Carter Family, Gid Tanner & his Skillet Lickers, Uncle Dave Macon, Mississippi Shieks, Hoyt Ming, Nations Brothers, Narmour & Smith, Nashville Washboard Band, Stripling Brothers, Jimmy Rodgers, Clyde Davenport, Jake & Sara Owen, Blind Willie McTell, Bessie Smith, Billy Holiday, Robert Johnson, Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, Coon Creek Girls, Kitchen Syncopators, Danny Barnes, Baby Gramps, and all the hard buskin', attention snaggin', moonshine swillin' jug bands of the late 20th/early 21st century.
Sounds Like
Sort a like making popcorn while tuning a piano - or a crew of goats frolicking on the hood of an old pick-up truck...
Interview with Charmaine at the Festival of American Fiddletunes
Sharing a mutual love of old time music, Charlie Beck and Charmaine Li-Lei Slaven began performing together as the duet, Squirrel Butter, in spring of 2005. Having met at the Portland Old Time Gathering earlier that year, they soon discovered they lived merely blocks away from each other in Seattle. The pair began street performing, and soon realized that their individual styles, sense of rhythm, and tendency towards the quirky and obscure blended well together.
Charlie Beck, from Indianapolis, Indiana, is an accomplished musician and multi-instrumentalist, performing brilliantly on banjo, guitar, fiddle, mandolin and vocals. He is well versed in jazz and swing, and is an avid enthusiast of old American blues and string band music. A talented songwriter, Charlie's original compositions combine modern approaches with traditional styles.
Charmaine Slaven, from Stevensville, Montana, is a gifted dancer, and her skill at traditional buckdancing is phenomenal. She is also an adept rhythm guitarist, ukulele player, and vocalist. Her clear, strong singing style is reminiscent of the Carter family, and she brings a fine repertoire of traditional ballads to the duet, along with several of her original works.
The duo performs frequently around Seattle, click here to see their schedule Schedule. In addition to this project, both Charlie and Charmaine are members of The Tallboys old time string band. Charlie has also produced solo works, and plays Jazz guitar and banjo, and was recently involved with the Bastards of Jazz. They both offer lessons and workshops.
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 162 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): TEES TO TYNE: FIRST IMPRESSIONS - SUMMER 2001
Where traditions are not so rare; Sea, country and works scent the air; A multitude of monuments, Planted tubs and patterned pavements.
The longish pedestrian malls; The remnants of defensive walls; Historic buildings are a gauge Of the respect for heritage.
Wheat, rape and pines in the fields; Estuaries guarded by shields; Long sandy beaches and wide scenes; Romantic-ruin go-betweens.
Rivers in parts licked by trees, Or fringed by boat clubs, wharfs, gantries, And crossed by practical delights - Varied spans, forming pleasing sights.
Fine churches headed at Durham; Football kits ad infinitum; Kept castles - one for study; Masonry behind masonry.
And, with moulding-works out that way, It’s somewhere for a longer stay..?
Hey, y'all...thanks so much for the CD! I played the song "Mother's Love" on the show today. I'm sure I'll be playing it more as time goes on. Thanks again! Lisa
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 2 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): WALKABOUT WITH MY PEN
Once drove an old sedan, up north, From a place in Sydney to Cairns; Then to Kuranda I went forth, By train, to look without set plans.
I browsed through the trendy market, With fresh fruits of tropical kind; Walked to the creek through lush thicket - Nature’s hand giving peace of mind.
I dined in a scenic cafe; Then, outside, as I wrote for yen, Some passing Kooris called-out: “Hey, You go walkabout with your pen.”
Request or question, I don’t know - Assured voices, elderly men. That’s now several years ago, And I’ve seen the world - with my pen.
Just checking back with you to remind you that Powerplayed is really interested in showcasing your videos. I know I reached out some time ago but haven’t seen an upload from you as of yet. Powerplayed.com offers a free membership, free upload and gives you a platform to expose your talent to a quarter of a million people. Also, by uploading your video you are automatically entered in the running to be a part of our Friday “Independents Day” e-blast, dedicated to indie artists that exposes your work to a lengthy list of music industry execs.
If you need help or want more information please call Troy at
"Ticklin' The Strings" by Sweet Hollywaiians Amazing Japanese hot string band playing 1920's, 30's, 40's style hawaiian, swing, calypso, blues, italian music and originals,featuring vintage instruments.3 songs with Robert Armstrong and Tony Marcus(from Robert Crumb and His Cheap Suit Serenaders)
"The Sweet Hollywaiians have probably the best feel for this 20's music of any string band working today. They manage the rare feat of sounding relaxed even when their playing is hot, are top notch musicians with tasteful arrangements and a full, rich, warm sound.Plus, they have a nice gamut of tunes, from King Nawahi to Giovanni Vicari to Bobby Leecan. See them live, if you can, for an unforgettable experience. If you can't, buy their Cds!" ~ Terry Zwigoff
Thaniks for all your support! If you weren't able to make it to the Medicine Show at the Laugh Factory last week, I have uploaded seven ten minute clips from the show to my profile. Give it a look...It'll make you feel better!
hey ya'll. we're gonna play at the Owl N' Thistle on friday the 26th with the Gallus Brothers. we'll just be getting back from Sf. we're recording with maria muldaur down there. she's making a jug band record! woo hoo!
The Galaxy Machine is having a Blast off Party on Friday April 3rd @ the King Cat Theaters Amanni Lounge in Seattle WA 2130 6th ave. (corner of 6th and Blanchard)
The Galaxy Machine will be having Weekly show every Thursday night starting the 9th.
Shows will be: $5 door 21+ Happy Hour 7 to 11 - $3 PBRs $4 Wells
Friday April 3rd line up is:
Teresa Ann - 8pm Marbleye - 9pm Dirty Minds - 10pm The Galaxy Machine -11pm
Performance art: Live painting on Canvas by Nilartea
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