Stage Two
There's a lot of local talent here in Albuquerque and New Mexico, and we're offering Mainstreet Stage as an avenue where a few of these bands can play and gain some visibility. Come on out and meet established and up and coming folk and traditional music bands on the local music scene. Thanks to Michael Coy for organizing the Mainstreet Stage.
Friday
| Time | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 6:00 PM | Adobe Brothers | The Adobe Brothers have been entertaining audiences since 1979 with a lively mix of acoustic music, including old time string band, bluegrass, ethnic folk music, and western swing, a composite style they refer to as “international bluegrass.” Their tunes include compositions by members of the band, classics by some of the best known acoustic musicians of this century and the last, and relatively new music played in the old time style. The group in its present configuration features Toby Adobe (Bruce Thomson) on fiddle and jaw harp, Moby Adobe (Wayne Shrubsall) on banjo and guitar, Jacoby Adobe (Jimmy Abraham) on guitar, harmonica and fiddle, and Nyrobi Adobe (Dave Klaus) on bass. |
| 7:00 PM | Watermelon Mountain Jug Band | The Watermelon Mountain Jug Band, featuring Gary Oleson (washtub bass), Ben Perea (banjo, guitar), Pat Houlihan (vocals, guitar, jaw harp, kazoo, jug), and Barbara Piper (washboard, high-hat, percussion), has been entertaining audiences, young and old, since 1975. Rooted in the original 1920’s jug bands of the South, the band delights audiences with jug band, ragtime, country and bluegrass music with some rock ’n roll or a Spanish ranchera added for spice. Ben might even play a classical music piece. The Watermelon Mountain Jug Band has been recognized as “one of New Mexico’s treasured natural resources”…“a truly unique mixture of music, mirth and pure entertainment”…“totally irresistible.” So sing along! Grab a kazoo and enjoy! It’s just too much fun to miss! |
| 8:00 PM | Buckarettes | Western swing and eclectic selections from the 40's and 50's, with outstanding cowgirl harmonies, superb musicianship and spontaneous sillyness. |
| 9:00 PM | Squash Blossom Boys | Beginning as a garage rock band, the Squash Blossom Boys played everything from jazz to reggae only to finally become a Bluegrass band. Odd as it may seem, the ensemble characterizes a new generation that does not define itself according to any one given style, movement, or genre of music. The Squash Blossom Boys are no exception. Influenced by the grunge rock of their youth, the virtuosity of Jazz music, and the finely tuned craftsmanship of acoustic instruments, the Boys retrofit Bluegrass to multitude of inspiration. |
Saturday
| Time | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 10:00 AM | Tortilla Junction | Tortilla Junction has been performing at local venues since 2007. This three member band plays upbeat music on a variety of instruments including guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, harmonica, dobro, and bass. Their repertoire includes traditional and original bluegrass and old-time with some Cajun, blues, and folk mixed in. Tortilla Junction took 2nd place at the 2008 Statewide bluegrass band competition in Santa Fe and 3rd place in 2010. The band members are the husband-wife team of Art and Lynda Garcia, and local multi-instrumentalist Jerry Grayson. They receive overwhelming positive response wherever they play so be prepared to tap your feet, clap your hands, and sing along! |
| 11:00 AM | Atomic Grass | Formed in early 1977 when most of its members were living or working in Los Alamos, Atomic Grass has been one of the longest-running bluegrass music groups in northern New Mexico. The group has performed throughout New Mexico and the Southwest at concerts, festivals, weddings, parties and community events. This five-member band's repertoire includes the traditional bluegrass songs as well as modern compositions from contemporary country and acoustic music songwriters. Their sound is composed of smooth vocal harmonies and tight, lively instrumentals with banjo, fiddle, mandolin, guitar and string bass. Ron Hale plays rhythm and lead guitar; Dave Devlin plays mandolin; Jerry Longmire plays fiddle; James Horn plays a hard-driving Scruggs-style banjo; and Phil Vergamini plays acoustic string bass and is a founding member of the band. |
| 12:00 PM | JUBALation | JUBALation is a band consisting of four sisters… Dominique, Gabrielle, Natasha, and Evelyn Coffing. They have been playing music their whole lives and they enjoy playing a wide variety of music including Celtic, Americana, Bluegrass, Country, Classical, and more, offering a smooth blend of vocal harmonies, and strong instrumental back-up on harp, guitar, fiddle, mountain dulcimer, bass and bodhran. |
| 1:00 PM | Holy Water and Whiskey | Holy Water and Whiskey is an Albuquerque vocal trio that plays acoustic traditional, folk, bluegrass, gospel, cowboy, etc. and some select “whiskey” tunes. The group bases its arrangements on solid and straightforward instrumental playing with a special focus on the vocal harmonies found in the songs that they play. They also enjoy having fun interacting with their audience in the genuine belief that music and laughter are universally healing. The group consists of Maggie Washburne on bass, Scott Altenbach on guitar, and Bruce Washburne on guitar and banjo. |
| 2:00 PM | Cheap Shots | Cheap Shots is an eclectic acoustic band featuring a mix of Old Time, Celtic, bluegrass, traditional, swing, standard, vocal, and original tunes and songs. The six band members include Peter Esherick on hammered dulcimer and mandolin; Jimmy Abraham on guitar, fiddle, harmonica, and vocals; Pat Aruffo on fiddle; Erika Gerety on bass, mandolin, and vocals; John Brinduse on guitar, keyboard, and percussion; and Bill Balassi on guitar and mandolin. Cheap Shots (sometimes known as "Cheap Shots and the Blow Hole"), is often joined by clarinetist, Gary Libman on traditional style swing and Klezmer music. Cheap Shots won the 2006 Old Time Band competition at the Santa Fe Bluegrass Festival. |
| 3:00 PM | La Rondalla de Albuquerque | La Rondalla de Albuquerque is a musical group dedicated to presenting traditional Hispanic songs of New Mexico. The group is sponsored by the City of Albuquerque and directed by Otilio Ruiz. There are 20 members of the group which includes singers accompanied by Mexican harps, vihuelas, guitarrons, guitars, a violin and mandolin. La Rondalla plays at the Patio Market in Old Town, Albuquerque from 10-12 AM every Saturday, spring, summer and fall. |
| 4:00 PM | Breaking Blue | Breaking Blue is an eclectic old time band with a classical edge. Randy Martin's vintage clawhammerbanjo blended with the classically trained flute styling of Stephanie Hanusa give this old time group a matchless world feel. The mellifluous voice of songwriter Chrystal Anderson delivers a comfortable avenue through the obscure coupling of flute and banjo while saxophonist turned bass player, Shawn Berkompas, provides a jazzy foundation for the group. Rhythm guitar player Cassie Brittain and percussionist Jeremy Dorr complete this 6 piece ensemble. Breaking Blue has been featured artists at the Church of Beethoven in Albuquerque as well as numerous coffee shops, festivals, and open mics. The song writing team of Chrystal Anderson and Randy Martin won the Southwest Pickers Association 2009 songwriting contest for their song, "Crowded Room". |
| 5:00 PM | Sound Explorer's Association | The group SEA, Sound Explorers Association, is composed of 3 talented individuals with diverse musical backgrounds and experience, featuring Carl Bernstein on guitar and vocals, Marilyn Priddy on vocals, percussion and cello, and Scott Atchley on mandolin. This collaboration has resulted in a performance repertoire that encompasses an extraordinary range of musical styles and expressive energy. Their programs include selections from Folk, Blues, Bluegrass, Jazz, Brazilian choro and samba, and Classical genres. Many of their unique arrangements include improvisation. SEA also features creative arrangements of original vocal and instrumental compositions that reflect the members’ varied musical backgrounds. |
| 6:00 PM | Coyote Crossing | Coyote Crossing, consisting of Tony Brozena on five string banjo, Lance Gray on bass and vocals, Marlene Gray on guitar and vocals, Steve Morgan on guitar and vocals, and Carl Seager on fiddle, mandolin and sometimes vocal bass harmonies, presents traditional bluegrass, gospel, and original acoustic music. Each of the band members are dedicated aficionados of bluegrass, and they have all played with numerous bands in the past. While their performances emphasize vocal harmonies, they back it up with powerful, yet tasteful instrumental work – all guaranteed to get your foot tapping. |
| 7:00 PM | Eva Ave & Carlosaur | Eva Ave. & Carlosaur have been inventing the Doom Saloon genre since 2008 with their piano-accordion-drum slapstew gospel numbers, dark ragdream breakdowns and experimental songs. Carlos got his masters in jazz piano from Indiana University and Eva makes big paintings and publishes the Nightly Noodle Monthly when she isn't composing with Carlos. They're currently working on a large-scale project painting pianos, which will be used for an art-gallery-installation-10-piano-orchestra concert in the beginning of the fall. |
