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Whistle Stop

About Me

Whistle Stop is a family band consisting of mom, dad and 2 daughters (and Rudy Cortese). We are a traditional bluegrass/gospel band with a very unique sound of three female vocalists. Our love of bluegrass music started on a “camping trip” to Wickenburg, AZ in November 1995. To our pleasant surprise we were introduced to bluegrass music and it's wonderful family environment. Brittany - 6 and Briana - 3 were given their first guitars.Brittany, now 19, shows her style on lead and rhythm guitar; and is a strong young vocalist. Brittany's newly discovered song writing talents are clearly defining Whistle Stop's sound and direction. Briana, now 16, plays lead and rhythm guitar, mandolin, and a spirited fiddle. She frequently surprises the audience with the maturity her voice commands. Mom (Carol), in addition to vocals, adds her dobro skills, and Dad (Greg) compliments band on the standup bass and harmony vocals. Rudy Cortese is an outstanding banjo player and additionally brings his song writing talents and vocals to the group.*****AWARDS: National Bluegrass Band Showcase Blythe, CA 1/09 --- Wickenburg, AZ BGF (4 Corner State Competition) 3rd Place JR Fiddle -Briana Pearse, 3rd Place Flat Pick Guitar-Brittany Pearse, 2nd Place Specialty Instrument-Carol Pearse 11/08 --- National Bluegrass Band Showcase Blythe, CA 1/08--- Wickenburg, AZ BGF (4 Corner State Competition) 3rd Place JR Fiddle-Briana Pearse 11/07--- 1st Place "Winter Wonderland" Talent Show Chino Valley, AZ Chamer of Commerce 11/07 --- 1st Place Band Contest Pickin in the Pines BGF Flagstaff, AZ 9/07--- National Bluegrass Band Showcase Blythe, CA 1/07--- Wickenburg, AZ BGF (4 Corner State Competition) 11/06 3rd Place Family Band- Whistle Stop, 3rd Place Jr. Fiddle- Briana Pearse, 3rd Place Specialty Vocal- Brittany & Briana Pearse--- 1st Place Band Contest Pickin in the Pines BGF Flagstaff, AZ 0/06--- Wickenburg, AZ BGF (4 Corner State Competition) 11/05. 2nd Place Family Band- Whistle Stop, 3rd Place Specialty Instrument- Carol Pearse, 3rd Place Old Time Country Band- Greg Pearse--- 1st Place Fiddle Contest- Briana Pearse Quartzsite Bluegrass Festival Quartzsite, AZ 2/05*****RUDY CORTESE is a seasoned musician who brings his fun loving personality and musical talents to the group. He grew up hanging around at the AZ state fiddle competitions. Rudy picked up the banjo at age 12 and won his first banjo competition 3 months later. He is AZ's reigning State Banjo Champion and two time winner of the Four Corner State Banjo Championship. Rudy has perfomed in several groups - Crucial County, Flinthill Special, Back Porch Bandits, & Cadillac Mountain. Over the years, he has developed a strong song writing and music composition ability. Several musicians from the Phoenix and Tucson, AZ areas have benefited by having Rudy as their music instructor.
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Member Since: 10/28/2007
Band Website: www.whistlestopbluegrass.com
Band Members: ..
Whistle Stop consists of the Pearse Family & Rudy Cortese --- Greg (dad), Carol (mom), Brittany, and Briana. Brittany is 19 and attends college. She sings lead and harmony, and provides the guitar flatpicking for the group. Brittany's talents in song writing is quickly establishing the band from others. Briana is 16 and a junior at the local high school. She sings leads and harmony, and plays fiddle, mandolin, and rhythm & lead guitar. Carol sings lead and harmony, and adds the dobro to the band. Greg is in charge of the stand up bass, and occasionally adds to the harmony vocals. In November 2008 Whistle Stop crossed paths with long time family friend Rudy Cortese. His fun loving personality and outstanding musicianship resulted in a band expansion. Rudy plays the banjo, sings, and adds his talents of song writing and music composition.TO PURCHASE CD'S: PLEASE SPECIFY WHICH ALBUM --- 1 RED SATIN DRESS 2 HEAR ME NOW 3 DOWN THE ROAD MAIL CASH OR CHECK (PAYABLE TO CAROL PEARSE) ($18 -- $15-CD & $3-postage) TO: CAROL PEARSE 5041 W SAGUARO PARK LANE GLENDALE, AZ 85310 THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING WHISTLE STOP. :-)

Influences: Whistle Stop has primarily enjoyed the feedback from family and friends, along with the general audience responses from previous preformances to encourage and influence their musical direction. Whistle Stop's band members also enjoy multiple performers: Hot Rize, J.D. Crowe, Rhonda Vincent & the Rage, The Carters, The Whites, Nickle Creek, Allison Krause and Union Station, Uglum and Sons, Valerie Smith and Liberty Pike, Honey Deaton and Dream, James King, John Reisman and The Jaybirds, and Badly Bent. The of list musicians who impact our music and provide support and encouragement is simply to great to list them all.

..We support our fellow bluegrass, folk, & old time musicians. Check out: http://www.youtube.com/user/5041carol
Sounds Like: Whistle Stop enjoys performing traditional bluegrass and gospel songs. The harmony of three family female voices gives the group a destinctive sound.:


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Record Label: Sunny Grass Records
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

Oh yeah, Wonder Woman!!!!

Your results:You are Wonder WomanWonder Woman 95%Superman 90%Iron Man 80%Supergirl 75%The Flash 75%Green Lantern 75%Spider-Man 70%Robin 70%Catwoman 55%Hulk 40%Batman 35%You are a beautiful princesswit...
Posted by on Fri, 08 May 2009 00:42:00 GMT

DURANGO MELTDOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !

  Whistle Stop had the GREAT pleasure of attending the Durango, CO Meltdown Bluerass Festival for the 3rd straight year.   Our band had the best time.  The list of entertainers was fantastic.  The vol...
Posted by on Fri, 24 Apr 2009 12:34:00 GMT

Tucson Folk Festival -- Friday Night Kick Off -- May 1st

 Join Whistle Stop and several others at the Old Town Artisans stage for an evening of entertainment to celebrate the kick off the Tucson Folk Festival on Friday May 1st at 8:00PM.7:00 p.m. - The Mexi...
Posted by on Sat, 11 Apr 2009 20:36:00 GMT

Temecula, CA Bluegrass Festival

  Whistle Stop loved performing and participating at the Temecula, CA bluegrass festival.  The event offers a lot things for different interests  --  great music, good dining, fun shopping, visiting w...
Posted by on Mon, 23 Mar 2009 22:48:00 GMT

New Wine Studio -- Eric Uglum

  We are pleased to be on our 4th day in New Wine Studio in Apple Valley, CA.  Our current CD is 3 years old and doesn't really reflect our progress as a band over the last couple years.  Our recordin...
Posted by on Thu, 19 Mar 2009 10:05:00 GMT

Ranching & Mining Music Festival 2009

 Ranching & Mining Music Festival 2009   Thank you to all those who participated and made Ranching & Mining Festival 2008 a HUGE success.  So many wonderful people and musicians made this weekend spec...
Posted by on Mon, 02 Feb 2009 01:07:00 GMT

Life is Interesting

  Life is interesting.  You never know whose path will cross yours and the reasons why.  We are EXTREMELY pleased to be working with Rudy Cortese and incorporating his music and banjo t...
Posted by on Thu, 27 Nov 2008 18:37:00 GMT

You Tube site --- 5041carol

  Check You Tube site 5041carol.  It has multiple videos of musicians from AZ and the southwest.  Look under the category  --- playlists.
Posted by on Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:08:00 GMT

Arlen Nelson receives ABA AZ Bluegrasser of the Year 2008

  Whistle Stop is delighted to see Arlen Nelson receive the Bluegrasser of the Year 2008 award from the ABA.  Arlen was one of the beginning members of AZ Pickers N Grinners organization and...
Posted by on Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:03:00 GMT

Avoid Idiots

   "Never argue with an idiot; they'll drag you down to their level and beat you with experience."   Thought borrowed from a friend.
Posted by on Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:53:00 GMT