Selfish Tears by Frank Solivan II

During his high school years Frank studied the cello, eventually occupying the second chair in the cello section of the California All-State Honor Orchestra.

In 1995 Frank moved to Alaska, where he taught fiddle, mandolin, and guitar, and took first prize in the Alaska State Fair fiddle contest four years in a row. He also had a stint as first chair violin in the University of Alaska's Symphony. Within this time, he was touring with bluegrass legends Doug Dillard and Ginger Boatwright and though - barely into his twenties himself - serving as a mentor to the members of Bearfoot Bluegrass (Winner of the 2001 National Band Competition at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival in Colorado) and other young Alaska artists.

Frank’s self-produced debut recording, I Am A Rambler, proved a hit with listeners and DJs alike, despite limited distribution through his own label, Fiddlemon Music. In the Alaska Public Radio Network’s Song Of The Year contest four of Frank’s original songs from the album -“Day to Day,” “Dirty Kitchen,” “A Mother’s Hand,” and “I Am A Rambler”-placed in the top of their respective categories. Even surrounded by such seasoned Nashville-based artists as Rob Ickes, David Grier, Byron House, Mark Winchester, Shad Cobb, Richard Bailey, JD Blair, Kathy Chiavola, and Billy Davis, Frank’s picking and singing on I Am A Rambler shine with polish and authority. His new project, Selfish Tears, is a worthy follow-up. Frank penned eight of the CD’s eleven tracks, and his performances display an added strength and maturity, the fruit of four years filled with music and living.

In addition to his official duties performing for generals, admirals, foreign dignitaries, and the President of the United States, Frank also appears with Country Current and other noteworthy musicians at public concerts and bluegrass festivals. He has entertained audiences at the Grass Valley Bluegrass Festival (Grass Valley, CA), the Kennedy Center (Washington, DC), the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival (Ancramdale, NY), the Anchorage Folk Festival (Anchorage, AK), the Alaska Folk Festival (Juneau, AK), the Blueberry Bluegrass Festival (Alberta, Canada), and the Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival (Gettysburg, PA). As a front man, side musician, or a member of an opening act, Frank has shared the stage with some of bluegrass, country, and pop music’s biggest stars. Brooks and Dunn, Reba McEntire, Ricky Skaggs, Trace Adkins, Sammy Kershaw, Alison Krauss, Odetta, Rosanne Cash, Kathy Mattea, Aaron Tippin, and Brandi, to name just a few.

Since moving east to join Country Current, Frank has had less time for the hunting, fishing, horseback riding, and mule-wrangling that were a big part of his life in California and Alaska. When not on the road, he hangs his Stetson in Alexandria, Virginia, where he lives with his wife, Leah, a jewelry artist. Their home is a favorite gathering spot for local and touring musicians alike, and Frank cooks a mean pot of chile verde, as well.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT FRANK

"I remember seeing Frank Solivan II at IBMA’s World of Bluegrass a few years back. His performance was one of the true eye openers for me that weekend. Great mandolin playing and singing, clean and powerful. Talent like this was made to stick around."

-Tim Stafford

"A man who plays with passion and sings with authority, who gives all he has to his audience and then goes beyond performance to win hearts and fans...A new musical force to be reckoned with."

-Ginger Boatwright

"I first met Frank in Anchorage, where I considered him to be the ‘King’ of Alaskan bluegrass. He has now moved to Virginia, but Frank Solivan is staking claim to his own territory in this big world of bluegrass music."

-Todd Phillips

"I've seen Frank perform. He's just as competent live as he is on record! Great job, Frank!"

-Russell Moore

ADVANCE PRAISE FOR SELFISH TEARS (2006)

"Interesting, innovative, traditionally contemporary bluegrass! Great listening!"

-Rhonda Vincent

"Frank Solivan is hot, hot, hot. He has a gorgeous voice, solid instrumental chops and writes great songs. Most importantly he connects emotionally. Selfish Tears is yet another leap for a major talent."

-Kathy Chiavola

PRAISE FOR I AM A RAMBLER (2002)

“An auspicious solo debut featuring stellar musicians.”

-Tim Stafford

“I loved I Am A Rambler. A+ cool stuff.”

-Mike Marshall

"This is Frank's first release and judging from the quality of the music in this project, it won't be the last. It's a worthy album deserving plenty of airtime."

-Dennis Brunnenmeyer KVMR-FM, Nevada City, California

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