Fran Kent-guitar, vocals
Matt Gray-Banjo
Jeff Shippy-Fiddle
Bass-Jason Mellow
Influences
Bluegrass Music in General: Tony Rice, Sam Bush, Mountain Heart, Alison Krauss, Alison Brown,Bela Fleck, Claire Lynch,Hot Rize, New Grass Revival,Bill Monroe, Ralph Stanley, Earl Scruggs, Kruger Brothers, Cherryholmes,Cadillac Sky, Tony Trischka,Beppe Gambetta,Darol Anger, Mike Marshall, Rob Ickes,Gillian Welch,...Jonatha Brooke, Aimee Mann. Every one I listen to and like influences me.
“Fran is carving out a nice career for herself thanks in part to an effortlessly engaging, radio-ready style, Her musical savvy and obvious ability make her songs a compelling listen”
Goldmine Magazine
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"...timeless style with a delectable twang.”
Americana U.K
“Take it on faith, this is fine music from a musician who is honest, talented and quietly assured about her work.”
the Oregonian
"Her songs are all fluid and cerebral; Each is a solid statement on their own. "
The Statesman Journal
"Fran is one of the best singers in the Northwest Male or female. She's a wonderful guitar player too. When she's on stage, she's in command." KBOO Radio-Portland
BIO
Fran's musical stylings are a brand of high energy fast paced bluegrass, executed with a powerful right hand on the guitar and a spirited voice. Mind-engraining, effortlessly engaging, and gutsy are some of the words and phrases that critics have used to describe her music. The Pacific Northwest's "Music from the True Vine" (KBOO) after seeing a performance by Fran at the Aladdin Theater for an Oregon Bluegrass Association show described her voice as one of the best in the region.
“Music has always been the driving force in my life for as long I can remember. I started playing bluegrass pretty early on in 5th grade. The first artists that influenced me were Tony Rice, Sam Bush, Bela Fleck, Alison Krauss and folks like that. “
Fran has a diverse background that includes touring internationally as guitarist and singer for Capital Records/Warner Brothers artist Joni Harms. Growing up in Chicago offered Fran the privilege of studying with world-renowned mandolinist and guitarist Jethro Burns. Fran has been featured on the PBS Emmy Award winning program Art Beat and has received a grant which she competed for and won from the National Endowment for the Arts for her original music. In addition she has received several magazine and radio awards for her songs.
Fran currently sings, plays guitar and writes in the bluegrass band the Urban Monroes which she founded with bassist Jason Mellow. Together the Urban Monroes are engaged in taking over the world one blade of bluegrass at a time.
Fran Kent's Top Friend Space
Fran Kent has Some friends.
howdee stranger!! Just got back from two weeks at the cottage in the sand, sun, and surf!! Had great weather..sounded like it rained here most of the time..boohoo!! Hope you're enjoying your summer and not too busy!!
Thanks for finding us. Pat Flynn (later to be in the Newgrass Revival) was at our wedding in Lexington, Kentucky. The night before the wedding the original Newgrass was palying in town. I was already a fan. Took a bunch of us on the town to see the boys. My husband used to play with Pat. He heard the group, saying, "That's the kind of music I want to play." Two years later he joined the group. Funny how life goes.
Comment on our page so our folks can check you out. Sounds great.
Hi Fran, thanks a lot and welcome! Very nice new page! I enjoy your music very much.Great songsl and sound! Nice to be friends here! Have a lot of success and a great week! Karlheinz
you have a wonderful voice. i really enjoyed listening to your music...my grandmother books shows here in ohio and i will tell her about your band...hope to meet you one day. god bless!
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