VIPs Who've Played at Betty Elders' RedBird Cafe'

the band....

Gene Elders, violinist , brings one of the most memorable and sought-after elements to Betty's music. He is on ALL of her albums to date! His extraordinary taste, technique and tonality bear evidence to all he is acclaimed for. Gene is truly one of music's marvels. Absolute perfection of his instrument (a custom-made curly maple 5-string violin handcrafted by Arthur Conner of Copper Hill, Virginia) has made him one of the most exciting live players ever to be heard, and one of the most in-demand sidemen at recording sessions all over the continent. His skills, as both sideman and producer have, likewise, unmistakably contributed to the accolades garnered for all of Betty's records.

Mitch Watkins , multi-instrumentalist and virtuosic guitarist, composer and producer, appears nearly everywhere on two of Betty's most recent albums, Peaceful Existence and Crayons. Mitch's cutting-edge production values and diverse technical abilities greatly contributed to the overwhelming critical acclaim received for both records. His incredibly soulful interpretations of Betty's songs and his understated guitar wizardry have long been a highlight of her shows. In addition, Mitch has long been an irreplacable element of many musical ensembles, both local and international.

Paul Glasse has appeared on three of four Betty Elders albums; Daddy's Coal, Peaceful Existence, and Crayons. His remarkable virtuosic mandolin perfectly expresses the melodic poignancy and utter sweetness of Betty's music. Favorite examples are: "Long Bed From Kenya," and "Heartache." Paul, too, has his own eclectic acoustic ensemble which is a long-standing fixture in the revered Austin music scene and has received
widespread critical acclaim for his unique stylistic diversity.

Additional artists who've contributed their incredible talents on Betty's albums are... Iain Matthews (vocals and egg), Mark Hallman (vocals, percussion), Chris Searles (percussion), Dan Foster (tinwhistle), Chris Maresh (basses), Spencer Starnes (acoustic bass), Hal Ketchum (vocal), Andy Bullington (acoustic guitar, vocal), Rick McRae (acoustic guitar), Scott Neubert (guitars), Ed Dennis (guitars, pedal steel), Gene Williams (guitar, bass), Keith Carper (basses), Danny Counts (bass), Roland Denney (upright bass), Steve Wade (bass), John Hagen (cello), Michael Kott (cello), David Lipps (violin), Bill Ginn (piano), Rene Garcia (trombone), Phil Richey (trumpet), Mike Parmelee (sax), Steve Schwelling (surdo), Tommy VanNortwick (drums), Wes Crawford (drums), Ralph Nash (drums), Jeff Larocco (percussion), and choir members Al Coffey, James Bush, Ernie Gammage, Mike Cross, Ian Nicley, Mike Falk, Veronique Matthews, Genevieve Matthews Berardino, Dominic Matthews Berardino, Lisa Fancher, Greg Wilson, Abra Moore, Louis Wyrick, Cary Hazelgrove, Peg Miller, Glynda Cox, Beverly Luna, Doug Floyd, Tommy Daniel, Bow Brannon, Cathy Phipps, and Gelene Thompson, to name a few!

For more information, you may visit any artist mentioned (at his or her own website) by clicking on their highlighted name.

For more album info go to Liner Notes now!

(photo credit for Paul Glasse: Nine Francois)

(photo credit for Gene Elders and Mitch Watkins: Brenda Ladd)

back to top