Betse Ellis
9th Annual Americana Album Nominee
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Genre: Americana
Free Dirt Records
www.myspace.com/fiddlebetse
HOMEBASE/COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Kansas City, Missouri, USA
ALBUM NOMINATED: Don’t You Want to Go?
ARTISTS ON THIS ALBUM: Betse Ellis, David Regnier, Mark Smeltzer, Amy Farrand, Jeff Clayton Brown, Ike Sheldon, Wallace Cochran, Jeff Stoltz, Mike West
WHERE WAS THIS ALBUM RECORDED? 9th Ward Pickin’ Parlor, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
WHERE IS YOUR MUSIC AVAILABLE? “Don’t You Want to Go?” is available on CDBaby (http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/betseellis), Free Dirt Records (http://www.traderootmusic.com/catalog.html#Ellis), on Ellis’ primary band website, The Wilders (http://www.wilderscountry.com/goods.asp), and all major music retailers, such as Amazon and iTunes.
WHICH GENRES BEST DESCRIBE YOUR MUSIC? Americana, Folk, Traditional American, neo-traditional, Independent
WHAT’S THIS SONG ABOUT? My album highlights solo fiddling and “singing with the fiddle”, in an attempt to express joy, tribute, and loss. This is my debut solo album, after recording numerous albums with my band, The Wilders, and with many other artists.
WHY DID YOU SUBMIT THIS ALBUM TO THE IMAs? The album represents Americana music in its variety, from traditional American fiddle tunes, to spiritual songs, blues, and modern folk music.
WHAT UNUSUAL INSTRUMENTS OR TECHNIQUES DID YOU USE ON THIS ALBUM? I plays solo fiddle, sometimes singing with the fiddle, a rare performance style today. I also recorded full string quartets on two songs, playing two different violins, a viola, and cello. The track “Walk Along John”, a traditional American fiddle tune, includes the “jackassophone”, the jawbone of a jackass, as rhythm instrument. One of my musical sources and inspirations, Violet Hensley, “The Whittling Fiddler” of Arkansas, gave me the instrument. I arranged two old a cappella spiritual songs, adding fiddle accompaniment and singing a harmony part to my fiddle’s melody.
DID FANS HELP FUND THIS PROJECT? Not directly.
WHO IS SITTING IN YOUR AUDIENCE? My audience includes fans of traditional music, Folk music, and independent music. The age range is from young children to grandparents. Many of my fans know about me because of my band, The Wilders.
WHAT MAKES YOUR FANS UNIQUE? They are a mix of rockers and conservative types. They are a good example of boundary-crossing music.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE PLACES TO PLAY? I’ve had a tremendous time playing house concerts. I also love a big festival stage. As long as the audience is with me, I’m happy to play anywhere!
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST MEMORABLE ACHIEVEMENT TO DATE? With my band, The Wilders, I performed at a huge international festival, Celtic Connections in Glasgow, Scotland, January 2009. Our performance was recorded and televised by the BBC.
WHAT’S IN THE WORKS FOR 2010? I’ll be performing more solo shows, and besides touring with The Wilders, I’ll be appearing with other artists in collaborative concerts.
FINISH THIS SENTENCE: THE MUSIC INDUSTRY IS… Full of opportunities!
WHAT IS YOUR DEFINITION OF SUCCESS? I think I’m successful because I am able to do what I love most for a living. I play and teach music, and that’s living the dream.
WHAT’S ON YOUR IPOD THAT WOULD SURPRISE YOUR FANS? The Clash, The Walkmen, MC5, Miles Davis
NAME SOME ARTISTS YOU ARE CHAMPIONING: Martha Scanlan, Caleb Klauder, Tim Eriksen and Andrew Jacob Holm.
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Betse is one of the most energetic and inspiring performers out there. She breathes new life into rare and precious music that might otherwise be lost, and shares it with us in a way that is always interesting, fun and full of spirit. Always a treat to she what new – old – wonderful music from across the years she has uncovered for us.