Greetings From Canada!



Hard Ryde Reviews 2009

Canada's Hard Ryde has developed into one of the top bluegrass bands in any country. Great harmonies, superb instrumental work and strong songwriting make "Stages" a must have!!! This is not only the top Canadian bluegrass album of the year but one could make a strong case that it is the best one ever!!! These guys are SMOKIN' !!!



Hard Ryde first caught my ear in 2007 with their CD Expressed (released in 2006). In 2008 they released Stages.

Like most bluegrass bands they experienced some band member turn over between CDs, but if the changes had any effect on the band's sound, it was for the better. If anything, the band seems to have further refined their sound with this recording.

With hints of the Rice Brothers, Del McCoury Band, Larry Sparks, and J.D Crowe & The New South, Hard Ryde delivers a distinctive sound that blends modern sensibilities with a satisfying traditional finish. Their instrumental performance is solid and precise, and their vocals distinguish them as a band you should seriously listen to.

As on their previous CD, the original content is what sets this band apart. My favorite tracks include Hold Onto Your Heart, If You Don't Go, and Past The Point Of Rescue. I do have to say I also enjoyed their rendition of Blue-Eyed Boston Boy.

Samples are available on the band's Myspace page.

This highly awarded Canadian band deserves to be heard by American audiences. They have a limited number of US tour dates so take advantage of the chance to hear them.



Hard Ryde Reviews 2008

"The first time I saw Doug deBoer was about thirty years ago. He was backstage waiting to open a show for Ralph Stanley and playing 'Stoney Creek' on his guitar. Two things in particular impressed me: first, he was obviously a first-rate musician; second, I came to learn, he is as modest and easy to get to know as he is talented.

"So when I recently was on the same bill with Hard Ryde I made it a point to watch their show. After seeing their show, I got their CD right away.

"Most bands, regardless of stature, need something: a more coherent stage show, a more thoughtful song selection, a more definitive style, better vocal consistency - the list goes on.

"Hard Ryde is no exception. To my ear and eye they need something...but only one thing: to be seen and heard."



For 'Stages':

"With this latest release for "Hard Ryde" they've taken their place in bluegrass music. The lead vocals of Doug DeBoer are the best of his career and stand up with anything you will hear in bluegrass music today. "Hold Onto Your Heart" is a great example of this as well as their great harmonies. They aren't one sided though, these guys are pickers too. Will, D'Arcy and all the guys get to show out on all these tunes but "Lonesome Road Blues" especially! "Hard Ryde" has already dominated the Canadian Awards and rightfully so. This form of the band has a real 'energy' and I look for them to really make people stop and listen. I know I did! Great job guys!"



From the opening hot licks of the banjo, bluegrass listeners will know this is a killer CD and that happens with the first song "Hold Onto Your Heart". It's all on the new CD release "Stages" of the Ontario band Hard Ryde. There are many exciting aspects of this hard working band including the stellar line-up of highly talented musicians.

The band members are spread around Ontario and include; Doug de Boer on Guitar and vocals, Will Meadows on Mandolin, Tyler Beckett on Fiddle, Rich Koop on Bass, D'Arcy Campbell on Banjo, and Marc Roy on Guitar. The power-house vocals include all band members. These gentlemen have won many awards for their music mostly in the Central Canadian Bluegrass Awards, so much so that some of the members have won 5 times and have qualified to be in the Central Canadian Bluegrass Hall of Honor.

The music on "Stages" feature stirring covers of bluegrass standards, among them "Somehow Tonight" and "One Tear," and excellent renditions of Graham Parsons' "Hickory Wind" and Bill Anderson's "Make Sure You've Got It All." On the latter, lead singer Doug de Boer gives some special effects when he whispers the occasional mention in honor of the song's author.

The song writing talents of the band members Doug, Will and Marc are show-cased on 5 of the 11 tunes. Songs of note include all the guys cutting loose on Earl Scruggs "Lonesome Road Blues"...it's a rocket ride. Doug's life-partner, Melissa Sherman holds down the band manager roles but is also a great songwriter as can be heard on two of the tunes "Weak In The Knees" and "Turkeyville Road".

This is hot bluegrass music done up with style and class by 6 very talented and organized gents of bluegrass. Their talents have taken them to key gigs on both sides of the Can-USA border including bluegrass music cruises and the next such event is the Bell Buckle Bluegrass Music Cruise to Mexico in January 2009. Check out their website for more details of this exciting band - www.hardryde.ca.



Hard Ryde takes their bluegrass seriously. They have won many awards in Canada and a pair in the States. Precise instrumental chops complement their fine harmonies that often go well beyond the basic triad to bring an unexpected richness to their material.

It is a large band with six members. D'Arcy Campbell lays down solid banjo, while Tyler Beckett fiddles and fills the songs with tasteful fills and interesting leads. Will Meadows' mandolin is spot on while Doug de Boer plays guitar and sings with a well-nuanced delivery. Marc Roy is the musical surgeon with the lead guitar. Rich Koop keeps the underpinning solid with his tasteful bass playing.

The material features two Stanley Brothers' classics, "Fields Have Turned Brown" and "Ridin' On The Midnight Train," with strong new interpretations that breathe new life into these standards. One of their influences is apparent on "Fields..." as it reflects John Cowan's soulful approach to bluegrass vocals. "Ridin' On The Midnight Train" is about as fast as it can be played and still stay on the track. They turbocharge the Hal Ketchum hit "Past The Point Of Rescue" with urgent vocals and charged picking without letting it get out of hand. There is plenty of original material that holds up well. The band does a thoughtful reading of "Blue Eyed Boston Boy" that works well.

Hard Ryde brings originality to the form of bluegrass without compromising their talent or the music. The vocals and overall musicianship is first rate and if this band weathers the rigors of the road, they could well become a major player on the bluegrass scene.

"With this latest release for "Hard Ryde" they've taken their place in bluegrass music. The lead vocals of Doug DeBoer are the best of his career and stand up with anything you will hear in bluegrass music today. "Hold Onto Your Heart" is a great example of this as well as their great harmonies. They aren't one sided though, these guys are pickers too. Will, D'Arcy and all the guys get to show out on all these tunes but "Lonesome Road Blues" especially! "Hard Ryde" has already dominated the Canadian Awards and rightfully so. This form of the band has a real "energy" and I look for them to really make people stop and listen. I know I did! Great job guys!"



Review -- HARD RYDE -- Stages
9.5-out-of-10

Ah just how sweet is turning on the CD player and hearing the strains of a musical genre you love dearly, but rarely seem to hear in terms of new music these days? Well, in the case of Hard Ryde is was darned sweet. When the first strains of Hold Onto Your Heart began to flow through the headphones, and I heard the familiar sounds that mark bluegrass, mandolin, bass, fiddle and banjo, I was smiling. Of all the varieties of country music which exist, I like bluegrass best, past bands such as Steel Rail and Tumbleweed forever holding a special place in my musical heart.Well, I can now add Hard Ryde to that all too short list, of wonderful Canadian bluegrass bands.The great thing about Hard Ryde is they don't hide who they are. There are country bands who occasionally offer up a bluegrass tune, or add some bluegrass strains to more mainstream country cuts. Not here. This is bluegrass from start to finish, for 11 sweetly tantalizing tunes.It is pure joy to relax and listen to songs such as If You Don't Go, a tune written by Hard Ryde guitarist and vocalist Doug de Boer. Past The Point of Rescue is another winner.And, wait until you hear Lonesome Road Blues, a number by the famous Earl Scruggs. It's a chance for D'Arcy Campbell to let fly with some killer banjo work, work matched by Will Meadows on mandolin.Tyler Beckett is the fiddle man in Hard Ryde, and he too can flat out play.Rich Koop on bass and vocals and Marc Roy on guitar round out this fine sextet.In terms of material, Hard Ryde mixes original, covers an traditional material.There are some great efforts here, the sad Weak In The Knees, written by Melissa Sherman, and a rendition of the traditional Blue-Eyed Boston Boy and Ridin' On The Midnight Train.As an overall package there really doesn't seem to be a weakness here. There is not one song I would have suggested they leave on the studio floor. In fact, if you like bluegrass at all, you will wish they had added more songs, or that they are at least heading to the studio again soon for another CD.Of course this is a veteran band with three previous CDs, material I know I am going to have to search out myself after hearing this gem.Purely fantastic. Buy it! Now! Check them out at www.hardryde.ca.



Canada's Hard Ryde Stages a Great New Release

The new release by Canadian bluegrass band, Hard Ryde, titled Stages is out. This new album features exciting, fast and hot pickin' as it opens. The hard driving instrumentals work their way throughout the entire album. This latest release keeps the fire from beginning until the last note.

Hard Ryde is a group that has been getting rave reviews across Canada and hopefully will be on this side of the border soon too! The vocals are solid and strong. The music isn't too flashy and it isn't dull. Here is that rare balance of hard driving bluegrass that doesn't drive into the ditch. These guys are on the right track racing into the bluegrass arena with talent. Hard Ryde won the Canadian Bluegrass Award for Best Vocal Group of the Year 5 times in the past 8 years. Stages will let you know why.

Hard Ryde is the real deal! They have the drive it takes to make it in Bluegrass. I had the opportunity to play with them while on a Canadian Tour this year and the fans loved them. Not only are they a great band but they are also great folks to be around. Doug is a super musician and band leader. If you are looking for a band that will entertain the fans then Hard Ryde is a great choice! My favorite Canadian Band!

- Lorraine Jordan (Carolina Road)

From "Hold Onto Your Heart" you better hold on to your hat too. Here comes a blast of fresh bluegrass like the jet stream from the north. The soulful tunes like "If You Don't Go," "and "Weak in the Knees" are the stuff that ballads and bluegrass soul are made from.

For those who like their music unfettered with lyrics, imaginations can run wild on "Likewise" where the band's instrumental talent runs free. This is a lively foot-tapping tune that pretty much defines the musical talent found on this disc.

For the most part, the album is filled with the kind of bluegrass that keeps you wanting more. From the first track until the 11th track, the album is the definition of drive. You'll enjoy this one as it hits the Stages. If you love hard driving bluegrass, you'll love this album!

The only downside I had to this release was the low audio level. Thank goodness that it is digital so I could boost the volume without distorting the sound. The mix seemed to be a bit low compared to other albums. However, do not let this keep you from experiencing this great release!

The band consists of Doug deBoer on Guitar and vocals, Wil Meadows on Mandolin, Tyler Beckett on Fiddle, Rich Koop on Bass, D'Arcy Campbell on Banjo, and Marc Roy on Guitar. All the band members contribute with vocals as well.

Doug deBoer resides in Cambridge, Ontario, with his partner, Melissa Sherman. With Doug at Hard Ryde's helm and Melissa attending to the logistical and navigational details of keeping five to six widely scattered musicians on the same course, the band is a tight ship. Bluegrass has been a constant in Doug's life, coming from a family of musicians, fans and promoters of the genre, so it came as no surprise when he formed his own band at age sixteen. He then went on to perform with Crossfire and Wheatland County before forming the long-running and award-winning Grassworks, which disbanded in 1996. Doug's many awards for his powerful rhythm guitar and strong and soulful vocals have earned him Hall-of-Fame status with the Central Canadian Bluegrass Association.

Wil Meadows, from Toronto, Ontario, has been playing in country bands since the age of twelve, earning him a solid reputation on lead guitar, bass and pedal steel. Will's innate skills with stringed instruments and intuitive musical sensibilities have allowed a natural transition into the world of bluegrass and the disciplines of the mandolin, which he has embraced with passionate focus and refreshing energy. Will grew up in a musical household and was mentored from a very young age by some of Canada's leading country artists and songwriters. His obvious talents, combined with his dedication to keeping music honest and real, are rapidly earning this young musician a name as a dynamic emerging force on the bluegrass scene.

Tyler Beckett, from the Owen Sound area, has been fiddling since the age of 3 and has performed on numerous tours across Canada and in parts of the U.S.A playing, not just fiddle, but guitar and other instruments. Over the past few years, Tyler has competed in many fiddle contests, earning himself Ontario Open Fiddle Champion, Canadian Novelty Fiddle Champion, and a 2-time Canadian Duet Champion. Tyler has also been on several tours with the "Memories of Don Messer's Jubilee" Show.

Since joining the band several years ago, Rich Koop, who resides in Grimsby, Ontario, is the heartbeat of the band, providing the steady pulse behind Hard Ryde's energetic sound. A respected studio musician, Rich honed his performance skills at a young age playing bass in a variety of bands and genres throughout southern Ontario. He also played alongside his father in the bluegrass bands, Sweetwater and the Torchmen, and has a solid reputation for his professionalism and tasteful contribution to any musical endeavours he commits his talents to.

Born in Ottawa, Ontario D'arcy Campbell started playing Banjo at the age of 8, his musical influences included J.D Crowe and the New South, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, Jimmy Martin and The Sunny Mountain Boys and Blue Highway. Banjo inspirations come from: J.D Crowe, E. Scruggs, Terry Baucom, Jimmy Mills and personal influences from Garry Greenland and Robin Roller. D'arcy worked as a studio musician while pursuing his education in Fish and Wildlife studies.Filling in with local northern Ontario bands, D'arcy has committed to join Hard Ryde. His hard driving Banjo sound is a welcomed addition to the band. If he is not picking, he's fishin' for steelhead!

Invariably described as an "instrumental genius" and "acoustic enigma" Marc Roy is a familiar face at bluegrass festivals and concert venues across Canada and the U.S. He is widely known for his continuing work with the Emory Lester Set, has recorded with numerous artists and plays regularly in the Toronto bluegrass circuit, including a weekly spot at the popular Silver Dollar Room with Crazy Strings. Marc is currently breaking in the first of a new line of acoustic guitars hand-crafted by the highly respected Toronto luthier, Alastair Miller, and specifically designed to compliment the unique sound and style that Marc brings to the instrument.



Hard Ryde Reviews 2007

For 'Expressed': I've not heard a more impressive recording come out of the Canadian bluegrass scene - period. The songwriting, vocals, instrumentals and arrangements are brilliant. If you think I'm raving about this CD...I am!!


I have known Doug And all the folks in Hard Ryde For many years. I've watched them grow into one of Canada's top bluegrass bands. With Doug's outstanding soulful vocals and powerful Guitar playing, and the driving instrumental work of the band, this a band I always want to see perform. We have played their CD "Expressed" so much that its almost time to get a new one! Can't wait to hear the next project. Enjoy!!!!



Hard Ryde is the real deal! They have the drive it takes to make it in Bluegrass. I had the opportunity to play with them while on a Canadian Tour this year and the fans loved them. Not only are they a great band but they are also great folks to be around. Doug is a super musician and band leader. If you are looking for a band that will entertain the fans then Hard Ryde is a great choice! My favorite Canadian Band ! "


It's no wonder Hard Ryde is winning awards all over Canada, with an album like "Expressed" under their belt! These guys "ARE BLUEGRASS" Now they're spilling over into the U.S. and the rest of the world and are turning heads. My favorite cuts are "Deal The Cards" and "White Farmhouse" but all of the songs are being played on the WorldWideaBluegrass.com 24/7 stream. Whenever I play a Hard Ryde song I'm always having to respond to listeners who email in asking. A "Must Have" for ANY bluegrass music lover!



Bluegrass Unlimited (Jan.2007)

HARD RYDE - EXPRESSED [J-Bluegrass Unlimitedanuary 2007 issue]
Hapidawg Productions
1062006

Hard Ryde launches their current album with a highvelocity cover of the oftrecorded "East Virginia." While it is an overlyfamiliar tune, the spirited way in which they attack it, laying on a contemporary groove, does make a statement that guitarist and lead vocalist Doug deBoer, fiddler Wayne Ferguson, bassist Rich Koop, mandolinist Nick McDonald, and banjoist Dave Jack can play with verve and precision and can harmonize at once, smoothly and powerfully.

The rest of the album's 14 tracks build on those talents. There are nice covers of bluegrass standards, among them "Somehow Tonight" and "One Tear," and they achieve excellent results on Graham Parsons' "Hickory Wind" and Bill Anderson's "Make Sure You've Got It All." On the latter, lead singer deBoer drops out of his usual vocal style and whispers the occasional word in honor of the song's author.

Solidifying this album's quality status are the two obscure covers and the six originals. Time after time, the somewhat ordinary lyrics and themes, such as the cabin home theme ("White Farm House") and a more literate take on the whenHellfreezesover theme ("I Might Take You Back Again"), are raised here to impressive heights by sharp performances and catchy melodic constructions. Most importantly is the strength of the arrangements that are as simple as interpolating "Steel Guitar Rag" into the swingy "You Don't Have To Be A Baby To Cry," or as sudden as the shifts of rhythm, mood and color in the bridge sections of "I Might Take You..." and "Steeltown," or as intricate as the harmonized instrumental patterns played over the incrementallychanging chords of the popflavored "The Reason." Such attention to detail leads me to conclude that this is a band on the rise, one with an impressive CD of contemporary bluegrass. (Hapidawg Prod., 95 King William Ct., Cambridge, Ont., Canada N3C 4J3, http://www.hardryde.ca/.)