The Dusty Roads Band

Who doesn't have this disc?Go and get one now,you won't be disappointed. This is a dynamite debut CD from Dustin Harder(Vocals&Guitars),Jessica Rae Ayre(Vocals),Jake Stead(Bass) and Jake Bell(Drums),collectively known as The Dusty Roads Band. Their solid vocals and great playing are supplemented by the like of Gord Kidder(Harp),Dan Frechette(Guitar) and Jeremy Rusu(Clarinet,Keys) on some of the tracks.This group of young talented musicians has hit a homerun,first time out.I have to admit that having heard many of the numbers live over the last fewyears; I wasn't sure what the impactwould be on disc.Well,it came out as good if not better!It's a terrific mix of Blues,some of it with a jazzy feel,how about abit of Gospel,or some bluegrassmaybe,it's all there.It's fun to pick out the manyand varied influences in this collection of original songs.Great Jo!Keep it up guys:I'm looking forward to more!!!GW - Manitoba Blues Society Blues News Volume 3 issue1

Dustin Harder and his band, The Dusty Roads Band were a huge hit at our festival this summer. The energy from the band kicked the audience in to a new place and kept them up dancing for the rest of the night. The passion and intensity that Harder puts through his guitar is immediately apparent, and back by an unrelenting rhythm section, they take rockin' blues to a whole new level.They are intensely diverse and it's quite understandable why this band was the only one to get an encore at our festival. Undoubtedly, The Dusty Roads Band would be an excellent addition to any lineup. We certainly want to have them back again. - Matt DuBoff (Artistic Director)

Another life touched by Big Dave McLean

The veteran musician inspired Dustin Harder of The Dusty Roads Band to play his own brand of blues


UPTOWN MAGAZINE
Jared Story

Dustin Harder, guitarist/vocalist for The Dusty Roads Band, says a certain legendary local bluesman had a profound impact on his musical career.??"When I was 12 years old, my mom first took me to see Big Dave McLean," says Harder, 31. "He was a big influence on me. Seeing Jason Nowicki from The Perpetrators grow as an artist under Big Dave's wing, all those years I was there on the sidelines going, 'I'm sure I could be there, too,' but I was just a little too shy to get up on the stage. I remember between 16 and 18 I would go to the blues jam with my guitar ready to go, and as soon as Dave called my name I'd be out the back door."??Eventually, Harder got past that stage fright. The Dusty Roads Band has been bringing its brand of the blues to barrooms for about three years now. Comprised of Harder, vocalist/harpist Jessica Rae Ayre, bassist Jake Stead, drummer Jake Bell and guitarist Graham Crellin, the band released its debut album, Searchin' for a River, in March.??"The first album that was recorded with this band was mainly material that I had been writing over the years, going back 10 to 15 years even," Harder says. "We're writing together a little more now for the upcoming album, so all of our influences are thrown into the pot now, and we're getting this mixture for a little bit of a different sound."??Harder says The Dusty Roads Band's next album will be blues-based, but with a few surprises.??"We have a four-string quartet from the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra joining us on one track," Harder says. "We went to see The Duhks play with the symphony at The Forks this year and I thought if they can do it, we can do it. I have a couple tunes that I think would fit. I got a hold of Boyd Mackenzie (WSO violinist) and gave him a copy of our album. He listened to Searchin' for a River, dug it, and asked for a track of what I had in mind. So sometime in the next couple weeks we're going to be getting together to arrange the string section for that."??While you're waiting to hear what that will sound like, you can pick up Searchin' for a River at dustyroadsband.com, Into the Music, McNally Robinson Booksellers and The Folk Festival Music Store. Or www.CdBaby.com
- UPTOWN MAGAZINE By Jared Story

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/entertainment/music/country--roots-41251847.html
THE DUSTY ROADS BAND Searchin' for a River (Independent) IF you find yourself regularly bellying up to the bar of any of our beloved 'Peg City blues venues there's no doubt you've seen and heard Dustin Harder. As leader of The Dusty Roads Band he's working hard to carve out a unique niche for himself in a glutted musical landscape and his debut album Searchin' for a River finds him perfectly situated to make a big impact on that scene. What keeps him suspended above the more commonplace 12-bar dudes is his ability to create a stylish guitar tone that evokes the masterful attitude of cats like former Fleetwood Mac-er Peter Green, and that alone is a rarity. If you ignore the cod-reggae track and the vibe-deflating Goin' Away, it's plain that this particular musical river has a magnificent flow. 'Ö'Ö'Ö1/2 -- Jeff Monk
- Jeff Monk(Winnipeg Free Press)

http://www.winnipegsun.com/entertainment/music/2009/03/12/8717406-sun.html The Sun
Versatility is like personality: It goes a long way. It goes even farther when you have both, like this eclectic outfit led by singer-guitarist Dustin Harder. Between his picking (which is gruff and gritty or supple and slinky as required), the band's jam-honed chops and singer Jessica Rae Ayre's rich pipes, they prove adept at everything from blues and country to reggae to jazz. 3 Stars By Darryl Sterdan - Darryl Sterdan(Winnipeg Sun)

“Wow! I was blown away! Talent, intensity, energy and great sound, the Dusty Roads Band has it all! I look forward to having them back again!”


- Lynn Munilla, Festival du Voyageur, Winnipeg, Manitoba



- Lynn Munilla

"I'd recommend this band for any venue and any crowd. They won't disappoint..........Carey Kehler Program Director "A Night Out With The Blues.... - Carey Kehler