Joseph RiverWind-Vocals, Native American Flute, Bagpipes -Murphy, NC
Joseph is Boricua, a Taino Indian with ancestral roots in Galicia/Asturia. He is currently the International Cultural Ambassador for the Jatibonicu Taino Indian Nation of Boriken. The Taino's were the original inhabitants of the Carribbean Islands and Florida and were the first to discover Columbus wandering lost in the ocean. The Taino were the first indigenous people to be named "Indian"
Galicia (Translated as The land of the Gaelic People") is recognized as the oldest of the 7 Celtic Nations. This is where Joseph's gr-grandfather, a gaitero (Bagpiper) came from. His father gave him his first flute when he was 4 and has been playing music ever since. He served in the U.S. Army and is a strong proponent for indigenous rights.
Joseph is a vocalist, and plays various First Nations flutes, drums, bagpipes, tin whistle and bodhran. For over 15yrs he has given lectures at universities, school and community programs, and military bases on Native American history and the false history of the Taino being extinct. He is a strong advocate for keeping the oral traditions of indigneous storytelling alive as well as giving honor to all veterans, men and women who have honorably served our nation.
Laralyn RiverWind - Vocals, Celtic Harp, Native American Flute-Murphy, NC
Laralyn is Muscogee Creek/Cherokee/Irish/Scottish. She has many loves from the cultures of all her people expressed through the arts of music, songwriting, art and song. Her greatest musical passion is playing the Celtic Harp and keeping alive the e Native American and Celtic traditions that have been handed down in her family.
Her father taught her many of the Native ways of her people. Silver-smithing, pottery making, basket making, storytelling and more. Laralyn spent her younger years on the reservation where a love for her First Nations people became an integral part of who she is.
Her mother passed along a rich Clan MacDonald Celtic heritage and ethereal vocals coming from her roots in County Roscommon Ireland. Laralyn is a vocalist, and plays the Celtic Harp, bodhran, and Native American flute.
She is currently working on her Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine, manages The Blessed Blend, and operates a growing business -Native Touch- all while pursuing her love for music with The Blessed Blend
Jarrett Palmer - Bass - Murphy, NC
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Jarrett, otherwise known as "The Palmer” or "Chewy" was born and raised in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina
Jarrett has been playing bass for 15yrs with a diverse style of his own ranging from metal, to country, to jazz fusion. His musical influences include Captain Geech, The Shrimp Rock Shooters, Dixie Dreg and Pink Floyd.
If you want to see him smile bring him a shot of good whiskey or some form of hot food. If you love music, life and being a positive person then Jarret might not mind hanging out with you for a bit. Warning though..Don't get him talking about music or xbox otherwise your in for the long haul.
Devin Ruff - Percussion- Blairsville, Ga
Devin, also known as "Sanchez" began his journey with drums at an early age with the help of a few kitchen pots and pans, some spoons and whatever else he could grab, pound, smash, and pummel to make some of the most intense drum rhythms you will ever experience.
He ancestry hails from Clan Nichols and the Aztec Indians of Mexico. He graduated from Reinhardt College in Waleska, Ga with a Bachelors of Music Performance and a Bachelors of Music. His skill is is apparent when his sticks begin to fly and his arms become a blur. You will hear his musical influences from Roots, Jazz and Metal flow through with a dash of Irish punk that will persuade even the staunchest stiff to move to the rhythm.
He loves Sushi, talking, and fraternizing while having a good ale and watching one of his favorite movies like "What Dreams May Come & Enter The Dragon." Yeah...he's got skills
James "Chip" Siller - Fiddler, Guitar, & Banjo-Murphy, NC
James "Chip" Siller - Fiddler, Guitar, & Banjo-Murphy, NC
Chip has been playing music since he was 6yrs old. His father made mountain dulcimers for a living so Chip was exposed to music at an early age and throughout his lifetime. Since then he has added 14 instruments to his repertoire of what he can play. He is currently sponsored by Super Sensitive Strings makers of the 1# selling steel core strings for violin, viola, cello and bass!
Listen for the sweet sounds of his fiddle as it sings the old jigs and reels in such a way that is unique and seldom duplicated. When the banjo comes out watch out! as they say in these parts...paddle faster! Chip loves to have the crowd test him on his speed and proficiency with his fiddle. Challenge him with a reel , hornpipe or a jig see what happens or just invite him to sit and watch The Red Violin.
Chip has played almost every genre you can think for the past 26yrs. From Country, Folk, Bluegrass, Metal to Rap..yeah you heard us right..Rap. Chip comes from a diverse background of playing that is as diverse as his family lineage whose roots go back to the Pictish Clans of Scotland as well as Mexican Indian. Although you could never tell unless you offer him a burrito and some blood sausage.
