Upstart Crows

Bio

The Upstart Crows live in the Saint Louis, Missouri, area and have been playing old-time southern mountain music together since the spring of 2002. We are: Sean Ruprecht-Belt (Guitar, banjo, banjo uke, mandolin, vocals), Flo Malone (lap dulcimer), Alan Whisman (banjo, lap dulcimer, vocals), Karen Whisman (fiddle, lap dulcimer, vocals), and Dan Higgins (guitar, banjo, vocals). The Upstart Crows perform at festivals, farmers’ markets, coffee houses, clubs, wineries, retirement homes—wherever music is welcome—in the Saint Louis area and around the Midwest.

The Upstart Crows have been called a hard-driving, high-energy, dulcimer-centric band with an obsession for the roots and traditions of old-time music and fiddle tunes. We have to admit it’s true.

We were very proud to be the subject of an article in the February 2004 issue of Recording magazine, “Fixing a Flap for the Upstart Crows: Recording the Dulcimer.” Thanks to Paul Stamler for the great write-up.

For booking information call 314-772-8437.

Where We’ve Been

The Upstart Crows have performed recently at:

  • The Espenschied Chapel Concert Series, Mascoutah, Illinois — October 2005 — We played to a standing room only crowd and had a real blast! Thanks to everyone on the Chapel staff for making it such a great experience.
  • The Great River Road Festival, Grafton, Illinois — August 2005
  • The Central West End Green Market, St. Louis, Missouri — Summer of 2005
  • Down From The Hill benefit concert for The Folk School of St. Louis, Sheldon Concert Hall — May 2005
  • Hartford Coffee Company — May 2005
  • Belleville Farmer’s Market — May 2005
  • Palestine Old Time Music and Dulcimer Festival, Palestine, Texas — March 2005
  • Hartford Coffee Company — August 2004
  • Palestine Old Time Music and Dulcimer Festival, Palestine, Texas — March 2004
  • Performed live music for SIUE production of The Dark of the Moon — October 2003
  • Millstadt, Illinois, Grange — July 2003