Misty River Band - "Harmony for the Holidays" December 5, 2010

Although Misty River's music is often compared to the neo-bluegrass style of Alison Krauss and the harmonies of The Trio (Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt and Dolly Parton), these four women have a sound all their own, fusing the band's award-winning songwriting and compelling vocal harmony with their distinctive acoustic instrumentation of fiddle, guitar, accordion, banjo, ukulele, and upright bass.

On May 17th, Misty River will release their 5th CD, “Stories”. Whether exploring the music of Appalachia, China, Ireland, the American South or the Pacific Northwest, the members of Misty River revel in sharing the stories of their own lives as well as those of the characters in their songs. STORIES combines the love Laura Quigley, Carol Harley, Dana Abel and Chris Kokesh have for musical storytelling with the talents of Grammy award-winning producer Todd Phillips. As Phillips describes it, the result is “sophisticated yet simple, honest and transparent. Laura, Carol, Dana and Chris will tear your heart out—then put it back, better off than before.” Go to www.mistyriverband.com for more details.

Beginning with Misty River’s first open mike at an Irish pub in Portland in 1997, the past decade has seen the band mature as individual musicians. However, the group still maintains the magic vocal blend that first tied the quartet together. As Oregon Public Broadcasting’s Jeff Douglas explains it, “When these four women weave their lovely harmonies, it is spine tingling. Their music and relaxed style reaches out and touches audiences in a way that is uplifting even when a ballad brings a tear to the eye.”

This relaxed and uplifting style of performance has become one of the things the band is best known for. As Diane Schulstad of Victory Review writes: “From the moment of Misty River’s entrance, there was a warmth and friendship between the members of the band and the audience. The walloping charisma of each of the four women—their good humor and jocular stage patter, their laughter and kinship—was as effective in the back of the theater as it was for those in the front row.” The band’s accordionist Dana Abel says, “It is not uncommon for audience members to emerge from a show proclaiming how they now feel like part of the ‘Misty River family’—to us, that is the greatest compliment.”

Despite the band’s growth, its ten-year history has not been without challenges. In 2004, Guitarist Carol Harley was diagnosed with leukemia (CML), just weeks before the band was to leave for a tour of China. “It was a tough time” Harley recalls. “But with the care of my doctors at Oregon Health Sciences University, Kaiser-Permanente, a new miracle drug called Gleevec, AND the power of music, friends and faith, the cancer is now in remission.” Harley says making the new album and sharing the songs on stage is her chance to thank those who have supported her along the way.

Misty River will kick off the STORIES tour with fifteen shows throughout Oregon and Washington, the states the four musicians call home. Misty River consists of Carol Harley of Vancouver, Washington on guitar, banjo, ukulele and mandolin; Chris Kokesh of Portland, Oregon on fiddle and guitar; Dana Abel of Eugene, Oregon on accordion; and Laura Quigley of Portland, Oregon on acoustic bass. For more information about Misty River visit www.mistyriverband.com.

Sunday, December 5

Doors at 1:00 PM, Show at 2:00 PM

Official Website: http://www.aladdin-theater.com/show_page.aspx?eventid=1899