Shades of Bluegrass
Eric Brittain - fiddle, mandolin, guitar, Dobro * Larry Claxton - bass * Kerry Claxton - mandlin, guitar * Chris Cairns - banjo, mandolin, guitar The band "Shades of Bluegrass" came together as a result of the father and daughter team of Larry and Kerry Claxton. Larry brought into the group his former "Wild Sage" band mates Chris Cairns and Eric Brittain to round out the contemporary musical sound that is "Shades of Bluegrass." this band introduces original materials in their performances as well as retaining their bluegrass roots and have been known to add a Duke Ellington or David Grisman song to their repertoire. Kerry Claxton has been performing bluegrass and other alternative forms of music for several years. She has played in most of the major festivals in Colorado including the Mid-Winter Bluegrass Festival, Silverton Jubilee, and the Rocky Mountain Bluegrass Festival. She is an award-winning singer/songwriter and is also an accomplished musician on the mandolin and on the guitar. kerry has released one solo CD and has performed on three other releases. She has been a member of several musical groups including Turning Point, Mountain Standard Time Bluegrass Band, and Homemade Jam. Since he began to play his first instrument, the drums, at age 7, Eric Brittain has gone on to master the guitar, fiddle, mandolin, and Dobro. His parents encouraged him to become a vocalist in order to round out the sound of their family bluegrass band, Buffalo Butter. Eric went on to perform with such prominent musicians as Kate Wolf, Laurie Lewis and the band It's a Beautiful Day. He has recorded several solo albums and performed on dozens more. He has also been featured in a major motion picture. Chris Cairns grew up in New York State. He learned music at an early age including classical, folk and jazz styles of guitar. Chris studied classical cello, performed twice at the New York All Stage Festival and his love for the banjo and bluegrass music began at age 8. He has performed at numerous festivals in the United States and his credits include performing at the Statue of Liberty Celebration. He also started his own recording studio and record label, Fireheart, to promote bluegrass artists and their music. Chris has released three solo CD's and has been a performer on numerous other projects. Featured on bass and vocals is native Kentuckian Larry Claxton. Larry's roots run deep in the bluegrass music scene. He grew up in a musical family in Western Kentucky listening to his mother play the fiddle and his dad the guitar, performing country and bluegrass music. Besides hosting his own bluegrass radio show for several years, Larry is a past President of the Colorado Bluegrass Music Society, and Festival Director for the Rocky Mountain Bluegrass Festival.
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