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Focus On: MagnoliaFest Midwest—Uncle Earl

Uncle Earl began six years ago (1993), primarily as a casual musical collaboration between two friends - founding member KC Groves and Detroit-area songwriter, Jo Serrapere - playing traditional music together. After a few gigs to promote their CD project, Jo decided to take her musical energy in a different direction, and KC continued with the Uncle Earl project. Today, after a couple personnel changes, Uncle Earl has emerged as one of the most exciting and talented young old-timey string bands, and a folk & bluegrass festival favorite.  The band includes founding member, KC Groves (mandolin, bass, guitar, vocals, ), Rayna Gellert (fiddle, vocals), Kristin Andreassen (guitar, feet, fiddle vocals), Abigail Washburn (banjo, vocals), and Sharon Gilchrist (bass, mandolin, octave mandolin, vocals). This summer Uncle Earl released their debut CD for Rounder Records called She Waits for Night. In addition, Abigail Washburn has released her first solo CD on Nettwerk Records called Song of the Traveling Daughter.
 
Listen here to Jim Blum's backstage interview with KC Groves and Abigail Washburn as they discuss Uncle Earl's evolution since its start, what it's like being an all-woman band in a genre traditionally dominated by men, and their new CD projects:
(14:57)

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Uncle Earl performs on the mainstage at the inaugural MagnoliaFest MidWest (L to R: Rayna Gellert-fiddle, Sharon Gilchrist-mandolin, Abigail Washburn-banjo, KC Groves-bass, and Kristin Andreassen-guitar)



Uncle Earl at MagnoliaFest MidWest (L to R: Rayna Gellert, KC Groves, Kristin Andreassen and Abigail Washburn



Sharon Gilchrist & KC Groves of Uncle Earl



KC Groves(mandolin), Kristin Andreassen (guitar), Abigail Washburn (banjo), and Sharon Gilchrist (bass)


Rayna Gellert of Uncle Earl



Rayna Gellert & Abigail Washburn of Uncle Earl


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Uncle Earl's debut CD on Rounder Records is She Waits for Night


bigail Washburn's new CD Song of the Traveling Daughter

Uncle Earl Official Site

Abigail Washburn Official Site

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