Rarely does a band emerge on the scene armed with six singers, six multi-instrumentalists and as many songwriters. Since coming together in 2007, One Horse Shy has not wasted any time getting down to business. In the span of only two years the band released their highly touted self titled debut album, as well as their recent follow-up, "Better Life". The band has been featured at such venues as the Peter Britt Festival, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival green show, the Wintergrass Festival, the Rogue Theatre, public radio’s West Coast Live and countless other appearances between San Antonio and Seattle. Capable of sending a packed house into a dancing frenzy, the band has engendered fans up and down the West Coast as well as points east as far as the British Isles and mainland Europe via Internet radio.
ONE HORSE SHY: About Us
ONE HORSE SHY - roots rock / americana
brings high-energy foot stompin' fun !
Manda Bryn - vocals, banjo
Cris Kelly - guitar, vocals
Bob Evoniuk - lap steel, dobro, vocals
Ezra Severin - mandolin, harmonica
Mysha Caruso - bass, vocals
Bryan Helfrich - drums
Ashland, OR based 6 piece band ONE HORSE SHY - voted : " So. Oregon's best rock band" just released their second album BETTER LIFE - which has been in regular rotation on Jefferson Public Radio ...
2010, so far, has been:
At a "maximum capacity, waiting line at the door" show at one of their regular stages in Ashland, (Alex's Plaza bar) people were dancing all over the place literally...the waitresses got up on the bar and were swinging their arms around. This was followed by a trip to the Seattle area to perform at the WINTERGRASS music festival and the first spring 2010 show in Ashland , at the Historic Ashland armory with the Devil Makes Three, was attended by hundreds of new audience members. Cd Release shows in Ashland were well attended and one night was joined by Portland's Jared Mees and the Grown Children. In Bend, Oregon for the next CD release show , a writer for the Bend Bulletin said :
"...Ashland-based country sextet One Horse Shy returned to Bend last weekend to perform a CD-release show for their new album “Better Life” at Silver Moon Brewing & Taproom. Fronted by singer-songwriters Manda Bryn and Chris Kelly, One Horse Shy is really a collection of some of the best songwriters and musicians in Oregon, including the great lap steel guitar player, Bob Evoniuk. The sound was big and the talent almost overwhelming. The band employs a variety of sounds — traditional bluegrass, Americana, blues, folk — to create a country sound all its own, and is well on its way to becoming an Oregon treasure. They are true masters of their craft; they believe in the songs and relish the collective creativity. Many missed out on what may have been the best full-band live performance at Silver Moon so far this year. The lap steel guitar was brilliant, the lyrics were outstanding, and the fun on stage was addictive. "
ONE HORSE SHY has shared the stage with:
CLINT BLACK, THE DEVIL MAKES THREE, THE DIMES, JARED MEES & THE GROWN CHILDREN, WAKE THE DEAD, THE QUICK AND EASY BOYS, ROGUE MOTEL, CROOKED STILL, THE WILDERS and more..
performing at venues like:
The Britt Festival, the Cascade Theatre, the Rogue Theatre, Sam Bond's Garage, the White Eagle, the Old Kennedy School, Wintergrass Festival and many more...
" country-rock gusto, string- band subtlety and pinpoint harmonies that sweep across the music like a rootsy rainbow.." - the Bend Bulletin
One Horse Shy originated with the duo Cris Kelly and Manda Bryn in 2006. The two songwriters met in Ashland. Manda is also a professor of pshycology at the Southern Oregon University. "Manda Bryn sings as if she knows something the audience doesn’t - and her voice is the agent of insight. It is this communication that gives her such a demanding and artful presence on stage." Sneak Preview - Ashland, OR. Cris is an outdoor educator. Some main influences for the two writers are Gillian Welch and James McMurtry. The duo was later joined by Bryan Helfrich on drums and Mysha Caruso on bass in 2007. Bob Evoniuk, and his " badass lap steel guitar licks"- The Source Weekly ( Bend, OR) joined the group while they were recording their debut album which was released in 2008 in which Jefferson Public Radio said " “On their excellent debut, One Horse Shy deftly manages the delicate balance between intelligence and memorable melody, soul and song craft. Their heartfelt Americana is showcased on one of the finest CDs to come out of our local region. Given their charisma in live performance as well, they have quickly built a regional following and have clear potential for national recognition. - Eric Alan, Music Director - Jefferson Public Radio - Ashland, Oregon Also in 2008 One Horse Shy opened for country legend Clint Black at the Britt Festival and performed to hundreds of new audience members at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival's Green Show stage. In 2009 One Horse Shy worked on their new Better Life album and also appeared on NPR's West Coast Live radio show. " ..best of the best, clever roots country.." - the Mail Tribune ( Medford , OR)