There are a number of outdoor festival sites in the US that have that extra special 'something' that makes people come back year after year.  Florida has Spirit of the Suwanee Park, for example.  What usually sets a festival location apart, for me at least -- is a mix of breathtaking natural beauty, and of course -- the music.. But for me to come back year after year, it's gotta have a little something on top of that.. Something that's a little different.. Perhaps a bit comically-odd, at times. Something one can't quite verbalize.

Optimism permeates throughout Days to Recall, Justin Hines U.S. debut album to be released August 2^nd on Decca. The Canadian singer/songwriter’s collection of heartfelt songs about life and love showcase his considerable talents, and his will to overcome insurmountable obstacles.  The CD coincides with a PBS special of Hines in concert -- taped at Toronto’s Royal Cinema with special guests Ron Sexsmith, Natalie MacMaster, Donnell Leahy, Sierra Noble and The Canadian Tenors -- slated to air multiple times across the U.S. during Public Television’s August pledge drive.

Justin Hines has thrived all his life against odds that would daunt someone with a less indomitable spirit.  Hines has Larsen Syndrome, a joint dislocation condition that confines him to a wheelchair.   He admits his condition has provided challenges, but primarily sees the good it has brought him and the inspiration he can provide others.  “There have been so many blessings. It’s afforded me so many other opportunities. It’s a bit of an attention grabber,” he says. “But then my job is to keep people interested, and keep their attention with my music.”

Highlights on Days To Recall include the first single, the instantly catchy “Tell Me I’m Wrong,” a duet with fellow Canadian/actress Jill Hennessy on the plaintive, “Why Not Love Me” and the uplifting “Say What You Will.”  The latter track took on a life of its own after a South African video featuring the Most Rev. Dr. Desmond Tutu was used as part of a campaign to build 20 schools in 11 days.  Hines performed in South Africa this spring and saw the schools that will educate more than 22,000 students.

To hear “Tell Me I’m Wrong,” click here.

Music was integral throughout Justin’s young life.  He doesn’t remember it, but his mom tells him he wrote his first song when he was seven. In his late teens, he decided to teach himself how to play piano as a way to better express himself.  “I’d done a lot of writing with other people. The most frustrating thing was I could hear the song in my head, but I was relying on other people to write chords since I didn’t play anything,” he says.

Even though Justin grew up singing in church, the realization of pursuing his musical dreams happened at the most unlikely of places— at a Toronto Raptors’ basketball game in his hometown 15 years ago.  A then 14-year-old Justin won a vocal competition to sing the National Anthem at the game — both the Canadian and American -- and his world opened up before him. “In that moment, it all seemed possible,” he recalls. Thrown in the deep end, Hines has performed professionally ever since and realized he could not only survive, but succeed.

To watch the Justin Hines EPK click here.

For Great American Taxi and frontman Vince Herman, who grew up in West Virginia, fighting for social justice in Appalachia and calling for an end to mountaintop removal seems the natural thing to do.  According to a recent studypublished last week in the journal Environmental Research, a "significantly higher" rate of birth defects exists in babies born near mountaintop removal mining sites than those in non-mining areas. Mountaintop removal mining is a particularly environmentally destructive type of resource extraction that involves using explosives to blow the tops off of mountains to expose coal underneath the soil and rock.

So it’s no surprise that “Blair Mountain,” the aptly named title of the first single from the band’s forthcoming yet-to-be-titled new album (set for release this fall), premiered exclusively on the Sierra Club’s special public service call-to-action video, Battle for Blair Mountain. The song was recorded in May with Todd Snider producing. Master folk musician Tim O'Brien, a West Virginia native recently inducted into the WV Music Hall of Fame, plays banjo and fiddle on the track.

GAT is encouraging fans to download a free MP3 of “Blair Mountain” from the band’s website and get involved in restoring Blair Mountain to the National Register in support of the Sierra Club’s recently filed legal petition with the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection to make Blair Mountain off limits to mining.

“I wrote the song “Blair Mountain” to try and do my part to let people know about what we as working people stand to lose if Blair Mountain is destroyed,” said Herman. “As the grandson of a proud union miner, and former resident of the mountain state, this struggle connects deeply. The coal wars are not over in this country as whole communities are destroyed, water tables ruined and mountains bombed daily in what has become a national sacrifice zone to the interests of the coal companies. I hope that his song may help get us closer to ending the destruction of the most diverse forests in America.”

Great American Taxi continues its summer tour; June highlights included concerts with Barry Sless (Phil and Friends, David Nelson Band, Moonalice) at the Nelson Family Vineyards on 6/19, at the Hopmonk in Sebastopol on 6/22, and special guests New Monsoon in Santa Cruz on 6/23. More surprise guests will be announced for the Eldo in Crested Butte on 7/9 and GAT played with Todd Snider on 6/25 and 6/26.

Great American Taxi includes Vince Herman, Chad Staehly, guitarist Jim Lewin, bassist Brian Adams and drummer Chris Sheldon.

Now in its second year, Vail Soul Music Fest, together with iconic Urban publications EBONY and JET magazines, bring an authentic and stirring celebration of a rich and vibrant international music genre to the majestic natural backdrop of the Rocky Mountains.

As exclusive print media partners with Vail Soul Music Fest, EBONY and JET bring their powerful reach as the essential voice in Black America to more than 20 million consumers. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to partner with iconic publications EBONY and JET, who have been at the center of the urban soul scene for more than 60 years,“ said Vail Soul Music Festival producer Rhonda July.

EBONY and JET Group Publisher Stephen Gregory Barr said, “The Vail Soul Music Fest is a sanctuary for national and international soul music artists and fans. By positioning our legendary publications with this celebration of soul music and lifestyle, we hope that more people have the opportunity to experience it and be part of the movement.”

For the second annual Vail Soul Music Fest - happening August 19-20-21, 2011 at Vail, Colorado’s Ford Amphitheater – four-time Grammy nominee Ledisi, soul royalty Lalah Hathaway, and genre-bending Cuban singer-songwriter Alex Cuba top the bill during three days and two nights of music. Additional artists include British slam-champion poet and Floetry co-founder Natalie “The Floacist” Stewart, soul revival golden boy Ryan Shaw, and - back by popular demand - mighty R&B singer Liv Warfield, among many others. Visit www.vailsoulmusicfest.com for all the details.

Anticipated by those in the know as the only-of-its-kind in the state of Colorado, Vail Soul Music Fest offers a hand-picked mix of emerging and established artists - from the greatest R&B legends to ballad hit-makers to conscious hip-hop to neo soul artists from around the world. Vail Soul Music Fest is the face of the modern, multicultural soul revival. Vail Soul Music Fest is bringing the story of soul music back to the people, and it feels oh so good.

Indeed, Soul music’s stories of heart, truth, and transparency are more universal now than ever before. In this spirit, Vail Soul Music Fest is more than just a music event; it’s the ultimate soul experience. In addition to some of the best performers in the genre, Vail Soul Music Fest features three days and two nights of soulful cultural experiences including:

• Youth Day Music and Mentoring,
• “Soul Studio” featuring artist “Talk Back” sessions hosted by Hip Hop scholar Adam Bradley,
• A Spa and Fashion Sanctuary at Aria Spa at Vail Cascade Resort,
• Fan favorite the “Soul Stroll,” where participating bars and clubs along Vail’s Main Street are transformed to represent each decade of soul music and lifestyle,
• and much more.

Stay tuned for full details on Vail Soul Music Fest’s many unique experiences and offerings and visit www.vailsoulmusicfest.com for more information.

Soul music originates from depth of experience and lives in its ability to connect to others. Vail Soul Music Fest taps into that spirit – with an unparalleled alchemy of mood and grooves and a breathtaking natural backdrop with wide-open skies. A premier international mountain town destination on its own, Vail Soul Music Fest offers an intriguing excuse for Colorado city dwellers and out-of-state visitors alike to descend on Vail Village for an exceptional soul experience getaway. Says Rhonda July, “A lot of people ask – why Vail? It’s an awe-inspiring setting, and really lends to providing a truly unique experience void of distractions.” July continues, “Colorado is rated the 5th most prolific arts scene in the Country, and quite frankly is still lacking events in the soul genre, despite plenty of interest and support.” Vail Soul Music Fest is for Colorado’s many music savvy residents, and for music fans all over the country looking for an ultimate soul music experience. Come for the uplifting music, great company, tasty food choices, world-class spa facilities, a huge variety of outdoor activities, and so much more.

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LINEUP INFO:

The artist line-up for Vail Soul Music Fest is as follows:

Friday, August 19
Lalah Hathaway
Alex Cuba
Natalie Stewart
Lee England Jr.

Saturday, August 20
Ledisi
Ryan Shaw
Liv Warfield
Chaz Shepherd

Sunday, August 21

“Fan Appreciation Day” with artist meet & greets, free activities and experiences, free music events throughout town, and more.

Additional performers to be announced.

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TICKET INFO:
Tickets available at www.vailsoulmusicfest.com or at www.TicketHorse.com / 1-866-461-6556. Local Vail Residents can purchase through the Ford Amphitheater Box Office

Vail Soul Music Fest, happening August 19-20-21, 2011 at Ford Amphitheater in the majestic mountains of Vail, Colorado, today announces its artist lineup.

Four time Grammy nominee, Ledisi, soul royalty Lalah Hathaway, and genre-bending Cuban singer-songwriter Alex Cuba top the bill during three days and two nights of music. Additional artists include British slam-champion poet and Floetry co-founder Natalie “The Floacist” Stewart, soul revival golden boy Ryan Shaw, and - back by popular demand - mighty R&B singer Liv Warfield, among many others. The full day-by-day lineup is included below. Additional performers will be announced soon for the 2nd annual Vail Soul Music Fest on August 19-20-21 at Ford Amphitheater.

Anticipated by those in the know as the only-of-its-kind in the country, Vail Soul Music Fest is an authentic and stirring celebration of a rich and vibrant international music genre. Offering a hand-picked mix of emerging and established artists - from the greatest R&B legends to ballad hit-makers to conscious hip-hop to neo soul artists from around the world – Vail Soul Music Fest is the face of the modern, multicultural soul revival. Vail Soul Music Fest is bringing the story of soul music back to the people, and it feels oh so good.

“The Vail Soul Music Fest is a sanctuary for national and international soul music artists and fans,“ says Soul Music Festival producer Rhonda July. “By celebrating soul music and lifestyle, which is the inspiration for so many popular American art forms, Vail Soul Music Fest hopes to preserve the authenticity and relevance of the genre, and nurture its always-evolving and ever-important role in music and culture. It’s an exciting time for soul music, and we’re making sure people have the opportunity to experience it and be part of the movement.”

Indeed, Soul music’s stories of heart, truth, and transparency are more universal now than ever before. In this spirit, Vail Soul Music Fest is more than just a music event; it’s the ultimate soul experience. In addition to some of the best performers in the genre, Vail Soul Music Fest features three days and two nights of soulful cultural experiences including Youth Day Music and Mentoring, a “Soul Studio” featuring artist “Talk Back” sessions hosted by African American scholar Adam Bradley, a Spa and Fashion Sanctuary at Aria Spa at Vail Cascade Resort, fan favorite the “Soul Stroll,” where participating bars and clubs along Vail’s Main Street are transformed to represent each decade of soul music and lifestyle, and much more. Stay tuned for full details on Vail Soul Music Fest’s many unique experiences and offerings and visit www.vailsoulmusicfest.com for more information.

Soul music originates from depth of experience and lives in its ability to connect to others. Vail Soul Music Fest taps into that spirit – with an unparalleled alchemy of mood and grooves and a breathtaking natural backdrop with wide-open skies. A premier international mountain town destination on its own, Vail Soul Music Fest offers an intriguing excuse for Colorado city dwellers and out-of-state visitors alike to descend on Vail Village for an exceptional soul experience getaway. Says Rhonda July, “A lot of people ask – why Vail? It’s an awe-inspiring setting, and really lends to providing a truly unique experience void of distractions.” July continues, “Colorado is rated the 5th most prolific arts scene in the Country, and quite frankly is still lacking events in the soul genre, despite plenty of interest and support.” Vail Soul Music Fest is for Colorado’s many music savvy residents, and for music fans all over the country looking for an ultimate soul music experience. Come for the uplifting music, great company, tasty food choices, world-class spa facilities, a huge variety of outdoor activities, and so much more.

Look for a very special “Road to Vail” event at Denver’s Soiled Dove on Wednesday, June 8. Details coming soon.

LINEUP INFO:

The artist line-up for Vail Soul Music Fest is as follows:

Friday, August 19
Lalah Hathaway
Alex Cuba
Natalie Stewart
Lee England Jr.

Saturday, August 20
Ledisi
Ryan Shaw
Liv Warfield
Chaz Shepherd

Sunday, August 21
“Fan Appreciation Day” with artist meet & greets, free activities and experiences, free music events throughout town, and more.

Additional performers to be announced.

TICKET INFO:
Tickets available at www.vailsoulmusicfest.com or at www.TicketHorse.com / 1-866-461-6556. Local Vail Residents can purchase through the Ford Amphitheater Box Office