Loch Lomond started as a solo recording project of Ritchie Young in 2003. With help of engineer/ producer Rob Oberdorfer, Ritchie crafted the first Loch Lomond album, When We Were Mountains (In Music We Trust Records). Over the next few years, Loch Lomond performed the West Coast via their home in Portland, Oregon in various incarnations. Live performances would range from Ritchie by himself to an eight-person band. During this time, many different recording sessions took place in various studios and homes. These recordings were eventually compiled on an EP called Lament for Children (Hush Records) the summer of 2006. In the later half of 2006, Loch Lomond solidified into a full band, and the group is now busy rehearsing, writing and recording the second full-length Loch Lomond album; expected this fall. The group will be on the road between recording times, some shows utilizing the full line-up, and others as a condensed, but equally powerful version of the band.

When singer-songwriter A.J. Roach sings about his grandfather pressing fake five-cent pieces from ore or running moonshine over the Tennessee border, he isn't pilfering story lines from an old western film or appropriating tales told by an aging farmer he met once in a bar. When this genuine mountain man needs a little inspiration, he can just borrow a few chapters from his own family's history. Few country and folk singer-songwriters can boast the bona fide Appalachian heritage and colorful rural upbringing that give Roach's tunes the authentic mountain flavor for which he is quickly becoming known. Recently, Roach has been taking his music on the road, performing in venues all across the United States. While he says he is thrilled to bring his Appalachian-inspired music to audiences around the country, one of his primary goals is to use his position as a platform for getting people past the common stereotypes involving those who live and work in the rural mountains. Talented and thought provoking, this is one act you don't want to miss.

Does anyone ever get to the fourth paragraph of a musician's bio? Well, here you are: Nick Jaina plays guitar and piano songs of effortless brilliance. He is lucky enough to have wonderful musicians play in his band, which has now grown to a revolving cast of perhaps ten or so people. Members of the bands Heroes & Villains, The Maybe Happening, and others are all involved. Every live show is a different band and an entirely different experience. One time he passed out hymn books with the lyrics to his songs for a heartwarming sing-along experience. Another time the band rendered an arrangement of a song entirely with belle-plates (wikipedia it if you don't know what they are.) Another time, a song was brought to life by two dancers dressed as an enchanting sea siren and a hapless sailor. Any given show is not to be missed, as a certain kind of unrepeatable magic is sure to happen. Nick Jaina is excitedly working on a new solo album of mostly piano material, which you can start bugging him about around September. Nick's most recent album is called The 7 Stations and is available from Bang Back Records. It is uncommonly good, as the quotes below will only hint at.

A graduate of Berklee College of Music, Dianna Gatto has returned home to the Bay Area after a lengthy stint of living and performing in Portland, Boston and Nashville. What is her favorite performance? "...I would have to say that it was really special to be involved in the Studio 515 Hurricane Relief Concert, (Nashville, TN) on Sept. 25, 2005. Although we were "Rained In" by the residue of the second hurricane, people still showed up and stuck through the whole event. We had several amazing performances, including those from Robin English, Jeffrey Steele, Jody Evans, Douglas & Hawk, Crystal Yoakum, Hollie Poole, and Scott Southworth. I felt honored to play among such great talent-not to mention that the event raised an impressive amount to aid the Red Cross efforts in Louisiana. At this time, when it seems there is so much darkness, everyone should do what they can to send a message of unity and love to those who feel lost with their despair and forgotten... " Her soon-to-be-released CD, "Calling on Autumn" was recorded at Big World Studios in Nashville, TN; a follow-up to "Words to You" (2001) and "Angel" (1999).