Madison Greene

The members: Madison Greene is from Taylor, Michigan Michael Blair on guitar and vocals, Melissa Blair on vocals, Brian ?Bone? Blair on bass, Erin Beck on violin and Jason Beck on percussion. The band hails from Taylor. The history: Initially formed in 1997 as a folk group named Emmaus, the group played the coffee house and church circuit for four months before changing its name to Madison Greene.

The history: Initially formed in 1997 as a folk group named Emmaus, the group played the coffee house and church circuit for four months before changing its name to Madison Greene. The group has released five albums since the 2,000 selling ?Departure? including 1998's ?The Whitestone Gathering? and 2000's ?Think The Dancers Mad.? The band has continued to grow by recently adding four new members: Justin Webb (percussion), Leiah Webb (vocals and mandolin), Jonny Vibratto (pipes, keys and accordion) and Julia McConahay (violin).

What's up with the name: When it was discovered that a band in Ireland already copyrighted the name Emmaus, the members chose Madison Greene based on liking the way it sounded. The group learned later that Madison means "child of the brave warrior,? and Greene represents rejuvenation.

The style: The band's sound has grown from its folksy roots to being a highly instrumented, acoustic sound driven by creativity. It broadens its output with heavy percussive leanings as well as openness to ethnic instruments and rhythms.

Got anything recorded? The group's latest work is ?Madison Greene Live,? was released in summer, 2003. It was the first release since an EP in 2001 called ?Nowhere Near Nashville.? To find out how to purchase these and the band's entire catalogue, visit its official Web site at www.madisongreene.com. [Update! This url address is no longer the website for the band.]

Tell us your future? Whatever the potential holds, according to the band, Madison Greene will continue to create innovative sounds with acoustic instruments and express its faith, struggles, visions and outcries in honest and relevant ways.