Meet the 'Toes!
(and not a dirty one among them)

The core of Uncle Dirtytoes, Maria Anthony and Megan Hurt, have been playing together in various musical arrangements since 1988, and as Uncle Dirtytoes since 1991. Veteran guitarist Roger Holden  has been with the band since 1993, Mark von Schlemmer joined on bass in 1995 and Mike Fitzgerald began drumming with the 'Toes in 1996. Barry Barnes, famed Lawrence poet and drummer added his unique hand percussion to the group around 2004, and Darrell Lea, an original founding member of the 'Toes, rejoined the band in 2007 lending his vocal talents and rhythm and acoustic leads on acoustic guitar.

[Maria!]Maria Anthony (Lead singer, songwriter, acoustic guitar, flute)
Aside from her work in Uncle Dirtytoes she has made an extensive study of the traditional songs of Scotland, England and Ireland and recently completed work on a collection of primarily Scottish songs and tunes entitled "Thegither an' a". Not long ago she indulged her fascination with Jethro Tull by recording Songs of The Troubadour, featuring 6 Tull songs and two inspired originals.

[Megan!]Megan Hurt (Violin, backing vocals)
Megan has performed in musical collaborations ranging from classical to "near punk". In the power-pop band "the Switch," she was co-lead singer and songwriter. Playing in various ensembles, Megan has opened for Patty Larkin, Leo Kottke, Janis Ian, and Marshall Crenshaw. Mlle Hurt holds an M.A. in ESL and teaches high school French. She and Darrell Lea released the CD Season of Change in 1995. She also emits higher than normal levels of personal charm and kindness in her personal and professional activities.


[Roger!]Roger Holden (Electric guitar)
Roger is president of 21st Century Sound and Vision, Inc., an audio/visual research and development company in Lawrence. He collaborated on art projects several times with the late William Burroughs. He also plays guitar with Melvin Litton in Border Blues.

[Mark!]Mark von Schlemmer (Bass guitar)
Mark is a filmmaker and an Emmy-award winning television producer. After years as a promotion and program producer for KCTV5 in Kansas City, he is now a freelance film editor/director/graphic designer. He has served as editor on several feature films, including the  AIR: The Musical, the documentary Kansas vs. Darwin, and Kevin Willmott's Sundance premiered film The Only Good Indian. Mark created and produced the arts show Silhouettes on Lawrence cable tv and produces the Harvest of Arts Film Festival in Lawrence each year. He also studies film and intends to write a book about that soon (sometimes called a dissertation). His various exploits can be found at his website: Blue Planet Revolutions.org.

Mike!]Mike Fitzgerald (Drums)
Mike, wrangler of children and keeper of the beat, is an original member of Lawrence's cow-funk band, the Lonesome Houndogs, and sits in occasionally with various groups around the Lawrence area.

Barry Barnes (hand percussion)
Poet, performance artist and musician Barry Barnes, aka B.BOB.B., creates pieces that make people think and question as well as have a good time. He plays hand percussion, harmonica, keyboards, washboards and guitar. Many of his works are political in nature but not judgemental. He strives to help people understand what is going on in the world around them. Barry performs solo as well as with several ensembles including The Bopaphonics, Billy Ebeling and the Late for Dinner Band, Ernest James Zydeco, and interdisciplinary artist Stacey Fox.
Barry has recently had his first book of poetry polished (We Sleep In a Burning House)
Check out Barry at myspace, facebook and on youtube!

 

Darrell!Darrell Lea (acoustic guitar and vocals)
Darrell has been performing in bands since his teenage years back in the '70's. He currently plays with Maria, Mark and Megan in the acoustic Beatles tribute group Vera, Chuck and Dave. A complete list of acts he has opened for would be long and ponderous, but they include Roger McGuinn, Steve Goodman, John Kay and Steppenwolf, and Renaissance, to name a few. He works and anonymous data processing job during the week to pay his bills and make ends meet. An Aquarius, his favorite color is blue. He can be found on myspace, as himself or with Vera, Chuck & Dave.

 

You can never go home . . .