Jessica Rhaye
with
Bill Preeper & Sandy MacKay
Jessica Rhaye with Bill Preeper and Sandy MacKay (aka Preeper Rhaye MacKay) is a folk trio comprised of Canadian songbird Jessica Rhaye, guitarist Bill Preeper, and multi-instrumentalist Sandy MacKay. They began working together in the folk-rock band The Ramshackle Parade.
This trio has developed a Maritime Appalachian Folk sound with a unique mix of acoustic and electric instrumentation that will take listeners back to the height of the Greenwich Village folk scene of the 60’s. The singers deliver lush 3-part harmonies, weaving and sharing lead and harmony parts for their own compositions, along with simple, yet elegant arrangements. It's new folk music at its finest, pulling together inspiration from the likes of Woody Guthrie, Ian Tyson, and Bob Dylan. This group gets compared to a modern Peter Paul & Mary, creating an intricate vocal blend.
WOOD & WIRE is Preeper Rhaye MacKay's first album as a trio. It’s a collection of new original works and includes a special cover from the Kate and Anna McGarrigle catalogue that helps define their provenance. The album falls on the heals of the members work together with Jessica Rhaye and The Ramshackle Parade on their critically acclaimed albums Just like a Woman - Songs of Bob Dylan (2019), and Sunshine Baby (2023).
The album Wood & Wire was recorded with producer/engineer Dale Murray at the board, who was instrumental in making sure the best performance was captured as the trio performed and sang each song live to record.
“We wanted Wood & Wire to capture what we do as a trio. It’s an album of folk songs with three-part harmonies” says Jessica Rhaye. “During the recording process we would play the songs over and over until we all felt like we got the take we wanted. The most we played one song was seven times. It was a very natural and refreshing process” continues Rhaye “and we achieved our goal of making a record that could have been written and recorded in the height of the Greenwich Village folk scene.”
SINGLES
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“Rocky Hills” written By Jessica Rhaye, “Jared’s Mountain” written by Jessica Rhaye & Bill Preeper, “Waltzing To Paradise” & “Stealing Time” written by Sandy MacKay, “Red Rocks and Timothy” written by Bill Preeper, “Sweet Night” written by Bill Preeper & Sandy MacKay, Goin’ Back To Harlan” written by Anna McgGarrigle
Bill Preeper: singing, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, 12 string & high strung acoustic guitars
Jessica Rhaye: singing, acoustic & high strung acoustic guitars
Sandy MacKay: singing, electric & upright bass, upright bowed bass, mandolin, banjo
Dale Murray: dobro, banjoProduced by Dale Murray with Bill Preeper, Jessica Rhaye and Sandy MacKay
Recorded on the Capitol Theatre stage Oxford, Nova Scotia, Canada
Recorded & Mixed by Dale Murray
Mastered by John McLaggan at Parachute Mastering
Photography by Jordan Mattie
Design & Layout by Jessica RhayeWe recognize the support of the government of New Brunswick and Music·Musique NB. Nous reconnaissons l’appui du gouvernement du Nouveau-Brunswick et de Music·Musique NB.
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“Wood and Wire is a gorgeous album from start to finish.” - David Reed, the Belleville Intelligencer
"This is traditional music at a very high standard." - Americana UK
“Rocky Hills is a lilting original that feels timeless.” - David Reed, the Belleville Intelligencer
"An album that fans of folk music would very much enjoy" - Americana UK (Wood & Wire)
"Goin' Back to Harlan" (Anna McGarrigle) opens the record and immediately transfixes the listener." - David Reed, the Belleville Intelligencer
“Stunning tune” - Great Dark Wonder (“Rocky Hills”)
"Rhaye’s vocals are beautifully clear and her singing throughout is a highlight of the album." - Americana UK
“Opening track ‘Goin’ Back To Harlan’ written by the mighty Anna McGarrigle is the only cover on the album and serves as a fine introduction of what’s to come, beautifully judged playing, bell like recording qualities and pinpoint harmonies.
’Rocky Hills’ showcases the timeless, ageless quality of Jessica Rhaye’s marvellous voice, the deceptively melancholic ‘Waltzing To Paradise’ has subtle vocal nods in the direction of Townes Van Zandt to my ears, before the understated, yet quietly expansive tones of ‘Red Rocks & Timothy’ completes the opening quartet of songs.
The remainder of the album maintains these lofty standards with standouts for me being the lovely acoustic guitar figure and warm vocal of ‘Jared’s Mountain’ which leads nicely into the heavily reverbed electric guitar and rhythmic swagger of ‘I Feel More Like I Do Now’, before the courtly elegance of instrumental last track ‘Sweet Night’ brings the record to a close.
Apparently the album was recorded ‘live off the floor’ on the Capitol Theatre Stage in Oxford, Nova Scotia, Canada, which makes the quality of the recording and musical virtuosity on display here even more impressive.” - Fatea Records UK Magazine
UPCOMING SHOWS
MUSIC VIDEOS
Their version of Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind” has generated millions of views on YouTube
and over 50K subscribers calling out for more of this special blend of acoustic music.
“The modern folk trio offered their skills to the famed Dylan track (Blowin’ in the Wind) in this string-laden rendition. Rich with golden vocals, acoustics, and even a mandolin, Rhaye, and her group would make Baez and the rest of the ’60s decade proud with this heartfelt version.”
MEDIA TOOLS
PRESS PHOTOS
Click on images below for high res photo
Photo credit: Jordan Mattie
BIOS
Jessica Rhaye
Jessica Rhaye is an independent singer-songwriter and graphic design artist with 8 full length albums to her name, including her recent album Sunshine Baby, which garnered glowing buzz from Americana UK, Americana Highways, BBC Radio, FATEA UK, Great Dark Wonder, Sirius XM “North Americana”. In a career spanning 25 years, Jessica has built an impressive list of accolades and has graced many prestigious stages across Canada including the National Arts Centre, Hugh’s Room, Stan Rogers Folk Festival, Mariposa Folk Festival, Shivering Songs, and has co-written with notable artists like Ron Sexsmith, Steve Poltz, the late Ken Tobias, and Royal Wood.
Jessica plays acoustic and Nashville high-strung guitars, sounding like a dulcimer. Her clear sweet voice provides the high harmony in the trio and her solid acoustic guitar playing rhythm forms the backbone of the trio’s sound. Jessica is responsible for the album’s artwork and promo material.
Bill Preeper
Bill started playing folk music in the ‘80’s while working a day job at CBC and raising a family with his wife Kathy. In 2015, upon retirement and having more time to concentrate on music, he co-founded Bonnett House leading to the release of the album Songs From Bonnett House in 2017. The following year, Bill became a member of Jessica Rhaye’s band, The Ramshackle Parade.
His delicate fingerpicking and use of alternate tunings on guitar are inspired by the traditional and contemporary masters of folk and blues. In the vocal department, Bill shares singing with his bandmates and adds low end in the trio’s harmonies.
Sandy MacKay
Over a 40-year musical career, Sandy has toured widely, performed on stages and streets, theatre and session recordings for numerous artists.
Sandy is a multi-instrumentalist. He plays upright and electric bass and sometimes adds mandolin and banjo. The double bass adds the bedrock to the trio’s sound, and when the bass gets bowed, brings a deep rich texture to the sound. Sandy sings tenor in the trio’s vocal mix, sometimes trading range with Jessica to reach the high harmonies in old bluegrass style.
CONTACT :
MANAGEMENT:
Scout Music Group
BOOKING:
(CANADA)
Scout Music Group
Mark Marshall
(USA)
Astor Street Agency
Rory Modlinski
Ashling Ivers
PUBLICITY:
What’s The Story
Beth Cavanagh