The Pied Pumkin

The Pied Pumkin was formed in 1973 with Rick Scott[1] on dulcimer, vocals (and the main songwriter), Shari Ulrich on violin, alto sax, flute and vocals, and Joe Mock[2] on guitar and vocals (and songwriter). The group had a fervent cult following as a result of their highly spirited music that filled dance floors across the country, but particularly in BC and Alberta. The Kootenays were the Pumkin hotbed. They formed the first "Independent" label - Squash Records - to release their albums after collecting $5 each from fans to finance the first "Pied Pumkin String Ensemble", recorded live at the Simon Fraser University Pub. Their second release "Allah Mode", contained the first ever performance of Joe Mock's song "Fear of Flying". Ulrich toured across Canada in legendary folk artist Valdy's band and sang "Fear of Flying" every night which led to the band, called The Hometown Band to be signed to A&M records. They had a hit with the song - then called "Flying" to avoid a lawsuit by Erica Jong who had just released her best selling book "Fear of Flying". Eventually Ulrich left the Pied Pumkin to tour and record with The Hometown Band full time and Scott and Mock continued touring and recording as The Pied Pear for another eight years.

The Pied Pumkin resumed touring in 1998 for ten years, releasing "Plucking DeVine" and "Pied Alive" and the award winning children's album "Pied Pumkids". Joe Mock resides in France and still returns to Canada on occasion for performances with The Pied Pumkin or Pied Pear.