Album Notes

Frank Solivan II is a singer of power and passion, a writer whose articulate songs go straight to the heart, and a multi-instrumentalist who combines the pure, hard drive of classic bluegrass with twenty-first century sophistication. Frank’s 2002 debut recording, I Am A Rambler, revealed an exciting new talent on the bluegrass horizon. The following year, his skills on mandolin, fiddle, guitar, and vocals earned him a place in Country Current, the United States Navy’s elite country and bluegrass band. Now, in 2006, Frank’s new CD, Selfish Tears, shows that he’s ready to run with the big dogs, with music that can be as unstoppable as a fierce arctic storm, or as poignant as a wildflower’s struggle to break through the snows left from winter. A native of Modesto, California, Frank learned to sing and play the fiddle and banjo from his parents, both gifted musicians. By the time he was twelve years old he had already taken first place in several fiddle and banjo contests. During his high school years Frank studied the cello, eventually occupying the second chair in the cello section of the California All-State Honor Orchestra. In 1995 Frank moved to Alaska, where he taught fiddle, mandolin, and guitar, and took first prize in the Alaska State Fair fiddle contest four years in a row. He also had a stint as first chair violin in the University of Alaska's Symphony. Within this time, he was touring with bluegrass legends Doug Dillard and Ginger Boatwright and though - barely into his twenties himself - serving as a mentor to the members of Bearfoot Bluegrass (Winner of the 2001 National Band Competition at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival in Colorado) and other young Alaska artists. Frank’s self-produced debut recording, I Am A Rambler, proved a hit with listeners and DJs alike, despite limited distribution through his own label, Fiddlemon Music. In the Alaska Public Radio Network’s Song Of The Year contest four of Frank’s original songs from the album -“Day to Day,” “Dirty Kitchen,” “A Mother’s Hand,” and “I Am A Rambler”-placed in the top of their respective categories. Even surrounded by such seasoned Nashville-based artists as Rob Ickes, David Grier, Byron House, Mark Winchester, Shad Cobb, Richard Bailey, JD Blair, Kathy Chiavola, and Billy Davis, Frank’s picking and singing on I Am A Rambler shine with polish and authority. His new project, Selfish Tears, is a worthy follow-up. Frank penned eight of the CD’s eleven tracks, and his performances display an added strength and maturity, the fruit of four years filled with music and living. In addition to his official duties performing for generals, admirals, foreign dignitaries, and the President of the United States, Frank also appears with Country Current and other noteworthy musicians at public concerts and bluegrass festivals. He has entertained audiences at the Grass Valley Bluegrass Festival (Grass Valley, CA), the Kennedy Center (Washington, DC), the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival (Ancramdale, NY), the Anchorage Folk Festival (Anchorage, AK), the Alaska Folk Festival (Juneau, AK), the Blueberry Bluegrass Festival (Alberta, Canada), and the Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival (Gettysburg, PA). As a front man, side musician, or a member of an opening act, Frank has shared the stage with some of bluegrass, country, and pop music’s biggest stars. Brooks and Dunn, Reba McEntire, Ricky Skaggs, Trace Adkins, Sammy Kershaw, Alison Krauss, Odetta, Rosanne Cash, Kathy Mattea, Aaron Tippin, and Brandi, to name just a few.      Since moving east to join Country Current, Frank has had less time for the hunting, fishing, horseback riding, and mule-wrangling that were a big part of his life in California and Alaska. When not on the road, he hangs his Stetson in Alexandria, Virginia, where he lives with his wife, Leah, a jewelry artist. Their home is a favorite gathering spot for local and touring musicians alike, and Frank cooks a mean pot of chile verde, as well.