Beyond Appalachian, beyond blues, beyond folk

Since their collective debut in March 2008 at the Kennedy Center, the quartet's sweet vocal blend, eclectic arrangements and tight delivery have delighted audiences around the mid-Atlantic region. The environmental-engineer-turned award-winning songwriter’s masterfully crafted music and stories are heartfelt and intelligent, spanning themes from history, environmental issues, and rural American life. Original Nitty Gritty Dirt Band member Les Thompson, Stephanie Thompson and Lisa Taylor blend Andrew’s charming tenor voice and deft guitar work with upright bass, drums, banjo, and more in "a vast expanse of song and sound".

These seasoned musicians and consummate professionals deliver an unique and dynamic performance infused with a genuine warmth for each other and their audience. They have been recognized as one the Commonwealth's top performing arts groups, alongside acts like Robin & Linda Williams, the Virginia Symphony and Wayne Henderson, by inclusion in the 2010-11 Virginia Arts Commission tour directory. They were selected for juried showcases at the 2010 Folk Alliance International and the 2009 Northeast Regional Folk Alliance conferences.

Scroll down this page for representative music and video samples as well as concert and candid pictures. The links below will take you to more information as well as the complete online music and video pages.

Bio Publicity Resources Download High Res Photo (same as thumbnail) Performance Reviews Recent Press Workshops Technical Requirements

Video

• "How High the Mountain", Andrew's "blues-grass" spiritual with 4-part a cappella opening, filmed in concert at Franklin Park Arts Center, Purcellville VA
• "Beyond Borders", closing the show with this "Appalachian meets worldbeat" concert staple complete with Lisa's drum solo, filmed in concert at Franklin Park Arts Center, Purcellville VA
• "Worried Man Blues", their darkly rocking take on the traditional folk song, recorded live on "Backstage Pass" for Comcast Cable, Frederick MD
• "Surveillance", the swingy tongue-in-cheek look beneath the Patriot Act, also from "Backstage Pass" (co-written by Andrew and Les)
• "The Road to Appomattox", Andrew's haunting Civil War ballad through the eyes of a doomed Virginia farmboy, filmed in concert at Franklin Park Arts Center, Purcellville VA
• "Count Your Blessings", Andrew and Stephanie's smoldering slidey duet on John Rickard's "O Brother-esque" tune, filmed in concert at Franklin Park Arts Center, Purcellville VA
• "Company Town", anti-mountaintop mining ballad, also from "Backstage Pass"

Select Recent Performances

• John F. Kennedy Center, Washington DC
• Franklin Park Performing Arts Center, Purcellville VA
• Mountain Aid Concert at Shakori Hills, Pittsboro NC
• Black Rock Center for the Arts, Germantown MD
• River City Festival, Rowlesburg WV
• Summer Arts Festival, Blacksburg VA
• Valley EarthFest, Berryville VA
• Hometown Holidays, Rockville MD
• Mountville Folk Festival, Middleburg VA
• Butterfly Concert Series at Fort Collier, Winchester VA
• Beans in the Belfry, Brunswick MD