Mary Simpson (violinist) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mary Simpson
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With The Whiskey Rebellion Fellini's No. 9 restaurant Charlottesville
Americana Night April 2009 |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Mary Ellen Simpson |
| Occupation(s) | Violinist |
| Associated acts | Yanni, Gary Ruley and Mule Train, Walker's Run, The Whiskey Rebellion |
Mary Ellen Simpson is an American violinist. She is well-known for her work with the famous musician Yanni, and with bands like Gary Ruley and Mule Train and Walker's Run. She also helped start the band called The Whiskey Rebellion.
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About Mary Simpson
Mary Simpson grew up in a very musical family. Her father plays the banjo, and her mother is a trained pianist who plays classical music. Mary's sister, Ann Marie Calhoun, is also a famous violinist, and her brothers play guitar.
Mary started learning to play the violin when she was five years old. She often listened to her sister play. Like her sister, Mary played bluegrass music with her family's band. Mary says that her training in classical music helps her play the violin with more different sounds and better control.
Mary went to Lake Braddock Secondary School in Burke, Virginia. Later, she studied music and economics at the University of Virginia.
The Whiskey Rebellion Band
Mary Simpson, Roy Myers, Ryan Phillips, and David Cosper met in the summer of 2005. They were at a music event called the Maury River Fiddler's Convention in Buena Vista, Virginia. Roy and Ryan were already playing music together in Richmond. Mary and David were studying music in Charlottesville. The Richmond musicians invited Mary and David to play some shows, and that's how The Whiskey Rebellion band began!
The band's name comes from a real event in history. Ryan Phillips explained that they saw a TV show about the Whiskey Rebellion. This was when whiskey makers were unhappy about a tax during George Washington's time as president. They were looking for a band name, and "The Whiskey Rebellion" stuck!
Tim Deibler, who plays bass, is the newest member of the band. He lives in Charlottesville, Virginia, and also studied music. In September 2010, The Whiskey Rebellion recorded new songs for an upcoming album.
Mary's Performances
The Whiskey Rebellion band has played at many cool music festivals. These include the 25th anniversary of "The Goonies" Festival in Astoria, Oregon, the Maury River Fiddler's Convention in Buena Vista, Virginia, and the Watermelon Park Festival in Berryville, Virginia.
They have also shared the stage with famous musicians like The Sam Bush Band, Peter Rowan and Tony Rice, Tim O'Brien, The Seldom Scene, and the Carolina Chocolate Drops.
Mary Simpson also performed with the world-famous musician Yanni on his North American Spring Tour in 2011. They played at big places like Radio City Music Hall in New York City, The Warfield Theatre in San Francisco, and the Fox Theatre in Atlanta.
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She was also part of Yanni's orchestra for his 2014 World Tour and his 2016 North American Tour.
The Whiskey Rebellion's Music Style
The Whiskey Rebellion plays a fun and energetic type of bluegrass music. They are known for their great playing and singing harmonies.
While their first album might sound like pure bluegrass, the Richmond Times-Dispatch newspaper says there's much more to their music. Mary Simpson explains, "We play many bluegrass songs, and we also take popular songs and play them in a bluegrass style."
Our shows include a mix of our own songs, classic bluegrass songs, and cover songs from artists like Jimi Hendrix, Gnarls Barkley, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, and Johnny Cash."
Band Members
The musicians who play in The Whiskey Rebellion are:
- Mary Simpson – violin and vocals
- Jared Pool – mandolin and vocals
- Roy Myers – banjo
- Tim Deibler – bass
- Ryan Phillips – guitar
Awards and Honors
The Whiskey Rebellion and its members have won several awards:
- The band's music video, The Ballad of Chester Copperpot, won a Gold Level Oregon Film Award in 2010.
- Jared Pool, the band's mandolin player, performed with John Starling. John Starling was a founding member of the famous band The Seldom Scene.
- Ryan Phillips won first place in the guitar contest at the Watermelon Park Festival in 2010. He won a special guitar as his prize. He also placed third in the same contest in 2007.
- The Whiskey Rebellion was asked to play at the 25th anniversary of "The Goonies" Festival in Astoria, Oregon, in June 2010.
- Jared Pool also won first place in the guitar contest at the Watermelon Park Festival in 2007.
- Mary Simpson won the Pat Ruley Trophy for Best All Around Blue Grass Performer in 2005. This award is given each year at the Maury River Fiddler's Convention.
Albums
- The Whiskey Rebellion (2007)
- Lay It Down (2009)
