What happens when you combine a vocalist with a Masters in Musical Theatre and a guitarist with a Doctorate in Music for Guitar Performance and Literature, who both have a deep love of Jazz, Bossa Nova, and The Beatles? You get the base duo of Betsy and The Bears!
Betsy Baer and B.G. McPike originally met in 2011 during a professional production of Godspell. Thirteen years, a Masters Degree (Betsy), and over two decades as a professor on the Indiana State University Music Faculty (B.G., aka Brent) later, they reconnected at a Christmas concert in 2024, where Brent invited Betsy to join him and national mandolin champion, Solly Burton, on a New Year's Eve performance at the 12 Points Public Market in Terre Haute, IN.
The rest, as they say, is history!
Betsy and Brent form the duo, but add Eliot Crispin (on Bass) and you get Betsy and The Bears! Throw in Solly, and you get the full set. They also love to invite guest musicians when the opportunity arises; drummers, sax players, and even a violin or two have joined Betsy and The Bears on stage for a fun night full of great music!
