PREEPER RHAYE MACKAY

Preeper Rhaye MacKay

Jessica Rhaye, Bill Preeper, and Sandy MacKay, together known as Preeper Rhaye MacKay, are a New Brunswick–based folk trio recognized for rich three-part harmonies, thoughtful songwriting, and a sound that feels timeless yet entirely their own.

Acclaimed songwriter and Canadian Folk Music Award nominee Jessica Rhaye, with more than 25 years of touring and nine albums to her name, leads on rhythm guitar, while Bill Preeper’s intricate fingerstyle guitar and mandolin add richness and depth. Sandy MacKay rounds out the trio on upright and electric bass, with touches of banjo that add warmth and colour to their sound.

The trio blends acoustic and electric instrumentation with lush three-part harmonies and shared lead vocals that take listeners back to the height of the Greenwich Village folk scene of the 1960s. It’s new folk music at its finest, drawing on the influence of artists like Woody Guthrie, Ian Tyson, and Bob Dylan. With beautifully crafted original songs woven together with folk favourites, their intricate vocal blend is reminiscent of a modern-day Peter, Paul and Mary.

Their debut trio album, Wood & Wire (2024), earned an East Coast Music Association nomination for Roots Release of the Year, along with three Music New Brunswick nominations. The release followed years of musical collaboration as members of Jessica Rhaye and The Ramshackle Parade, including the acclaimed albums Just Like a Woman – Songs of Bob Dylan (2019), Sunshine Baby (2023) and Foolish Heart EP (2026).

Their follow-up album, Blackberry Lane (2026), features original songs from each member alongside a heartfelt tribute to the late Ken Tobias and a beautiful interpretation of the traditional folk song Fare Thee Well (Dink’s Song). The record reflects the musical bond that has grown within the trio, while continuing to honour their genuine love of harmony and making music together.

“This is traditional music at a very high standard.”

— Americana UK

OFFICIAL SITE

JESSICA RHAYE
Jessica Rhaye is an independent singer-songwriter and graphic design artist with 9 full length albums to her name, including her recent album Sunshine Baby, which garnered glowing buzz from Americana UK, Americana Highways, BBC Radio, FATEA Records UK, Great Dark Wonder, Sirius XM “North Americana”. In a career spanning 25 years, Jessica has built an impressive list of accolades and has graced many prestigious stages across Canada including the National Arts Centre, Hugh’s Room, Stan Rogers Folk Festival, Mariposa Folk Festival, Shivering Songs, and has co-written with notable artists like Ron Sexsmith, Steve Poltz, the late Ken Tobias, and Royal Wood.
Jessica's clear, sweet voice provides the trio's high harmony, while her solid acoustic guitar playing forms the backbone of their sound. She also designs the album artwork and promotional materials.

BILL PREEPER
Bill started playing folk music in the '80s while working a day job at CBC and raising a family with his wife, Kathy. In 2015, after retiring and having more time to devote to music, he co-founded Bonnett House, leading to the release of Songs From Bonnett House in 2017. The following year, Bill joined Jessica Rhaye's band, The Ramshackle Parade.
His delicate fingerpicking and use of alternate tunings on guitar are inspired by the traditional and contemporary masters of folk and blues. Bill also shares lead vocal duties throughout the trio's repertoire while lending depth to the trio's harmonies with his warm low voice.

SANDY MACKAY
Over a 40-year musical career, Sandy has toured extensively, performing on stages and street corners, in theatres, and on countless recording sessions with a wide range of artists.
A true multi-instrumentalist, Sandy plays upright and electric bass while also adding touches of mandolin and banjo. His upright bass provides the bedrock of the trio's sound, while his bowed bass brings a rich, resonant depth to the arrangements. Sandy sings tenor in the trio's vocal blend, occasionally trading parts with Jessica to create the trio's rich, dynamic harmonies.
Learn more about Preeper Rhaye MacKay HERE
“Wood and Wire is a gorgeous album from start to finish.” - David Reed, the Belleville Intelligencer
"This is traditional music at a very high standard." - Americana UK
“Rocky Hills is a lilting original that feels timeless.” - David Reed, the Belleville Intelligencer
"an album that fans of folk music would very much enjoy" - Americana UK (Wood & Wire)
"Goin' Back to Harlan" (Anna McGarrigle) opens the record and immediately transfixes the listener." - David Reed, the Belleville Intelligencer
“Stunning tune” - Great Dark Wonder (“Rocky Hills”)
"Rhaye’s vocals are beautifully clear and her singing throughout is a highlight of the album." - Americana UK
“Opening track ‘Goin’ Back To Harlan’ written by the mighty Anna McGarrigle is the only cover on the album and serves as a fine introduction of what’s to come, beautifully judged playing, bell like recording qualities and pinpoint harmonies.

’Rocky Hills’ showcases the timeless, ageless quality of Jessica Rhaye’s marvellous voice, the deceptively melancholic ‘Waltzing To Paradise’ has subtle vocal nods in the direction of Townes Van Zandt to my ears, before the understated, yet quietly expansive tones of ‘Red Rocks & Timothy’ completes the opening quartet of songs.

The remainder of the album maintains these lofty standards with standouts for me being the lovely acoustic guitar figure and warm vocal of ‘Jared’s Mountain’ which leads nicely into the heavily reverbed electric guitar and rhythmic swagger of ‘I Feel More Like I Do Now’, before the courtly elegance of instrumental last track ‘Sweet Night’ brings the record to a close.

Apparently the album was recorded ‘live off the floor’ on the Capitol Theatre Stage in Oxford, Nova Scotia, Canada, which makes the quality of the recording and musical virtuosity on display here even more impressive.” - Fatea Records UK Magazine
• MNB 2025 Nomination - Recording of the Year
• MNB 2025 Nominations - Song of the Year (Rocky Hills)
• MNB 2025 Nomination - Video of the Year (Rocky Hills)
• Canadian Independent Music Video Awards 2025 Nomination - Best Folk Video (Rocky Hills)
• ECMA 2025 Nomination - Roots Release of the Year (Rocky Hills)

PRESS PHOTOS:

CLICK ON IMAGES BELOW FOR HIGH RES PHOTO

Photo credit: Naomi Peters

Photo credit: Jordan Mattie

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SHOW DATES

ALBUMS

BLACKBERRY LANE
(COMING SOON - 2026)

1 - Fare Thee Well (Dink’s Song)
2 - Wild Flowers (trio)
3 - Escuchamé
4 - Every Bit of Love (Ken Tobias cover)
5 - Sky So Blue
6 - Sunshine Baby (trio)
7 - I Thought of You
8 - The Needle and The Knife
9 - There You Are

Wood & Wire
(2024)

1 - Goin’ Back To Harlan (*Anna McGarrigle cover)
2 - Rocky Hills
3 - Waltzing To Paradise
4 - Red Rocks & Timothy
5 - Stealing Time
6 - Jared’s Mountain
7 - I Feel More Like I Do Now
8 - Sweet Night

Wood & Wire is Preeper Rhaye MacKay's first album as a trio. It’s a collection of new original works and includes a special cover from the Kate and Anna McGarrigle catalogue that helps define their provenance. The album falls on the heals of the members work together with Jessica Rhaye and The Ramshackle Parade on their critically acclaimed albums Just like a Woman - Songs of Bob Dylan (2019), and Sunshine Baby (2023).

Wood & Wire was recorded with producer/engineer Dale Murray, who was instrumental in making sure the best performance was captured as the trio performed and sang each song live to record.

LEARN MORE

Music Videos

Their version of Bob Dylan’s Blowin’ in the Wind has generated over 20 million views on YouTube!

“The modern folk trio offered their skills to the famed Dylan track (Blowin’ in the Wind) in this string-laden rendition. Rich with golden vocals, acoustics, and even a mandolin, Rhaye, and her group would make Baez and the rest of the ’60s decade proud with this heartfelt version.”

— American Songwriter Magazine

Visit Jessica Rhaye's Youtube Channel for more videos