About the Band
The RavensFire Band is well known around the area for their up-beat and amusing performances, beautiful vocal harmonies and skilled instrumentals played on the guitar, mandolin, whistle, djembe and percussion.
They play and sing their large collection of original music, fun covers of vintage and newer pop, rock, country, world folk and traditional Irish pub songs. RavensFire is a talented, fun and easy-going trio of musicians who love to entertain.
Through the years, RavensFire has entertained in dozens of towns and cities, at pubs and clubs, wakes and weddings, fairs and festivals.
The award-winning members of the band have performed and recorded in Nashville, Las Vegas and Dublin. The RavensFire band has had three singing tours in many cities and towns in Ireland.
Audiences everywhere chime in with the RavensFire versions of well-known popular songs and listen with delight to the lively unique originals. Often people tell us, “You guys look like you’re having fun!”
And,Yes!……. Whether it’s late at night at a crowded pub or on a sunny afternoon in a town square; whether at a huge city festival, or with a few good friends at party, we ARE having fun!
Some songs will bring a shout of laughter, others a tear; sometimes you sing along, sometimes you listen, but everyone will feel warmed by RavensFire!
The Players
Melissa Schmidt: Mandolin, Penny Whistle, Vocals, Songwriter
Melissa grew up in a large musical family.
She started by playing guitar but quickly fell in love with a little old mandolin that had belonged to her mother.
Welcome Home, their family’s first award-winning group, performed bluegrass, country and Melissa’s original music all around the Midwest, and Nashville and Las Vegas.
Larry and Melissa were a duo for several years, and then formed The Irish Minstrels, performing many of Melissa’s original songs, traditional Irish and folk music.
Winning first place in an international songwriting competition, Melissa and Larry, with several different groups, have recorded in Dublin, and had three musical tours of Ireland.
Other changes brought different players in and out and The RavensFire Band happened!
Melissa continues to write, sing and play her unique, beautiful, and sometimes mischievous songs in the RavensFire band with husband Larry and drummer Randy at occasions everywhere for everyone to enjoy.
Larry Schmidt: Guitar, Vocals
After high school, Larry attended Winona University as a math major and then joined the U.S. Air Force, serving from 1966-71.
When he returned home, Larry became a home builder/contractor and stone mason.
He also attended Red Wing Vocational College and earned a degree as a Certified Luthier. Larry has hand-built many beautiful guitars and mandolins, including the mandolin and guitar that he and Melissa have played for many years.
Larry is handy in the RavensFire band, not only for performing and his funny wit, but also for quickly changing broken strings, repairing instruments, setting up stage sound and recording.
Larry learned guitar when he and Melissa were married and they have been related by music ever since.
Randy Wilson: Percussion, Vocals
Randy has been singing and playing percussion since he was a kid in Delaware in the 60’s and 70’s. In the 80’s he fell in love with a pianist and they’re still happily making music together. In the 90’s, Randy happened upon his magic West African djembe, and it soon became his favorite drum.
Randy first met Larry and Melissa at a musician’s jam gathering. Some years later, in need of a drummer, Melissa remembered Randy and got his number from a friend. Randy showed up with his djembe and jumped right into RavensFire’s repertoire of some 400 songs. Randy and his djembe are feeling right at home now, singing and playing in the RavensFire Band!