Summary: AMANDA SHIRES is a singing fiddle-playing Texan who just released her second solo CD called "Carrying Lightning." She deftly employs her fiddle/violin, ukulele and even whistling ... the resulting sound is a beautiful but woozily surrealistic swoon. Amanda was also recently seen in the recent Hollywood movie Country Strong where she played the fiddle player in the band. BEN HALL is a 22-year old multi-talented National Thumbpicking Champion from Okolona, Mississippi. Ben has also been recognized nationally as a singer/songwriter who prefers traditional styles of music. While attending Belmont University, Hall has managed to perform at some of Nashville's most famous venues including the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame. Although he makes frequent appearances as a soloist, Hall has worked the stage as a sideman for legends such as Jeannie Seely, Jan Howard and Charlie Louvin. Ben has recorded with Louvin, Kurt Wagner & Cortney Tidwell, and Candi Staton. In 2011 Tompkins Square will release a new Ben Hall album full of guitar tunes heavily influenced by his heroes Merle Travis and Chet Atkins.
