|
Quote:
"The day started off with four showcase bands chosen from applications. The bands were all enjoyable, and one was excellent. Breakin’ Strings, a young band from Maine offered strong bluegrass with lively instrumentals and solid vocals, especially from Holly Hughes and Mandy Garnet. Cliff Randall sang lead and emceed the group. Bob Hamilton, a very solid flatpicker, and Ed Howe on fiddle, filled out the band. This is a promising group worth watching for."
-Ted Lehmann [about Jenny Brook show]
|
|
Quote:
"Those guys got a great sound!"
-Dan Tyminski
|
|
Quote:
"Great original songs!"
-Seth Sawyer
|
Cliff Randall - Guitar, Vocals
Cliff is what the lonesome sound is all about. His powerful vocals and deep commanding sound differ from any other vocalist. Cliff cries out ballads, and preaches the message of any song he performs, receiving the attention of any audience.
Still in his teenage years, he is known as an accomplished mandolin and guitar player, working in several genre's of music. Cliff remained true to the roots of all music, while still learning the other genre's by playing with several different bands throughout; such as Dirigo Highway country band and The Gelina Family bluegrass band. Although still a teenager, Cliff has over ten years in the music business and has competed through the years winning several awards such as best vocalist, entertainer and the NACMAI (North America Country Music Assn.)Youth Ambassador award.
Cliff's talent is absolutely apparent when he performs and he also has been called one of the most gifted song writers around. Cliff's high lonesome sound and diverse talent make him a foundation and necessity for Breakin' Strings.
Edward Howe - Fiddle, Harmony Vocals
He was raised in a very musical environment as his parents are rabid fans of down-home string band music, often taking Edward and his younger brother, Thomas, with them to music festivals around the state. Edward took an interest in music at the early age of 4 and started learning classical violin using the Suzuki method. At the age of 7, he met fiddler, Pam Weeks of Scrod Pudding, and studied with her through the age of 15. While still quite young, Edward, Thomas (who was, himself a fantastic mandolin player), and their father, John, began playing together as the Howe Family Band. They performed extensively throughout New England playing a number of Bluegrass Festivals. It was while performing at Bluegrass festivals that Ed was encouraged to compete in fiddle contests. He proved to be a deadly competitor, taking medals in most.
In the late nineties, Ed met local Maine fiddler, Lissa Shneckenberger, who was, at the time, playing with Wake the Neighbors, a high-powered contra-dance band with a good deal of local renown. Ed sat in with the band a few times and before long had joined. It was while in Wake the Neighbors that Ed began his study of Celtic music. When Lissa left the band to study at the New England Conservatory, Edward was left to hold up the fiddle duties by himself, which he did with aplomb. Wake the Neighbors continued to play regularly for local concert series and contra-dances. Edward, an audio technophile runs his own small sound company, and is now developing his own signature line of violin pickups. He plays a turn of the century French violin that previously belonged to the late Rufus Thibodaux , legendary Cajun fiddler from Louisiana. He lives in Bristol, Maine. Now Ed is looking forward to the adventures of Breakin' strings
Hunter Webber - Banjo
Hunter has been playing banjo since the age of twelve, his grandfather always had one in the closet and for as long as he can remember he has always taken it out and twanged around on it for a bit. Of course this drove everybody nuts. =P
One day his uncle tuned it up for him and showed him the beginning to "Duelin' Banjos" and also showed him a few practices that he could work on. So since then he practiced on and off, until September of 2004. He went to Thomas Point Beach (His second bluegrass festival ever) and he got to get an autograph from Earl Scruggs, and his picture taken with him. Later on that night Earl Scruggs played with his band, and he was able to get a front row seat, right in the middle. Ever since then he got hooked on banjo picking.
Larry Gillis is his all time #1 influence when it comes to banjo playing. Then would come Ralph Stanley. Then for bands it would be Gillis Brothers, Stanley Brothers, and J.D Crowe & New South. What got him into bluegrass was not the music itself, but the atmosphere and friendliness of all the people within the bluegrassin' community. After getting introduced to all of that, he got hooked.
Holly Marie - Mandolin, Bass, Vocals
She just picks up the instruments one by one and never puts them down. Within two years, Holly picked up the mandolin, bass, and guitar playing along with her favorite Rhonda Vincent Albums for hours alone during the summer of '06 shortly after meeting her fiance Cliff.
Holly M. Hughes comes from a small town of Corinna growing up hearing her grandfather's mandolin and close friend Ginger Mae playing traditional/classic country tunes from Hank Snow to Loretta Lynn.
Holly's influences are Rhonda Vincent, Alison Krauss, Lonesome River Band, Third Tyme Out, and The Cox Family just to name a few. She listens closely to the harmonies then blends them to her own for a unique, sibling harmony with Amanda that will send chills up your spine.
Mandy Garnette - Bass, Mandolin, Vocals
Mandy comes from a family of performers-grandparents, parents and siblings. Mandy's first stage appearance was when she was just about six years old when she performed at The Weeks Mills Music Festival. She has been performing ever since at Festivals, Fairs and Community events as a solo act, duet with her brother, Cliff and with The Gelina Family Band.
She has participated in several State and National music competitions and received numerous awards in Country, Bluegrass and Gospel catagories for her singing and songwriting. Some of her influences have been Rhonda Vincent, Alison Krauss, The Cox Family, Third Tyme Out, and many more. Her lead and harmony vocals are an essential element for Breakin' Strings.
The fiddle was one of the first instruments that she took an interest in but within the last year while field pickin' at some of the festivals decided the bass was her greatest interest and provides Breakin' Strings with it's solid foundation.
SHe has also been learning the Mandolin with help from Holly, Cliff, Bob, and her father Brian. Lately, she has even showed an interest in the guitar and dobro.
Bob Hamilton - Lead Guitar
Bio for Bob Hamilton coming soon.
