Mark Bilyeu and Cindy Woolf have been playing together for the better part of ten years, performing on the Americana/Folk and singer-songwriter circuit. They are now a full-time duo in music and in life – as of June 2013 they were married. They are currently on the road promoting Cindy’s latest CD “May.” Besides playing with Cindy, Mark Bilyeu is the founding member of Big Smith, a band of all cousins that played a mix of original songs and traditional Ozarks folk and gospel music handed down to them from their extended family. Big Smith was active from 1996 to 2012. The band earned a number of accolades, including the “Best Band” award in both the southwest and central regions of Rural Missouri magazine’s reader poll of 2012. “May” is Cindy Woolf’s third album of original material, and the second of her CDs to be produced by Bilyeu. Hailing from Batesville, Arkansas, she has been a Missouri resident since 1998, where she has become well-known for her brand of Ozarks-inspired original songs and traditional material. Her music has taken her on tour across the United States and has enjoyed national and international radio airplay. The venerable folk music periodical Dirty Linen said of Woolf’s first CD: “[it is] instantly timeless and spellbinding. Beautiful, heartfelt, entrancing, ‘Simple and Few’ is a debut album that’s the real deal.” Mark and Cindy have also prepared a concert of the music of Woody Guthrie, in celebration of the revered folk singer’s 100th birthday, which they took on tour in 2012.
Mark and Cindy can provide their own sound system. If P.A. is provided, they require two vocal mics and two direct boxes for their guitars; they request two monitor mixes if available.
Chris Stephens is a multi-instrumentalist like no other. It’s difficult to explain what he does with his instruments – the Arabic Oud, Persian Tar, Indian Sitar, and Chinese Pipa – but however you describe it, he’s crossing musical boundaries and fostering connections between distant traditions. A true master musician and innovator, his music is based on the historic music from the world’s oldest cultures. His specialty is in the family of instruments known as “lutes,” which are the ancestors of the guitar. Chris’ performances are both an homage to these classical traditions and an exploration in contemporary improvisation. His main focus is to share these historic art forms with new audiences and to engage those who are familiar with them by honoring the old traditional styles and compositions. Each concert creates an enchanted musical scenery never to be heard again. Performances can go from melodic and meditative to rhythmic and explosive at any moment creating a rich and unique tapestry of sound that all can enjoy.
OPEN STRINGS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM: Chris Stephens is a multi-instrumentalist performer and educator with over 20 years of experience as an artist and educator. His music showcase, “Open Strings,” is a unique educational program that allows students to hear and learn about traditional musical instruments from the Middle East and Asia. This captivating performance blends music, history, geography, and language studies. Chris is known for his mastery of a diverse collection of historic stringed instruments from across the globe, including the sitar (India), oud (Middle East), saz (Turkey), tar (Iran), pipa (China), shamisen (Japan), and the American banjo. This program—part performance, part demonstration and participation—gives students a chance to experience some rare and underrepresented forms of music from around the world.
Comfortable stage floor seating for public performances; for Open Strings educational program, microphone set-up and optional projector and screen with hdmi connection
Candace Ivory, the originator of the genre “avant soul”, offers eclectic original music. Former alum of The New School University and the Betty Carter Jazz Ahead residency at the Kennedy Center, Candice also has various accolades and awards stemming from a 20 year career in music.
This varies according to venue and style of event. Suitable back line and soundcheck at least 3-4 hours prior to event.
For 44 years, Brian Wendling has brought his high-energy mix of award-winning juggling, audience antics, and personable wit to almost every conceivable setting. An international Jugglers’ Association Team champion, Brian uses his incredible range of skills to create a personal relationship with his audience – whether it is with the Kansas City Symphony, a college visiting artists series, a nationwide school assembly tour or a renaissance festival. As one newspaper noted: “Give the skinny fellow three or more objects and he’ll juggle them. Add three or more spectators and he’ll make you wonder whether he’s juggling the objects or the people. Actually, he’s doing both…”
Full lighting. 45-60 minutes to load in and set up. He uses his small, effective, portable sound system for his microphone/music or can plug into an existing system. Very flexible and can perform in any environment.
Music and love define the artistry of singer, songwriter and dedicated community activist Brian Owens. These qualities radiate from all of his work, including his duet with five time Grammy-winning and legendary vocalist Michael McDonald on SOUL OF FERGUSON, and the heartfelt interpretation of Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come,” which Owens filmed and recorded with his father, Thomas Owens. Their powerful performance ignited the internet and has received more than 100 million views on Facebook and Brian’s own YouTube channel.
During the pandemic, Brian has been actively seeking ways to infuse energy into the community through his music. Many of the virtual concerts he has been working on, including Soul of Ferguson Revue, A New Holiday, and Homegrown Soul, will be aired on St. Louis’s PBS station later this year.
Audio reinforcement (see technical rider for specifics), 1 meal provided before or after the performance, 4 volunteers to assist with load-in.
Samba Bom is a Midwest-based music and dance ensemble that plays authentic Brazilian music at schools, night clubs, wineries, festivals, and private events.
The group plays a unique mix of Brazilian popular music styles, including: Samba, Bossa Nova, Brazilian Jazz, Olodum, Forro, Chorinho, among others the Batucada is an exciting, all-percussive jam session that brings any audience to its feet to dance along with the group – just like Carnaval festivities in Rio de Janeiro.
We also can provide workshops and residencies in Brazilian percussion, dance and/or Brazilian culture. Additional musicians and Brazilian dancers with authentic costumes can be added to the performances to transform your event with a taste of tropical Brazil.
For live music shows: Preferably a stage and a PA sound system. Upon request, the group can provide the sound system.
For Brazilian percussion workshops: A room that will allow loud drums.
For Brazilian dance workshops: Preferably a room with a dance floor.
Awarded the National Circle of Excellence award for his outstanding work as a storyteller, this St. Louis native is one of the most sought after performers in the country today! He has also worked in Canada, Hong Kong, Ireland, England, China, Taiwan, Wales, Singapore, Austria and Africa. Bobby has won three Emmy Awards for his local CBS-TV show Gator Tales, and is the author of several award-winning children’s books. Eight of his ten CD’s have won the Parents Choice Gold Award. His programs highlight themes of cultural diversity, character education, literacy, living history, poetry & prose, music and conflict resolution. He is well known for his engaging comedy, lively animation and special sound effects. In 2018, Bobby was awarded the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters by The University of MO- St. Louis.
Microphone on a stand.
Known from the Oscar-nominated 2011 film “Winter’s Bone,” their iconic mix has become finer with age. Their honey-sweet harmonies and tasty Ozark-style pickin’ is seasoned with poignant, hilarious celebrations of Ozarks unique music and culture.
Singer Marideth Sisco is now accompanied by multi-instrumentalists Bo Brown and Dave Wilson, and bassist George Horne, 3/5 of the legendary 1980s bluegrass band “The Undergrass Boys.” They and Sisco, a Missouri Master storyteller and host of the public radio series “These Ozarks Hills, offer an elegant mix of traditional Old Time Ozarks tunes and original works in contemporary topical folk music.
Contact bo@firstearth.com
Beyond the Circle dancers is a cultural exchange through Native American song and dance based out of Springfield MO. They represent the Navajo, Ottawa, Ojibwe, Zuni and Apache tribes. They have performed and powwowed all over the United States sharing their heritage and culture through traditional song and dance.
A PA system with 2 microphones, and an area large enough to dance.
A performing songwriter presenting a variety of sounds ranging from folk to roots rock, Beth can be booked in a variety of formats ranging from solo to full band. Think Joni Mitchell all the way to Neil Young. Past performances include the Whitaker Festival at Missouri Botanical Gardens, and multiple regional tours in the Midwest/East Coast.
Music presented can include cover songs as well as original material. We will work with you to tailor a program to your needs. In addition to in person events, Beth is now offering virtual live streamed concerts featuring a top notch professional audio and video experience.
“With her recent album, Evergreen finds a freshly invigorated Beth Bombara fronting a tight, taught band and performing her songs with the fortitude of an artists coming into her own after years touring the endless highway. Don’t let this one pass you by.” -American Songwriter Magazine.
Beth can provide a small PA system if needed for an additional fee. If you have a P.A. system, we need: minimum 4 channels, 2 microphones with stands and cables. (If in a small space, a P.A. system may not be necessary.) A sound person to help set appropriate levels. A one hour setup time is generally sufficient, but this is dependent on the formation of band booked (solo, duo, full band)