Band Bio:
- There are many bluegrass and old-timey bands out there, but none quite like PICKLED OKRA. This stringband from Seattle Washington breathes new life into a classic genre with fresh ideas and pure family charm. Conceived in 2006 by a husband and wife team, Todd and Paisley Gray, the band’s sound was born out of the couple's mutual love of eras gone by and their dedication to the sparse sound of mandolin, upright bass, and banjo. While they write songs and tour as a duo, in the Seattle area they're usually joined by a careful selection of backup musicians: either veteran blue ridge mountain bluegrassers, Gary (mandolin) and Alyse Read (banjo), or fellow founding member Tony Markey (banjo). Paisley’s singing is full of raw emotion and when blended with Todd’s soulful vocals forms an undeniably “old school” bluegrass sound. Yes they know their bluegrass licks and aren’t afraid to show them off, but their music is full of ideas borrowed from old time fiddle tunes, jazzy delta blues, pop, rock, reggae and funk as well, for a sound that is timeless yet modern in it's own quirky way. Review our new CD
Band History:
- Pickled Okra formed in 2006 when bluegrass bassist Paisley Gray put a mandolin into the hands of her professional drummer husband Todd Gray and said “you will play this – and you will like it”. In 2007 they met banjo picker Tony Markey who proceeded to put the “Pick” into Pickled Okra. They have been gaining popularity in Seattle's bluegrass and roots music scenes, having graduated from farmers’ markets, local bars and restaurants to appearing at theatres, concert halls and festivals.
Band Members:
- Todd Gray-Mandolin, Vocals, Writer and Band leader: Todd is a seasoned musician, a drummer for the most part, and has the uncanny talent of being able to play any instrument he lays his hands on. With over 30 years of experience writing, recording and gigging, Todd has what it takes to be the driving force behind the band's music. As a native New Englander, Todd's childhood was spent scaling trees, fur trapping, eating lobster and beach combing the rocky coast of Maine, a lifestyle that goes perfectly with the roots music he writes.
- Paisley Gray-Upright Bass, Vocals and Writer: Paisley is as passionate about her bass playing as she is about her dramatic approach to singing and songwriting which matches her outlandish costumes and stage presence. With her gregarious nature and genuine interest in the history of americana music and the roots music community in Seattle she is the driving force behind getting the band out there playing every weekend of the year.
- Tony Markey-Banjo, Vocals and Writer: Tony is a transplant from the world of performing arts. He has a comedic presence rivaled only by his musical prowess on banjo. He gained a deep love for the banjo from listening to his grandfather play as a child. While his influences are far from traditional bluegrass (as an Alaska native, he was decidedly NOT steeped in a traditional banjo music heritage) he does love playing bluegrass and has an intrinsic talent for the instrument he also enjoys exploring the use of banjo in other genres such as "rap" and "apocalyptic zombie".
- Gary Read-Mandolin, Guitar, and Vocals: Gary is a Washington native whohas sung and played guitar the better part of his adult life, it wasn't until he met his true love Alyse that he found his deep love for bluegrass, he took up the mandolin and has not looked back since.
- Alyse Read-Banjo and Vocals hails from Alabama and has the deepest bluegrass roots of any of the bandmates. She grew up in the Blue Ridge mountains and when she and Gary caught the bluegrass bug together - they headed to North Carolina to explore the roots of the music they love. They fully emmersed themselves playing bluegrass with generations of musicians for over 3 years. She is an accomplished banjo player and singer of traditional old school mountain music. She has a passion for the music that is in her blood.
 Local Blogger Kirby Lindsay wrote about our CD Release Party at the Gypsy...
by Kirby Lindsay, posted 9 January 2012
On Saturday, January 14th, at Gypsy Music Café, local band Pickled Okra will perform, with The Weavils, and distribute copies of their new CD – Sounds Like Chicken, free with purchase of admission ($12 advance/$15 door.) Seating will start at 7p.
“We want it to be a party for our friends,” explained Todd Gray, who leads Pickled Okra with his wife, Paisley Gray. “We think of [the Gypsy] as our living room,” he said. What better way to celebrate the second CD by this ‘untraditional bluegrass’ band than with a party that also kicks-off their West Coast tour (in February.)
An Original Album By An Original Band
Pickled Okra actually recorded a first album a few years ago, the Grays explained, but it started as a demo, with Todd Gray on mandolin, Paisley Gray on bass and Tony Markey on banjo, performing covers of known songs.
On Sounds Like Chicken (recorded in Fremont at Mad Pants Productions,) the band will release 12 original works – each written by members of the band. Paisley Gray contributed a few of the songs, but she applauded the major contributions by her husband. “Todd’s a really awesome song-writer,” she praised, and he wrote most of them while he worked, at sea, for three months in early 2011 as a Department of Fisheries observer. “Next time we need to write an album,” he said, “I’ll go out again.”
Read more here...http://www.fremocentrist.com/commentary/?p=1395
 We had a really great time today visiting with Scott Farley from KBCS on his cool show "The Outskirts". We played our new song "My Friend Bill" for the first time ever (live - hmm not sure why I thought that'd be a good idea)
We were out and about promoting the Pike Market Busker Festival...
Here is a link to the archive (although I couldn't figure out how to play it). http://kbcsweb.bellevuecollege.edu/playlist/archive/?ShowID=21091
 Local Blogger Kirby Lindsay wrote about our jam at the Gypsy...
by Kirby Lindsay, posted 25 May 2011
Fremont has always had a great selection of live music venues, but few currently compare in the eclecticism of the acts – and the audience – to Gypsy Music Café. Ben Steele, who owns the café with his wife, Debbie Steele, compared his space to “hanging out in your friends’ basement.” The family-friendly, all ages venue does feel like a laid-back rec room, one with drinks and eats prepared by someone else, and some of the fellow guests have talent.
Guests like those hanging out on Friday, May 27th, for the monthly ‘Who Shot J.R.?’ comedy show, organized by J.R. Berard. Or on Saturday, May 28th, starting at 8p, when the bands Blvd Park, Gravedigger and Drew Piston drop-by for the Folklife after-party.
A family that plays together... Lucas Stewart (standing) jams with his mother, Mimi Stewart, at the Gypsy Music Cafe as his Mother's Day gift. Photo by K. Lindsay
Each month the space also accommodates a bluegrass jam session (Gypsy Jamboreeno,) square dancing, open mic nights with Linda Lee, Cajun night, Americana night, indie rock from the Wandering Infinity Collective, and free music workshops organized by Peter Tilson.
Read More ---www.fremocentrist.com/commentary/?p=403
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Jim Baird
- Cloudview Farm/Community
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Aug 22, 2011 @
3:42 PM
Thank you for coming into the Cloudview Farm/community and sharing your talents and energy with all of the 'Co-creators' and Guests therein assembled. It was just a magical night for me and everyone is still abuzz with what a fun time was had! I, personally, can't thank You enough!!! That fine line of energy exchange between Entertainers and Entertainees seemed to vanish and a higher plateau was reached! Everyone wants you back next year, again! Thanks for helping co-Create a wonderful experience for ALL. Jim
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Jan Mckeighen
- Mountlake Terrace
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May 11, 2011 @
10:01 AM
Pickled Okra exceeded my wildest hopes in all aspects of their contribution to our celebration. They were professional, friendly, accommodating, wildly entertaining, and FUN! Our guests, a number of whom are musicians, were blown away and asked for their business card. We will recommend them highly and certainly will book them again in future!
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