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Mike Compton

Mike Compton and Bluegrass Parkway in Concert

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Mike Compton
Mike Compton

Great news for Western Australian Bluegrass Fans.

Multi-award winning bluegrass mandolin maestro, Mike Compton, will make a special appearance at the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre on Sunday 30 October to showcase his stunning musical virtuosity.

Mike Compton has been labelled by the New York Times as “a new bluegrass instrumental hero.” He is a living bluegrass legend who has won Grammy awards for his musical work including the popular ‘O Brother, Where Art Thou?’ film soundtrack, featuring the Soggy Bottom Boys hit song ‘Man of Constant Sorrow’.

Teaming up with Australia’s premier bluegrass band, Bluegrass Parkway, this high quality concert promises not only fans of country blues and bluegrass, but all real music lovers, a rare musical treat. Celebrating almost three decades together, the band has released five CD recordings, completed three tours on the US bluegrass festival circuit, and appeared at numerous festivals around Australia.

Bluegrass Parkway
Bluegrass Parkway

Bluegrass Parkway continue to be a major draw-card at many of Australia’s bluegrass and folk festivals. Their performance delivers authentic acoustic bluegrass music  presented in the original 1940’s style via a single microphone.

Bluegrass Parkway are bringing Mike Compton to Mandurah following their hugely successful MPAC performance in April as part of the Act-Belong-Commit’s Hot Shore Shuffle program.

With an array of delicious bluegrass themed foods available pre show, and a stellar line up of musicianship, Mike Compton and Bluegrass Parkway bring you the best of authentic American bluegrass music with a genuine Nashville star not to be missed.

Tickets are available from www.manpac.com.au or from the Centre’s box office by calling 08 9550 3900. Visit the event via Facebook.

Presented by the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre and Kaleidoscope Multicultural Arts Management.

Mike Compton on Southern Style

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Mike ComptonJan Dales has let us know of  Mike Compton’s scheduled appearance on Southern Style on Tuesday, 19th March, between 1:00pm and 3:00pm. Mike will be performing live to air and chatting with Jan on PBS FM 106.7 and www.pbsfm.org.au.

As always, the programme will be webcast live  and archived on  the PBS FM website.

Southern Style with Jan Dale – PBS FM 106. Tuesdays 1:00pm to 3:00pm or online at www.pbsfm.org.au.

 

Stringbusters to Support Mike Compton

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Stringbusters and Mike ComptonThe Strzelecki Stringbusters have been to be invited to support world-renowned mandolin musician Mike Compton, at performance at the Northcote Social Club, next Tuesday night, 19th March.

Mike is best known for his performance in the movie and soundtrack of “Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?”, the hit movie featuring George Clooney. Mike is returning to Australia from the USA after only being here in November last year, and refers to Australia as his “second home”.

Mike Compton’s critics write: “Whether playing with The Nashville Bluegrass Band, Helen Highwater Stringband, The Jumpsteady Boys, in duet with guitar virtuoso David Grier or old-time banjoist and songwriter Joe Newberry, or as a solo performer, Mike shines with his brilliant playing and humble respect for the music.”

Check out the Northcote Social Club website for details.

Mike Compton, Hardrive and Bluegrass Parkway

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HardriveMike ComptonHere’s a concert not to be missed. Mike Compton, Hardrive and Bluegrass Parkway are all scheduled to play Fremantle on 9th March at the Fremantle Workers Club in Henry Street Fremantle. This is a rare opportunity to see two of the country’s leading exponents of traditional bluegrass music along with American mandolin virtuoso Mike Compton in Fremantle this March.

Show starts at 8:00pm.

Tickets: $25.00 in advance or $30.00 at the door.

Presales avaliable now at http://heatseeker.com.au.

BGPJohn Hartford once said that Mike Compton knows more about Bill Monroe style mandolin than the Father of Bluegrass himself. Mike more recently received Grammy Award acknowledgement for playing the mandolin on two award-winning projects, “Oh Brother Where Art Thou?”, Album of the Year and Best Compilation Soundtrack Album, and “Down From the Mountain”, Best Traditional Folk Album, which included artists such as Dr. Ralph Stanley, Norman and Nancy Blake, Alison Kraus and Union Station, Gillian Welch/David Rawlings, Emmy Lou Harris, The Fairfield Four, John Hartford, to name a few. He was also part the sold out “Down From the Mountain” tours which included the original soundtrack cast and Ricky Skaggs, Patty Loveless, the Del McCoury Band, and Rodney Crowell.

Victoria’s Hardrive Bluegrass Band are widely regarded as one of Australia’s foremost traditional bluegrass bands. They feature high-lonesome vocals and virtuosic instrumentals from a traditional line-up of banjo, fiddle, mandolin, guitar and double bass played by experienced and award-winning musicians.

Fremantle’s Bluegrass Parkway are celebrating their 26th anniversary this year and are the longest continuously performing bluegrass band in Australia. The band is widely regarded as Australia’s most popular bluegrass act. They perform around a single microphone 1940’s style and entertain the audience with their three and four-part harmonies, great instrumentals and great rapport on stage.

 

Compton and Newberry New Album

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Compton and NewberryGrammy award-winning mandolin master Mike Compton, and prizewinning guitarist and songwriter Joe Newberry, have released a live album of 12 traditional, old-time, and bluegrass ballads and instrumental pieces.

Tracks on the album include East Tennessee Blues, Righteous Pathway, Sittin’ On Top of the World, Lazy John, Rocky Road Blues, How Long Blues, Evening Prayer Blues, Kentucky Waltz, Rocky Island, I know Whose Tears, Raleigh and Spencer, and Fly Around My Pretty Lil’ Miss. This cd was recorded live at Brandywine Friends in Newark, Delaware, in February, 2012, using one microphone.

In their 2012 debut album, “Live”, Mike Compton and Joe Newberry mine one of the more neglected segments of country music history, that period during the ’30s and ’40’s when brother duet music was transforming into bluegrass. These two masters of the bedrock of old time music collaborate with a vision that’s both modern and ageless. Few are better equipped for the task with Newberry able to replicate the under-appreciated power of country rhythm guitar styles and open back banjo, and then mix in Compton’s master of the Monroe style of mandolin with their simpatico duet singing, and you have a two person string band that can effortlessly move from traditional songs to contemporary instrumentals, to ‘mother’ ballads, to original compositions—all with an ease that belies their intensity. It’s not about the number of notes with Compton and Newberry. it’s about telling the truth and paying homage to the song.

They pull off what’s almost impossible these days: honest, genuine music that will get your soul dancing – Chris Stuart, Bluegrass Today

This recording really captures vintage bluegrass tone. Compton and Newberry tear up the music with nuance and skill – Dan Beimborn, Owner/Webmaster, Mandolin Archive

Joe Newberry is one of my favorite songwriters and interpreters of the old songs. Mike Compton’s playing is part of my musical DNA. My earliest infatuation was with The Nashville Bluegrass Band and his mandolin rang out in my head as I tried to figure out how to make music with other pickers. When I learned two of my favorites had formed a duo I was very excited, but still not prepared for how good it would be. Mike Compton and Joe Newberry make music together. Lots of people play together, but few are able to make music. With only two voices and two instruments they can break your heart with one song and make you want to shout with joy on the next. Newly written songs sound ancient and their choice of covers seem somehow new. Their LIVE 2012 album is a must for lovers of real music. – Leigh Gibson, The Gibson Brothers.

For extended liner notes and contact, schedule, and booking information, visit www.mikecompton.net or www.joenewberry.com.

CD’s may be purchased by visiting www.mikecompton.net or cdbaby.com/cd/mikecomptonjoenewberry.

Mike Compton and Baylor Brothers to Play Yinnar

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World renowned master of the Mandolin, Mike Compton, will be performing at the Yinnar Pub on Wednesday 20th March.
Mike will be joined by the Strzelecki Stringbusters for another great night of bluegrass and old timey music.

Mike is best known for his performance in the movie and soundtrack of “Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?”, the hit movie featuring George Clooney.

His critics write, “Whether playing with The Nashville Bluegrass Band, Helen Highwater Stringband, The Jumpsteady Boys, in duet with guitar virtuoso David Grier or old-time banjoist and songwriter Joe Newberry, or as a solo performer, Mike shines with his brilliant playing and humble respect for the music.”

Mike is returning to Australia from the USA after only being here in November last year, and refers to Australia as his “second home”. His performance in Yinnar will be just prior to headlining for three weeks on the Bluegrass Music Cruise of New Zealand and Southern Australia, on the luxury ocean liner, the Voyager of the Seas.

In a fabulous double event, the Baylor Brothers will also be performing at Yinnar that night.

Entry is $20 at the door. To book, please phone the Yinnar Hotel ph. 03 – 6163 1263. Contact John Werner for further details ph. 0400 964941Mike Compton

Mike Compton at The Cat & Fiddle

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His first ever Sydney concert should not be missed.Mike Compton

Mike C0mpton will be appearing at the Sydney venue Cat and The Fiddle, tomorrow night Fri 9th Nov, 2012 at 8:00pm.  Also appearing on the bill will be Sydney band, The StopmpKats.

Cat and The Fiddle Hotel is at 456 Darling St Balmain (cnr Elliott St). Ph. 9810 7931.  All tickets at the door – $25/$20 concessions.

Mike Compton is a four times Grammy Award winning American bluegrass mandolin player, and a former protégé of the Father of Bluegrass, Bill Monroe. He is considered a modern master of bluegrass mandolin, and is especially known for his take on the fiercely hard-driven, rhythmically intense style developed by the master of the genre, Bill Monroe.

He played on the soundtracks of the movies “Oh Brother Where Art Thou?” and “Cold Mountain”, and has been a long-standing member of the legendary Nashville Bluegrass Band. He was also a member of John Hartford’s band till John’s death in 2001.

He was also part of the “Down From The Mountain” project, which involved a Grammy winning album and follow-up sellout tours, where he was playing with Alison Krauss, Jerry Douglas, Emmylou Harris, Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, Dr Ralph Stanley, Rodney Crowell, etc.

Website: http://www.mikecompton.net/.

Yinnar Pub Goes Off Again

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Strzelecki String Busters and Mike ComptonAnd again and again.

The Strzelecki Stringbusters are continuing their quest to raise the roof off the old pub in regional Victoria. They plan to present a great line-up of returning international artists at their final three Yinnar pub shows for 2012.

This Wednesday sees old friends The Whitetop Mountaineers return for their 4th visit in as many years.

On November 7th the red carpet will be pulled out of mothballs for Mike Compton, currently on a lighting Australian tour. Mike returns for is 2nd performance after his show there last year.

For the final show of the year on November 28th, Canadian Nadine Landry (ex Hungry Hill) returns to the pub with her partner Sammy Lind as the Foghorn Stringband.

The Yinnar Community Hotel, through their 4 year association with The Strzelecki Stringbusters, has firmly established itself as one of the leading Bluegrass & Old Time venues in Australia.

All shows are $10 at the door. For further info, please contact Gary at stringbusters@bigpond.com.

Mike Compton Spring Australia Tour

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Mike ComptonMandolin player, Mike Compton has earned a worldwide reputation as one of the modern masters of bluegrass mandolin, and is especially known for his personal take on the fiercely hard-driven, rhythmically intense style developed by the master of the genre, Bill Monroe.

Grammy award winner, nominated IBMA Mandolin Player of the Year, and musical US Ambassador throughout the world, Mike has been honoured with a State Resolution by the Mississippi State Senate, entertained at Carnegie Hall, and performed at the White House for dignitaries and the President of the United States.

A mainstay on the bluegrass circuit for the past 35 years, Mike has over 110 albums to his credit including the latest collaborations of Lost Souls and Free Spirits – Chris Jones and The Night Drivers (2012); Reason and Rhyme – Jim Lauderdale (2011); Blue Moon of Kentucky: Instrumental Tribute To Bill Monroe (2011); Memories of John – The John Hartford String Band (2010); National Ransom – Elvis Costello (2010) and his solo CD project Rotten Taters (2011).

Mike will be back again in February, 2013 for a 3 week bluegrass cruise, and he is booked for the Brunswick Festival with other festival and venue booking still in progress.

Mike Compton’s itinerary is set out below.

Mike Compton Workshop Brisbane

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Mike Compton25th October 2012.

Mike Compton is scheduled to run a mandolin workshop at the Redlands Modern Country Music Club clubhouse at Thornlands on Thursday 25th Oct, commencing at 7:00pm

Price is $75 for the workshop only or $85 for the workshop plus a concert ticket for his show Friday 26th October.

Bookings at the door for either event or preferably online through our website at www.redlandscountry.asn.au.