We are pleased to announce a Fantastic ACMA showcase for the 2019 Island Hopper Festival
Kim Mayfield, Ray Cerbone, Robert Bidney, Bill Metts, Roy Schneider
The Barrel Room 2214 Bay St, Fort Myers, FL 33901
Kim Mayfield started playing music on the family piano at age nine. She played for herself for years before learning to play with others. As a member of the trio “Reckless Saints” Kim has picked up guitar and mandolin, as well as learning to play keyboard without “notes.” She is in her 11th year of touring nationally and internationally with her husband and music partner Roy Schneider. Kim was a semi-finalist in the 2019 International Songwriting Competition.
Ray Cerbone, One of the founding members of the Fort Myer’s ACMA (Americana Community Music Association), Ray began playing guitar during the early 70’s folk scene. With the support and inspiration of fellow local and touring musicians, he began writing and playing in earnest in 2010. Traveling a long road in a short time, his music encompasses many genres, including Americana, Folk, Blues, Ballads, and a little bit of Country. His storyteller style takes the listener to another place in time, his music and lyrics bringing evocative insights into the many sides of life. Ray is also a singer-songwriter’s song-singer. That is, he does interpretive covers of other great originals by little-known but very talented artists using his own creative touch. His inventive fingerstyle guitar is uniquely diverse and easy-on-the-ears.
Ray’s recently released CD, “How Much Time” has received glowing reviews and is being featured on KEOS Radio in Austin, Texas, 98.1 in S.Florida as well as others. He has shared the stage with Jaime Michaels, Pierce Pettis, Muriel Anderson, Rebecca Folsom, Jefferson Ross as well as Roy Schneider and Kim Mayfield (The Reckless Saints), and Robin O’Herin.
Ray fronted “The Apocalypse Blues Revue”. A hard hitting blues rock band formed by Shannon Larkin and Tony Rombola of “Godsmack” fame. The band was signed to Mascot/Provogue records and under that sign released two full length records, the first of which reached number two in the blues charts. Over 6 years the band played, blues festivals and blues venues on both coasts. They opened for Steven Tyler, Robbie Krieger of “The Doors”, The Blue Oyster Cult, and did two tours with Kenny Wayne Shepherd.
Ray is currently working on his second solo project which will once again cover the full range of “Americana” music!
https://www.facebook.com/RayCerboneAmericanaMusic
Robert Bidney is a singer / songwriter whose messages are as strong as his melodies. His music is relatable and has a strong commercial sensibility.
His songs have been covered by an eclectic group of recording artists around the world, plus his work has been on several national radio and TV commercials.
Bidney’s second album “Rush of Hope”, released in May 2019, addresses universal themes through a lens of optimism. With its message of love instead of hate, the music resonates in today’s social climate.
“Rush of Hope”, in its first few months after release, has received positive album reviews, airplay in the U.S., Scotland, Amsterdam and London.
A seasoned performer, Bidney connects with his audiences through his infectious energy and emotional performances. He is an active member of the Americana Community Music Association and lives in Southwest Florida
Bill Metts started playing guitar during the Country Blues revival of the 60s and fell in love with the art of finger-style guitar. He began his writing career after moving to South West Florida and regularly attending open mics in Fort Myers, notably the (sadly) no longer operating “Nita’s Sweet Bean Café” where many local singer songwriters cut their teeth. Shortly after, he was asked to served on the board of the nationally known Americana Community Music Association and hosted their weekly Songwriter Circle for four years. He has also, for seven years through a not for profit organization called Hope by Song, been composing songs from the writings of people dealing with great emotional trauma in order to help them heal through the power inherent in music.
He has performed at the prestigious Mississippi John Hurt Blues Festival, the world famous “Ground Zero” in Clarksdale Mississippi and twice at the Island Hopper Festival Songwriter Fest. He has also opened for such greats as award winners Doug MacCleod and Jon Shain, and is scheduled to open for the legendary Roy Bookbinder.
www.mettsmusic.com
Roy Schneider, Troubadour and formerly syndicated cartoonist Roy Schneider has developed a devoted fan base for his particular flavor of Americana music since2008, through international radio airplay and consistent touring withlife-and-stage partner Kim Mayfield. Playfully dubbed “Blue-Twangled Folk‘n’ Roll” in a 2014 No Depression interview, Schneider has brought his musical blend of the gritty, fun, soulful and sweet to delighted audiencesacross the USA and abroad.
Schneider’s songs have earned praise in the Kerrville New Folk Competition
(TX), Telluride Blues & Brews Acoustic Blues competition (CO), and Falcon
Ridge Folk Festival Emerging Artist showcase (NY). The duo has performed
official showcases at Folk Alliance conferences in New York, Austin TX and
Asheville NC. Other notable venues include The Bluebird Café (Nashville
TN), Northern England’s MAD Fest, Meadowgrass Music Festival (with band
Reckless Saints) and season 5 of NBC’s The Voice.
Also an accomplished accompanist, Schneider has performed onstage with the
talents of John McEuen (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band), Joe Craven
(Garcia/Grisman), Folk legend Tom Paxton, Stevie Coyle (The Waybacks),
Freebo, Buddy Mondlock, Gove Scrivenor and many others.
“[Schneider’s] gift for blending Southern-influenced folk, blues, country,
and rock into a seamless genre with his own signature sound demonstrates
his connection to the best in the tradition of fine wake-me-up and
kick-me-in-the-ass roots music.” ~ No Depression