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NEXTnc's conversation with the Spring Creek Bluegrass Band |
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Written by Erin Frustaci
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Thursday, 19 July 2007 |
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 Dreams are coming true for Spring Creek Bluegrass Band. The four musicians are on top of the world after being named 2007 Telluride Bluegrass Festival competition champion.
“There’s lots of musicians out there and people who play, but it’s rare to find four people who love what they do and play different instruments,” said Taylor Sims, guitarist and vocalist.
Sims, Jessica Smith and Chris Elliott met when they studied music at South Plains College in Texas.
The trio decided to move to Colorado for the summer in 2004. That’s when things got interesting.
Sims was on his way to go fly-fishing when he saw a hitchhiker with a backpack and fly-fishing rod in his hand. It was Alex Johnstone, who would soon become the fourth member of the group.
“I picked him up and we were pretty much instant friends,” Sims said.
Though it’s been a lot of work, the band continues to achieve great musical accomplishments.
“This is what I’ve always wanted,” Sims said. “I wanted to play music for a living and now I am.”
—— NEXTnc's Conversation with Spring Creek Bluegrass Band ——
NEXTnc: What’s the best thing you’ve found at a garage sale?
SIMS: Lets see here, vinyl records. The best thing I’ve found was an Asleep At The Wheel record.
NEXTnc: So, how did the Telluride Bluegrass Festival go? How does it feel to be named the 2007 Telluride Bluegrass Band Competition Champion?
SIMS: It feels great. It was very satisfying. We worked really hard for it. The festival was great. The way the competition was set up was you send in your entry form, a demo and $75.
They pick 12 to play in the contest. We played in the prelims. The judges then pick four bands. They go on and play on the main stage on Saturday. It’s a huge stage. Any musician who has played there will tell you it’s the best view from a stage. It definitely was the best view I’ve ever seen from a stage... It was just great. It was exciting just to be a part of it and just to make finals. I was pretty sure we’d make finals... So many great musicians have stood there.
So many of our heroes have stood up on that stage.
To play our music on that stage was really validating, but to win was unbelievable. You can’t win anything if you think you are going to lose. For them to call our name for first place was extremely satisfying.
NEXTnc: If your band had to play another kind of music other than bluegrass, what would you play?
SIMS: We would be a honky-tonk band and play traditional country or a western swing band.
NEXTnc: Where do you see yourself in the next 10 years?
SIMS: I see us just continuing to play and make albums. I hope we are still together, that we are still playing the kind of music we want to play and are still singing the kind of songs we want to sing. Hopefully we are at an even more successful place.
NEXTnc: How does Colorado’s bluegrass scene compare to the bluegrass scene in Texas?
SIMS: We do have fair amount of experience in Texas. The scene is not as good or rich down there... One reason I think is because back when bluegrass was having it’s hey-day in the Southeast, western swing was happening in Texas.
People down there grew up listening to that sound. They like bluegrass, but it’s not as big as it is here.
The music scene here is exciting. There’s a lot going on because people are excited and will come out for it.
———
TO GO TO THE SHOW
9 a.m. July 21 at the Swing Station in Laporte. $7.
2 p.m. Aug. 25 at the Greeley Bluegrass Round Up in Greeley.
8 p.m. Aug. 31 at Avogadro’s Number in Fort Collins.
The Band
Taylor Sims, guitar and vocals, 23
Jessica Smith, bass and vocals, 26
Chris Elliott, banjo and vocals, 24
Alex Johnstone, mandolin, fiddle and sings, 26
Online
www.springcreekbluegrassband.com or www.myspace.com/springcreek | Only registered users can write comments.
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