Richie Stearns - Tractor Beam

Richie Stearns and Rosie Newton are dynamic artists performing music rooted in the Americana tradition. Over the past four years they have collaborated in various projects together including The Evil City Stringband and Rockwood Ferry. Two years ago they formed a duo, experimenting with traditional and original songs, and the different textural possibilities of the fiddle and banjo. Stearns is an influential banjo player and singer, and has led bands including the Horse Flies, and Donna the Buffalo. He has also toured and recorded with Natalie Merchant, Jim Lauderdale, John Doyle, Tony Trischka, and Carrie Rodriguez among others. His influences include American old-time music, Appalachian folk, blues, African, rock, and country music. Rosie Newton is a talented fiddler and singer. She graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in viola performance, and has become an integral part of the Ithaca old-time music community. She has performed in various bands including her own projects called the Pearly Snaps and Home Remedy, as well as Ferintosh, an internationally touring Celtic music band. Richie Stearns and Rosie Newton take the fiddle, banjo combination to new levels as they continue to expand the boundaries of the tradition. This recording is a culmination of the music they have developed over the past few years.

1) Ribbons ; Bows
2) Take It or Leave
3) If I Needed You
4) I Am with You Always
5) Shirt Tail Boogie
6) Tractor Beam
7) Say Darling Say
8) Willow Garden
9) Lost Goose
10) Trouble in Mind
11) Ruben's Train
12) Hangman's Reel