The Claire Lynch Band Comes to Town

NEWSFLASH! Claire Lynch is the New 2013 

IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year!

When the CLAIRE LYNCH BAND comes to town, it's a very special event! Following a recent extended tour of Europe CLAIRE LYNCH and her bandmates headed for BELLEVUE BAPTIST CHURCH in Memphis, TN, on Sunday, September 15, 2013. Claire has known Bellevue's pastor, STEVE GAINES and his family since the early days of the FRONT PORCH STRING BAND back in Hazel Green, AL.

CLAIRE LYNCH is well-known for her clear-as-a-bell vocals and her strong songwriting expertise. A consistent International Bluegrass Music Association nominee and winner twice (Whoops! Make that three times!) of the Female Vocalist of the Year award, this artist met the challenge of playing an all-gospel show for some folks who may not have known much about bluegrass music before the show. Claire broke them in with her ad-libs and light-hearted banter, along with a fitting selection of gospel and crowd favorite numbers. We think that the large, enthusiastic crowd at the Sunday evening service really enjoyed the Claire Lynch Band!

MATT WINGATE is a wonderful singer and an amazing guitarist and mandolin player. Originally from Alabama, Matt provides smooth vocal harmony and lightning-fast acoustic instrument work. He is also a winner of several awards for his guitar work...like top honors at MerleFest a few years back!

BRYAN McDOWELL, like Matt and Claire is steeped in acoustic bluegrass music. He hails from North Carolina, so the music is in his DNA. Winning three top prizes (all in the same day) at Walnut Valley in Winfield, Kansas, means that he knows his way around the fiddle, the mandolin, and the guitar. As with Matt, he provides smoothly-blended harmony to the band's vocal arrangements.

MARK SCHATZ is one more bass player! Oh my! Is he ever! Very accomplished and widely respected throughout the bluegrass genre, Mark can also tear up an old-time banjo with his clawhammer style of pickin'. Then there's his buck-dancing in those black-and-white wingtip dancin' shoes! Did we mention that Claire Lynch can hold her own in the buck-dancing department? Claire and Mark can cut a rug with some amazing steps that are crowd pleasers! Mark's wonderful vocal harmony work adds a richness to the band's vocal sound.

Here is exactly how the Claire Lynch Band charmed and amazed the Bellevue congregation: Lead Me On, Roll Away the Stone, He Leadeth Me, Paul and Peter Walked, Face to Face, Judas Is My Name, Old Rugged Cross, Katy Hill, Mando/Dance, I Believe in Forever, Children of Abraham, White Train, Birdland (featuring twin mandolins), Your Presence Is My Favorite Gift, I Saw the Light, Hills of Alabam', and their very special version of Wabash Cannonball.

Claire said she wondered if Wabash Cannonball is a gospel tune...she thought about that for a second or two...then she went on to add that "It's gospel to bluegrassers!" She's right about that!

Catch this fine band wherever you can. You will be amazed and delighted with their unique brand of bluegrass music. Check their busy schedule, grab up some of the wonderful CDs by each artist and by the band as a group. It just doesn't get any better than the Claire Lynch Band!

For more information about the Claire Lynch Band:  http://www.clairelynch.com

Pick away!