Album Notes

Sweetwater is a trio of woman from Ohio who sing songs that they love, that range from the sublime to the ridiculous. We play acoustic instruments such as mountain dulcimer, autoharp, guitar, bass, and pennywhistle.

For nearly 20 years folks have been drawn to the "funny stuff" that we do. So, here's some of the silly songs we tend to sing onstage and in those great after-hours sessions ... (the ones where everybody else at the festival is asleep, except for 5 or 6 diehards) when things start to get crazy!

We didn't try to create a theme for this recording - it just happened. What theme, is the question - Unfortunate Animals? .... Modern Life?... Food?... take your pick.

We have several other recordings. Please ask us about the others!!!


The Story

SWEETWATER is a gathering of three women from Ohio who, since 1985, have captured the hearts of audiences with the pure power of voices blended in harmony, with diverse instrumental work on traditional instruments and warm interaction with the audience.

SWEETWATER'S members, Cindy Funk, Shelley Stevens, and Shari Wolf became acquainted through their shared interest in the mountain dulcimer. It soon became evident that their vocal blend was something special and that they all had a loving respect for the folk music of America and of other cultures. Soon, ideas were exchanged, additional instrumentation was experimented with, best-loved tunes were chosen and SWEETWATER emerged, spread it's wings and went on the road.

Since that day, SWEETWATER has performed for audiences from the midwest to the Pacific Northwest, here in the U.S. and also toured Ireland and the British Isles.

With eight recordings on their own TWEETWATER PRODUCTIONS label, several projects assisting other musicians, and our latest collaboration with author, Sharyn McCrumb, SWEETWATER'S recorded works encompass American traditional and contemporary, Celtic traditional and contemporary, and country music genres. And, don't forget the humor that the audience loves.

Whenever SWEETWATER has performed, they have won the affection of their audiences for many reasons, but largely for the fact that they have such fun while entertaining and want their audiences to enjoy the time they spend together as well.

And now, from the "More than you ever thought you wanted to know about Sweetwater" Dept! We are....

CINDY FUNK

Cindy considers the Autoharp to be her first love. With it she backs up the other instruments in Sweetwater's repertoire. Cindy also adds to the versatility of the group's instrumental lineup with her work on mountain dulcimer, tinwhistle, concertina and bodhron. Cindy sings mid to high harmonies and lead vocals on material ranging from light-hearted fun songs to her own compositions.

SHELLEY STEVENS

Shelley played guitar for 18 years before taking up the mountain dulcimer which is now her principal forte'. Her articulate and expressive playing on soprano, mid-voiced, bass and chromatic mountain dulcimers is an education in itself. Shelley also brings stand-up bass, and guitar to the group. Shelley's versatile mid-range voice swings easily from harmonies to singing lead on haunting ballads and variety tunes.

Shelley has two dulcimer books and CDs published by Mel Bay that are available world wide. And Shelley's own Baker's Dozen dulcimer tabulature books are available from TWEETWATER Productions, through her website.
www.shelleystevens.com

SHARI WOLF

Shari's artful guitar backup of vocals and multi-layered instrumentals is the foundation of Sweetwater's sound. Shari's deep, resonant voice adds the warm tones to the group's three-part vocal harmonies and to the lead on several of the group's most requested songs.


That's us. We swore 'lo, those many years ago, that if playing music ever stopped being fun...we'd quit. But we're still having fun, trying to introduce folk music to the masses, and spreading the music to as many people as we can reach. Won't you join us?

Sorry to say that as of 2008 it quit being fun and Sweetwater disbanded (pun intended) It was a great 22 years!!