Wide Open Spaces & finals of our Performing Songwriter Competition
May 13, 2023, 8 p.m.

Wide Open Spaces plays “bluegrass without borders”, using bluegrass instrumentation to play a wide range of music, with genres from the Kentucky hills to Celtic and Caribbean isles with overtones of Alison Krauss, Claire Lynch, Kate Wolf, Bill Monroe, Newgrass Revival and the Beatles.

FEATURING:

Peter Anick – Vocals, Mandolin and Fiddle
Matt Carlen – Guitar, Vocals
Marie (Mud) Rocheleau-Demers – Vocals, Guitar
Jeffrey Horton (Mansfield’s own!)– Bass, Vocals
Paul Wolf – Drums, Percussion

Combining the traditional sounds of fiddle, banjo, mandolin, guitar and bass with modern song writing, jazzy rock-edged arrangements and tight three-part harmonies, they take audiences on a musical joy ride that has some people saying: “I can’t believe that’s bluegrass!” Anything can happen – and usually does.

The band’s debut CD is entitled “Fiddletown”, drawing the name from the Pete Anick original that starts the compilation of 14 songs, 13 of which are original Wide Open Spaces’ compositions.

The ‘Spaces’ are comprised of former members of the newgrass stew pot known as Acoustic Planet, the bluegrass wunderkinds The Fogg Brothers, Marie of the famed acoustic folk duo, Chuck and Mud, and our most recent acquisition, RI Bluegrass Hall of Famer Jeff Horton, who brings 40 years of bluegrass experience as an alumni of Northern Lights and the infamous Neon Valley Boys.

Whether you prefer beautiful Celtic fiddle reels, rockin’ guitar solos, Beatle-esque and Alison Krauss style harmonies – or original songs sometimes reminiscent of Jimmy Buffet, Dave Brubeck, and Doyle Lawson – come join the Spaces for an evening of good-humored musical alchemy.

The three finalists opening the May 13 show are John Coleman Bennett (Mass.), Peter Carriveau (Maine) and Erin Ash Sullivan (Mass.). Wish them Good Luck, and click here to read more about them!