Pint & a Half with Bruce Hayes

Rooted in Salida, CO and led by songwriter Duke Sheppard (guitar, vocals, harmonica) and Tami Sheppard (vocals, percussion), Pint & a Half’s music rings out with memorable melodies, expansive vocal harmonies and lingering rhythms that celebrate the colorful tradition of folk, blues and country music and expand the group’s larger-than-life sound. Pint & A Half’s sizzling chemistry and talent for personal storytelling simmers during their energetic performances.

Since their 2017 Howlin’ Dog Records release “Boomtown Ghosts”, Pint & a Half have toured the US extensively, and shared the billing with Americana favorites such as Michael Hearne, Shake Russell, Gabrielle Louise, Rapidgrass, and others. They’ve also found an enthusiastic audience on streaming services and community radio stations across the country, winning the “Best of 2017” album on the syndicated “Colorado Playlist”, Top Ten albums on KDHX FM St. Louis’ “Backroads”, and People’s Choice in the Southwest Indy Artist Awards, as well as multiple nominations in the 2018 Josie Awards in Nashville, Silver medal in the Global Music Awards contest, and others.

Committed to making meaningful music, Pint & a Half return to the studio in February 2019 to work with legendary Colorado producer Don Richmond on their second Howlin’ Dog Records release, with a target date of May. They will follow the release with a tour of the western states throughout June and into July.

Bruce Hayes plays Rhythm & Celtgrass music, a fusion of musical styles that combines acoustic and electric instrumentation with elements of Rock, Bluegrass, Celtic, and R&B music. Collaborating with The String Cheese Incident and Acoustic Junction, Hayes helped define the acoustic jam band sound. He continues this tradition performing original songs and arrangements on Mandolin, Guitar, Dobro, foot board and his latest creation, the Stratobassto.

Singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, recording engineer, one man band -Bruce Hayes does it all. The forty-something entertainer has been a professional musician since high school and his experience shows.

On stage Hayes’ presence is electrifying. He taps his feet on an amplified floor board, slaps accents on his guitar and cheeks, wails on the harmonica and sings charismatically. His fingers dance around the strings with incredible fluidity creating rich harmonic textures and rapid-fire riffs. The music is fresh and original but steeped in tradition; borrowing from blues, bluegrass, celtic, world beat, folk, rock and jazz.

Inspired by the Beatles and the Monkees, Hayes began studying music at age seven. His mother, a former broadway dancer, would insist that he study piano first, but his attention was always diverted by a small Sears Silvertone guitar. He formed his first band in seventh grade and got his first paid gig as guitarist for the High school jazz ensemble when he was fifteen. In College he majored in classical guitar but after attending his first bluegrass festival he traded the classical guitar for a mandolin and began performing at ski areas.

Perfoming as a solo act, a sideman, or with his bands, Hayes has given over 3,000 performances in many of America’s finest music venues, and several prominent music festivals. His music has taken him across the continent a dozen times, and twice around Europe. He’s jammed on stage with Joe Cocker, Arlo Guthrie, New Riders, Acoustic Syndicate, Railroad Earth, Darrell Scott, Tim O’Brien, Drew Emmitt; opened shows for David Bromberg, Jorma Kaukonen, Merle Sanders, Subdudes, Neville Bros., Dave Mathews, Sam Bush and David Lindley; and recorded in Nashville for grammy winning producer, Jon Vezner.