Sharon Mitchell

The RED DESERT RAMBLERS play Bluegrass, Classic-Country and Swing music.  Combining 165 years of experience, they blend harmonies with smoking instrumental breaks. The Salt Lake Tribune says, "When it comes to locally produced bluegrass bands, it’s hard to do better." They have been honored by the International Bluegrass Music Association by being the first Utah Band (and Sharon is the first hammered dulcimer player) to EVER be hired for an IBMA performance. 

They are a regional band with national recognition and members hail from Salt Lake, Summit, and Cache counties representing the best of Utah. Prestigious REGIONAL/NATIONAL PERFORMANCES include: International Bluegrass Music Association FanFest in Nashville; Darington, Washington Bluegrass Festival; Pickin’; in the Pines (Arizona); Memorial Day Bluegrass Festival (Colorado);
Southern Nevada Bluegrass Music Association Festival (Logandale); Bannock County Bluegrass Festival (Idaho); Intermountain Acoustic Music Association Local Concert Series; Red Rocks Bluegrass Festival (St. George); Windwalker Ranch Bluegrass Festival (Spring City); Holladay Arts Festival; Mountain Town Stages; KRCL radio; Heber Cowboy Poetry Gathering. Group members are:

STEVE HEWSON- (lead vocals, guitar, mandolin). Best known as the host of the Rockport Dam Jam, he hails from Huntington Beach, California proving that country twang can come from the land of sand and surf. After going electric with the country band "Desert Skies", Steve has now returned to his first love of acoustic music with the "Red Desert Ramblers." He also plays with "Detour" Utah.

JOE FARMER- (lead/harmony vocals, guitar, mandolin)- Joe became a convert from Rock ‘N Roll to Bluegrass back in ’73 when he heard Norman Blake, Doc Watson, and Dan Crary at the Horsepens 40 Bluegrass Festival in Alabama. He’s been flatpicking and playing Bluegrass ever since. Joe is a Utah legend, having played with the bands "Done Gone", "Three on a String", "The Mike Iverson Band", "Down Home" and "Around the Bend." Now that the price of gas has come down, he can afford to drive 90 miles to practice.

RICK MARTINEZ (5 string banjo)- Rick’s style is 30 years steeped in traditional and progressive bluegrass music. His style ranges from hard driving Scruggs influences to melodic tones of Tony Triska. His precise, dynamic playing reinforces the authentic sound of the band. He has been know to cross styles, and is not opposed to musical risks. Rick first came to fame with the Rick Martinez band, which was enormously popular in Utah. We are proud to call Rick "one of our own."

SHARON MITCHELL (hammered dulcimer, harmony vocals)- has played music since she was 8, playing Hammered Dulcimer since 1989. In addition to The Red Desert Ramblers she currently plays with the "Public Domain String Band (Appalachian Old-time)", and "The American Irish Duo." Past Bluegrass bands include- "Around the Bend", "Lonesome Ridge" and Last Night’s Fun (Irish). She produces the Intermountain Acoustic Music Association Local Concert Series. Sharon is the "roots and branches" of the band adding both an old time flavor and a unique progressive twist.

Dave Bates (upright bass)- has been playing bass for just a little less than a million years, and has been a mainstay in the SLC/Summit County music communities. Dave has been a pilot for Delta, and a bus driver. When he is not working for non-profits in summit county, he farms in Wanship. His attention is focused on mentoring teenagers and youth, so they become proficient bluegrass musicians.

Please email Sharon for a list of upcoming or past performances at sharoniama@aol.com

THE AMERICAN IRISH DUO – "THE BEST IN IRISH AND CELTIC MUSIC" THE AMERICAN IRISH DUO plays traditional Irish music with passion for pub music of the Irish countryside. They perform throughout the West on hammered dulcimer and guitar. For concert series, and pubs they provide a lively mixture of jigs reels, strathspays and songs. For restaurants we offer the ambiance of elegant Celtic aires along with reels, jigs and select songs. For wedding recessionals, ceremonies, and breakfasts, we specialize in aires, or jigs. We also offer elegant english Country Dance Tunes and complete wedding music coordination services. Several options exist for receptions including a full 4 piece Irish pub band with the addition of fiddles, Irish drum and tin whistles. Upon request, we can provide a dance instructor for old style Irish group dancing. For a more elegant feel, background music is another option. We provide an Irish Storyteller for Children’s entertainment. SHARON MITCHELL-plays the hammered dulcimer. She grew up in Brooklyn where she frequented the Irish sessions at the famed Eagle Tavern. Mark Cantor, of KRCLs Fret and Fiddle show says "her dulcimer harmonies and variations weave in and around the melodic sound of Celtic music." Sharon produces the local concert series for the Intermountain Acoustic Music Association and is also an old time and bluegrass musician playing with both the Public Domain String Band and the Red Desert Ramblers. D. Puppet plays the guitar. His Irish genes drive his solid backup and unshakable rhythm. He provides tight, energetic accompaniment to Sharon’s dulcimer playing and plays Irish music with unyielding passion. They are a sought after duo throughout the West. Together they have the lift and excitement for which Irish music is so well loved. Their steady gig is at MacCools’s Irish Pub in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Please email Sharon for a list of upcoming or past performances at sharoniama@aol.com

BOOKING/PUBLICITY-SHARON MITCHELL 801-635-5484  sharoniama@aol.com