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Robert
McCourty
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Scottish born, Robert moved to Canada at an early age. He came to Vancouver Island in the late '60's for the first time and in the late '80's to stay. Exposed to different genres of music growing up via numerous family Ceilidh's, he claims it was "The Beatles," that started it all. Also leaning towards the folk scene in Toronto at the River Boat and the Music coming out of Greenwich Village, got him through the '60's! Robert spent the 70's in Red Deer Alberta, founded a Coffeehouse, took multi-track recording engineer courses and started doing sound for folk and country festivals throughout the land. His influences include: Dylan, Neil Young, Tom Waits, Bap Kennedy, Fred Eaglesmith, John Prine, Joni, Van and the list goes on. A fair-decent songwriter himself, Robert would someday like to shop his songs to other musicians and also record a CD of his original tunes.
Quote: "Being able to share music with others is such a great gift." Instruments played: Vocals, acoustic six string guitar, bass guitar, electric guitar, mandolin, harmonica and official conductor's railroad whistle. Photo by Sandee Mitchell.
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Brian
Fraser
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Born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and raised in Ontario, Brian made his way to B.C. and
began playing guitar in the late "70's. He has recently picked up the mandolin and continues to hone his songwriting and harmonizing skills. His early influences include Steely Dan and the Beach Boys followed later by Bonnie Raitt and Annie Lennox. Brian's musical journey began around the campfire as a boy. Quote: "I remember thinking how wonderful
it would be to be able to make music, but was mystified at how that would ever come about. I watched as my younger sister, inspired by Joni Mitchell, dropped her piano lessons and began writing and playing on her own. Now it's my turn."
Brian's own music is a mix of folk and blues. As a founding member of the Victoria-based "Special Blend", he is thankful for his musical friends and looks forward to continuing his own mystical, musical, journey. Instruments played: Vocals, acoustic six string guitar, resonator (dobro) guitar, mandolin and full three holed train whistle. (none of those fake two holers 'round here.) Photo by Sandee Mitchell.
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| Philip Holmes
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Raised in Montreal, Philip often sat on drummer Dad's knee as jazz
filled the house in the '50 & '60's. During high school, Philip
was into the folk scene, playing open mics at the Yellow Door and Back Door, Coffeehouses. He toured Ontario, Quebec and the northern U.S as part of a folk duo during the '70's. His musical influences include: Crosby Stills Nash and Young, Phil Ochs and Jesse Winchester. After Art School he moved to northern B.C. and became a founding member of the
Prince Rupert Coffeehouse. Times goes by, with convoluted moves around the country and the raising of family, music was put on hold. (for a bit) Finally with the "last move" to the Cowichan Valley in B.C., in '92, music is back on the agenda. Big-time! Ever questing for the upside of the learning curve, Philip bought himself a banjo and music became fun again! Instruments played: Vocals, acoustic six and twelve string guitar, banjo, autoharp, chicken egg shaker and banjo. Did we mention Banjo? Photo by Sandee Mitchell.
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Born in Leamington Ontario, Shelley grew up listening to Motown music as well as her big brother's hard rock record collection. She started playing electric bass in the early 1990's with the Vancouver based grrrrll grunge band 'Smart Alice.' Her introduction to Roots music happened in 2000 with the release of that Coen Brothers film "Oh Brother Where Art Thou?" She turned in her electric for an upright bass, learned how to sing and has never looked back. She honed her skills playing in the Vancouver roots scene with bands 'The Boomchix' and 'Hopetown.' New to Vancouver Island in 2004, Shelley and her husband Darrell Keeler have been ecstatic about their new life and new friends in the thriving music scene of the Cowichan Valley. They can be seen locally playing with the 'Cobble Hillbillies, and have their own bluegrass group called "Wiseacre." Shelley also sings (bass/tenor) in the 'Free Fallin' Gospel Choir' out of Minstrels Music in Cobble Hill. Shelley feels herself honoured and most fortunate to hold down the groove for The Flying Accusations. Favorite Artists: Steve Earle, Vern Williams, Open Road, Charley Patton, Ma Rainey, Freakwater and Taj Mahal. Quote: "The more I learn about music, the more I realize how much more I have to learn." Photo by Sandee Mitchell.
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