Performers

Artist featured on Locals Stage sponsored by Salisbury University and the Fulton School of Liberal Arts at Salisbury University.

Blind Wind is an award-winning father/son duo featuring blind harmonica player Cole Moran.

Cole was born blind with a CHARGE-like syndrome. He has cognitive delays, apraxia of speech, and early onset scoliosis. Cole has undergone nine corrective surgeries for his scoliosis at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center.

Cole has had many challenges in his life. He did not walk until he was 2 and did not speak until he was 5 years old. Doctor appointments and surgeries in Baltimore became so frequent that the family moved from the beach to the city for 14 years, during which time Cole attended the Maryland School for the Blind. Before Cole was walking and talking, his parents realized he had great rhythm and pitch. While he was introduced to all types of music and instruments including the drums, guitar, piano and trumpet, Cole gravitated towards the harmonica for its small size and fiddle-like tones. Cole plays them upside down and is a quick study with new techniques and songs.

Cole’s father Frankie Moran is a professional musician, and by age 12, Cole was joining him onstage, quickly becoming the star of the show. They formed the father/son duo Blind Wind, and have since performed all over the U.S., sharing the stage with Blues Traveler and opening for many other acts, including LeAnn Rimes, Collective Soul, Joan Jett, Chris Janson and Trace Adkins.

Cole has been featured on Voice of America, NPR and countless local news outlets and publications. He’s also been a featured performer at HOHNER harmonica road shows. At the Berlin Fiddlers Convention, Blind Wind won the Adult Band category in 2015, and Cole won the Open Instrument (Harmonica) category in 2019. Cole is a two-time winner of the National Youth Scholarship Award for the Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica, in 2016 and 2018.

Cole’s musical style includes, but is not limited to, Americana, bluegrass, country, rock, blues and reggae. Some of his favorite artists and bands are Old Crow Medicine Show, Johnny Cash, Blues Traveler, Bob Marley and the Beatles, to name a few.

Cole’s interests include traveling, listening to music, playing music, swimming, hanging out with his family at the beach, and Disney World.

Blind Wind’s mission is to inspire the world, give confidence and break down social barriers, no matter what physical or mental disabilities one might have. Music is Cole’s life and he wants to share it with everyone.

Blind Wind is proudly endorsed by HOHNER harmonicas.