Melissa Crabtree
Whether guiding a raft through the Grand Canyon on the Colorado River, or writing songs and singing about the majesty of the American West, Melissa Crabtree’s heartfelt love for the natural world transports her listeners to the wild places she knows best. Melissa, you see, lives two lives; one as a wilderness guide and the other as a working musician, and at this intersection of nature and music, she conjures songs—like a contemporary, female Woody Guthrie, that amuse, inspire and entertain.
In performance, Crabtree delivers her poignant stories in a distinctly husky alto, with a pleasingly twangy guitar. Her band is top-notch and is as comfortable playing on the back porch as they are on a festival stage. In 2002 she was among the 10 finalists in the Songwriter’s Showcase at both the Rocky Mountain Folk Fest and at the Tucson Folk Festival. In 2004 she was among the top five finalists in the Telluride Bluegrass Festival's “Troubadour Contest.” In 2006 her song “Message from a Soldier" got the attention of Noel “Paul” Stookey (of Peter, Paul and Mary) who invited her to perform at the Kerrville Folk Festival where she was a finalist in its "Music to Life" Public Domain Foundation songwriting contest.
Melissa also received honourable mention for the song " Message from a Soldier" in the 2010 International Songwriting Competition, hailed as "The songwriting competition to take note of" by the New York Times. Kasey Chambers from Australia and Carrie Rodriguez were finalists the same year.
Melissa has shared the stage with many leading performers including Eliza Gilkyson, Joan Osborne, Greg Brown, Ani DiFranco, Michelle Shocked, John Prine, Patty Larkin, Catie Curtis, Dar Williams, David Wilcox, Kris Delmhorst and Tony Furtado.
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Dayan Kai
Dayan is a classically trained multi-instrumentalist, singer/songwriter, vocalist, and producer with a lifelong dedication to music. Equally versed in jazz, blues, world, Americana, bluegrass, folk and rock, Dayan demonstrates a depth of musicality that bridges cultural and musical worlds.
A partial list of instruments Dayan plays includes keyboards (piano, organ, accordion), guitars (Spanish classical, six- and 12-string acoustic, electric, and resophonic), other strings (charango, ukulele, bass, 4- and 5-string banjo, mandolin, and fiddle), the single-reed woodwind family and flutes from around the world, trumpet and trombone, concha’s, and percussion (trap kit and hand drums [Cajon, pandero, doumbec, tabla, and congas]).
Visit his web site.
Melissa Crabtree
"This is one bad ass who knows how to weave a soulful tune". - Tony Furtado
"I'm glad she's on the planet." - Patty Larkin
"Melissa's music is like the whitewater she guides on: A bluesy wild ride down a river of emotions or environmental issues, dealing with them honest and in earnest... her performance is strong and free." - Caroline Aiken
Dayan Kai
"Dayan Kai's supersonic voice is big enough to cause a tidal wave one minute and rich enough to turn a choppy sea into a smooth clear lake the next. And then there is the phalanx of instruments that he has mastered and the stunning song craft. Dayan Kai is a talent mightily personified and an absolute joy to experience." - Tom Miller, promoter
"A soulful and passionate performer across several genres. The warmth and humanity of his personality and songwriting always shine through and engage the audience." - Dick Brundle, Fiddling Cricket Music
"Dayan really could 'make it rain'." - Bruce Roberts, fan
"If you want to get high on life just listen to Dayan Kai and Steve Uccello, the best combo I have ever heard." - Bob Valenzuela, The Pinnacle, Hollister, CA
"We always look forward to having Keith and Dayan back on on our stage. Over the years, they have built a loyal following and have become one of our favorite acts. Their musicianship is outmatched only by their warm personalities and engaging style. They never disappoint!" - Pete Angwin, Artistic Director, Oaksong Music Society, Redding, CA
"Kai's multi-faceted works touch on every human emotion, every nuance that can be expressed. The superior musicianship is only outdone by the humanity and raw energy expressed in the songs." - CD Baby customer
"His music will have you tapping your foot, dancing a wicked two-step, reflecting on the various ideas he presents, laughing wryly at the paradox of our lives, all the while smiling joyfully, knowing you are listening to works of great consideration and passion." - CD Baby customer
"THIS is country music! Ferget that packaged, pretty-boy stuff they call country nowadays. I like the authentic stuff..." - YouTube viewer on "The San Juan Song"
