Chris and Deb Mitguard have been playing music throughout the west for nearly 30 years.  Known for their wicked banter, tight harmonies, and carefully crafted compositions, The Mitguards’ original songs span a myriad of styles, resisting the urge to turn roots music into a reach for some mythical, idyllic past, and going for a more relevant and immediate impact.  Chris’s fluid guitar is complemented by Deb’s unique and charming mandolin and accordion. The Mitguards are constantly expanding and stretching their musical repertoire, striving to balance familiar favorites with fresh, new material. They write songs that seem both brand new and like they fell out of Hank Williams’ suitcase when he wasn’t looking. We don’t know how they do that, but we love to listen! Heartfelt, moving, compelling, entertaining, funny, and totally their own – their songs and entertaining and engaging stage presence will pull you in and leave you feeling like life is an amazing thing – and isn’t that what it’s all about!

“When the Darkness Comes” was a labor of love and persistence, difficult choices, and the most challenging of The Mitguards’ 7 CD projects. Thanks to Don Richmond’s masterful recording skills and thoughtful addition of just the right instruments and harmony vocals (not to mention his incredible patience), the project finally came to fruition this summer.  We are very excited to share it with all of you!

Jon Mitguard has been playing in the San Francisco/Bay Area music scene over 30 years. He is a sought after for pedal steel and dobro. He also plays guitar, harmonica, and sings with many well loved Bay area bands. All along he has been performing his songs solo and often with his wife Maryann Nardo and with bands. Check out his channel on YouTube.

In the realm of live performance, Don is most often thought of as a member of the Rifters or his old band Tumbleweed, or perhaps as an accompanist or duo partner with numerous musical friends, such as Michael Hearne, Eliza Gilkyson, Bill Hearne, or Bob Livingston.

But Don, a multi-instrumentalist, is also a an accomplished and experienced solo performer, having played numerous house concerts, festival appearances, and concert events as a solo artist. “I love playing solo shows,.” says Richmond, “as there are a lot of songs I write that do not fit in a band context, and I love sharing those tunes with folks,” he continues. “I also love the intimate connection with the audience that is created in a solo show, as well as the freedom to immediately launch off in any direction that comes up,” he adds.

As a founding member of such bands as Tumbleweed, Hired Hands, and the Rifters, as well as the producer, co-producer and/or engineer of hundreds of recordings of other artists in his Howlin’ Dog Records studio, Don has a wealth of deep experience to draw from and to share with his audiences. Combine that with his deep insights into life and all that it holds that are expressed in his songs, together with his warm and engaging stage presence, and you have a show that will touch audience members and stay with them for many years.

 

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