Les McIntyre of Bluegrass Unlimited says 23 North "has created a pleasant album of dynamic bluegrass filled with excitement and the promise of even greater achievements in the future."

Joe Ross of the California Bluegrass Association describes 23 North's sound as a "...barn-burning...vivacious, kick-mule sound..."

If you're not already a fan of Bluegrass music then you will be after you hear 23 North.  Garden in my Heart and Liquid Mule are filled with exceptional Bluegrass tunes that feature great vocals, harmonies, and musicianship delivered through magnetic songs that are very accessible to any music fan. 

23 North will make you feel good and uplift your spirits! Bluegrass radio stations seem to agree, with several adding 23 North to rotation. 

BIOGRAPHY

Nestled in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina you will find 23 North, an authentic, hot picking, uplifting, and high energy Bluegrass band. 

The group was formed in 2004 and features Diana Boone (Guitar and Lead Vocals), Scott Anders (Mandolin), Jonathan Barber (Banjo), and Steve Fox (Bass).  23 North performs regularly at events and festivals  throughout the Asheville, NC, area.  Diana chose the band name from the highway that three of 23 North's members live near.  Before long it's also going to be synonymous for some hot Bluegrass music. 

Diana started playing guitar and writing songs at the age of 12, learning her first few chords from a neighbor.  "The minute I heard the guitar, I fell in love with it."  The story of how Diana honed her craft is very interesting.  Her friend had a boyfriend, who is now her husband, whose mother was a Minister.  Her future mother-in-law preached all across the mountains of Western North Carolina and Tennessee.  Diana began traveling with her to every little church she went to, accompanying her on guitar. Eventually, Diana began writing her own Gospel songs, and singing while she played.  If you speak with Diana it doesn't take long to realize that her heart has always been filled with the desire to make people feel good with her music.  It also doesn't take long to realize that she's pretty darn good at it.

Jonathan Barber started playing the banjo in his early teens and felt the call of Bluegrass music very early.  He played with a lot of pickers in the mountains and is self taught.  Jonathan introduced his cousin, Scott Anders, to pure  Bluegrass music when he was only thirteen.  Scott comes from a musical family and had already begun playing the mandolin at an early age.  The two started playing together and developing their own style, not copying other players as is the common practice as musicians learn.  "We came up with our own style and stuck to it," says Scott.  "As our musical relationship grew so did our popularity."  The pair became well known in the picking scenes while playing with other musicians, winning awards and developing a reputation for hot picking. 

A few years ago, Diana, Jonathan and Scott began a journey together with their own style of Bluegrass, calling themselves 23 North after the highway that leads to where the three live.  All they needed was a bass player to hold everything together.  Scott met a bass player named Steve Fox and invited him to start playing with them, completing the group.  Steve's wife, Sheila, also began singing harmonies with them.  "We all truly love the rewards of having folks enjoy our music," says Diana.

23 North began performing throughout Western North Carolina, solidifying their uplifting sound and unique style.  Their first CD, Liquid Mule, is high energy and fast picking but also warms your heart with beautifully sung ballads and harmonies that balance the blazing fast picking.  Liquid Mule features magnetic originals written by Diana and Jonathan and includes favorites by Bill Monroe and Earl Scruggs.