Hope
The Cincinnati Post, April 10, 2003

wild carrot: Traditional folk duo wild carrot is releasing an elegant new CD, "Hope," featuring some great storytelling and intricate playing. The husband-wife duo of Pam Temple and Spencer Funk have put together a consummate package showcasing their mountain music influences with some fun stories that could play as a TV mini-series. Temple movingly sings of her grandfather's ministry as a circuit preacher at the turn of the century in Appalachia on "Out of the Deep End," and switches gears for her edgy "Bitter Blood," a song of dark betrayal.

The duo recently concluded a 12-gig tour of Chile at what's known as bi-national cultural centers sponsored by the State Department to showcase indigenous American artists. "It was a tour to tell people about American roots music," Temple said of the educational show that musically transported audiences across the U.S. -- from mountain music to Hollywood-style swing. It's a show they plan to take to local schools as well.

While in Chile, Temple found American prestige was low because of opposition to the war. "We did get yelled at once. But we made it very clear on stage, 'We are here to share our music and are not representatives of the government. Music unites us and we are here to learn about you and teach about us.'"

The duo will perform at a CD release party 7 p.m. Sunday at the Leo Coffeehouse in Old St. George church, 42 Calhoun, Corryville, as part of the regular weekly series from the Queen City Balladeers.

– Rick Byrd