Misty River performs a wide variety of Americana music from familiar folk melodies and country and bluegrass favorites to Celtic tunes, mysterious haunting ballads and award-winning original songs. Northwest audiences have been captivated by this all-female quartet (two of whom are mother and daughter) who support their beautiful blend of harmonic voices with combinations of guitars, fiddle, accordian (Accordian? Yep, and even you will love it!), banjo, and bass. This personable group of women has it all . . . talent, brains and beauty.
Musicians include:
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Carol Harley vocals, guitar and (clawhammer-style) banjo,
Eldest in the group, Carol (Laura's mom) brings a wealth of musical experience to Misty River. In Bend, Oregon, she led the folk group, The Little Women. At the University of Oregon, she was a member of the 70's band, The Sterling Generation. While earning a Master's Degree in Education, she taught public shcool in Eugene, Oregon, as well as private guitar lessons. Now Carol helps manage and promote Misty River, and her rich alto voice, steady rhythm guitar, and lively banjo anchor the group's music. Active in many folk and bluegrass activities, she now lives in Vancouver, WA. |
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Chris Kokesh, vocals, fiddle and guitar
Chris started playing the violin at the age of two, and continued through high school performing with orchestras and chamber groups. While earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology at Pomona College, Chris enjoyed singing in a cappella groups and choir. Since arriving in Portland, Chris has gained recognition for her songwriting, winning Best Song and Best Songwriter at the 1999 Columbia Gorge Bluegrass Festival and Best Song from the Portland Songwriters Association in April, 2000. Also, her song "Mother, Mother," was nominated for Americana Song of the Year in 2001 by JustPlainFolks.com. Prior to 2000, Chris played fiddle in the roots-rock band John Henry (which included former members of the Treefrogs) and contemporary Celtic band Finvarra, but now devotes her time to performing with and promoting Misty River.
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Dana Abel, vocals, accordian and guitar
Dana has studied music for over 20 years; as a child and student in Eugene, Oregon, when Dana wasn't playing piano she was singing in the Oregon Children's Choir or playing trombone, accordian or guitar. After graduating from Stanford, she earned a Master's Degree in Environmental Engineering, but now spends her time managing finances and helping to promote Misty River as well as composing and arranging music. She has been described as "one of the most tasteful accordian players in the Northwest," and her talent for harmony singing and arranging is one of the strongest binding agents in the band.
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Laura Quigley, vocals and bass
Laura has been singing all her life, informally harmonizing with her mom, Carol, and, for years, training and singing in jazz and classical choirs in high school and college in Eugene, Oregon. She also studied theater and music at Portland State University. Laura began teaching herself the upright acoustic bass in 1998, and in 2001 became the Washington State Champion Bass Player and has been called upon by artists such as Laurie Lewis and Jim Page. She provides not only the bass, but also the highest of harmonies, her clear soprano voice adding the "sparkle" to Misty River's sound. Laura doubles as the technical engineer, providing sound reinforcement and keeping their motorhome, "Annabelle," in working order (no small task!).
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Misty River calendar of events:
- July 12, 2002 Fri. 11:30AM, & 6PM
Oregon Country Fair
Veneta, Oregon, Call: 541-343-4298
- July 16, 2002 Tues., 6:30PM-8PM
Park Summer Concert Series
Westmoreland Park Eugene, Oregon
- July 19, 2002 Misty River's
5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY! Fri. 8PM
McMenamin's St. John's Pub 8203 N. Ivanhoe Portland, Oregon, 503-283-8520
- July 20, 2002 Sat. 11:30AM-1:30PM
Robin Hood Festival - 50th Anniversary Historic Old Town Sherwood, Oregon, 503-625-5522
- July 25, 2002 Thurs. 7PM
Tyee Wine Cellars Benefit Concert for The Nature Conservancy. 26335 Greenberry Rd Corvallis, Oregon, 541-753-8754
- July 26, 2002 Fri. 6-8PM
CTC Summer Parks Concert Series Carlton City Park Carlton, Oregon, 503-852-4405
- July 27, 2002 Sat. 5-8PM
Arts Flash Tualatin Commons 8325 SW Nyberg Rd. Tualatin, Oregon, 97062
- July 31, 2002 Wed. Noon-1PM
Lacey In-Tune Summer Concerts in the Park Thomas Huntamer Park 7th & Woodland Square Loop Lacey, Wwashington, (360)491-0857
- Aug 3 & 4, 2002 Sat.-Sun.
Oregon Filbert Festival Island Park Springfield, Oregon
- Aug 05, 2002 Mon. 7-9PM
Mondays @ Monteith Concert Series Monteith Park Albany, Oregon
- Aug 09, 2002 Fri. 6-9PM
Lysen House Concert Bothell, Washington, (425) 481-5648
- Aug 10 & 11, 2002 Sat. & Sun. 9AM
KOWGIRL SPIRIT RANCH FIRST ANNUAL COWGIRL ROUNDUP Kowgirl Spirit Ranch 21827 Prairie Road, Sedro Woolley, Washington, (360) 854-5543
- Aug 13, 2002 Tues., 6:30-8PM
Portland Parks Summer Concert Series Couch Park, NW Portland, Oregon
- Aug 14, 2002 Wed., Noon-1PM
Lunchbox Concert Series Oregon Square Courtyard (S. of Lloyd Center, b/w 7th and 9th, Holladay and Pacific) Portland, Oregon
- Aug 15, 2002
Thu. Night Mary's Woods Concert Series Lake Oswego, Oregon
- Aug 16, 2002 Fri., 6:30-8:30PM
Columbia Riverside Concert Port of Camas/Washougal (360)834-5307
- Aug 17, 2002 Sat. 3:30-4:30PM
Anderson Island Bluegrass Festival Tacoma, Washington, (253)503-0177
- Aug 21, 2002 Wed. 6PM
Bluegrass at the Beach Barbeque & Concert Nehalem Bay Winery Nehalem, Oregon, 888.368.9463
- Aug 24, 2002 Sat. 1-10PM
Cajun, country and bluegrass festival. Whistlestop Festival - Railroad Park Toppenish, Washington, (509)854-1555
- Aug 25, 2002 Sun:6-8PM
The Buffalo Gap 6835 SW Macadam Ave. Portland, Oregon, 503-244-7111
- Aug 29, 2002 Thurs. 7-8:30PM
Summer Music in Meinig Park Sandy, Oregon, 503-668-3611
- Aug 30, 2002 Fri. 6-8PM
Olympia Harbor Days Festival Port of Olympia/Percival Landing Olympia, Washington
- Aug 31, 2002 Sat. 1:30-3PM
on the Main Stage Taste of Vancouver Vancouver, Washington
- Sep 06, 2002 Fri. Time TBA
Grower's Festival Village Green Inn Cottage Grove, Oregon
- Sep 07 & 08, 2002 Sat-Sun.
Vocal Harmony Workshop Sisters Folk Festival Sisters, Oregon, http://www.sistersfolkfestival.com
- Sep 09, 2002 Mon. 7PM
Women's Benefit OK Theater Enterprise, Oregon. For more info: rich@fishtrap.org
- Sep 10-14, 2002 Tues.-Sat. 6:30 PM 8:30 PM 10:30 PM
(Three shows a day!) Pendleton Roundup Pendleton, Oregon, 800-457-6336
- Sep 18 - 22, 2002 Wed Vocal Harmony Workshops
Thurs-Sun: Performances Walnut Valley Festival Winfield, Kansas, (620)221-3250
- Sep 24, 2002 Mon. 7:30PM
Concert at the Woodshed Main St. Mercantile Carthage, Missouri
- Sep 25-29, 2002
Silver Dollar City 399 Indian Point Road Branson, Missouri, 1-800-475-9370
- Oct 01, 2002 Tues. 7:30PM
Fundraiser for the Cherry County Hospital Valentine High School, 431 N. Green Street, Valentine, Nebraska, 69201 (402)376-2969
- Oct 19, 2002 Sat. 7:00PM
PEACESTRINGS Benefit Concert for Laura's House of Peace The Elsinore Theatre 170 High St. SE Salem, Oregon, 503.873.9611
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For more information on scheduled events, CD sales, or booking Misty River for your event, call:
360-576-7676 send an email to MistyBand@aol.com or visit their website at www.mistyriverband.com.
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Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) has scheduled a repeat of the special they presented earlier this year on Misty River. The program is scheduled to air on October 17. Check your local listing for time. A great way to preview Misty River before the PeaceStrings concert!