Bluegrass CD release party with EIGHTwentythree

Sat 4/3  7pm-9pm

CD Release party with EIGHTwentythree and reading from Bluegrass Is My Second Language: A Year In the Life of an Accidental Musician 

Named for the date the band first played together (8/23/01), EIGHTwentythree is an extraordinary mix of musical influences from Bill Monroe to the Beatles. The group consists of four very uniquely talented and gifted musicians playing together with joyful abandon, all for the love of Bluegrass music.

Jeff Wiseman is a Master of the five-string banjo and incorporates many different styles and delicate phrasings into the propulsive mix of mostly original material the band performs. As a talented singer and songwriter the band profits greatly from both his songs and his vocal abilities. Hearing him play will change the way you thinkof banjos forever!

Greg Eldred is a virtuoso guitarist and composer. Greg's singing ability has made him a Triad legend and he carries most of the lead vocal chores for the band, often even on songs other band members have written! Come to hear him sing, stay to watch his amazing guitar work!

John Santa sings and plays his sometimes traditional, sometimes unconventional mandolin with a kind of reckless abandon while weaving his manic harmonica throughout the songs of EIGHTwentythree. At times the harmonica mimics the fiddle lines of traditional Bluegrass, other times it wails into Blues and Rock 'N Roll, butit is always evocative and effective. John is also the author of “Bluegrass Is My Second Language: A Year In The Life Of An Accidental Bluegrass Musician”.

The group is anchored by the considerable musical talents of Keith Carroll on acoustic (“doghouse”) bass and vocals. It is no easy job to keep the other musicians in line and in time but Keith manages his task as the true Master he is, playing in his amazing and compelling style while inspiring the band to greater musical heights. He is the true emotional center of the group and a real treat to watch as he dances with his bass across the stage when the music lifts him up!

EIGHTwentythree will delight any audience member who has a true love for music in general and Bluegrass Music in particular. The core of the groups' success is the way all their songs, whether original or a cover performed with a distinct EIGHTwentythree twist, convey the groups' deep respect for each other as people and musicians AND their respect and love for the Music they perform.