What do you get when you take Don & Cindy Roy and add Matt & Erica Shipman? A performing quartet named Side By Each.
Don is a champion fiddler with depth in many styles of fiddling. Hailing from roots deep in the Maritimes and Quebec, the Roy’s musical passion lies with the French Canadian tradition followed closely by Celtic music. Cindy, also a member of the former Maine French Fiddlers, is well known for her step dancing piano accompaniment which is among the best in New England. Augmented by her rhythmic feet, she adds life and enthusiasm to the music. Some of Don and Cindy’s families were getting together for house parties long before Don and Cindy met on a blind date to play music in 1980. The heritage continues and Cindy and Don will entertain you with a blend of fiddle and piano styles that are common to traditional musicians of Maine.
Erica Brown Shipman developed an interest in music at an early age. At the age of seven, she was competing in fiddle contests with kids twice her age. At age nine, she was traveling throughout New England, Canada, and even Louisiana with the Maine French Fiddlers. Erica also performed as a special guest with Mac McHale And The Old-Time Radio Gang for five years. Currently, she has her own bluegrass band, Erica Brown & The Bluegrass Connection, which performs all over New England as well as a duo with her husband Matt called Darlin’ Corey. Matt Shipman currently resides in Portland, ME and is a performer and teacher of acoustic and traditional music. In addition to guitar and mandolin he also enjoys playing bouzouki and clawhammer banjo. He attended the Hartt School of Music for a time where he studied Jazz trumpet before going back to his first love of traditional and acoustic music. Matt and Erica have been music educators for over 12 years and have recently opened their own teaching studio out of their home in Portland called Darlin’ Corey Studios offering private and semi-private lessons, groups, ensembles and jams.