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‘BRRH’ To Feature Skiffle Minstrels, Mark And Raianne Today

Trinity Guitars’ “Back Room Radio Hour” will feature performances by The Skiffle Minstrels and the folk duo Mark and Raianne during the live taping of its 30th episode tonight beginning at 7 p.m. Submitted photos

Trinity Guitars’ “Back Room Radio Hour” is going to celebrate its 30th overall program by doing something completely different: a two-part, two-hour broadcast.

The WRFA-LP 107.9-affiliated program will be taped live at Trinity Guitars, 800 W. Third St. in Jamestown, tonight beginning at 7 p.m., when The Skiffle Minstrels along with Mark and Raianne will each be featured in their own segments.

“This program is going to be a little bit different, as Mark and Raianne called after I had the Skiffle Minstrels scheduled,” said Bill Ward, program host. “I could not pass up this incredibly gifted folk duo from New England. The Skiffles were scheduled to do the entire show, so now we are going to get feature performances from each of these world-class acts. It will be a two-part broadcast.”

The Skiffle Minstrels is a Western Swing dance band. Founded in 2003, the group covers the songs of Bob Wills and all the great Western Swing bands of the ’30s and ’40s, and perform original material written in the same style. In 2015, the band released its third CD, “Happy Hour.” The album was nominated by the Academy of Western Artists as Best Western Swing record of the year.

The band is comprised of: Paul Tidaro on bass, fiddle and vocals; Phil Knoerzer on rhythm guitar and harmonica; Bill Hutchinson on drums; Chris Jones on fiddle; Dave Mussen on clarinet; Jim Whitford on steel guitar; and Gary Meixner on steel guitar. The group has received awards in categories ranging from Best Country Act and Best Genre Defying Act to Top Original Group. The Skiffle Minstrels travel the Northeastern U.S. playing at festivals, clubs and parties.

For more information on The Skiffle Minstrels, visit skiffleminstrels.com.

The folk duo of Mark Mandeville and Raianne Richards have been well-received by audiences around the eastern United States since 2010. Transcending the genre of folk Americana, their music echoes inspiration from traditional folk duos and singer-songwriters like Ian & Sylvia, Kate Wolf and Neil Young — combining beautiful harmonies and a lyrical intensity, while establishing a unique sound of their own.

Featuring a wide range of instrumental accompaniment including guitar, harmonica, ukulele, clarinet, penny whistle and electric bass , the duo’s new album “Grain by Grain” demonstrates an ever progressive richness in songwriting and performance. Both artists are products of central Massachusetts mill and factory towns and, for all their national exposure, they are passionately dedicated to the region and what it has to offer.

For more information on Mark and Raianne, visit markandraianne.com.

In addition to the musicians it showcases, “Back Room Radio Hour” also features a community organization or individual to spotlight during each episode. Tonight’s episode will feature a conversation with St. Thomas resident Barbara Birt, who has been helping to coordinate some relief efforts on the Virgin Islands in the aftermath of recent hurricanes devastating the area. Among Birt’s relief efforts are the housing of some of the many people left homeless by the hurricanes.

There is no cost to attend a taping session of “Back Room Radio Hour,” but it is preferable that those interested in attending reserve their seats by contacting Trinity Guitars at 665-4490. Reservations may also be made by visiting trinityguitars.com or via the event’s Facebook page.

The show will begin at 7 p.m., and it is recommended that attendees arrive at 6:30 p.m. in order to ensure the program begins on time.

For more information, find “BRRH Special – Skiffle Minstrels w/ Mark & Raianne” on Facebook.

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