Prairie Siding was formed from members of the Essex-Kent Bluegrass, Oldtime & Folk Music Association to represent bluegrass music at Association and community events.  Two band members, Stan Sullivan and David Blakney, are founding members of the Association and started performing together when the Association was formed in 1987 and later joined by Don MacAulay.  When the Association started a Bluegrass Concert Series in 1990, there was a need for an opening band to front the featured acts from the US bluegrass heartland.  Prairie Siding filled that need.

Over the years there have been some member changes to accommodate schedules and personal commitments, but currently the group has jelled around Stan Sullivan, Don MacAulay, Merrill Mills and David Blakney.

Stan has an unerring ear for vocal harmonies and arrangements, as well as a solid rhythm and lead guitar, and selects much of the material that the band performs.  Don adds the syncopated rhythm and lead banjo sound in the Earl Scruggs tradition on the banjo he built himself in the Gibson prewar style.  Merrill, with his many years experience as a rock bassist, brings a fresh sound and much merriment to the group, as he explores the subtle nuances of keeping time on the acoustic upright bass and providing baritone and bass vocal harmony.  David provides the mandolin chop and sings lead and tenor, swapping vocal positions with Stan in a continuous melodic weave that is the hallmark Prairie Siding sound.

Prairie Siding’s repertoire is strongly traditional, drawing on the old standards of Bill Monroe, Flatt & Scruggs, the Stanley Brothers and Jimmy Martin for much of it’s material.  The emphasis on two and three part harmony is in evidence on all vocal performances and is especially showcased on the Gospel selections.

The group ventures, as well, into the more modern bluegrass sound with selections like the Nashville Bluegrass Band’s “Blue Cadillac” and the Lonesome River Band’s arrangement of Monroe’s “I’ll Take The Blame”.  Original material is also occasionally introduced, but the primary sound is from bluegrass music’s classic period of 1945 to 1955.

Entertainment is the key and Prairie Siding puts this requirement foremost in material selection, arrangements and stage presence.  Always ready for a new challenge, this bluegrass group makes performance a priority and listening a pleasure.

Prairie Siding recently performed for the Seniors’ RBC Jubilee at the Cleary Auditorium in Windsor and at Roy Thompson Hall in Toronto.