Trails
& Rails
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Photo by Rick Thompson
Kevin Dollarhide attended the Arizona Folklore Preserve concert
on December 15, 2013.
"When I heard Trails & Rails was coming, I knew I had to be there."
Kevin Dollarhide, Grade 4
People who attended Sunday's concert said, "You were 'Best-Of-Show'!"
Feedback shared by a festival sponsor about a Headline performance by Trails & Rails at the Cochise Cowboy Poetry and Music Gathering in Arizona - February 2015.
"While most of their songs were covers, they brought their own splash of flair to each, with amazing stage presence."
" - spectators young and old were able to relate."
"Mike Craig showed serious star power when he switched out his double bass for a guitar and showcased his original song, 'Out on the Range.' "
From the July 3 review, of the June 29, 2014 concert, by Trails & Rails for the City of La Mesa's 'Sundays At 6' concert series -
by Anna Pryor, for the East County Californian.
See the entire article at: www.eccalifornian.com
"Truly, I have never seen the residents so enthusiastic about an evening. It was a unanimous response. I have heard many, many positive comments."
Margaret Stevenson, our contact at Mt. Miguel Covenant Village May 2013
"It's always special when you are a part of what we do here -
As usual, your group was amazing. So many people here are huge fans !"
Lori Thrower - Event Coordinator for the la Jolla Presbyterian Church. June 2013
"You have an audience rapport that is beautiful to behold. No one wanted you to stop playing."
Lucy, who attended a private party June 2013
"I don't like going to concerts by performers I've already seen because they usually do the same songs over and over. You always have something new to share - it's so much fun !"
From Carol at Oasis 7-25-13
"You Are JOY !"
- comment after concert at private party July 2013
"Some performances are pure entertainment; others are technically entertaining;
and then there are those that hit the "experiential" button that takes us back to places in time that are very special.
Trails & Rails combine all those elements into a wonderful, memorable performance !"
Bob Levline - Arizona - December 30, 2012
"You have continued to reinvent yourselves. I love your new 30s songs.
Your sound - vocal and instrumental - is better than ever --- if that is possible ! "
Jane and Jerry Hatfield - Arizona - December 2012
"Wow! That was such a great show ! Spectacular!
We are so happy we came up for it!
Awesome ! ! "
Audience member comments from
Folk Heritage Concert 9-8-2012
"That's the most fun I've had in ages!"
Hazel ~ from private party Fund Raiser - August 2012
"Don't ever stop playing."
Oasis guest - July 19, 2012
"Trails and Rails is one of the most entertaining groups I know. The individuals have great personalities. Walt Richards is a most amazing banjo player. Lots of talent, personality and good music choices. Arrangements are played to perfection. A great way to brighten your day."
from Phyllis, who attended a January 2012 concert in San Diego.
"That's
the best entertainment I've seen in a long time."
Vintner at Iron Chef event - Campo 4-2-11
"That group called Trails & Rails is my absolute favorite. I'd go see them anywhere."
Comment by a friend to a friend of Trails & Rails October 2011
"Son John loves to go to the RR museum in Campo, and it is there that I heard your CD being played. I was raised on classical music, but Western music seems to sink into my soul and raises my spirit whenever I hear it. Your harmonizing with Walt is awe-inspiring!"
John F. email after hearing Western Tales CD. July 2011
" You three were
wonderful. The slap bass playing was the best I've ever heard. You offer a
complex, sophisticated
combination of personal experience,
knowledge and formidable musicianship topped by an impressive body
of information and song."
Phee S. - Musician and concert promoter. After June 2011 Fallbrook concert.
"Experience
their energy and enthusiasm for this great music and let them reconnect
you with
the Old West !"
Michael Hart - Editor - Julian News Nov. 2011 re 11-5-11 Wynola concert
"That was awesome ! "
Noah, age 10 Rancho San Diego Library July 2011
"Another stellar performance by Trails & Rails !"
Darlington House, La Jolla, CA music chairman July 2010
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(more)
Comments
about the "Western Tales" CD
"What
a great CD. I play it over and over - I'm
going to learn all the songs !"
Peggy Kunsman, musician - San Diego - April 2011
"Received your fantastic CD.... You guys did a great job on your songs"
Adirondac Jim Smith, musician - New York- April 2011
"Great
Job !"
O.J. Sikes
- DJ - New Jersey - April 2011
"I've
listened to it through several times now - and I am very impressed .
. .you guys hit your stride on this one. Really,
Really nice."
Marvin O'Dell
- DJ - California - April 2011
"I love it ! It's perfect !"
Marilyn Tuttle
- Los Angeles - April 2011
"Twenty
quality tunes on one CD ... I've really enjoyed listening to it, multiple
times...."
John
B. President WMA So California May 2011
"Well
done! Beautiful rendition, beautifully recorded. Love the harmony arrangement!
Stewart
MacDougall - co-songwriter of "Wind In The Wire" -"Western
Tales" July 2011
"...another
success for this engaging group whose sounds and inspirations bring to
mind Tom Russell, The Sons of the Pioneers, and Marty Robbins."
from
translation of review by Bernard Boyat in Cri du Coyote
#125
(French publication - August 011)
Comments about
Water, Weeds & Ghosts
(more)
"I thought it was the old pioneer's singing.
Very, Very, Very, well done. Keep up the good work."
Musician Adirondack Jim Smith March 2009
"You have such a way of doing these songs that everyone loves
while still adding your own 'you' to them.
I just love it."
Jane - The Desert Princess Inn Bed & Breakfast Resort in Arizona Feb 2009
"You guys know what music is supposed to do !"
Dennis Anderson - Action Sports Photo; July 2008
"Western songs are the heartbeat and life blood of the Southwest.
Trails & Rails has unearthed some buried musical treasures to keep these traditional melodies
from becoming ghost music.
What stands out are the seriousness and purposefulness of the band
to keep this music fresh and entertaining while still respecting its tradition and origins.
Allen Singer - The San Diego Troubadour CD review - February 2009
Comments about
"Ghosts of Tombstone"
"Walt
& Paula, Please accept my apologies. I said that your new CD (Ghosts of Tombstone)
is great. I was wrong......the word is AWESOME !! We're sitting here on Wednesday
night (November, 2007) listening to it for the 942nd time ! (OK, maybe a slight
exaggeration . . .) Please extend our congratulations to Bruce & Ken and everyone
else involved in the production of this GREAT album !"
-- Esther (for
Rich & Esther Dollarhide - Tombstone Western Music Festival)
"The
songs on "Ghosts of Tombstone may be classified as western music, but they
are much more than that. As you listen to this disc, you'll experience life's
journey sung through the western landscape. Tex, Rex, Hopalong, Gene and Roy would
be proud!"
Review
of CD by Allen Singer
San Diego Troubadour
February 2008 |
"I've
now listened to "Ghosts"at least once a day, every day for two weeks.
Some days I've listened to it several times. Thank you for making this CD;
it is one of the most enjoyable records I have ever listened to.
It is
one of the only records I've ever heard where I really like every single song.
--
John Bartlett, San Diego luthier and author ~ December 2007
"...your
CD's arrived OK ...I am enjoying them very much! Really great stuff!"
--
ChuckarooThe Buckaroo;
Calling All Cowboys Radio,
Bend, Oregon ~ January 2007
"I
can't help but play this infectious song every once in a while"
...regarding
'Best Dang Life' -- in an e-mail from Marvin O' Dell,
Around the Campfire host
on Heartland Public Radio ~ February 2008
"We
like listening to this collection.
The more we listen, the better it gets."
Darrell
Arnold
Cowboy
Magazine review
Spring 2008 |
"The
songs are really cool! I can't wait till I can hear you play live!"
Sincerely,
Calvin
Barrett ~ Age 8
March, 2008 |
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Comments About
the CD "From Way Out West"
The
acoustic duo Trails & Rails (featuring Walt Richards and Paula Strong)
has a new CD titled, From Way Out West. It's made up of contemporary
compositions, with one traditional instrumental. There's a second instrumental,
featuring Ken Wilcox on acoustic Guitar and Walt on banjo, that's one
of my favorite cuts on the CD! As their name implies, the group looks
for both train and Western songs, and they found a good one that combines
both themes for this project, "Night Train Down the Yellowstone," by
Les Buffham & Mike Ley, and another Buffham collaboration, this time
with Mike Fleming, on "Tres Bells of Ol' Gran Boquillas." It
recalls the theme of the popular song "Serenade of the Bells" from
the early 1950s. One of my favorite compositions on the disc, "Night
Time Out on the Range" by Jerry Campbell & Robert Wagoner, opens
the album, and "Echoes of the Trail" is one of my favorite
renditions.
- O.J. Sikes in The
Western Way - Winter 2007
"Great CD! You did a bang-up
job on Jerry's song . . . and the rest, too!"
Ranger Doug 2007
"Keepin'
It Cowboy" was my favorite tune! Great CD. Such great harmony and so mellow!
Your voices blend so well and my favorite part - you just come through as enjoying
it! Are you sure you two don't belong in Arizona? Just keep makin' that good
music.
Your Arizona Fan
Club,
- Joanne (regarding: From Way Out West-2006)
"I
have that waltzing around the Linden Tree song going around in my head;
I
must have played it at least five times today as I was driving around.
That
is a super song!"
- e-mail from author Tom Leech ~ April 2008
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General Comments from listeners:
In case
you missed them at the festival (Albuquerque 2006),
they did a Great job!
- from O.J.
Sikes review of "From
Way Out West"
- in The Western
Way - Winter 2007
You're
talking to a real cowhand from the Rio Grande. I love the old cowboy music and
you folks do a bang-up job !
-
The New Mexico Kid (Anthem
2006)
Your
website is as colorful and beautiful as your songs and harmony! Keep it up!
- Jody in Prescott 2006
Delightful
program. It was grand to learn about Cowboy lore.
-
Peggy and Jim (August 2006)
For
only two people, you create wonderful harmonization and a great program.
-from written comments (August 2006)
Trails & Rails
adds "...a very nice sound" to Marvin O'Dell's new CD, "Letter
to
Molly"
- O.J. Sikes in The
Western Way - Winter 2007
"You
Nailed It!"
-Les
Buffham - Big Nose Kates
- Tombstone 2006
"For me, you were the highlight
of the evening"
- Marilyn
Tuttle, Singer and Western Music promoter (Tucson
2006)
"You guys were great ! "
Jon Messenger, Singer/Songwriter
and past Western Music Association President.
"I
came to all of your concerts - I know I may have missed some other people, but
when I find something I like, I stick with it!"
Tucson
attendee, La Donna (2006)
I
have been extremely fascinated with the music of Paula Strong and Walt Richards
(AKA Trails & Rails), since I heard them in Tucson in 2004. ....They are excellent
pickers and singers....I think you would really enjoy their music... instrumentals,
vocals - both are excellent. Their latest CD, "From Way Out West" is very highly recommended!
-
Jay Taylor in Country Musical Trails
Less Traveled - January/February 2007
"Loved the concert - The audience
hung on every word as each story unfolded. And of course, the instrumentals
are always a source of awe. BRAVO!"
L. Jensen, Director: Brass, Key and Wind Swing Band April 2006
"Your music made the
ambience of our celebration just exactly what we had hope for."
Warren and Pam 2006
"You two have such wonderful
on-stage interaction."
"We could tell you really enjoy
what you're doing."
"I could have listened to 'just
you' all evening."
"Loved every note!"
"You were awesome!"
"You had a connection with the
audience that no one else had."
"You are a class act!"
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