Blue Horizon Bluegrass Band

Blue Horizon Bluegrass Band, from Nova Scotia, Canada 

 

"Just received "No Stoppin' Now."

I've just listened to best bluegrass project to come out of the Maritimes in a long time.  Great choice of songs, great delivery, awesome picking, wonderful vocals, close-knit harmonies.  One word "Excellent!!!  Its amazing how far you all have come in such a short time, in your instrumentation,  vocals, family like harmonies, and stage presence.  I knew two years ago when I first saw Blue Horizon, that there was no way anyone could stop you then, or now.

"May your grass always be blue."  Edgar

"Like so many bluegrass fans, I strongly believe Blue Horizon's performance on stage and off gets the bluegrass fans wanting more.  They are surley one of our favorate bluegrass bands here in New Richmond, Quebec."    ............Roger Lee Martin,  Saturday Night Jamboree Show,  CHRG 101.7fm,  Gesgapegiag, Quebec

"Blue Horizon is the most energetic, new bluegrass bands in Canada".........Stan J. Smaill,  Secretary Townships Bluegrass and Old Time Music Society, Waterloo, QC

 

Made up of sisters and  friends, this bluegrass band has captured the hearts of many bluegrass music lovers.  Over the last 6 years, Blue Horizon has molded their multi-talented instrumental and vocal skills together to form a unique, dynamic, hard-driving sound.  Seen live, this band is always remembered by their fun, young, energetic shows.  Claiming the titles of  "Most Promising Band"  and "Dobro Player of The Year", Blue Horizon will surely grab you bluegrass attention!    The launch of their new cd comes with high praise by their fans and audiences, which was nominated at both the Eastern Canadian Bluegrass Awards and with the ECMAs for "Bluegrass Recording Of The Year".

Members

Joevon Doucette –– Joe is twenty-two years old and has been playing the dobro for four years. Joe was introduced to a dobro when he was at an event where dobro player Alan Robichaud was.  Alan showed him a few things then Joe was off to work on his skills with this new instrument.  Joe was nominated for dobro player of the year at the 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 Eastern Canada Bluegrass Music Awards.  Bringing home the "Dobro Player of the Year" Award for 2007 & 2008  Joe also sings lead vocals, harmony,  and also plays the guitar.  Not only is Joe a sweetheart, but he is presently dating a little sweetheart herself who resides in Maccan, NS.  Stacey White brings a lot of fun to our musical events and we all love her so much.   Mary and Jessie met "Joevon" or "Dobro-Joe"  at the Rollo-Bay Bluegrass Festival in 2003.  The band just wouldn't be the same without him.

Jessie Haley –– Jessie started playing the mandolin at the age of twelve and has been singing for as long as she can remember.  Jessie sings lead vocals and also enjoys playing the guitar as well.  She has mastered many old timey tunes and diddies on the mandolin.  Jessie was nominated for "Composer Of The Year" at the 2008 ECBMA's.  You can find one of her own pieces of music entitled "My Mother Marjorie" on the "no more tears" album, and you will also find her origional song "The Cumberland County Train" on the Blue Horizon's new album which was released in December of 2007. 

Mary Haley –– Mary purchased her first bass fiddle in 2003 and has now become one of the finest bass players around the Maritimes. Mary was nominated for "Bass Player Of The Year" at the 2007 & 2008 ECBMA's.  Mary sings lead and harmony vocals and also enjoys playing the guitar.  Mary thoroughly enjoys playing her bass and brings loads of fun to the band.  Bluegrass Music is one of Mary's passions.  She just can't live without it.  Mary also plays a huge roll in booking great events for the band and keeps the band extremely organized.   Mary has had a big influence on the younger musicians in music.  Throughout the years, she has given both guitar and bass lessons, and is always willing to teach the kids something new on an instrument.  You can call Mary, "The music teacher of the Blue Horizon Band".  Harmonies is Mary's expertice.  

Larry Rushton –– Larry attended his first bluegrass festival at the age of twelve and has been hooked ever since.  Invited to the event by Alan Robichaud, of the Rustic Harmony Bluegrass Band, Larry recolects that this was the time he started his love for bluegrass music.  Over the years Larry has played a solid guitar and has taught himself how to play a mean five string banjo. Larry also plays mandolin and dobro.  He gets even more credit for his exceptional "bluegrass voice".  Everyone loves it!! 

"Banjo-Larry" was nominated at the 2006 Eastern Canadian Bluegrass Awards for "Composer Of The Year", as he wrote and co-wrote 3 of the selections on the "no more tears" album,  including the title track "no more tears".  He wrote the instrumental "Bluenose" and helped co-write "My Mother Margorie".   Larry was also nominated for "Banjo Player Of The Year" at the 2007 & 2008 ECBMA's.

Michael Allain -  Michael is the newest member to the Blue Horizon band.  Origionally from Bouctouche NB, Michael now resides in Moncton NB, and is now living much closer to the band.  Michael plays strong rythum on the guitar, and his leads, licks and runs are second to none.  He's a big fan of Tony Rice and always aims for perfection.  "It's all about the timing", you can often hear him say.   Michael has been a great addition to the band, and is looking forward to the summer festivals and gigs with Blue Horizon.

 

Appearances

Blue Horizon has made appearances in the 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 bluegrass festivals which include Memramcook NB, Rollo Bay PEI, Old Mill NB, Musquodoboit NS, Virgin Hills NB, Red Clay PEI, Rogersville NB, Thomas Point Beach, Brunswick Maine Festval, Kempt Shore NS, Fox Mountain NS, Stewiack NS, Trenton NS, New Richmond Quebec, Brandon Vermont, USA, Fort Fairfield Maine, Stan Rogers Folk Festival, Canso NS, and last but not least.......NASHVILLE TN.....

Throughout the winter months Blue Horizon entertains at the Lions Den in Amherst NS.   They also volunteer their talents at many fundraisers and benefits.

Achievements

Ranked first place in the Rollo Bay Showcase Competition in 2004

In 2005 the band won the Thomas Point Beach Showcase Competition

In 2005 the band was nominated for "Most Promising Band of the Year" at the Eastern Canada Bluegrass Music Awards  

 In March 2006 the band released their first CD recording entitled, "no more tears"

In September 2006,  Blue Horizon made their way to Nashville TN, to be an opening act for Jesse McReynolds and the Virgina Boys Bluegrass Band

At the 2006 Eastern Canadian Bluegrass Awards, Blue Horizon was nominated in 4 catagories;          

•   Joevon was nominated for "Dobro Player Of The Year"
•   Larry was nominated for "Composer Of The Year"
•   Blue Horizon's "no more tears" album, nominated for "Recording Of The Year"
•   Blue Horizon received the award  for "Most Promising Band Of The Year"  2006

At the 2007 Eastern Canadian Bluegrass Awards, Blue Horizon was nominated in 5 Catagories;

•  Larry nominated for "Banjo Player Of The Year"
• Mary nominated for "Bass Player Of The Year"
• Joevon nominated for "Dobro Player Of The Year"
• Jessie nominated for "Composer Of The Year"
• Blue Horizon nominated for "Most Promising Band"
• Joevon Doucette receives award for "Dobro Player Of The Year for 2007"!

December 2007: Blue Horizon released their 2nd Album "No Stoppin' Now"

January 2008:  Blue Horizon is once again ~ "Nashville Bound"

February 2008:  Blue Horizon enter's SPBGMA Competition in Nashville TN.  After the 2 day event, and a 3 round elimation process,  Blue Horizon places 7th place out of 26 Bluegrass Bands.  Quite a feat for the young Nova Scotians, and to be the only Canadian band at the event.

2008 Eastern Canadian Bluegrass Music Awards, Blue Horizon is Nominated in 11 Catagories

• Joevon receives award for "Dobro Player Of The Year for 2008"

2009 Eastern Canadian Music Association ~ Blue Horizon's "No Stoppin' Now" Album gets nominated for Bluegrass Recording Of The Year by the ECMA's.