PERFORMING ARTISTS 2022 CONTINUED
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THE WESTERN FLYERS
orn out of a winding road The Western Flyers have relied on tradition and skill to guide them into today . Though mostly not hailing from Texas , all members call the Austin area home and have more then adopted the Texas sound ; they embody it , sweating it out with every note and percussion .
Playing Western Swing requires more then a passing fancy and a good capo but Joey McKenzie , Ridge Roberts and Matthew Mefford know what it takes to perform such a complex style and excel .
Between McKenzie and Roberts they have won more then 120 fiddle and guitar contests and McKenzie has taught more then a dozen award winning
A t the young age of five Tim Mc- Donald embarked on a musical journey that throughout time has granted him countless opportunities to recognize and perfect his talents . After starting formal piano lessons his natural music abilities were quickly recognized . By age nine , he was a member of the distinguished Classical Guild Society . He continued classical training throughout his teen years .
McDonald attended college at Montreat Anderson on a soccer scholarship where he studied music theory and taught himself other genres of music such as Jazz , Blues , Funk and Alternative . He then enlisted in the US Army where he joined the Army Band and attended the Armed Forces School of Music . During his tenure in the US Army , he continued to focus on his music . He played music and learned from great musicians such as Dan Haerle , fiddle players . Featuring Redd Volkaert on the guitar , who hails from Canada but has since relocated to Austin via Nashville and California all while jamming with or playing for some of the biggest bluegrass and swing musicians along the way ; most frequently Merle Haggard until his untimely departure : The Western Flyers are not to be missed .
McKenzie became interested in musical instruments at the age of 11 , began playing at 12 and started backing fiddle players with rhythm guitar at 17 . He has been called the best rhythm guitarist in the nation . Roberts is a whippersnapper with a bow hand that wins championships . Matthew switched from electric bass to stand up and is one of the founding members of Milk Drive . Volkaert is an accomplished musician and student of the sound . IBF
TIM McDONALD
Frank Mantooth , Curtis Fuller , Clyde Kerr , Todd Coolman , Dave Mancini , and Byron Berline .
Later , McDonald was assigned to teach piano at the Armed Forces School of Music in Virgina Beach , VA . He performed with many local and international acts as well as with the Virginia Symphony . Tim had the distinct opportunity to perform with Count Basie Band leader Douglas Miller and in two broadway musicals : Aida , and The Producers .
After 10 years of honorable service , McDonald left the US Army and moved to Nashville , TN to further his musical career . He performed with local bands , played as a session artist , and focused on writing .
Tim is currently touring the country
18 / OKLAHOMA ’ S INTERNATIONAL 18 BLUEGRASS / OKLAHOMA FESTIVAL ’ S INTERNATIONAL 2019 BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL 2022
with his band and taking his music to the people . Tim has also toured extensively playing piano , Hammond B-3 and synth with Olivia Newton-John , Blake Shelton , Pam Tillis , Mark Chesnutt , Byron Berline , Josh Gracin , Steve Holy , Cory Morrow , and guitar legend Johnny Hiland . IBF