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Short & Sweet, an acoustic contemporary folk duo, consists of Steve Amsden and Robyn Landis--two superb singer-songwriters whose collaboration frames compelling original lyrics with sparkling guitar and expressive vocals. They play smart, catchy modern folk music with depth, resonance, and a satisfying musical and emotional range.

The pair is known for a harmony-rich mix of quality original material and uniquely-arranged folk favorites. Their distinctive and engaging songs are capably delivered; they are further enriched by the stellar musicians who joined them on the CD (including renowned Seattle-area fiddler Paul Elliott, Dan Tyack on steel guitar, and Cary Black on bass).

Robyn Landis has garnered nearly 30 songwriting awards and honors just in the last two years (2005-2006). She began performing as a musician in 1998. She studied guitar with Linda Waterfall and voice with vocal coach Kathy Sankey. She also trained as an actor and in musical theater. A poet since age 4, a professional writer all her life, and a successful author in her "spare time," Robyn's deft and powerful command of language is exceptionally apparent in her songwriting--which has drawn comparisons to Richard Shindell and Dar Williams.

Steve Amsden has been playing and teaching guitar for over 30 years. He has performed solo and with bands all over the Western U.S. He has played at the Bluebird Café in Nashville and opened for such musicians as Mark O'Connor. A multi-instrumentalist who also plays banjo, bass, mandolin and percussion, Steve is well-respected for his musicianship and is sought after as a guitarist for many local projects. His songs have placed in the finals of several national competitions.

Steve and Robyn each fronted their own bands on their home island of Vashon, Washington, before landing in the same group--a folk-country band called Backroads--in 1999. They formed the duo in 2001. They released Love and Other Words in November 2004 on their own independent label, Take One Again Music.

SONGWRITING AWARDS & HONORS
*2006 International Narrative Song Competition (first place winner)
*2006 International Narrative Song Competition (honorable mention)
*2006 River Bluff Music Festival Songwriting Competition (honorable mention)
*2005-2006 Unisong International Songwriting Competition (second place winner, two Top 20 wins and two honorable mentions)
*2006 Woody Guthrie Songwriting Competition (first place winner)
*2006 Woody Guthrie Songwriting Competition (honorable mention)
*2006 Solarfest Songwriters Showcase (alternate finalist)
*2006 West Coast International Songwriter's Competition (honorable mention)
*2006 KRCL/Founder's Title Folk & Bluegrass Festival Performing Songwriter Showcase (finalist)
*2006 Tucson Folk Festival Songwriting Contest (finalist)
*2006 Susquehanna Folk Music Society Songwriting Contest (finalist)
*2006 Peacedriven Songwriting Competition (semifinalist + honorable mention)
*2005 Billboard Song Contest (3 honorable mentions)
*2005 International Songwriting Competition (semifinalist)
*2005 William Robert Abate Songwriting Competition (winner)
*2005 Tumbleweed Music Festival Songwriting Contest (finalist)
*2005 Woody Guthrie Songwriting Competition (honorable mention)
*2005 UK Songwriting Competition (honorable mention)
*2005 Solarfest Songwriter's Showcase (finalist)
*2005 Songprize International Songwriting Competition (honorable mention)
*2005 Tucson Folk Festival Songwriting Contest (finalist)
*2005 Suwannee Springfest Songwriting Contest (finalist)

"For those of us who've been already been enjoying

Short and Sweet at festivals and concerts, here's

what we've been waiting for: a beautiful collection

of their original songs. The studio work is excellent,

and at the same time, it sounds just like their live

performances: their shiny-smooth vocal blend,

emotional impact, and really cool instrumental

arrangements. The songs cover a big range of

feeling, from the inward and personal to the intense

and outspoken political. Some songs are quite

contemporary, and a few--like "Calico Creek"--

sound like they could've been written one hundred

years ago. What a treat it is to finally have them

on CD."

- LINDA WATERFALL, songwriter, producer, composer, and acclaimed recording artist