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These are easy words to throw around. Sometimes,
however; they just plain fit. These are the things you
hear when audiences, critics and other musicians are
describing Sawmill Road. It is an amazing collection of
seasoned players who perform at a level that always
brings a powerful mixture of bluegrass styles to any
stage.
¡¡
Mark Miracle.
A product of the state of Arizona, Mark is a
multi-instrumentalist who handles the mandolin and tenor
duties with clear style. He is a 30-year music veteran
with a fresh approach to bluegrass that never abandons
its roots and is always clean, tasteful and driving.
Mark has won numerous mandolin contests, including
Payson, Blythe and Wickenburg, and is a former member of
¡°The Shady Creek Band¡±, ¡°Mountain Therapy¡±, and ¡°Clear
Blue¡± ¨C winner of the Telluride Bluegrass Festival band
contest.
¡¡
Charlie Edsall.
Hailing from the Fort Wayne, Indiana area, Charlie began
playing guitar at the age of nine. Although he also
plays bass and banjo, his accomplished ability on the
acoustic guitar proves he is a consummate pro. As a
writer, his self-penned ¡°Cold Virginia Rain¡± is the #1
cut on ¡°Bluegrass Prime Cuts, Vo. 69¡± on Pinecastle
Records, and has been recorded by Josh Williams and
performed by ¡°Rhonda Vincent & The Rage¡± on The Grand
Old Opry. Charlie has performed and toured with
¡°Feather River¡±, ¡°High Strung¡±, and ¡°Ron Spears & Within
Tradition¡±.
¡¡
Dick Brown.
Perhaps best known as the banjo player and a founding
member of ¡°Lost Highway¡±, Dick has traveled the world
performing, teaching and sharing his love of banjo
music. Originally from New Mexico, he is a two-time
winner of the Four Corners State Banjo Championship, and
his playing style centers on taste, tone and power. It
always seems to be just what the song needs. Dick has
performed and recorded with ¡°Lost Highway¡±, ¡°Long,
Lonesome Road¡±, Lynn Morris, ¡°Copper River¡±,
¡°Traditional Bluegrass¡±, and others.
¡¡
Bruce Johnson.
A Fullerton, California native, Bruce began his
professional career in 1972 already steeped in American
roots music. His expert fiddle playing runs from soft
and sweet to big and powerful. As a much respected
veteran of the west coast music scene, Bruce¡¯s
wide-range experience includes performing and touring
with ¡°Cheyenne¡±, Byron Berline¡¯s ¡°L.A. Fiddle Band¡±,
Chris Hillman & Herb Pedersen, ¡°Ron Spears & Within
Tradition¡± and ¡°Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver¡±.
¡¡
Steve Spurgin.
A native son of the Lone Star State, Steve¡¯s
professional career began in 1965 and has covered the
gamut. His rock-solid bass provides the foundation
every band requires. Steve is a former Nashville
staff-writer for Gene Watson and Reba McEntire and has
received a BMI writers¡¯ award, three ¡°IBMA Band of the
Year¡± awards, and is a ¡°New Folk¡± winner at the
Kerrville Folk Festival. He has performed and toured
with ¡°Wild Oats¡±, ¡°Cheyenne¡±, Byron Berline¡¯s
¡°Sundance¡±, Mason Williams, Freddy Fender, ¡°The
Limeliters¡±, ¡°Bluegrass Etc.¡± and the bluegrass
super-group ¡°California¡±. |
