The Best of Maine

               Erica Brown and the Bluegrass Connection

          

                                                                                                                    

SINCE I WROTE THIS PAGE FOR MY LAST WEBSITE  I ATTENDED A CONCERT AT THE SAWYER MEMORIAL IN GREENE, MAINE. ERICA AND HER BAND HAVE  BLOSSOMED INTO ONE OF THE MOST OUTSTANDING  UP AND COMING GROUPS I HAVE SEEN IN A LONG TIME. HER PURE HONESTY ON THE FIDDLE AND IN HER SINGING CAN ONLY BE ENHANCED BY THE ADDITION OF HIGH QUALITY MUSICIANS INCLUDING YOUNGER BROTHER DANIEL WHOSE IMPRESSIVE TALENT TOOK THE HOUSE BY STORM THAT NIGHT. I WOULD ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO FIND A VENUE WHICH FEATURES THIS FINE BAND. ERICA HAS A NEW RECENTLY RELEASED CD, PLEASE CHECK OUT HER WEBSITE. LASTLY, IN RECENT YEARS WE HAVE EXPERIENCED A VERY LIMITED RANGE OF TALENT ON THE STAGE AT FESTIVALS BECAUSE A HANDFUL OF PEOPLE RUN THE SHOW.  I ENCOURAGE BLUEGRASS FANS TO SPEAK TO THE PROMOTERS AND LET THEM KNOW WE HAVE GOOD MAINE TALENT BEING OVERLOOKED. THIS BAND IS AN EXAMPLE OF OUR YOUNGER PEOPLE TAKING THE INITIATIVE AND KEEPING BLUEGRASS MUSIC ALIVE. THEY DESERVE OUR SUPPORT.

                                                       

                        Erica developed an interest in music at an early age, when most children would prefer toys over music practice. So it was no surprise that at age seven Erica was competing in fiddle contests. Her competitors were twice her age, but she was determined and her tenacity brought her numerous awards. Winning a number of fiddle competitions including the prestigious Clem Myers Award at the Northeast Fiddlers Contest in Barre, Vermont in 1994 was a foreshadowing of the excellence that Erica would bring to the music world. Her efforts were recognized several times through nominations from The Maine Country Music Association.

At age nine Erica was well traveled not only throughout New England, but as far south as Louisiana and North into Canada with the Maine French Fiddlers. Her original cajun style fiddling earned her the respect of musicians and ardent fans alike. In more recent years touring with Mac McHale and the Old Time Radio Gang, Erica has been taking the bluegrass scene by storm with her honest purity. She has seamlessly married the French, Canadian jigs and reel with the melodious and traditional sounds of mountain music. Erica is forging a sound that has caused audiences to take notice, once again, to the beauty of fiddle music. Her gifted style makes each stroke of the strings appear effortless as they sing to the passionate bluegrass music soul, her talent is second to none. The sheer ability she displays is demonstrative of the many hours she labors in practice. Erica also shares the stage with another family member, younger brother Daniel, 14, who plays mandolin. This fine young man is well on his way to becoming an accomplished solid bluegrass musician his own right. 

But beyond the stage there is a deeper commitment that Erica steadfastly protects, sharing her music with younger children to keep traditional music alive. Erica brings music into the schools through performances and workshops she gives each year. Her volunteer efforts allow school age children to experience first hand the excitement and possibilities availed through playing music. And even with such a busy schedule Erica also enjoys playing at local Senior Residential Facilities throughout the twin city area.

In 1999 Erica released her first solo cd Bowing the Strings. This session contained twenty-two fiddle tunes which captured the French Canadian style reels and the essence of true traditional bluegrass. Erica displayed her unparallel expertise on the fiddle with a Bill Monroe tune Jerusalem Ridge. There is no question this young seventeen year old musician has not only been able to perform with great style and ease to her enamored audiences, but she has also proven that she is equal to many fiddlers who have been around a long time. Erica recently released a second solo cd Just Taking Notes which contains sixteen traditional and original compositions including my personal favorite written by Bob St Pierre Sweet Dreams Waltz which I believe is destined to be a classic. Maine is honored to have such an artist and I hope you will continue to support Erica and Daniel.

 

                                                                                                                                          

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Copyright © 2003 Mourning Dove Bluegrass Band. All rights reserved.
Revised: July 15, 2003 .