Gypsy Wind's musical journey has been a long road with many twists and turns, yet this innovative group of players has always captured the essence of what is true to their hearts. Their music is energizing, new and entwined in their family roots. Gypsy's ability to entrance the audience with tight harmonies, exciting progressive leads and novel arrangements has transported this group to the cutting edge of the new acoustic music scene.
For three of the members, bluegrass has defined a way of life. Brother and sister duo, Kristen and Kevin Holloway, spent most of their childhood listening to the sounds of the five-string banjo echo through the house as their father, Mike Holloway, picked until the wee hours of the morning with fellow musicians. As children, they often participated with their dad in home jam sessions.
Kristen
began playing the flute at age 10 and continued her musical training
in high school and college. Her exposure to music at a young age paved the way
for the formation of their family band, "Grass With Class", and later their
album, "Friends", as well as other rewarding projects. The influence of David
Grisman and the "Dawg" movement opened the door for Kristen to explore another
realm of her musicianship. Her vocal influences include Emmylou Harris, Claire
Lynch, Nancy Griffith and Shawn Colvin.
Kevin
picked up his first
three-quarter size fiddle at the age of eight and within a couple months it
became apparent that he was a natural. Playing local talent shows, festivals
and parties developed Kevin's ability to captivate crowds everywhere. By age
thirteen, Kevin discovered his forte - the mandolin. In 1984, Kevin wooed judges
at the Pioneer Days Music Festival in Dade City with his original composition,
"Rain", for which he received first place in the championship. Today Kevin's
playing and singing are clean, dynamic and an integral part of Gypsy Wind's
sound. In
addition to performing with the Gypsy Wind Band, Kevin plays regular gigs on
our local beaches, with Dennis Wallace, Kirk Adams and others...
Michael's
musical roots were also
seeded by his father, Walter. He began playing banjo at age 13 and continued
to study a wide range of musical instruments. Today, Michael teaches and performs
on various instruments including guitar, bass, mandolin and the low brass family.
Throughout high school, he played with local string bands, school ensembles
and toured with the Suncoast Sound Drum and Bugle Corps. During college, he
performed with Mr. John Fadis and the Bob Hope Show Band. Michael and Billy
Sandlin, a guest performer on the Gypsy Wind CD, played with Bill Monroe at
his last show in Tarpon Springs, FL. His pursuit of a musical career has also
enabled him to participate in a large number of openings including events for
Crosby, Stills, & Nash, Pat Metheny Group, Little Feat and Jefferson Starship.
Michael and Gypsy Wind had the pleasure to accompany the legendary violinist,
Vassar Clements, at the 2001 Florida Folk Festival. Today, he spreads his talents
through a host of regional bands and teaches locally.
Rob
first
started playing the bass at the age of 14 when his grandmother bought him a
bass and lessons for his birthday. Rob's earliest musical influence came from
his grandfather, who was a self-taught musician; playing everything from the
tuba & trumpet to the ukulele & guitar. Rob has childhood memories of
his grandfather playing Reveille as they raised the flag at their lake house
in rural Ohio. Though Rob was influenced greatly by the 'jam band' scene in
the 1990s, country music has always been a part of his life. While attending
the University Of Colorado Rob became more interested in Bluegrass and Newgrass.
Living in Cincinnati after school, he purchased a 1940s Kay Bass and started
spending more time in Bluegrass circles. His interest Bluegrass really flourished
when Rob began discovering acts such as The Del McCoury Band, Yonder Mountain
String Band, as well as Bill Monroe and Flatts & Scruggs. As time goes on,
Rob continues to be influenced by all types of music from Django to Jerry, Talking
Heads to Tony Rice, Beck to Bob Dylan and many others.
John
was
born in Minto, New Brunswick, Canada. He began playing the violin at the age
of 4. At the age of 10, he was introduced to Lone Pine Mountaineer (Hal Breau)and
Betty Cody (parents of the late great guitarist Lenny Breau) John toured with
this group in the mid to40's to the early 50's.John studied classical violin
from the ages of10 to 20 years old. He was a member of The Bunkhouse Boys Band.
They toured the Maritimes and had a weekly radio & TV show. He formed his
own band in the 60's called “The Johnny Richard Quintet”. His favorite
musicians are Stephane Grappelli, Mark O’Connor and Johnny Gimble (who
was his inspiration for acquiring a 5-string violin) John has played with such
names as The Tommy Hunter (Road Band), Don Messer & His Islanders,Gary “Spike”Spicer,
Jeannie Sheppard, John Pryne, Tammy Wynette. He toured with Little Jimmy Dickins
in the 60's.John was inducted into the New Brunswick Country Music Hall of Fame
in 1984. He was the recipient of the ECMA “Stompin Tom Connors”
Award in1995 and was inducted into The Minto Country Music Wall of Fame in Sept
2003.
John & his wife Faith are the proud parents of three daughters. They are
retired and live in Perth, Ontario. They winter in St. Petersburg, Florida.
John is a session player for a number of studios in the Ottawa, Toronto and
St.Petersburg/Tampa areas. John is a regular "Winter" member of the
band, in addition to playing regular gigs with Dennis Wallace and Kevin Holloway.
For booking information please contact
Rob Williams 727-366-7828
Kristen Holloway 727-596-9601