Red Tail Ring

Hailing from the directional extremes of Michigan’s two peninsulas (lower and upper), Michael Beauchamp and Laurel Premo come together to form Red Tail Ring, a duo with roots firmly planted in Appalachian old-time and folk music, and branches reaching out to forge new arrangements complete with haunting harmonies and an expansive dynamic range. Red Tail Ring, in its name, seeks to call to mind tales of the backwoods, wild in their formation, and wise at their core.

Equipped with a powerful voice and mournful guitar licks, Michael Beauchamp spins beautifully melodic yarns about lost love, travel, and the importance of live music. Beauchamp, a native of Kalamazoo, MI, first cut his folk teeth writing, playing, and recording in The Dumb and Ugly Club and The Ambitious Brothers while attending the University of Michigan. Beauchamp writes songs that hearken back to old time, bluegrass, and the 60s folk revival. He is part of the vibrant and growing Michigan music scene as a member of the Earthwork Music Collective many of whose members (including the band Breathe Owl Breathe) helped him produce his debut solo album, My Northern Voices (2008).

Laurel Premo shares music full of life that draws from Appalachian, Scandinavian, folk and blues roots. From haunting old ballads to feverish instrumental compositions, her music is made for all ears. Laurel plays a variety of instruments, including claw hammer banjo, guitar, violin, cittern and voice, with an emphasis on rhythm and a connection to traditional folk dance. Laurel was raised in the woods of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and earned a degree from University of Michigan School of Music, studying Performing Arts Technology with an emphasis on multimedia art forms. In 2008 she studied traditional Finnish music at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, Finland, adding to her already rich blend of musical influences. Laurel has two solo albums, Stung by the Nettle (2009) and Innertwine (2008), and has supported many other artists on recording projects.