Biography

Liner Notes
Fortis by Patrick McAvinue, emanates strength through every note, chord, and lyric. Showcasing a tour de force of instrumental and vocal mastery by an impressive lineup of musicians, including Scott Vestal on banjo, Shaun Richardson on guitar, Seth Taylor on mandolin, Ethan Jodziewicz on bass, Billy Contreras on fiddle, and vocalists Cris Jacobs, John Cowan, and Aaron McCune, this EP promises to deliver a powerful listening experience.

Like jets executing daring aerial maneuvers, McAvinue and Contreras' twin fiddles move in tight synchrony, interweaving and soaring high above to produce a sonic spectacle on the album's self-titled opener. The vocals of McCune and Cowan, blended with Jacobs' soulful delivery, deftly capture the emotions of isolation and vulnerability flooding "Station Blues" and "I Kept on Walking." "First Day in Town" is given a fresh interpretation by McAvinue and his friends, showcasing their ability to breathe new life into beloved Kenny Baker classics.

Fortis is a celebration of strength in all its forms, from the power of human perseverance to the enduring legacy of traditional music. Whether you're a fan of bluegrass, folk, or just great music in general, this EP is a must-have addition to your collection.

Production
Session dates: July 28-29, 2021
Recorded, mixed and mastered by Scott Vestal at Digital Underground, Greenbrier, TN
Additional recording by Patrick McAvinue



Album Artwork




Tracklist (Featured Songs listed first)
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2. Station Blues (03:26) Featured Song

Songwriter: Cris Scott Jacobs
Publishing: Cris Jacobs Music (ASCAP)
Release Date: June 23, 2023
ISRC: QZHDP2300002

Patrick-fiddle & harmony vocal, Cris Jacobs-lead vocal, John Cowan - harmony vocal,
Scott Vestal-banjo, Shaun Richardson-guitar, Seth Taylor-guitar & mandolin, Gaven Largent-resonator guitar, Ethan Jodziewicz-bass
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1. Fortis (02:49)

Songwriter: Patrick McAvinue
Publishing: McAvinue Music, BMI
Release Date: June 23, 2023
ISRC: QZHDP2300001

Patrick & Billy Contreras-fiddles, Scott Vestal-banjo, Shaun Richardson-guitar, Seth Taylor-mandolin, Gaven Largent-resonator guitar, Ethan Jodziewicz-bass
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3. Magothy (04:43)

Songwriter: Patrick Coleman McAvinue
Publishing: McAvinue Music (BMI)
Release Date: June 23, 2023
ISRC: QZHDP2300003

Patrick-fiddle, Scott Vestal-banjo, Shaun Richardson-guitar, Seth Taylor-mandolin, Gaven Largent-resonator guitar, Ethan Jodziewicz-bass
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4. What? No! (03:46)

Songwriter: Patrick McAvinue
Publishing: McAvinue Music, BMI
Release Date: June 23, 2023
ISRC: QZHDP2300004

Patrick-fiddle, Scott Vestal-banjo, Shaun Richardson-guitar, Seth Taylor-mandolin, Gaven Largent-resonator guitar, Ethan Jodziewicz-bass
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5. I Kept on Walking (03:10)

Songwriter: Cris Scott Jacobs
Publishing: Cris Jacobs Music (ASCAP)
Release Date: June 23, 2023
ISRC: QZHDP2300005

Patrick-fiddle & harmony vocal, Cris Jacobs-lead vocal, John Cowan - harmony vocal, Aaron McCune-bass vocal, Scott Vestal-banjo, Shaun Richardson-guitar, Seth Taylor-guitar & mandolin, Gaven Largent-resonator guitar, Ethan Jodziewicz-bass
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6. First Day in Town (04:47)

Songwriter: Kenny Baker
Publishing: Wynwood Music Company Inc (BMI)
Release Date: June 23, 2023
ISRC: QZHDP2300006

Patrick-fiddle, Scott Vestal-banjo, Shaun Richardson-guitar, Seth Taylor-mandolin, Gaven Largent-resonator guitar, Ethan Jodziewicz-bass
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About Patrick

Patrick McAvinue, originally from Hereford, Maryland, holds a Bachelor of Music in jazz performance from Towson University, where he studied with pianist Tim Murphy, trumpeter David Ballou, and violinist Jeffrey Howard. Prior to joining the United States Navy Band in Washington, D.C., he was a Nashville-based session and touring musician.

In addition to releasing his own music, he has performed with artists such as Dailey & Vincent, Trace Adkins, Alison Krauss, The Oak Ridge Boys, Lee Greenwood, Jimmy Fortune, Marty Stuart, Bela Fleck, Del McCoury, Michael Cleveland, Audie Blaylock, Melissa Aldana, Rodrigo Leao, and John McCutcheon, among others. Patrick's playing can be heard on numerous film and video game soundtracks, most recently on Sid Meier's Civilization VI.

His awards include the 2017 International Bluegrass Music Association's Fiddle Player of the Year, the 2015 IBMA Momentum Instrumentalist of the Year, and Towson University's 2018 Distinguished Young Alumni Award. In the United States, McAvinue has performed at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Grand Ole Opry. Internationally, he has performed at the Country Gold Festival in Kumamoto, Japan; the Gstaad Festival in Gstaad, Switzerland; the Country Rendezvous Festival in Crappone, France; the U.S. Embassy in Quito, Ecuador; Die Dreikönigskirche in Dresden, Germany; Koppernik Theatre in Prague, the Czech Republic; and the Norsk Country Treff in Breim, Norway.