$25
The Elliotts have been traveling and playing East Coast Swing music since before the boys could shave. Patriarch, Carl Elliott is a recipient of the ECMA Stompin' Tom Connors, Lifetime achievement award and is a Nova Scotia Country Music Hall of Fame member. The Nova Scotia Assembly revered the family as Volunteer Family of the Year in 2006 and received the accompanying honour in their home of Colchester County, where they are organizing and hosting their 8th year of The Nova Scotia Fiddlefest. Their east coast magnetism has been capsulated in alliteration as they garnered a complete chapter; Ain't Misbehavin', in the book Fish out of Water by Author John Payzant. The boys, Bill and Mike are both skilled on five different instruments. Both multi-provincial fiddle champions, they also play guitar, bass, mandolin, Bill plays five string banjo and Mike, piano. They play as one unit, their timing and expression are as one. If it is the unique switching of instruments during tunes, three swing fiddles in perfect unison or three-part harmony, they are an engaging cornucopia of hot club talent. They have recently been on stage at The Maritime Acoustic Music Festival, Rogersville Bluegrass Festival, Stewiacke Bluegrass & Oldtime Festival, PEI Bluegrass & Old-time Music Festival. They have shared the stage with, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, Lori Morgan & Sammy Kershaw in 2003, Danny Hooper & the Country Spunk, JP Cormier, Dave Gunning, Ian Sherwood and Audra Raulyns.
Originally from Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia, Julie Johnstone has travelled extensively throughout Canada and the United States but has never lost connection with her roots on Nova Scotia's North Shore. She, along with her husband and two children, now lives in North River where she maintains a busy schedule as a fiddle and piano teacher, a community volunteer, workshop instructor, contest judge, recording artist and performer. She is perhaps best known for her community spirit and willingness to use her talents to help those in need. She has been instrumental in fundraising for countless organizations and individuals. Promoting old time music has long been a passion for Julie. For the past six years she and her husband have been co-chairs of the Maritime Fiddlers Association's Workshop Committee. Together they organize the biggest fiddle Workshop in Central Nova Scotia, bringing together musicians from all over the Maritimes and beyond to receive instruction in fiddle, piano and guitar from some of the top teachers in Atlantic Canada.