Buskin & Batteau and The Kennedys

SPECIAL SPLIT BILL BUSKIN & BATTEAU - Began when folk legend Tom Rush invited them to be his backup band - with David on piano, guitar and vocals - Robin on vocals, violin, guitar and mandolin. Along the way they made Emmy and Grammy-winning charity records and books and TV shows with Marlo Thomas and Chris Cerf and friends; Co-wrote most of Judy Collins' "Fires of Eden" record with Judy; received An Oscar nomination for "On Tip-Toe," the documentary short film about Ladysmith Black Mambazo whose centerpiece was Robin's "Stupid Song"; had their songs recorded by Anne Murray, Oak Ridge Boys (both gold records), Bette Midler, Astrud Gilberto, Peter, Paul & Mary, Johnny Mathis and Melanie; Aretha Franklin, Mel Torme, Take 6, Richie Havens, Elton John; Whitney Houston and Paula Abdul sang their "short songs"; written jingles; produced other peoples projects; and coached middle school girls basketball. And through it all they found time to make three B&B records for their own label, presaging today's rush of indie artist-owned labels. "Irresistible...an amalgam of melodic sensual pop, folkie grit and killer wit." - The Washington Post "Buskin & Batteau are the most musically sophisticated act in folk." - The New York Times THE KENNEDYS - Pete and Maura Kennedy met at the Continental Club in Austin Texas. Within a few weeks, they went on their first date at Buddy Holly's grave in Lubbock, TX, and within a year, they were touring together, as part of Nanci Griffith's band, and as the opening act on Nanci's two month tour of the British Isles. In a dusty little dressing room on the top floor of Dublin's Olympia theatre, they penned the songs that would become their first CD, "River of Fallen Stars". The CD was awarded the "Indie" award in 1995 for "Best Adult Contemporary CD" by the National Association of Independent Record Distributors. Ten CDs and several side-projects later (The Strangelings, The Stringbusters, and their solo projects), they enjoy loyal followings in both the guitar camp and the singer-songwriter set. Ultimately it's their tight harmonies, their chemistry, and their unashamedly idealistic outlook that has carved them their own niche in the studio and onstage. The Kennedys have recorded and released 10 CDs internationally since 1995, and have performed live in the US, Canada and Europe continually ever since.