Fresh from their phenomenal win in this year’s A Prairie Home Companion nationwide music talent search, Kagey Parrish and Laura Wortman are gaining recognition as one of the country’s leading twenty-something singer/songwriting teams.
Performing on stage, The Honey Dewdrops’ “sweet kind of melancholy” echoes traditional American folk styles while reflecting the more modern sounds of country and rock.
When it comes to composing, the duo strives for “relevant, meaningful songs.” Their tunes and words are efficient and simple, drawing from the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, where they live. Surrounded by this richness of old-time blues and bluegrass, Wortman and Parrish excel in “tight” harmonies and “thoughtful” (one reviewer called it “spectacular”) instrumentation.
The Honey Dewdrops are in demand for personal appearances and, shortly after being heard by millions on National Public Radio, they put final touches on their first EP.
“Two voices and two guitars,” Wortman explains, “allow us to place primary emphasis on balancing the real tones produced from acoustic instruments with (but never overtaking) our own voices.”
Wortman sings without affectation, cultivating a gentle but serious approach that leads her right to the heart of a song. When Parrish joins in on harmonies, his natural voice pleases and warms. It is this blending that allows them to say, virtually in unison, “We like to feel like old friends playing in your living room.”
Early influences, they point out, include duos Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris, Norman and Nancy Blake, Kate Brislin and Jody Stecher, and singer/songwriters Gillian Welch and Lucinda Williams.
All of these elements combined early in 2008 to allow them to walk away with the coveted Wobegon Idol prize over nearly 1,000 entrants in this year’s Prairie Home Companion talent competition. Wortman and Parrish were among six finalists invited to St. Paul, Minn., to compete on the March 15 live radio broadcast hosted by the popular Garrison Keillor.
In addition to their own busy schedule, they continue to tour and support other artists, such as Walker’s Run, Sarah Lee Guthrie and Johnny Irion, and The Biscuit Burners.
man...i sure hope you guys washed the dishes before you left this morning. but even if you didn't get around to it, it was great to get to know you guys. our door is always open to you.
It was really awesome seeing you guys live last night. Thanks for coming to Fayetteville and sharing. Congrats on wining the Prairie Home Companion contest, by the way. Hope to hear a lot more from you in the future and maybe see you back here some time.
yeah... unfortunately that was from last year. This year it sucks, a bunch of weeds, only half planted, and so far nothing coming up very well. I havent put the time and effort into it that I needed to. Oh well, there is always next year!
Thanks for the add. I really like your music. I hope to see you soon when you come to Fayetteville. Hope you like the music on my page as well. Keep on keepin' on.
Hey there guys,
So nice to make your acquaintance.
And I'm so glad to hear your coming to Arkansas soon.
Pat Villines and I are actually distant cousins, and any friends of Pat & Mattie are friends of mine.
Hope to see you while you're here.
Maybe your friends could stop by my page sometime and check out my songs.
Like Dr.John once told me, "keep on, keepin' on".
Love-Music, and thanks for listening.
Hey, Thanks for finding me and adding me as a friend. I've been hearing quite a bit about you guys, due to Pat and Mattie. I wish I could say I would catch one of your shows here in Arkansas, but it looks like I'm booked on every single date that you are playing! Anyway, check out my Smiling Jack's gig on July 12. Maybe ya'll can come down and sit in and get warmed up before your later gig in Erbie.
