The Fretless is the Canadian fiddle foursome playing an essential part in the emerging movement mainstreaming traditional music. Starting with its debut album in 2012, the band has steadily pushed further into the public eye, winning Instrumental Album of the Year at the Western Canadian Music Awards and Instrumental Group of the Year at the Canadian Folk Music Awards. Its 2014 tune “Waving To Ryan” has topped a million Spotify plays, and in 2016, The Fretless took home a Juno™  award for Instrumental Album of The Year for its 2017 full-length release Bird’s Nest.  

Matthew Byrne’s repertoire is heavily influenced by that unique musical lineage – the weaving of a great story with a beautiful melody – and he supports this tradition with powerful vocals, polished guitar work, and a presence that fills the room. His music has traveled well beyond the rugged shores of his Newfoundland home since his 2010 debut, Ballads. Touring as both a solo artist as well as singer with The Dardanelles, he has graced major festival stages worldwide. With his second album, Hearts & Heroes, receiving Traditional Recording of the Year at the 2015 Canadian Folk Music Awards, Byrne has established himself as one of Canada’s most authentic and vital traditional voices.

Professor Louie & The Crowmatix began as the studio backing band for Aaron "Professor Louie's" musical productions for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees, The Band. Rick Danko christened him Professor Louie due to his work and friendship with The Band. Professor Louie & The Crowmatix repertoire is steeped in Rock 'n' Roll, Blues, Gospel and American Roots music. They have 13 studio CD's on The Woodstock Records label. Their 2017 recording Crowin' The Blues was on The National Contemporary Blues Music Reports Charts in the top 20 for the first quarter. Their CD Music From Hurley Mountain voted best concept record & group by Radio Crystal Blue in 2016. PL&C have been inducted into Blues Hall Of Fame, New York Chapter and hold a permanent place in the Canada South Blues Museum. The Crowmatix are John Platania (guitar), Gary Burke (drums), Miss Marie (vocals, percussion, keyboard), and Frank Campbell (bass).

"I've never been so impressed by a band - this is the best live band in the country right now and they have such a deep heritage in blues and rock and roll." 
Jeff Wignall - WPKN Music Director

"All the best parts of great music are on display with Professor Louie & The Crowmatix. It's clear these folks are driven to match the all time greats." - Cash Box Magazine

​A key player in the revival of the hammered dulcimer, Walt Michael’s repertoire includes old-time Southern Appalachian, Celtic, & original compositions in performances ranging from the coal camps of Appalachia to the White House, and the Closing Ceremonies of the 13th Olympic Winter Games. He received a 2016 MD Traditions Apprenticeship Award from the MD State Arts Council as a master hammered dulcimer player. His music has been heard on ABC-TV, NBC's Tonight Show, Broadway, BBC, TNN, CBC, OLN and PBS. Walt’s many collaborations include works with the Pilobolus Dance Theater and the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater. Walt is the Founder and Executive Director of Common Ground on the Hill and the Artist in Residence at McDaniel College. 

Frank Solivan is a multi-instrumentalist who sings with power and passion, writes articulate songs that go straight to the heart, and combines the pure, hard drive of classic bluegrass with contemporary twenty-first century acoustic music. He has been nominated for 2018 Instrumental Player of the Year (Mandolin) by International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA). Named 2016 AND 2014  Instrumental Group of the Year, this is a band that continues to dazzle. Cold Spell, the band’s acclaimed second release for Compass Records, was nominated for a 2015 Best Bluegrass Album Grammy. These honors follow up on a string of successes: in 2013, the band earned 5 IBMA awards, with wins for Mike Munford (Banjo Player of the Year) and guitarist Chris Luquette (Momentum Award—Instrumentalist of the Year), and multiple awards from the Washington Area Music Awards. Frank Solivan is joined by Mike Munford (banjo), Chris Luquette (guitar), and Jeremy Middleton (bass).

​Guy Davis is a musician, storyteller, author, and actor considered to be “America’s greatest link to the blues right now” (Windsor Star). Guy has been turning out chart-topping, award-winning blues since his debut in 1995. Guy’s latest album, Sonny & Brownie’s Last Ride, received a Grammy nomination, as well as nominations for 2018 Best Acoustic Artist and Best Acoustic Album by the Blues Music Association. His album Kokomo Kid was named 2016 Acoustic Record of the Year by Blues Blast Magazine and received nominations for the Blues Music Association Acoustic Album of the Year 2016 and Acoustic Artist of the Year. These awards follow his 2014 Blues Music Association nominations for Acoustic Album of the Year (Juba Dance) and Acoustic Artist of the Year. Guy Davis “breathes new life into the country blues idiom” (Blues Blast Magazine). The son of famed actor/civil rights activists Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis, Guy celebrates and expands the music and stories he learned at the knees of his parents and grandparents. This most recent recognition continues Guy’s history of honors, including awards from National Public Radio and the Blues Foundation, including the W.C. Handy Keeping the Blues Alive Award and nine Handy Award nominations, as well as acclaim on and off-Broadway. Guy also received the 2017 Robert H. Chambers Award for Excellence in the Performing Arts.

The Nordic Fiddlers Bloc is a fiddle trio that masterfully blends the traditions of Norway, Sweden and the Shetland Islands. Olav Luksengård Mjelva (Norway), Anders Hall (Sweden) and Kevin Henderson (Shetland Islands), have swiftly gained a reputation for their gripping and unique blend of fiddle music since the inception of the Bloc in early 2009. They maintain a firm focus on the traditions of their home while developing a sound that has been described as “meaningful”, “intense” and “invigorating”. Their clever use of harmony, rhythm, riffs & bass lines creates a sound that leaves the listener enthralled but at the same time dumbfounded that the sound only comes from three fiddles. 2016 saw the release of their eagerly awaited second album, “Deliverance”, following their eponymous debut album released in September 2011 to great critical acclaim.
 
“Seldom before can three fiddlers have sounded so well matched as the Nordic Fiddlers Bloc. And seldom before can three fiddles have sounded so much like four and at times five instruments without using electronic trickery.” – The Herald

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Ticket Information:
Individual Concert Tickets: $25; $22 Seniors 65+/Teens; $10 Carroll County Public School Staff with CCPS ID.
Group Rate Tickets available to groups of 6 or more. MUST be purchased as a block.
Tickets are non-refundable. Group rate applies to regular admission tickets only.

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