Tiller's Folly

We have a real treat coming up for our next music house party. The internationally-known, award-winning band Tiller's Folly from Vancouver, Canada will be bringing their Celtic-influenced original music to our area on a rare tour of the East Coast. I first heard them at the IBMA World of Bluegrass trade show and convention in 2011 and was lucky enough to be able to take this opportunity to bring them in as our next entertainers. They will also be appearing on WAMU's BluegrassCountry.org and on Voice of American on Monday, the 22nd, so this is pretty much your only chance to see them in the area in person.

Tiller's Folly is the preeminent Canadian based award winning Americana/Folk/Celtic group at the forefront of a bold new movement in acoustic roots music. For the past sixteen years, through 1,000's of performances stretching from the Pacific Northwest to the British Isles, they have spread their memorable blend of energy, history, musicality, romance and just plain fun from small and large halls to televison, radio, theatres and festivals.

Hailed by critics ("Tiller's Folly is a national treasure" - Peter North, Edmonton Journal), their words and melodies are at once populist, minimally produced and poignant while at the same time singularly powerful and sincere.

With eight studio CD's to the bands credit, Tiller's award winning productions continue to expand and refine their potent mix of acoustic & electric based, Celtic influenced Canadiana, Americana, Newgrass 'and beyond.'

Fueled by their unfailing passion and enthusiasm for the music, Tiller's is continuingly experimenting with different phrasing, tones and textures while recording with some of the most exciting and innovative musicians and singers in the business today as they continue to evolve as artists. Names like the phenomenally talented front man of the iconic group NewGrass Revival, John Cowan to Bob Babbitt (most famous for his work as a member of Motown Records studio band, the Funk Brothers, from 1966-1972, as well as his tenure as part of MFSB for Philadelphia International Records) and the late legendary session keyboardist Larry Knechtel have moved Tiller's music to a new level of mastery.

Now, in 2012 they have just completed their new project that marks a fresh, new direction for the band and unleashes the writing and acoustic performance prowess of this band. In addition to current members Bruce Coughlan, Nolan Murray and Laurence Knight they will again showcase the vocals prowess of the masterful John Cowan (Doobie Brothers/John Cowan Band), as well as introducing new musical collaborators like Josh Shilling (Mountain Heart) and Cia Cherryholmes (The Cherryholmes), Ronnie McCoury (Del McCoury Band/Travelin McCoury's), Sam Bush (NewGrass Revival founder/Sam Bush Band) and successful producer/writer/vocalist Wendy Waldman along with the legendary Scottish Music Hall of Famer Phil Cunningham on accordion. Rounding out the musical guests on the album will be Grammy winning "in-demand" producer/session man Randy Kohrs (Dolly Parton/John Cowan Band/Jim Lauderdale), guitarist Jeff Autry (John Cowan Band) and banjo great Scott Vestal (John Cowan Band/Sam Bush Band).

The band received critical praise and world-wide recognition when in the summer of 2012 they earned the high honor of winning the 11th Annual Independent Music Awards Vox Pop Poll for their song "Death & Taxes" from their new album, "Go The Road". The song, penned by Tillers prolific lead singer/principal songwriter Bruce Coughlan, was named Top Song in the "Social Action" category. This award was voted on by more than 60,000 music fans from around the globe, marking a turning point for this fabulous band.

With their new self-penned songs, new musical studio partnerships and an inexhaustible collaborative spirit, Tiller's Folly is poised to breakthrough to the next level in 2012 and beyond.

Tiller's Folly is:

Bruce Coughlan (songwriter, lead vocals. Guitar, bodhran, flute, whistle)

Nolan Murray (fiddle, mandolin, mandocaster, banjo, viola, guitar)

Laurence Knight (producer, bass, vocals)

You won't want to miss the chance to see them. We'll be sharing this announcement with our friends in the local Celtic and Irish music scene, too, so we're expecting a very full house. Don't wait to get in touch with me and reserve your place - it's going to be a big time!