Colby, Kansas — July 19-21, 2002

from Ozawkie, Kansas
The Faris Family

The Faris Family of Ozawkie, Kansas make their Pickin' on the Plains debut this year on Friday night. We are so excited to have this talented family join us! Bob, (Dad), grew up in Iowa cornbelt country, the grandson of a locally known fiddler. At age 19, he competed in and won Iowa's State Grand Champion Fiddle Contest. Over the past few decades, Bob's musical career has led him to Las Vegas show groups, Branson music theatres, appearances on TV's Hee Haw and WSM's Grand Ole Opry as Reba McIntyre's fiddler. Michelle, (Mom) met Bob onstage at an open mic jam session. She plays upright bass, sings and writes songs, in addition to MC'ing the shows with her outgoing personality. The four boys, James, Richard, Edward and John, play a combination of fiddles, mandolin, guitar, banjo and bass. Their family harmony is awesome, and fans and music lovers alike sing their praises all over the US. They have played onstage with IIIrd Tyme Out at the Poppy Mountain Bluegrass Festival where the crowd just went wild, and Chuck Stearman of SPBGMA calls the family ". . .the best young group to come along since the Chapmans". Their rousing twin and tripple fiddling and outstanding vocals will thrill any traditional bluegrass music lover!

If you want to catch The Faris Family at Pickin' on the Plains, be sure and be there Friday night; they'll do two shows--but they they won't be around Saturday or Sunday!!

Be sure and check their website: http://farisfamilybluegrass.homestead.com.