can learn to sing better with what we've got - but the voice that reaches out and grabs you like the voice of an angel... I don't think you can learn that.

So... I guess I've always made that allowance for the singer - a really good one is rare in my opinion and is usually the difference between a good group and a great one. When I go to a festival or a jam, that's what I notice between the parking lot pickers and the pros. The instrumental talent may be virtually the same, but the voices and harmonies usually aren't.

[Steve Perry]

Jonathan Peck sez...

"Isn't the voice an instrument? To sing like that takes a bit of practice and dedication doncha' think?"

Exactly!... and what's the difference between a singer who doesn't pick and a picker who doesn't sing? #If everybody had to do double duty, then we probably would have missed out on Earl Scruggs... Kenny Baker... Jerry Douglas... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[CES]

Standing there with a guitar and hitting the occasional chord hasn't hurt George Strait lately, though I may be making Bernie's point for him http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif (And, yes, I like George/Ace in the Hole, and I know he played more in the early/honky tonk days, and no they're definitely not Bluegrass, but it was just the first example that popped into my head given a recent conversation in which my wife observed, "I like him, but why does he even bother with the guitar?") I would agree that typical BG bands have folks who can sing and pick, but I'm not put off by groups with lead singers whose voice is their instrument as long as their music is good.

[jasona]

: jasona: Who bloody cares if the singer is also a picker as long as it sounds good?

Obviously, for one -- I do!

And I think I gave my reasons too didn't I?

I sugggest that you re-read my post for the answer -- its there. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
The only reason I can pull out of your post is because you just don't like it when the singer doesn't also pick. I think this is an irrelevant point as long as the music itself works. For whatever reason, you translate band supporting a singer as "unidimensional", but give no supporting reasons other than you just simply don't like it. That's fine, but it reeks of "Bluegrass Traditional Police" to me.

What about bands where the lead singer strums a guitar from time to time when they can be bothered to think about it, and who are completely mixed out of the sound at the board? Might this "show over substance" be even worse or the fact they have an instrument make them an even better band in your estimation?

As for this style being the demise of country, you'll have to go a long way to prove any causation between a non-playing singer leading to the pablum of mass produced country pop.

[Bernie Daniel]

jasona: #For whatever reason, you translate band supporting a singer as "uni-dimensional", but give no supporting reasons other than you just simply don't like it.

I can't see why you need a defination of, or a reason for, why I use the simple word "uni-dimensional".

Is like asking what do you mean by the word "hot"? -- most know the concept. #But maybe I'll help you along -- here is a real world example for you:

Last week I bought a bunch of CD's on special from Arhoole. One was a bluegrass band called "No Speed Limit" from Virginia. It is a great little band with good songs, good picking, and a great lead singer -- who does not play an instrument. #

Thus, she sang lead on about 10 of the 12 cuts including "Ruby" ("...honey are you mad at your man") Now either she was talking to another women or a gay guy right? Just being silly here -- but "Ruby" is not a "she said" song is it?

I skipped over some of the songs because the same voice on cut after cut -- and a great voice at that -- got a bit mononotous. OK?

Now please do not ask me to explain monotonous also. #

If you don't like my view that's fine with me that is entirely your call -- if you think you'll change my view let me clue you -- there are not enough electrons in your PC. #OK?

An BTW no less an authority figure in Bluegrass -- Kyle Cantrell, the moderator on Bluegrass Junction XM14, said almost same thing a few months ago on the air. #

So there # http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[jasona]

jasona: For whatever reason, you translate band supporting a singer as "uni-dimensional", but give no supporting reasons other than you just simply don't like it.

I can't see why you need a defination of, or a reason for, why I use the simple word "uni-dimensional".

I didn't ask for a definition. I'm trying to understand how you are applying it, and how not playing an instrument contributes to it.

Snarky comments deleted.


Last week I bought a bunch of CD's on special from Arhoole. One was a bluegrass band called "No Speed Limit" from Virginia. It is a great little band with good songs, good picking, and a great lead singer -- who does not play an instrument.

Thus, she sang lead on about 10 of the 12 cuts including...I skipped over some of the songs because the same voice on cut after cut -- and a great voice at that -- got a bit mononotous. OK?

That is a bit clearer--of course, you still leave it to me to infer that you seem to prefer multiple lead singers, or some instrumentals. Would this be correct? I take it there were neither on that album, including in the tracks you skipped?

It does make me wonder how you can handle listening to any group with a single singer. Perhaps that is the real problem for you; you simply prefer harmonies? Again, I am inferring that "groups with singers who don't pick" also do not harmonize.

Two questions come up immediately now: is this monotony the product of not playing an instrument, or is it just a monotonous album? Also, does any of this apply to the group mentioned by the OP?

More snark deleted.


An BTW no less an authority figure in Bluegrass -- Kyle Cantrell, the moderator on Bluegrass Junction XM14, said almost same thing a few months ago on the air.

So there http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Even if I knew who this person was, it would have no weight with me as arguments from authority aren't terribly relevant

[Bernie Daniel]

jansona: Even if I knew who this person was, it would have no weight with me as arguments from authority aren't terribly relevant


Actually I told you who he was. But you missed it -- again.


Arguments from authority are not relevant? #That is a interesting. #

Please realize that the word "authority" (as in used in the government and the police) is not the same meaning as authority (as in a person highly informed on the topic at hand)? #I think my use of the word was pretty clear from the context.

I gave you my reasons for my ideas on bluegrass bands -- most of the others understood what I was saying and either: 1)agreed with me or, 2) disagreed with me. That is fine -- end of story.

In contrast, you appear not to understand what I said but still disagee! #

Further you seem to think I am a world-wide "bluegrass policeman" engaged in stopping bands that you like. Not true.

I have no idea where you are coming from since all I did was express MY OPINION. #Is there a problem with folks expressing their opinions?

I've said all I want to on this topic. #Feel free to continue on your own. #I do not need to wait for Scott to say "bag it" #

I just did -- I bagged it. Adios.

[jasona]

Here is what I understand. You don't like bands with a female singer who does not pick. You find them "uni-dimensional". You don't like explaining yourself further when asked to (like, do these bands tend to play in a single key? Do they play with a single tempo? Do they not harmonize? Does the female lead do all of the singing? What is it that you dislike other than the "format".). And you like taking random quotes quite out of context and ignore direct questions. For instance:

Arguments from authority are not relevant? That is a interesting.

Please realize that the word "authority" (as in used in the government and the police) is not the same meaning as authority (as in a person highly informed on the topic at hand)? I think my use of the word was pretty clear from the context.
An argument from authority explained. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argument_from_authority)

Anyway, you seem to be very upset over being questioned--if I appeared to be overly forceful in my original post in this thread it is only because I cannot believe someone would have such a blanket, and superficial, criterion for the music they enjoy. Sorry I attempted to engage you in a conversation I guess.

Back to MandoZine Radio, and bands of all sorts, with picking singers or not. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Jonathan Peck]

An BTW no less an authority figure in Bluegrass -- Kyle Cantrell, the moderator on Bluegrass Junction XM14, said almost same thing a few months ago on the air. #
I'm going to wager a guess that he didn't say this on Nov. 17th when Kyle Kantrell's show, studio special, aired featuring Carrie Hassler. This was a good showcase and featured Jim Van Cleve on fiddle with Hassler's band Hard Rain.

Here's Hassler's myspace page featuring a couple of tracks from the album Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/carriehasslerandhardrain). Witchita sounds like 'pop' grass with very good musicianship and harmony vocals...basically your chart hit type of song, but bluegrass none the less. Going on the next train is a driving number with some 'hot' breaks. Sounds like a good mix of songs to me. Maybe not your cup of tea, but everything about these songs is worth recording and listening to, and heaven forbid they actually make a few dollars selling CD's to a broader audience. It's crossover artists like this that bring in new fans with their commercial success. Quite frankly, they've got the guitar pretty well covered and adding a second guitar wouldn't add anything to the music IMHO.

[Mark Walker]

I respect other members' varying opinions on artists who don't 'play' anything when performing. #It may be (at the moment) 'out of the norm' in Bluegrass, but Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and others sure did okay standing there singing and not playing anything. #(For that matter, though she died when I was but a lad, I don't recall seeing any performances of Patsy Cline holding an instrument, and she could sing a little bit.) #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

I love AK, RV and others who can play and sing, but you sure can't fault me for totally enjoying Carrie Hessler & Hard Rain and her vocals! #Her band is as entertaining and as talented as many other well-known acts, and I thoroughly enjoyed the evening! #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Mike Bunting]

I hope it's okay with everyone and I don't catch hell for having an opinion, but I don't care for Carrie Hassler for another reason.....she sounds like any other Nashville chicksinger and the band and production sounds like any other Gnashville production. It's fine if you like her singing, I don't.

[Mark Walker]

I hope it's okay with everyone and I don't catch hell for having an opinion, but I don't care for Carrie Hassler for another reason.....she sounds like any other Nashville chicksinger and the band and production sounds like any other Gnashville production. It's fine if you like her singing, I don't.
I have no problem with that personally. #I agree there are a lot of Gnashville singers who 'all sound alike.' #You have your opinion and I respect that! #

I think she performed the songs they did just fine, and - as I said - her band is worth watching as well! #It IS Carrie Hassler AND Hard Rain! #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Jonathan Peck]

I agree there are a lot of Gnashville singers who 'all sound alike.' #You have your opinion and I respect that! #
Forgive my geographic ignorance, but what's wrong with Nashville? Sounds like a good place to be for a musician looking to make a paycheck in the music 'business'.

Generic boiler plate music - good songs performed by talented musicians - has it's place. Not everyone can be the next talent that revolitionizes music.

[Mark Walker]

Jonathan - Nothing wrong with Nashville at all, and certainly no slight or offense intended. #If anyone can make a living in Nashville, more power to them. #I know there are a lot of 'starving artists' there, in Knoxville, Pigeon Forge, Louisville, Branson (MO) and other music meccas. #So kudos and admiration to those who do make it!

I personally DO struggle (more often than I'd care to admit) with the top-40 Country stations around here differentiating between several new female singers. #Their voices (to my poor ears) sound too similar and (in too many cases) the 'pop-influence' tends to make them sound like imitations of one another.

Unfortunately, not everyone has a unique (and readily-identifiable) voices like Alison Krauss or Bonnie Rait or even Reba. #I can't even name them all, but there are 4-5 more recent singers whose voices sound so similar I can't tell for sure who it is singing until the DJ indicates the artist - then I have to associate the title with the singer! #In fact, I just heard a song I thought sure was Jennifer Nettles from Sugarland, and it turns out it was Jamie O'Neal! #

(It's *ell getting old!) #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

JMHO, YMMV! #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Rocky Top]

I personally DO struggle (more often than I'd care to admit) with the top-40 Country stations around here differentiating between several new female singers. #Their voices (to my poor ears) sound too similar and (in too many cases) the 'pop-influence' tends to make them sound like imitations of one another.
I hope yall don't mind me putting 2 more cents in on this, but I think ClosetMandolinPlayer has hit the nail right on the head here and I think this is probably what Mandolin1944 was getting at. There was a long discussion we had some time ago on bluegrassworks.com's forum about the "Nashvillization" of bluegrass music. While Nashville is THE music capitol of America, all of the $$$ that's been rolling in has, in my opinion, cheapened the quality of music substantially. Any more, "country" music is nothing more than watered-down pop and rock and sometimes it aint that watered down. That's what I think that "Nashvillization" means. Is that happening to bluegrass? I guess that's a matter of opinion. In my opinion (and this is just my personal opinion), yes it is definitely happening. Bluegrass albums now are including tracks with percussion, electrified instruments, and songs that are in no way bluegrass songs. Like I said, that's just my opinion, and if your opinion is different, I respect that. I just think that many people are afraid that this "Nashvillization" process is going to make the same mess out of bluegrass that it's made out of country. And that is a scary thought. Thanks.

[dmamlep]

I just know what most bands tell me, if you dont play you arent in the band. I didnt use to play because we had enough players when I was asked to sing, the mandolin player quit, so I decided to play. It's been hard trying to pick and sing but I have done pretty good. It don't bother me it they dont pick though, unless you do need another player, and they cant.Then they should learn like I did, just my 2cents,,,,,,

[jasona]

I personally DO struggle (more often than I'd care to admit) with the top-40 Country stations around here differentiating between several new female singers. Their voices (to my poor ears) sound too similar and (in too many cases) the 'pop-influence' tends to make them sound like imitations of one another.
I hope yall don't mind me putting 2 more cents in on this, but I think ClosetMandolinPlayer has hit the nail right on the head here and I think this is probably what Mandolin1944 was getting at. There was a long discussion we had some time ago on bluegrassworks.com's forum about the "Nashvillization" of bluegrass music. While Nashville is THE music capitol of America, all of the $$$ that's been rolling in has, in my opinion, cheapened the quality of music substantially...I just think that many people are afraid that this "Nashvillization" process is going to make the same mess out of bluegrass that it's made out of country. And that is a scary thought. Thanks.

This is an entirely different kettle of fish than what 1944 said (I have no idea what he really MEANT): bad music is bad music. Absolutely. You can find a band that just doesn't do it for you, and you can find a trend towards homogenization in any genre that is emerging into money. Is that happening in BG? Is that what might be driving a resurgence in Monroe style and a "traditional" reaction among the grassroots? You do see this sort of cycle in rock music, where folks take it back it its "roots" (generally three chord punk is what I'm thinking) in "alternative" circles every 10-15 years or so.

So, does this mean that punk bands where the singer doesn't play (i.e., Sex Pistols, Bad Religion, or Dead Kennedeys, etc.) are not worth listening to whereas bands with a singer that does play (say Green Day) are?*

(*This is a trick question. Green Day is no where near as good as the others mentioned. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif )

[Rocky Top]

I personally DO struggle (more often than I'd care to admit) with the top-40 Country stations around here differentiating between several new female singers. #Their voices (to my poor ears) sound too similar and (in too many cases) the 'pop-influence' tends to make them sound like imitations of one another.
I hope yall don't mind me putting 2 more cents in on this, but I think ClosetMandolinPlayer has hit the nail right on the head here and I think this is probably what Mandolin1944 was getting at. There was a long discussion we had some time ago on bluegrassworks.com's forum about the "Nashvillization" of bluegrass music. While Nashville is THE music capitol of America, all of the $$$ that's been rolling in has, in my opinion, cheapened the quality of music substantially...I just think that many people are afraid that this "Nashvillization" process is going to make the same mess out of bluegrass that it's made out of country. And that is a scary thought. Thanks.

This is an entirely different kettle of fish than what 1944 said
Ok then, never mind.....

[jasona]

Why never mind? I think you make a really important point. You might even be right that 1944 was driving at it, but blamed a lack of picking singers since it was a uniting theme he had noticed instead of putting it as directly as you did. Unless he weights in and clarifies we won't know however.

(Just as an aside, why is it that everyone seems to be walking on eggshells? Have an opinion, share that opinion, defend that opinion; its a message board fer crying out loud!) http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[bud]

For a little mandolin content. Carrie's new fiddle player is Jamie Harper from Mocksville, NC. I remember him 10 yrs ago at the local jam. A real showman. Great picker. He was most recently the mandolin player for Michelle Nixon and Drive. In fact he was nominated by Spbgma last year for mandolin player of the year.

Back to your regularly scheduled ......whatever you call it.

Which is worse a great band with a vocalist that can't pick or a great band that doesn't have decent vocals,(lead or harmony, or maybe just the style is wrong), I'll vote for the former.


Bud

[Jackie Walters]

Geez - And all I wanted to say was what a great night I had at a bluegrass show in a small Michigan town. I hope Carrie Hassler don't read some of these entries...She IS what she IS.

[Mark Walker]

For a little mandolin content. #Carrie's new fiddle player is Jamie Harper from Mocksville, NC. #I remember him 10 yrs ago at the local jam. #A real showman. #Great picker. #He was most recently the mandolin player for Michelle Nixon and Drive. #In fact he was nominated by Spbgma last year for mandolin player of the year. #

Which is worse - a great band with a vocalist that can't pick, or a great band that doesn't have decent vocals, (lead or harmony, or maybe just the style is wrong)? #I'll vote for the former.



Bud - No doubt about Jamie Harper - that guy can saw a fiddle and indeed IS a great showman. #No coincidence he's a great mandolin player too. #(As is Kevin McKinnon!)

It was a treat seeing the band on stage, but (at one point in time - before I became more familiar with the group) not knowing Carrie Hassler didn't play any instruments didn't make their music any less entertaining or not worth listening to. #

In fact, one of MY favorites songs on their current CD is #"Least That I Can Do" which is an acapella Gospel song. #Not an instrument to be found in the entire tune, and it's got a tremendous message in four-part harmony!

I can't 'see' the band perform while spinning my audio CD of them. #I just hear good Bluegrass music. #(Maybe tinged with a bit of 'Newgrass.') They can't all be AKUS or Laurie Lewis or Rhonda Vincent! #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[AlanN]

Good point. On a CD, who cares (or can tell) if someone doesn't pick an instrument.

Glad you brought up Laurie. A great showperson, and has been doing it for decades. I am on her mailing listing and always love the mails she sends, even though I'm on the 'wrong' coast. They are full of fun, information and grace. And she has Tom Rozum in the band. A more supportive and cool bandmate you won't find.

[Mark Walker]

I've got a few Laurie Lewis CD's too. I agree - great showperson, and her collaborations with Tom Rozum are top-notch.

You know, most of what makes a band successful is (of course) 'chemistry.' #Laurie has Tom; Alison has Ron Block, and Carrie Hassler's banjo player - Josh Miller - wrote or co-wrote some great tunes they perform. #They did a few songs Josh wrote for their upcoming CD (I believe they mentioned they'll be recording it after the holidays) and there are some quality tunes to be heard!

The untapped and 'unknown' talent in this world boggles my feeble mind sometimes! #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

[Bradley]

As far as her being a singer only and not a picker, I would rather have the singer who cant play an instrument actually realize that their best contribution is their voice and they leave th epicking to those who can. The alternate option of shouldering and instrument to only stand their and hold it is a crime.

Their music is very fresh and something new. From her time on XM, Her musical heroes are traditional country folks and not bluegrass....I would almost see her as an acoustic crossover artist more than a Bluegrass artist, but hey we could use that.With Rascal Flatts, Kenny Chesney and the llikes we could use something like that

[bjh]

Interesting that all the bands are led by FEMALE singers - are there any male singers that don't play an instrument and are the lead singers. In my opinion, one of the elements of bluegrass is the blend - instruments and voices. It's a team - everyone takes a turn at leads and vocals.

[AlanN]

Yes, the male alternative to all-sing, no-pick. Hmmm...that fellow Bradley somebody comes to mind. There are not many; not manly, I guess http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

And you mention AK has RB...I would think Dan T. is her foil, but hey, lucky woman to have two!

[Jim Gallaher]

My bluegrass group Loose Gravel loosegravelbluegrass.com (http://loosegravelbluegrass.com) opened for Carrie Hassler and Hard Rain at Court Square Theater in Harrisonburg, VA on October 11, 2007.

I have to say I didn't really think the absence of an instrument for Carrie had a negative effect on the performance. She has a great set of pipes and can really belt out a tune. The venue is just down the road from Patsy Cline's home town and she included a song from Patsy's repertoire that showcased her vocal power.

The instruments had wireless mic's and the constant motion onstage helped the presentation. Fixed mic's were used for the harmony singers.

The band members, Carrie and her family were great folks in addition to being talented musicians. I enjoyed meeting them and they were a hit with the audience.

As an added bonus, they are sponsored by Moon Pie -- it had been years since I'd munched one of those puppies and they were pushing the free Pies pretty hard!

[lovethemf5s]

Some musicians can sing well and some can play an instrument well. I think it's an added bonus if they can do both. It just makes me have more respect for the musician.

[Mark Walker]

Some musicians can sing well and some can play an instrument well. I think it's an added bonus if they can do both. It just makes me have more respect for the musician.
Tom - you hit the nail on the head! #My daughter - a Music Major at a prominent Michigan university - was accepted into that institution's Vocal Performance program based on her voice. #She's since expanded a bit into keyboard and guitar, but primarily sings.

She's sung with me many a time growing up - while I played guitar and did a few harmonies. #She probably has the 'genes' to do okay with a guitar at some point in time, but people love to hear her sing. #

I think that's true of Carrie Hassler. #She's surrounded by some top-notch musicians and collectively they put on a great show!

Shenandoah Jim - congrats on opening for her. #I'm sure you found her whole entourage to be great people. #(The folks who sponsored her here in West Michigan are cousins of mine, and I got similar insight from them on CHHR!)

Cheers!

[Jim Gallaher]

Here's a picture of Carrie & Hard Rain on stage.