Bio

You'll find her at the end of the bar, mixing up a dark folk-rock espresso with a shot of bluegrass and a hint of jazz. Her smoldering alto and guitar combine to create an intimate and varied show that often includes works by other Vermont songwriters. She has performed throughout New England at coffeehouses, bars, events, festivals, and weddings.

Rebecca holds a double degree in music and journalism from St. Michael's College. She has penned more than 40 original songs and released 3 independent albums: "Fire & Water" (2008), "Time, Speed & Distance" (2003), and "Waterfront" (1997).

She has written for a number of New England print publications, is a documentary filmmaker, and an advocate for media literacy and free speech. Since January 2004, she has been producer/director of The Instant Coffeehouse, a monthly public access TV program that showcases contemporary singer-songwriters. Her film, "Margaret's Waltz" about Vermont's first lady of folk, Margaret MacArthur, was named Best Documentary Event of 2007 by the Northeast Regional Alliance for Community Media.

She studied classical vocal techniques and jazz, before finding her way to folk music through contemporary artists like Patty Larkin, Richard Shindell and Dar Williams.

She has opened for Patty Larkin, Sally Taylor, Vance Gilbert, Rachel Bissex, Rod McDonald, Gregory Douglass, and Jim’s Big Ego. She was a founding member of the Burlington, VT songwriter’s Co-Operative (1999), a finalist in the Solar Fest songwriter’s competition (2000)and an alternate (2004), a finalist in the Philadelphia Songwriters Project’s road songs contest (2004), winner of the Vermont Peace Song contest (2007), and White Light Fund NERFA Scholarship recipient (2007).

BANDMEMBERS:

Mitch Barron - fretless electric bass, upright acoustic bass, and vocals - Mitch has been playing bass for more than 25 years, ranging from jazz and blues to bluegrass, contemporary folk, and traditional Irish, French Canadian, & Appalachian Old Time music. He plays with several Vermont based bands including Bread & Bones, the Hibernators, and the Don Sheldon Trio. Mitch is also an in-demand session player, and frequent recording musician. His bass and vocals can be heard on recordings with Dana Robinson, Rik Palieri, Richard Ruane, Atlantic Crossing, Karen McFeeters, The Hibernators, Rebecca Padula, Nick Bennett, Don Sheldon, the Wild Branch Bluegrass Band, and Matt Witten. Mitch's primary Instruments are a Fender Fretless Precision Bass, 5 string (1977); OLP Fretted MM Bass, 5 string; Juzek Upright Bass (1920); Takamine Acoustic Guitar (1977); Stewart 5 string banjo (1899).

Shrimp - drums & percussion - Multi-instrumentalist Shrimp joined Rebecca and Mitch in 2007, after recently moving to VT from the tri-state area of CT/NY/NJ. In 2006 he celebrated a half century as a percussionist, while closing in on the same mark as a guitarist and pianist. Throughout his career, Shrimp has performed on some of the country's most revered stages, from Alice Tully and Avery Fisher Halls at the Lincoln Center in NYC to the famed Tipitinaâ's in New Orleans. Most recently however, he has turned his attention to producing several up and coming artists in the Gospel and R&B fields. He continues to branch out musically here in VT with bands ranging from honky tonk to jazz. Shrimp resides in Cabot with his wife of 22 years Jane, a talented voice-over artist.