Elliott's Ramblers

This enormously talented original Bluegrass group from Albuquerque has been heard across the globe. Radio stations in The Netherlands, Australia, Slovenia, Ireland, and France and all over the United States have played and loved the music of Elliott’s Ramblers. And why wouldn’t they? It’s an entertaining show and like the business card says, “Great old Bluegrass in a Brand New Way.” The vocals are strong and sweet, the picking reflects years of polish and you will hear ballads and instrumentals and great originals that have made them favorites at Bluegrass festivals all over the Southwest.

Elliott Rogers founded the band 23 years ago after meeting his wife Janice, who had been singing gospel and harmony as a child, and moving back to Albuquerque following his formative years working with the likes of Townes Van Zandt, Blaze Foley, Lucinda Williams and others in Austin, TX. It was then that Wayne Shrubsall joined the group on banjo. Wayne has recorded and played with many great Bluegrass stars and is a master at his craft. This bedrock trio has added Claude Stephenson on Mandolin and Lance Quadri on Bass. Two of the best musicians anywhere.  For further information, contact Elliott at 505-255-5038, email:  erogers283@aol.com,  or visit their website at http://myelliottsramblers.com

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 15 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.

Ronald Roybal

Ronald Roybal is a native of the American Southwest. A descendent of Spanish Colonial and Pueblo (Tewa) peoples, he considers his ability to express both sides of his heritage to be a great gift and responsibility.  A completely self-taught musician, Ronald has studied music since his youth and is widely respected as a master performer of the Native American flute as well as the Spanish style guitar. In addition to guitar and flute, he enjoys Pow Wow singing and dancing.

He is a 1998 Native American Music Award nominee in the categories of Best Flutist of the Year for "Visions of the Fourth World" and Best Instrumental Album for "Suite Santa Fe". He is a 2000 Native American Music Award Nominee in the categories of Best World Music Recording and Best Latin Influenced Recording for "Eagle's Journey Into Dawn". He is a 2002 Native American Music Award Nominee in the category of Best New Age Album for "Blue Corn, Red Earth". He is also a two-time New Mexico Music Industry Award Winner in 2003 and 2005 for Best Native American Music Production for his work on "Skyfather's Dream". He has been featured twice on National Public Radio's Performance Today program for his performance at the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival's Salute to Indian Art Market. His music has been included in various video soundtracks including "The Trail of the Painted Ponies", "Spanish Missions: Magnificent Restorations","Zozobra" and "The Blood Cries Out".

Ronald makes his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico where he performs extensively at area hotels, resorts, restaurants and civic events. He can be contacted at Ronald Roybal Music, 23 Cerrado Loop, Santa Fe, NM 87508, or visit his website at http://www.roybal.bigstep.com

Daybreak Express

Daybreak Express is a three-member teen band that enjoys playing and performing bluegrass, country, gospel and instrumental tunes featuring vocal harmony, old-time fiddle, mandolin, guitar and bass.  The band is composed of Clint Essary and his cousins Cheyenne Hoyt and Shawnee Hoyt of La Luz, NM   The band has won several notable contests and competitions (1st place winners for bluegrass band at the 2006 Santa Fe Traditional & Bluegrass Music Festival) and appeared at various festivals and local events. The honors, public acceptance and encouragement experienced by the band members have served as catalysts for them to continue to perfect their skills for their future audiences.

Most “Daybreak Express” performances display the versatility of each band member. They are often observed switching instruments and demonstrating their ability to fill nearly any position the occasion might require. Each member is encouraged by fellow band members to expand his or her musical skills. Audiences are entertained with popular tunes as well as original songs written by band members. The newest CD, to be introduced in February 2007, will be exemplary of their musical skills and ability to entertain and is representative of an actual performance by the members of “Daybreak Express.”

Each band member realizes the positive influence that music has played upon his or her life. Therefore, future educational and life plans include music as one of the important components.  For further information, contact Daybreak Express at P.O. Box 925 La Luz, NM 88337, phone (505)434-2190 or (505-491-9540), email: daybreakexpress@beyondbb.com, or visit their website at  http://daybreakexpress.info

Antonia Apodaca with Bayou Seco

 Antonia Apodaca was born in 1923 in Rociada, New Mexico in the house in which she lives to this day. She learned to play accordeon and guitar from her parents and uncles, and she married a fiddler named Max Apodaca. Together they spent about 35 years in Riverton, Wyoming, where they raised their five children, he worked as a miner, and played music on the weekends for the nearby communities. In 1979 they returned to Rociada. They started playing locally and ended up becoming known all over New Mexico for playing the old music. In December 1987, Max died. Antonia quit playing for a year until Jeanie and Cleofes Ortiz visited her and convinced her to continue to play. She composes many songs about her life in New Mexico which she has added to her repertoire of older traditional songs. She was awarded the Governor's award for Excellence in the Arts in 1992. She has continued to play, often with Ken and Jeanie, and has performed with them at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in 1992, as well as three times for the series, Lo Madura de la Cultura, in Albuquerque, and at many other venues in the western USA. She has several recordings, one which is out of print. She is currently working on a new one.

Ken Keppeler and Jeanie McLerie, also known as Bayou Seco, have been playing with Antonia since 1988. Together they bring a vibrant collaboration of the old and the new. always remaining true to the roots of the music. Bayou Seco celebrates the energetic music of the Southwestern part of the USA. They have learned first hand from elder musicians in the communities where they have lived, concentrating on Cajun/Creole, Tohono O'odham double fiddle tunes, pre-Hollywood cowboy songs & tunes, and northern New Mexican Spanish Colonial dance music. Ken plays 1 and 3 row diatonic accordeons, mandolin, and fiddle, and Jeanie plays guitar and five string fiddle. They currently live in Silver City, New Mexico. The duo has seven CD's, has been featured on several PBS television programs, and on many radio shows. They are currently working on a new CD.  For further information, phone Bayou Seco at (505)534-0298, email  at: bayouseco@aol.com, or write them at Bayou Seco, PO Box 1393, Silver City, New Mexico, 88061. Their website is at http://www.bayouseco.com

Boulder Acoustic Society

BAS is dedicated to both musical tradition and innovation through re-workings of forgotten musical pieces and the composition of new works for their "Neo Acoustic" quartet.  Their debut record, "So Many Stars In the Sky," was released in October of 2004 and quickly sold out of 3,000 copies, a difficult task for a new band. In reference to this record, Brad Weisman from the Colorado Daily said, "...(BAS) creates as pleasant and appealing a listening experience as can be imagined...it lifts the art and soul with dynamic energy that comes from a blend of strong, inventive technique and wry, winning charm."   Their interest in the ukulele has lead them to perform all over North America, including California, New York and Nova Scotia. They even have a book of ukulele songs (released in August of 2005), which allows BAS fans to strum along to their favorite songs. In January 2006, BAS released their second record "8th Color", featuring producer Sally Van Meter, Darol Anger, Greg Schochet and Special Guest String Quartet.

Since the release of "8th Color", BAS has been all over the country playing big and small venues, festivals, house concerts and workshops. In July of 2006 they competed in the Telluride Bluegrass Festival Band Contest and placed 2nd place. Not bad for not being a bluegrass band!  In February of 2007 they showcased at the Folk Alliance Conference in Memphis.  They will be performing as guest artists and composers with the Wichita Falls Youth Orchestra and the Madison Youth Choir.

In 2007, BAS brings a new CD, a new lineup and a new sound to the world. Percussionist Scott Higgins is leaving the group in order to raise a family and concentrate on his composing and classical music career. Chicago native Scott McCormick has joined BAS part time for 2007 with his funky accordion and soulful voice. McCormick joined BAS to record their third CD, "Now" which highlights a rootsy, funky side of the BAS musical world.

Jonathan Edwards

The word "legend" is often used to describe veteran folk/rocker Jonathan Edwards, whose 1971 million-selling song "Sunshine" ("go away today...") brought him instant fame and earned him a gold record. During his 35-year career he has recorded 15 albums and collaborated with artists like Emmylou Harris, Maura O'Connell, Jimmy Buffett, Christine Lavin, and Cheryl Wheeler. His 1987 album, "Little Hands", was selected by the National Library Association as a "Notable Children's Recording." His varied career has included theater, commercials, record production, and a movie soundtrack.

In 2000 he narrated and performed in a 13-week travel series for Media Artists entitled "Cruising America's Waterways" (www.cruisingamerica.com), which was purchased by PBS-TV and has been shown on PBS-TV stations from coast to coast. A Mississippi River series was filmed in 2002, featuring Edwards as host of several episodes, and it is currently running on participating PBS-TV stations. And "Sunshine" was included in the 2004 Will Ferrell movie "Anchorman". Many oldies radio stations still play his hit song "Shanty" at Friday afternoon drivetime to kick off the weekend. He recently released a live album especially for his fans, "Live in Massachusetts". Read more and listen to his music on www.jonathanedwards.net.

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