The Fiddle features three fine Michigan-based singer songwriters in a round robin format at Lansing’s Robin Theatre, REO Town.
What do Freddy Fender, Ringo Starr, Gerry Rafferty and Billy Connolly have in common? Roger Brown – an accomplished songwriter, soulful singer and stellar finger style guitar player.
From the Blue Ridge mountains of North Carolina to Europe and back again, Roger has been singing, playing and writing music virtually his entire life. He was a founding member of the band Stealers Wheel. He wrote the music and lyrics to Ringo Starr’s children’s release “Scouse the Mouse” and worked with Ringo as Musical Director when the album was recorded.
Roger is a respected studio musician, vocalist and side man and has recorded and/or toured with Gerry Rafferty, Billy Connolly, Freddy Fender, Ringo Starr, Link Wray and Joann Kelly among others. Fifteen of Roger’s original songs, which span the roots of American music from folk to country to blues, have been covered by other artists. He has toured extensively as a solo performer and band leader, and has appeared at numerous international music festivals.
Roger has recorded two solo CDs “Any Way You Please” and his most recent “Sometimes You’re Lucky”
Since moving to Michigan, Roger has been a member of the Midnight Cattle Callers, The Wilenes and his duo Drive South with Mary Sue Wilkinson. Currently Roger can be seen performing solo, and with his band The Big Time Express.
Monte Pride is a Michigan-born, Michigan-based folk singer-songwriter and fingerstyle guitarist. His rich tenor voice and accomplished fingerpicking make him sound older than his years, but the enthusiasm he brings to the music and performance is all youthful, impassioned energy. That energy and appreciation shine through in his writing, every phrase weaving and winding to form a complex array of song.
Monte draws inspiration from long-time trailblazing musicians such as Paul Simon and Bob Dylan, as well as contemporary folk genre-benders like The Tallest Man On Earth, Bon Iver, and Frontier Ruckus.
Sam Corbin is an Ypsilanti, MI based singer songwriter, full time dad, and fan of the classics! With a style tuned to Americana, Sam writes honest and thought provoking songs based on day to day life with themes of love, loss, and human struggles.
Sam started playing guitar at 16, and shortly after graduating high school he joined a band, playing shows at local bars and coffee shops. Over the years music became his passion, his lifestyle, and his outlet for creativity. It has taken him on the road to music festivals and theatres, radio stations and television, listening rooms, and smoky bars. He has traveled and performed in many states across the East Coast, Midwest, and the South.
In 2010, Sam joined the Earthwork Music Collective, a group of musicians working together to build community and self-awareness through the art of music in the state of Michigan and beyond.
Sam plays in many configurations, and is seen often with fellow Earthwork Artist Jen Sygit! Together they formed the band Lincoln County Process featuring Michael Smalley, Geoff Lewis, and Mike Lynch.
More recently, Sam has been promoting his latest album “Let The Fire Burn Strong.”