Monroe Crossing Talking Points Updated May 2010 MUSICAL DESCRIPTION Celebrating their 10th year together in 2010, 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. SHORT BIO (275 words) 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 Art Blackburn: guitar, lead & harmony vocals; Lisa Fuglie: fiddle, mandolin, lead & harmony vocals; Matt Thompson: mandolin, fiddle, baritone vocals; Mark Anderson: bass & bass vocals; and Benji Flaming: 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 that November. The only bluegrass band ever nominated as "Artist of the Year" by the Minnesota Music Academy (MMA), Monroe Crossing won the 2003 MMA "Bluegrass Album of the Year" award. The group also took home four awards — for Female Vocalist, Guitar, Mandolin and Banjo — at the Minnesota Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Association’s 25th Anniversary Awards Banquet. Monroe Crossing has recorded 10 CDs to date, their latest being the well-reviewed album "Heartache & Stone," showcasing the band’s originality and reverence for the bluegrass tradition. "This band understands and respects the musical principles laid down by Bill Monroe.... 'Heartache & Stone' represents their best effort to date. Arrangements are fresh and creative... An enjoyable project loaded with satisfaction." — Louisville Music News "Great tune, great album, fine group! The expressiveness of the vocals and the arrangement are terrific, not to mention the flawless instrumental work!" — Joe Steiner, Bluegrass DJ, WLFC, Findlay, Ohio. FULL LENGTH BIO (560 words) 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! The band’s creative arrangements of classic bluegrass songs by Bill Monroe, the Stanley Brothers, Flatt & Scruggs, the Osborne Brothers, and Jimmy Martin honor the bluegrass tradition while keeping it fresh. Monroe Crossing also "crosses" over to new songs and styles as well, as evidenced by their original treatments of songs like the doo-wop hit "My Girl" and "At Last" by Etta James. Their own songwriting talents are showcased in exciting new material by lead singers Lisa Fuglie and Art Blackburn. Monroe Crossing’s style of bluegrass and gospel music appeals to all ages and all walks of life. In recent years, bluegrass has experienced a major resurgence, and Monroe Crossing is at the forefront of this new wave of popularity. Working close around a single microphone in a style reminiscent of old-time radio shows, their world-class musicianship and choreography wins over audiences wherever they go. One of the group’s visual trademarks are the 1940’s vintage ties worn by the four men in honor of the decade in which bluegrass music —a uniquely American musical genre — was born. 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 that November. The only bluegrass band ever nominated as "Artist of the Year" by the Minnesota Music Academy (MMA), Monroe Crossing won the 2003 MMA "Bluegrass Album of the Year" award. The group also took home four awards — for Female Vocalist, Guitar, Mandolin, and Banjo — at the Minnesota Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Association’s 25th Anniversary Awards Banquet. The quintet tours constantly across North America, with events coming up as far afield as Ontario, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Montana and closer to home in Iowa, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and Minnesota. They are frequently featured at top venues including the legendary Ozark Folk Center in Mountain View, Arkansas; Branson’s Silver Dollar City; Wisconsin’s Big Top Chautauqua; and the annual Bell Buckle Bluegrass Cruise in the Caribbean. The band has released nine CDs of their own music, most recently "Heartache & Stone," described as "fresh and creative... an enjoyable project loaded with satisfaction" by the Louisville Music News. Monroe Crossing is also featured on the world premiere recording of The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass, a chamber/choral work that was specifically composed for Monroe Crossing and VocalEssence, a Minnesota-based professional choral group led by Philip Brunelle. Choirs from Texas, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, California and Washington, DC have brought Monroe Crossing in to perform The World Beloved. Monroe Crossing is Mark Anderson on bass, Art Blackburn on guitar, Benji Flaming on banjo, Lisa Fuglie on fiddle, and Matt Thompson on mandolin. Although each member comes from a unique musical background, they combine their talents to entertain with a style that leaves audiences asking for more and wins new fans for bluegrass music everywhere they go. BAND MEMBER BIOS (335 words) ? Mark Anderson has been dubbed "the bounciest bass player in bluegrass music," and his enthusiasm captures the hearts of audiences everywhere. A native of Wisconsin, Mark plays upright bass and sings the occasional bass part. With his musical background in punk rock, Mark adds a totally unique, irresistible energy to the band — and his comic interludes occasionally stop the rest of the band in its tracks! ? Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Art Blackburn handles vocals and guitar with driving intensity. His aggressive rhythm playing and punchy guitar solos are central to the band’s sound. He contributes lead and harmony vocals as well as original songs to the band’s repertoire. Art has been a fixture on the Minnesota bluegrass scene for over 30 years, playing in many popular regional bands before Monroe Crossing. ? Benji Flaming on banjo makes his home in Minneapolis. A multi-instrumentalist, his recent solo releases find him playing banjo, guitar, dobro, and bass. He has been featured at the International Bluegrass Music Association’s annual FanFest and has made multiple appearances on their "Masters Workshop" stage. Benji’s nuanced banjo allows Monroe Crossing the freedom to explore sounds and styles that most bluegrass bands simply never approach. ? Fiddle player and lead singer extraordinaire, Lisa Fuglie adds an international element to the group. The daughter of Minnesota aid program workers, she grew up in Nigeria and first discovered bluegrass music there on an old 78-rpm record. An accomplished multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter, Lisa plays just about anything with strings and brings audiences to their feet with her gorgeous and powerful voice. ? From Mankato, Minnesota, Matt Thompson sets the audience at ease with his comfortable, warm style as emcee and wows them with his amazing instrumental virtuosity on the mandolin. He is largely responsible for the band’s original song arrangements and sings baritone harmony. A lifelong lover of bluegrass music, Matt brings not only his world-class musical talents to the band, but also his extensive knowledge of bluegrass history and tradition. "I can foresee many of your original songs becoming classics somewhere down the line." —Al Shusterman, "Backroads Bluegrass," KCBL Radio, Sacramento CA "Lisa Fuglie makes every song special, a unique journey of its own, and elevates the music of Monroe Crossing to an exalted plane." — David McGee, Bluegrass Special "They blow out of the north country like a cold north wind and chill your bones with their talent. Keep the fire going, folks." — World Wide Bluegrass.com SAMPLE INTRODUCTION (for an Emcee at a performance) Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for coming to this afternoon's/evening's concert at (insert venue information here), we're glad to have you with us today/tonight. Today's/Tonight's featured artist is touring in support of their new CD, "Heartache and Stone." They have appeared at festivals and venues from Florida to Nashville, from Canada to California, and all points in between. They are the ONLY Bluegrass Band EVER nominated by the Minnesota Music Academy as Artist of the Year... They were an Official Showcase Band at the International Bluegrass Music Association's 2007 World of Bluegrass Convention in Nashville, and... They were recently inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame! Please help me welcome to the stage... the Midwest's Premier Bluegrass and Gospel Quintet... Monroe Crossing! INTERVIEWS Monroe Crossing loves doing interviews with newspapers, radio and television. We'll work hard with your local press to schedule an interview or perhaps a live in-studio performance! Contact Matt Thompson (email matt@monroecrossing.com, phone 651-276-7778) for assistance. BAND CONTACTS Bookings, Contracts, Itinerary, Merchandise, Promotional Materials: Art Blackburnart@monroecrossing.com 763-213-1349 Interviews, Emcee: Matt Thompson matt@monroecrossing.com 651-423-6715 Sound & Lighting, Webmaster: Mark Anderson mark@monroecrossing.com 612-386-1070 Accounting, Tax ID Information: Lisa Fuglie lisa@monroecrossing.com 612-720-5691 www.monroecrossing.com