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Doc Rolland
Vocals, fiddle, mandolin, guitar, bass
Doc celebrates over 50 years as a professional performer and fiddle teacher. Doc has shared his passion for fiddling with several hundred students over the years, and he received the Southwest Folklife Alliance Master/Apprentice award in 2016.
Doc is a 3-time Certified Division National Fiddle Champion, an Arizona State Fiddle Champion, and for years he ran the Rolland Fiddle Camp in Colorado, all of which make it hard for Doc to escape being called an Arizona fiddle legend. But even after nine international tours, Doc feels the best is ahead with the magic of FRESH APPLES.
Doc began his music career in the ‘70s in Tucson, fiddling for Summer Dog and The Slim Joe Pete & Arnie Show. The Arizona Commission on the Arts selected Doc as a roster artist after he moved to the Phoenix area in 1979, where he formed The Paradox Bluegrass Band, The Cowboy Legends, Crossbow Celtic Ensemble and The Night Riders. Doc and his bands have represented Arizona folk, cowboy, and bluegrass acoustic music traditions for over 50 years by giving countless concerts at public, private and corporate events throughout Arizona.
In 2014, Doc Rolland's Americana String Ensemble gave a 24-concert tour of major civic venues around China.
Experience Doc's unforgettable career highlight on YouTube!
Rolland China Tour - Set 1
Rolland China Tour - Set 2
Meryl Brown
Vocals, guitar, mandolin, bass, character voices
Meryl adds powerful vocals that are a highlight of the FRESH APPLES sound. With her roots in country and folk with a little bit of old rock and blues, she can belt it out or soften it up. She offers some free-spirit twists on FRESH APPLES’ song arrangements.
Meryl is an avid songwriter. Before she set music aside to raise her family, she recorded an album of original songs called “A Songwriter’s Collection,” which is available on Bandcamp as well as in CD format. A couple of these originals were released as singles and are available on Spotify and other popular streaming platforms.
Meryl continues to write songs and tunes for FRESH APPLES to record and perform. She also partners with Doc on writing originals.
Meryl is the “techy” of the FRESH APPLES duo. Not only is she the “chief recording engineer” for all FRESH APPLES recorded music, but she is also the “wizard behind the curtain,” managing the band website, flyers, postcards, posters, song cover art and so much more.
Meryl previously performed as a soloist and in various duos, and also played for the popular northern Colorado country dance band “Snowy River Band” as a vocalist and bassist. Now an empty nester, she’s back in full swing, pursuing her musical passions with FRESH APPLES.