Jessica RHaye with Bill Preeper & Sandy mackay

Preeper Rhaye MacKay

Preeper Rhaye MacKay is a folk trio comprised of songbird and Canadian Folk Music Nominee, Jessica Rhaye, guitarist Bill Preeper, and multi-instrumentalist Sandy MacKay. They began working together in the folk-rock band The Ramshackle Parade.

This trio has developed a Maritime Appalachian Folk sound with a unique mix of acoustic and electric instrumentation. The singers deliver lush 3-part harmonies, weaving and sharing lead and harmony parts for their own compositions, along with simple, yet elegant arrangements. It's new folk music at its finest, pulling together inspiration from the likes of Woody Guthrie, Ian Tyson, and Bob Dylan. This trio is described as a modern Peter Paul & Mary, creating an intricate vocal blend.

WOOD & WIRE, set for release October 25th, 2024, is Preeper Rhaye MacKay's first album as a trio. It’s a collection of new original works and includes a special cover from the Kate and Anna McGarrigle catalogue that helps define their provenance. The album falls on the heals of the members work together with Jessica Rhaye and The Ramshackle Parade on their critically acclaimed albums Just like a Woman - Songs of Bob Dylan (2019), and Sunshine Baby (2023).

The album Wood & Wire was recorded with producer/engineer Dale Murray, who was instrumental in making sure the best performance was captured as the trio performed and sang each song live to record.

“We wanted Wood & Wire to capture what we do as a trio. It’s an album of folk songs with three-part harmonies” says Jessica Rhaye. “During the recording process we would play the songs over and over until we all felt like we got the take we wanted.” continues Rhaye “and we achieved our goal of making a record that could have been written and recorded in the height of the Greenwich Village folk scene.”

JESSICA RHAYE
Jessica Rhaye is an independent singer-songwriter and graphic design artist with 7 full length albums to her name, including her recent album Sunshine Baby, which garnered glowing buzz from Americana UK, Americana Highways, BBC Radio, Fatea UK, Great Dark Wonder, Sirius XM “North Americana”. In a career spanning 20 years, Jessica has built an impressive list of accolades and has graced many prestigious stages across Canada including the National Arts Centre, Hugh’s Room, Stan Rogers Folk Festival, Mariposa Folk Festival, Shivering Songs, and has co-written with notable artist like Ron Sexsmith, Steve Poltz, Ken Tobias, and Royal Wood.

On Wood & Wire, Jessica plays acoustic and Nashville high-strung guitars, sounding like a dulcimer. Her clear sweet voice provides the high harmony in the trio and her solid acoustic guitar playing rhythm forms the backbone of the trio’s sound. Jessica is responsible for the album’s artwork and promo material. 

BILL PREEPER
Bill started playing folk music in the ‘80’s while working a day job at CBC and raising a family with his wife Kathy. In 2015, upon retirement and having more time to concentrate on music, he co-founded Bonnett House leading to the release of the album “Songs From Bonnett House” in 2017. The following year, Bill became a member of Jessica Rhaye’s band, The Ramshackle Parade.

His delicate finger-picking and use of alternate tunings on guitar are inspired by the traditional and contemporary masters of folk and blues. In the vocal department, Bill shares singing with his bandmates and adds low end in the trio’s harmonies.

SANDY MACKAY
Over a 40-year musical career, Sandy has toured widely, performed on stages and streets, theatre and session recordings for numerous artists.  

Sandy is a multi-instrumentalist and on Wood & Wire, he plays double bass, and sometimes adds mandolin and banjo. The double bass adds the bedrock to the trio’s sound, and when the bass gets bowed, brings a deep rich texture to the sound. Sandy sings tenor in the trio’s vocal mix, sometimes trading range with Jessica to reach the high harmonies in old bluegrass style.

Their version of Bob Dylan’s Blowin’ in the Wind has generated millions of views on YouTube
and over 50K subscribers calling out for more of this special blend of acoustic music.

SHOW DATES

PRESS PHOTOS:

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Photo Credit : Jordan Mattie

contact info

MANAGEMENT:
Scout Music Group

BOOKING (CANADA):
Scout Music Group
Mark Marshall

BOOKING (USA):
Astor Street Agency
Rory Modlinski
Ashling Ivers

PUBLICITY:
What’s The Story
Beth Cavanagh

MUSIC LICENSING:
Jessica Rhaye