Matt Gray-Banjo ,Vocals
Fran Kent- Guitar, Vocals
Jeff Shippy-Fiddle
Jason Mellow-Bass, Vocals
Guest Fiddler-Skip Parente
Meet our Sponsors:
Fran has an endorsement with LR Baggs
Matt has an endorsement with Nechville Instruments
We Look Like This:
Matt Gray
Fran Kent
Martin Guitars
(guest fiddler) Jeff Shippy
Jason Mellow
Influences
Bluegrass Music in general: Tony Rice, Earl Scruggs, Jerry Douglas, Darol Anger, Cadilac Sky, Mark O'Conner, Alison Krauss, Newgrass Revival, Sam Bush, Bela Fleck, John Cowan, Edgar Meyer, Russ Barrengerg, Bill Monroe, Emmylou Harris, Pat Flynn, Tim O'Brien, Pete Wernick, Tony Trishka, Stephan Grappelli, Django Reinhardt, Gillian Welch, Josh Graves,Charles Sawtelle, Jethro Burns, Nickel Creek, the Greencards, Mark O'Conner, Aimee Mann, Jon Brion, Jonatha Brook, Dave Matthews, John Mayer, Jeff Buckley...
Anything we listen to and like is pretty much an influence to us.
“It was the perfect day for a fair in the park, so it isn’t surprising that the Salem Art Fair had a record turnout. A warm, sunny, summer day made the tree shaded refuge of Bush’s Pasture Park all the more inviting as thousands of visitors wandered among the works of hundreds of artists while sampling cotton candy and kosher hot dogs. In addition to the watercolors, oils, spun bamboo, and recycled glass, was the music. A four-piece bluegrass band called the Urban Monroes was on the main stage Saturday afternoon. Witty, charming and offhandedly self-deprecating between songs, the band demonstrated an acoustic mixture of power and finesse while playing. All four shared instrumental lead duties and appeared to be having a great time, but the audience must have been having a better one since they wouldn’t let the band leave without playing an extra song or two.” C.Atkins -Oregon Festival Reviews
"I don't even know how to let you know what kinds of responses I've received about your performance Saturday night.
People were just blown away--not just a few----MANY!.
It just made the evening be what I always hope it would be."
Sharon Sandgren-Gresham Little Theater
"Fran is one of the best flatpickers I've heard."
Mason Smith-MC Amboy Bluegrass Festival
"The Audience loved you and you put on great shows!"
"Solid instrumentals and wonderful vocals...The future of bluegrass."
David Peterson-Amboy Bluegrass Festival
"...you guys are great!"
Dallas McCord- Emerald Valley Opry Board
"Musical excitment distilled to its purest form"
The Portland Comet
"Fast Paced, Highly Energetic"
The Oregonian
"If you have a chance to see the Urban Monroes be sure you do, you won't be dissapointed! The whole band is very tight and seem to have a great time performing."
Northwest Bluegrass
"THE URBAN MONROES - are hot! Spinnin' on the WWB World Wide Bluegrass!"
"We love your music and you can quote me on that."
Gracie Muldoon WWB
BIO
Fashioned from the heart of tradition and infused with adrenaline, the Urban Monroes’ contemporary bluegrass style is an outgrowth of the combined skill of some of the Pacific Northwest’s finest talent. Possessing band member credits ranging from “record of the year” and “CD of the Year” to state bluegrass instrument champions, their musical experience circles the globe having taken them as far away as England and Scotland and even to Siberia…the long way. Three of the Urban Monroes four members have been featured on the Emmy award winning television show “Oregon Art Beat” and collectively they have opened for and shared the stage with the likes of Laurie Lewis, Ricky Skaggs, Iris Dement, Lee Ann Womack, Paul Delay and others.
With Fran Kent- guitar and vocals, Matt Gray- banjo, Jason Mellow-bass and Jeff Shippy- fiddle, The Urban Monroes are a new tradition in contemporary bluegrass.
Hey Fran and UM's! Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving! Your music sounds great. I would say White River is my fav but I still always like to listen to Goin' for a Ride. Tillamook Burn was awesome and I also really like the cover of Time of Your Life!
Hey, hope you all had a GREAT thanksgiving!! I didn't get to hear your song on the station but I heard the dj say your name. Some good music on there!! Keep up the GREAT work!! :)
Here comes another week. I hope it's a great one for you.
I heard you guys a lot last yesterday. I saw the bulletin and headed into World Wide Bluegrass. I missed "White River" but I heard "Time of Your Life".
I heard you on "Music of the True Vine" Yesterday morning on KBOO as well.
I have been listening to your CD and it's great. It's in the car player constantly which is where I do most of my listening other than online. Fran I love your voice so much.
Heyyyyyyy Urbies! Just wanted to wish ya a happy Thanksgiving! I sure am thankful were friends! Matt youre hilarious on www. worldwidebluegrass. com chat!Hope to see ya there soon! Yay! Urban Monroes! Lots a love from "Downunder" Heather Mandich
hey UM's I am so happy to hear that you are now being heard on the radio stations..how proud you must be!! We all love you and wish all the success that will come your way..I'm proud to be a Urban Monroe fan!!...congrats to you all..hoping you all have a great thanksgiving god bless to you and your families...see you in the wwb!! nancy
Thank you very much and Happy Thanksgiving to all of you, too!!!
You are so very welcome for the playing of your music during "Eric's Oregon Territory Bluegrass" on WorldWideBluegrass. com because it is such a delight for me to hear!!!
I heard Talk About Sufferin' on World Wide Bluegrass today. They always seem to start the show with one of your radio drops. It was Eric's show. It's awesome!
Martin Guitars
"I don't even know how to let you know what kinds of responses I've received about your performance Saturday night.
People were just blown away--not just a few----MANY!.
It just made the evening be what I always hope it would be."
"Fran is one of the best flatpickers I've heard."
"...you guys are great!"
"Musical excitment distilled to its purest form"
"Fast Paced, Highly Energetic"
"If you have a chance to see the Urban Monroes be sure you do, you won't be dissapointed! The whole band is very tight and seem to have a great time performing."
Northwest Bluegrass
"THE URBAN MONROES - are hot! 
