The Chris Cairns Band
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Welcome to The Chris Cairns Band Website!

Here is the latest news...

The Chris Cairns Band performed to a double standing ovation at the Fireside Concert Series in Newbury Park on Friday, February 13th. Highlights included a solo performance by Chris of the Beatle's Hit "Eleanor Rigby," a double mandolin version of Bill Monroe's "Rawhide" and a rousing rending of Ralph Stanley's "Little Maggie." Chris borrowed a 1938 Gibson archtop to perform Little Maggie and the sound drove the audience to their feet for a standing ovation in the middle of the show! The video highlights of the show will be coming soon. Check back here at this website for updates. Thanks again to Bob Kroll and the whole Fireside gang for hosting our show.

Zaca Creek Ranch "Barbeque, Bluegrass and Blues Festival" held January 3rd, 2009 was a huge success. The event, featuring performers Joe Paquin and Whiskey Chimp had over 200 attendees and raiased over $8,000.00 for the Wounded Warrior Project charity. Click here to view pictures of the event.

Chris's banjo playing is featured on the new CD by Merlin Snyder "Right Here" - Check it out at CD Baby.

Chris will be playing at Merlin's CD Release Concert.
WHERE: Conejo Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Newbury Park,
3327 Old Conejo Road, Newbury Park. Go to Merlin’s web site for Google map directions.
WHEN: February 28, 2009, 7:30 PM
ADMISSION: $12.00 at the door
RESERVATIONS AND INFO: Merlinsing@mac.com or 805-499-6629
WEB SITE: www.merlinsnider.com
For more information check out Merlin's website - www.MerlinSnyder.com

The 1st annual Door County Bluegrass Camp was a rousing success from the very first note of the instructors concert to the very last tearful goodbye. Wow, what great instructors and willing students, the perfect location, right on the water in beautiful Door County and nothing but bluegrass fun for a whole week!

Here's what people are saying about the camp:

By Peg and Bob Cullen

For a first-time event, the recent Door County Bluegrass Camp was remarkably well organized and professional. In fact, we think it was one of the best we had ever been to, and we have been to ones in Minnesota, Illinois, West Virginia, and North Carolina. First of all we didn’t have to go far and it was in a beautiful setting on the water in Door County. We enjoyed the small size because we did not have to lug our instruments very far, and we got to know every participant. We are glad we got to go to the camp before it becomes large, as will certainly happen when people find out how well it is run.

There were workshops in fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin, bass, singing, yodeling, storytelling, song writing, dance, and others we have probably forgotten. The instructors were exceptional musicians and teachers and worked incredibly long, hard days with giving classes, tons of individual instruction and concerts. All of the instructors were fabulous musicians and cared very much about the students. And, they were lots of fun and personable, always available to answer questions.

As the camp leader said, all the students were great too, there wasn’t one whiner in the group! And, she was right. Everyone was friendly and supportive. The largest group was the fiddle group, with 9 fiddlers aging from ages 10-65. I was obviously the only fiddler who was not classically trained, but I fit in just fine. The young kids were amazing with their skills and music knowledge and yet they all were friendly and supportive of me and one even loved the way I played (very untrained!) We all learned how to play together even though we played differently. I also took a singing class with an amazing voice teacher, Karen Mal from Austin, TX. She helped me find my new “bluegrass voice”. She was classically trained in voice but sang bluegrass beautifully.

Bob’s banjo class only had three students, all older gentlemen but they had an amazing banjo teacher, Chris Cairns from California. He was not only an excellent banjo player but a terrific teacher. Bob’s progress since camp has been amazing. Chris really inspired him and taught him lots.

In addition to classes we were all allowed to sign up for individualized instruction and got lots of individual help that way. We also formed bands and got to play at a student performance and for a barn dance in Sister Bay. We learned a lot about playing in a band, taking breaks, and playing in front of an audience. It was so much fun and the audience was very appreciative. I also took a yodeling class for fun. The storyteller was a really well versed man who enthralled us with stories at meal times.

Our lodging was at a resort, and our rooms were very nice and clean and roomy. We bought a meal ticket so ate three meals a day at the lodge. Each meal was a buffet with lots of choices. The food was very good but I would have opted for some healthier choices. I also would have liked to have had more faculty run jams, but they were so busy with teaching and giving concerts that there was not much time. There were informal jams in a lovely small lodge separate from the main lodge, but they often ran too late for us. All in all, however, it was a wonderful camp. We came away very inspired and enjoyed every minute there. If you would like to check it out go to http://www.violynn.com/

Buy the CD "2008 Door County Bluegrass Camp - Instructor Concert - Live at the T.A.P."

$15.00 each - Go to www.doorcountybluegrass to order your copy.

Howdy friends,

Are you a myspace user? Stay in touch with us via our myspace page at www.myspace.com/thechriscairnsband

We're proud to announce that "Hello Blue" the title track from Chris's new CD has hit the Bluegrass Music Profiles "Barn Burners" Hot Singles Chart which tracks up and coming radio singles! Our thanks go out to all the radio DJ's who have been playing our songs!

Click here to read our latest press release and news about FireHeart Records!