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Robin Lee Berry

Robin Lee Berry moved to northern Michigan in 1981 to raise children, write, record and perform music but has been a resident of Michigan most of her life.
The beauty of the land and the water and the diversity of the seasons keeps her there.
Robin is an accomplished guitar player and songwriter with an ability to cover many styles of music with passionate and intuitive energy. Her songs are about love, life, children, growing up and growing old and about the successes and disappointments that evolve from living life .

"Robin Lee Berry reflects northern Michigan's feminine soul, blending themes of strength, courage, and vulnerability in her songs, all rendered with the spirit of awe and optimism." ~Robert Downing -Editor of Northern Express
She was also included on a Red House Records release (September of 2002)
"Going Driftless an artists tribute to Greg Brown" where she contributed a rendition of Greg's "Hey, baby, Hey". All royalties from this recording are being donated to The Breast Cancer Fund in California. See her website for more info.

Greg Brown describes Berry's voice as "clear spring water gushing out from a deep place in the earth. It goes right to your heart."

Each of her recordings have been hard to pigeonhole and as an independent artist Robin considers that a compliment.
Her next recording "Ahna, Kick a Hole in the Sky", due to be released in February of 2004, where she covers Van Morrison and Neil Young, Garnet Rogers and includes a guest appearance duet with Greg Brown, will also be "unpigeonholeable".
Ahna kick a hole in the sky includes the voices of her daughters Anna Lee Berry and Ruby Lee Williams as well as artwork from Ruby.

Contact Robin through her website robinleeberry.com 
email: robin@robinleeberry.com 
US mail: P.O. Box 63 
Boyne City, MI 49712 
Phone: 1-231-582-5057

Review
JAZZREVIEW.COM
CD Title: A Man Like My Guitar
Year: 2002
Record Label: Independent
Style: Jazz Vocals
Musicians: Robin Lee Berry (vocals, guitar); COLLECTIVE PERSONNEL: Pete Asch (flute, sax); Graham Fineout (drums, percussion); Leo Dombecki (sax); Glenn Wolff (bass); Don Julin (accordion, guitar, mandolin); Jack Sharry (fiddle); Ron Tschudy (harmonica); Roger Tarczon (drums).
Review: Singer/songwriter/guitarist Robin Lee Williams sent along her recent release and it’s a pleaser. I can’t tell you anything of the Michigan performer’s history as a bio did not accompany the CD. The musicians are listed collectively as individual tracks are in solo, duo, trio and quartet formats.
This young woman is difficult to place in a pigeonhole. Although presenting a number of jazz standards, Robin Lee Berry injects her unique personal interpretation. The instrumentation is as unusual as her arrangements, including at times, mandolin and accordion. Robin is an accomplished vocalist and acoustic guitarist. Her solo on the title tune is quietly beautiful. In contrast, she kicks Billy Mayhew’s “It’s a Sin To Tell a Lie” along at a frightening pace after a brief intro in 3/4 time.
As on any album, certain performances stand out for their own reasons. Robin Lee Berry’s own composition “Something Sometime” absolutely shines in terms of pure beauty and originality. I’ll take a moment to ask Robin not to put the pen away. Her unique version of “You Took Advantage Of Me” is performed vocally, accompanied only by her own acoustic guitar and the tune takes on a special loveliness in her hands. “The Lady Is a Tramp” is, in contrast, a free for all with some witty lyrics, kooky drum breaks and hot violin.
Robin Lee Berry is also a world-class builder of fine log furniture. Her work can be seen at the artist’s website quoted above. Please contact the singer via the email “clicker” on the site if you wish more information on this CD. Robin will answer all enquiries personally.
Nice music!
Tracks: Never Never Land; Almost Like Being In Love; My One And Only Love; One Note Samba; Something Sometime; It’s a Sin To Tell a Lie; That’ll Teach Me; Haven’t We Met; Scotch n’ Soda; You took Advantage Of Me; The Lady Is a Tramp; My Romance; I Will; Michelangelo’s Blues; My Funny Valentine.
Artist's Website: http://www.robinleeberry.com
Reviewed by: Richard Bourcier

BARRY JON VAN GUILDER 

Barry Jon Van Guilder, Better Known as "The Banjo Picker" has written and/or recorded close to 50 songs and instrumentals. He sings and plays the guitar and banjo, performing all types of music: Traditional Country, Bluegrass, 60's Folk, Comedy, and all the Standards.

The Banjo Picker, has lived a life full of music. He has been playing the banjo and touring for most of his life, collaborating in numerous bluegrass and country bands. One of the most notable is The Pine River Valley Boys.

Before settling and raising four children in Michigan’s northern lower peninsula, He toured and played in Michigan and other states in the Midwest for quite sometime. He has also played and recorded with other notable musicians, appearing on about 5 albums.  

JEN CASS

Born to unusually hip parents in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan, singer-songwriter Jen Cass was raised on a healthy mix of folk music, homegrown vegetables, spontaneous dancing, black licorice and Motown. When asked about her childhood Jen muses, "I remember my mom doing pirouettes around the living room with Joan Baez and Simon & Garfunkel blasting in the background. Then dad would pull out his guitar and we'd all sing Kris Kristofferson songs. “My sister and I weren’t allowed to watch TV, so we sang, danced and read every book we could get our hands on. By the age of five, I was a miniature troubadour in bad seventies clothing, quoting Jack London and belting out Jim Croce tunes. I love my parents for that.”

While her fashion sense has evolved over time, Jen has always remained true to her roots, writing beautifully crafted songs that draw comparisons to songwriting legends Bob Dylan, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Joni Mitchell, and Lucinda Williams, as well as playwright Eugene O'Neill. Jen's songs have won numerous awards. In 2003, Jen's song "Main Attraction" was selected as a winner in the Folk Category of both the John Lennon Songwriting Contest and the USA Songwriting Competition! In the words of Suzanne Glass of Indie-Music.com, “Cass’ songs are lyrical gems. She weaves fables with her words that would make Aesop jealous.”

In November 1996, Jen released her first CD, Brave Enough To Say, and quickly sold over 2000 copies. Jen recorded Brave Enough To Say with the help of the world famous Russian surf-rock band Red Elvises. “We mixed contemporary folk, new country, oatmeal raisin cookies and extreme sleep deprivation to create a totally unique sound,” quips Jen. Rick Nelson of the Tacoma News Tribune agrees, calling Brave Enough To Say an “excellent debut” and Jen a “gifted storyteller with a great voice.” Agenda’s Alan Goldsmith raves, “Jen Cass' power as an artist lies in using her voice to capture pictures of broken American souls, and she paints these heartbreaking snapshots of lives gone wrong like nobody else.”

Since the release of Brave Enough To Say, Jen has played hundreds of gigs throughout the country, impressing fans and critics alike with her powerful performances. In addition to an Emerging Artist Showcase at the 2003 Falcon Ridge Folk Festival and an Official Showcase at the 2004 Americana Music Awards, Jen has played shows at The Bluebird Caf� (Nashville), The Ark (Ann Arbor, MI), IOTA Club & Cafe (Arlington, VA), Uncommon Ground (Chicago), Vic's Music Corner (Rockville, MD), Arlene Grocery (NYC), Northwest Folklife and Bumbershoot (Seattle), NXNW (Portland), Great Blue Heron Festival (Sherman, NY), Hamtramck Blowout, The Music Menu and The Magic Bag (Detroit), and Folk Alliance 2003 & 2004 to name a few. Jen was also a proud member of the first national Indiegrrl tour in 1999. Over time, Jen’s live shows have become increasingly popular, causing one critic to lament, “I attempted to pop into the Jen Cass show last month, but by ten o'clock the club was jammed to the roof and even standing room was not an option.”

After years of tireless touring, Jen caught the attention of producer John Jennings, who has co-produced eight albums and four #1 singles by Mary Chapin Carpenter, as well as discs by John Gorka, Janis Ian, Beausoleil, and many others; and garnered five Grammy Awards (13 nominations) and five CMA Awards (19 nominations). Recorded by Bob Dawson (Mary Chapin Carpenter, Danny Gatton, Cheryl Wheeler) and featuring several members of Mary Chapin Carpenter's band, Skies Burning Red was nominated for 2 Detroit Music Awards and 6 Review Music Awards. Skies Burning Red was #12 on WHFR's Best of 2003 list (between John Mayer and Evanescence), was a Midnight Special Pick Hit of the Week, and received radio play in every US state as well as Canada, Denmark, Germany, The Netherlands, Japan, and Sweden. Jen and John Jennings are currently hard at work on Jen's third CD, "Accidental Pilgrimage", which is scheduled for release in early 2006!”

Ron Moore

Singer/songwriter/comedian Ron Moore has traveled internationally and across the U.S. He is a popular choice for a variety of settings and ages from children to college and adults. Ron does concerts, coffeehouses, assemblies, and songwriting classes (recording the work on CD). With outstanding vocal and guitar work, Ron has released 12 albums, received national airplay on over 100 stations, and hosted the TV show, Off the Wall, for years.

SCOTT FRANKS  Country and Oldies

ANN & WILL ROWLAND Folk music with a punch

Floodgate is the Northern Michigan based duo of Ann & Will Rowland; playing for Coffee Houses, Festivals, Churches and Special Events throughout Michigan and surrounding states. Ann plays guitar and lap dulcimer but really shines when she steps up to the microphone. Will rounds out their sound, playing guitar and mandolin, adding powerful lead and harmony vocals as well. Close your eyes and it's hard to believe that this much music can come from only two people. Guitar and mandolin that will lift you up and harmonies that will blow you away. These seasoned veterans started performing together just five years ago and are able to entertain audiences of all ages. They have shared the stage with such acts as Claudia Schmidt, Jack Williams, John McCutcheon, Ricky Skaggs, Buddy Green and Bill Staines.

HARMONY & GRITS Folk, Bluegrass and Country

Accomplished solo artists Rick Meisterheim and Kelly Shively have put their talents together, pleasing audiences with their amazing variety, great harmony and delightful humor. Kelly’s fiddle, clawhammer banjo, Celtic harp and ringing soprano voice blended with Rick’s full-sound fingerpicking-style guitar, banjo, mandolin, mountain dulcimer and strong, baritone voice have been summed up by the word "rich".

With much variety in their music, a set may include folk, bluegrass, country and old time with waltzes, instrumentals and more. Many of their tunes are originals, along with songs of other fine artists performed with a unique flavor all their own.