Artists
Chris Gantry's music was always stylistic fusion: his 1967 album debut Introspection sounded a little bit folk, a little bit pop and only a little bit country, with smooth melodies and verdant string charts. But the 60s were afoot, and by the time of Chris' second LP in 1970, Motor Mouth, his approach had radicalized into a wide-eyed, hard-edged delivery. The critics dug it, and Chris played on Johnny Cash's TV show, but the next Gantry record didn't appear for five more years.
On October 13th, longtime Pokey LaFarge sideman Ryan Koenig will take his long-anticipated step onto the center stage with the release of his debut album, Two Different Worlds, via St. Louis label Big Muddy Records.
Legendary singer/harmonica master Kim Wilson has gone back to the basics and old school Chicago blues for his exciting new CD, Blues and Boogie, Vol. 1, coming October 20 from Severn Records. Blues and Boogie, Vol. 1 was produced by Kim Wilson, with most tracks recorded and mixed by Nathan James at Sacred Cat Studios, Oceanside, California; except tracks 4 and 15 recorded by Big Jon at Big Tone Recording Studios, Hayward, California.
Drum legend and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Bill Bruford, best known for his work with YES, King Crimson, Genesis and his prolific solo career, is releasing the definitive boxed set “Bruford 1977-1980: Seems Like A Lifetime Ago.” Scheduled for release on Winterfold Records on October 28th, pre-orders are now being taken for the Limited Edition 8-disc set, which features unreleased, remixed or remastered material & a signed certificate.
WinterWonderGrass Festival, and Elephant Revival are teaming up with the Caravan Outpost to produce Caravan to WonderGrass—a unique one-day gathering for the whole family. Taking place in beautiful Ojai, California on Saturday, November 18th, Caravan to WonderGrass promises a simple, sustainable and inspired gathering of music, arts and community with an emphasis on supporting local artisans.
The world of bluegrass music has lost more than a double handful of its emblematic festivals in the past year, but with decades of family-friendly events from Florida to Virginia under his belt, one event producer is still going strong. Norman& Adams has produced over 200 events during 43 years as a bluegrass festival promoter, including one stretch where he presented Bill Monroe, the Father of Bluegrass, for 25 years in a row—and today, he’s still giving a platform to the top acts in bluegrass on a regular basis, averaging 10 festivals a year.
Cabinet is a band with roots firmly planted in the Appalachian tradition. They wear their influences like badges, honoring the canon of roots, bluegrass, country, and folk, weaving these sounds into a patchwork Americana quilt. But this music isn’t romanticizing or rehashing the past. Cabinet makes it mark on today. The steady aim of their harmonies soar straight onto target each time, the soaring vocals giving voice to the story of each song. Their music takes the long way home, treating its listeners like passengers on a ride through scenic back roads.
BMG has announced it will release legendary rockabilly and country music pioneer Wanda Jackson’s autobiography Every Night Is Saturday Night: A Country Girl’s Journey to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on November 14, 2017. The iconic performer known as the “Queen of Rockabilly” and the “First Lady of Rock & Roll” landed more than thirty singles on the country and pop charts between 1954 and 1974.
McCoury's Management confirmed on August 21st that Rob McCoury will be taking a sabbatical from The Travelin' McCourys. His last date was August 26th at the Moontower Festival. Rob, the youngest son of icon Del McCoury, was asked to participate in a unique pilot program, partially funded by String Cheese Incident's Billy Nershi, on the Polynesian influence on progressive string music. While not wildly known, the youngest McCoury is often referred to as a bit of a scholar. Knowledgeable not only of music history, but also instrument construction,
