Stephen and Jana are both musicians, with Stephen currently working as guitarist with Sam Bush, and as a free lance producer and session player.

Jana was the bass player and lead singer for Fragment, a very popular group from the Slovak Republic.

We visited with them during IBMA in late September, where Jana was clearly ready for the baby to come. Stephen sent along a few photos, along with a brief status report…

“We’re up to our eyeballs in baby stuff here at the hospital! Things are well, baby is rockin’, momma is rockin’!”

Congratulations to Stephen and Jana from The Bluegrass Blog!

Richard Cifersk?? began his music journey with the banjo at the age of 15. He is a former member of the award winning band Fragment, based in Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Cifersk?? was with the band from 2002-2005. Currently, he is a member of the bluegrass band Waterflow. He is also fronting his own band, Richard Cifersk?? & Rainy Day. The band takes its name from the title track of his new solo CD by the same name.

The band, and the CD reflect Cifersk??’s varied influences.

The CD consists of 10 tracks, eight are original compositions belonging to Cifersk??. The banjo is prominent on all tracks with a very pleasing tone and tasteful playing. The band is somewhat unconventional by American stanards, but the result is great listening for those who are free from the law of tradition.

The band is Richard on banjo, Linda Nov?°kov?° on flute, Ren?© Jankoviƒç on guitar, Richard Moln?°r on bass, and Adam J?°no?° on drums.

The CD features Moln?°r, J?°no?°, and Cifersk??, along with a host of special guests, including one American player.

• Becky Buller – fiddle, vocal
• Emil Form?°nek – guitar
• Roman S??kora – bass
• Michal Barok – mandolin
• Peter Szabados – dobro, pedal steel
• Sisa Michalidesov?° – whistle, flute
• Peter Prelozn??k – piano, strings
• Lubo?° Jurkoviƒç – vocals

These musicians represent several of the top Eastern European bluegrass bands, including Druha Trava, Meantime, and Waterflow.

In addition to her contributions on fiddle, Becky Buller also contributed vocals on two tunes, one from her own pen.

Becky’s distinctive vocals shine on John Lowell’s "When Will You Be Home" and her own song "Wrong Place, Wrong Time".

The title track, Rainy Day, displays Cifersk??’s virtuosity on a composition that is a blend of several musical backgrounds all finding their focus in the banjo. The sounds of the band work well alongside the flute, drums and other instruments.

Blue Nashville represents a more strict bluegrass sound on the CD. With only “traditional” instrumentation, the tune well put together and enjoyable.

Both songs are available (complete tracks) as free mp3s on RichardCifersk??.com.

Rainy Day was released on July 15, 2008. In the US we typically host a CD release party that involves a performance of many, if not all, of the songs from the CD, along with “jamming” with special guests. Apparently in Slovakia they have other traditions as well. Jana Mougin, bass player and lead singer with Fragment, sent this picture from the release. It may not be apparent at first, but they are christening the CD with Jack Daniels!

In our country, we have a tradition to choose good Godparents for a CD. I was very honored Richard asked me and Henrich Novak (resonator player for Fragment) to christen (sprinkle ) his new “Baby”. Richard finds a big part of his inspiration in Nashville, Tennessee. We decided Jack Daniels would be the best liquid to use for christening his new album.

I’m sure many a release party in the US has seen an abundance of Jack Daniels, but I don’t know of any CDs being christened with it. Anyone care for a new tradition?

He played last weekend with the band Fragment. Fragment has toured several times in the US and features Steven’s wife Jana on bass and vocals, along with Petr Brandejs on banjo, Ondra Kozak on fiddle, guitar and vocals, and Henrich Novak on dobro and vocals.

I chopped along on mandolin and added some solos when I thought I knew the tune!! The band sounds great as usual… my only question… where do they keep finding those HOSS guitar players???? There’s got to be something in the water over here! Or is it the beer????

This weekend Stephen will be playing a concert with Henrich on Sunday. The show will focus on Henrich’s resophonic guitar playing with Stephen accompanying him. Material will range from bluegrass to americana, in Slovakia folks! Stephen also suggested that members of the band Grass Country Drive may join them towards the end of the show for a few traditional bluegrass numbers.

His visit will culminate with what he termed an “out and out bluegrass celebration” on November 3, 2007. The concert that evening will feature Sidlo, Grass Country Drive, and Stephen Mougin. Stephen will play guitar and be joined that evening by some native Slovakian pickers, some of whom will be familiar to IBMA 2007 attendies. Milan Benkovic (resophonic guitar) and Michael Barok (mandolin) from the band Meantime will be part of Stephen’s ensemble that evening. Rounding out the sound will be Richard Cifersky on banjo, and Roman Sykora on bass.

Here’s what Stephen has to say about picking with these guys.

I rarely get to front my own band and I’m really having a great time with all of these fine pickers! They truly understand OUR music and try their best to honor it with every note!

Be sure to check out Sam Bush’s tour schedule to find a time when you can hear Stephen back here in the states.