2023
Winlock
Pickersfest
August 04 - 06, 2023
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Winlock Pickersfest
Richard Bennett is a singer/songwriter and flatpicking guitarist who has made noted contributions to bluegrass and acoustic music. Coming from an Eastern Tennessee musical family, Richard started playing guitar at the age of seven, and by fifteen he was playing guitar for former Flatt & Scruggs fiddler Benny Sims. 1983 brought Richard’s first recording session in Nashville with Vassar Clements, Mark Schatz, and Randy Howard. The same year he landed a job at Dollywood, a stint he has revisited throughout his career.
Richard has worked with some of the most esteemed acts in bluegrass and country/folk music, including J. D. Crowe & The New South, Bobby Osborne & the Bluegrass Express, and Lou Reid and Carolina. He performed on three albums with Jimmy Gaudreau and Mike Aldridge and toured with them as Aldridge/Bennett/Gaudreau. Richard filled in for Tony Rice in the Tony Rice Unit and The Bluegrass Album Band in the mid-to-late ’90s. Richard also released three solo CDs between 1997 and 2002 on Rebel Records and toured in support of the these releases. In 2012 Richard Bennett released Last Train From Poor Valley on Lonesome Day Records, which garnered airplay on bluegrass, folk and Americana Radio.
Elyse Rosenberg (Fiddle, Vocals),
Mark Simpson (Banjo, Dobro, Vocals),
Robin Suskind (Mandolin, Guitar, Vocals), Woody Woods (Bass, Vocals),
Joe Suskind (Guitar, Vocals)
Skillful picking and expert three and four-part harmonies are just part of what you can expect from the Dogwood String Band, who have been plying their brand of high-energy acoustic music across the Pacific Northwest.
Melding sophisticated songcraft, irrepressible spirit, and remarkable instrumental ability, this band truly captures the spirit and enthusiasm of bluegrass music. Three members are songwriters and everyone sings lead so there is always something fresh to listen to.
Robin was a founding member of Pure Prairie League and members have shared the stage with Green Sky Bluegrass and other highly visible bluegrass bands.
Clayton Kaiser (Guitar, Mandolin, Vocals), Kelly Erb (Fiddle, Vocals), Andy Lowe (Bass), Nick McLean (Guitar, Vocals)
There aren’t many musical conglomerates that can boast like The Mighty Dreadful. Through hard work and determination, they have established themselves as one of Washington’s most prolific and dynamic bluegrass groups.
Founders Kelly and Clayton first crossed paths through craigslist and a mutual enthusiasm for all things country music. They immediately began hunting for gigs and other folks to play with. Their living-room recordings earned them a slot at the 2015 Northwest Folklife Festival, after which they were praised for their vocal harmonies and instrumental prowess. Their dedication to art landed them a premier spot at the Ocean Shores-based ABC Fest in February of 2016.
March brought the inclusion of Andy Lowe and Nick Mclean on the upright bass and lead guitar, respectively. Both are longtime friends and troublemaking companions of Clay, and as such, a natural fit. The newly arranged stringband has since recorded eight original songs, and a variety of covers. When not in the studio, the Dreadful combine to form a musical juggernaut on stage, captivating audiences with strong vocal harmonies and self-deprecating humor.
Patrick Connell (Vocals, Guitar),
Julie Schmidt (Vocals, Fiddle),
Jon Meek (Vocals, Banjo), Rob Wright (Vocals, Bass),
Martin DeGroot (Vocals, Mandolin)
Julie & The Wayves is a 5-piece, progressive bluegrass band, based out of Portland, Oregon. Centered around the songwriting of Julie Schmidt, a confluence of hard-driving bluegrass and masterful composition and arrangement sensibilities delivers a sound that is both powerful and elegant. Timeless tones within a modern, artful structure, that incorporates genre-bending subtleties without sacrificing what their instrumentation suggests they are: a bluegrass band.
Jane McMahon (Vocals, Banjo), Steve McMahon (Bass, Vocals),
MIke Janda (Guitar, Vocals), Loren Postma (Dobro, Vocals),
Robbie (John) Bennett (Fiddle, Vocals)
Roosevelt Road is a band of well experienced musicians bringing decades of experience and styles including great Bluegrass, Americana and Gospel music to the Northwest and beyond.
Jane McMahon's vocals are beautiful and pure. Jane has her own style of 5 string Banjo that pleases the listener.
Steve McMahon, the Bass guy, loves to explore his Bass and play just a few different runs now and then. Steve also adds great vocals.
MIke Janda has been involved in the NW music scene for many years. His guitar style complements Bluegrass and Americana styles and his hometown voice is unique in its soothing yet pronounced tone.
Loren Postma, Dobro Guru, adds a unique and pleasant sound to the band. Loren also sings lead and harmony vocals.
Robbie (John) Bennett is one of the NW finest fiddle players. His fiddle playing is so pleasant and smooth it's a joy to hear and he rounds out Roosevelt Road with true Bluegrass vocals as well.
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