Helix - Posted - 01/14/2013:  18:47:22

On Tuesday evening, January 15, 2013 at 7pm - Named in honor of Bill Monroe, “The Father of Bluegrass Music,” Monroe Crossing dazzles audiences with an electrifying blend of classic bluegrass, bluegrass gospel, and heartfelt originals. Their airtight harmonies, razor sharp arrangements, and on-stage rapport make them audience favorites across the United States and Canada. Based in Minnesota, the group plays an average of 125 shows a year at major venues and festivals, frequently for non-bluegrass audiences — and people often comment that they’d never really liked bluegrass music until they attended a Monroe Crossing concert! Monroe Crossing is made up of five very distinct personalities with differing musical backgrounds and tastes, combining for a very unique ensemble sound. They are Derek Johnson: guitar, lead & harmony vocals; Lisa Fuglie: fiddle, mandolin, lead & harmony vocals; Matt Thompson: mandolin, fiddle, baritone vocals; Mark Anderson: bass & bass vocals; and David Robinson: banjo. Their paths crossed through the music of Bill Monroe so they like to say they had a “Monroe Crossing.” Among their many honors, Monroe Crossing was selected to showcase at the 2007 International Bluegrass Music Association Convention and they were inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame in 2007. The doors will open 6:15pm, music starts 7:00pm; $12 at door. For more information, find Fiddler's Dream Coffeehouse on Facebook! Fiddler's Dream is located at 1702 East Glendale, Phoenix, AZ 85020.

Edited by - Helix on 01/16/2013 23:00:44

Monroe Crossing

Helix - Posted - 01/14/2013:  21:38:13

Stolen instrument alert! Tonight Monroe Crossing's mandolin player's instruments were stolen out of his hotel room in Glendale, AZ. His mandolin is a 2003 LaPlant, numbered 125, and his fiddle old and unnumbered. Please pass this on! And, if you know any 'stolen instrument, help me recover it' type sites where you can post, please do so and help find these instruments.

From the band:
"It's a very unique mandolin, LaPlant number 125 made in 2003. The fiddle is old and un-labeled with a case and bow. They are probably together. We're offering a reward with no questions asked.
Friends in the Phoenix area can check in with pawn shops and music shops in your area to aid in recovery.
Thanks."

RatLer - Posted - 01/15/2013:  04:38:16

That really stinks...hope he can get them back...

arnie fleischer - Posted - 01/15/2013:  14:09:34

How awful, I hope Mark gets them back, too.

Monroe Crossing is one of the busiest and most entertaining bands around, yet they seem to fly under the radar.  I booked them for the Emelin Theatre bluegrass series in Mamaroneck, NY last season, and they were a huge hit.  If you ever get the chance to see them, go!

Helix - Posted - 01/15/2013:  20:11:31

Great news! The mandolin is back! An honest man bought it today and found the stolen instrument report online. He called, found out where the band was and drove down to return it. Absolutely wonderful - and what a great show! I agree, if you get a chance to see these folks, do! They will be in Blythe this weekend for the bluegrass festival, for sure.

ltjgcag - Posted - 01/16/2013:  04:51:02

quote:

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Originally posted by Helix



Great news! The mandolin is back! An honest man bought it today and found the stolen instrument report online. He called, found out where the band was and drove down to return it. Absolutely wonderful - and what a great show! I agree, if you get a chance to see these folks, do! They will be in Blythe this weekend for the bluegrass festival, for sure.

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 Always refreshing to hear a story of honest and nice for a change of pace from all the crud that we usually hear.

Good news indeed.

Helix - Posted - 01/16/2013:  06:56:24

Chris, that was my wife posting.



What hapened was the Most amazing thing, the retriever is a rock and roll drummer named Mike Wright. He drove over to Fiddler's Dream, I met him in the parking lot, we warned him ahead of time, and we took him into the concert hall.



The crowd went CRAZY, to return an instrument within 24 hours and then let the owner finish the gig while he sat there and was just enthralled. The crowd willingly took up a collection for gas money, dude, it was a 'roll' of money, we graciously made him take the money, he wanted nothing.  Imagine that happening, off the grid.



And THAT my dear friends is why we came. I have never seen anything like that in my whole life, I've been working at Fid's since 1986, but not like this.



Monroe Crossing was superb even with the stress, they played so well as an ensemble, the son played cripple creek on the mandolin with them.



So please research Fiddler's Dream on Facebook, fiddlersdream.org. 26 years of non-profit blues to bluegrass. Ross Nickerson and Dan Levenson have both played.



Thank you and thank you again, Monroe Crossing. Well done.

Edited by - Helix on 01/16/2013 06:59:55

Rabbit Tails to You Until We Meat Again