Gary Ferguson and Allen Shadd
BIO
Gary Ferguson and Allen Shadd
Gary and Allen perform original compositions as well as as well as favorites from the Americana catalog. From award winning songs like Gary's “Last Day at Gettysburg” to flat picking favorites performed by a three time national flatpicking champion.
A longtime resident of southeastern Pennsylvania, Gary Ferguson is a singer, songwriter and guitarist who has been a mainstay of the bluegrass and Americana scenes since the 1980s. In addition to the Gary Ferguson Band, Gary has recorded or performed with such distinguished bluegrass musicians as Ronnie McCoury, Robbie McCoury, Mike Auldridge and many others. A five-time finalist in the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest at MerleFest, Ferguson is an acclaimed songwriter best known for the Larry Sparks hit, “Last Day at Gettysburg,” which has been recorded around the world from Japan to France and the Czech Republic. Gary toured Ireland from 2005 to 2019 and through most of those years he performed with the husband and wife team Colin and Janet Henry. During those tours he also shared the stage with some of the best of Irish songwriters like Mick Hanly, Charlie McGettigan, Frankie Lane, Niall Toner and Mary Greene.
Allen Shadd is a three-time National Flatpicking champion, as well as a past winner of the Merlefest guitar competition, Rocky Grass, the Wayne Henderson guitar competition, and many more. In addition to being a two time GA State Flatpick guitar champion, he is also a past GA State Fingerstyle champion. He has taught at a number of prestigious music camps including Steve Kaufman's Kamps, The Alabama Folk School, and the Swannanoa Gathering. He has performed or recorded with artists that has included Tom T. Hall, Claire Lynch, Jimmy Fortune, Norman Blake, Mark Johnson, Darin and Brooke Aldridge, John Cowan,Louisa Branscomb, Gary Ferguson and many more.He also performed as a member of the Charlotte based WBT Briarhoppers from 2019- 2021 including their induction ceremony into the NC Music Hall of Fame in 2020.In 2021-2022 he performed as a duo with Kristen Holloway. Allen grew up in Florida and lived there for over 40 years before moving to the Carolinas where he has resided since 2005.
