Double-Strung, Kalamazoo, MI
Roxanne Artis states, "I can't remember a time when I wasn't a musician. I've always been involved with music in some way since early childhood." Roxie began playing piano at age 5, was active in the singing at church, started playing the trumpet in 5th grade and continued on to major in music studies in college. She toured Europe for two consecutive summers with the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp International Band. It wasn't until she took up playing the banjo at age 35 that Roxie finally found her true musical passion. "I had always dreamed of playing the banjo and had always carried a "secret" love of bluegrass music. I t wasn't until I got that banjo in my hands, and started singing again that I realized I had always been a performer... I just needed the right instrument to convey the passion from within."
Her skills on trumpet, banjo as well as tenor guitar, ukulele, and bass have allowed Roxanne to take her skills all across west Michigan and beyond. She was featured as a solo act at the 1st annual Leilapalooza festival in Battle Creek Michigan, and her former band was also showcased at the 2011 Kalamazoo Fretboard Festival. Most recently, Roxanne has paired with local favorite, Matt Schwartz as an acoustic duo named, "DOUBLE-STRUNG". Keep your eyes on newcomer, Roxie Artis as she is never afraid to push her limits and try new things!
Matt is the oldest of 8 kids and grew up in a singing family. He has fronted several bands through the years. His former band HighWay 94 was together for 10 yrs. from 2000 - 2010. He plays a lot of solo shows and sometimes plays with several other people. He has played a many different venues including campgrounds, churches, jails, nursing homes, fairs, festivals and private parties.
He was featured at the Coopers Glen Bluegrass Festival in 2002 in Kalamazoo on the same billing as Ralph Stanley and The Virginia Boys and was the opening act with his band in 2010 on Jan. 23 at the Coopers Glen Music Festival in Kalamazoo,MI put on by G.L.A.M.A. Great Lakes Acoustic Music Association. He was showcased at Prairieville Farm Days in Delton ,MI
Matt just released his second CD "Family Favorites" which is available for purchase.
Matt also plays pedal steel guitar and is open to play for anyone that would like to add the sound of the steel to their music.
The duo features tight vocal harmonies and an all-acoustic mix of country and gospel, covers and originals, and they even put their own spin on songs from the alternative rock scene.
