BEARGRASS
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BEARGRASS

Deary, Idaho, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2000 | SELF

Deary, Idaho, United States | SELF
Established on Jan, 2000
Duo Americana Country

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This band has not uploaded any videos

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"The Co-op Listener: Beargrass"

Beargrass is Shayne and Alane
Watkins, a hard-pickin’
acoustic duo whose songwriting
and performing skills can be
witnessed at the Co-op on March
10. It is a treat to have them at
the Co-op, as their passion for
music lures them away from
their home in Deary for up to 20
weekends per year. In the summer,
they enjoy extended vacations
in which they combine gigs
and camping trips. So settle back
and enjoy some really original
music in the bluegrass, I mean
beargrass, style,
Beargrass evolved from the
Mountain Men and Julie, a family
band in which Shayne played
with his Mom and Dad beginning
at age 13. Alane joined the
Watkins family band in 2000,
then joined the Watkins family
in 2001 when she and Shayne
married. The result was a merger
of devoted and seasoned musicians.
Shayne grew up steeped in
country music tradition, learning
how to play chords from his dad,
but teaching himself lead guitar.
Alane taught herself to play
guitar after buying one at a yard
sale when she was 15. She then
put herself through college playing
gigs and cut her first album
in 1997. Shayne’s parents, Julie
and Delvin, no longer try to keep
up with Shayne and Alane’s
frenetic performance schedule,
though they contributed prominently
to their first CD “Storm
Moon.” A second CD entitled
“Three Chords and a Capo”
showcases more of the couple’s
clever originals with a few really
nice covers (John Prine, Doug
McQuire) for spice.
In their separate lives before
Beargrass, Shayne and Alane
honed their singing, playing
and songwriting in their own
styles. As the son of the founders
of the annual Weiser Fiddle
Festival, Shayne’s country and
bluegrass tendencies are no
surprise. Alane was inspired by
more contemporary country folk
exemplified by Kate Wolf and
Nanci Griffith. This combination
of influences makes for a blend
as pleasing as their husband-wife
vocal harmonies. Their range of
song topics includes compulsory
country themes like drinkin’,
cheatin’, and the meaning of a cowboy hat, but stretches out
with subjects that aren’t in the
conventional country or bluegrass
libretto. Alane has written
at least three songs that feature
the moon, including the beautiful
Storm Moon from which the
title of the first Beargrass album
is taken. Here, Alane plays guitar
and sings of the goddesses
Inanna and Baba Yaga, in this
lovely pagan ballad accompanied
by Shane’s harmonies and
nimble mandolin. “I see the
moon and the moon sees me,”
sings Alane. But hold on, this is
followed by songs about divorce,
hypocrisy and a guy who
thought he was a train. All these
not-so-disparate themes are tied
together by fine vocal harmonies,
clever lyrics, and entraining
rhythms
I was treated to a live performance
of Storm Moon at Shane
and Alane’s home, where they
welcomed my Beargrass factfinding
mission. Alane flipped
through the pages of a colorful
photo album displaying pictures
from countless regional venues.
Beargrass has played the Log
Inn in Potlatch, MaryJanesFarm
Fair, Bicycle Idaho, the SolWest
Alternative Energy Fair in John
Day, OR, the Latah County Fair,
and the Orofino VFW Hall, to
name a few. Yet they have time
for art and both hold down regular
jobs: Shayne is a forester and
Alane runs a human resources
consulting business. It won’t surprise
you to learn that they don’t
watch television!
In their own words, Beargrass
uses husband-and-wife harmonies
to blend Americana with
traditional country twang. They
are not afraid to sing about the
good and bad aspects of life and
love. For proof, I offer example
song titles such as “Men Get
Screwed,” about deadbeat moms,
and “Wonderful Weekend,”
about wedded bliss. The themes
and the music are an entertaining
blend of traditional styles
(from country to honky-tonk)
with a range of timeless and
cleverly presented lyrics. Shayne
and Alane tell me that their live
performances include more covers
than are found on their two
albums, and they have about
300 songs in their repertoire. But
here’s an additional tip – they
don’t mind requests and will
even perform a requested song
for the first time in a live setting!
I encourage you to take them up
on this offer at their upcoming
Co-op performance - you will
surely have a good time. - Moscow Community Newsletter


"The Co-op Listener: Beargrass"

Beargrass is Shayne and Alane
Watkins, a hard-pickin’
acoustic duo whose songwriting
and performing skills can be
witnessed at the Co-op on March
10. It is a treat to have them at
the Co-op, as their passion for
music lures them away from
their home in Deary for up to 20
weekends per year. In the summer,
they enjoy extended vacations
in which they combine gigs
and camping trips. So settle back
and enjoy some really original
music in the bluegrass, I mean
beargrass, style,
Beargrass evolved from the
Mountain Men and Julie, a family
band in which Shayne played
with his Mom and Dad beginning
at age 13. Alane joined the
Watkins family band in 2000,
then joined the Watkins family
in 2001 when she and Shayne
married. The result was a merger
of devoted and seasoned musicians.
Shayne grew up steeped in
country music tradition, learning
how to play chords from his dad,
but teaching himself lead guitar.
Alane taught herself to play
guitar after buying one at a yard
sale when she was 15. She then
put herself through college playing
gigs and cut her first album
in 1997. Shayne’s parents, Julie
and Delvin, no longer try to keep
up with Shayne and Alane’s
frenetic performance schedule,
though they contributed prominently
to their first CD “Storm
Moon.” A second CD entitled
“Three Chords and a Capo”
showcases more of the couple’s
clever originals with a few really
nice covers (John Prine, Doug
McQuire) for spice.
In their separate lives before
Beargrass, Shayne and Alane
honed their singing, playing
and songwriting in their own
styles. As the son of the founders
of the annual Weiser Fiddle
Festival, Shayne’s country and
bluegrass tendencies are no
surprise. Alane was inspired by
more contemporary country folk
exemplified by Kate Wolf and
Nanci Griffith. This combination
of influences makes for a blend
as pleasing as their husband-wife
vocal harmonies. Their range of
song topics includes compulsory
country themes like drinkin’,
cheatin’, and the meaning of a cowboy hat, but stretches out
with subjects that aren’t in the
conventional country or bluegrass
libretto. Alane has written
at least three songs that feature
the moon, including the beautiful
Storm Moon from which the
title of the first Beargrass album
is taken. Here, Alane plays guitar
and sings of the goddesses
Inanna and Baba Yaga, in this
lovely pagan ballad accompanied
by Shane’s harmonies and
nimble mandolin. “I see the
moon and the moon sees me,”
sings Alane. But hold on, this is
followed by songs about divorce,
hypocrisy and a guy who
thought he was a train. All these
not-so-disparate themes are tied
together by fine vocal harmonies,
clever lyrics, and entraining
rhythms
I was treated to a live performance
of Storm Moon at Shane
and Alane’s home, where they
welcomed my Beargrass factfinding
mission. Alane flipped
through the pages of a colorful
photo album displaying pictures
from countless regional venues.
Beargrass has played the Log
Inn in Potlatch, MaryJanesFarm
Fair, Bicycle Idaho, the SolWest
Alternative Energy Fair in John
Day, OR, the Latah County Fair,
and the Orofino VFW Hall, to
name a few. Yet they have time
for art and both hold down regular
jobs: Shayne is a forester and
Alane runs a human resources
consulting business. It won’t surprise
you to learn that they don’t
watch television!
In their own words, Beargrass
uses husband-and-wife harmonies
to blend Americana with
traditional country twang. They
are not afraid to sing about the
good and bad aspects of life and
love. For proof, I offer example
song titles such as “Men Get
Screwed,” about deadbeat moms,
and “Wonderful Weekend,”
about wedded bliss. The themes
and the music are an entertaining
blend of traditional styles
(from country to honky-tonk)
with a range of timeless and
cleverly presented lyrics. Shayne
and Alane tell me that their live
performances include more covers
than are found on their two
albums, and they have about
300 songs in their repertoire. But
here’s an additional tip – they
don’t mind requests and will
even perform a requested song
for the first time in a live setting!
I encourage you to take them up
on this offer at their upcoming
Co-op performance - you will
surely have a good time. - Moscow Community Newsletter


"Toe Tappin' Boot Stompin' Music"

The 10th annual Scenic Six Fiddle Show gets underway August 3, 2002. Last years show entertained a record crowd of over 500. This year's show will close with a feature performance by Beargrass--Shayne and Alane Watkins who live in Deary, ID. Shayne Watkins began his singing career as part of a band called the Mountain Men and Julie. The band was comprised of the Watkins family, father and mother Delvin and Julie and son Shayne. In 2001, Alane joined the band and now Shayne and Alane travel around entertaining and attending bluegrass festivals as a duo. Beargrass is preparing to record their first CD and it will include all original, fun tunes. - Latah Eagle


"Bluegrass, country bands to perform"

Bluegrass band Yankee Blue and country western band BEARGRASS will play Tuesday at the Clarkston High School auditorium. Doors open at 6 pm. - Lewiston Tribune


"Music runs in family's blood"

Beargrass of north central Idaho is again set to perform at Kooskia Days on Saturday night at Pankey's street dance. The musical group consists of Shayne, Alane, Delvin and Julie Watkins. Shayne and his parents played for 20 years as The Mountain Men and Julie. They have been favorites in the LC Valley for years.
In 2001 Alane joined when she and Shayne were married. She has a background of traditional honky-tonk country, folk and country rock that rounds out the groups repertoire.
Shayne is an excellent mandolin player and flat-picker so the flavor of bluegrass threads its way into their performance. Whether you like to sit and tap your toes, two-step around the room or stomp your feet, Beargrass will get you moving. - Clearwater progress


"Bluegrass band headlines annual event at farm July 2005"

Beargrass, a Deary family bluegrass dance band will headline entertainment for the second annual Farm Fair taking place at MaryJanesFarm. - Moscow Pullman Daily News


Discography

Three Chords and a Capo, 2007
Storm Moon 2003
Alane Watkins- Old Avon Road solo 1997

Guest appearances on:
Shiloh Sharrard "Don't Make Me Go To School" 2007
Dan Faller "The Rising Cost of Wisdom" 2007

Radio airplay includes:
Inland Folk Dan Maher, NW Public Radio
http://www.nwpr.org/07/OnDemand/InlandFolk.aspx 11/17/2007 streaming
KRLC 1350 AM Western Heritage Show (multiple appearances) Lewiston Idaho
KUOI 89.3 FM
WRUW-FM, Cleveland, Ohio
Pongid Radio-Indie Streaming
AFC Radio--Indie collection

Photos

Bio

With versatility, vocals and wit, Beargrass has been enchanting crowds in venues from coffee shops to concert halls and county fairs and their fan base just keeps growing. Alane is influenced by artists such as Nancy Griffith, Patty Loveless, John Prine and Ian Tyson. Shaynes major influences are Marty Robbins, Merle Haggard and Buck Owens. They have shared the stage with such talents as Joni Harms, Wiley and the Wild West Show, Nu-Blu and have provided backup for traveling headliners and performed on numerous live radio shows. Their original tunes reflect humor and passion for everyday events and their cover of diverse artists will make you smile with recognition and pleasure. Shayne's mandolin and flat-pickin blend with Alane's unique vocals and their honest harmonies.   The combination brings out the clean, straight up sound of roots country. Whether you like to tap your toes, two-step around the room or reminisce to an old time ballad, BEARGRASS will charm and please you.

Band Members