Biography

Chris Silver plays bluegrass, but it doesn't stop there. Chris' selection of covers is transcendent and his originals travel  a huge landscape of experience and place. He has created a new sound with traditional roots music at the core.  As a musical risk taker, he has added layers not usually found in traditional music providing a rich texture to his songs including slide guitar and intricate global rhythms. His eclectic approach in playing, bluegrass blues, folk and old-timey music has shaped Silver's musical maturations to the point that they could be compared to Ry Cooder's early '70s recordings. In a given set, you are as likely to hear a song by Lowell George as a tune by Doc Watson. One thing is for sure, his energy is infectious and he'll leave you wanting more.

Chris spent fives years touring with the acclaimed bluegrass band Stoney Lonesome, and When Kate MacKenzie left the band in 1994, she asked Chris to tour with her. Chris and Kate toured coast-to-coast for three years playing major festivals including The Strawberry Music Festival in California, The Delaware Valley Bluegrass Festival, and numerous appearances on National Public Radio's A Prairie Home Companion.  In addition, he has performed internationally at the World Expo in Osaka, Japan, Nightclubs in Austria, Germany, and Mexico. In September, Chris won the adult division and the overall title in the Minnesota Flatpicking Guitar Championship held at the Minnesota State Fair.

The  Band

Joining Chris are Pete Mathison, Lance Rhicard, Erin Govrik, Jeff Rogers, and Wayne Beezley. Pete "Ground Hog" Mathison is a merchant of groove. His subtle yet intricate choice of notes and incredible timing make Pete a  find in the world of folk music. Pete's resume includes work with Cousin Dad, Redhouse Record's Farm Accident, and countless studio seesions. Pick up a bluegrass CD in this area and you'll probably find that Pete's the bass player.

Wayne Beezley is regarded as one of the finest mandolin and mandola players in the country. He is at home playing jazz, bluegrass, folk, rock, and blues. Wayne is a prolific song writer and has several original CDs to his credit. He is a gifted at improvisations. Wayne’s playing is always fresh and he rarely plays the same solo twice. He successfully weaves many music forms into vibrant statements that always seem to fit perfectly in the arrangement.

Originally from Massachusetts, Lance Rhicard heard his first live bluegrass when his grandfather took him to the White Mountain Old Time/Bluegrass festival in New Hampshire. He became immediately obsessed with the music and several years later was lucky enough to fall under the teaching of former Ohio State Banjo Champion Mathew Inboden. Lance moved to Duluth, MN for college and spent his formative bluegrass years traveling to major festivals and playing in numerous bands, including Bluegrass Crossing and the notorious Elbow Grease. Take two parts Bela Fleck, one part J.D. Crowe, and three parts of pure original drive, and you have the most innovative 5-string player in the Upper-Midwest.

Erin Govrik may be one of the best kept secrets in the Twin Cities acoustic music scene, at least until now. Erin has spent the past few years writing songs, performing ocasionally in the region and Mexico, raising beautiful children, and singing like an angel. Her harmony and lead singing ranks with anyone in the area. She has it all: soul, guitar chops, everything!

Jeff Rogers is one of the most sought after drummers in the Twin Cities music scene. Mention his name and people know what he has accomplished in his long and successful musical career. You would never know that just talking to him because he is the most humble, laid back individual that you'd ever want to know. It's with tons of acoustic sensitivity that he brings his global rhythms to CSB. He is a master at many styles including bluegrass, blues, punk, african, regggae and anything else under the sun. We love this guy!!