Music

 [email protected]
 (902)532-7704

Mike Stevens - Hailed as an innovative musician and author, this artist transcends the perceived limitations of the instrument in virtually every musical genre. His aggressive soulful approach to the harmonica takes audiences on an incredible journey. Best known for his groundbreaking work in the bluegrass field with legendary Grand Ole Opry members "Jim & Jesse" (with whom he has performed on The Grand Ole Opry over 300 times); the artist was able to create an original, much sought after and often copied, style of playing the harmonica. Mike hails from Canada, and has won the "Entertainer of the Year" at the Central Canadian bluegrass awards 5 consecutive years. After 5 years, he was retired in this category. To his credit he adds many other accolades, including "Best Selling Album of the Year" in 1992 for his recording on the Pinecastle label - Blowin Up a Storm; "Album of the Year" 1990 for "Harmonica"; and in 1994 he was made a "Kentucky Colonel" for his accomplishments in bluegrass music. In 1998 the master instrumentalist and composer gained new fans with the release of the recording entitled "Normally Anomaly". This recording is a blend of musical influences that begins with a base of bluegrass; adds a healthy dose of Son House; equal parts of Gamelan music and Middle-Eastern rhythms and is often performed live, solo and with no samples or synthesizers. This musical versatility enables Mike to perform in many different situations. His performance schedule includes bluegrass dates with, "Jim & Jesse", "The Lewis Family"; "The McLains" as well as selected dates with other bluegrass bands. He performs solo harmonica concerts combining his musical influences, as well as selected dates as a duo with Raymond McLain. In addition he books shows as "The Mike Stevens Project" - a group of musicians that perform original rocking blues based music. Mike can also be booked as a "hired gun" to perform in various musical situations.

His playing partner is the Legendary Raymond McLain.

Raymond grew up in eastern Kentucky where for years he thought the banjo was the only stringed instrument in existence. He became a member of the McLain Family Band and toured more than 80 countries and played the pre-eminant stages of the USA Carnegie Hall, The Lincoln Centre, The Kennedy Centre. He then went on to be an integral part of Jim and Jesse McReynold’s Viginia Boys and appeared hundreds of times on the Grand ‘Ole Opry Stage. Raymond’s playing and approach to the banjo is legendary. He has playing with complete orchestra’s more than 230 times and is acknowledged as having been a primary influence of the great Bela Fleck.

Pricing: $20 Advance, $18 Members, $22 Door, $5 Youth

209 St George Street
Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia

 [email protected]
 902-532-7704

       

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