old-fangled new-fashioned music

If Pickled Okra’s special brand of Americana music could be described with words, you might call it old-school, porch-settin’, "singin' into a can" style bluegrass. Or as described by one of their fans "undeniably charming and entertaining - not to mention pretty darn talented". Yes they know their bluegrass licks and aren’t afraid to show ‘em off, but their music is so much more than what just one genre can capture. Their arrangements are full of ideas borrowed from 70's rock legends, reggae, jazz, funk, old time fiddle tunes and delta blues for a sound that is timeless yet modern in it's own quirky way. It’s kind of like stepping back in time -- but with indoor plumbing. True folk music; for all the folks.
 


They’ve gained recognition in the Pacific Northwest and beyond for their performances, having appeared at such venues as....

Festivals 

Northwest Folklife Festival in Seattle, WA 
Wild and Scenic Music Festival in Leavenworth, WA 
George Washington Bluegrass Festival in George, WA 
Wintergrass in Bellevue, WA  
Ollala Bluegrass & Beyond Festival in Ollala, WA 
Newport Music Festival in Newport, WA 
Lights of Christmas, Warm Beach, WA 

Concert Venues 

Tractor Tavern, Seattle WA 
Nectar Lounge, Seattle WA 
Crocodile, Seattle WA 
Triple Door's Musiquarium, Seattle WA
ACT Theatre,  Seattle, WA 
Third Place Books, Seattle WA
Rollin’ Log Tavern, Issaquah , WA 
Northwest Center Derby, Seattle, WA 
Magnusson Community Center, Seattle, WA 
Four Lakes Fall Festival, Issaquah, WA 
Clothes for Kids,  Bothel, WA 
Bellevue Library, Bellevue, WA 

Private Event Venues 

Tierra Retreat, Leavenworth, WA 
Guemes Island Resort, Guemes Island, WA 
Robin Hood Village, Union, WA 
Wallace Falls Lodge, Gold Bar, WA 
Kiana Lodge, Poulsbo, WA 
Rock Creek Gardens, Puyallup, WA 
Alderbrook Resort, Union, WA 
Sole Repair, Seattle, WA 
Flying Horse Ranch, Cle Elum, WA 
Vessel Wines, Woodinville, WA 
Oak Knoll Farm, Friday Harbor, WA 
Roche Harbor Resort, Friday Harbor, WA 
Northwest Maritime Center, Port Townsend, WA 
Skip Rock Distillery, Snohomish, WA  

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Pickled Blog...

We're Back! 

Todd and Paisley are sad to say that Gary and Alyse have moved on to other things, and we will miss them, but happy to say we will be carrying on as a duo doing all your Pickled Okra favorites and, as always, bringing you our latest and greatest ideas. Same musical thoughts, same fun times! We are now booking shows so visit our calendar page to find out where we'll be next, or visit our contact page to get in touch about bringing "the Pickle" to your next gathering!

 

On Hiatus... Happy 2016! 

Pickled Okra is on extended hiatus. We will not be booking any more shows until further notice... We love you guys and we'll certainly let ya know when we're back at it but for now the plan is to stay off our elbows for at least 6 months to a year ... In the meantime we'll be off resting our weary bones... We'll miss you all of course! Happy 2016!

We're one of Western Washington's top Wedding Bands of 2015 ! 

Well it's official folks Pickled Okra is one of Western Washington's top Wedding Bands of 2015

Woo hoo! thanks to all of you for voting for us and cheering for us along the way. We love playing music for you and hope to continue to do so a whole bunch in 2016!
See you out there ;)

VOTE FOR PICKLED OKRA!  

09/23/15:  That's right, Pickled Okra is in the running for King 5's "Best of Western Washington" contest!  You know the one.  Voting ends Oct 23rd, so click on this link and vote for us!  In fact, tell any friends and family that might agree to vote for us too!  Do it now, so we won't have to nag you to do it later: 

Please VOTE FOR PICKLED OKRA!

http://best.king5.com/pickled-okra/biz/670091

Playing at IBMA! 

Hey guys - wow it's been ages since we've gotten around to updating the blog... sorry about that, but we've been super busy playing music and what not.

So we've been invited to go to this big Bluegrass gatherin in North Carolina at the end of September. It's called The World of Bluegrass and it's where they hand out the International Bluegrass Music Awards (ya know for all them fancy big name people like Chris Thile, Dale Ann Bradley and Del McCoury and all). We'll be doin a little showcase there in the…Read more

09/03/2015

Kaylin and Erik 

Aug. 9, 2014  
What a beautiful day for an equally beautiful wedding.  The lake and waterfalls at Rock Creek Gardens in Puyallup, WA  were the perfect backdrop for Kaylin and Erik as they said their vows.  We were so happy to be able to play a small part in their special day.  The bridal party made it's way in as the sounds of Cuckoos Nest and Robin and Marian floated through the air.  The bride made her gracious entry as we played Sweet Afton.   It was the perfect song for her!   As a band, we are always…Read more

Marty and Kristin's thank you note 

Hey Guys,

Just wanted to say thank you so much for rocking out at are wedding welcome party July 25, 2014! You all were amazing and your music was perfect. We've received many compliments from our guests and are just so happy we heard you perform at The Water Wheel last year. As our friends and family arrived the music was welcoming and relaxing. Then you kicked it up a bit got everyone out on the dance lawn with a few classics and sing alongs.

Thank you again, you all were a pleasure to work with.
Best,
Marty…Read more

Summer is winding down… 

But what a glorious one it has been! We played at 5 weddings (with 5 more to go this fall) attended 13 music festivals and performed on stage at 7 of those festivals (8 if you include Wintergrass), and while the majority of our gigs this summer were in Washington state we also managed to make it to 5 other states as well; Hawaii, Montana, Oregon, Massachusetts and Maine. If there were ever a time when Pickled Okra was more at ease as a band, we can't remember it. Todd and Paisley absolutley love traveling…Read more

09/15/2013

So much music so little time! 

Calendar :: We've been playing music nonstop and hardly taking a minute to catch up on things like updating our website but... here ya go
Lets see there was ...
-- Todd's Dad's Birthday celebration in Boston Happy Birthday Cornell!
-- Paisley's fiftieth birthday party in Montana - for the fourth of July (some excellent jamming with new and old friends there!)
-- The week leading up to and the week of the Darrington Bluegrass Festival was amaaaazing! (loved the 2 hill bands - Blueberry and Windy)
--…Read more

08/20/2013

Some great feedback emails coming in this summer - thought I'd share a couple 

Thank you for taking the time to check in with us!.......................................
"VERY cool website; it conveys the merits of your band effectively to those of us with ears to hear. ... people who really care about music should love this. The busking at Saturday Market clip is excellent. Your enthusiasm is contagious, and that clip proves it." ...........Thanks Eddard!......

"Hi Paisley, Met you by your camper van after the performance. Your spirited show was perfect for the pre-wedding gathering…Read more

08/04/2013

Testimonials

"Hi! Teresa here.....Brandi's Mom! I cannot thank you all enough for making the wedding such an amazing nite! You were absolutely WONDERFUL! So gracious , Fun , and extremely talented! You are by far one of the most talented groups I have EVER seen! Brandi told me you were great , but I could not have imagined just HOW great! We were completely blown away at your talent! You made the evening soooo Fun and memorable!!! We will Never forget it!! Thank You! ~ Thank You!!"
  - Teresa Carlile - 9/28/2012 Brandi Carlile's wedding, Enumclaw, WA

"Pickled Okra was absolutely AMAZING! They arrived on time...set up...and got to work! The crowd really loved their energy."
  -Katie H. 5/4/2012 - Fundraiser in Seattle, WA

"You guys rocked the house with your personalities and music! Everyone is still talking about you guys and hope you will be back to play at the Red Dog again. Thank you for making the party a success! If anyone is looking for a band that will knock it out of the park hire Pickled Okra!!! Thanks again!!" 
 - Jennifer F. - 10/22/2011 Red Dog Saloon Birthday Party, Maple Valley, WA

"We loved having Pickled Okra play our Dept of Family Medicine picnic. They arrived on time and in style and were super friendly and wonderful. Excellent musicians too, playing MANY of my favorite songs, even without request, they just "get it." I really enjoyed their music as did everyone at the party and I will seek them out for my future listening pleasure, thank you!"
  - Amanda H. - 8/16/2011 Company picnic, Seattle, WA

"I booked Pickled Okra for a Industry Networking and BBQ event. They were absolutely awesome to work with! A very talented and professional group! Everyone raved about them!! I highly recommend them and will be looking for a chance to hire them again!"
  - Lorrie S. - 7/15/2011 Corporate function, Seattle, WA

"Thank you for coming into the Cloudview Farm/community and sharing your talents and energy with all of the 'Co-creators' and Guests therein assembled. It was just a magical night for me and everyone is still abuzz with what a fun time was had! I, personally, can't thank You enough!!! That fine line of energy exchange between Entertainers and Entertainees seemed to vanish and a higher plateau was reached! Everyone wants you back next year, again! Thanks for helping co-Create a wonderful experience for ALL"
. - Jim Baird - 8/22/2011 Cloudview Farm Community event, Royal City, WA

"Pickled Okra exceeded my wildest hopes in all aspects of their contribution to our celebration. They were professional, friendly, accommodating, wildly entertaining, and FUN! Our guests, a number of whom are musicians, were blown away and asked for their business card. We will recommend them highly and certainly will book them again in future!"
  - Jan M. - 4/28/2011 Private Party, Mountlake Terrace, WA

"Husband and wife team Todd and Paisley Gray...prove that old-time bluegrass is not the property solely of those who have assimilated it from an early age in it's spiritual heartlands."
  - David Innes - 7/11/2012 Rock & Reel Magazine, UK

"This rootsy team plays with verve and sings with glee, and their bubbly style will have you humming right along"
. - Gwendolyn E. - 1/30/2011 Seattle Weekly Magazine

"...their delightful old-timey look at life produced a harvest of original songs filled with bouncy rhythms, intriguing lyric juxtapositions, and a sense of humor that tickles the senses. Yummy!"
  - Brenda - 5/7/2012 California Bluegrass Association