Bear River Band ..
Review from Uinta County Herald
"Marty Smith, who may be responsible for showing Americans that kilts are considered manly attire. amazes audiences with his skills on the Hammered Dulcimer and Irish bouzouki, instruments not found in your average rock or country band."
was born in Boulder, Colorado, and moved with his family to Evanston, Wyoming in 1984. He began his music career with piano, then played trombone with the school bands for several years. Electric and acoustic guitar came next. Marty's interest in dulcimers started when he received a mountain dulcimer kit for Christmas. After assembling it, he taught himself to play. He began playing hammered dulcimer in 1996 and has since performed at the Renaissance Festival in Larkspur, Colorado; the Walnut Valley Music Festival in Winfield, Kansas; the Mountain Man Rendezvous in Fort Bridger, Wyoming; the Wyoming State Winter Fair; and was featured on Eugene Jelesnik's TV show, Utah Showcase. Marty has recorded an album, Aurora Borealis, which includes one of this own compositions. He has a great interest in Celtic music, history, art and folklore, and is a talented artist.
Carolee; Mandolin, Oboe, Flute, Vocals -
has a love for folk music that runs deep. She learned to play the flute when she was young, being greatly influenced by Irish flutists, as well as Ian Anderson, rock style flutist in the 60/70s rock band, Jethro Tull. She brings her love of folk style flute playing to the band. Carolee took up the fiddle 6 years ago when the Evanston Strings Program was just getting organized. She has since taken up the mandolin, having learned to play from Jonathon Wood of the Bluegrass band, Lincoln Highway. She is interested in writing music and fortunately, the band is willing to humor her. In her other life, Carolee plays Principal Oboe in the Murray (UT) Symphony, and chamber music with the Murray Woodwind Quintet and Trio Dolce. Professionally, Carolee is the Executive Director with Young Musicians, Inc.
Kirk; Guitar, Vocals -
a Wyoming native, is an alumnus of the university of Wyoming with a degree in Music Education. Currently, he is working as the Director of Choral activities at Davis Middle School in Evanston. He is an amateur composer and arranger, and is enthusiastic about playing the guitar, music theater, a capella, bells, big band and loves live performance.
Shasta; Bass, Vocals -
was homeschooled through the 12th grade and proud of it. She participated in school band and choir programs as an extracurricular activity. She is classically trained on the clarinet, and recently took up the bass, to round out the band. She has sung folk tunes all her life and enjoys singing with the band. She started learning the fiddle with the start of the Evanston Strings Program, and plays the viola in the Evanston Civic orchestra.
Cynthia; Fiddle-
She’s just the awesomest fiddle player in the whole DARN land! Our red-haired girl. Sometime soon, she may give us her bio, so the webmaster can insert it into this nice little box.
We would also like to thank our official band moms, Janis and Tracy. Thank you for your support and dedication to us. We couldn't do it without you!
Other players always welcome... wanna jam with us? Drop us a line and c'mon down.
CD Release News! The Last Trip Home, CD to be released on Aug. 31, 2007.
The Bear River Band is an Irish/Scottish/American folk group that performs as entertainment for fundraising events, nonprofit organizations, private parties, public events, and educational venues (In other words, we'll play anywhere!) Instrumentation includes master artist Marty Smith on the hammered dulcimer, Irish Bouzouki and bodhran drum; Cynthia Messier on fiddle; Carolee Bowen on flute and mandolin; Kirk Young on guitar; Shasta Smith on string bass.
If you want the BRB to play at your event, contact us at BearRiverBand@gmail.com, or just leave us a message here.
Marty Smith Plays the Hammered Dulcimer!
Bear River Band with Special Guests!
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Thanks to Martin at Smith's Auto Body for the use of 'the shop'!
Just wishing you well in your endeavours, if you would like to visit Wedding Music Experts Profile your welcome It's a leap year Guys It's the Ladies Turn To Propose !!! “Friends Shine On Rainy Days All the best Wedding Music Expert Visit official web site Visit Wedding Music Expert's profile
Check out this album, An Ideal Christmas Gift for all.Beautifully played melodies on piano with full orchestra. Very relaxing and sootheing to the ear.
A digital download with full art work suitable for all media formats
Hello there, Thanks for the add, glad to meet you, to be in your circle and to have you in mine. Nice Music. “Friends Shine On Rainy Days” All the best Brendan www.brendanobyrne.com www.myspace.com/greatmaestro www.myspace.com/brendanobyrne
Thanks Marty, I'm really enjoying the CD. My favourite track by a country mile is no. 11 - the Breton tunes. What a great way to end the CD. I must learn them for your next trip to Ireland! Naturally the H-D for me sounds great, but hey, that Bouzouki sounds wonderful too - great playing. Cheers Dick
