Blue Birds On A Wire
Blue Birds On A Wire (BBOAW) is a California based bluegrass band that came together for the first time in May of 2023 when original members, Joselyn Sky, Henry Strid, and Scott Conroy, filled in last-minute on the main stage at the Parkfield Bluegrass festival. It was clear at that very first gig that something magical had been born.
As far as they know, BBOAW is the only bluegrass band with a lead singer on the pedal harp. At just 16 years old, singer-songwriter Joselyn Sky is perhaps the first classically trained harpist to cross over into the world of Bluegrass, bringing her 40-string harp with her. Mandolinist Jasper Manning’s impressive skill and vocals take the band’s sound to new heights, while Bass player Scott Conroy masterfully holds down the low notes, blends in vocal harmonies like butter, and keeps us all smiling. You can catch them playing all around California and at Bluegrass Festivals.
Joselyn Sky
Joselyn is 16 years old, and her main instruments are harp and mandolin, but she also plays piano, guitar, ukulele, and clawhammer-banjo, as well as writes her own songs.
Joselyn has performed with Michael Franti fives times, and stood in with her bluegrass heroes AJ Lee & Blue Summit, Della Mae, and Sister Sadie. She is an award winning harpist, and has played with Orchestra Novo as well as the Santa Maria Philharmonic. Joselyn has studied on harp with Penny Beavers and Alexander Boldachev, on mandolin with Jack Tuttle, and on vocals and songwriting with Celia Woodsmith.
A few years ago Joselyn fell head over heels in love with bluegrass, and is now the Youth Ambassador for the California Bluegrass Association. She is so thrilled about this band, Blue Birds On A Wire, and the opportunity to mesh the worlds of bluegrass and harp.
Jasper Manning
Jasper is very excited to play mandolin with Blue Birds On A Wire. Growing up in a family of musicians/fiddle teacheres, Jasper’s immersion into bluegrass music began even before he was born. He started his musical journey on fiddle at the age of 2, but eagerly switched to mandolin at the age of 9 and never looked back.
Jasper has had the pleasure of sharing the stage with David Grisman, Laurie Lewis, Peter Rowan, and many other prominent figures in the California bluegrass community. He has performed at festivals including Hardly Strictly, High Sierra, and DelFest, among many others.
At the heart of Jasper’s music is a profound appreciation for the traditional elements of bluegrass, which he innovatively blends with the harp to forge a unique sound that honors and revitalizes the genre’s rich heritage.
Scott Conroy
Scott is the upright bass player (and sometimes bus driver) for the band. He likes to say that bluegrass is his favorite sport.
A vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, it’s not uncommon to see him wandering the bluegrass festival grounds into the wee small hours of the morning.
Scott runs a popular music school, “SLO Music Lessons” in San Luis Obispo, CA. Joselyn visited Scott for music lessons many moons ago, which is how they first met.
“I wish all my students would make stage-worthy string bands” – Scott Conroy
Upcoming Events
5/9/25 Fri
Parkfield Bluegrass @6pm
Parkfield, CA
5/11/25 Sun
Parkfield Bluegrass @1:30pm
Parkfield, CA
6/14/25 Sat
Father’s Day Festival @12:45pm
Verns Stage
Grass Valley, CA
Let’s get in touch, contact us for bookings!
Follow us on Social Media