Mike Stevens & Raymond McLain - Monday, June 28th - 9 PM - $10
Alright, on occasion, when someone I know and trust calls me up and tells me I NEED to book something, and that they know what the deal at the club is, and that it doesn't matter if I haven't heard of them... on occasion, remember, I say, "OK." Such was the case with this show...
Have a look at this clip from the show:
Video Clip courtesy Geoff D'Eon ( thanks Geoff)
Hey, I love all kinds of music, but what do I know about Bluegrass compared to the aficionados that I know exist in this part of the world? Squat, that's what. Sure I know about the Monroes and the Louvin Brothers and yeah, I saw Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? and I've seen some pretty good Atlantic Canadian acts as well... However, once I started my research, it became pretty clear that my trusted friend's advice ought to be heeded. When I read quotes like, "the best harmonica player in the world..." etc., I sit up and take notice. So, over to you, bluegrass enthusiasts!
Mike Stevens & Raymond McLain played our humble joint on Monday, June 28th.
I'm sure there are other photos of Mike Stevens out there but I just love the hell out of this particular one! Oh, I should also let you know that Mike has a great album out with Matt Anderson called, Piggyback that he also toured with Matt, so you know this guy can play!
Here's the bio
As a solo entertainer, and with countless world famous musicians, Mike's journey has taken him across the globe. With a history taking him to the deepest roots of traditional bluegrass, Mike has been a regular at the Grand Ole Opry with the likes of Jim and Jesse, The Carter Family and Bill Monroe, to name a few.
Mike's solo act is as unique as his career, inventing looping techniques copied by many in the musical world and captivating audiences everywhere.
For the past eight years, Mike has become more recogniseable in his home country of Canada, equally for his talent and his journeys to the most remote corners of the frozen north. Mike has taken instruments and set-up lending libraries in some of the most desperate places on the planet to offer a creative choice to at-risk native youth. Through this work, Arts Can Circle was born.
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untains of eastern Kentucky to the stages of the Grand Ole Opry and Carnegie Hall, Raymond W. McLain is a dynamic performer of traditional and original bluegrass and Appalachian music. Director of Morehead State University's Kentucky Center for Traditional Music |
I don't know about you, but this looks pretty damn authentic to me!
Here's Raymond's bio...
Raymond grew up in eastern Kentucky where for years he thought the banjo was the only stringed instrument in existence. Raymond’s forty-plus years of entertaining have given him the opportunity to perform throughout the and around the world, including touring as a musical ambassador of the U.S. State Department. Breaking new ground, combining various acoustic music styles, Raymond is a breath of fresh air at symphony orchestra "pops" concerts, residencies, and a variety of music events. For twenty-one years, as a mainstay of THE MCLAIN FAMILY BAND, and as a long-time member of JIM AND JESSE’S VIRGINIA BOYS Raymond had toured extensively and remains a bluegrass and old-time music festival favourite. Among others Raymond has performed with the likes of Doc Watson, John Hartford and Allison Kraus. Raymond’s playing and approach to the banjo is legendary.
Currently, Raymond performs with harmonica virtuoso, Mike Stevens, a true innovator of bluegrass harmonica. Together, Stevens and McLain play a new and unique combination of musical styles reflecting their background in bluegrass, blues and old time country music.
Check out some great Mike & Raymond video HERE!
