Staight Ahead
Mark Fisher and Don Cormier met in 1989, and then in 1991 they formed a duo called Straight Ahead. Straight Ahead has and continues to perform many shows in Fredericton and surrounding areas. One of the highlights in their musical careers as a duo is being part of the New Brunswick Country Showcase for the past 10 years. “This is a wonderful organization to be involved in, Great Talent, Great Music and most importantly a Great Audience.”
Straight Ahead has recorded 1 CD called Straight Ahead.
Occasionally, Katherine Moller, will accompany The Straight Ahead Duo with her dynamic Celtic fiddling music which along with Mark on guitar and Don on banjo has audiences snapping fingers, tapping toes with their high energy sound.
Mark Fisher, born in Truro, Nova Scotia, and raised in Harvey, NB, an accomplished guitar player, teamed up with his brother Ron to form the Band called the Fisher Brothers in 1980. He also played in a band with Glen Ingersol called String Fever in the 80's, and also a band called Goldrush.
In the 80’s and 90’s, Mark, whose knowledge of blue grass legends, artists and music, has been shared with many blue grass fans over the airwaves as he hosted The Blue Grass Show for CKHJ. Mark currently hosts a radio show called the Blue Grass Fiesta which is aired on Mondays, @ 5:30 pm on 97.9 FM CHSR at UNB.
Another one of Mark’s many talents is that he is also a banjo picker.
Don Cormier, born and raised in Barker's Point, (git-er-boil'n) a successful carpenter by trade, had at the age of 23, with the help of many Scruggs instructional booklets on banjo playing, taught himself to be the dedicated and talented artist that he is. Don has played in other groups such as The Blacks Mountain Blue Grass Band, and for 8 years Don was teamed up with The Bottoms Up Irish Band. Occasional, Don will do some picking with Joey Knight and other various local artists.
Don’s children are also showing their talents in the music field. D.J who plays guitar and also plays banjo that was made by his dad, and daughter Missy who plays the piano.
If you are interested in learning some banjo picking, give Don an email as he is sharing his banjo picking techniques by giving banjo lessons to the young and those young at heart. Also, for kitchen parties, anniversaries, and birthdays or just for a hoe down, email : donbnj@netscape.net
This duo plans to continue playing music together for many more years to come! They're going STRAIGHT AHEAD.