Artists:Blackberry River Band

Blackberry River Band, an Americana Rock group out of Rutherfordton, NC was formed in 2006 by Lisa Thurman (vocals, guitar, banjo) and David Thurman (bass, keyboards) to showcase original music. Lisa and David had already been playing music together for a number of years.

Lisa grew up singing in choir and having spent her formative years in the Mississippi Delta and Appalachian Mountains and was influenced by both Delta Blues and Mountain music. She composed songs and played in coffee houses in college and pursued academics and social work for a number of years before recording her first CD. She has a Doctorate in Holistic Health.

David Thurman, a native of Delaware and a prolific songwriter wrote a musical titled "Las Vegas". He was also a finalist in an American Greetings song-writing contest where he preformed at Power Stations in NYC with Gladys Knight as one of the judges.

Blackberry River Band's award winning debut CD, SANTA FE, released in 2006, received outstanding reviews and national and international airplay. As featured “international artists” the group was interviewed and performed live on Canada’s first and longest running public radio stations, CKWR, On the program, featured songs included “Songs from the Wood”, “Meth Blues”, “Sunshine and Rain”, “Tornado”, Santa Fe” and “Call the Doctor”.

The CD, SANTA FE, was produced with Atlanta based Ben Holst who has done recording for groups such as REM, Drive-By-Truckers and Blueground Undergrass.

Singer songwriter, Abbot Grivich joined BRB after SANTA FE was released. Some of his original work will be debuted on the group's second CD to be released in 2008. Also joining the group was Dana Koone (percussion) and Richard Barnette (mandolin, guitar and harmonica).