Smithfield Fair

Tight driving rhythms and intricate harmonies are the band's signature. Their music receives airplay worldwide and the group travels back to Scotland as often as possible. They have shared stages with some of Scotland's finest performers, including Andy M. Stewart, Johnny Cunningham, The Tannahill Weavers, Brian McNeill, Ed Miller, Alasdair Fraser, Alex Beaton, and Archie Fisher. Critics have consistently commented that Smithfield Fair originals, written along traditional lines, are a perfectly seamless compliment to their traditional repertoire.

In October of 2000, Centaur Records released internationally the trio's fourth compact disc - CAIRDEAS/Kinship. Their earlier releases include Scotland Owns Me (1995), Scattered Seeds of Scotland (1997), and Highland Call (1998).

Prior to becoming Smithfield Fair, Jan and Dudley-Brian were members of the American folk group Charmer, which spanned 16 years, released eight albums of original acoustic and vocal music, and toured with such artists as Arlo Guthrie, Nanci Griffith, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, the Washington Squares, John Prine, Jesse Winchester, Louisiana's Leroux, and John Fahey.

The group is Jan Smith (Vocals, accordion, guitar), Dudley-Brian Smith (Vocals, acoustic guitar, mandolin, bagpipes), and Frang Bladen (Vocals, bodhran, percussion). On stage, Smithfield Fair wears the Maclabhruinn (McLaurin) tartan, as they are McLaurins of Appin (Argyll).

Visit the group's website at www.smithfieldfair.com or contact the band for bookings or information through Stevenson Productions, 8323 Justin Avenue, Baton Rouge, LA 70809; (225) 928-3902.

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Last updated on June 11, 2001
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