Frank Solivan

Frank Solivan is an American mandolinist, recording artist, composer, and leader of the progressive bluegrass band Dirty Kitchen.

Frank Solivan
Born (1977-03-07) March 7, 1977
Modesto, California
GenresBluegrass
Occupation(s)Musician, singer
InstrumentsMandolin, guitar, violin
Years active2005–present
LabelsFiddlemon, Compass
Associated actsCountry Current, Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen, The Earls of Leicester
Websitedirtykitchenband.com

Biography

Early life

Solivan grew up near Modesto, California.[1] His grandmother on his father’s side played mandolin and fiddle, and his father plays the banjo, guitar, bass, and mandolin. His mother’s side of the family included classical violin and cello players. He fell in love with bluegrass music at an early age. Solivan formed his first band, Generation Gap in the late 1980s. They once opened for Ralph Stanley at a California show.[2]

In 1995, at age 18, Solivan moved to Alaska where he sat first chair violin in the University of Alaska’s Symphony Orchestra.[3] and played mandolin in his friend Ginger Boatwright's band.[4]

In 2002, Solivan recorded his first solo album I Am a Rambler when he temporarily moved to Nashville from Alaska to pursue musical goals. He was assisted by friends such as David Grier, Rob Ickes, and Shad Cobb.[5]

Country Current

In 2003, Solivan auditioned and was offered the electric guitar position in the U.S. Navy, service band Country Current. He played electric guitar in their country band and mandolin and fiddle in their bluegrass band for six years.[3]

In 2006, while in the Navy playing with Country Current, Solivan recorded and released a solo album Selfish Tears.[6]

Dirty Kitchen

After the Navy, Solivan decided to form his own band. Besides Solivan (mandolin), the current lineup of Dirty Kitchen includes Mike Munford (banjo), Chris Luquette (guitar), and Jeremy Middleton (bass).[7]

The band name is a reference to the gourmet meals Solivan prepares for friends and family (and the title of one of Solivan's instrumental songs).[5]

Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen have released four studio albums: Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen in 2010,[8] On the Edge in 2013 (after signing with Compass Records),[9] and Cold Spell in 2014.[10] and If You Can't Stand the Heat (2019).

Family, Friends & Heroes

Solivan's third solo project Family, Friends & Heroes was released in 2016, and features members of Dirty Kitchen, family members, and John Cowan, Shawn Camp, Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush, Jim Hurst, Megan McCormick, Rob Ickes, and Del McCoury.[11] On "Wayfaring Stranger," Solivan’s mother Lorene (now deceased) sings lead vocals.[12]

Other projects

Solivan has toured with The Earls of Leicester when Tim O'Brien had conflicting commitments.[13][14]

Solivan built his primary mandolin from scratch at a workshop under the tutelage of luthier Roger Siminoff.[15]

Awards

In 2014, The album Cold Spell by Frank & Dirty Kitchen was nominated for a Grammy award in the Bluegrass Album category.[16][17]

In 2013, Mike Munford was voted Banjo Player of the Year by the IBMA, and guitarist Chris Luquette received the Momentum Award for Performance Instrumentalist.[18]

In 2014 Dirty Kitchen received four IBMA award recognitions:

  • Frank Solivan was nominated for Male Vocalist of the Year and Mandolin Player of the Year
  • Mike Munford was nominated for Banjo Player of the Year
  • Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen won Instrumental Group of the Year award

In 2016, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen were again the IBMA Instrumental Group of the Year.

In 2019, The album If You Can't Stand The Heat by Frank & Dirty Kitchen was nominated for a Grammy award in the Bluegrass Album category. [19]

Discography

Solo albums
  • 2002: I am a Rambler (Fiddlemon) as Frank Solivan II
  • 2006: Selfish Tears (Fiddlemon) as Frank Solivan II
  • 2016: Family, Friends & Heroes (Compass)[20]

As a member of Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen
  • 2010: Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen (Fiddlemon)[21]
  • 2013: On The Edge (Compass)[22]
  • 2014: Cold Spell (Compass)[23]
  • 2019: If You Can't Stand the Heat (Compass)[24]

Also appears on
  • 2007: Bill Emerson - Bill Emerson and the Sweet Dixie Band (Rebel)
  • 2014: John Cowan - Sixty (Compass) - vocals on track 6, "Rising From The Ashes"

References
  1. "Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen". Freight & Salvage. December 1, 2011. Archived from the original on August 6, 2016. Retrieved July 30, 2017.
  2. Swenk, Brian Paul (March 12, 2015). "Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen – Leading The Way In Today's Bluegrass". Bluegrass Today. Archived from the original on April 11, 2016. Retrieved July 29, 2017.
  3. Miller, Dan (January 4, 2015). "The Frank Solivan Interview". Mandolin Cafe. Archived from the original on July 4, 2017. Retrieved July 29, 2017.
  4. Kathy Sands-Boehmer (March 2, 2016). "Quick Q & A with Frank Solivan". Me & Thee Coffeehouse. Retrieved July 30, 2017.
  5. Mateer, Chris (May 30, 2013). "Conversations with Frank Silivan and Dirty Kitchen". The Bluegrass Situation. Archived from the original on September 3, 2017. Retrieved July 29, 2017.
  6. Dunham, Mike (September 3, 2009). "Alaska mandolin master makes return visit". Alaska Dispatch News. Retrieved July 5, 2017.
  7. Gillihan, Brance (August 11, 2008). "Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen". Bluegrass Today. Archived from the original on September 30, 2015. Retrieved July 30, 2017.
  8. Stephens, Larry (August 12, 2010). ""Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen" by Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen". The Lonesome Road Review. Archived from the original on August 7, 2017. Retrieved July 30, 2017.
  9. "Compass Records Signs Bluegrass Band Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen". Music Connection. February 28, 2013. Archived from the original on August 7, 2017. Retrieved July 30, 2017.
  10. Hermon Joyner. "Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen Cold Spell: Compass Records, 7 4633 2, (2014)". Mandolin Player. Archived from the original on August 7, 2017. Retrieved July 30, 2017.
  11. Dickens, Rob (April 13, 2016). "Frank Solivan Adds To His Reputation". No Depression. Archived from the original on June 2, 2017. Retrieved July 30, 2017.
  12. Horowitz, Steve (April 5, 2016). "Frank Solivan: Family, Friends and Heroes". Popmatters. Archived from the original on August 14, 2016. Retrieved July 5, 2017.
  13. Beasley, Sandra (July 8, 2015). "The bluegrass is now served: Frank Solivan knows how to cook — and so does his band". Washington Post. Archived from the original on September 5, 2017. Retrieved July 5, 2017.
  14. "The Earls Of Leicester On Mountain Stage". NPR Music. May 12, 2015. Archived from the original on July 6, 2017. Retrieved July 30, 2017.
  15. Stringer, Libby (February 25, 2015). "Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen in the national spotlight". Juneau Empire. Archived from the original on September 13, 2015. Retrieved July 30, 2017.
  16. "Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen". The Recording Academy. Retrieved July 29, 2017.
  17. "Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen nominated for a Grammy Award". Juneau Empire. December 8, 2014. Archived from the original on September 13, 2015. Retrieved July 30, 2017.
  18. staff writer (August 27, 2014). "IBMA Award Nominee Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen Hit Bluegrass Chart". CyberGrass Bluegrass Music News Network. Archived from the original on September 8, 2015. Retrieved July 30, 2017.
  19. https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/frank-solivan-dirty-kitchen/18837
  20. Rudd, Bill (March 24, 2016). "Album Review: Frank Solivan - Family, Friends & Heroes". The Lot Scene. Archived from the original on May 15, 2016. Retrieved July 30, 2017.
  21. "Review: Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen". Bluegrass Unlimited. December 1, 2010. Archived from the original on August 27, 2016. Retrieved July 30, 2017.
  22. Zimmerschied, Jim. "On The Edge: Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen". Acoustic Music. Archived from the original on March 24, 2016. Retrieved July 30, 2017.
  23. Iain Birchwood (June 25, 2014). "Review: Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen - Cold Spell". Hudson Valley Bluegrass Association. Archived from the original on April 5, 2016. Retrieved July 30, 2017.
  24. "FRANK SOLIVAN & DIRTY KITCHEN - Bluegrass Unlimited Bluegrass Unlimited". Bluegrassmusic.com. 2019-04-01. Archived from the original on 2019-04-01. Retrieved 2020-02-10.
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