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2011 Ag Land Entertainers
If your Band is interested in performing in the
future, contact Gary Skinner
gskin52@yahoo.com
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Kicking off the Sandwich
Fair Fiddle Contest on Wednesday, September 7th at 5:00pm on the AgLand
Stage, will be dynamic bluegrass band, Ashley Lewis and Ashton Gap.
Known for her sparkling vocals, fine fiddle, and fiery mandolin
performances, Ashley is also a profound songwriter, and evidence of her
Kentucky bluegrass legacy appears in the words and music of her original
songs. Recognized by the Illinois Arts Council as an accomplished
musician who is preserving the heritage and art of bluegrass mandolin,
Ashley’s music is commented upon by Female Vocalist of the Year, Dale
Ann Bradley, “I sat there with a smile on my face the whole time. You
are a natural! You have the beauty in your heart and it comes through in
your music.” Accompanying Ashley will be Doug Knecht on banjo,
guitarist, Andy Hatfield and Teresa Fry on bass.
www.ashtongap.com
Ashley Lewis
and
Ashton Gap
Wednesday, September 7th
5:00-6:00 p.m.
www.ashtongap.com |
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Immediately following
the Ashton Gap performance, will be the fiddle contest at 6:00pm. All
ages are welcome to enter with three separate age divisions, which
include children through adult. The purse for the contest totals over
$800.00, and the entry fee is free with the purchase of a fair ticket.
The contest is considered to be traditional fiddle music as opposed to
classical, jazz, pop or rock. Traditional styles include Irish, French,
Cajun, other National/Ethnic styles, Country, and Bluegrass.
Whether you are a seasoned fiddler, a novice, or an appreciative
audience member, this is a great opportunity to participate or enjoy
some very impressive fiddling in the shady, country atmosphere of the
124th Sandwich Fair.
For more information email: sandwichfairfiddle@yahoo.com |
Fiddle Contest
Wednesday, September 7th
6:00
p.m. |
Dale Rhode & Crossroads
Thursday,
September 8th
7-10pm
Dale Rhode is the lead vocalist of the group. He was born and
raised in Belvidere, IL. He has been a full time Farmer raising Black
Angus Cattle and crops with his family in Kingston, IL. He and his
family have been showing cattle at County, State and National levels for
years including the Sandwich Fair. He has been playing country music for
over 30 years. His musical influences are George Strait and Leroy Van
Dyke. The first song he sang in public was “The Auctioneer” by Leroy Van
Dyke. He even had the honor of performing it in front of Leroy at the
Boone County Fair. The band enjoys playing many venues in the Northern
IL area.
Steve Kelly was born in Dixon, IL and has spent most of his life
in Sycamore, IL. When he was 14 he bought a Fender guitar and amplifier
with $200 he had worked hard to save. By the time he was 16, he was
playing shows with his first band. Since that time, he continued to play
throughout the Midwest with Rock and Roll, Blues, and Country bands.
Neal Dollinger is both a drummer and vocalist. Originally from
Troy IL, he moved to Northern IL. In 1972. Performing in the Northern
Illinois area since 1976. From 1983-1990 he was a Drummer/Vocalist &
Bandleader for local variety group Centre Stage. Performing all cover
material for weddings and private service clubs. In 1991 he was the
Drummer/Vocalist & Manager for local country group The Forever Free
Band. While doing that for 9 years they Earned “BEST of Rockford” for
the country stage at On The Waterfront. From November 2000 to August
2003 he was a Drummer/Vocalist for local artist Brianna Sky‘s back-up
band. For the next 6 years he was Drummer/Backup Vocalist for local
Family Country Blue Grass group Silver Creek Band. In 2010 to the
present he is the Drummer/Backup Vocalist for Contemporary County artist
Brian Lavender and Whisky Bent. Also in 2010 to the present he is the
Drummer/Backup Vocalist for local Country Swing Master, Dale Rhode and
Crossroads.
Dave Rament didn’t always play the guitar. He started out playing
the drums for 14 years and for 3 of those years he played on the road.
Then he started playing the bass guitar and has continued to do so for
the past 35 years. He played with Merle Haggard’s lead guitar player out
of Denver for 2 years. He has had the privilege of playing with many
different Variety and Country Bands. Dave was born in Beloit, WI and has
lived in Northern IL most of life. He considers himself to be a good Old
Farm Boy.
Chuck Stowe was born in Berwyn, IL. Chuck has spent most of his
life in the Sycamore, IL area. He started playing guitar at 13 after a
disastrous attempt at the accordion that left him with a severe case of
Polka phobia. After playing guitar and bass guitar in a number of garage
rock bands, Chuck found his instrument in the Pedal Steel Guitar. Among
his teachers were Jeff Newman, Susan Alcorn, John Hughey, Doug Jernigan
and Jimmy Crawford. Although playing like none of them, Chuck also
greatly admires Buddy Emmons, Lloyd Green, Paul Franklin, Lloyd Maines,
Eddie Rivers, “Cowboy” Eddie Long, and Gary Morse. Deserving mention, as
well, is Keith Richards, just because he’s Keith! Known for his ability
to play licks while making God awful faces, Chuck also dabbles, with
limited success, on the resophonic (Dobro style) guitar. |
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 Hillbilly Rockstarz
Friday,
September 9th
7-11pm
Hillbilly Rockstarz that is ??
Chicago Country Band #1 ....that's right # 1 for Fun...just ask the
fans. The group is made up of Chicagoland's most dynamic musicians, all
with diverse and multi-talented backgrounds. They specialize in covering
the latest hits in country music, and some of your older favorites,
always true to the original, simply put this bands got you covered These
players have one thing in common, the desire to play great radio
friendly country music. Country Music fans will love the connection they
have with the audience. Every show is guaranteed good time's...Hillbilly
style! When you see Hillbillyz live, it's obvious that they're having
fun up there, and that fun is contagious. Always mixing it up. One
minute, jammin' some Little big town then Miranda Lambert, Kenny Chesney,
Billy Currington, Carrie Underwood, Lady Antebellum, Big & Rich and
yes...even Rascal Flatts, next they will hit you with some Keith Urban,
Bon Jovi and Gretchen Wilson. HBRS's versatility is their specialty,
with these amazing and talented musicians you can't lose. Not only do
they cover some of the best country songs heard on radio today, they
also mix in cool, rock tunes as well, satisfying everyone's tastes.
Whether you're an individual who wants to hire a fun band for your next
event or a festival looking for top quality entertainment, this band is
worth a listen too. Your guests will have a great time dancing and
partying with the Hillbilly'z not to mention, the band has reasonable
rates to boot. |
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Truman's Ridge
Saturday,
September 10th
1-4pm
Truman’s Ridge plays a traditional style of bluegrass,
bringing the excitement and freshness of the early days to original
material and covers. Single vocal mic, fast paced, and family
friendly--this is an act you will want to see and hear!
Truman’s Ridge is a regional bluegrass band based in Sycamore, Illinois,
playing concerts, fairs, and festivals in Missouri, Illinois, and
Wisconsin. Stage shows are worked from a single vocal microphone. Steve
Sarver of DeKalb plays guitar and sings lead. Mark Fowler of McHenry
plays mandolin and sings tenor harmony. Evan Flower of Sycamore plays
the upright bass and sings baritone harmony. Bruce Wallace of Sycamore
plays banjo, harmonica, and fiddle and supplies the bass vocals.
Truman's Ridge harmonies are varied, often reminiscent of the early
brother bands and at times showing a strong rural-gospel influence in
the three and four-part vocals. The band’s instrumentation is inspired
by Midwestern string bands and Chicago jazz and blues. The rock-solid
beat of the guitar and bass compliment the driving rhythm of the banjo
and the compelling mandolin lead breaks. Truman's Ridge offers an
exciting blend of the familiar and the unique. This is Chicago-style
bluegrass at its finest!
http://trumansridge.com |
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Back Country Roads
Saturday,
September 10th
7-11pm
Join us on Facebook
Back Country Roads is a 6-piece band
From Northern Illinois led by a strong vocal duet that primarily focuses
on the newer Country Music that’s coming out of Nashville and a few of
their own original compositions. Their song list ranges from Johnny Cash
to Lady Antebellum.
The band members are:
Mary Noren Vocals
Kyle Miller Vocals
Brian Miller
Guitar/Vocals
Craig Cox
Guitar/Keyboard/Harmonica/Vocals
Dave Miller Bass/Vocals
Jarred Klotz Drums/Vocals
Back Country Roads has been playing to capacity crowds
since June of 2009 when Mary, Kyle and Brian formed the band as a 3
piece acoustic band. They competed in the US99/Colgate Country Showdown
in 2009 where they placed third in the state of Illinois. Back Country
Roads performed last year on Rockford’s Country radio station 98.5’s
soundstage at Country Thunder, WI. Mary & Kyle also competed in CMT’s
“Can You Duet” in Nashville.
In order to achieve a fuller sound and to expand their musical
capabilities, they added Jarred Klotz on Drums/vocals, Dave Miller on
Bass/vocals and later added Craig Cox on Guitar/Keys/Harminoca/Vocals to
evolve into what has become one of the freshest new bands in the
Northern Illinois area.
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Patchouli
Sunday,
September 11th
1-4pm
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Bruce Hecksel’s primary
instrument is acoustic guitar. In addition to intense study in many
styles from fingerstlye, flamenco, classical, jazz, flat picking, and
folk, he studied concert piano, choral compositions and plays bass
guitar and percussion on stage. But Bruce started his guitar adventure
in a punk rock band named Be Safe Be Seen. At a Canadian music festival
in 1991 his electric guitar and amp were stolen and he was left with
only his acoustic guitar, which he took as a sign and never played an
electric guitar again.
As lyricist and lead vocalist of Patchouli, Julie’s background is in
words. She began reciting poetry when she was seven. She walked around
with her steno notepad and recorded all her observations of her young
life. Dabbling in violin, drums, and trombone throughout school she
worked many of her poems into acapella pieces that she and friends would
perform.
When she and Bruce met they put the poetry to music and Patchouli began.
Julie now plays multiple instruments on and off stage 6& 12 string
guitars, upright bass marimbas, flutes and hand drums.
http://www.patchouli.net |
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