Claudia & Bluebird Country Music Band
Claudia Zimmermann founded Bluebird Country Music Band in the spring of 2008 with the aim of inspiring new friends for the traditional country music style. In the meantime the group has captured a loyal and versatile audience. Bluebird Country Music Band has played at many concerts, private and corporate events and is particularly proud of its performances at festivals such as Country d'Yv and Chancy Country Festival in Western Switzerland, as well as the Trucker Festival in Interlaken.
Where the former Bluebird Band mainly offered acoustic music such as folk, country and bluegrass, a very dynamic and versatile music cocktail is on the program today. The mixture of country rock, swing, ballads, traditional and surprisingly new versions of popular songs convinces our audience. It goes without saying that it is allowed to dance to our music!
An introduction to the Country Music band:
Claudia Carpenter ( Alias Zimmermann)
Band Leader, Vocal
Claudia Carpenter looks back on a long career as Claudia Carpenter looks back on a long career as a country singer with her former band Claudia & Country Line. Her formation from Eastern Switzerland performed on over 800 stages in Switzerland, Germany and Austria. Several albums were produced during these years, e.g. "Just Country", "Country Line" produced by country heavyweight John Brack, with Jeff Turner, Uwe Krüger et Joni Pettitt. Several songs from this album can be found on various Swiss Country compilation albums. Invited by Comstock Records (AZ), Claudia recorded a single "I Can Tell/Every Love Needs a Fool" in Nashville, which was also successfully distributed in America by the production company Comstock Records. "With a Touch of Bluegrass" was the title of a Christmas album produced with the group Claudia & Friends, which was celebrated with a special concert tour throughout Switzerland. As a connoisseur of country music and the Nashville scene, Claudia produced and hosted country programs at Radio Wil (SG), and after moving to western Switzerland for five years at Radio Framboise (VD). Since January 1, 2023, Claudia has also been hosting two shows on Country Radio Switzerland (www.countryradio.ch) on Friday evenings. Claudia has also produced an album together with singer-songwriter David Waddell (TX, USA). Long conversations have resulted in 11 authentic original songs tailored to Claudia's captivating and full voice. In 2024, Country Lady Claudia celebrates 40 years of stage presence with new songs penned by Andrès Balhorn, in whose studio POWERVOICE the recordings took place last year.
Here comes the sound...
Guitars
Phil
Leadguitars, acoustic guitars
Phil originally joined Claudia's band as a rhythm guitarist, Phil now mainly plays lead guitar. A faithful musician in the group since 2011, he garners a lot of applause with his unique solos. Whenever it gets rocky, Phil lives out his passion on his strings and carries the audience away.
Pedal Steel and Guitars
Terry Nelson
Pedal Steel Guitar, guitars, vocals
Terry Nelson (UK) is a long-time professional musician. He has already played with Albert Lee and other greats of the music scene in England. For Bluebird Country Music Band Terry rediscovered his old passion for the pedal steel guitar and conjures up a variety of colors in our songs with his melodies. When Terry uses his guitar in traditional songs from the 70s, the audience feels transported back to the glorious days of the Shadows, Birds and The Everly Brothers. Finally, his voice effectively complements the band's colourful song program.
Violin and Mandolin
Jack B.
Violin, Mandocaste
Jack is a regular guest musician in our band. His virtuoso violin playing completes our country mix in a very special way. Real country music at its best - that is the reaction of the listeners when he plays. Accompanied or solo, Jack's interpretations remain exciting and unexpected.
They’ve got rhythm...
David Meister
Bass, vocals
David is a multi-instrumentalist (bass, piano, rhythm guitar) and singer. As a bassist, he has played in a wide variety of bands, from jazz to reggae, blues to pop, country and rock. In recent years, he has been very active on YouTube, where he posts songs, covers and tutorials.
Having grown up with country music playing constantly on the radio, it's close to his heart. He already played for Bluebird between 2014 and 2019, and it's with great enthusiasm that he joins the band again in November 2023. He is also in charge of musical direction.
Alex Sifringer
Drums
At a very early age, Alex got behind the instrument that was to become his object of predilection. Encouraged by an artistic family environment (notably by his father, Claudia's drummer at the time), he became interested in a wide range of musical styles, including reggae, country, folk, rock and metal.
He then went on to perfect his skills at a music school in London, coached by such prestigious figures as Yolanda Charles (BB King, Robbie Williams, Hans Zimmer) and Simon Carter (Jamiroquai).
On his return to Switzerland, armed with varied and enriching experiences, he devoted most of his time to music and teaching at the Artistsfactory music school. He has played for numerous artists and projects, including Elea Gouzien (Küdeta), Alessio Martin, Chains of Daisy, les Bables and others.
In 2018, he won his place at the first edition of the Gustav Academy (now LaGustav), which enabled him to meet other musicians from the region as well as record at the famous Beatles studio; Abbey Road Studios. He also joined the group Kala for their EP "A Contre Courant", with whom he was able to open for the famous group IAM. He also became "house" drummer for the Singers' Jam at Duke's Bar in Lausanne for a few years.
At present, he is also a member of three bands covering a wide range of musical styles: "The Country Expression", which offers covers of Rock/Blues/Funk/Country, "Peek trio", which offers Fusion compositions, and "Tetch", which plays angry metal.
