Mark Schatz is a two-time winner of the IBMA Bass Player of the Year Award and is best known for his contributions on some of the most iconic recordings in bluegrass by artists such as Tony Rice, Bela Fleck, John Hartford, Claire Lynch, Tim O’Brien, Sara Jarosz, and Nickel Creek. But Mark is also a master of the clawhammer banjo and is featured playing his own compositions on two solo projects on Rounder Records, BRAND NEW OLD TYME WAY and STEPPIN’ IN THE BOILER HOUSE. Mark is always ready to cut loose with some Southern Appalachian clogging and hambone, and his stagecraft was honed through a long association with the acclaimed Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble, for whom he still serves as Musical Director.

Bryan McDowell grew up in Western North Carolina, where he studied with legendary fiddler Arvil Freeman. His aptitude on multiple instruments was prodigious, leading him to take first prize in fiddle, mandolin, and guitar when he was just 18 years old at the prestigious Winfield Flatpicking Championship, a feat never to be replicated. He is a gifted singer, and did stints with Sierra Hull and Molly Tuttle.

In early 2020 Mark called on his friend, Bryan, to tour together as a duo. Live in Mark’s studio they recorded GRIT & POLISH, an acoustic tour de force that moves effortlessly from original fiddle tunes and songs to Louis Jordan Boogie Woogie and Bob Dylan. It garnered the #1 spot on the Folk DJ charts in June of 2021, and came in at #9 for the year!