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Steve Sharratt and Margie Carmichael have established a reputation for themselves as a popular singing and songwriting duo, but they're breaking new ground with musician Sigrid Rolfe as the trio called Redstone. "We thought of calling ourselves Steve and the Old Babes," Sharratt says, but Redstone was the first name they all agreed on.
Sharratt and Carmichael are both guitarists and vocalists, while Rolfe adds wind instruments like flutes and tin whistles. Carmichael is a lifelong Island native, while Sharratt and Rolfe come from Ontario and Manitoba respectively. All three have lived and played on the Island for many years, and decided to get together as a band just recently.
The trio find it difficult to classify their musical style, but generally agree that they are a totally acoustic, Celtic-tinged folk band. "We're really songwriters who want our songs to be heard, and the best way to do that is to play [them] ourselves," says Sharratt. Their songs have, however, been recorded by such artists as Urban Carmichael and Rita and Mary Rankin.
Rolfe is quick to name her partners (the songwriters) as the founding core of the group. "I mostly play tunes," she says. "Together we've been playing their songs." Sharratt agrees that their repertoire concentrates on their original compositions, but they may do other songs as time goes by.
"We're having too much fun doing our own for now," Sharratt admits. Carmichael adds that they concentrate on ballads and songs about the region. "Songs about da region," Sharratt echoes with his best stereotypical Maritime hick accent, prompting Carmichael to join in while Rolfe laughs hysterically.
Despite the long-standing Carmichael/Sharratt collaboration (a musical duo for roughly one-and-a-half years), Rolfe seems to fit right in with what her partners describe as "a natural progression" from their original group dynamic. Rolfe and Carmichael have played together on and off for the past 16 years, and were among the musicians featured in the highly successful College of Piping album.
The trio say they get along well because they come from similar backgrounds, musical and otherwise. Though they are all parents, Carmichael admits, "we just haven't grown up. We're `nouveau brats.'"
As family individuals, the Redstone members have no intention of touring. For now, they are content to practice and perform at such venues as festivals, events, and concerts. That being said, though, they are quick to add (in unison) that they welcome employment. "A part-time living would be nice," Carmichael muses. "We want to be able to afford to continue doing it."
As long as they can afford it, and as long as it jibes with their day jobs, Redstone will continue to play for the joy of entertaining. "We've been told we're like a breath of fresh air," Carmichael said. "We like to think our music moves people."
Sharratt says it even more excitedly: "If we can make someone smile, dance or put a tear in your eye, boy, that's a real thrill. It's exhilarating."