Pearly Blue
IS a northwest group founded in 2004 that specializes in a traditional bluegrass music. It’s members are veterans of many top Washington bluegrass bands including the Dunton Sisters; Ohop Valley Boys; Ron Spears & Within Tradition; Skyline Drifters; and The Fossils to name a few.
Guitarist and Anacortes resident Barry Brower has been at the core of many fine groups in addition to The Fossils. He also formed the Friends of Sally Johnson in the 1980s. Barry is a bluegrass writer and historian, and was a longtime emcee of KBCS Bluegrass Ramble.
Jen Dunton is familiar to many Skagit Valley residents from her years of performing at the Rockfish Grill with the Dunton Sisters. She switches from guitar to bass in Pearly Blue but that sweet voice remains. The legendary Ralph Stanley said of her and sister Bev Dunton, "Those girls sure can sing!" She has performed with the likes of Tony and Larry Rice and interviewed with major recording labels in Nashville.
Bill Scott is a longtime performer on the banjo in the Seattle area. He has played in numerous bluegrass bands including The Fossils; the Howdy Boys; Mountain County Co-Op; and Sockeye. He is one of the few banjo players in the country to have mastered "Reno style" but he is also adept at "Scruggs style." Bill lives in Innis-Arden.
Mandolinist Loren Wohlgemuth isn't well-known to the newer generation of bluegrass fans and musicians but he had a seminal role in early Seattle bluegrass. He was a member of the Turkey Pluckers and its spinoff, Phil & Vivian Williams' Tall Timber, way back in the 1960s. Now a resident of the Skagit Valley, Loren also performed with an Oregon band, Columbia. As the newest band member he brings an exceptional voice to Pearly Blue, and an equally impressive understanding of all bluegrass parts.
Fiddler Mike Schway is a resident of Bellingham and somewhat new to the bluegrass scene, having concentrated primarily on oldtime music for many years. However, he completely understands the raw elements of bluegrass and patterns himself after some of the classic Flatt & Scruggs fiddlers from the 1950s. What we really like about this arrangement is that Mike brings a lot of that "oldtime" feel and danceability to his playing, plus having a huge repertoire of fiddle tunes that are just right for dance situations, or for audiences who like fiddle music. We're extremely happy to present Mike to the bluegrass world!
What They're Saying
"Best wishes and much success. Ya got a great band there!" -- Larry Kuhn, California Bluegrass Association
"You're the real deal!" -- Keith Bowers, Whidbey Island Bluegrass Festival
"I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed the evening and how much everyone there enjoyed your music...so many people came up to me to tell me what a great evening they had enjoyed, thanks to you and your music. They expressed themselves with an enthusiasm that doesn't happen very often...I hope that I get the pleasure of hearing Pearly Blue again soon. I am listening to the CD as I type this. It is terrific!" -- "Your #1 Fan," Jan Jones, Edison, Washington
"You guys did a super job (at Maltby bluegrass concert) on Saturday night. Yours and Jen’s harmony is so smooth & feels so good. I really enjoyed the (Flatt and Scruggs) feeling that Mike (Schway) brought along. You really have a very good group to work with, and I am hoping to hear you all over the place this year." -- Loren Postma, Backburner Bluegrass Band
"That's a pretty stellar band!" -- Larry Chung, Cabin Fever Bluegrass Band and Music Teacher, San Francisco
"Caught your show today at (the) Bluegrass Festival. Truly enjoyed myself...your fiddle player was by far the best all day, and I love fiddle." -- Barbara Grove
"Love your music! Record a CD!" -- John Cienki, Coupeville, Washington
"Wow!!!! That was awesome! -- (Email comment)
"Ya dam (sic) fine job with that. Thanks guys really enjoyed it." -- (Email comment)
"Great picking and singing. Enjoying so much listening to your music…such a pretty song, so beautifully done by your group… thanks so much for sharing your wealth of talent..." -- Gwen
"It was a great day and the music was fabulous, just really made it so special! We had so many compliments on the music. Thank you, again." -- Nancy Loy
"Both lead & harmony vocals fueled by the pulsating sounds of these fine instrumentalists made you take notice of "Pearly Blue" from Washington State. I found myself singing along with many of these fine classics. Everything...was "spot on." --Al Shusterman, KCBL Radio, Backroads Bluegrass
Give a Listen:
Florida Blues
Darlin' Nellie
Once More
Deep River Blues
Videos:
YouTube