Earl the Bard

Wanna have your mind blown?! I bet you do. I can tell by the way your hair is styled.

My act, in a nutshell, is me with my instrument, a few props, and healthy dose of "can do attitude".

More specifically, I play songs from around the world and throughout time on the hurdy-gurdy, bringing folklore and magic to life through music. But what's this? A tiny wooden man is doing a jaunty jig at my feet?! Madness!? How could this get any bett.........Is that a capuchin monkey on my shoulder?

Why yes. Yes it is. Don't worry, he's stuffed, so he won't bite anybody...Hopefully!

What was this for? Oh yeah! What can you expect from my act, yeah?

I am a professional street entertainer, meaning that I tailor every performance to fit the needs of the audience at hand. The bulk of my act is instrumental performance accompanied by song and storytelling, and I include interesting and relevant historical information to add extra context to my performance.

I suppose that I could have saved all of us a bunch of time if I would have just said that what you can expect is the classic D&D Bard experience! I have stories and songs for almost any situation, whether your event is set in a Wayfarer's Tavern or your back yard!

Was this helpful? *shrug*
Are you full of even more curiosity than you were five minutes ago? *again, shrug*

Feel free to reach out with the specifics of your event, and I'll be able to be a little more concise! haha

Earl the Bard has been a professional Hurdy Gurdy player since 2014. Getting his start busking on the street corners of Ashland Oregon, he has spent his entire career interacting directly with people on the as they come and go and specializes in capturing the attention of a non-captive audience. From these humble beginnings, he continues to wander the land, telling stories and playing music wherever he goes. His trusty Hurdy Gurdy evokes the magical feel of ancient music and lore, and can beguile even stubborn feet to dancing with its enchanting and ethereal sound. With a smile and a song, Earl the Bard charms guests of all ages by interacting directly with passersby as they explore the wonders of the festival.

By embodying the spirit of a renaissance era street performer, Earl the Bard utilizes folklore and music from across the world, as well as traditional hand made puppets to delight and educate his audiences. He has played professionally since 2014, and has performed for Renaissance Festivals, Mead Halls, Fundraisers, and Weddings all over the Pacific Northwest. In addition to performing, Earl the Bard also offers Hurdy Gurdy lessons to help burgeoning new players find confidence and community.

As a professional busker, I am used to playing acoustically with minimal set up.

If you have the option for amplification, I can utilize one 1/4" jack and one XLR input to amplify my voice and gurdy!