Whistle Stop consists of the Pearse Family & Rudy Cortese --- Greg (dad), Carol (mom), Brittany, and Briana. Brittany is 19 and attends college. She sings lead and harmony, and provides the guitar flatpicking for the group. Brittany's talents in song writing is quickly establishing the band from others. Briana is 16 and a junior at the local high school. She sings leads and harmony, and plays fiddle, mandolin, and rhythm & lead guitar. Carol sings lead and harmony, and adds the dobro to the band. Greg is in charge of the stand up bass, and occasionally adds to the harmony vocals.
In November 2008 Whistle Stop crossed paths with long time family friend Rudy Cortese. His fun loving personality and outstanding musicianship resulted in a band expansion. Rudy plays the banjo, sings, and adds his talents of song writing and music composition.
TO PURCHASE CD'S:
PLEASE SPECIFY WHICH ALBUM ---
1 RED SATIN DRESS
2 HEAR ME NOW
3 DOWN THE ROAD
MAIL CASH OR CHECK (PAYABLE TO CAROL PEARSE) ($18 -- $15-CD & $3-postage) TO:
CAROL PEARSE
5041 W SAGUARO PARK LANE
GLENDALE, AZ 85310
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING WHISTLE STOP.
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Influences
Whistle Stop has primarily enjoyed the feedback from family and friends, along with the general audience responses from previous preformances to encourage and influence their musical direction. Whistle Stop's band members also enjoy multiple performers: Hot Rize, J.D. Crowe, Rhonda Vincent & the Rage, The Carters, The Whites, Nickle Creek, Allison Krause and Union Station, Uglum and Sons, Valerie Smith and Liberty Pike, Honey Deaton and Dream, James King, John Reisman and The Jaybirds, and Badly Bent. The of list musicians who impact our music and provide support and encouragement is simply to great to list them all.
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We support our fellow bluegrass, folk, & old time musicians. Check out: http://www.youtube.com/user/5041carol
Sounds Like
Whistle Stop enjoys performing traditional bluegrass and gospel songs. The harmony of three family female voices gives the group a destinctive sound.
Whistle Stop is a family band consisting of mom, dad and 2 daughters (and Rudy Cortese). We are a traditional bluegrass/gospel band with a very unique sound of three female vocalists. Our love of bluegrass music started on a “camping trip” to Wickenburg, AZ in November 1995. To our pleasant surprise we were introduced to bluegrass music and it's wonderful family environment. Brittany - 6 and Briana - 3 were given their first guitars.
Brittany, now 19, shows her style on lead and rhythm guitar; and is a strong young vocalist. Brittany's newly discovered song writing talents are clearly defining Whistle Stop's sound and direction. Briana, now 16, plays lead and rhythm guitar, mandolin, and a spirited fiddle. She frequently surprises the audience with the maturity her voice commands. Mom (Carol), in addition to vocals, adds her dobro skills, and Dad (Greg) compliments band on the standup bass and harmony vocals. Rudy Cortese is an outstanding banjo player and additionally brings his song writing talents and vocals to the group.
*****AWARDS: National Bluegrass Band Showcase Blythe, CA 1/09 --- Wickenburg, AZ BGF (4 Corner State Competition) 3rd Place JR Fiddle -Briana Pearse, 3rd Place Flat Pick Guitar-Brittany Pearse, 2nd Place Specialty Instrument-Carol Pearse 11/08 --- National Bluegrass Band Showcase Blythe, CA 1/08--- Wickenburg, AZ BGF (4 Corner State Competition) 3rd Place JR Fiddle-Briana Pearse 11/07--- 1st Place "Winter Wonderland" Talent Show Chino Valley, AZ Chamer of Commerce 11/07 ---
1st Place Band Contest Pickin in the Pines BGF Flagstaff, AZ 9/07---
National Bluegrass Band Showcase Blythe, CA 1/07---
Wickenburg, AZ BGF (4 Corner State Competition) 11/06
3rd Place Family Band- Whistle Stop,
3rd Place Jr. Fiddle- Briana Pearse,
3rd Place Specialty Vocal- Brittany & Briana Pearse---
1st Place Band Contest Pickin in the Pines BGF Flagstaff, AZ 0/06---
Wickenburg, AZ BGF (4 Corner State Competition) 11/05.
2nd Place Family Band- Whistle Stop,
3rd Place Specialty Instrument- Carol Pearse,
3rd Place Old Time Country Band- Greg Pearse---
1st Place Fiddle Contest- Briana Pearse Quartzsite Bluegrass Festival
Quartzsite, AZ 2/05
*****RUDY CORTESE is a seasoned musician who brings his fun loving personality and musical talents to the group. He grew up hanging around at the AZ state fiddle competitions. Rudy picked up the banjo at age 12 and won his first banjo competition 3 months later. He is AZ's reigning State Banjo Champion and two time winner of the Four Corner State Banjo Championship. Rudy has perfomed in several groups - Crucial County, Flinthill Special, Back Porch Bandits, & Cadillac Mountain. Over the years, he has developed a strong song writing and music composition ability. Several musicians from the Phoenix and Tucson, AZ areas have benefited by having Rudy as their music instructor.
..Create Your Own
Oh cool I did not know that. He is very talented. Well I will have to talk to my family and see if they would like to go to that festival. If they cant get away I will have to see if I can get away from school to go :)
You guys played great, I was thoroughly impressed! Everything was top notch! Ohh yeah, and your CD is AMAZING! I have it in my car! Bound To Ride and Walls Of Time are my two favorites on the CD.
It is a pleasure to have you as my my MySpace friend… I find your MySpace page, your talent and your enthusiasm for music pleason’ to many… I welcome you’re other MySpace friends to visit my MySpace page that I’ve dedicated to my admiration of many talented guitar playing musicians of many styles… Stop by check it out and leave a comment if you like… Thanks Ken…
Thank you for the addition to your long list of friends Keep that music coming ... Best Regards From Canada Good Music is born within and raised every where!
My Grandpa LOVED your show last night. He was soo excited to see you guys and to hear you guys play again. I think it made his year. Thank you for letting us share the night with you
