The North Valley Tune Tanglers perform a spicy mix of diverse and vibrant tunes and songs from old Appalachia to New Mexico and beyond.  They source material from visits with Appalachian old timers, field recordings collected in Mexico, and early commercial recordings of country music and western swing.  Each performance also includes music from northern New Mexico, Texas border music, the beautiful twin fiddle harmonies from the Tohono O’odham people of southern Arizona, original songs, and when appropriate, sing-along standards.  Based in Albuquerque, the Tanglers have satisfied the musical tastes of diverse audiences since 2010.

Liz Stevens (fiddle, vocals, percussion), played fiddle and sang with a trio in western North Carolina in the 1980s.  She honed her dance fiddling style around Denver in the 1990s. 

Michael Gallagher (5-string and tenor banjos, fiddle, button accordion, guitar, vocals) developed his chops playing around the Mid-Atlantic states while living in Philadelphia in the 1970s and 80s.  Mike and Liz have traveled widely in Mexico and grew to love the tight vocal harmonies of the traditional music there. 

Skip Wrightson (guitar, resonator guitar, percussion, vocals) is the Tanglers newest member.  He hails from the South and has been influenced musically by bluegrass, blues and old time music from that region.  He has played guitar since high school and picked up the resonator guitar (dobro) since living in New Mexico.

Diggity Dog (jolly ball)
Now patiently waiting for a toss beyond the Rainbow Bridge. Missed every day.

In addition to covers of early country music and the occasional original song, each Tune Tanglers show includes Southwestern and Mexican selections.  They often end their performances with an old familiar sing-along.  The Tanglers have performed at festivals, town concerts, ski lodges, coffee houses, assisted living facilities, and brew pubs.  During the Covid era, they performed virtually from their living room in the North Valley.

What people are saying about the Tune Tanglers:

"Best music I heard since I got outta prison last month." Bar patron, Red Door brewing Co. Alb. NM

"Right, tight and outta site!" Rap artist, Albuquerque. International Sunport

"Best I've ever heard. Any ya'll gotta beer?" Festival participant, Santa Fe Pickers Festival, Edgewood, NM

"You were wonderful! You are great singers and musicians.
I loved everything about what you did except the music."
Resident and opera lover, Keene Valley Assisted Living Center, Keene Valley, NY.

A sampling of past gigs:

Emanuel Presbyterian Church Father's Day Lunch, 2023 • ABQ, NM
ABQ Folk Festival 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022 • ABQ, NM
Hoppin' John Festival, with the Green Grass Cloggers, 2022 • Silk Hope, NC
Paws and Stripes Celebration of Heroes 2018, 2019, 2022 • ABQ, NM
Rock Canyon Taproom • Tijeras, NM
Montebello Assisted Living • ABQ, NM
Solid Grounds Coffee House • ABQ, NM
KURU Radio • Silver City, NM
Palmilla Assisted Living • ABQ, NM
Quarantine Happy Hour • Facebook Live 2021
House Concert • Boulder, CO • 2019
ABQ Library Summer Reading Series 2021, 2022 • ABQ, NM
Saranac Lake Farmers Market 2019, 2021, 2022 • Saranac Lake, NY
SW Pickers Traditional and Bluegrass Music Festival 2016
Sunport Serenades 2000-2018, 2021-2022• ABQ International Sunport
Ski Cooper 2014 - 2019
Tennessee Pass Cafe • Leadville Co.
Red Door Brewery • ABQ, NM
Racket River Brewing • Tupper Lake, NY
Ghost Ranch Conference Center 2018 • Abiquiu NM
NM FolkMADS Boo Camp 2016 • Jemez Springs, NM
Lyons Old Time Square Dance 2019 • Lyons, CO
Footmads Contra Dance 2019 • Boulder CO
Alameda Village Assisted Living • ABQ, NM
Atria Vista Del Rio Assisted Living • ABQ, NM
Coronado Villa Assisted Living • ABQ, NM
The Carillon at Boulder Creek • Boulder, CO
Keene Valley Retirement Village 2019, 2021, 2022 • Keene Valley, NY
Lake Placid Farmers Market 2019 • Lake Placid, NY