Colin O’Brien
Awarded by the Wisconsin by the Wisconsin Area Music Industry (WAMI) in 2004, ’05 and ’06.

In 1992 O’Brien left his native Michigan for Seattle, Washington where he studied classical Guitar at Cornish College of the Arts. After just one year of study (intense study!) he was awarded 2nd place in The Seattle Classic Guitar Society competition. To the possible chagrin of the award committee, O’Brien spent his award certificate on a huge pile of American Finger-style Guitar books and recordings. In the Fall of 1993 he enrolled in the Guitar program at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music in Milwaukee. He has since joined the faculty there. In 1997 O’Brien released his debut recording Pressure in the West co-produced by Willy Porter. It received great reviews from both the local press and international publications such as Billboard Magazine. Right about 1999 O’Brien was bitten by the “Banjo Bug” and proceeded, (with characteristic intensity) to delve into Bluegrass and Celtic styles of Banjo playing. He studied with Tony Trischka. He also used the fresh instrument as a means of studying and exploring music theory and improvisation. This led Colin to form Salt Creek, an extraordinary ensemble featuring some of Wisconsin's’ finest musicians. The past couple of years have found O’Brien pioneering into exciting territory with his “One Man Dancing Band” solo show, which takes multi-tasking to a whole new level! His John Hartford inspired solo act has brought much joy and amazement to audiences at major Folk and Bluegrass Festivals, Libraries, Schools, and theatres. O’Brien also plays for the elderly at Nursing Homes and Retirement Facilities. Colin O’Brien has become one of the most versatile and sought after performers in the Middle West.

Chris Wagoner and Mary Gaines
Voted Best Vocalists in the 2007 MAMAS (Madison Area Music Awards).

Wonderfully eclectic performing songwriters and gifted multi-instrumentalists, Gaines and Wagoner are two thirds of the MadWaukee Stompers. Chris Wagoner and Mary Gaines met while attending the UW-Madison school of music (in the symphony) and have been gigging together in bands of all flavors ever since. They co-founded several popular Madison groups: Harmonious Wail, The Common Faces, The Moon Gypsies, and The Stellanovas. Chris and Mary also play in the Bob Westfall Band. Withl these groups they have been nominated numerous times for WAMI awards (Wisconsin Area Music Awards) for best band, musician, and album of the year. In 2003 Wagoner's song "Love is All We Need" was the #1 download on MP3.com Americana Charts for two weeks. A song Mary co-authored with Robert J. Conaway (the Moon Gypsies), "I Ain't Blue", recently won 1st place honors as #1 download on Broadjam.com.
Their influences range from jazz and folk-pop to blues, rock, and zydeco and their sound is reminiscent of the roots and jazz side of David Lindley, Bonnie Raitt, John Prine, and Harry Nillson.
Together and separately Gaines and Wagoner have done extensive session work with artists ranging from U2, The Smashing Pumpkins, Willy Porter, Freedy Johnston, and Carrie Newcomer. Seasoned touring veterans as well, they have performed with rock and jazz luminaries as varied as: Ray Charles, Koko Taylor, Delbert McClinton, Asleep at the Wheel, Taj Majal, Keb Mo, Willy Porter, Suzanne Vega, Widespread Panic, The Turtle Island String Quartet, Greg Brown, Peter Himmelman, and The Subdudes.
Mary studied jazz guitar at the University of WI-Stevens Point, followed by jazz cello studies at the UW-Madison with the great jazz bassist, Richard Davis. Chris is classically trained as a violinist, but has been playing bluegrass and folk styles since childhood--adding jazz, blues, and rock violin to his stylistic fortes.

Ways to contact us
Colingobrien@isp.com 414 372 8523 www.colingobrien.com
www.studiostrings.com www.thestellanovas.com