HOME
PAGE | BIOS/PHOTOS
| LINKS | MERCHANDISE
Meridian
is an acoustic folk band based in Jacksonville, Florida. The considerable
experiences and backgrounds of these musical artists make for an eclectic
repertoire which includes Celtic music, old-time, and contemporary folk.
Meridian is available for contra dances, English dances, square dances,
festivals and private engagements. For booking call AL at (904) 610-4507,
Carole at (904) 396-1997, Arnold at (904) 535-4540, or email Al at alpoin@bellsouth.net.
Meridian is (left to right) Roy Batterman, flute and bodhran; Al Poindexter, banjo; Marcia Winnard, fiddle; Jeff Trippe, guitar; Carole Wetzel, keyboards; and Arnold Graham-Smith, hammered dulcimer
News:
MAY
The April 29 benefit to raise playground equipment at Hendricks Avenue Elementary School was a great success. Thanks to Soren for having us and to Jeff Tippins for coming out and playing percussion with us. Click the photos link above for some new pics.
The band will take the next few weeks off from performing (with the exception of private engagements) in order to work on a cd and to add new material to our repertoire. Look for us to return to our regular gigs at MacCool's and contra dances in the fall.
APRIL
April dates at Fionn MacCool's Pub have been busy. Thanks to David Horton of Guitars United for coming out to run sound for us on the 23rd.
The band will play a charity event on April 29th (Saturday) to help raise money for playground equipment at Hendricks Avenue Elementary School. The music starts at 11 a.m.
We are presently working on our first CD project. Tunes will include lots of dance numbers, a few ballads and waltzes, and perhaps even a couple of surprises. We hope to release the disk sometime this summer. We'll keep everyone posted. Thanks to our fans and to the Jacksonville Country Dance Society for unfailing encouragement.
Arnold Graham-Smith, our renowned hammered dulcimer player, is out of action for a little while due to knee surgery. We wish him well and encourage him to learn to play sitting down.
MARCH
Recent happenings for us read like a "news of the weird" column. On March 5th, the band was delighted by an impomptu performance by Riverdance lead dancer Paddy Quinn, who happened to be in town on holiday and decided to come out to MacCool's (www.maccoolsjax.com) and hear Meridian. Talk about leaping ability.
Then on the following Sunday, March 12th, fiddler Gary Aminette sat in with the band. Gary has toured the world with various bluegrass bands (including an audience at the White House), and was a close friend of legendary fiddlers Vassar Clements and Chubby Wise. His performance of "Orange Blossom Special" left the room in tatters.
The excitement continued on St. Patrick's Day. Jeff played from 12 to 5 at Lynch's pub with the Bobby Flynn Band, and Marcia joined Kevin Burns at Culhane's for an equally lengthy but delightful session. Then Meridian regrouped for the big contra dance at Riverside Presbyterian Church that evening and some good clean fun. In all, March has been an incredible month for the band, and it's not even over! Al Poindexter adequately summed it up: Wow.
Upcoming appearances:
Contra Dance, October 20 (Riverside Avenue Christian Church, 2841 Riverside Ave, Jax, FL)
Barberville Jamboree, November 4 and 5 - Click here for details
To comment on this website or to hire Meridian email alpoin@bellsouth.net