Happy 2012! - December 31, 2011
Happy New Year to our fans. We were very busy in 2011, with nearly 30 performances on our schedule! We would like to take the opportunity to thank all our fans, especially those who drive long distances to come hear us perform.
Some highlights of 2011 include the addition of a regular monthly performance at Two Fools Tavern. We performed here on the Fourth Sunday of every month, and we will continue these performances in 2012. Come down and join us for some great fish 'n chips and a great atmosphere.
One of our crowning achievements for 2011 was our joint performance with Breaking Blue at The Outpost Performance Space. We spent months planning this performance, and learning each others material. The end result was a magical performance before a packed house. Thank you, every one!
We played at several festivals in 2011 as well. We were the debut act for the Albuquerque Folk Festival's Sign-up stage. We love the AFF and hope to be more active with them in the future. We traveled to Carrizozo for a "Music in the Parks" event, and played at the cozy Weed, New Mexico Bluegrass Festival. Truth or Consequences hosted us at the Main Street Center as part of their TorC Blues series.
Muddy River String Band also played at the Bio Park, in the Heritage Farm's Wool Festival, as well as their Earth Day celebration. We also brought our brand of musical fun to the Corrales Grower's Market, the Idalia Road Market, and O'Neill's Pub. Capping off the year we played at Solid Grounds to a lively audience.
Lynda Garcia was forced to reduce her involvement in the band this year, due to her chronic pain. Muddy River String Band searched for a replacement, and discovered Mike Zullo. Mike has joined us from Minnesota, and graces us with rhythm guitar and excellent mandolin picking. Watch for him in 2012!
Once again we would like to thank our fans! You make us what we are, and we love your enthusiasm. We hope to keep seeing you in 2012!
ShareAutumn is upon us - October 18, 2011
We have many fans in Southern New Mexico that haven’t seen us perform live, so now here’s your best chance. We’ll be at TorC Blues on Saturday, October 29th, from 7:00-9:30 pm. It’s only $5 at the door so come on out!
Don’t miss our show at Solid Grounds Coffeehouse on November 5th from 7:00-9:00 pm. This is one of our favorite places to play and there’s always a big turnout, so come early to save a seat (doors open at 6:30). Best of all – it’s free!
We have a few other gigs this year including Two Fools Tavern in Nob Hill on October 23rd and November 27th, and at O’Niell’s Irish Pub on Juan Tabo Blvd on December 4th. See the schedule for times. Hope to see you soon!
ShareFall Events - September 20, 2011
We're playing at the 23rd annual Rio Grande Arts and Crafts Balloon Fiesta Show under the big tent at I-25/Paseo del Norte. We have played this event for several years and really enjoy the people and the atmosphere. In addition to the many great crafts available at this festival, you can enjoy delicious food while listening to some of your favorite local bands. Our performance will be on Saturday, October 8th from 4:00-5:30 pm, but there will be entertainment throughout the two weekends of the event.
Please join us for a benefit event for the Rio Rancho Astronomy Club on October 15th at Rainbow Park beginning at 5:30 pm. There will be food, a silent auction, star gazing, and of course live music by Muddy River String Band! We'll play from 6:00-7:00 and again from about 7:30-8:00 when the star gazing will begin. Kids 4 and under are free, 4-12 are $5, everyone else $10 advance tickets (on line) or $15 at the door. See the flyer or check them out at www.rrastro.org for more information.
We have many fans in Southern New Mexico that haven't seen us perform live yet, so here's your chance! We'll be at TorC Blues on Saturday, October 29th from 7:00-9:30 pm. It's only $5 at the door so come on out!
We hope you will be able to see us at one of our upcoming bar gigs including Two Fools Tavern in Nob Hill and O'Niell's Pub (Juan Tabo). Check the schedule for dates and times. See you all soon! Share
MidSummer News - August 15, 2011
Mike Zullo had a tremendous debut as our guitar and mandolin shredder at our Haynes Park gig in Rio Rancho. Come check us out at Two Fools Tavern this month or at O'Niell's - Heights on September 11th and listen to some of his amazing licks along with your favorite Muddy River selections!
We recently learned that two of our songs were nominated for awards in the 2011 Mountain Top Songwriting contest in Ruidoso. Cactus Jam from our first CD and Down by the River from our latest CD were finalists for the first year of this event. Unfortunately, we will not be able to go to Ruidoso for the final judging competition due to other commitments, but we were very pleased to have been nominated and hope to enter more songs in the future. Congratulations to Art who wrote both of these songs! Also, congratulations and good luck to Chrystal Anderson and Breaking Blue who were also nominated for two awards.
Our 2nd CD, Down by the River, is now available at some of the Museum Stores in New Mexico. If you’re at one of the museums over the next few months and see our CD in the gift shop, drop us a line and let us know (after buying one, of course!).
Art’s other band, the Eastside Ramblers, will be performing at O’Niell’s Irish Pub on Juan Tabo on September 1st from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. They play a mixture of old-time, bluegrass, western, blues, and southwestern music on a variety of instruments including guitar, mandolin, fiddle, harmonica, and banjo. Most of their songs are original compositions and include upbeat tempos, vocal and instrumental harmonies, creative solos, and interesting or amusing lyrics. Share
New Bandmate (and other news) - July 20, 2011
Muddy River String Band is pleased to announce the addition of Mike Zullo to our ensemble. Mike and his wife, Tracy, are recent immigrants to Albuquerque from Minnesota, where Mike was a member of the band the Moss Piglets for many years. Mike plays some pretty slick guitar and mandolin! His first performance with us will be at Two Fools Tavern this Sunday.
We had a great time again at the bluegrass festival in Weed, NM this past weekend! The event organizers and the fans are all terrific. Everyone seemed to really enjoy the “different” style of music that we performed, plus we jammed with some of the locals including members of the youth band known as the Piñon Nuts. We sure hope we’ll be invited back again soon!
For those of you on the west side or in Rio Rancho, our upcoming performance at Haynes Park should be pretty convenient for you. We play on August 14 from 7:00-8:30 pm.
Our 2nd CD, Down by the River, is now available at some of the Museum Stores in New Mexico. If you’re at one of the museums over the next few months and see our CD in the gift shop, drop us a line and let us know (after buying one, of course!).
Art’s other band, the Eastside Ramblers (with Christine Nelson on bass), will be performing at O’Niell’s Irish Pub on Juan Tabo on September 1st from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. They play a mixture of old-time, bluegrass, western, blues, and southwestern music on a variety of instruments including guitar, mandolin, fiddle, harmonica, and banjo. Most of their songs are original compositions and include upbeat tempos, vocal and instrumental harmonies, creative solos, and interesting or amusing lyrics. Share