Blue Star Juniper was formed by chance in September of 2022. While the days got shorter and the weather got colder, Craig Young (guitar) and Andrea Monro (banjo) met and realized that the music they could make together would be memorable and profound. They play Newfoundland influenced country folk music, sharing lead vocals and harmonies.
Craig Young hails from the southwest coast of Newfoundland and Labrador. Craig’s guitar playing career has spanned decades and countries. From the age of three, Craig was enthralled with the guitar, as he watched his dad play heartfelt music while gripping the leg of the table. Learning to play at the age of 7, Craig did his first gig at the age of ten in rural Newfoundland where he was born. A lifetime of guitar playing has created a story woven with lyrics and guitar as told in a simple baritone voice with dynamic flatpicking.
Andrea Monro comes from the rocky east coast of Newfoundland and Labrador. She was raised by music lovers, and grew up singing in choirs and hiding out under the piano while her father and brother played everything from Franz Liszt to Scott Joplin. Under the guidance and encouragement of Newfoundlands legendary songwriter Ron Hynes, she learned to play guitar and started writing songs. She has performed all over Canada and in Europe, and can be heard singing and playing banjo on the albums of many local artist. Andrea’s ability to interpret a song and tell a story has made her a favourite among the St. John’s music scene.
The first single from Blue Star Juniper is titled “St Jones Within” , a song written by Craig about a little town in Newfoundland. Craig and Andrea share the vocals, and Maria Cherwick(fiddle) and Josh Ward(acoustic bass) round out the recording