“All I can say is WOW!!” – Bill Hahn, WFDU, Teaneck, NJ “An inspired collaboration.” - Larry Berger, WRCT-FM, Pittsburgh • "Long, a unique vocalist, boasts a lilting alto, a splendid instrument that will not be mistaken for anybody else's ... The instrumental "Cottage Hill" is a genuine tour de force, and "Cooley's Reel" and "Cincinnati Rag" soar. • Kessinger burns up the strings. .."In the Pines" is a tour de force... – Bluegrass Unlimited • “Long and Kessinger have a down-home approach, an easy rapport, and an instinctive musical connection. Long sings with passion and earthiness. Kessinger’s guitar frames Long’s voice with grace and perfection. The result is an extraordinary collaboration … warm, witty and fun.” - The Morgan Messinger, Berkeley Springs, WV Robin Kessinger is a stunning flatpick guitar player, a member of a legendary Appalachian music family. Kate Long’s original songs have won national awards, including IBMA Song of the Year for “Who Will Watch the Homeplace,” and her contralto voice has been described as “a deep, rich force.” For this CD, they mixed Kate’s new-songs-that-sound-old with Robin’s stunning renditions of traditional fiddle tunes. They also sing a capella and bring Appalachian standards like Shady Grove and Barbry Allen to new living-and-breathing life. * “Their “In the Pines is a tour de force.” - Bluegrass Unlimited. This, their first CD, comes from their show that provoked comments like this: • “Last night’s show with Kate Long and Robin Kessinger was just magical… I have not been that entertained by two people in a long, long time. They are worth any price of admission.” - Ken Cartwright, KENC, Stayton, WA • “Expect to laugh, cry, think, and come away with a full heart. Whether Kate and Robin are playing traditional tunes or their own compositions, the feeling is down-to-earth, down-home, and deeply rooted.” – Meryle Korn, Portland, OR • “They put on a great show. Robin is not only a great flatpicker, but he can fingerpick and sing too, and Kate has an amazing voice and a wonderful way with words.” - Flatpick-L review after 2008 show in Centralia, WA Kate and Robin aim to stir the heart, mind, and spirit while they have fun. It shows. "What We Do" catches that magic in a high-energy, thought-and-laugh-filled performance. • “They had our whole crowd singing and laughing, even crying. Not to be missed!” – Teri Hayes, Calliope (Pittsburgh Folk Music association) Robin Kessinger is a national flatpick guitar champion with 8 CDs on his own. His guitar virtuosity has earned him the Winfield national flatpick guitar champion title and an international reputation for creative, sensitive rendition of traditional tunes. He is one of the folk world’s most respected flatpick guitar masters and teachers. He has been on the cover of Flatpicking Guitar magazine, has 8 CDs of his own and has played on about 2 dozen. A regular at the Augusta Heritage Center and the Steve Kaufmann Kamp, and Allegheny Echoes, he has taught at the Swannanoa Gathering, Puget Sound Guitar Workshop and many other camps. He is best-known as a national flatpick guitar champion, but he is also the West Virginia state dulcimer champion and a fine mandolin player. He leads the shape-note singing in his church on Sundays. He and his legendary musical family are the subject of a BBC documentary. His father, Bob Kessinger, quit traveling with an old-time band to become a minister. His great-uncle, legendary old-time fiddler Clark Kessinger, was the first old time musician to sell more than a million LPs. West Virginia native Kate Long performs regularly for public interest and spiritual groups and has three CDs of her own songs. She has performed at the International Storytelling Center, the Kennedy Center Millineum Stage, and a variety of camps and venues and has taught at Augusta, Swannanoa and other camps. Her songs about ordinary people dealing with life’s dilemmas showcase her heart, humor, and ability to connect with people. She is also a national award-winning West Virginia public radio producer and newspaper reporter who tackles tough subjects like predatory mortgages and elder abuse. Robin is an avid bow-hunter, a lover of the woods. A member of the historical recreation group, Mountain Men, he presents workshops for adults and children on early American woodlore, sometimes with campsite, combining music with instruction. Their wide-ranging interests flavor their shows and recordings. Kate and Robin also work in the schools, writing songs with children and offer a variety of workshops: flatpick guitar, creative writing, songwriting, a capella singing. Read more about their workshops and music at www.robinandkate.com.