Colby, Kansas — July 19-21, 2002
from Colorado Springs, Colorado
Black Rose
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"Black Rose": well-known throughout Colorado and its neighboring states as an engaging, eclectic, traditionally-based trio, is now a quintet! In their four years, they've played almost every acoustic festival and venue in Colorado, released their critically-acclaimed album The Road Before Me, and developed a loyal following among acoustic music fans all over the Rocky Mountain region. Now, the addition of Greg Reed and Mickey Stinnett, two fine multi-instrumentalists and singers, allows Black Rose to stay true to its original creative purpose while working with a much broader palette of musical colors, drawing on Bluegrass, folk, swing, Gospel, country and Celtic influences to create a style that's all their own.
The Players
Dick Carlson—Bass: Dick grew up in Nebraska, and was the bassist for the renowned Omaha swing band Sour Mash. He must have been a pretty good basketball player, too; his high school coach was quoted as saying "Dick almost never shoots when he doesn't have the ball."Hope Grietzer—Fiddle, Vocals: Hope got started playing traditional music in her native upstate New York. After years of study in classical violin, she started a long battle to overcome its effects and discovered old-time string band music.
Charlie Hall—Guitar, Mandolin, Cittern, Vocals: Charlie, a native Floridian and French Horn player in a former life, started playing bluegrass in 1991 after a cathartic experience involving a chainsaw, a broccoli bearing the likeness of Bill Monroe, and the Kenny Rogers Big Note Edition of "Rocky Top."
Greg Reed—Mandolin, Guitar, Vocals: Greg is a native East Tennessean, failing miserably to adjust to life outside the South. He joins Black Rose with a long and checkered history of acoustic bands in Tennessee and Colorado, Carl Perkins songs, and Moon Pies.
Mickey Stinnett—Dobro, Banjo, Guitar, Mandolin, Vocals: Born and raised in rural Virginia and unencumbered by an attention span, Mickey bounced from instrument to instrument, finally settling on none. Mickey brings to Black Rose an extensive Elvis collection and two dogs, Lester and Earl.
What folks are saying about Black Rose:
"Taste, taste, and taste. The three most important qualities of good music, and Black Rose has it in spades. Probably the best ensemble of its kind working in Colorado today."— Tim Stafford, Grammy Award Winner and founder of Blue Highway
"Black Rose is an extremely talented acoustic band that I highly recommend for any folk, bluegrass or acoustic event! Their vocals and instrumentals sparkle with a freshness and creativity that produces that enjoyable, original "Black Rose Sound." Black Rose has the talent and versatility to greatly enrich any acoustic venue."
— Ken Seaman, Bluegrass Patriots leader and festival promoter
"To me, they are the soul of acoustic music in this region. People love them! You get the highest caliber musicianship, and the ability to connect with and delight audiences with humor, and some of the finest arrangements. This is like chamber music; every note has a purpose—total cooperation."
— Phil Volan, guitarist, singer and songwriter
"Black Rose plays refreshingly original bluegrass marked by an eclectic tune selection, polished vocals and a comfortable guitar-fiddle interplay. Guitarist Charlie Hall adds another dimension with resonating baritone singing. . .Grietzer's transcendent fiddling on 'The Lovers' Waltz' will touch your soul."
— Dirty Linen Magazine
"Hope Grietzer's alluring voice and fiery fiddle playing, Charlie Hall's flying fingers on the acoustic guitar, and Dick Carlson's driving bass notes make the audience cheer for more songs."
— The Black Forest News, Black Forest, CO
"The emphasis is on traditional. . .with songs that sound weathered and warm. Hope Grietzer's high vocal register and virtuoso fiddle playing stand out."
— The Gazette, Colorado Springs, CO
Awards for Black Rose
- First Place, RockyGrass Bluegrass Band Competition, 1995
- Voted Most Promising New Bluegrass Band for the Rocky Mountain Region by the Colorado Bluegrass Music Society, 1997
- Hope Grietzer, voted Fiddle Player of the Year for the Rocky Mountain Region by the Colorado Bluegrass Music Society, 1996
- Mickey Stinnett, First Place, Deer Creek Fiddlers' Convention Dobro Competition, Westminster, MD, 1995
Black Rose. . .Wow! What can one say to describe such a fine group? They're definitely refreshing, with a zest and flair all their own. Jo Wolf of Colby, KS says, "It was the unique quality in Hope's voice that really made me sit up and pay attention. And of course her fiddle playing is out of this world." Charlie Hall is another one of those guitar-singer-performer guys who knows just about everything and can portray it to the audience, just as it was intended. Dick Carlson—ha! Funny—and a fun bass player. And the sound just keeps getting fuller. Their first appearance at Pickin' on the Plains included just this trio, they returned as a foursome, and now they're a quintet with the addition of Greg and Mickey. Of course the versatility of this group lends them lots of options and creativity. Spice. . .that's it! No. . .it's spice with a soothing hint of vanilla. . .oh, and citrus. . .oh. . .it's just really refreshing!! Like the first time you tasted a cherry limeade on a really hot summer day. . .or coming in for cocoa after a fun snowball fight! All I know is you'll laugh all through 'Dead Egyptian Blues', dream during 'The Lover's Waltz' and go through a whole gamete of emotions, but end up feeling relaxed, refreshed and happy. . .and wanting more! — Susan McLemore |