The Courtney Janes

With a repertoire ranging from bluegrass and Americana to folk and rock n' roll, this Marin County duo plays music from the heart. Though their amazing blend might lead you to think they grew up playing music together, Virginian Ben Hulan and Californian Dennis Haneda actually began collaborating just a few years ago after meeting in the burgeoning North Bay acoustic scene. Grounded in acoustic folk and colored with the electric guitar and mandolin, the duo has a warm, rootsy sound that calls to mind Van Morrison on some tunes and mandolin legend Sam Bush on others. Imagine the Everly Brothers singing the soundtrack for "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?" and you'll have a notion of The Courtney Janes' melodic charms.