Shen Fine is a celtic-influenced Appalachian folk band whose home is the beautiful and historic Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, USA Our music combines stirring pub songs, vocal harmonic arrangements, dance music, traditional jigs and reels, laments and ballads, Celtic and Americana as well as our own creations.
Shen Fine includes BRENT HOLL, 12- and 6-string guitars, and vocals, CHERYL TOBLER, flute and whistle, and SHANNON DOVE, vocals, 12- and 6-string guitars.
Shen Fine (short for “the Shenandoah Valley is the Finest place on earth!”) began as the brainchild of founder Steve Moreno in 2001. A five-piece Celtic band soon began playing at pubs, restaurants, and weddings in the Harrisonburg, Virginia area. Over the following years several members left the band and current members, Cheryl Tobler, Shannon Dove, and Brent Holl along with Steve continued performing all over the Valley. Steve retired from his job in the Valley in the fall of 2004 and lives near San Diego, California. Cheryl plays flute and whistles and has recently finished her doctorate in ethnomusicology at the University of Maryland. Brent is a retired music teacher and plays 12-string and 6-string guitars and sings back-up vocals. Brent is also the arranger, manager, and record producer for the band. Shannon Dove, an independent construction contractor and shop manager for the theater department at Eastern Mennonite University, plays bodhran, 12-string and 6-string guitars, is the lead vocalist, songwriter and sound engineer for the band.
Shen Fine has five CDs currently in print. “Shenfine Classics,” has tracks that were originally released in 2002 and 2004 and featured several original songs by former members, Steve Moreno and Randy Jones. “Granny Mary” was released in March 2006 and features Brent, Shannon and Cheryl’s ability to perform not only Celtic material, but blues, folk, and old-time as well! Jessie Trainum is a guest artist on violin. “Primer and the Paint,” released in April 2007, has more original songs, fiddle tunes, and folks songs from the Celtic and American traditions. Primer showcases Shannon, Cheryl and Brent along with Shen Fine Friends: singer Jessica Holl, and Bart Reardon on acoustic and electric guitars. "The Songs," the latest recording project from Shen Fine, features the rich vocal harmony of Shannon and Brent plus traditional songs and originals, both accompanied and a cappella and also includes the rich guitar stylings of Bart Reardon.
Shen Fine will release a new project in the spring of 2012 called, "Drink, Sing, and Sail." It will include many songs that have been requested at gigs for years with some dynamic singing from Shannon and Brent, and some drop dead whistling from Cheryl. This will be our most energetic and rowdy offering yet. Some of the tracks include, When Will We be Married, Leaving' of Liverpool, South Australia, several collections of tunes from Cheryl, Good Ole Mountain Dew and others.
Read more...