Walt Richards on Guitar, Banjo, and Mandolin
Paula Strong on Guitar back-up and Mike Craig on Acoustic Bass
All three Trio members sing lead and harmony.

Walt and Paula were the 2006 Western Music Association (WMA) Duo Harmony winners. Since then T&R has received multiple WMA nominations in many categories including Best Traditional Group, CD of the Year, Song of the Year, and Instrumentalist Of The Year (Walt.)

Accolades from peers are great, but they say their best reward is in seeing smiles light up the faces of audience members who are reminded of songs they love and don’t often get to hear – and by watching the dancing feet and seeing the entranced looks of children who are often hearing these songs - and sometimes even hearing a ‘live’ guitar, banjo, acoustic bass or mandolin for the first time!

Since their early days of playing together, Walt and Paula have expanded their repertoire from Western to include Train songs, and familiar tunes from our recently-past century. You’ll know most of these songs. Singing along is encouraged. You’ll be helping keep our musical heritage alive.

And did we mention the Banjo? Exciting ! - but also beautiful tunes, played like you’ve never heard them before !

And now bass player, Mike, is creating new clever, fun, and funny songs. They’ll share a couple of those, too.

You’ll be amazed at the variety in a Trails & Rails show. Hope to see you there.

www.trailsandrails.net

Hot Pstromi bandleader and founder Yale Strom was a pioneer among revivalists in conducting extensive field research in Central and Eastern Europe and the Balkans among the Jewish and Rom communities. This unique research formed the foundation for Yale Strom & Hot Pstromi. Hot Pstromi’s sound – a fusion of traditional klezmer, new Jewish music, Gypsy, khasidic, world beat and Balkan music noted for long improvisational breaks – is unique and celebrated. Strom and his band will be performing klezmer, Yiddish, Ladino, swing and even a bluegrass tune or two! 
Elizabeth Schwartz - vocals/baritone ukulele
Gunnar Biggs - contrabass
Yale Strom - violin
Photo by Brian Blue