Bryan Stidham profile picture

Bryan Stidham

Music is a long,winding,eternal road...how far will you take it?!

About Me

Bryan began his journey into music at birth! Born into a family with roots in Virginia and Kentucky the love of music was instilled from the beginning. His instrument is and has always been the violin/fiddle. He has also performed with the mandolin and guitar. Bryan's career started with his Uncles' group, Kiester Duty and The Wonderland Grass(playing fiddle/mandolin) until he left a year later to work with the Flatts(fiddle)-cousins of Lester- for two years. He also worked with the Stroh Brewery Sponsonered Roy McGinnis and The Sunnysiders for three years(fiddle/mandolin). It was during this time-shortly after High School-Bryan had the pleasure and the honor to perform at such venues as Carnegie Hall and The Lincoln Center in New York City. He also had the great pleasure to perform at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C.. In 1987, Bryan went to work for Wendy Smith and Blue Velvet(fiddle). It was then he played on the World Famous Grand Ole Opry at Bill Monroes' Early Bird show in October in 1987. Wendy being known for many great Bluegrass songs such as Underground River and Caroline The Teenage Queen. He's had the opportunity to travel the country with some of the best musicians of the time: Brad Campbell-worked with Doyle Lawson, and Joe Clark-working with Flash Train and has worked with Larry Sparks, Melvin Goins, Fisher and Company, Honi Deaton and the Dream , etc.In 2002 Bryan became the fiddle player of Morning Harvest. The group consisted of three of the best Bluegrass Musicians to ever come out of the State of Michigan. Mike Adams on Mandoiln and Vocals, John Coffey on Guitar and Vocals and "Mr. Velvet Throat" Steve Daniels on Banjo and Vocals.That same year Morning Harvest parted ways, Bryan went to work with Mike Adams as a mandolinist, in the Mike Adams Band. He had the honor of recording with the fiddle and mandolin on Mike's self titled CD Project...Mike Adams, which was released in 2004 on Sound Ridge Recordings.Having had the fortune of having several songs he has written recorded by Petticoat Junction, Blue Velvet, Morning Harvest and Mike Adams. Bryan continues to write and work in the studio and on the road-in the air- with many of the local talents in the Detroit area and around the country,performing around the globe. Bryan also is a proud member of BMI and ASCAP and appreciate all that they do for songwriters and musicians world wide.Some of you may know Bryan from the Charlotte and Milan Bluegrass Festivals here in Michigan. His uncle, Jerry Yates, used to be partners in the festival until 2004- in charge of handling whatever problem may araise in the campground area and most of the time trying his best to answer your questions.Bryan enjoys teaching fiddle and the history of Bluegrass/Americana/Folk arts in schools and giving back to the Troy (MI) School District which gave him the tools and direction to reach the point where he is today." Learning to read music and understand it's fundimental techniques are-of course-a must for any musician. I try to instill music does not always come from the notes that are layed out in front of them , but from the heart." Bryan also teaches privately and still takes students. "If the Lord willin' and the creek don't rise...I'll see you all down the road sometime.".. MYSPACELAYOUTSPY CODE START --
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My Interests

I love music of all genres. I have a real loathing for those that "say" they are serious about their music but never take the steps to profile their talents. I relish in creating new music. I may ruffle feathers for not being the "traditionalist", but I love to see music of all forms grow. Take the lessons of the past and create the sound of the future!!!

I'd like to meet:

THOSE WHO PLAY THE MUSIC BETWEEN THE NOTES.:)

Music:

Classical-all periods, Bluegrass,Celtic,Scotish,Bobby Hicks, James Taylor, Bob Seeger,The Beatles,The Eagles,Bill Monroe,J.D. Crow and the New South,Lisa Kelly,Bette Midler,Dolly Parton,Jerry Douglas,Sam Bush,Alison Krauss,Hoobastanck,Yellow Card,KISS,Lou Reid,George Jones,Michael Cleveland,Kenny Baker,Stuart Duncan,The Browns,The Everly Brothers,The Louvin Brothers,The Osborne Brothers,John Cowen,Lonesome River Band,Honi Deaton and The Dream, Jazz,ClassicCountry and Celtic.

Movies:

Escanaba In Da Moonlight, Full Metal Jacket, Star Wars Trilogy, Oh, Brother Where Art Thou?, The Producers and Sergeant York.

Television:

Any Documentary,Ghost Hunters, Racing , History Channel and C-Span and PBS.(That's when I have time to watch it).

Books:

The Bible, War and Peace, Shogun, The Tale of Two Cities, To Kill A Mockingbird, Adams Journey, and W.E.B. Griffins series...The Corps!

Heroes:

My Dad, Bill Monroe, BOBBY "THE MAN" HICKS, Beethoven, Mozart, Hayden, Patton, Chesty Puller and TO MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS OF THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS!!! SEMPER FI!!!

My Blog

Words from a Master...Isaac Stern

I came across this in the introduction from of the greatest violinist of our time: Isaac Stern. The words ring true for any genre of music we may perform. "To be a musician in the service of music is...
Posted by Bryan Stidham on Sun, 01 Jun 2008 01:30:00 PST

Four Strings and the Truth

Four Strings and The Truth. Of all the musicians, string players have the most intimate relationship with their instruments, and fiddlers have an anthropomorphic attitude toward their violin. We feel...
Posted by Bryan Stidham on Mon, 25 Feb 2008 10:26:00 PST

Getting Signed Through an A&R Rep.

Here's a great artical for those with hopes of a recording deal.   A&R: GETTING SIGNEDby Kenny Kerner  ..:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />   On...
Posted by Bryan Stidham on Sat, 08 Dec 2007 11:13:00 PST

Heroes Carved In Stone

My daughter Sabrina wrote a story/poem when she was in 7th grade that made us all very proud! Not only our family but for all those who served in the Vietnam War. For a class project she was ask to c...
Posted by Bryan Stidham on Wed, 04 Apr 2007 08:53:00 PST