Wishing Chair

Infobox musical artist
Name = Wishing Chair

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Img_capt = Wishing Chair at the Western Front
Vancouver, BC
May 7, 2005
Img_size =
Landscape =
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Lexington, Kentucky, United States
Genre = Folk rock, Roots rock
Years_active = 1995-current
Label = Terrakin Records
Associated_acts = Stealin Horses, Kara Barnard, Jamie Anderson
URL = [http://www.wishingchair.com/ WishingChair.com]
Current_members = Kiya Heartwood, Miriam Davidson
Past_members =
Notable_instruments = guitar, accordion

Wishing Chair is an award-winning American folk-roots duo, consisting of Kiya Heartwood and Miriam Davidson. The band formed in 1995 and has since then released seven recordings on their own independent label, Terrakin Records. They are best known for their creative musical arrangements, dynamic stage presence, and thoughtful lyrics.

Biography

Heartwood began her professional music career in a Lexington (KY) band called Radio Café with drummer Kopana Terry. The band later changed its name to Stealin Horses and was briefly signed by the Arista label. The self-titled recording received some regional acclaim. After the label dropped the band, they released one independent recording ("Mesas and Mandolins") and then dissolved. Heartwood went on to record a solo album ("True Frontiers") after the breakup of Stealin Horses. [cite web | last = Gordon | first = Keith | title = Stealin' Horses Biography | publisher = Allmusic | url = http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:dpfexqu5ldhe~T1 | accessdate = 2008-05-17]

Davidson comes from a musical family and has been playing a variety of instruments for most of her life. Her father is a Jewish cantor and composer, and her mother was a music teacher. [Citation | last = Kimzey | first = Kim | title = Wishing Chair gives legs to 'folk and roll' | newspaper = Spartanburg Herald | year = 2008 | date = 2008-05-15 | url = http://www.goupstate.com/article/20080515/NEWS/805150305] Before joining Heartwood and forming Wishing Chair, she performed with Bev Futrell and Karen Jones of the Reel World String Band in a trio known as Tall, Dark and Handsome.

The Band

Heartwood and Davidson met at a music camp in Ontario, where both worked as counselors. After performing together at a faculty recital, Heartwood invited Davidson to perform on her next solo album. By the end of the recording process, the two decided to form a band together, and "Singing With the Red Wolves" was released under the band name Wishing Chair.

In 2001, they met trad-folk musician Kara Barnard while performing at the National Women's Music Festival in Muncie, Indiana. They performed a few sets together, and due to the enthusiastic reaction of the audience, they decided to record an album. "Dishpan Brigade" was released two years later.

Currently, Wishing Chair performs in listening rooms, festivals, and benefits year-round across the United States and Canada.

Discography

* "Singing With the Red Wolves" (1995)
* "Undisputed Country" (1998)
* "Ghost of Will Harbut" (2000)
* " Crow" (2002)
* "Dishpan Brigade" (2003, with Kara Barnard)
* " Underdog" (2005)
* "" (2007)

Awards & Honors

* Emerging Artist Finalist, Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, 2002
* Best Overall Song & Best Mellow Song Winner, South Florida Folk Festival, 2003
* Best Recording Duo/Band and Best Songwriter Winner, [http://www.outmusic.com/ Outmusic] , 2003
* Best New Folk CD Winner for "Underdog", [http://www.jpfolks.org/ Just Plain Folks] , 2006
* Best Roots Song Winner for "Sue Mundy," [http://www.jpfolks.org/ Just Plain Folks] , 2006

Notes

External links

* [http://www.wishingchair.com/ Wishing Chair official site]