MERIDIAN: Monroe Street

Meridian

Monroe Street

© 2003 Meridian

CD IN STOCK. ORDER NOW. Will ship immediately.

Bluegrass with originality and a style that consists of smooth and funky instrumental work, featuring the bluesy and unaffected vocals of fiddler Megan Gregory.

tracks

1 Until These Troubled Times Are Gone
2 Redwood Hill
3 Go Down Easy
4 Judge and Groom
5 Forgetful Mind
6 High on a Mountain
7 Tamrock
8 The Day I Run
9 Go My Way
10 Old Man in the Shanty
11 I've Just Seen the Rock of Ages
12 Monroe Street

notes

Me-rid-i-an. 1. A great circle of the earth passing through the poles and any given point on the earth's surface. 2. Pertaining to a period of great splendor or elevation.

The band MERIDIAN was formed in the summer of 2000 by Will Parsons, Megan Gregory, Steve Acord and Shane Ingram, with the recent addition of Tony Watt. "Our roots are deeply traditional but not limited to any single genre of music. The goal is to make music with much taste, thoughtfulness and, of course, groove. We address important environmental and social issues through our music, but never lose sight of the fun. We want the audience to both think and dance. For us, this music is more than a job or a hobby, it is a lifestyle."

Since formation MERIDIAN has been busy pursuing this lifestyle playing as many Bluegrass festivals, show barns, street festivals and listening clubs as possible, primarily in the southeastern United States. MERIDIAN has played such prestigious festivals as the 2002 Cherokee Bluegrass festival in North Carolina - opening for Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder, Dumplin' Valley in Sevierville, TN, Snowshoe Bluegrass Festival in Snowshoe, WV, Poppy Mountain Bluegrass Festival and The Appalachian Celebration, both in Morehead, KY, Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion Festival in Bristol, VA, and the Blackwater Bluegrass Festival in Jasper, AL.

MERIDIAN plays regularly at such listening rooms as the celebrated Down Home in Johnson City, TN, The Pennyroyal Opry in Ohio and Tamarack Cultural Center in Beckley, WV. WETS FM 89.5, Johnson City, TN, a public radio station affiliated with East Tennessee State University, plays MERIDIAN's debut album MONROE STREET heavily on their regular rotation. WETS also invites them frequently to appear live on their popular "Roots and Branches" acoustic music show. MERIDIAN has performed live on the internet several times for the WDVX FM 89.9's weekly spot at Barley's Taproom in Knoxville, TN.

In March of 2002 MERIDIAN was thrilled to be invited to perform on the nationally syndicated Mountain Stage Radio Show, broadcast live from Charleston, West Virginia. That evening MERIDIAN shared the stage with Rounder Recordng artists the Lynn Morris Band and the Del McCoury Band. When the bands gathered together for a grand finale, MERIDIAN fiddler and vocalist Megan Gregory was honored to sing with former Bluegrass Boy, Del McCoury.

MERIDIAN has just released their much anticipated debut album MONROE STREET and is truly enjoying its success. Bursting with originality and a style that consists of smooth and funky instrumental work, combined with the bluesy and unaffected vocals of Megan Gregory, MERIDIAN is catching the attention of listeners at their shows and out in radioland.

A Review of MONROE STREET appeared in the December-January 2003 issue of Appalachian Life Magazine, written by Bruce Haney of the Birthplace of Country Music Association:

"You heard the story about the little bluegrass band that turned into a snorting, fire-breathing monster? Me neither-- I think it's being written right now, and MERIDIAN is the lead character... This is the first commercial CD they have produced, and it is an absolute killer. The band includes fiddler/lead vocalist Megan Gregory, bassist/vocalist Shane Ingram, Banjo/vocalist Will Parsons and mandolin player Steve Acord. Guitarist Tony Watt has just joined the group, but the guitar work on the CD is handled by guest artist Dave Yates. Yates is a fine player, and compliments the effort like he belongs in it. Steve's mandolin work is absolutely wonderful; Will plays a smooth-as-glass, essentially perfect banjo faster than I can hear; Shane is a fine songwriter and singer; and Megan plays a terrific fiddle and sings like Alison Krauss on steroids. I don't rate CDs because we don't all like the same thing, but if you like bluegrass or blues or any acoustic music played in a bluegrassy format AT ALL, you gotta buy this one, folks. Twelve tracks, mostly original material, all of it very well done, this one absolutely raises goosebumps. I expect some major label to find out about these folks and grab 'em."

From a fan: "My wife and I heard you the first time at the Blackwater Festival in Jasper, Alabama. Meridian just blew us away. You all were great. We found out you were playing at the Long Branch Opry in December 2002 and drove up there to hear you again. We got your CD and haven't stopped listening to it. Please let us know when your next CD is going to be out."
- Ed from Shelby, AL

From a fan: "I just wanted to say you guys were amazing. Megan has the most beautiful voice I've ever heard, and that is in no way an exaggeration... I'm listening the CD now and love it so much. I can't wait to see you guys again soon hopefully. Thanks again for the wonderful show!"
- Jeff from Princeton, WV

About the Band:

Megan Gregory - Fiddle, Lead & Harmony Vocals:
From the foothills of the Appalachians comes a talented, young singer and fiddler, Megan Gregory. Born in Huntsville, Alabama to British parents, she began playing classical violin at age 4, participating in acclaimed youth orchestras and chamber groups through her high school years. While attending the College of Charleston on a classical performance scholarship she discovered her love of Bluegrass music and was drawn Mark O'Connor's fiddle camp in Nashville, TN. She put her classical violin education on hold and moved to Johnson City, TN to attend East Tennessee State University's Bluegrass Music Program. Megan went on to gain experience with various groups playing Irish, swing jazz and folk-rock. This latter conglomeration, The Jelly Roll String Band, won much popularity throughout the Tri-Cities area of East Tennessee. In summer 1998 she toured with a country band for the Department of Defense, playing for soldiers stationed in the South Pacific. In 1999 she joined the ETSU Senior Bluegrass Band and after graduating from ETSU she helped found MERIDIAN. Megan also recorded vocal and fiddle harmony with Becky Buller for her solo project Rest My Weary Feet released in 2000.

Shane Ingram - Acoustic Bass, Lead & Harmony Vocals:
Shane Ingram hails from Boone, North Carolina but now makes his home in Beckley, West Virginia. His musical roots reach right to the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, influenced heavily by bluegrass, gospel and folk music. Shane graduated from Berea College in Berea, Kentucky with a General Music degree and an emphasis on vocal performance. While a student at Berea he was awarded the much-coveted Red Foley Award for excellence in traditional music performance. After graduating from Berea College he joined the Kentucky based Bluegrass band Strings Attached. He was then hired as the bass player for The Charlie Sizemore Band and later played with the West Virginia based County Line. With MERIDIAN Shane shares the lead singing duties with Megan, as well as writing much of the group's original material.

Steve Acord - Mandolin & Harmony Vocals:
Steve Acord was born and raised in the hills of West Virginia and grew up playing traditional mountain music. "I had an instrument in my hands as soon as I was big enough to drag one bouncin' and bangin' through the house," Steve says. He soon became the mandolin player for his family's bluegrass gospel group, The Acord Family, and later played with the Bluegrass band Steadfast for 5 years in the mid-90's. Steve's prowess on the mandolin has made it possible for him to rub elbows and trade licks with some great musicians such as Sam Bush, Johnny Staats, Chris Thile and many others. In 2000 he was awarded the West Virginia State Mandolin Championship, a title formerly held by Johnny Staats.

Tony Watt - Lead & Rhythm Guitar:
The newest addition to the group, Tony Watt, is originally from Cambridge, Massachusetts, and now lives in Johnson City, Tennessee. Despite growing up far away from the birthplace of Bluegrass music, Tony's early interest in traditional Bluegrass was fueled by his father Steve Watt, a talented banjo and mandolin player, and by the strong Bluegrass community throughout the northeast United States. Tony's love of Bluegrass led him south to Georgia Tech in Atlanta, GA, where he graduated with a degree in Engineering. Tony has performed at many prominent festivals throughout the northeast including the Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival, the Wind Gap Bluegrass Festival, the Joe Val Memorial Bluegrass Festival, and the Ossipee Valley Bluegrass Festival. In July 2002 Tony was awarded first prize in the New England Flatpicking Championship, and in the fall of 2002 Tony resigned his engineering job and moved to Johnson City, TN to pursue music full time.

Will Parsons - 5-string Banjo & Harmony Vocals:
He, for whom the bell tolls, even if it is just the phone ringing about band business, is Will Parsons. Will grew up in a central West Virginia in a very musical family. "We never had a television set when I was young so all four of us kids played music to entertain ourselves," says Will. He won many awards and contests while still in school, both as a player and builder of musical instruments. Will played in various bands over the years after his schooling, including a short stint with Barry Berrier and several years with The Charlie Sizemore Band. He was the banjo player on the Tom T. Hall song "That's How I Got To Memphis" which became a number one hit for The Charlie Sizemore Band in 1996. He is a well-known banjo picker in the Bluegrass world and has appeared repeatedly in many musical publications including Bluegrass Unlimited and Banjo Newsletter.

When not out performing Will's time is divided between family activities and his mandolin building business, Heartwood Music Works. Will's foremost product, The Parsons F-5 Mandolin, is quickly gaining in notoriety in both the mandolin building and performing communities. Will was recently chosen to participate in the 2003 Mandolin Builders Super Summitt, an exclusive on-line panel discussion (on the CoMando listserv) with eight of today's top mandolin builders including Steve Gilchrist, John Monteleone and Lynn Dudenbostel. Always glad to hear from others involved in the music scene, he welcomes any and all calls from fans and promoters.

Meridian contact information:
Will Parsons (304) 922-1168
www.MeridianBand.com
meridian@meridianband.com

reviews

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  • I love Meridian!!
    author: Tim Brown

    We hired Meridian to play at our wedding reception in May, 2004 - at the group camping area in Cataloochie (Great Smoky Mountains National Park). They were/are awesome - not just extremely talented musicians, but really great people! Last I heard (it's been a while) they were working on a new CD. I'll be first in line to buy it!!! Monroe Street is awesome!! Listen to it every now and again to bring back the memories!! Meridian is a truly great band - you won't go wrong buying this CD!!!

  • I love Meridian!!
    author: Tim Brown

    We hired Meridian to play at our wedding reception in May, 2004 - at the group camping area in Cataloochie (Great Smoky Mountains National Park). They were/are awesome - not just extremely talented musicians, but really great people! Last I heard (it's been a while) they were working on a new CD. I'll be first in line to buy it!!! Monroe Street is awesome!! Listen to it every now and again to bring back the memories!! Meridian is a truly great band - you won't go wrong buying this CD!!!

  • I'm a newcomer to bluegrass. This is the perfect CD to get things started!
    author: Rick

    This CD is amazing. It's fun to hear both the individual artistry behind each instrument (including Megan's voice), as well as the smooth combination of all the sounds. I recommend spending some time with these folks!

  • Monroe Street is nothing short of amazing.
    author: William

    Megan's vocal cords should be considered a national treasure. My only wish is that there were more CDs to buy.

  • saw them at blackwater
    author: ray miller

    liked the voicing of the words along with true grooven music

  • great CD
    author: Sandy

    Loved Monroe Street. Great sound. Looking forward to the new CD.

  • fabulous CD
    author: Tina

    We saw Meridian play in W.Va. and loved them. I had never listened to music like this, but I think they have me hooked.

  • Really enjoying this great CD
    author: Jonny L.

    So glad my son and daught-in-law saw Meridian play in MA. in February. and then told me to get the CD. The next Bluegrass festival I hope to be there myself to enjoy Meridian in person. GREAT group!!

  • Great cd, great band
    author: Bonney Mack

    This is a musically diverse and complex cd, with a very bluesy edge to an accomplished bluegrass band. I like it so much, I think I'll ask them to play at my wedding. Also- thanks CD Baby for naming me customer of the year- I am honored.

  • Great songs, nicely arranged, and beautifully performed!
    author: David Greenwood

    The evocative lyrics, excellent musicianship, and exuberent originality of this CD makes it a joy to listen to.

  • Excellent CD
    author: Jon P.

    Excellent choice of material and arrangements. Megan Gregory's lead singing is unique and makes this CD stand out from the crowd.

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