Max Rainwater (Fiddle, Mandolins, Vocals)
Max Rainwater started fiddling at age six, when his Suzuki instructor taught him Drowsy Maggie, Mason's Apron, and a handful of other tunes. After finishing third in his first fiddle contest, at age ten, he was hooked! He went on to win many contests, all over New England . In 2006, Max won the Junior Division of the 40th Annual Northeast Regional Old-Time Fiddler's Contest, in Barre , VT , and was named the Northeast Regional Junior Champion by the National Old-Time Fiddler's Association. He was also the recipient of the Clem Myers Award at that time. Most recently, in 2008, Max took second place in the Championship Division in the New England Fiddle Contest. Max attends fiddle camps every summer, where he has opportunities to take lessons from and jam with such fiddle greats as Jay Unger, Bruce Molsky, April Verch, Matt Glaser, and Mark O'Connor. Max also plays classical violin. He studies with Liz Fay, at the Hartt School , and plays in the Connecticut Youth Symphony. He participates in All-State and Regional Music Festivals as well, and was the concertmaster of the Eastern Connecticut Regional High School Orchestra in 2008. Max goes to Windham High School , where he writes for the school paper, plays on the golf team, and acts in drama club productions. He also enjoys playing guitar and mandolin, and, much to his parents' chagrin, riding his BMX bike.