CATS & THE FIDDLER
Milford, Michigan
Bluegrass
Shaun, Carmen and James
Cats & The Fiddler-two twin brothers and their cousin-made their musical debut when they were all just 6 years old and now, each at age thirteen, they are veterans of performing.
As a toddler, Shaun made fiddles and guitars with his tinker-toys and imitated the movements of country performers on television. At the age of four, inspired by the country music career of his uncle, Shaun began taking fiddle lessons. Within just a few more years he was playing the mandolin and guitar, and at age 10, he taught himself to play the banjo. He has also explored other types of roots music including bluegrass, folk, and southern gospel.
At the age of one, James and Shaun Richardson were taking music classes focusing on rhythm and tone. James began taking piano lessons at the age of four; by the time he was six, he was doing his own piano improvisations. Like Shaun, he developed an affection for roots music. Watching country and bluegrass artists perform inspired him to take up the upright bass, which he plays in the band in addition to singing lead and harmony vocals.
When Carmen Gibes was four years old, her mother encouraged her to take up the piano. When her cousin, Shaun, introduced her to bluegrass at the age of seven, she decided to learn the guitar. Impressed by bluegrass artist Cia Cherryholmes, who she'd seen perform at a local music festival, Carmen added the banjo to her repertoire. Carmen also provides lead and harmony vocals.
The trio has been tutored by local musician and mentor, Mark Mitchell, and Shaun has honed his fiddle skills with musician and Michigan historian Neil Woodward. In 2005, Cats & The Fiddler were the winners of the Meijer Kid Talent Quest in Michigan.
Links
http://catsandthefiddler.com/
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