What began as a casual musical get-together grew into a partnership of like musical minds: Michael Cockram and Susan Shore merged their solo musical careers when they met in early 2010. Both are versatile multi-instrumentalists, songwriters and singers. Cockram and Shore have an appetite for striking and unusual songs, and they've built an eclectic repertoire that ranges from high lonesome traditional ballads to swing and contemporary folk songs.

"Closer to My Home"

Cockram is an Arkansas native who became a banjo player in his teens; a quick study and a virtuoso player, he promptly added fiddle, guitar and mandolin to his stable of instruments. Cockram's checkerboard life as architect, professor, freelance writer and artist led him around the world, music remaining a constant companion. He returned to Arkansas in 2008 and now calls Fayetteville home.

Susan Shore is an east coast transplant whose childhood home was filled with music. Raised by a big-band musician dad and an adventure-loving mother, Shore was encouraged to play music, and became a professional musician in the 1980's (as half of Bell & Shore). Based in Iowa and touring widely, the duo recorded two acclaimed albums. She relocated to Fayetteville in 1999.

The title song of Cockram's CD "House of Stone" earned him first place in the Willamette Valley Folk Festival new song contest. Shore's two albums with Bell met with critical acclaim, including a 3 ½ star review in Rolling Stone; her two solo albums were also enthusiastically received, "Book of Days" cited as one of the best folk/bluegrass albums of the year by Option Magazine.