AMP Daddy 
Kevin Brown is one of the best in the business. For the past two decades he’s played professionally all across Canada, the U.S. and England. He’s opened for such celebrated acts as The Band, Jeff Healey, Burton Cummings, Randy Bachman, Doug and the Slugs and The Commitments. Aside from playing hundreds of solo acoustic shows, Kevin has also been a member of successful Ontario bands including Mainstreet, Black Water Draw, McKinley/Brown and the great Canadian show band, Decades. A skillful musician, Kevin plays guitar, bass, piano and saxophone, though his solo/duo shows tend to showcase the acoustic guitar. Kevin is also a gifted singer/songwriter whose infectious tunes range from pop to rock to blues to country. Kevin has recently formed a powerful songwriting team with Ann Marie Pincivero and Kent MacMillan (aka Max Bent). Born to perform, Kevin is a lively, engaging, funny entertainer and guaranteed crowd pleaser.
Ann Marie Pincivero is a relative newcomer to the music scene. An award-winning University of Toronto graduate with a B.A. in English, Drama and Art, she has a unique passion for the arts. Her poems have appeared in literary journals. Her paintings have been shown at local galleries. She’s acted in TV and film. A prolific songwriter, Ann Marie has penned over 250 songs since learning to play guitar a few years ago. Her tunes are catchy, heartfelt and inspiring. A regular at the Keith Thompson Songwriter's Cafe, she has been featured several times at Manhattans Music Club and performed 11 hours during the 201 hour Guinness World Record-breaking event for the longest concert of continuous original music. She has also appeared at the River Run Centre several times, as well as other local venues with Kevin Brown. Though she had no formal training, Ann Marie was singing before she could talk. Her voice has been likened to Sarah Mclachlan, Jewel, Feist and Dolores O’Riordan, though she has her own unique style.
Ribfest is thrilled to have them performing together as AMP Daddy to kick off the weekend.
www.myspace.com/ampdaddyduo
Adrian Raso
Adrian Raso is a respected guitarist/composer from Guelph, Ontario, . Adrian has recorded 2 instrumental EPs, Supersonic Music Man (1999) and the self-titled Adrian Raso (2001) and in 2004, he recorded his first full-length electric album, Electric Medusa. In 2005, Adrian released an all-acoustic album, Black Mamba, which was recorded, mixed, and mastered at Metalworks Studios in Toronto, Ontario . This CD featured Adrian ’s stunning versatility and musicianship over a variety of styles, ranging from Gypsy to Latin flavours. This album is a fine example of the balance between commercially accepted music that is also readily embraced by the technically-minded musician.
In 2006, Adrian released his second full-length all-acoustic album called Tales of a Travelling Bohemian. This fiery, passionate guitar-driven CD accentuates his ease of moving from Middle-Eastern to Mediterranean to Gypsy styles of music. The 14 tracks on this disc will no doubt take you to far and distant lands.
C’est La Vie (2008) is Adrian ’s tribute to Gypsy Swing. These 15 new compositions reflect his love of Django Reinhardt and traditional French Gypsy music. This album was mixed by Nick Blagona, who had previously worked with Stephane Grapelli.
In 2009, Adrian got back to his scorching hot electric roots with the release of Clean Up The Mess, featuring the drumming of Jeff Consi (Nuno Bettencourt). From blues to surf-rock to reggae, this album rips!
Joining Adrian for his live shows is his band, The Mess. Pete Pascetta, on drums and wigs, provides the backbeat and soul. Ian Ellis rounds out the rhythm section on bass and injects a sweet bottom-end. Anthony Tessaro, the Mighty Dragon, brings in fiery rhythm chops on guitar. Band chemistry allows this group to instantly improvise new motifs at every live show. The shows are a total throwback to the late 1960’s in fashion, vibe and groove. Think the Jimi Hendrix Experience… but sexier! Isn’t it great to see the look of tight polyester pants back again?!
Reviews regarding Adrian ’s body of work consider him a guitar virtuoso, an exceptional songwriter, and his jaw-dropping live shows never fail to impress. Favourable reviews and critical acclaim have led to Adrian being commissioned to write original music for independent film and theatre productions, and artist endorsements from the Godin Guitars Company, Gitane Guitars, and Biltmore Hats. Adrian has also been featured in many magazines, on CBC, and a Canadian YMCA campaign. Adrian is currently touring in support of his newest album "Clean up the Mess".
www.adrianraso.net
Paul Reddick
Paul Reddick is a singer, songwriter and harmonica player whose songs help keep the roots music tradition moving forward. His songs explore the beauties and mysteries of the blues, country and folk music, and take the road less travelled around the lost and found landscapes of longing and love.
We are proud to have Paul perform at Ribfest 2010.
www.paulreddick.ca
The Kramdens
“The Kramdens have mastered consistent, intelligent and quirky pop rock… It’s time to give them the attention they deserve for once.”
— Shain Shapiro, ECHO Weekly, November 20, 2008
In the 18 years The Kramdens have been together, they’ve seen a lot. The road trips. The sound checks. The highs & lows. And countless changes to a scene that has made both artists and labels shrug and throw their arms up in the air. But throughout all these experiences, they’ve grown, learned, persevered, and developed a reputation for writing and performing well-crafted songs and playing them to an audience that becomes as much a part of the show as the band. Their latest self-titled album, released in November 2008 by Sunny Lane Records(Fontana North), showcases their songwriting coming of age. A more focused, textured and insightful sound has developed from their 18-month foray into their own studio, painstakingly finding the right sound, the right arrangement, the right words to create an album completely unlike their previous efforts. With songs ranging from the familiar roots and pop rock sound the band has been known for, to more introspective ballads, this album is a significant departure for the band.
Fronted by CBC Radio 3 host Craig Norris, The Kramdens have performed at countless bars, clubs, festivals and benefits over the years. They have been a repeat favourite at the Hillside Festival, and their performance at this year’s 25th anniversary festival was broadcast on CBC Radio 2’s Canada Live this past November. Known for getting crowds of all kinds on their feet and dancing, the band has proven versatile enough to entertain equally in any venue, tailoring shows to their crowd and delighting audiences at every turn.
“There are a number of ways to identify a great rock band. The number of records they've recorded, the number of hotel rooms trashed, the number of rehab programs completed… but there are only two that count: how long they’ve been together and how good the music is. The Kramdens have been around for more than a decade and their music speaks for itself.” — Bill Stunt, CBC Radio
www.thekramdens.com
