The story of The Drunken Maidens is an ever evolving one. The group was initially formed by Liz Savage, when she asked her friends Helen Gilbert and Lori Bellamy to learn a couple of songs for seasonal events in Seattle. They enjoyed singing together so much that they decided to keep going and see where it took them. Along the way Elaine Bradtke joined the fray, adding exciting new vocal arrangements. It wasn't long before the talented Maidens began bringing instruments into their repertoire too, with guitar, fiddle, mandolin, and whistles. For a short while Cat Fox joined the group, until stronger forces pulled her away to the east coast leaving the Drunken Maidens a quartet once more.
Meet the Maidens!
Lori grew up listening to her father sing bluegrass music in the car, loudly and off key as they made frequent road trips to the family homestead in east Tennessee. This led to her lifelong love of traditional music. After a longish stint in musical theatre, Lori is back singing the music she loves. When she's not rehearsing and performing with the Maidens, Lori moonlights as a tutor.
Lori made her way from Delaware back in 1996. She had a strong desire to stick her toes in the pacific ocean, which she did. She met her true love and has been here ever since.
Lori made her way from Delaware back in 1996. She had a strong desire to stick her toes in the pacific ocean, which she did. She met her true love and has been here ever since.
Helen hails from England where she developed a strong passion for the music of her ancestors which she too inherited from her father. Descending from Miners, Mariners, and Farm Labourers she particularly enjoys lending her accented vocals to stories of longing and hard times.
Helen traversed the globe in 1999, stopping in California before arriving in Seattle where she quickly put down roots. Her wanderlust satiated for a spell she has been known to lead the Seattle and Port Townsend Shanty Sings and hosts a monthly Pub Sing at T.S. McHughs.
Helen traversed the globe in 1999, stopping in California before arriving in Seattle where she quickly put down roots. Her wanderlust satiated for a spell she has been known to lead the Seattle and Port Townsend Shanty Sings and hosts a monthly Pub Sing at T.S. McHughs.
Liz was raised in New York City but soon felt the call of the open road and headed west. By day she spends her time herding 14 year old science students while at night she transforms into a soulful blue grass star.
Through the past two decades Liz has been involved with several bands in the Pacific Northwest including "Twins before Birth" and the Folk/Americana group "Rodeo Lagoon". Alongside Alicia Healey she opened for such greats as Art Garfunkel, Cheryl Wheeler and Catie Curtis. They also played at Folklife and Wintergrass where Liz has continued to work for many years.
Through the past two decades Liz has been involved with several bands in the Pacific Northwest including "Twins before Birth" and the Folk/Americana group "Rodeo Lagoon". Alongside Alicia Healey she opened for such greats as Art Garfunkel, Cheryl Wheeler and Catie Curtis. They also played at Folklife and Wintergrass where Liz has continued to work for many years.
Elaine is an accomplished musician, fiddle scraper, mandolin plucker and semi-soprano. The maidens often bid her farewell with tears in their eyes as she voyages to the UK to ply her trade as a music editor, transcriber, researcher and cataloguer for the James Madison Carpenter project and the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library of the English Folk Dance & Song Society.
Former groups include the "SOAS Ceilidh Band" in London and the "Fab Girls Du Northwest" mostly in Seattle where you may also catch her performing with the "Village Carolers".
Former groups include the "SOAS Ceilidh Band" in London and the "Fab Girls Du Northwest" mostly in Seattle where you may also catch her performing with the "Village Carolers".
