Sun, 03/06/2005 - 11:37 am
Sun, 03/06/2005 - 11:42 am
Fri, 03/25/2005 - 4:14 pm

Hookahville, the Ohio festival institution celebrating its 11th year as a production, has confirmed the lineup for the Spring event Friday and Saturday, May 28-29 at Frontier Ranch Music Center in Kirkersville, Ohio.  Hosted by the Columbus, Ohio group, ekoostik hookah and their two nights of headlining shows, the two-day music and camping event features the talents of veterans of the improvisational music world, as well as some of the top younger talent the scene has to offer.

This year's lineup crosses genre boundaries blending talents of roots music to the diverse new school funk sounds. Saturday begins with the 'newgrass' of the Sam Bush Band, switches gears for Particle's 'space porn funk', takes a left turn at reggae with the seminal group The Wailers. Once the sun sets on Hookahville the lighting talents of Chris Kuroda, formerly the lighting director for Phish, will light up the stage each night.

Sunday afternoon's music begins with the 'high and lonesome' sound of Dr. Ralph Stanley and His Clinch Mountain Boys and takes a turn at the Big Easy for the driving, swamp funk of New Orleans' Galactic. Soul and steel meet at the crossroads when pedal steel virtuoso Robert Randolph and the Family Band take over for a mid-afternoon slot. Festival hosts ekoostik hookah close out each night.

Frontier Ranch's Historic Bluegrass Stage, which in its heyday had featured the old time sounds of Bill Monroe, Del McCoury, Earl Scruggs, and other bluegrass greats, will feature late night music both nights following the main stage performances. Drew Emmitt Band (of Leftover Salmon) will be jamming late night on both Saturday and Sunday nights. Multi-instrumentalist Brandon Creasman will act as late night emcee and strummer. Friday night Early Bird camping will feature music by Mike Perkins (of the Shantee).

Tickets for Hookahville are available now for $70 in advance (through April 30), $80 through Ticketmaster (May 1 - 28), and $90 at the gate. Sunday only tickets are available at the gate only for $55.  Early bird camping is available beginning Friday at 4 p.m. for an additional $25 fee, with paid festival admission.

Hookahville has designated camping areas for the handicapped, families and those with children; children 10 and under are admitted free, and the festival is an all ages event.  Camping is included in the price of admission, with primitive camping services available, bathrooms, medical staff, water are provided. Vendors are set up offering various cuisines as well as a wide variety of merchandise.

For more information on Hookahville, its history, photos, venue information, directions, and links to purchase tickets visit: http://www.hookahville.com.

Main Stage: Saturday May 28
12 PM-1:30 PM: Sam Bush Band
2 PM-3:30 PM: Particle
4 PM-6 PM: The Wailers
7 PM-11 PM: ekoostik hookah

Main Stage: Sunday May 29
12 PM-1:30 PM: Ralph Stanley and His Clinch Mountain Boys
2 PM-3:30 PM: Galactic
4 PM-6 PM: Robert Randolph & the Family Band
7 PM-11 PM: ekoostik hookah

Sat, 04/16/2005 - 11:54 am

The 10,000 Lakes Festival is proud to announce the complete list of performers for its third annual event, scheduled for July 21-24 at the scenic Soo Pass Ranch in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. In addition to two nights of festival headliners Widespread Panic and former Phish guitarist/front man Trey Anastasio, the event features two dozen other artists performing in a wide range of musical styles.

The artist lineup for the 10,000 Lakes Festival includes:
-Widespread Panic (2 nights)
-Trey Anastasio

-The Black Crows
-Les Claypoole
-Rusted Root
-G Love & Special Sauce
-Dark Star Orchestra
-Particle
-The Everyone Orchestra featuring Steve Kimock
-Sound Tribe Sector 9
-Jazz Mandolin Project
-Cyro Baptista & Beat The Donkey
-MOFRO
-Perpetual Groove
-Mr. Blotto
-The Breakfast
-Green Lemon
-Signal Path
-Delta Nove
-ALO
-Bump
-Trampled By Turtles
-Fat Maw Rooney
-Hooch
-God Johnson
-New Primitives
-Heiruspecs


Bands will perform on four stages, including the Barn Stage on a shady hill overlooking the concert bowl, the Field Stage where the audience can spread out and soak up some sun, the Saloon Stage for intimate concerts and late night jams, and the Main Stage where everyone gathers in the evening for the major concerts featuring Widespread Panic and Trey Anastasio.

Multi-Day Tickets starting at $110 and VIP Packages are available now through the festival website(http://www.10klf.com/tickets ).

All independent bands are invited to send in music submissions for the 10KLF Cosmic Break Competition and be one of three bands to land a festival performance slot. Thirty bands out of the qualified entries received will be selected to participate in the Cosmic Break Competition and be placed into the 10KLF Cosmic Break Voting Booth online at the festival website.

Three bands will be named Cosmic Break winners and perform at this summer's 10,000 Lakes Festival. The winners will be chosen based on the number of votes received in the online Voting Booth and the opinions of our industry professionals. Complete competition rules, submission information, deadlines and details are online (http://www.10klf.com/cosmic_break.php).

The Cosmic Break Competition is sponsored by Onlinegigs.com (http://www.onlinegigs.com) giving musicians and managers a convenient, online music industry directory solution to take control of their music careers. Each band that applies for the Cosmic Break Competition receives a six month Onlinegigs.com subscription and the three Cosmic Break winners a complimentary full year.

The event ticket price includes all band performances and camping under the stars adjacent to the most beautiful outdoor concert venue in the nation. The 10,000 Lakes Festival held at the 600-acre Soo Pass Ranch in beautiful Northern Minnesota contains numerous campgrounds, built specifically for people to enjoy their camping experience in a spacious, friendly and comfortable setting.

Festival-goers can relax in beautiful Lake Sallie Campground with over 3,000 feet of shoreline or settle into the magnificent forest of the Northwoods campground. VIP Camping is located directly behind the Main Stage. The campgrounds are well groomed with permanent roads and real showers and are suitable for virtually any kind of camping vehicle. Every campground is within easy walking distance of the concert site.

Modern amenities on site include clean, permanent restrooms facilities with running water; additionally, internet access and a wide variety of high quality food and beverages will be available.

Continuing the festival's commitment to community, the 10,000 Lakes Festival is partnering with Conscious Alliance (http://www.consciousalliance.org), a non-profit group which organizes food drives nationally at concerts and music festivals to benefit impoverished Indian Reservations across the greater western United States. Festival patrons are encouraged to contribute non-perishable food items at the event; those who donate 10 or more canned goods will receive a free, limited-edition 10,000 Lakes Festival poster. Collection bins will be located just outside the festival field entrance.

In addition to the canned food drive, the 10,000 Lakes Festival will contribute a portion of each ticket sold to benefit the Rex Foundation(http://www.rexfoundation.org), a non-profit, charitable organization established in 1983 by friends and members of the Grateful Dead. The Rex Foundation proactively provides extensive community support to creative endeavors in the arts, sciences, and education and has furnished over $7 million in grants to hundreds of organizations since 1984.

Official 10,000 Lakes Festival website: http://www.10klf.com

Sun, 04/24/2005 - 11:52 am

There are very few treasures that arrive with a battered acoustic guitar and open up the windows on basic lives with passion and grace. But when John Prine hits the road, the darkest corners and smallest joys get illuminated by the light of his gravelly, utterly American voice, his way with the plainest of language and the vintage Guild and Martin guitars he plays.

It's when you take these songs out and play them for people that you really get to know 'em," says the Chicago-born and -raised musician. "And it's funny. When we went in to make this record, some of the songs, because we'd been doing them live already, were just so comfortable to record. They were like old buddies almost. That's what I like about performing, beyond the actual performing.

And this year, the celebration of life's forgotten moments begins at the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium in Asheville, North Carolina on April 8. The tour - which is currently booked through May - will extend through the summer and take the Grammy-winning singer/songwriter to all the places people traditionally gather to hear his tales of distinctly common people and ruminations on the fragile, yet tender beauty of life, love and loneliness.

We're gonna have Keb Mo on some of the shows," says Prine of his musical companions. "And we're gonna bring Leon Redbone out for a bunch of the other shows. That's all part of what we're trying to figure out. It's just a matter of making the details work.

Prine will tour again this year with two pieces behind him - along with all the classic Prine favorites fans expect: "Sam Stone," "Hello In There," "Angel From Montgomery," "Paradise," "The Speed of the Sound of Loneliness" as well as songs from Prine's forthcoming Fair & Square, due in-stores on April 26. Certainly songs like "Some Humans Ain't Human," "Other Side of Town" and "My Darling Hometown" have been making friends everywhere they're played.

Fair & Square marks the first album of Prine original material - in addition to Blaze Foley's "Clay Pigeons" and A.P. Carter's "Bear Creek Blues" - in 9 years. With guest appearances by Mindy Smith and Allison Krauss, it's Prine's usual mix'n'match batch of vintage American styles - ranging from sultry shuffles to finger-picked narratives to molten jukebox weepers. "I don't know what exactly I've been doing all this time, though I have been out playing dates. There's something about the road - you start doing it, sometimes, and you forget about making records," confesses the wry songwriter. "This year, though, I'm gonna do both. I can't wait."

Mon, 04/25/2005 - 1:20 am
Mon, 06/06/2005 - 11:03 am

The 10,000 Lakes Festival is proud to announce the complete list of performers for its third annual event, scheduled for July 21-24 at the scenic Soo Pass Ranch in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. In addition to two nights of festival headliners Widespread Panic and former Phish guitarist/front man Trey Anastasio, the event features over two dozen other artists performing in a wide range of musical styles.

Bands will perform on four stages, including the Barn Stage on a shady hill overlooking the concert bowl, the Field Stage where the audience can spread out and soak up some sun, the Saloon Stage for intimate concerts and late night jams, and the Main Stage where everyone gathers in the evening for the major concerts featuring Widespread Panic and Trey Anastasio. Unique to a festival this size, there will be no overlapping sets so every patron may actually catch each band's performance during the weekend without having to choose between two favorite acts.

 

--

The artist lineup for the 10,000 Lakes Festival includes:

Widespread Panic (2 nights)
Trey Anastasio
The Black Crowes
Les Claypool
Rusted Root
G Love & Special Sauce
Dark Star Orchestra
Particle
The Everyone Orchestra featuring Steve Kimock
Sound Tribe Sector 9
Buckethead
Jazz Mandolin Project
Cyro Baptista & Beat The Donkey
MOFRO
Perpetual Groove
Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey
The Breakfast
Green Lemon
Signal Path
Delta Nove
ALO
Gabby La La
Grace Potter & The Nocturnals
Sue Foley
Bump
Bockman
Trampled By Turtles
Fat Maw Rooney
Hooch
God Johnson
New Primitives
Mr. Blotto
Turbine
White Iron Band
Down Lo

Multi-Day Tickets starting at $75 (for music only, and do not include camping) are available now through the festival website: www.10klf.com. A three day music and camping pass from July 22 - July 24 is $120, a four day music and camping pass from July 21 - July 24 is $135, and VIP passes which includes the Thursday night pre-party concert with Dark Star Orchestra, a 10KLF Folding Camp Chair, VIP concert area seating, acces to the VIP Bar & Chill Lounge, 3 VIP picnic meal tix, 6 beverage tickets (pop/water/beer), special restroom and shower facilities are $295 per person.

The event ticket price includes all band performances and camping under the stars adjacent to one of the most beautiful outdoor concert venue in the nation. The 10,000 Lakes Festival held at the 600-acre Soo Pass Ranch in beautiful Northern Minnesota contains numerous campgrounds, built specifically for people to enjoy their camping experience in a spacious, friendly and comfortable setting.

Festival-goers can relax in beautiful Lake Sallie Campground with over 3,000 feet of shoreline or settle into the magnificent trees of the Northwoods campground. VIP Camping is located directly behind the Main Stage. The campgrounds are well groomed with permanent roads and real showers and are suitable for virtually any kind of camping vehicle. Every campground is within easy walking distance of the concert site.

Modern amenities on site include clean, permanent restrooms facilities with running water, internet access and a wide variety of high quality food and beverages will be available.

Continuing the festival's commitment to community, the 10,000 Lakes Festival is partnering with Conscious Alliance, a non-profit group which organizes food drives nationally at concerts and music festivals to benefit impoverished Indian Reservations across the greater western United States. Festival patrons are encouraged to contribute non-perishable food items at the event. Those who donate 10 or more canned goods will receive a free, limited-edition 10,000 Lakes Festival poster. Collection bins will be located just outside the festival field entrance.

In addition to the canned food drive, the 10,000 Lakes Festival will contribute a portion of each ticket sold to benefit the Rex Foundation, a non-profit, charitable organization established in 1983 by friends and members of the Grateful Dead. The Rex Foundation proactively provides extensive community support to creative endeavors in the arts, sciences, and education and has furnished over $7 million in grants to hundreds of organizations since 1984.

For detailed artist information and to purchase tickets visit: www.10klf.com.

Brief Information on the Top 10,000 Lakes Festival Artists:

Widespread Panic: Sextet from Athens, Georgia, formed in 1983, fusing Southern rock influences, described by the Village Voice as "crunching riffs, jazzy filigrees, and swaggering Americana."

Trey Anastasio: Guitarist, composer, songwriter, Trey Anastasio has a long list of appropriate titles rivaled only by the list of his musical accomplishments including co-founding the seminal improvisational rock band, Phish, in 1983.

The Black Crowes: At the time of their 1990 debut, the kind of rock & roll the Black Crowes specialize in was out of style. Vocalist Chris Robinson appropriates the sound and style of vintage blues vocals while guitarist Rich Robinson fuses classic rock without slavishly imitating their influences. The multi-platinum selling group is back from a hiatus with a full tour schedule and intense energy.

Les Claypool: The most original rock bassist to come along in the '90s was unquestionably Primus' Les Claypool. With his oddball sense of humor and funky playing, Claypool took his varied musical influences and created an invigorating and completely inventive style.

G. Love & Special Sauce: G. Love and Special Sauce take their cues from many musicians including John Lee Hooker, Bob Dylan and De La Soul.

Rusted Root: The Pittsburgh sextet evolved from a single cell into a musical organism of quintessential essence, monumental substance and vast appeal. Its fourth record, Welcome to My Party, is a further, astonishing progression; a distillation of chops and songwriting finesse revealing a distinct musical force.

Dark Star Orchestra: Each night, the Chicago-based band decides on performing one show from the 2,500 that the Grateful Dead performed during their 30 year tenure as fathers of improvisational rock. As a chamber orchestra interprets Bach or Mozart, Dark Star Orchestra presents the complete original Grateful Dead set list, song by song, and in order, recreating historic music with uncanny faithful interpretation.

Particle: Since forming in the fall of 2000, Particle has enjoyed a transcendental rise on the national music scene. The instrumental quartet's trademark 'funktronic' sounds combine elements of electronica, funk, and good ol' rock and roll.

Everyone Orchestra featuring Steve Kimock: The Everyone Orchestra is a revolving cast of stellar musicians who come together to showcase their craft, improvise, and raise funds and awareness for environmental and philanthropic projects. Legendary guitarist Steve Kimock joins the improvisational mix at the 10,000 Lakes Festival.

Sound Tribe Sector 9 (STS9): STS9 blends layered sonic landscapes, developed melodic movements, and deep groove sensibilities. The music is simultaneously progressive and retrospective, drawing from the core creative values of the jazz greats and the funk-soul innovators while utilizing modern advancements in music production.

The Jazz Mandolin Project: Jamie Masefield formed the group of ever-changing musicians to give himself the opportunity to do what he loved, to play jazz on the mandolin. The premise was that it wouldn't be looked at as a strict jazz gig but a session where the musicians would play whatever moved them, no matter what genre it took them to.

Cyro Baptista & Beat The Donkey: Beat the Donkey is a high energy musical carnival of untamed drummers and dizzying dancers performing with jaw dropping precision including individuals from the U.S., Israel, Europe, Asia, and Brazil. The New York Times has called it "wild, vivid entertainment" and Time Out New York noted it as "a most unforgettable spectacle."

Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey: Hailing from Tulsa, Oklahoma, Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey's career has spanned over a decade, while a relentless touring schedule has earned them one of the youngest and most devout audiences in improvisational music, while focusing their ability to improvise as a unit to near telepathic proportions.

MOFRO: Rootsy southern soul blends with rock 'n' roll when MOFRO takes the stage. Melding diverse styles with a traditional Southern feel, many of the band's songs revolve around environmental issues facing Florida's wildlife and ecology.

Wed, 06/29/2005 - 3:10 pm

Greetings Friends,

It's with great pride & excitement that we are now able to announce that we've been welcomed back to the Town of Duanesburg to join our friends at the Indian Lookout Country Club to celebrate the 10th Annual Gathering of the Vibes, August 12, 13 & 14, 2005!

What a long, strange trip the last 10 years have been for all of us. Most of you know this, but for those who may not, I'd like to shed a little light. After Jerry died, San Francisco hosted a beautiful tribute in Golden Gate Park. On the East Coast, a proposal to hold a similar gathering in New York's Central Park was denied by the NYC Park's Commission. The City's reason for declining was the significant cost in providing Police, EMS & Clean Up Crews.

After this was made public, Terrapin & Duprees Diamond News set out to find a space where the Deadhead Community could join together and celebrate the life of Jerry Garcia, his music and the love that we collectively share. Memorial Day, 1996, "Deadhead Heaven: A Gathering of the Tribe" was born. SUNY-Purchase College hosted this heartwarming gathering. In 1997, at the magnificent Croton Point Park, Deadhead Heaven evolved into the Gathering of the Vibes.

So 10 years later, as we move forward with Vibes 2005, we just wanted to let you know that Jerry is very much in our thoughts, and this year we're proud to show tribute to the man who has inspired us all, on so many levels.

Thank you VibeTribe for your love, encouragement and continued commitment to keeping the Gathering of the Vibes alive. Hope you're all as excited as we are! Please stay in touch as the 10th Annual Gathering of the Vibes comes around the bend!

Ken & the Terrapin Family

Sat, 07/02/2005 - 2:05 am

Such a Grateful place for die-hard Garcia fans to be Gathering! We're so happy and grateful to announce that we will be having our 5th outdoor music and camping get together this summer! The "Grateful Garicia Gathering" will be returning back to the beautiful "NCN-North Campground" on July 29th through August 1st 2005, in beautiful Black River Falls Wisconsin.

This mellow gathering will be the same weekend of Jerry Garcia's Birthday, plus it marks the 10th Anniversary of Jerry's untimely passing. This is going to be a very deeply humble, and special time for camping and gathering with friends of old and new! The 3G's will be a mix of wonderful Jams by some of the best JamBands in the Midwest to rock your soul.

The Grateful Garcia Gathering just wouldn't be complete without a musical cohort and personal friend of Jerry's to be part of the festivities. Melvin Seals, the longtime vocalist and organist of the "Jerry Garcia Band" and JGB, will headline for *TWO JAM'N NIGHTS* on July 29th & 30th. Melvin Seals remained with the "Jerry Garcia Band" longer than any other keyboardist. He was with the band from 1977 until the untimely passing of Jerry in 1995.

Bringing the Festival to a new level this year will be our Host Frank "Jerry" Chavez. So don't miss the bus this summer!

For more information, please contact: Tim Kotenburg and/or visit: GratefulGarciaGathering.com

Sat, 07/02/2005 - 2:16 am
Mon, 08/22/2005 - 1:52 am
Tue, 02/21/2006 - 9:37 pm

The 4th Annual 10,000 Lakes Festival (10KLF) will open its gates July 19-22, 2006 at the scenic Soo Pass Ranch in Detroit Lakes, MN for four special days of live musical performances and campout experiences in the Minnesota North Woods.

10,000 Lakes Festival's current line-up includes:

• Trey Anastasio
• The String Cheese Incident
• Keller Williams Incident (with String Cheese Incident)
• O.A.R. (...Of A Revolution)
• Keller Williams (Solo)
• Umphrey's McGee
• The Benevento/Russo Duo featuring Mike Gordon
• Medeski, Martin & Wood
• Tea Leaf Green
• Big Head Todd & The Monsters
• Hot Buttered Rum
• Wood Brothers
• WookieFoot
• The Big Wu
• The Mutaytor
• New Primitives
• Fat Maw Rooney
• Trampled By Turtles
• Backyard Tire Fire
• Moses Mayes
• Hooch

Additional artists will be announced in the coming weeks. Visit www.10KLF.com for a complete list of performers.

The 10,000 Lakes Festival community comes together once a year to celebrate great music in an enchanting natural setting within a participatory, dynamic festival environment. In 2005, the Minneapolis Star Tribune admired that the 10,000 Lakes Festival was "filled with thousands of good vibes." Jambase.com calls 10KLF "gold from the North Country." The Star Tribune continues "Even the musicians are impressed by the fest site." Jon Bell, singer/guitarist with Widespread Panic told the Star Tribune backstage at 10KLF in 2005, "There's room to move and lots of friendliness and not too crazy. It's a very open vibe. You can't create that."

Dotting the spacious festival and campgrounds are 4 stages showcasing the 40+ bands performing on the Barn Stage, a shady hill overlooking the concert bowl, the open air Field Stage, the Saloon Stage for intimate concerts and late night jams, and the Main Stage where everyone gathers in the evening for the headliners' concerts featuring Trey Anastasio, The String Cheese Incident and more.

Additionally, independent and unsigned bands will have the opportunity to perform at the festival through the 'Cosmic Break' competition. Please visit the festival website after March 1 for information on how a band may submit materials for consideration to perform the 10,000 Lakes Festival.

Show Details:
Wednesday, July 19 – Saturday, July 22, 2006
Soo Pass Ranch
25526 Cty Hwy 22
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501

Tickets are available online at www.10klf.com or by calling 800-493-3378

Advance General Admission Music & Camping Tickets are $120

VIP Ticket Packages are $350 per person and are available for a premium music and camping experience. Each VIP Ticket includes 2 meals per day Thu-Sat, 10KLF camping chair, 6 drink tickets, access to the backstage VIP lounge, and VIP seating section at the Main Stage.

Each General Admission and VIP ticket covers camping and all music from Wednesday, July 19 through Sunday, July 23.

For non-camping music enthusiasts, there are 3-Day Music Only tickets available for $75 which include music Thurs. 7/20 - Sat. 7/22

1-Day Music Only: $50
Any day | Wed. 7/19 - Sat. 7/22

Children 12 and under are admitted at no charge with their parent's paid admission.

All listed artists have confirmed their appearance at the 10,000 Lakes Festival; however, artists are subject to change without notice. Tickets are available at the Official 10,000 Lakes Festival website: www.10KLF.com or by calling 800-493-3378 and at Ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations and MusicToday outlets.

Official 10,000 Lakes Festival website: www.10klf.com

Tue, 02/21/2006 - 9:55 pm

The Grateful Dead's Donna Jean Godchaux and The Zen Tricksters, the pre-eminent jam-rock band, have come together. While having performed on occasion with the Zen Tricksters in the past, this reunion marks the second time Donna Jean has joined with this band for a complete performance. The first time was just last November 12, 2005 for the Grateful Dead's Rex Foundation. They are joining forces, along with Mookie Siegel (David Nelson Band, Phil Lesh & Friends) on keyboards and Wendy Lanter (Hope in Time) on vocals, as KETTLE JOE'S PSYCHEDELIC SWAMP REVUE. The founder of The Zen Tricksters, Jeff Mattson (a former Phil & Friends participant) states, "concert goers can expect to hear original material from Donna Jean as well as The Zen Tricksters, plus some classic Grateful Dead & Garcia Band tunes from Donna's tenure with these bands." Donna Jean adds, "The Zen Tricksters and I are excited to join together in a collaborative musical expression that we hope is as enjoyable for the audience as it is for us! When we teamed up in New York City last November, we immediately realized that playing together was something we wanted to pursue further. Our new band that we affectionately call Kettle Joe's Psychedelic Swamp Revue will hit the road soon with some fun, eclectic music!"

Kettle Joe's Psychedelic Swamp Revue will initially be

APPEARING @ RIVER STREET JAZZ CAFE (Plains, PA) March 31 st

APPEARING @ MEXICALI BLUES (Teaneck, NJ) APRIL 1 st

Shows will be added throughout the Spring and Summer, including a West Coast stint.

For more information, see www.zentricksters.com or contact Randi Mattson

Tue, 02/21/2006 - 10:14 pm

The "Grateful Garicia Gathering" will be returning back to the beautiful "Camp NCN" on August 4th, 5th, & 6th 2006, in beautiful Black River Falls Wisconsin. This mellow gathering will be a celebration of Jerry Garcia's Birthday, plus the 11th Annivesary of Jerrys untimely passing. This is going to be a very deeply humble, and special time for camping and gathering with friends of old and new! The 3G's will be a mix of wonderful Jams by some of the best JamBands in the Midwest to rock your soul.

The Grateful Garcia Gathering just wouldn't be complete without a musical cohort and personal friend of Jerry's to be part of the festivities. Melvin Seals, the longtime vocalist and organist of the "Jerry Garcia Band" and JGB, will headline for *TWO JAM'N NIGHTS* on Aug. 4th & 5th. Melvin Seals remained with the "Jerry Garcia Band" longer than any other keyboardist. He was with the band from 1977 until the untimely passing of Jerry in 1995. So don't miss the bus this summer! We're also very happy and proud to announce that we will be donating $1.00 per ticket sold to support and help kids from all walks of life and religions at beautiful "Camp Gray" in Reedsburg, Wisconsin! Please visit their wonderful web site to learn more about the fun times to be had at beautiful Camp Gray!

Fri, 02/24/2006 - 2:23 pm
Thu, 03/23/2006 - 5:23 pm

Phil Lesh & Friends joins an already jam-packed lineup of artists for a headlining performance at the 4th Annual 10,000 Lakes Festival (10KLF) July 19-22, 2006 at the Soo Pass Ranch in Detroit Lakes, MN.

The perfect addition to 10KLF's rich musical diversity, former Grateful Dead bassist and his band, Phil Lesh & Friends, perform on the Main Stage Friday, July 21, joining festival headliners Trey Anastasio on July 22 and The String Cheese Incident on July 20.

Drawing from a pool full of talented national, regional, and emerging acts, the 10,000 Lakes Festival seeks to be the nation's premier music and camping festival destination. Enjoying the scene's top performers within the stunning natural beauty of clear lakes and spacious, wooded campgrounds provides all attendees an unparalleled festival experience.

Recent artist additions to the 10,000 Lakes Festival include:
• Phil Lesh & Friends
• The Everyone Orchestra
• Railroad Earth
• Garaj Mahal
• Shooter Jennings and more

The 10,000 Lakes Festival's line-up includes Trey Anastasio, The String Cheese Incident, Keller Williams Incident (performing with The String Cheese Incident), O.A.R. (...Of A Revolution); Keller Williams (solo), Umphrey's McGee, The Benevento/Russo Duo featuring Mike Gordon, Medeski, Martin & Wood, Big Head Todd & The Monsters, and Hot Buttered Rum.

Additional acts include Great American Taxi featuring Vince Herman of Leftover Salmon, Tea Leaf Green, Wood Brothers, WookieFoot, The Big Wu, The Mutaytor, Fat Maw Rooney, New Primitives, Freshwater Collins, Benzos, Green Lemon, Down Lo, White Iron Band, GypsyFoot, Trampled By Turtles, Backyard Tire Fire, Moses Mayes, Hooch, and Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank. The full lineup is available at www.10klf.com.

Independent and unsigned bands now have the opportunity to perform at the festival through the 'Cosmic Break' competition. The 10KLF Cosmic Break Tour showcases emerging artists through a series of regional events during April and May. One band from each city's event moves on to perform at the 10,000 Lakes Festival. Thirteen bands will receive a paid performance slot at 10KLF and prize packages, including a potential endorsement from D'Addario Strings and Evans Drumheads. Interested artists may apply and get more information at www.CosmicBreakTour.com.

The 10,000 Lakes Festival community comes together once a year to celebrate great music in an enchanting natural setting within a participatory, dynamic festival environment. In 2005, the Minneapolis Star Tribune admired that the 10,000 Lakes Festival was "filled with thousands of good vibes." Jambase.com calls 10KLF "old from the North Country." The Star Tribune continues "Even the musicians are impressed by the fest site." Backstage at 10KLF, Jon Bell, singer/guitarist with Widespread Panic told the Tribune "There's room to move and lots of friendliness and not too crazy. It's a very open vibe. You can't create that."



Dotting the spacious festival and camp grounds are four stages showcasing the 40+ bands performing on the Barn Stage, a shady hill overlooking the concert bowl; the open air Field Stage; the Saloon Stage for intimate concerts and late night jams; and the Main Stage where everyone gathers in the evening for the headliners' concerts featuring Phil Lesh & Friends, Trey Anastasio, The String Cheese Incident and more.

10,000 Lakes Festival Show Details:
Wednesday, July 19 – Saturday, July 22, 2006
Soo Pass Ranch
25526 Cty Hwy 22
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501

Tickets and more information is available at www.10KLF.com or call 800-493-3378

Advance General Admission Music & Camping Tickets are $120. Limited tickets are available at this price range and the festival ticket cost will increase in the coming weeks.

VIP Ticket Packages are $350 per person and are available for a premium music and camping experience. Each VIP Ticket includes 2 meals per day Thu-Sat, a 10KLF camping chair, 6 drink tickets, access to the backstage VIP lounge, and access to the special VIP seating section at the Main Stage.

Each General Admission and VIP ticket covers camping and all music from Wednesday, July 19 through Sunday, July 23.

For non-camping music enthusiasts, there are 3-Day Music Only tickets available for $75 which include music Thurs. 7/20 - Sat. 7/22

1-Day Music Only: $50
Any day | Wed. 7/19 - Sat. 7/22

Children 12 and under are admitted at no charge with their parent's paid admission.

All listed artists have confirmed their appearance at the 10,000 Lakes Festival; however, artists are subject to change without notice. Tickets are available at the Official 10,000 Lakes Festival website www.10KLF.com or by calling 800-493-3378 and are also available at Ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations and MusicToday outlets.

Thu, 05/11/2006 - 2:12 pm

The Oriental Theater to Host Meniskus and Fraga on Saturday, May 26. Denver, CO.

One of Denver's finest and most up-and-coming venues, The Oriental Theater, will play host to two of our favorite local live acts later this month. Local crowd-pleasers meniskus will join Fraga for a one-night-only show on Saturday, May twenty-sixth at the Oriental.

"We're excited to be back at the Oriental," said violinist and charismatic vocalist Eric Ostberg of meniskus, "and to be there with Fraga, is going to pretty much guarantee that the crowd is going to set some kind of record for non-stop dancing." Live performances by both meniskus and Fraga are well-attended by diverse crowds attracted to the unique sounds of each band.

Doors open at seven PM, show starts at eight.

About The Oriental Theater
The historic Oriental Theater is located at 4335 West 44th Ave in vibrant North Denver. Recent renovations provide the extensive expanse of dance floor space this show will require.

About Meniskus
Originally formed in Boulder, meniskus is currently on a Colorado tour to support the release of "The Wall of Sound" CD. Known for its unique blending of latin and rock rhythms, meniskus features Eric Ostberg on the violin and vocals; Bryan Bardusco on guitar and percussion; and Chris Wright on drums and vocals.  Further information on the meniskus website: http://www.meniskusband.com

About Fraga
Hailing from Boulder, CO, this nine-piece band features members of Cabaret Diosa, and has taken classic 20's & 30's Jazz musical parameters and spread them to the borders of early Cuban and Jamaican music. Fraga also seamlessly weaves Americana elements such as pedal steel, ukulele, and banjo into its unique sound.

For more information, contact:
Eric Singer – [email protected] or by phone at 720-838-7700

Visit the website at: http://www.meniskusband.com

Thu, 05/25/2006 - 3:19 pm

The 4th Annual 10,000 Lakes Festival (10KLF) will serve as the tour-ending destination for headliners Phil Lesh & Friends and Trey Anastasio, and a springboard for four nights of music, camping, and relaxation with over forty artists scheduled to perform July 19-22 at the Soo Pass Ranch in Detroit Lakes, MN.

Trey will reunite with former Phish band mate Mike Gordon (bass) who will be joined by Marco Benevento (keyboards) and Joe Russo (drums) in the appropriately titled acronym ensemble ?G.R.A.B.' Former Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh and his band bring an ever-rotating caravan of talent for a set of improvisation and inspired jams.

The 10,000 Lakes Festival's line-up also includes The String Cheese Incident , Keller Williams Incident (performing with The String Cheese Incident), O.A.R. (...Of A Revolution) , Keller Williams (solo), Umphrey's McGee , The Benevento/Russo Duo featuring Mike Gordon , Medeski, Martin & Wood , Big Head Todd & The Monsters , Railroad Earth , The Everyone Orchestra , Hot Buttered Rum and over forty additional bands.


Recent artist additions to the 10,000 Lakes Festival include Assembly of Dust , RAQ , Papa Mali , and The Breakfast.

Enjoying the scene's top performers within the stunning natural beauty of clear lakes and spacious, wooded campgrounds provides all attendees an unparalleled festival experience. Drawing from a pool full of talented national, regional, and emerging acts, the 10,000 Lakes Festival seeks to be the nation's premier music and camping festival destination.

The festival website is offering interactive elements including 10KLF-TV featuring streaming video clips of more than two dozen of the performing artists. Additionally, emerging and unsigned bands have the opportunity to perform at the festival through the online portion of the 'Cosmic Break' competition. Three bands out of the thirty included in the Cosmic Break Voting Booth will be selected to perform at the 10,000 Lakes Festival. More information on the Cosmic Break and 10KLF TV is available at the festival website.

The 10,000 Lakes Festival is partnering with Renewable Choice Energy to offset the carbon emissions created by the energy use of the weekend event with the purchase of wind power certificates. To minimize the environmental impact of the festival the unique partnership supports the addition of renewable wind resources to the power grid to make the 10,000 Lakes Festival a carbon neutral event.

10,000 Lakes Festival Show Details:
Wednesday, July 19 - Saturday, July 22, 2006
Soo Pass Ranch
25526 Cty Hwy 22
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501

For tickets or more information visit www.10KLF.com or call 800-493-3378.

Advance General Admission Music & Camping Tickets are $135. Limited tickets are available at this price range and the cost will increase to gate price July 5.

VIP Ticket Packages are $350 per person and are available for a premium music and camping experience. Each VIP Ticket includes 2 meals per day Thu-Sat, a 10KLF camping chair, 6 drink tickets, access to the backstage VIP lounge, and access to the special VIP seating section at the Main Stage.

Each General Admission and VIP ticket covers camping and all music from Wednesday, July 19 through Sunday, July 23.

For non-camping music enthusiasts, there are 3-Day Music Only tickets available for $90 which include music Thurs. 7/20 - Sat. 7/22

1-Day Music Only: $50
Any day | Wed. 7/19 - Sat. 7/22

Children 12 and under are admitted at no charge with their parent's paid admission.

All listed artists have confirmed their appearance at the 10,000 Lakes Festival; however, artists are subject to change without notice. Tickets are available at the Official 10,000 Lakes Festival website: www.10KLF.com or by calling 800-493-3378 and at Ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations and MusicToday outlets.

Official 10,000 Lakes Festival website: www.10klf.com

Thu, 05/25/2006 - 4:19 pm

The Lodo Bass Bash is a non-profit event centered around educational workshops and performaces for bassist of all levels. It is a great opportunity to meet and learn from some of the best bassists in the world, check out some of the latest equipment, and see some of the most amazing performances by the masters of the instrument. There is also the opportunity for registered attendees to win thousands of dollars in giveaways from the sponsors of the event. There will be drawings, free-bee giveaways, and a silent auction!!!

2006 is the First Annual Lodo Bass Bash, and features some of the most amazing bassists from around the world, including, but not limited to:

Mon, 08/28/2006 - 10:14 am

This press release is to proudly announce that local west Sonoma County lighting design company Liquid Light Productions has taken up management of the historic River Theater in Guerneville and to announce our first Music event.

On September 1st, we are honored to host keyboardist Melvin Seals and the original JGB Band. Melvin, shared the stage with Jerry Garcia in JGB for many years and today Melvin, original JGB gospel singers Shirley and Gloria and the highly talented Stu Allen on the guitar makes up a band that most carries the genuine legacy of that traditional "Jerry Band" sound and vibe. Opening this event is Sebastopol's Sol Horizon with their energetic mix of original reggae -influenced dance music.

Tickets $18 in advance $20 at door. Doors are at 7PM Sol Horizon at 8PM, Melvin Seals at 10PM. For info and ticket outlets call 707-869-3194.


riverFor people who have never been to the River Theater in the delightful town of Guerneville this majestic 1940s era art deco dance hall is one of the most unique venues north of the Golden Gate. The Theater holds 600 people, has a 20 x 30 stage, a multi-tiered dance floor space, state of the art sound and lighting systems, space for vending and food and an outdoor eating area. In the 1960s the Grateful Dead played on this stage and again in the 1980s Jerry Garcia Band, Steve Kimock's Zero as well as Metallica all did sets on this historic stage. We are excited to once again return this venue to its historic role as music dance hall and community gathering center.

The River Theater is located 69 Miles north of San Francisco. From 101 north of Santa Rosa, take the River road exit, head west 15 miles into Guerneville. The River Theater is in downtown at 16135 Main Street. Phone 707-869-3194

Sat, 09/16/2006 - 1:25 pm

Harvest Jam is one of the most anticipated fall festivals in the Midwest as this temporary musical city pulls folks from all over the region into Legend Valley in Thornville, Ohio for a weekend of continuous music and entertainment October 5 - 7.

What began as a weekend party for Dayton-based rock group and Harvest Jam headliner, The Maji, has continuously attracted new patrons interested in the fan-centric angle as the event has been evolving at a controllable pace with steady growth.  The Maji will headline the festival with an extended set Friday night and two sets on Saturday as they embrace a wide range of influences, drawing from classic rock, modern electronica, electric blues and fusion jazz.  The Maji are also offering their newest studio effort, Beyond the Surface , to Harvest Jam attendees as a CD release party with the newly minted disc.

teaSome of the hardest working and fastest growing bands on the jam scene today will join The Maji and grace the autumn stage at Harvest Jam. The West Coast is represented with the soulful, organic music of rapid-rising Tea Leaf Green from San Francisco and the 'livetronica' of Particle from Los Angeles . Fresh off of a Jammy win for Song of the Year, "Taught to be Proud," Tea Leaf Green will be performing two shows and making a rare acoustic set festival appearance at Harvest Jam Friday late night. The Los Angeles jam giants Paricle perform late night Saturday as they lay out the intricate electronic infused grooves that have garnered them critical acclaim for the past half decade.

From the Latin Funk of Columbus' One Under to the roots music of Northeast Ohio's Burning River Band to the blues-rock of Grand Oversoul, Harvest Jam's regional guests cover a wide spectrum of today's music scene. Harvest Jam also welcomes back a group of Harvest Jam veterans who've performed the event since its inception in 2002 including GUEST, The Goods, Skeleton Crew, Jovial Flow, The Werks and The Sandals.

On the more rootsy side, the Cincinnati-based Rumpke Mountain Boys and Cleveland's JP & The Chatfield Boys bring their unique brand of 'jamgrass' for Late Night Bluegrass at Harvest Jam on Friday and Saturday. Additional acts at Harvest Jam include East coast progressive groovemasters U-Melt, continuing their national tour having performed at some of the genres most notable festivals, along with Orooni, a Colorado-based group with female vocals and heartfelt improvisation.

So no matter where you're from, no matter what you're into, Harvest Jam has something that will suit any music fan, along with autumn season camping in a comfortable, spacious setting. Advance tickets are available now for $50 and can be secured through the Harvest Jam website at www.theharvestjam.com. Day of show tickets will be available at the gate for $60. Children 12 and under are free at Harvest Jam and all tickets cover music, camping, and parking at the festival with in and out privileges.

'Early Bird' camping starts at 4PM on Thursday, October 5. Early Bird is available at the gate only, for $5 per person with a paid ticket. The gates open for everyone at 8AM on Friday morning (prior to 8AM is considered early bird).

Tue, 09/26/2006 - 3:33 pm

In jam rock, the line between imitation and evolution can be woefully blurry.  Often, the farther the bands and the scene get from the Grateful Dead seed, the harder the listener has to work in order to derive an original experience from the music.

Driving drums, noodling bass, swirling guitars and thin vocals rushing through stoner lyrics - we've all been there.  And by and large, we like it there.  Comfort candy for the ears.

But back at the source, something old is new again.  Welcome to the Swamp.

Fronted by zenith-era Grateful Dead chanteuse Donna Jean Godchaux McKay, Kettle Joe's Psychedelic Swamp Revue has taken only exactly what it needs from jam music to create an inviting and compelling new brew of sound and scene - it's taken the ethos, the spirit, the organic approach of re-invention.

At first glance, this project's lineup may seem like old parts thrown together, but don't be lulled to sleep by your own smoky haze.  Dead influenced grassroots legends The Zen Tricksters - anchored by guitarist/vocalists Jeff Mattson and Tom Circosta, bassist/vocalist Klyph Black and drummer Dave Diamond -  have taken their long fused dynamic and teamed it with the keyboard genius of jam scene keyboard icon Mookie Siegel. This core backs the elegant and elegaic vocals of Donna Jean and Wendy Lanter.  The result is indeed a jam band, but one with the right idea - to serve the sound, to explore and soar in the present; bridging the past to the future in the process.

Yes, the requisite jam expectations are met; Mattson's leads spiral and swirl with the best of them, Circosta's inverted rhythm licks are strange, seemingly impossible and ear-bending.  Black thumps, rolls and climbs underneath and the drums swing when swayed and thunder when dared.

But what's different here is the return to the most important aspects of jam music; the band is obviously dedicated to seeking out interesting material and making it their own.  And from that simple decision, true originality is born.

It seems as if Donna Jean is leading the way.  She has a Garcia-esque presence, quiet and kind, curious yet in control - she is completely fused to her talent, with no gap between thought and expression. The band's wonderfully eclectic song selection invites an energy that is spry and refreshing, but not to be taken lightly.  The result is the ever-elusive winning jam band formula; veteran players playing cool nuggets and blowing
them through the roof.

The band has created, well... a psychedelic kettle-brew of originals and pointed cover choices that allow them to tranverse from folk to funk and back again, hitting those special Grateful Dead moments along the way.

Like The Band did for Dylan, The Trickster foundation breathes unprecedented life into Donna Jean's tunes.  They may not look like much on paper, but ditties like France and From The Heart Of Me now have a warmth and beauty never before captured live.  The band does to Garcia's Mission In The Rain what Garcia did with so many songs in his repetoire, they simply love it and make it count, giving it new and original feeling.  As a unit, Kettle Joe's embodies this spirit - the essence of interpretation, and of preservation. They are an interactive  museum of old and new, unburdended by overwhelming celebrity, yet wholly eager and unafraid to fill big shoes.

And when the stakes are raised for die-hard Heads, the band soars to the occasion.  Epics like Weather Report Suite and Terrapin Station get killer workouts, but never is the listener recalling or aching for a different time or place, a different sound or a different moment.  Everything the listener could ever hope for or expect from these efforts is there in spades - the mandala is woven, the door opened, the listener need only close his eyes and step through.

Jam music, in it's best and highest functions, serves to evolve and transcend - to breathe and live.  If that's a benchmark everyone in the scene can agree upon, then Kettle Joe's has instantly and effortlessly carved for themselves a thriving little niche in the firm rocks of jam history, well protected from the drowning, rolling seas of jam band inertia.

Thu, 09/28/2006 - 6:14 pm

Congressman Beauprez has renewed his membership to the notorious "Dirty Dozen" group of enemies of the environment, the first time a gubernatorial candidate has earned a spot on the annual list.

As reported in various media outlets today, the non-partisan League of Conservation Voters on Wednesday announced that the Congressman's abysmal voting record on environmental issues led to once again naming him a member of Congress's "Dirty Dozen."

The League said the Congressman has issued pro-environment votes just 5 percent of the time during his tenure in Congress. They say the Congressman has voted to:

1) Exempt some oil and gas activities from water-protection laws.

2) Reduce royalty revenues going to Colorado communities to manage energy development impacts.

3) Subsidize oil companies at a time of record-breaking profits.

4) Oppose energy conservation measures such as increasing miles-per-gallon standards of new cars.

The Congressman's wildlife relocation plan also continues to be ridiculed as further evidence of his anti-environment ideology. "Asking elk to change migration patterns is not a sound idea, and certainly points to Bob Beauprez's willingness to bend the laws of nature in an effort to further serve special interests," outfitter Jeff Mead said at yesterday's news conference, according to the Glenwood Post-Independent.

The Congressman first made the "Dirty Dozen" list in 2004 . The League of Conservation Voters also has named Beauprez to "Tom's Tainted Team" for his support of now-resigned Republican leader Tom DeLay's anti-environmental agenda and for accepting money from DeLay.

Thu, 11/09/2006 - 5:46 pm

Tom Constanten and Ken Foust have released a new CD called "Moved To Stanleyville". They are playing shows in Arizona and Las Vegas with Gent Treadly, a Manhattan based jam band who were Vince Welnick's east coast band before his death, in support of this new project. The dates include Prescott College, Tempe, Flagstaff, and Sedona.

Tom Constanten is an American keyboardist, best known for playing with the Grateful Dead from 1968-1970. Tom has been performing in different forms and genres since the late 1950's, appearing at such popular venues as The Fillmore Auditorium, Playboy After Dark, and the original Woodstock Festival. He was Professor of Music at SUNY Buffalo and the San Francisco Art Institute (1974-1984).  He performed as Artist-in-Residence at Harvard University, and consulted for the Smithsonian Institution.

Ken Foust is a Charlotte, NC musician best known for his jam-blues based project from the early 90's, Hot Wax (see Spread base, 10/27/1990), that played in the southeast region.  Together they have produced a contemporary Americana / blues effort that is fresh and engaging. These shows will feature songs from the project. This live group also includes Greg Koerner from Gent Treadly on Base and Ken's Twin Brother Doug Foust on Drums.

The CD is garnering great reviews. The album is featured on David Gans's "The Grateful Dead Hour" and Uncle Dave's weekly radio program, "Dead Air.

Sat, 11/18/2006 - 12:12 pm

Two of the Grateful Dead's greatest albums, American Beauty and Workingman's Dead, both recorded in 1970, will each be honored with its own evening when Arts>World Financial Center presents The American Beauty Project free in the World Financial Center Winter Garden, 220 Vesey Street.

Workingman's Dead, which was recorded in March 1970 & will be honored Saturday, January 20, at 8:00pm by a distinctive roster of singer-songwriters, bands and instrumentalists when each perform one of the tracks on the classic album. The next night, Sunday, January 21, at 8:00pm, another group of singers and musicians will perform cuts from American Beauty which was recorded in August and September 1970.

Performing their own arrangements of the Workingman's Dead and American Beauty songs are Jorma Kaukonen (Hot Tuna, Jefferson Airplane), Ollabelle, Toshi Reagon, The Holmes Brothers, Jen Chapin, Dar Williams, The Klezmatics, Tim O'Reagan (The Jayhawks), Mark Eitzel (American Music Club), Larry Campbell, Catherine Russell, Jim Lauderdale, Andy Statman, Tony Trischka, and more names to be announced in the months ahead.

Putting together The American Beauty Project to celebrate 35th anniversary of these two landmark Grateful Dead albums is Artistic Director and Producer David Spelman, who was responsible for similar tributes to Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen. At last year's Nebraska Project honoring Springsteen, The Boss himself spent the evening standing unnoticed with the crowd before jumping on stage for the finale.

"Both Workingman's Dead and American Beauty were ranked on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time, 258 and 262, respectively," said Mr. Spelman. "Each was extremely innovative at the time for their fusion of bluegrass, rock, folk and country music." Workingman's Dead, the band's fourth studio album, was recorded in March 1970, and was voted by readers of Rolling Stone as the best album of 1970, in front of Crosby, Stills and Nash's Déjà Vu and Van Morrison's Moondance.

American Beauty was recorded between August and September of 1970 and was released in November of the same year. It included instant radio favorites such as "Truckin'" "Sugar Magnolia" and "Friend of the Devil."

"The acoustic sound and folk/country tunes of Workingman's Dead would come as quite a shock to many fans, and to the critics as a harbinger of some sort of conscious movement (along with The Band, Dylan and the Byrds) toward country," wrote Grateful Dead biographer Dennis McNally in his program notes for the event. Mr. McNally went on to add that: "as usual with the Grateful Dead, the album's origins were serendipitous and synchronistic, involving no plan or program. Instead, their swerve to include country songs in their work began quite accidentally when their lyricist Robert Hunter moved in with the Garcia family in January 1969 ... In March 1970, they went into the studio to record Workingman's Dead. Hugely in debt to their record company, they were forced to be simple and economize, thinking consciously of Buck Owens' Bakersfield sound. The simplicity served the music perfectly, and the result was a classic, although not the departure many thought it was. They'd enlarged their vision, not changed it."

Arts>World Financial Center serves as the leading showcase in Lower Manhattan for visual and performing arts - from the intimate to the spectacular - by artists either emerging or established. Since 1988, year-round and free to the public, it has presented interdisciplinary arts programming with an emphasis on commissioned works, site-specific installations and premieres.

All events are free! No tickets required. Seating is first come, first served. For information, call (212) 945-0505 or click www.worldfinancialcenter.com.

Fri, 12/08/2006 - 12:12 pm

The fifth annual 10,000 Lakes Festival (10KLF) will provide an unforgettable weekend of live musical performances and campout experiences held July 18 – 21 at the scenic Soo Pass Ranch in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. A yearly tradition for music lovers nationwide, 10KLF has quickly established itself as a premier festival destination.

The initial festival artist lineup includes members of the Grateful Dead and Phish leading their contemporary ensembles, along with a diverse cross-section of talent from the improvisational music scene. With dozens of bands still to be added in the coming months, the 10,000 Lakes Festival preliminary lineup includes:

Bob Weir & RatDog
Trey Anastasio
Umphrey's McGee
Gov't Mule
Little Feat
The Derek Trucks Band
Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk
MOE
The Everyone Orchestra
Trampled By Turtles
WookieFoot
Moses Mayes

Nestled in the picturesque lakes country of Minnesota's North Woods, the serene natural environment with reclaimed wetlands and lakeshore surrounding the camping and venue grounds provides the ultimate festival experience.

All within easy walking distance of each other, the festival's four stages feature over sixty national, independent and emerging acts during the 4 day event.  Festival goers retreat within the festival's wooded hills and shaded campsites as a soundtrack from the jam band world's crème de la crème plays in the background.

The Star Tribune continues "Even the musicians are impressed by the fest site." Backstage at 10KLF, Jon Bell, singer/guitarist with Widespread Panic performing the event in 2003 and 2005, tells the Tribune "There's room to move and lots of friendliness and not too crazy. It's a very open vibe. You can't create that."

weirWhile the main focus of 10KLF is meshing top notch entertainment within a pristine natural setting, the event also takes pride in being a philanthropic member of the community. By providing grants to a variety of groups including environmental awareness, hunger prevention, advancing arts education, voter registration, and other causes, 10KLF offers its patrons the opportunity to learn more about and raise consciousness within a variety of topics affecting its precious surroundings.

By partnering with CLIF Bar and Native Energy, the 10,000 Lakes Festival now allows patrons to offset the CO2 emissions of their automobile or airline travel up to the festival by purchasing 'Cool Tags' at the online ticket check out.  Each Cool Tag invests $2 in Native Energy's WindBuilders program, helping the Rosebud Sioux Tribe build a wind farm on their reservation in South Dakota. Wind farms deliver clean, renewable energy to the grid without releasing CO2 into the air, thereby displacing energy that comes from polluting facilities.

Event tickets, campground reservations and festival details are now available online at www.10KLF.com.

Performers at the previous 10,000 Lakes Festivals include Phil Lesh & Friends, The String Cheese Incident, The Black Crowes, G. Love & Special Sauce, Les Claypool, 311, Galactic, The Roots, John Mayer, Donavon Frankenreiter, O.A.R., Medeski Martin & Wood, Keller Williams, Los Lobos, Yonder Mountain String Band, The Samples, DJ Logic, Particle, Dark Star Orchestra, Sound Tribe Sector 9, Rusted Root, Maroon 5, The Big Wu, The Radiators, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Soulive, North Mississippi Allstars, Tea Leaf Green, Railroad Earth, Shooter Jennings and many more.

Sat, 01/13/2007 - 3:59 pm

"There Ain't Nothing Like A Grateful Garcia Gathering", and with a warm summer just 6 months away, the bus is up and running again! Its next stop will be the Grateful Garcia Gathering 2007 being held once again on August 2nd - August 5th. The 3G's will celebrate and pay tribute to the life, art, and music of legendary guitarist Jerry Garcia on what would be his 65th Birthday. This music and camping festival will once again take place at the picturesque Camp NCN Campground located in beautiful Black River Falls, Wisconsin. The campground features 60-plus acres of brilliant surroundings with tall trees that shade your camp site. For your fishing, swimming, and water sports pleasures we have a five-acre natural spring fed lake with sandy beaches, modern bathroom facilities with showers, and other luxurious accommodations.

Campers will be able to have campfires at each individual campsite and firewood is available at the campground! There will be plenty of awesome vendors on-site for you to check out, a kind and friendly atmosphere, and a stellar musical lineup for all to enjoy! In addition, there is going to be a memorabilia "Jerry Garcia Shrine" near the main stage. All attendees are encouraged to bring pictures, candles, ticket stubs, tie-dyes, old posters with Jerry's signature, any and all related items related to Jerry Garcia, or the Grateful Dead! You can place it at the shrine for all to enjoy!

Festival attendees will be able to enjoy the sounds of local and regional bands who were influenced or inspired by The Grateful Dead such as Waterband, Baghdad Scuba Review, Bowser, Grateful Beth & The Volunteers, Jana Holland, Covert Operations, Macyn Taylor, The Northwoods Band, The Weavils, Bar Tab Band, Run Side Down, and many more bands! We are also opening a second stage for more live music to fill the air!

All these bands will all be performing their own original tunes, plus a few covers of The Grateful Dead and the Jerry Garcia Band. All this, in tribute and honoring of Jerry Garcia, which will also mark the 12th Anniversary of his untimely passing. Singer/Songwriter Bear, will emcee and perform in between set-ups and take-downs of the performers. In addition, there will be a very special Fireworks Display for this exciting weekend of camping, music, friendships, harmony and love!

The real thrill of the Grateful Garcia Gathering is the return of Melvin Seals & JGB for TWO NIGHTS! The 3G's just wouldn't be complete without a musical cohort and true friend of Jerry's to be part of these wonderful festivities. Melvin Seals, longtime friend, vocalist and organist of JGB and The Jerry Garcia Band from 1980-1995, will headline the first two nights of the gathering, August 3-4. The vision of the Grateful Garcia Gathering is to keep the spirit of Jerry Garcia's music alive by bringing the music and the Deadhead fans together as family!

Opening for Melvin Seals & JGB is the Grateful Dead's Donna Jean Godchaux-MacKay, Mookie Siegel of the David Nelson Band (and formerly a member of both Phil & Friends and Ratdog), Wendy Lanter of Hope in Time, and Jeff Mattson, Tom Circosta, Klyph Black and Dave Diamond, all of the The Zen Tricksters, now create music together as "Kettle Joe's Psychedelic Swamp Revue".

"Boris Garcia" will be opening for Kettle Joe's Psychedelic Swamp Revue! Heres what Dennis McNally (Bob Weir and Ratdog publistist) had to say about Boris Garcia:

During my 25 years with Grateful Dead Productions, I listened to a lot of jamming, both electric and acoustic. Recently, though I still work with Bob Weir, I've been approached by a fair number of bands to help them, and have usually not been moved enough by the music to say yes - until I heard Boris Garcia. They fuse a bluegrass/country/folk sound with a jazzy rock improvisation mode and really excellent songwriting. Some say it reminds them of Tom Petty, others of old Byrds. Either way, I like them, and want to share them with my larger family. So here y'are!

Early Bird Special Weekend Passes for the Grateful Garcia Gathering are on sale on-line NOW at www.GratefulGarciaGathering.com

Ticket Price:
$55 before April 30th
$60 before May 31st
$65 before June 30th
$70 before July 31st
$80 Day of Show

For complete ticket information and more details, go online to the Grateful Garcia Gathering web site: http://www.GratefulGarciaGathering.com

Sat, 01/27/2007 - 1:40 pm

Held July 18 – 21 at the scenic Soo Pass Ranch in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, the fifth annual 10,000 Lakes Festival (10KLF) announces additional confirmed artists for this summer's event.  Supplementing an already diverse lineup of talent from the improvisational music scene, 10KLF is proud to welcome:

The Disco Biscuits
Keller Williams
New Riders of the Purple Sage
Pnuma Trio
God Johnson
GypsyFoot
Bump
Mr. Blotto
The Burnin' Smyrnans
The Heavy Pets

A yearly tradition for music lovers nationwide, 10KLF has quickly established itself as a premier festival destination. With dozens of bands still to be added in the coming months, the 10,000 Lakes Festival lineup also includes Bob Weir & RatDog, Trey Anastasio, Umphrey's McGee, moe., Gov't Mule, Little Feat, The Derek Trucks Band, Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk, Everyone Orchestra, Trampled By Turtles, WookieFoot, and Moses Mayes.

To include the region's top independent and unsigned talent, 10KLF announces the Cosmic Break Tour. Interested bands can submit their music to perform at one of a series of ten regional showcases where one band at each tour stop wins a performance slot at the festival.  Bands outside the region can submit to the Cosmic Break Online Voting Booth where fan votes determine the top three bands outside of the regional showcases that get to play the festival. The full information on the 10KLF Cosmic Break Tour including tour dates, cities and event rules is available online at www.10klf.com/cosmic_break.php.

Nestled in the picturesque lakes country of Minnesota's North Woods, the serene natural environment with reclaimed wetlands and lakeshore surrounding the camping and venue grounds provides the ultimate festival experience.

All within easy walking distance of each other, the festival's four stages feature over sixty national, independent and emerging acts during the 4 day event.  Festival goers retreat within the festival's wooded hills and shaded campsites as a soundtrack from the jam band world's crème de la crème plays in the background.While the main focus of 10KLF is meshing top notch entertainment within a pristine natural setting, the event also takes pride in being a philanthropic member of the community. By providing grants to a variety of groups including environmental awareness, hunger prevention, advancing arts education, voter registration, and other causes, 10KLF offers its patrons the opportunity to learn more about and raise consciousness within a variety of topics affecting its precious surroundings.

By partnering with CLIF Bar and Native Energy, the 10,000 Lakes Festival now allows patrons to offset the CO2 emissions of their automobile or airline travel up to the festival by purchasing 'Cool Tags' at the online ticket check out.  Each Cool Tag invests $2 in NativeEnergy's WindBuilders program, helping the Rosebud Sioux Tribe build a wind farm on their reservation in South Dakota. Wind farms deliver clean, renewable energy to the grid without releasing CO2 into the air, thereby displacing energy that comes from polluting facilities.

Event tickets, campground reservations and festival details are now available online at www.10KLF.com.

Performers at the previous 10,000 Lakes Festivals have included Phil Lesh & Friends, The String Cheese Incident, The Black Crowes, G. Love & Special Sauce, Les Claypool, 311, Galactic, The Roots, John Mayer, Donavon Frankenreiter, O.A.R., Medeski Martin & Wood, Keller Williams, Los Lobos, Yonder Mountain String Band, The Samples, DJ Logic, Particle, Dark Star Orchestra, Sound Tribe Sector 9, Rusted Root, Maroon 5, The Big Wu, The Radiators, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Soulive, North Mississippi Allstars, Tea Leaf Green, Railroad Earth, Shooter Jennings and many more.  

Sat, 02/03/2007 - 1:47 pm

Tickets go on sale this Saturday, February 10th for the 6th Annual Ponderosa Stomp, the world's only music festival with cult rocker Roky Erickson, master arranger Wardell Quezergue, soul songwriter supreme Dan Penn, rockabilly wild man Dale Hawkins, R&B soprano Little Jimmy Scott, and dozens more rarely seen – and seldom heard – American music legends in its line-up.

A marathon eight hours-plus music festival that celebrates and pays tribute to the unsung heroes of rock 'n' roll, rhythm & blues, and other forms of American roots music, the Ponderosa Stomp will rock two stages, the Big Room and the Parish, at New Orleans' House of Blues from 5:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Wednesday, May 2, 2007.

"The audience won't even know what hit them," promises Dr. Ike Padnos , executive director of the Mystic Knights of the Mau-Mau, the 501c3 organization that's producing the 6th Annual Ponderosa Stomp, which also features Texas Tornado co-founder Augie Meyers, Stax sessions guitarist Skip Pitts, Gulf Coast guitar empress Barbara Lynn, Mardi Gras king Al "Carnival Time" Johnson, Excello harp master Lazy Lester, keyboardist extraordinaire Willie Tee, tremendous trumpeter/famed New Orleans bandleader Dave Bartholomew, President of Soul Rockie Charles, hillbilly bopper Jay Chevalier, tough Texas shouter Roy Head, and rockabilly wailer Joe Clay.

Also appearing at the 6th Annual Ponderosa Stomp: Motown guitar slinger Dennis Coffey, hill country bluesman Kenny Brown, chitlin' circuit showman Bobby Rush, "Mr. Big Stuff" singer Jean Knight, piano man Henry Gray, six-string demolition expert Eddie Kirkland, rockabilly drummer Matt Lucas, Memphis sessions genius Bobby Emmons, swamp pop singer Grace (Dale & Grace) Broussard, New Orleans heartbreaker Tony Owens, Muscle Shoals veteran Ralph "Soul" Jackson, and backing bands Lil Buck Sinegal and the Top Cats with special guest Stanley "Buckwheat" Dural, Deke Dickerson & the Eccofonics, and the New Orleans Rhythm and Blues Revue.

The efforts of the Mystic Knights of the Mau-Mau go well beyond the Ponderosa Stomp: Since the non-profit's inception in 2000, the Mystic Knights have considered it their mission to rediscover and celebrate America's overlooked musical pioneers and re-educate the community about their impact on music. Through past partnerships with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Sun Studios, The Stax Museum of American Soul Music, The New Orleans Musicians Clinic, and The New Orleans Musicians Hurricane Relief Fund, the 501c3 group has helped resurrect the careers of several legendary musicians, including Jody Williams, Howard Tate, and Barbara Lynn.

The Mystic Knights of the Mau-Mau also produces various events throughout the year, including showcases at Austin's South By Southwest Music Festival (SXSW) and New Orleans' own Voodoo Music Experience, one-off concerts in New Orleans and Memphis, and The Ogden Museum of Southern Arts' monthly After Hours music series.

"The Ponderosa Stomp has become a national treasure made of national treasures.  They've shone the spotlight in the shadows and found that yesterday's musical starts are just as intriguing, exhilarating, and as powerful as ever.  Through the fans it draws, the Stomp has developed and united a community. It's culturally rewarding, artistically gratifying, and a whole lot of fun," says Robert Gordon, Memphis-based filmmaker and author of It Came from Memphis and Can't Be Satisfied: The Life and Times of Muddy Waters.

Tickets for the 6th Annual Ponderosa Stomp are available through Ticketmaster beginning Saturday, February 10th. For more information, visit www.ponderosastomp.com.

Sat, 02/24/2007 - 2:15 pm

The Americana Music Association has announced the lineup for their showcase at South by Southwest (SXSW) 2007. The show will take place on Wednesday, March 14 at The Parish in Austin. This event is open to SXSW attendees, and to the general public.
 
Country Music Hall of Famer Charlie Louvin kicks off the show at 8:00 PM. In 1955, Louvin and his brother Ira became official members of the Grand Ole Opry. In 2004, a tribute CD entitled Livin', Lovin', Losin': The Songs of the Louvin Brothers won the Grammy for Best Country Album. Austin-based newcomer Sunny Sweeney's debut, Heartbreaker's Hall of Fame (Big Machine) was recently praised by MOJO for her "voice like a lone star six pack." Alligator Records artists The Holmes Brothers bring their brand of rootsy, spiritual blues to the show. In 2005, the Memphis-based Blues Foundation named them Band of the Year. The phenomenal Ruthie Foster is renowned for her powerful voice and unique blend of blues and gospel. Her latest, The Phenomenal Ruthie Foster, has garnered comparisons to Aretha Franklin, Roberta Flack and Nina Simone. Jerry Jeff Walker's cover of Ray Wylie Hubbard's "(Up Against the Wall) Redneck Mother" was a massive hit back in 1973, and Hubbard's still cranking out great music, as evidenced on his recent album, Snake Town. Louisiana native Marc Broussard may only be 25 years old, but he's an old soul. Broussard's "Bayou soul" music has won over the masses and proves he's an artist to keep an eye on.

The Parish is located upstairs, directly above JAZZ.
214 E. Sixth St
Austin, Texas, 78701
(512) 479-0474
 
8 p.m. – Charlie Louvin
9 p.m. – Sunny Sweeney
10 p.m. – The Holmes Brothers
11 p.m. – Ruthie Foster
12 a.m. – Ray Wylie Hubbard
1 a.m. – Marc Broussard

Mon, 03/12/2007 - 10:19 pm

Welcome Deadheads, Hippies, and kind folks. Come join us as we honor Jerry Garcia with three nights of great music and camping at "Camp NCN" in beautiful Black River Falls, WI. Tickets are on sale now and will be least expensive prior to April 30th so buy early.

*Headlining for Two Nights*

Melvin Seals & JGB

Donna Jean and The Tricksters

Moonalice

Boris Garcia

One-Eyed Jack, Waterband, Covert Operations, Bowser, Chinese Fingertrap, Rootstand, Jana Holland, The North Woods Band, Grateful Beth w/ Macyn Taylor, Baghdad Scuba Review, Run Side Down, The Weavils, The Wandering Fools, MC Bear, Boney Fingers, Space Quakers, The Yokanizu Project. + many more with two stages up and running this year.

Mon, 03/12/2007 - 10:42 pm
Sat, 03/17/2007 - 1:22 pm

You don't learn 5 Languages from sitting at home on your arse watching TV! We did that by traveling. The whole idea of a journey should be NOT having a plan that gets in the way of fun, music, and potential. We never let the original plan keep us from learning and opportunity. Why bother booking a return flight?

This is a live band that knows how to rock. They don't work an audience, they work them out! Everyone leaves with a hand in the air, feet hurting, sweating, and smiling.

The Vagrants got their name from the obvious, life on the road with no home. The good times and the bad give their music its diversity, raw energy, edge and sweet tones. Happier on the road than at home they have been gigging constantly in separate projects and have all come together as one on stage to launch the Vagrants.  Getting compared to Ben Harper, Black Crows, The Allman Brothers, Baby Animals, Stray Cats, The Stones and Jack Johnson says a lot about how hard it is to categorize the music.

Have played major Australian festivals including Frankston Guitar Festival, Monbulk Jazz and Blues Festival, Williamstown Festival, PBS Concert Series, and the Mt Hotham October Fest.

Our members have played in Australia, US, Germany, Denmark, England, Spain, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, Japan, New Zealand, Canada and are always looking to expand their experiences.

Sat, 03/31/2007 - 1:20 am

"Grateful Garcia Gathering" will be returning back to the natural surroundings of "Camp NCN" on August 2nd through the 5th 2007, in beautiful Black River Falls Wisconsin. This annual mellow gathering will be our 7th in a celebration of Jerry Garcia's 65th Birthday, plus the 12th Anniversary of Jerry's untimely passing. This is going to be a very deeply humble and special time for camping and gathering with friends of old and new! Each band performing at the 3G's will perform their own originals, plus 1 to 3 cover songs by the Grateful Dead / Jerry Garcia Band. The 3G's just wouldn't be complete without a musical cohort and personal friend of Jerry's to be part of the festivities. Melvin Seals, the longtime vocalist and organist of the "Jerry Garcia Band" and JGB, will headline for two nights starting on Aug. 3rd & 4th. Melvin Seals remained with the "Jerry Garcia Band" longer than any other keyboardist. He was with the band from 1980 until the untimely passing of Jerry in 1995.

Melvin Seals, musical director with the "Jerry Garcia Band" for over 15 years, is endlessly carrying the torch for Jerry Garcia on the 12th Anniversary of his untimely passing. Melvin Seals & JGB" are touring this summer in 2007 as "Keepers of the Flame". Melvin has assembled a talented group of stellar musicians to help carry on Jerry Garcia's timeless music and elevate the listener to new heights of karmic nirvana!

A true example of this was seen at "Comes A Time" (A Tribute to Jerry Garcia) at the Greek Theater Berkeley, California September 24th 2005. For that one beautiful evening, they were known as the "Jerry Band". Gracing the stage were Melvin Seals (Keyboards & Vocals), Gloria Jones (Vocals), Jackie LaBranch (Vocals), Stu Allen (Guitar, Vocals), Marty Holland (bass), Sam Howard (drums). Some of the remaining members of the "Jerry Garcia Band", led by Melvin Seals, laid out perhaps the best full tilt performance of the evening by playing such gems as "Rhapsody in Red" and "Cats under the Stars." The high point of many fans that evening was when they concluded with "Deal" featuring Warren Haynes" performing on guitar, Bill Kreutzmann is performing on drums and another of Jerry Garcia's favorite keyboardist, Merl Saunders (who sat and performed side by side with Melvin). It was truly a moment in time! "Melvin Seals & JGB" surely produced the first magical jams of that evening, with an awesome element of relaxing improvisation like none other. You could truly feel that Jerry's presents, was in the air that evening!

And, as a true tribute to Jerry, "Melvin Seals & JGB" will be performing once again at the 3G's with all original material of the "Jerry Garcia Band". The festival goers will be transcended into Jerry's past. When you see one of their concerts, you will know that Jerry Garcia's baton certainly has been passed...

Sat, 03/31/2007 - 1:47 am

The fifth annual 10,000 Lakes Festival (10KLF) held July 18 – 21 at the Soo Pass Ranch in Detroit Lakes, Minn. is quickly becoming the summer's must attend live music and camping event.  Adding artists to its growing lineup, 10KLF announces the confirmation of these groups:

The Tragically Hip
Zappa Plays Zappa
Particle
Blueground Undergrass
Outformation
The Lee Boys
Big Organ Trio

That 1 Guy

Continuing the high standards of musical excellence that festivarians expect, this year's 10,000 Lakes Festival lineup already features Bob Weir & RatDog, Trey Anastasio, The Disco Biscuits, Umphrey's McGee, moe., Keller Williams, Gov't Mule, Little Feat, The Derek Trucks Band, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk, Everyone Orchestra, Trampled By Turtles, Pnuma Trio, God Johnson, GypsyFoot, Bump, Mr. Blotto, WookieFoot, The Burnin' Smyrnans, The Heavy Pets, and Moses Mayes.

Additional acts recently confirmed in this round include Kinetix, Stealin' Strings, Down Lo, White Iron Band, Hobo Nephews, The Smokin' Bandits, Unity, Madahoochi, and The Lighterside of Being.

Over the past four summers 10KLF has grown into the Midwest's premier festival destination through its mix of subdued natural beauty and world class live music.  As the most recent addition to the lineup, The Tragically Hip has grown into one of Canada's most beloved bands over the past two decades by mixing traditional and roots rock, releasing eleven albums and offering intimate connections with its audience.

Zappa Plays Zappa is Dweezil Zappa's live tribute to the prolific and 'legendarily intricate' music of his father, Frank Zappa, with the moniker 'Accept No Substitutes.' Performing at the 10,000 Lakes Festival as the group's only American summer festival appearance, Dweezil Zappa is joined by a hand-picked crew of focused musicians as well as legendary Zappa band alum, Napoleon Murphy Brock, who all perform Frank's timeless music meticulously.

zappa"I would love to expose multiple younger generations to Frank's music," Dweezil says.  "There will always be people looking for an alternative form of musical entertainment and I happen to feel that Frank's music is certainly worth a listen. I really think that younger audiences would be fascinated by it because it's so different than anything they're exposed to currently."

Taking a green approach to powering the festival through a partnership with CLIF Bar and Native Energy, the 10,000 Lakes Festival now allows patrons to offset the CO2 emissions of their automobile or airline travel up to the festival by purchasing 'Cool Tags' at the online ticket check out.  Each Cool Tag invests $2 in Native Energy's WindBuilders program, helping the Rosebud Sioux Tribe build a wind farm on their reservation in South Dakota. Wind farms deliver clean, renewable energy to the grid without releasing CO2 into the air, thereby displacing energy that comes from polluting facilities.

The 10KLF Cosmic Break Tour continues its continental search in March and April for talented independent and unsigned artists to perform at this year's event. Through a series of regional showcases, five bands square off and the group with the most audience votes receives a festival gig.  Bands outside of the Cosmic Break's ten tour stops may register for a chance to earn a performance slot in the 'Online Voting Booth'. Cosmic Break Tour and Online Voting Booth info is available at www.10KLF.com.

Sat, 04/07/2007 - 12:41 am

In little more than two months, the grasslands of northeastern Kansas will be filled with the sounds of electric music and fun-loving party goers. While organizers put the finishing touches on the 2007 Wakarusa Music and Camping Festival, set for June 7-10 at Clinton State Park in Lawrence, Kan., music lovers from across the country are planning their trips to the Midwest.

"I think this Wakarusa is going to be – by far – the biggest line-up we've ever assembled," said Brett Mosiman, co-director. "We look forward to an amazing group of artists thrilling crowds like never before."

In its fourth year, Wakarusa is still "all about the music," according to festival promoters. However, the festival also has a new commitment to the environment and music education. Now a major player in the summer music festival circuit drawing some 15,000 patrons per day, the event boasts more than 80 musical acts from which concert goers can hand-pick their festival experience.

"Wakarusa is an absolute joy," Mosiman said. "Everyone in today's hectic society should quit what they're doing, put down the cell phone, turn off the email, climb into nature and experience true happiness – Wakarusa style. Music, Mother Nature, friends – these are the really valuable things in life. These are the things of Wakarusa."

Tickets can be purchased via the website at wakarusa.com, and while Early Bird tickets are no longer available, four-day passes, 4-day VIP passes, single-day VIP passes, and single-day tickets can still be purchased. As of today, bands confirmed to perform are: Widespread Panic, Les Claypool, Galactic, Son Volt, Martin Sexton, Honkytonk Homeslice, SeepeopleS, Asylum Street Spankers, Crooked Still, Dj Harry, Earl Greyhound, Yonder Mountain String Band, North Mississippi Allstars, Alejandro Escovedo, Railroad Earth, Tea Leaf Green, The Slip, Little Feat, New Mastersounds, Perpetual Groove, ALO, Medeski, Martin  Wood, Ozomatli, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, JJ Grey & MOFRO, New Monsoon, The Greencards, The Everyone Orchestra, Bobby Bare, Jr., Lotus, The Lee Boys, Toubab Krewe, RAQ, Bassnectar, The Wood Brothers, Pnuma Trio, The Motet, Delta Nove, Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Ozric Tentacles, Indigenous, Assembly of Dust, The Be Good Tanyas, Yo Mama's Big Fat Booty Band, Shannon McNally, Backyard Tire Fire, Outformation, Kan'Nal, U-Melt, The Bridge, Boombox, Dubconscious, Kid Beyond, John Butler Trio, Citizen Cope, Tom Morello, Sam Bush, The Avett Brothers, Zilla, EOTO, The Waybacks, Trampled By Turtles, That 1 Guy, Groovatron, Jesus Christ Superstar, Green Lemon, The Spam Allstars, The Deep Fried Pickle Project, Spare Parts, Dirtfoot, The Bridge, Orooni, Cosmopolitics, Super American Happy Fun Good-Time Jam Band, 3 Peas, 8-trac, Whitewater Ramble, Ras Neville and the Kingstonians, Alice Texas, Julia Peterson, Revolutionary Side Effects, Brent Berry, Brothers Green, Diamond Heart Club, Jabarvy, and Tangleweed.

While bringing good music to the people may still be the festival's focus, Mosiman said there are new priorities for the festival, including environmental responsibility and music education.  "Wakarusa now has a very codified mission beyond just throwing the best party west of the Mississippi," he said. "Everything we do is about being environmentally conscious."

Mosiman said that while Wakarusa's efforts last year to reduce the environmental impact of the event were monumental, this year the festival will become even more of a leader in these efforts, including recycling literally tons of trash, using refillable cups and offsetting 100 percent of its energy use by purchasing renewable energy. The festival will also work to educate its patrons by sharing information and ideas through Sustainability Village, a "community" at the festival which will provide ideas for environmentally conscious living through vendors, displays, seminars and workshops.  "Come for the music, the party, the nature experience – leave with the information and tools to preserve that nature we all appreciate so much."

In fact, the setting of Wakarusa may have much to do with its focus on the environment. The festival is situated next to Clinton Lake, an 11,000-acre man-made lake providing boating, fishing and swimming opportunities, as well as native wildlife and over 50 miles of hiking trails – all of which will be open to concert goers as supplemental activities to the music.

Along with all of the diversions that the natural environment provides, Wakarusa will also focus on music education; children under 12 are allowed into the festival for free, and coordinators are planning instrument workshops, among other activities.

"We feel a strong desire to participate in developing young musicians for future generations," Mosiman said. "Music is truly the universal language. Our dream is to have kids be moved enough by their Wakarusa experience to seek out their own musical endeavors." Mosiman said music education has become part of the festival's mission.

Mosiman said the festival is also committed to listening to suggestions from last year's concert goers, and changes have been implemented from these comments, including "kinder, gentler, and more respectful" security, improved VIP program, better vending, and more upgraded camping sites. In addition, this year Wakarusa will implement the "St. Bernard Program," providing specially trained, highly visible, roaming customer service representatives with direct contact to event promoters, media, civil rights personnel, medical providers and law enforcement.

Sat, 04/07/2007 - 1:07 am

Over his four-decade career, David Olney has built a reputation not as a kind-hearted troubadour but rather as a performing songwriter possessed of a sharp literary mind that cuts to the bone of the human condition. Whether the subject matter is heartbreak or armed robbery, Olney's cinematic style and fearless approach to lyric writing have won him renown as kind of a musical outlaw. Listening to his latest CD, One Tough Town, due out on June 5 on Red Parlor, is like watching a Sergio Leone Western: It's gritty, smart and dangerous, and you can't take your eyes off the screen.
 
One Tough Town takes us on a back-roads tour of American music, and while totally entertaining, shows us a side that isn't always pretty. The dark-edged title track, for instance, is the kind of song that can only be written from first-hand experience and years on the road. But as Nietzsche's old saw reminds: "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." And on One Tough Town, Olney is stronger than ever.
 
A veteran of the Nashville alternative group The X-Rays, who recorded for Rounder, appeared on "Austin City Limits" and opened for Elvis Costello in the '80s, Olney then made several acclaimed solo albums for such labels as Rounder/Philo, Dead Reckoning and Loud House Records. His songs have been covered by numerous artists, including Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, Del McCoury and even Chicago bluesman Lonnie Brooks.
 
One of Olney's biggest admirers was the late, great Townes Van Zandt, who said of him: "Anytime anyone asks me who my favorite music writers are, I say Mozart, Lightnin' Hopkins, Bob Dylan and David Olney. Olney is one of the best songwriters I've ever heard — and that's true. I mean that from my heart."
 
In 2005, Olney teamed with producer Jack Irwin (The Legendary Shack Shakers, Stacey Earle & Mark Stuart) and began recording at Irwin's studio with guitarist Sergio Webb. He enlisted some unconventional instrumentation (tuba, banjo, clarinet, ukulele) and proceeded to let it rip.
 
According to Olney, "I see One Tough Town as a retrospective of a hundred years of American music. Blues, country, rock, swing and all stops in between. No such vision can be complete. There's just too much to cover to achieve that goal. But it has been my life's work, and my life's pleasure, to see how close I can come."

Tue, 04/10/2007 - 10:28 pm

Today, independent music pioneers The String Cheese Incident announce their 2007 Summer Tour – which also marks the beginning of an end for the band and their community.  In the fall of 2006, The String Cheese Incident announced it would make no plans beyond summer 2007, as SCI guitarist Billy Nershi would be leaving the group to explore a different musical path.

Since the band's inception, The String Cheese Incident has emerged as one of today's most significant independent bands. Born in 1993 in Colorado's Rocky Mountains, SCI has since released 6 albums, 3 DVDs and countless live recordings from their relentless tour schedule. Their 14 year history is packed full of surreal experiences, epic moments, groundbreaking involvement and huge accomplishments. They have been recognized for their commitment to musical creativity and integrity, for their community spirit and philanthropic endeavors, and for their innovative approach to the business of music.

When The String Cheese Incident's growth first started gaining momentum over a decade ago, the landscape of the music industry was like the wild west from where the band came.  With the major-label business model failing and the age of the internet just dawning, The String Cheese Incident began to rethink the traditional rock-n-roll dream. Once the band decided to go for it and make music completely on their own terms, they never looked back.

The String Cheese Incident went on to carve out a completely different approach to the business of music; truly pioneers of a new way of "making a band."  With the World Wide Web as their tool, SCI was able to easily disseminate information such as tour dates, release information, and other news to their growing fan base.  Rather than doing business on such terms as "the bottom line," The String Cheese Incident opened companies, such as a ticketing and a gear company and a fan travel agency to truly cater to the audience and their needs.  Their record label, SCI Fidelity Records, operated on the same ideals; they embraced tape trading and downloadable music, eventually offering the SCI's "On the Road" series, where every show the band played was made available for download on the internet.  Whether they realized it at the time or not, The String Cheese Incident was inventing grassroots band development.  Today, literally hundreds of bands are using some version of this same approach to growing a band. 

The String Cheese Incident's commitment went well beyond their immediate community and even beyond the music community in general. Early on, the band took a serious interest in giving back to the communities that they visited, and they where among the first performers to encourage "Green" shows and tours.  SCI's support helped give rise to such not-for-profit organizations as Conscious Alliance, Rock the Earth, and Head Count. In 2002, when the band's right to sell tickets to their own shows became threatened by ticketing giant Ticketmaster, the band stood strong for the independent music community and filed a lawsuit against the company.  All the while, The String Cheese Incident stayed committed to music as a creative endeavor, not just in their recordings but also in their live performances.  The list of SCI's special guests and collaborators is long and diverse. Their annual events such as Horning's Hideout and holiday shows such as New Year's and Halloween helped redefine the concert experience and garnered the band a reputation as live music vibe innovators.

Now, on the heels of five sold-out, home-state shows for their annual "Winter Carnival," the band announces their 2007 Summer Tour, which stops in markets that hold plenty of SCI history (such as the San Francisco Bay Area, New York City, and Colorado) and features some of the band's favorite kinds of shows - namely weekend camping events with plenty of musical friends in tow (a long weekend in Oregon and the "Big Summer Classic" festival at Camp Zoe).

Dates begin on July 12 with a three night run at the legendary Beacon Theatre in New York City. Then the band skips to the west coast for two nights in the Bay Area at Berkeley's Greek Theatre on July 21 & 22, with special guests Sound Tribe Sector 9 on Saturday and Railroad Earth on Sunday. The weekend of July 27-29 will include three nights in Oregon, at a venue still to be determined (visit the band's website for more information and details as they become available). Then, the "Big Summer Classic" will return in the form of a three-day camping festival on the weekend of August 3-5.  In the tradition of the inaugural BSC tour in summer of 2005, the weekend festival will feature a slew of SCI's musical friends.  Confirmed so far are Los Lobos, Yonder Mountain String Band, JJ Grey & MOFRO, The Wailers, EOTO and many others to be announced. The tour will end at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado, where it all began. 

The String Cheese Incident Summer Tour list of dates is as follows:
June 15 Bonnaroo Manchester, TN
July 12 Beacon Theatre New York, NY
July 13 Beacon Theatre New York, NY
July 14 Beacon Theatre New York, NY
July 21 Greek Theatre Berkeley, CA with Sound Tribe Sector 9
July 22 Greek Theatre Berkeley, CA with Railroad Earth
July 27 Venue TBA Oregon
July 28 Venue TBA Oregon
July 29 Venue TBA Oregon
August 3 Big Summer Classic Camp Zoe Salem, MO
August 4 Big Summer Classic Camp Zoe Salem, MO
August 5 Big Summer Classic Camp Zoe Salem, MO
Produced with Peak Experience. Special guests include Los Lobos, The Wailers, Yonder Mountain String Band, JJ Grey & MOFRO, Greyboy Allstars, EOTO and many others TBA
August 10 Red Rocks Morrison, CO
August 11 Red Rocks Morrison, CO
August 12 Red Rocks Morrison, CO

Tickets on sale Tuesday, May 8 at 10 am MST at www.stringcheeseincident.com

Thu, 04/12/2007 - 1:47 am

Kyle Hollingsworth  (The String Cheese Incident) steps out with his latest collaboration – soleside – which features Kyle, Speech (of Arrested Development) and DJ Logic. Backed by a full band, these three creative souls, seemingly worlds apart, will smash jazz/funk, hiphop and turntables into an explosive new music that defies categorization. Don't miss soleside's debut in Colorado this May.

Show details are as follows:

Thursday, May 17th @ 9:00pm (Doors @ 8:00pm)
Aggie Theatre
204 South College Avenue, Fort Collins
Tickets $15.00 adv $17.00 dos / All Ages Welcome
For more information please contact 970.482.8300

Friday, May 18 th @ 9:00pm (Doors @ 8:00pm)
Cervante's Masterpiece Ballroom
2637 Welton Street, Denver
Tickets $15.00 adv $17.00 dos / Ages 18+ Welcome
For more information please contact 303.297.1772

Saturday, May 19 th @ 9:00pm (Doors @ 8:30pm)
Fox Theatre
1135 13th Street, Boulder
Tickets $13.00 adv $15.00 dos / Ages 21+ Welcome
For more information please contact 303.443.3399

Kyle Hollingsworth is best known as keyboardist/singer/songwriter for independent music pioneers The String Cheese Incident – who after 14 years together, have recently announced that summer 2007 would be the group's last tour, at least for the foreseeable future.  Hollingsworth, a prolific musician who is well versed in many genres of music, is seizing the opportunity to explore news boundaries in music; and with a degree in jazz piano performance from Baltimore's Towson State University, a long history making music with rock/bluegrass band The String Cheese Incident, and a solo release that delves seamlessly into funk and acid jazz (Never Odd Or Even, 2004), Hollingsworth is already well on his way.

Mon, 04/30/2007 - 10:42 am

MONOLITH and AEG Live Rocky Mountains have partnered to co-produce the inaugural MONOLITH Festival at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado on September 14 and 15, 2007. 

MONOLITH will host over 70 "emerging artists" – from international headliners to unknowns - making this the first music festival of its kind for Colorado, and the only annual "destination" event for music's legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

MONOLITH Founders Matt Fecher (South Park Music Festival) and Josh Baker (Midwest Music Summit) will co-produce the event with AEG Live.  Baker says of the partnership: "AEG Live is one of the greatest producers of events like ours, and their new Denver operation has a lot of enthusiasm for new ideas and projects."  AEG Live Rocky Mountains Vice President Don Strasburg adds: " It's hard to believe that MONOLITH is the first true multi-day festival at Red Rocks."  

Indeed, MONOLITH will put Denver, Colorado on the music festival map; Red Rocks Amphitheatre, though widely recognized as the world's premier outdoor music venue, has yet to host such an event.   

The vision for MONOLITH was first conceptualized at Fecher's 2006 South Park Music Festival in South Park, Colorado, when Erik Dyce, Chief Marketing Officer of Denver's Division of Theatres and Arenas, who owns Red Rocks Amphitheatre, pulled Fecher aside. Dyce explains: "I told Matt, 'Everyone wants an excuse to come to Colorado to see an epic rock show at Red Rocks.  Let's give it to them!'"

Initial artist announcement and ticket on-sale information coming soon.

Tue, 05/01/2007 - 8:12 pm

Today, trance-fusion rockers The Disco Biscuits announce Camp Bisco 6 - the sixth year of the band's always-anticipated annual music festival.  Reputed for each year offering music's most cutting edge and experimental innovators, Camp Bisco 6 will host three nights of music and camping at the Indian Lookout Country Club in upstate New York.  With their initial artist line-up announcement, Camp Bisco welcomes in a new-era of internationalism and diversity.  In addition to three nights of epic Disco Biscuits sets, Camp Bisco will host Simon Posford, OTT and YOUTH as they bring their dub circus project, Hallucinogen: In Dub to the states for its first ever U.S. appearance! Also confirmed: Israeli trance band Infected Mushroom, the stretched and skewed soundscapes of Brazilian ex-pat Amon Tobin, stunning sample craftsman Girl Talk, dance-punker The Juan Maclean, Sound Tribe Sector 9 (playing a live set one night and a PA set the other), underground heavyweight Bassnectar, a soulful DJ set by King Brit of Digable Planets fame, incognito favorites Hanging Brains, plus Zilla, EOTO, The Join (featuring Jamie Shields & Darren Shearer of The New Deal and Tom Hamilton & Clay Parnell of Brothers Past), Telepath, Psylab, Orchard Lounge, and others still to be announced.

In addition to three nights and two full days of music, Camp Bisco 6 will offer unlimited car camping, plus RV and family camping areas, daily "Color Wars" festivities which have become a signature Camp Bisco pastime, and of course plenty of food and craft vendors.  Indian Lookout Country Club, located in Mariaville New York just ½ hour from Albany and 3 hours from both Boston and New York City, boasts 200 acres of serene rolling hills and natural beauty, and such amenities as flush toilets and showers . As always, Camp Bisco will work with various local officials, venue managers and The Camp Creek Organizers to ensure music fans a fun and safe weekend.

Also this year, Camp Bisco will "Go Green."  Camp Bisco 6 will be powered by 100% renewable energy, thanks to sponsors Green Mountain Energy Company and Sustainable Waves.  Green Mountain Energy Company and Sustainable Waves are pleased to offer Camp Bisco attendees the opportunity to "green up" their concert experience by purchasing a "Green Ticket." When you buy a Green Ticket, Green Mountain will green-up the Camp Bisco concert experience by providing, on the ticket buyer's behalf, 250 kWh of green-e certified renewable energy made from sources like wind and bio-energy.  By purchasing a Green Ticket, each individual can help offset an estimated 348 lbs of CO2 created by activities like driving their car to the show. For more information please visit www.begreennow.com/greenticket250 and visit www.campbisco.net to purchase a Green Ticket to Camp Bisco 6.

Not-for-profit Conscious Alliance will also be on site to host a food drive.  As in years past, food donations collected will go to benefit local food pantries in their effort to help feed America's hungry. Attendees are encouraged to bring 10 non-perishable food items redeemable for a limited edition Camp Bisco 6 / Conscious Alliance poster.  Visit www.consciousalliance.org for more information.

Event Information is as follows:
CAMP  BISCO  6
August 16-18th 2007
3 nights of music and camping
Indian Lookout Country Club
Mariaville, NY
Presale tickets available now at www.campbisco.net, www.discobiscuits.com and http://biscotix.musictoday.com
Tickets on sale to the general public on May 10 at 10 am
Early bird special available for $115.00 while supplies last
Ticket prices will raise without notice as allotments sell out: $130.00 / $145.00 til 5 PM on August 15 /$160.00 at gate (ticket prices include car camping for all three nights)
Visit www.campbisco.net, www.meatcamp.com, or www.discobiscuits.com  for tickets and information

Long recognized as the preeminent trance-fusion band in the United States, the Disco Biscuits have forged a new path in the improvisational music scene, leaving in their wake dozens of imitators while leading the charge in the now dominating live-electronic touring circuit. In the twelve years that the Biscuits have been around they have created a huge following and garnered a great deal of critical success.

SPIN magazine has dubbed them the "forefathers of Trance-fusion", while Entertainment Weekly called 1998's "Uncivilized Area" the #1 Jamband Album of All Time. "Señor Boombox," released in 2002, was named one of the Top Ten Jam Albums Ever by Guitar Player and 2002's Best Studio Album by Relix.

Highlights of this last year include playing to 25,000 people at i l and 20,000 at Lollapalooza, the hosting of their 5th annual Camp Bisco (whose line-up included The Roots, Brazilian Girls, and Thievery Corporation) at Hunter Mountain, and the release of their "Caterpillar" video on MTV Latin America. TDB sold out 15 shows in a row on their spring tour & closed out the year with another nine sold-out shows, culminating in a three show New Year's run.  New Year's was filmed in an HD documentary, titled Progressions, depicting the band's rise from club/theatre band to arena headliner in the Biscuits' hometown of Philly. 2006 saw them reach new heights and this year only promises more.

Tue, 05/01/2007 - 9:31 pm

Culling some of the nation's best independent & up-and-coming artists, 10,000 Lakes Festival's Cosmic Break is ready to launch its online component.  After the wealth of talent unearthed from this year's ten city Cosmic Break Tour, thirty bands from all over America are now entered. Through online fan voting, can win three of the coveted performance slots at this year's festival.  This year's Cosmic Break online hopefuls include:

3 Peas, 8 Switch Assembly, Banooba, Big Water, Bill Mike Band, The Blaire Reinhard Band, Bryan Cherry Band, Carmen The Cactus, Chinese Fingertrap,  Citizen Sage, Cosmic Railroad, Deuce, Fatdad, Friends of the Family, Levi Chen & Liquid Gardens,  Namaste, The Passage Project, Public Property,  Reign Dancers,  Resurrected Grooves,  River City Hum, Roster McCabe, Scarecrow Collection, shurman, Slackstring, The Super American Happy Fun Good-Time Jamband, Tripod, Underground Orchestra, WhiteWater Ramble, Will Phalen & The Stereo Addicts

Fans are encouraged to cast votes now through May 29 at www.10KLF.com to select their favorite artist's chance to perform this July alongside:

Bob Weir & RatDog, Trey Anastasio, Umphrey's McGee, moe., Gov't Mule, Keller Williams, The Disco Biscuits, The Tragically Hip, Zappa Plays Zappa, The Derek Trucks Band, Galactic, Little Feat,  Particle, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Blueground Undergrass, Everyone Orchestra, Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk, Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen, Kaki King, WookieFoot, Trampled By Turtles, Pnuma Trio, The Lee Boys, Outformation, That 1 Guy, Toubab Krewe, Dubconscious, God Johnson, Green Lemon, Moses Mayes, Big Organ Trio, White Iron Band, New Primitives, Family Groove Company, Mr. Blotto, Madahoochi, Bump, Rhinestone Diplomats, Kinetix,  Stealin' Strings, Down Lo, Hobo Nephews, Smokin' Bandits, Unity, GypsyFoot, Home, Polydypsia, WBPN, Absent Sound, The Grasshoppers, The Heavy Pets, Shoeless Revolution, Fancy Bastard, The Burnin' Smyrnans, Lighterside of Being, Fresh Heir, Hunab and more still to be announced.

One of the festival's half dozen campgrounds has already sold out with the others filling quickly.  Attendees are encouraged to secure tickets and campground reservations in advance to ensure favored placement.  Festival tickets, campground reservations and complete event details are available online at www.10KLF.com.

Sat, 05/12/2007 - 1:41 am

The 2007 Wakarusa Music and Camping Festival will partner with Zephyr Energy, a program of the non-profit Bonneville Environmental Foundation, and New Belgium Brewing Company to offer a Sustainability Symposium, the goal of which is to bring environmental issues into mainstream discussion.  This year's Festival will take place June 7 – 10 at Clinton Lake State Park outside Lawrence.

The key theme of this year's symposium is the conservation and production of energy.  Friday evening, June 8th, Jeff Goodell, author of Big Coal, will take center stage to address coal-fired energy.  Saturday morning will feature additional speakers including Wes Jackson of The Land Institute, followed by a panel discussion addressing the issues of energy and related environmental impacts including climate change.  Additional speakers include Nic Thiesen of the New Belgium Brewing Company, and Pete Ferrell, a fourth generation Kansas rancher whose land hosts wind turbines. 

According to Festival Director Brett Mosiman, the Symposium was a natural outgrowth of Wakarusa's efforts to limit impacts to Clinton Lake State Park.  From the inception of the Festival, organizers have tried to minimize Wakarusa's footprint.  The effort began with a strong recycling program run by Kansas State University students, and ramped up in 2006 when Wakarusa offset its carbon footprint with Zephyr Energy Green Tags and offered incentives for attendees to reuse their cups.  This year, organizers will use biodiesel for generators, require vendors to use compostable serviceware, step up incentives for reusing cups, and will streamline the water distribution system with the aim of limiting the use of bottled water. 

Keeping Wakarusa green is not without its challenges.  The Festival's current hurdle is finding a destination for compost from the event.  Car traffic to the event remains an issue.  Organizers encourage carpooling, the use of pubic transportation and event-specific shuttles.  Wakarusa also offers individuals the option of "greening" travel to and from the show.  Attendees can purchase Zephyr Energy Green Tags to offset the energy used to travel to the show.  According to Jami Sweeney, Assistant Director of the Festival, "the ultimate goal would be to have a 100 percent emissions-free festival.  Wakarusa has done its part by greening its energy consumption.  We hope that festival-goers will do their part by buying Green Tags to offset the environmental impacts of their travel."

The goal of organizers is to both walk and talk responsible energy usage.  According to Festival Director Mosiman, "Promoting renewable energy, such as wind and low-impact hydro power, helps us fulfill our mission of preserving the environment and raising awareness about environmental causes."  Wind and hydropower are affordable and inexhaustible energy sources that do not cause pollution, generate waste, or deplete natural resources.  Today, more than 90 percent of U.S. energy comes from fossil fuels and nuclear power.  Wind energy is a significant and relatively untapped power resource for the U.S., which has some of the highest wind energy potential in the world.  The American Council on Renewable Energy estimates that with "consistent public policy" and enough investment, 70 percent of America's energy consumption could be generated from renewable, carbon-free sources by 2025.

The Wakarusa Music and Camping Festival is one of the largest music festivals in the U.S., and has gained a reputation as a premiere, grassroots event in the nationwide outdoor music scene.  According to Jami Sweeney, Assistant Director of the Festival, the organizers see the Festival as an ideal setting to encourage thinking about living a sustainable life.  Mosiman and Sweeney partnered with Zephyr Energy to add the symposium to the Festival because they felt it was time to bring discussion out of academic circles into non-traditional events such as Wakarusa.  With an estimated 15,000 attendees per day from all 50 states and international attendees from across the globe, the 2007 Festival has a significant opportunity to promote discussion of energy production and usage.  "Having Jeff Goodell and Wes Jackson speak is an ideal way to get that message out," explains Mosiman.  "We realize it is unusual to stop the music and have speakers discuss coal-fired energy and global climate change, but we think it is time, and the Wakarusa crowd is ready to hear it."

What are Green Tags?

Designed as a marketing mechanism for power markets to recognize the environmental attributes of renewable power, Green Tags support renewable energy development, by providing a premium to renewable energy developers for the environmental attributes of the renewable sources of power.  Buying Zephyr Energy Green Tags encourages the growth of renewable power generation in Kansas and the surrounding region.

About the Wakarusa Music and Camping Festival

The Wakarusa Music and Camping Festival is a 4-day foot-stomping party in the heart of the Midwest.  Born in 2004, Wakarusa burst onto the scene with a diverse and eclectic lineup featuring over 70 artists.  The 2004 bill perked the interest of both devout and casual music fans alike.  Fans that made the trip to Wakarusa left with unforgettable stories of the music and the beautiful surroundings of Clinton Lake and the Lawrence area.  Since its birth, Wakarusa has established itself as a premiere, grassroots event in the nationwide outdoor music scene.  Wakarusa has attracted folks from all 50 U.S. states and many countries three years in a row.  The 2007 event will feature over 100 artists playing on 6 stages over 4 days.  Tickets and information are available at www.wakarusa.com.

A Few Words About New Belgium Brewing Company
New Belgium Brewing Company, makers of Fat Tire Amber Ale and a host of Belgian-inspired beers, began operations in a tiny Fort Collins basement in 1991. New Belgium produces six year-round beers; Fat Tire Amber Ale, Sunshine Wheat, Blue Paddle Pilsener, 1554 Black Ale, Abbey, and Trippel. A special release program allows for creative experimentation resulting in beers like La Folie, a sour brown ale aged up to three years in French Oak.  In addition to producing world-class beers, New Belgium takes pride in being a responsible corporate role model. Progressive programs like employee ownership, open book management and a trip to Belgium after five years employment are all part of the corporate culture. New Belgium is wind-powered and employee-owned.  More information is available on the web at www.newbelgium.com

About Zephyr Energy

Zephyr Energy is a Green-e certified Green Tag Product offered by the non-profit Bonneville Environmental Foundation.  In their efforts to promote renewable power in the Midwest, the Bonneville Environmental Foundation and The Bowersock Mills and Power Co. collaborated to create a mix of green power drawing on hydroelectric Green Tags produced at the Bowersock Dam in Lawrence and wind power tags sourced from across the West.  The ultimate goal is to source Zephyr Energy entirely through renewable power sources located in environmentally acceptable areas in the central states region.  Buying Zephyr Energy will help make this possible.  More information is available on the web at www.zephyrenergy.org.

Sat, 05/12/2007 - 12:14 pm

Today, Jam Cruise 6 confirms trip dates and makes its line-up announcement.  This year's annual floating festival will leave Ft. Lauderdale on January 4, 2008 for a 5 day / 5 night music and travel adventure.  With over 20 bands and 2000 passengers aboard the MSC Lirica, the luxury cruise liner will make stops in Roatan, Honduras and Costa Maya, Mexico.

So far, Jam Cruise 6 has confirmed accomplished guitarist Warren Haynes, conscious hip hop innovators Michael Franti & Spearhead, New Orleans funk legends funky METERS featuring Art Neville, George Porter, Russell Batiste & Ian Neville, progressive bluegrass band Yonder Mountain String Band, new-funk favorites Galactic, Grateful Dead re-creators Dark Star Orchestra, jazz organ trio Soulive, reggae architects Toots & the Maytals, soul sister Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Everyone Orchestra conducted by Matt Butler featuring Jon Fishman, Steve Kimock & Jeff Coffin,  high energy jammers Perpetual Groove, B-3 organ-fueled blues-rock quartet Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, electronic loungers Lotus, west coast Rockers New Monsoon, the West African skewed Toubab Krewe, the inspired Colorado outfit The Motet, the thumping soundscapes of DJ Harry, special guest Karl Denson, and many others still to be announced.

More cabins than ever have been pre-booked!  Jam Cruise 6 reservations open to the public on June 4, 2007 at  www.jamcruise.com.

Since its first journey in 2003, Jam Cruise has revolutionized the music festival experience by blending the community, spontaneity and good times of a music festival with the convenience, luxury, and adventure of cruise travel.  Jam Cruise's unique story has been featured in a diverse list of media outlets including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Rolling Stone, HARP, Gourmet Magazine, Outside Magazine, Travel and Leisure, and many others.

Jam Cruise is presented by Cloud 9 Adventures: a partnership between Mark Brown, Josh Moore & Roger Naber.

Sat, 05/12/2007 - 3:46 pm

Some men celebrate their 63rd birthday by starting a countdown to retirement, but for bluegrass legend - and road warrior - Doyle Lawson, April 20th was a milepost on the way to one of his busiest and most successful seasons yet.

Fresh off taping an episode of GAC's Edge Of Country with Kylie Harris (air dates June 23rd & June 25th) that focuses on his newest release, More Behind the Picture than the Wall (Rounder), Lawson paused to break some big news before heading back on the road.

"I'm happy to announce that the new member of Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver will be Ron Spears," he said.  "Ron will be playing bass and handling lead and harmony vocals.  Ron is a longtime student and fan of Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, and he understands the style - when we got together, the vocal blend with the trio and quartet was extremely pleasing to my ear.  I'm looking forward to his vocal input as well as having another songwriter in the band."  Spears, who penned "Ocean Of Teardrops" on Lawson's latest release, will start his new duties with Quicksilver on a yet-to-be-determined date.

In the meantime, the veteran bandleader is gearing up for a dizzying round of coast-to-coast performances and honors including stops at California's gigantic Stage Coach country music festival (5/6); Lawson's own bluegrass festival in Denton, NC (5/10-13) and Brooklyn, NY's Southpaw for a Carnegie Hall Neighborhood Concerts performance on June 1st.  Tucked into the busy itinerary is a May 5th stop at Bristol, TN's King College, where Lawson will deliver this year's commencement address and receive an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree.

Offsetting the rigors of road life is More Behind The Picture Than The Wall, which is bidding to take its place among Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver's most successful releases.  The disc debuted at #2 on Billboard's Bluegrass Album chart week of release (March 27), with first week scans up more than 30% from the group's previous album.  Critics are raving about its "timeless message" (Barnes & Noble) and the quintet's "expert harmonizers" (L.A. Daily News).  "Quicksilver hears as clearly as ever the sound of traditions reborn," says No Depression of More Behind The Picture Than The Wall, and when they catch Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver in concert, this summer's fans will hear it, too.

2007 UPCOMING TOUR DATES 

5/12    Doyle Lawson Bluegrass Festival   Denton, NC

5/13    Doyle Lawson Bluegrass Festival   Denton, NC

5/18    Bloomin' BBQ & Bluegrass    Sevierville, TN

5/19    Community Theatre    McKee, KY

5/25    Twitchell Auditorium    Spartanburg, SC

5/26    Zellwood Corn Festival    Zellwood, FL

6/01    Southpaw    Brooklyn, NY

6/02    Graves Mountain Festival of Music    Syria, VA

6/03    Ram's Head On Stage    Annapolis, MD

6/08    McDukin Civic Center    Cullman, AL

6/09    GA Mountain Fair    Hiawassee, GA

6/16    NC State Bluegrass Festival    Cherokee, NC

6/20    Chatuaqua Festival    Wytheville, VA

6/21    River of Music    Owensboro, KY

6/22    Music in the Mountains    Summersville, WV

6/23    Renfro Valley Entertainment Center    Renfro Valley, KY

7/06    Starvy Creek Bluegrass Festival    Conway, MO

7/07    Shadow Valley Gospel Music Fest     Fayetteville, TN

7/12    Ryman Auditorium    Nashville, TN

7/13    N Georgia Bluegrass Festival    Cleveland, GA

7/14    Watermelon Park     Berryville, VA

7/19    Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival    Ancramdale, NY

7/21    Walton Park     Mineral, VA

7/25    MACC Festival    Columbus, OH

7/26    Porter Center for Performing Arts   Brevard, NC

7/28    Rocky Grass Festival    Lyons, CO

7/29    Rocky Grass Festival    Lyons, CA

8/04    Podunk Bluegrass Festival    East Hartford, CT

8/10    Stonehedge Bluegrass Festival    Gray, ME

8/11    Windmill Bay Farms    Alburg, VT

8/17    Cherokee Bluegrass Festival    Cherokee, NC

8/24    Grand Ole Gospel Theatre    Chocowinity, NC

8/25    Andy Griffith Playhouse    Mt. Airy, NC

Sat, 05/19/2007 - 11:53 pm

Live set pays tribute to Sister Rosetta Tharpe, The Staple Singers and Billie Holiday; set includes traditional spirituals as well as and original several new original songs.

"Ask me about my religion," writes Michelle Shocked in her "womanifesto" for her forthcoming album. "Of course, no one ever does." But it's all part of her long musical journey: "I was moved by the power of rock 'n' roll. And if you follow the trail from rock 'n' roll, it always leads you back to the blues, sweet soul music and finally to the churches and gospel music." In Shocked's case, it led to the West Angeles COGIC mass choir in the heart of South Central Los Angeles, where she now tries "living by the Good Book, and putting out a gospel record."
  
The resulting album, titled (and spelled) ToHeavenURide, is scheduled for August 21, 2007 release on Mighty Sound through Megaforce/RED.
  
For this set, recorded live at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival in June 2003, Grammy Award winner Shocked enlisted her Bay Area rhythm section, shanghaied Nick Forster (Hot Rize, etown) to play pedal steel and recruited the singing Dancys from New Greater Circle Mission Church in South L.A. for backing vocals and keyboards.
  
The marriage between the spirit of gospel music and the crisp Rocky Mountain air resulted in a rollicking performance. Shocked presents two songs by one of her greatest influences — Sister Rosetta Tharpe ("Strange Things Happening Every Day," "Ain't Gonna Study War No More.") Tharpe is called the "father — well, mother — of rockabilly" in the notes, and the songs are dedicated to her spirit. Also featured are "The Weight" by The Band and "Uncloudy Day" and "Wade in the Water" by the Staple Singers. Billie Holiday's "God Bless the Child" is given the Shocked treatment. Finally, "We're Blessed" by Fred Hammond of the Detroit gospel group Commissioned, a modern gospel standard, is brought out of the churches.
  
Shocked also introduces includes four originals here (one is previously unreleased): "The Quality of Mercy" (originally written for the soundtrack of the film Dead Man Walking), "Good News" (commissioned by Greenpeace for the documentary Cancer Alley), "Psalm" (which prove the Psalms are a fertile source of the folk tradition) and "Can't Take My Joy" (combining gospel and reggae traditions with a nod to Bob Marley).
  
Although the songs were recorded at the 2003 Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Shocked's contract plainly stipulated "no recording." However, for a festival DVD project recorded that year, her set happened to be digitally stored on a ProTools file. It never occurred to Shocked to ask of the existence of such a recording, but it did occur to her new manager. So, in keeping in the tradition of inadvertent "field recordings" which — in the case of her debut album Texas Campfire Tapes — was made on the sneak, ToHeavenURide is another great Michelle Shocked field recording that almost never saw the light of day.
  
"Fifteen years ago, I was moved by a quote from the Rev. Martin Luther King: "It is appalling that the most segregated hour of Christian America is eleven o'clock on Sunday morning." One white girl attending a black church wasn't going to change the world or anything, right?" writes Shocked in her ToHeavenURide manifesto, but she decided to "take the mountain to Mohammad." "I was just going to check out a gospel choir, ya know? . . . Years later, on top of another mountain, the holy spirit erupted. And now here I am bringing it home to you."
  
"The Lord works in mysterious ways. Or at least that's been my experience."
 
Shocked embarks on a national tour in support of ToHeavenURide this Fall.

Sat, 05/26/2007 - 6:56 pm

SCI has confirmed two new "Incidents" along their sold out New York City and Colorado runs; Wednesday, July 11 th at the Beacon Theatre and Thursday, August 9 th at Red Rocks have been added to their Summer Tour schedule. Tickets for these two shows go on sale on Thursday, May 31 st at 10:00 am Mountain Time at www.stringcheeseincident.com.

The band is also confirmed to headline Minnesota's 10,000 Lakes Festival on Friday, July 20 th on the Main Stage.  Tickets are available now at www.10klf.com.

The list of String Cheese Incident summer tour dates is as follows:
June 15 Bonnaroo Manchester, TN
July 11 Beacon Theatre New York, NY / JUST ADDED Tickets on sale May 31 at 10 am MDT
July 12 Beacon Theatre New York, NY / SOLD OUT
July 13 Beacon Theatre New York, NY / SOLD OUT
July 14 Beacon Theatre New York, NY / SOLD OUT
July 20 10,000 Lakes Festival Detroit Lakes, MN / Tickets on sale now at www.10klf.com 
July 21 Greek Theatre Berkeley, CA with Sound Tribe Sector 9 and The Disco Biscuits
July 22 Greek Theatre Berkeley, CA with Railroad Earth and Hot Buttered Rum
July 27 Horning's Hideout North Plains, Oregon with Femi Kuti & the Positive Force and others TBA / SOLD OUT
July 28 Horning's Hideout North Plains, Oregon with special guests TBA / SOLD OUT
July 29 Horning's Hideout North Plains, Oregon with ALO and others TBA / SOLD OUT
August 3 Camp Zoe Salem, MO Big Summer Classic
August 4 Camp Zoe Salem, MO Big Summer Classic
August 5 Camp Zoe Salem, MO Big Summer Classic 
Confirmed artists include The Roots, Los Lobos, Yonder Mountain String Band, The Greyboy Allstars, The Wailers, Infected Mushroom, Del McCoury Band, JJ Grey & MOFRO, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Vusi Mahlasela, Bassnectar, David Lindley, Drew Emmitt Band, Buckwheat Zydeco, Chris Berry & Panjea, EOTO, Jonah Smith, The Schwag, Old School Freight Train and others TBA. www.bigsummerclassic.com
August 9 Red Rocks Morrison, CO / JUST ADDED Tickets on sale May 31 at 10 am MDT
August 10 Red Rocks Morrison, CO / SOLD OUT
August 11 Red Rocks Morrison, CO / SOLD OUT
August 12 Red Rocks Morrison, CO / SOLD OUT

For tickets and additional information visit www.stringcheeseincident.com

As always, not-for-profit Conscious Alliance will be at every show to host food drives. Attendees are encouraged to bring 10 non-perishable food items to each show redeemable for an exclusive event poster. www.consciousalliance.org

There are currently no plans for The String Cheese Incident beyond summer of 2007.

Over the past decade, The String Cheese Incident has emerged as one of America's most significant independent bands. Born in 1993 in Colorado's Rocky Mountains, SCI has since released 6 albums, 3 DVDs and countless live recordings from their relentless tour schedule. Their 14 year history is packed full of surreal experiences, epic moments, groundbreaking involvement and huge accomplishments. They have been recognized for their commitment to musical creativity and integrity, for their community spirit, philanthropic endeavors, and for their innovative approach to the business of music.

When The String Cheese Incident's growth first started gaining momentum over a decade ago, when the internet was just beginning to take hold and the major-label business model was failing, the band decided to make music on their own terms.

Since then, The String Cheese Incident has gone on to carve out a completely different approach to the business of music; they are truly pioneers of a new way of "making a band."  With the World Wide Web as their tool, SCI was among the first artists to disseminate information via the internet, such as tour dates, release information, and other news, to their growing fan base.  Rather than doing business on such terms as "the bottom line," The String Cheese Incident put their music and their fans first, opening companies of their own, including a ticketing company, a merchandise company and a fan travel agency, to best serve their community. The band's record label, SCI Fidelity Records, has always operated under the same ideals. Even early on, SCI Fidelity embraced downloadable music and file sharing, delivering SCI's "On the Road" series, where every show the band plays is made available for download on the internet.  Whether they realized it at the time or not, The String Cheese Incident was inventing grassroots band development.  Today, literally hundreds of bands are using some version of this same approach to building a band. 

The String Cheese Incident's commitment goes well beyond their immediate community, and even beyond the music community as a whole. Early on, the band took a serious interest in giving back to the communities that they visited, and they were among the first performers to encourage "Green" shows and tours.  SCI's support has helped give rise to such not-for-profit organizations as Conscious Alliance, Rock the Earth, and Head Count. In 2002, when the band's right to sell tickets to their own shows became threatened by ticketing giant Ticketmaster, the band stood strong for the independent music community and filed a lawsuit against the company.  All the while, The String Cheese Incident has stayed committed to music as a creative endeavor, not just in their recordings but also in their live performances.  The list of SCI's special guests and collaborators is long and diverse. Their annual events such as Horning's Hideout, and holiday shows such as New Year's and Halloween, have helped redefine the concert experience and has garnered the band a reputation as live music vibe innovators.

Sat, 05/26/2007 - 7:26 pm

The 10,000 Lakes Festival (10KLF) announces the addition of The String Cheese Incident to the lineup, confirming a Minnesota performance on their summer tour. The Colorado-based group has spent more than a decade making innovative, genre-defying music and will perform two sets at the 10,000 Lakes Festival Friday, July 20 on the Main Stage.

"The String Cheese Incident is thrilled to be returning to 10KLF for the third time and are looking forward to performing in the North Woods once again," says SCI manager Mike Luba.

10KLF announces today that guitarist Trey Anastasio will be unable to perform at the event in 2007 due to circumstances beyond control. Anastasio's spokesperson confirms "Trey is disappointed he is unable to play the festival this year but is looking forward to returning for the 2008 10,000 Lakes Festival."

Updated artist schedule information will be released as it becomes available and will be posted to the 10,000 Lakes Festival website www.10klf.com.

The updated 10,000 Lakes Festival lineup includes:

Bob Weir & RatDog, The String Cheese Incident, Umphrey's McGee, moe., Gov't Mule, Keller Williams, The Disco Biscuits, The Tragically Hip, Zappa Plays Zappa, The Derek Trucks Band, Galactic, Little Feat, Particle, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Blueground Undergrass, Everyone Orchestra, Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk, Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen, Kaki King, WookieFoot, Trampled By Turtles, Pnuma Trio, The Lee Boys, Outformation, That 1 Guy, Toubab Krewe, Dubconscious, Tim Sparks, God Johnson, Green Lemon, Moses Mayes, Big Organ Trio, The Frequency, White Iron Band, New Primitives, Family Groove Company, Mr. Blotto, Madahoochi, Bump, Rhinestone Diplomats, Kinetix, Stealin' Strings, Down Lo, Hobo Nephews, Smokin' Bandits, Unity, GypsyFoot, Home, Polydypsia, WBPN, The Absent Sound, The Grasshoppers, The Heavy Pets, Shoeless Revolution, Fancy Bastard, The Burnin' Smyrnans, Lighterside of Being, Fresh Heir, Hunab and more still to be announced.

Event tickets, campground reservations and festival details are now available online at www.10KLF.com.

Sat, 06/16/2007 - 11:40 am

In the Fall of 2006, itching to release their first live album, Hot Buttered Rum announced that it would be recording a handful of shows for official release.  Live in the Northeast (released May 2007) beautifully reveals the true core of live Butter: music that is forceful without being flashy, serious without being stuffy, intricate without being inaccessible, and diverse without being distracting.  The performances were professionally multi-tracked and later carefully mixed by Butter's long-time sound engineer, Josh Osmond. The result is striking, presenting the unique energy and improvisational spirit of a Hot Buttered Rum live performance in studio-quality sound.

Often described as a rock band playing bluegrass instruments, no prior Butter recording has so perfectly displayed the band's bolder and heavier side.  Their full sound permeates Live in the Northeast — from the reggae-tinged "Return Someday" and psychedelica of "Desert Rat" through definitive covers of the Grateful Dead's "Cumberland Blues" and Leo Sayer's "Feel Like Dancin'" — winding the listener through a robust and intense set of acoustic rock.

The band's current list of confirmed tour dates is as follows:

June 19 Tractor Tavern Seattle WA
June 22 Media Club Vancouver BC
June 23 Grove Pub - Polynesian Room Vancouver BC
June 30 Powerhouse Pub Folsum CA
July 01 Mountain Stage Groveland CA
July 05-07 High Sierra Music Festival Quincy CA
July 13 Mangy Moose Teton Village WY
July 15 Trancegression Festival Copper Mountain CO
July 18 Buckin' Bale Music Festival Bozeman MT
July 19 Other Side Missoula MT
July 22 Greek Theater Berkeley CA with The String Cheese Incident and Railroad Earth
August 02 Mobius Ashland OR
August 03 4 Peaks Music Festival Bend OR
August 11 Dead on the Creek Willits CA
August 17 Mystic Theater Petaluma CA
August 18 Truckee Regional Park Truckee CA
August 19 Hidden Villa Community Programs Los Altos CA
September 09 Humboldt State University Arcata CA
September 16 River City Roots Festival Missoula MT
September 18 Red Oak High School Red Oak IA
September 20 Steifel Theatre for the Performing Arts Salina KS
September 22 Mulberry Mountain Harvest Music Festival Ozark AR
October 20 Joshua Tree Music Festival Joshua Tree CA

More dates to be announced.

The widespread appeal of Hot Buttered Rum 's music stems not only from the band's musical versatility and prolific songwriting, but also from the magnetic chemistry the group creates onstage together.  It is this chemistry that is propelling the band to ever greater success. The band has performed at festivals as diverse as the Newport Folk Festival, Bonnaroo, Grey Fox, High Sierra and the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, and has shared the stage with such artists as Phil Lesh, Bela Fleck, Ben Harper, Chris Thile, Mike Marshall and Peter Rowan, the last two of whom worked with the band on its critically-acclaimed studio release, Well-Oiled Machine

Sat, 06/16/2007 - 11:57 am

Seventeen years ago, Ani DiFranco released her first album.  Since then, she has established herself as one of the most influential and inspirational artists of her generation.  DiFranco wears many hats including singer/songwriter/guitarist/producer.  Her empowering spirit is evident through her songs that tackle barbed political and sexual issues with uncommon insight and compassion.  On September 11, Righteous Babe Records will release 'Canon,' the first retrospective studio album of Ani's illustrious and storied career.  The double-disc will feature songs from her albums spanning 1990 - 2006 and five re-recorded tracks with help from Todd Sickafoose (bass) and Allison Miller (drums).

Since the early 1990s, DiFranco's innovative guitar style, signature percussive finger picking, expressive vocals and incisive lyrics have earned her a loyal, dedicated fanbase and consistent critical acclaim.

The self-described "little folk singer" has released eighteen studio albums and has produced records for artists such as Dan Bern, Utah Phillips and Janis Ian.  DiFranco has collaborated with everyone from Prince and Cyndi Lauper to Dar Williams and Maceo Parker.  She continues to sell out venues all over the world including NYC's Carnegie Hall.  In 2005, DiFranco made CMJ's list of the 25 most influential artists of the last 25 years, along with U2, Nirvana, Radiohead and The Pixies.

DiFranco's 2006 release, 'Reprieve' earned a slew of accolades.  Entertainment Weekly called it "beautifully committed music - the kind that's as essential now as it has ever been."

Sunday, July 22nd at 1:00 pm (doors open at noon)

with special guests Anais Mitchell and TBA

Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield

8500 Deer Creek Canyon Road, Littleton

Tickets: rain or shine $45.00 / All Ages Welcome

(Children two years and younger are admitted free)

Ticket Outlets: www.ticketweb.com, 1.866.468.7621

Boulder : Bart's CD Cellar, in Denver : Independent Records Stores; Twist & Shout.

Produced by NIPP and Maven Productions

For more information please visit www.nipp.com

Sat, 06/16/2007 - 12:25 pm

The String Cheese Incident's 2007 Summer Tour stops in towns that hold plenty of SCI history, and features some of the band's favorite kinds of shows - namely weekend camping events with plenty of musical friends in tow.

Incidents begin on July 11 with a four night run at the legendary Beacon Theatre in New York City. The band then skips to the west coast for two nights in the Bay Area at Berkeley's Greek Theatre on July 21 & 22, with special guests Sound Tribe Sector 9 and The Disco Biscuits on Saturday and Railroad Earth and Hot Buttered Rum on Sunday. The weekend of July 27-29 will include three nights at Horning's Hideout.  Horning's Hideout is always one of SCI's most anticipated and memorable Incidents. This year's festival will feature three nights of music by SCI (Fri, Sat, Sun) plus special musical guests Femi Kuti & the Positive Force, ALO, and many others to be announced . Then, the "Big Summer Classic" will return in the form of a three-day camping festival on the weekend of August 3-5.  In the tradition of the inaugural BSC Tour in summer of 2005, the weekend festival will feature a slew of SCI's musical friends.  Confirmed artists include The Roots, Los Lobos, Yonder Mountain String Band, The Greyboy Allstars, The Wailers, Infected Mushroom, Del McCoury Band, JJ Grey & MOFRO, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Vusi Mahlasela, Bassnectar, David Lindley, Drew Emmitt Band, Buckwheat Zydeco, Chris Berry & Panjea, EOTO, Jonah Smith, The Schwag, Old School Freight Train and others to be announced. The tour will end back home in Colorado at Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

The complete String Cheese Incident Summer Tour is as follows:
June 15 Bonnaroo Manchester, TN
July 11 Beacon Theatre New York, NY
July 12 Beacon Theatre New York, NY SOLD OUT
July 13 Beacon Theatre New York, NY SOLD OUT
July 14 Beacon Theatre New York, NY SOLD OUT
July 20 10,000 Lakes Festival Detroit Lakes, MN
July 21 Greek Theatre Berkeley, CA w/ STS9 and The Disco Biscuits
July 22 Greek Theatre Berkeley, CA w/ Railroad Earth & Hot Buttered Rum
July 27 Horning's Hideout North Plains, Oregon with Femi Kuti & the Positive Force and others TBA SOLD OUT
July 28 Horning's Hideout North Plains, Oregon with special guests TBA
July 29 Horning's Hideout North Plains, Oregon with ALO and others TBA
August 3 Camp Zoe Salem, MO Big Summer Classic
August 4 Camp Zoe Salem, MO Big Summer Classic
August 5 Camp Zoe Salem, MO Big Summer Classic
August 9 Red Rocks Morrison, CO
August 10 Red Rocks Morrison, CO SOLD OUT
August 11 Red Rocks Morrison, CO SOLD OUT
August 12 Red Rocks Morrison, CO SOLD OUT

As always, not-for-profit Conscious Alliance will be at every show to host food drives. Attendees are encouraged to bring 10 non-perishable food items to each show redeemable for an exclusive event poster.

Over the past decade, The String Cheese Incident has emerged as one of America's most significant independent bands. Born in 1993 in Colorado's Rocky Mountains, SCI has since released 6 albums, 3 DVDs and countless live recordings from their relentless tour schedule. Their 14 year history is packed full of surreal experiences, epic moments, groundbreaking involvement and huge accomplishments. They have been recognized for their commitment to musical creativity and integrity, for their community spirit, philanthropic endeavors, and for their innovative approach to the business of music.

When The String Cheese Incident's growth first started gaining momentum over a decade ago, when the internet was just beginning to take hold and the major-label business model was failing, the band decided to make music on their own terms.

Since then, The String Cheese Incident has gone on to carve out a completely different approach to the business of music; they are truly pioneers of a new way of "making a band."  With the World Wide Web as their tool, SCI was among the first artists to disseminate information via the internet, such as tour dates, release information, and other news, to their growing fan base.  Rather than doing business on such terms as "the bottom line," The String Cheese Incident put their music and their fans first, opening companies of their own, including a ticketing company, a merchandise company and a fan travel agency, to best serve their community. The band's record label, SCI Fidelity Records, has always operated under the same ideals. Even early on, SCI Fidelity embraced downloadable music and file sharing, delivering SCI's "On the Road" series, where every show the band plays is made available for download on the internet.  Whether they realized it at the time or not, The String Cheese Incident was inventing grassroots band development.  Today, literally hundreds of bands are using some version of this same approach to building a band.

The String Cheese Incident's commitment goes well beyond their immediate community, and even beyond the music community as a whole. Early on, the band took a serious interest in giving back to the communities that they visited, and they were among the first performers to encourage "Green" shows and tours.  SCI's support has helped give rise to such not-for-profit organizations as Conscious Alliance, Rock the Earth, and Head Count. In 2002, when the band's right to sell tickets to their own shows became threatened by ticketing giant Ticketmaster, the band stood strong for the independent music community and filed a lawsuit against the company.  All the while, The String Cheese Incident has stayed committed to music as a creative endeavor, not just in their recordings but also in their live performances.  The list of SCI's special guests and collaborators is long and diverse. Their annual events such as Horning's Hideout, and holiday shows such as New Year's and Halloween, have helped redefine the concert experience and has garnered the band a reputation as live music vibe innovators.

Sat, 07/07/2007 - 10:15 am

The Disco Biscuits have announced Camp Bisco 6 - the sixth year of the band's always-anticipated annual music festival.  Reputed for each year offering music's most cutting edge and experimental innovators, Camp Bisco 6 will host three nights of music and camping at the Indian Lookout Country Club in upstate New York. Camp Bisco 6 welcomes in a new-era of internationalism and diversity.  In addition to three nights of epic Disco Biscuits sets, Camp Bisco will host Simon Posford, OTT and YOUTH as they bring their dub circus project, Hallucinogen: In Dub to the states for its first ever U.S. appearance! Also confirmed: Israeli trance band Infected Mushroom, the stretched and skewed soundscapes of Brazilian ex-pat Amon Tobin, stunning sample craftsman Girl Talk, dance-punker The Juan Maclean, precision jammers Umphrey's McGee, Sound Tribe Sector 9 (playing a live set one night and a PA set the other), Adam Deitch featuring Slick Rick and The Adam Deitch Project, underground heavyweight Bassnectar, innovative dance music by The Bays, a soulful DJ set by King Brit of Digable Planets fame, experiemental rockers Benzos, Allston, MA based Indobox, world-beat collective The Afromotive, plus Zilla, EOTO, The Join (featuring Jamie Shields & Darren Shearer of The New Deal and Tom Hamilton & Clay Parnell of Brothers Past), The Grimace Federation, Digital Frontier, Strut, Caveman, Telepath, Psylab, and Orchard Lounge.

In addition to three nights and two full days of music, Camp Bisco 6 will offer unlimited car camping, plus RV and family camping areas, daily "Color Wars" festivities which have become a signature Camp Bisco pastime, and of course plenty of food and craft vendors.  Indian Lookout Country Club, located in Mariaville New York just ½ hour from Albany and 3 hours from both Boston and New York City, boasts 200 acres of serene rolling hills and natural beauty, and such amenities as flush toilets and showers. As always, Camp Bisco will work with various local officials, venue managers and The Camp Creek Organizers to ensure music fans a fun and safe weekend.

Also this year, Camp Bisco will "Go Green."  Camp Bisco 6 will be powered by 100% renewable energy, thanks to sponsors Green Mountain Energy Company and Sustainable Waves.  Green Mountain Energy Company and Sustainable Waves are pleased to offer Camp Bisco attendees the opportunity to "green up" their concert experience by purchasing a "Green Ticket." When you buy a Green Ticket, Green Mountain will green-up the Camp Bisco concert experience by providing, on the ticket buyer's behalf, 250 kWh of green-e certified renewable energy made from sources like wind and bio-energy.  By purchasing a Green Ticket, each individual can help offset an estimated 348 lbs of CO2 created by activities like driving their car to the show. For more information please visit www.begreennow.com/greenticket250 and visit www.campbisco.net to purchase a Green Ticket to Camp Bisco 6.

After a very successful food drive at last year's Camp Bisco, where over 1,000 pounds of food were collected, The Disco Biscuits and not-for-profit Conscious Alliance will again partner to collect donations to benefit local food pantries.  Conscious Alliance will be releasing a limited edition print by artist Rob Pea, FREE to those who contribute 10 non-perishable food items or a specified cash donation to the food drive.  Donations of low-sodium and health food oriented products are especially encouraged. Ramen Noodles will not be accepted for the free poster.  For more information on the important work of Conscious Alliance please visit www.consciousalliance.org.

Event Information is as follows:

CAMP BISCO 6

August 16-18th 2007

3 nights of music and camping

Indian Lookout Country Club

Mariaville, NY

Tickets available now at www.campbisco.net and http://biscotix.musictoday.com

Ticket prices are $130.00 / $145.00 til 5 PM on August 15 /$160.00 at gate (ticket prices include car camping for all three nights)

Long recognized as the preeminent trance-fusion band in the United States, the Disco Biscuits have forged a new path in the improvisational music scene, leaving in their wake dozens of imitators while leading the charge in the now dominating live-electronic touring circuit. In the twelve years that the Biscuits have been around they have created a huge following and garnered a great deal of critical success.

SPIN magazine has dubbed them the "forefathers of Trance-fusion", while Entertainment Weekly called 1998's "Uncivilized Area" the #1 Jamband Album of All Time. "Señor Boombox," released in 2002, was named one of the Top Ten Jam Albums Ever by Guitar Player and 2002's Best Studio Album by Relix.

Highlights of this last year include playing to 25,000 people at Bonnaroo and 20,000 at Lollapalooza, the hosting of their 5th annual Camp Bisco (whose line-up included The Roots, Brazilian Girls, and Thievery Corporation) at Hunter Mountain, and the release of their "Caterpillar" video on MTV Latin America. TDB sold out 15 shows in a row on their spring tour & closed out the year with another nine sold-out shows, culminating in a three show New Year's run.  New Year's was filmed in an HD documentary, titled Progressions, depicting the band's rise from club/theatre band to arena headliner in the Biscuits' hometown of Philly. 2006 saw them reach new heights and this year only promises more.

Sat, 07/07/2007 - 10:31 am

Adrienne Young will be featured on today's edition of NPR's "All Things Considered".  Check with your local station for broadcast times of Elizabeth Blair's interview with Adrienne.

Adrienne Young recently released Room to Grow on her own AddieBelle label (5.22) with distribution through Ryko.  Recorded in upstate New York at Levon Helm's studio, in Virginia at Sound of Music Studios and mixed by Jason Lehning in Nashville, Room to Grow reveals the maturation and sensitivity that have evolved in Young's songwriting and vocals.

Branching out from the themes that defined her last effort, 2005's The Art of Virtue - a study and exploration of Benjamin Franklin's 13 Virtues - Room to Grow is more introspective in its focus but wider in its aim.  As in the past, Young tackles heady subjects - longing, regret, fear, desire, contentment, purpose - but manages to artfully sidestep the melodrama, extending instead a rational but hopeful approach to the pilgrimage of life. Young's NPR piece will also focus on her commitment to sustainable food and farming, her involvement with the Food Routes Network and the Community Gardening Association.   Young will be donating a portion of proceeds from Room to Grow to the Community Gardening Association.   

Thu, 07/12/2007 - 11:58 pm

With recognition (by critics, peers and fans alike) snowballing daily regarding Diana Jones' position as one of the most distinctive, soulful and nuanced singer/songwriters in the country/folk idiom, Ryko Distribution has agreed with NewSong Recordings to make Diana's luminous 2006 independent release My Remembrance of You readily available to chain and independent buyers across the U.S., while Proper Distribution delivers the record to new audiences in the UK and Ireland.

Despite limited initial promotions and spotty retail availability, My Remembrance of You has found love wherever it has landed. The album was cited on numerous 'Best of 2006' lists (including Nashville Scene) and was named the Chicago Tribune 's #1 Country Disc 2006, even as tracks like "Pretty Girl" and "Pony" were championed by savvy folk, country and Americana radio deejays on both sides of the Atlantic.

Clearly poised for a breakout, Jones also won the prestigious 2006 Kerrville New Folk Songwriting Contest, a competition whose past contestants include Steve Earle, John Gorka, Nanci Griffith, Lyle Lovett and many, many other stellar tunesmiths.

Possessed of a rich, resonant, bell-toned voice redolent of hill-country essence, Diana Jones spins out humble, unfiltered tales with a crisp, no-nonsense economy that manages to encompass the timeless simplicity of evergreens assembled by the Carter Family, the rustic, in-the-tradition works of Iris DeMent and Gillian Welch, and a breathtakingly graceful way with the language that has drawn comparisons to the likes of Emily Dickinson, Eudora Welty and Carson McCullers.

As a testament to her skills and empathic writing qualities, Jones was honored to be invited to write a song for the first memorial service recognizing the 80-year anniversary of the tragic coal mine explosion on April 30, 1927 in Everettville, West Virginia that left 111 dead.

Incorporating the poignant last messages written by victim Henry Russell to his wife as he awaited his death by suffocation deep in the mine... "Still alive, but the air is getting' bad...oh how I love you Mary", Jones wrote the astonishingly tender and dignified "Henry Russell's Last Words," which was performed in Everettville on April 30th this year for a crowd that included Russell's 86-year-old daughter and her family.

Jones was put up for adoption as an infant and raised in New York, but the almost magnetic attraction of the music of Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Emmylou and Dolly underscored an overwhelming sense of her otherness, and - at the age of 15 - she left her adoptive family in search of her roots. Some years later, when she was reunited with her birth family in the hills of Eastern Tennessee, she finally came to comprehend the source of those mysterious, innate impulses.

Diana polished her songwriting and performance skills in the highly-competitive environs of Austin, Texas; she released her well-received indie debut "Imagine Me" in 1997, followed by the equally fine, but appropriately-titled "The One That Got Away."

When her beloved grandfather, Robert Lee Maranville (a musician who had performed with Chet Atkins as a young man) passed away, she retreated to the northeast to grieve, heal and, in the process, woodshed in a deeper, darker place that resulted in her breaking into a heightened level of songwriting artistry. Those songs would form the bulk of My Remembrance of You (which is dedicated to Maranville).

Produced by Jones and Mark Thayer, the disc is a showcase of lean, organic arrangements that support Diana's voice and guitar with a streamlined group that includes wizard of all-things-stringed Duke Levine, percussionist Lorne Entress, bassist Bob Dick, fiddler Jay Ungar and cameos by Jane Karras (guitar) and the great Ferron (harmony vocals). 

With this remarkable album getting a much-deserved second push, Jones' incandescent talent continues to gather passionate proponents as high-profile venues queue up to bring her on board.

The musicians' association Folk Alliance has accorded her two 2007 nominations - "Pony" for Song of the Year and Diana herself for Emerging Artist of the Year. And, apart from her busy solo career, she appeared with BYRDJONES (her side-project/collaboration with Jonathan Byrd), at this year's Kerrville Folk Festival to share material from their new disc, Radio Soul.

The summer of '07 brings performances at noted folk festivals in Cambridge (UK), Galway (Ireland), Sioux River, Newport and Philadelphia, followed by a stop at the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Festival in Bristol, TN and a brief BYRDJONES tour of Switzerland in late September.

For all of the kudos and recognition, though, the fact that Diana has been tabbed as the opening act for the legendary Richard Thompson's 15-day UK tour in October may best underscore the elevated status she has achieved.

Diana Jones is a major artist whose star is undeniably, irrevocably on the rise. If you're one of the many who missed out on My Remembrance of You's first, flickering appearance, DO NOT let it slip past you again.

Diana Jones August Tour Dates

Aug 3 - Old Courthouse Museum, Sioux Falls, SD

Aug 3 - Sioux River Folk Festival, Canton, SD

Aug 4 - Sioux River Folk Festival, Canton, SD

Aug 5 - Newport Folk Festival, Newport, RI

Aug 7 - Johnny D's, Somerville, MA

Aug 11 - MAD SQ Studio Summer Concert Series, Madison Square Park, New York City

Aug 12 - Mo Pitkin's House of Satisfaction, New York City

Aug 17 - Philadelphia Folk Festival, Schwenksville, PA

Aug 18 - Philadelphia Folk Festival, Schwenksville, PA

Aug 19 - Roots of American Music Festival, Lincoln Center South Plaza, New York, NY

Aug 31 - Music on the Square, Jonesborough, TN

Mon, 07/16/2007 - 10:20 am

Donna Jean Thatcher (Godchaux MacKay) was born to sing, and over the course of time she's done so with people like Elvis Presley, Percy Sledge, Boz Scaggs, and Jerry Garcia. Now she has a new band that she's quite certain is on a creative par with anything she's ever done. "This band is a perfect fit for me as a singer/songwriter," she said recently, "and I hope to be doing this for a long time to come. We're having so much fun with this music!" The Grateful Dead alumna has joined up with six members of the next musical generation – Mookie Siegel (David Nelson Band; formerly Phil & Friends, RatDog), Wendy Lanter (Hope in Time), and Jeff Mattson, Tom Circosta, Klyph Black and Dave Diamond (Zen Tricksters) to form Donna Jean and the Tricksters. Look out! Things have come full circle and anything's possible. Oh, sure, they're gonna jam. But the band has seven vocalists and an incredible array of songwriting talent, and DJ&tT is going to make waves in ways you'd never anticipate. Born in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, Donna Jean was a vocalist at both Muscle Shoals Sound Studios and Fame Studios, home of the legendary "Muscle Shoals Sound," on records like Elvis Presley's "Suspicious Minds," Percy Sledge's "When A Man Loves a Woman," and Boz Scagg's eponymous first solo album. She moved to San Francisco, married Keith Godchaux, and spent the 1970s as a vocalist in the Grateful Dead as well as the Jerry Garcia Band. After life with the Dead, she and Keith created the Heart of Gold Band with drummer Greg Anton.

Following various side trips, she resumed serious focus on her singing in the '90s, recording a new Heart of Gold Band album, At the Table, and singing with Phil & Friends and her own Donna Jean Band. But it was at a benefit concert for the Dead's Rex Foundation in 2006, The Black Tie-Dyed Ball, that she bonded with the Tricksters and decided that she'd found her future. The Zen Tricksters began on Long Island in the early 1980s. Lead by guitar wizard Jeff Mattson, the ZT have played for more than 20 years, establishing records at the legendary Wetlands Preserve and taking part in every Gathering of the Vibes. With Klyph Black on funky, blues-based bass and vocals (and slide and dobro), Tom Circosta on rhythm guitar and vocals, and Dave Diamond on drums, percussion, and vocals, the ZT rapidly became known as the best Dead-oriented band around – and a great deal more. After a substantial career doing session work, Wendy Lanter joined with Tom Circosta to create the band Hope in Time as a platform for their original music. She is a fabulous vocalist, adding angelic harmonies to Donna Jean's work. Finally, Mookie Siegel (keyboards and vocals) emerged from Baltimore in the '80s to become a member of such bands as the David Nelson (New Riders of the Purple Sage) Band, Bob Weir's RatDog, and Phil Lesh & Friends. Yet this band – a felicitous combination of experience and youth, with skills that cross all musical genres and defy category – is a great deal more than even the sum of its parts. Something happened when they met – and DJ&tT is now (3/07) going into the studio to show you what that was.

Tue, 07/31/2007 - 9:44 pm

John Sebastian, Jim Kweskin, Geoff Muldaur and More Come Together for the Debut of Chasin' Gus' Ghost on August 25, and "Extravaganza" Concert on August 26.

As part of this year's San Francisco Jug Band Festival, Ezzie Films will debut its documentary on the roots and influence of jug band music.  Chasin' Gus' Ghost, which features performances and commentary by many popular musicians including John Sebastian of the Lovin' Spoonful and the Grateful Dead's Bob Weir, will premiere on August 25.  The "Chasin' Gus' Ghost Jug Band Extravaganza" concert will include many of the featured artists and take place on August 26.

What:  Chasin' Gus' Ghost documentary film debut and concert celebrating the history and influence of jug band music.  From 1920s genre innovators Gus Cannon and Cannon's Jug Stompers to the modern Jim Kweskin Jug Band, the film explores every aspect of this influential roots music. The film trailer is available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsELhdJohkA

Who: Hosted by filmmaker Todd Kwait, the concert will showcase popular musicians featured in the film, including John Sebastian, Jim Kweskin, Geoff Muldaur, David Grisman, Fritz Richmond's Barbecue Orchestra and special guests.

When and Where:
Screenings: There will be two screenings of Chasin' Gus' Ghost, at 7:00pm and 9:00pm, on Saturday, August 25 at the Roxie New College Film Center.  Tickets for the screening are $9 each.

The Roxie New College Film Center
3117 16th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
http://www.roxie.com

Concert: The Chasin' Gus' Ghost Jug Band Extravaganza takes place at 8:00pm on Sunday, August 26 at the Great American Music Hall.  Tickets are $28 and are available in advance.

The Great American Music Hall
859 O'Farrell Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
http://www.gamh.com/artist_pages/jug_band_extravaganza_082607.htm

Tue, 08/21/2007 - 8:34 pm

After spending much of August in the studio working on their next album, Toubab Krewe will hit the road for an extensive tour this fall. The band kicks things off on September 8 at the Trade Music Farm, a gorgeous outdoor venue in the mountains of eastern Tennessee. From there, they head to the Midwest for a run of club dates and performances at the Wall to Wall Guitar and Lotus music festivals.

The run continues with several shows in the Northeast, including a date at the Knitting Factory in New York City on October 6.  The band then turns south for sets at the Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival and The Echo Project in Atlanta, an innovative new festival integrating environmentally sustainable practices.

A highlight of the tour is a special Halloween run that takes Toubab Krewe from Magnolia Fest in Florida to the Voodoo Music Festival in New Orleans, where they will also play late night shows at the Maple Leaf and Howlin' Wolf. The band celebrates Halloween night back home in the Carolinas at the Visulite Theatre in Charlotte. Toubab Krewe stays close to home in November, finishing out the tour with several shows in the Southeast.

2007 Toubab Krewe Fall Tour Dates:

09.08 | Trade, TN |Trade Music Farm
09.12 | St. Louis, MO | Lucas School House
09.13 | Urbana, IL | Wall to Wall Guitar Festival
09.14 | Chicago, IL | Double Door
09.15 | Columbus, OH | House of Crave
09.16 | Madison, WI | High Noon Saloon
09.17 | Milwaukee, WI | Shank Hall
09.19 | Ashland, WI | Northland College
09.20 | Minneapolis, MN | Cabooze
09.21 | Davenport, IA | Redstone Room
09.22 | Lawrence, KS | Bottleneck
09.24 | Ann Arbor, MI | The Ark
09.26 | Cleveland, OH | House of Blues
09.27 | Lafayette, IN | Lafayette Brew Co.
09.28 | Bloomington, IN | Lotus Music Festival
09.29 | Bloomington, IN | Lotus Music Festival
10.02 | Ithaca, NY | Castaways
10.04 | Northampton, MA | Pearl Street
10.05 | Burlington, VT | Higher Ground
10.06 | New York, NY | Knitting Factory w/ special guest DJ Equal
10.09 | Falls Church, VA | State Theatre
10.10 | Baltimore, MD | The 8X10
10.11 | Philadelphia , PA | World Café Live
10.12 | Silk Hope, NC | Shakori Hills Festival
10.13 | Atlanta, GA | The Echo Project
10.23 | Wilmington, NC | Soap Box Laundro-Lounge
10.24 | Charleston, SC | Pour House
10.25 | Live Oak, FL | Magnolia Fest
10.26 | New Orleans, LA | Voodoo Music Festival
10.26 | New Orleans, LA | Maple Leaf
10.27 | New Orleans, LA | Howlin' Wolf
10.31 | Charlotte, NC | Visulite Theater
11.02 | Greenville, SC | Handlebar
11.03 | Huntsville, AL | Crossroads
11.07 | Knoxville, TN | Blue Cats
11.08 | Boone, NC | Legends at Appalachian State
11.09 | Winston-Salem | Ziggy's
11.10 | Carrboro, NC | Cat's Cradle
11.15 | Athens, GA | Melting PT
11.16 | Atlanta, GA | Smith's Olde Bar

Sun, 09/30/2007 - 6:26 pm

Kan'Nal has been hard at work adding songs finalizing their new CD. Kan'Nal knows this new album will reach many people from many cultures so they thank you for your patience. In the meantime, please join the dancers and musicians of Kan'Nal as they continue to contribute to the artistic and healing communities of the Denver Boulder area with exciting performances throughout October.

Everyone is showing their support for the kind generous owners of Herbs and Arts in Denver this Thursday, Oct. 4 at Quixotes, next door to Cervantes. The Cosmic Puppy Costume Party starts at 9 pm with live music and djs. All the money from the $10 cover goes to the shop owners to help heal an injured Tucker, the famous flying dog of Herbs and Arts.

LUNAR FIRE IN DENVER... 

FRI/SAT Oct 5/6 - Outdoors @ 7th and Santa Fe

Denver City Arts Week kicks off a Super First Friday with (full fire) Lunar Fire shows from 8-10 pm both Friday and Sat. All performers are participating free of charge in support of the Santa Fe Arts District. So bring extra support cash to tip the fire dancers, buy cds, and purchase hand crafted masks and crowns from Tiffany of Artsmyths (802 Santa Fe). Plus take home an amazing work of art by Stevon Lucero (CHAC Gallery 772 Santa Fe).

SAT OCT 27 - Mercury cafe - 2199 California Street  Join us for The Ultimate Witches Ball.  Doors 9pm, Cover $15. For more info (303)294-9281.

In Boulder, Colorado come participate in a Journey to the Underworld for the Wizards and Warriors amongst us Oct. 31, 7pm start. Featuring Lunar Fire (6 members of Kan'Nal) Buddha Bomb, GSP, Tuatha, & The Didgeridoo Experiment. Presented by Lunar Fire, The Dreamtime Festival, Gypsy Nation, The Gemini Project and Herbs & Arts. A gathering of the TRIBE.  For more info/tix check the link:  http://www.inticketing.com/evinfo.php?eventid=18782

Kan'Nal's lead guitarist, Tierro, is now offering his audio production skills to the public in Boulder CO. This is a rare opportunity to work with Tierro on your musical project. Let his 20 years of experience and easy going yet professional attitude take your recording project to the next level.

*Rock, pop, electronic, classical, folk, tribal

*Audio landscapes for your web site

*CD audio mastering

*Recording strategies to fit your budget

*In-house grand piano

*5.1 surround

*Customized original compositions

For a free consultation on your next project contact: [email protected]

Tierro in the studio with European recording artist KIM CURLY.

The Kan'Nal family thanks you. They have big plans and lots of surprises coming up (and yes the new CD) so stay tuned!

Sun, 09/30/2007 - 7:08 pm
Tue, 11/13/2007 - 9:31 pm

Following sold-out screenings at the San Francisco Jug Band Festival, the Woodstock Film Festival and the Hartford International Film Festival, jug band documentary 'Chasin' Gus' Ghost' will screen in Bloomington, IN on December 1st at the Monroe County Public Library Auditorium.  The film features music legends such as Bob Weir (Grateful Dead), John Sebastian (Lovin' Spoonful), David Grisman, Maria Muldaur and Erik Darling (Rooftop Singers).

A must-see film for music lovers, 'Chasin' Gus' Ghost' is full of interviews, great live performances and archival film footage and newspaper clippings dating back as far as the 1920s.  The documentary traces the history of jug band music, with emphasis on the enigmatic Gus Cannon, who passed away virtually penniless at the age of 91 despite penning the tune "Walk Right In," which became a Number 1 hit for The Rooftop Singers in 1963.  

The Grateful Dead and Lovin' Spoonful also cite early jug band music as a main source of inspiration, and one of Bloomington native Hoagy Carmichael's first compositions, written when he was still an Indiana University student, refers to an "instrument" frequently used by jug band musicians (and visible in the film) in "Washboard Blues."

Here's what critics are saying about the film:

"An absorbing movie capable of inspiring a whole new generation of ghost-chasers."
AllAboutJazz.com - Sam Chell

"Pull out the banjos and Popcorn Sutton moonshine, for a jug band might just be coming to a theater near you soon."
PasteMagazine.com - Christina Martin

"If you are a fan of blues, jazz, and American roots - or jug - music, ['Chasin' Gus' Ghost'] is not to be missed."
Blogcritics.org- Connie Phillips  

Details:

What: 'Chasin' Gus' Ghost music documentary screening
When: Saturday December 1st at 1 and 3PM    
Where: Monroe County Public Library Auditorium
303 E. Kirkwood Ave Bloomington, IN 47408
http://www.monroe.lib.in.us/
Cost: FREE

Tue, 12/04/2007 - 9:03 pm

Step right up as The Disco Biscuits catapult themselves into 2008 with CIRCO BISCO - an unprecedented New Year's Eve spectacular of SIGHT, SOUND and PERFORMANCE at the Tweeter Center.

The DISCO BISCUITS come back to the Tweeter Center for the second year in a row after 2006's "Progressions in Quadraphonic Sound" celebration. This year, they will ring in the New Year with CIRCO BISCO to help commemorate the band's second decade together. Over the years, The Disco Biscuits have left a cultural footprint with their free-form improvisation, relentless on-stage energy and trance-fusion sound. Their music has not only made them one of the most popular jam bands playing today, but they have also grown to be one of the most successful Philadelphia rock bands of all time.

Adding to the festivities is one-man wonder KELLER WILLIAMS. The restless troubadour returns for another Bisco New Year's celebration to delight the audience with fan favorites and debut cuts.  Keller is currently celebrating the release of his twelfth album.  Aptly titled 12, the release looks back at a ground-breaking and already remarkable career.  The album features one standout song from each of his previous eleven releases and added to the mix is one new, previously un-recorded song.  While the Keller Williams adventure has only just begun, 12 is a fantastic celebration of a musical milestone.  Look for 12 in stores on December 18, 2007 on SCI Fidelity Records

Aptly named from the Spanish word for "bulletproof," ANTIBALAS' arsenal of free jazz, organic funk, electronica, hip-hop and Afrobeat rhythms are poised to set Circo Bisco on fire. Modeled after classic Afrobeat bands like Fela Kuti's Africa 70 and Eddie Palmieri's Harlem River Drive Orchestra, Brooklyn's Antibalas makes intensely rhythmic music for a booty-shaking, party-friendly sound.

Keeping the party ragin' til dawn, BASSNECTAR brings the "largest cult following of any DJ ... " (SF Weekly) with him to the Tweeter Center for a special, late-night throw-down. Serving up an eclectic blend of massive basslines, thick mob-scene beats and fearless genre-mashing capability (complete with mind-altering visual effects and a pulsating laser light show), Bassnectar's late-night performance is not to be missed!

And after last year's success, fans can once again party in THE BLACK BOX - this time featuring LIVE performance art by PEX and the psyched-out ambient sounds of Philly's own GRIMACE FEDERATION throwing down for a special New Year's spectacle of sight, sound and performance in the Box all night long.

Tickets for these event can be purchased at the Tweeter Center's Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, Live Nation and Charge-by-Phone 215-336-2000/ 856-338-9000/ 302-984-2000.

Sat, 02/02/2008 - 12:36 am

With the festival's initial lineup announcement still a few weeks away, the 10,000 Lakes Festival (10KLF) and OurStage announce the fourth annual Cosmic Break Tour.  Through OurStage.com, this year's 10KLF Cosmic Break Tour will present musicians nationwide with the opportunity to perform in front of thousands of enthusiastic festival-goers at the 6th annual 10,000 Lakes Festival, held July 23-26 in Detroit Lakes, MN.

Through a series of 10 regional showcases throughout the Midwest, local artists register on OurStage and submit their music to be chosen to perform on the Cosmic Break Tour for one of 10 coveted performance slots up for grab at 10KLF. All bands and solo artists are invited to enter and all music genres are accepted. It costs nothing to apply. Artists submit online: www.ourstage.com/go/10KLF

OurStage is the only 100% democratic competition where the fans decide who's best in emerging music and film. Artists upload music and compete in monthly competitions. Fans visit OurStage.com and judge the music. Fan-favorite artists move on to the next round.

Based on the OurStage fan-rankings within the 10KLF Cosmic Break Tour Channel, 50 total bands will be selected to perform at 10 regional stops throughout the Midwest. At each stop, 5 bands will take the stage to battle it out live and the band with the most audience votes at each show gets to perform at the 10,000 Lakes Festival in Northern Minnesota in July. This competition truly lets the fans decide!

The OurStage 10KLF Cosmic Break Tour includes stops in:

Artists must register on OurStage by February 19 to be eligible for these shows:

April 3 - The Cabooze - Minneapolis, MN

April 4 - Nutty's North - Sioux Falls, SD

April 11 - venue TBD - Kansas City, MO

April 12 - Lucas School House, St Louis, MO

Artists must register on OurStage by March 2319 to be eligible for these shows

April 18 - The Aquarium - Fargo, ND

April 19 - The Rox - Omaha, NE

April 24 - Picador - Iowa City, IA

April 25 - venue TBD - Madison, WI

April 26 - Kinetic Playground - Chicago, IL

April 27 - The Cabooze - Minneapolis, MN

zappaFollowing the tour, the Cosmic Break competition continues online in April, May and June for musicians outside of the Cosmic Break Tour's ten Midwestern regional stops, offering artists one of three more performance slots at this year's festival.

In addition to the live show opportunity of a lifetime, artists will receive $500 for their festival performance, along with complimentary camping and select meals for each performing member, however; travel and lodging costs are not provided.

Held within the secluded wilderness of northern Minnesota at the scenic Soo Pass Ranch in Detroit Lakes, 10KLF offers its attendees an unmatched festival experience. While 2008 artists have yet to be announced, past performers have included Widespread Panic, Trey Anastasio, Medeski Martin & Wood, Phil Lesh & Friends, Bob Weir & RatDog, The Black Crowes, The Allman Brothers Band, Umphrey's McGee, and Zappa Plays Zappa, and hundreds of others.

Details on the Cosmic Break Tour can be found at www.ourstage.com/go/10KLF. 10,000 Lakes Festival tickets, campground reservations and event details are now available online at www.10KLF.com.

Fri, 02/22/2008 - 2:03 pm

The sixth annual 10,000 Lakes Festival (10KLF) is proud to announce the initial lineup for this year's celebration of music, nature and community.  Held July 23–26 at the Soo Pass Ranch in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, 10KLF continues to grow as Al Schnier guitarist from moe. calls the 10,000 Lakes Festival "one of those great spots you tell all your friends about."

With over sixty bands on the final lineup, the 10,000 Lakes Festival announces initial artists for the 2008 event with performances from:

Phil Lesh & Friends

The Flaming Lips

Michael Franti & Spearhead

George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic

Mickey Hart Band (featuring Steve Kimock & George Porter Jr.)

Medeski Scofield Martin & Wood

Slightly Stoopid

Dark Star Orchestra

Panjea with Michael Kang

JJ Grey & MOFRO

The New Mastersounds

Everyone Orchestra

The Wood Brothers

Cornmeal

WBPN

The Hue

With over forty additional acts still to be announced

philAlong with these artists, the OurStage 10KLF Cosmic Break Tour presents emerging musicians nationwide with the chance to perform at this year's festival. Artists may simply submit their music on the OurStage 10KLF channel without charge and then it's up to the fans to decide. Based on OurStage's fan-rankings, 50 bands will be selected to perform at 10 regional tour stops throughout the Midwest this April. At each stop, five bands will take the stage to perform live where the band with the most audience votes at each show receives a paid performance at 10KLF in July. http://www.ourstage.com/go/10KLF

Located off the beaten path in Minnesota's pristine North Country, the New York Times praises 10,000 Lakes Festival's "enticing" wooded and lakeside camping grounds, describing them in last year's Summer Festival Guide as "perfect for long walks."

While such long walks can certainly be relaxing, they are by no means necessary.  The festival's five different concert stages are strategically placed within short walking distance of each other. Over 600 acres of unspoiled lakeside and forest camping provide an unusually tranquil and natural festival setting.

Strolling around the Soo Pass Ranch's 60-acre concert bowl, festival attendees are treated to top of the line, modern facilities with running water and hot showers. Shorter lines and more personal space create a relaxed and friendly atmosphere that lasts all weekend long, complimenting the natural Minnesotan hospitality.  Perhaps the Minneapolis Star Tribune put it best by describing 10KLF as "filled with thousands of good vibes."

This widespread good spirit allows 10KLF to continue supporting the community that hosts the event through the 'Help Us Help' campaign.  Through this campaign, 10KLF will match each dollar donated by patrons when ordering tickets online. All of the proceeds go directly to worthy charities supported by the 10,000 Lakes Festival including: the Becker County Humane Society, The Rex Foundation, Conscious Alliance, Detroit Lakes Public Schools and more.

Event tickets, campground reservations and festival details are now available online at www.10KLF.com.

Performers at the previous 10,000 Lakes Festivals include Widespread Panic, Bob Weir & RatDog, The String Cheese Incident, The Black Crowes, G. Love & Special Sauce, Les Claypool, 311, Galactic, The Roots, John Mayer, Donavon Frankenreiter, O.A.R., Medeski Martin & Wood, Keller Williams, Los Lobos, Yonder Mountain String Band, The Samples, DJ Logic, Particle, Sound Tribe Sector 9, Rusted Root, Maroon 5, The Big Wu, The Radiators, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Soulive, North Mississippi Allstars, Tea Leaf Green, Railroad Earth, Shooter Jennings and many more

Wed, 03/26/2008 - 3:36 pm

The sixth annual 10,000 Lakes Festival (10KLF) held July 23-26 at the Soo Pass Ranch in Detroit Lakes, MN returns as the Midwest's premiere camping and music destination event with an additional round of artist confirmations.  Campgrounds are filling quickly based on the excitement of the festival's diverse selection of already announced artists.  10KLF 2008 will also feature performances from:

Leftover Salmon
WookieFoot
The Bad Plus
Tim Reynolds and T3
The Waybacks
Bonerama
Secret Chiefs 3
EOTO
Dub Trio
U-Melt
Family Groove Company
One Under
Kinetix
Redux
The Rhinestone Diplomats
Pert Near Sandstone
With over a dozen acts still to be announced
 
Previously confirmed artists for this year's event include Phil Lesh & Friends, The Flaming Lips, Michael Franti & Spearhead, George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, Mickey Hart Band (featuring Steve Kimock & George Porter Jr.), Medeski Scofield Martin & Wood, Slightly Stoopid, Dark Star Orchestra, Panjea with Michael Kang, JJ Grey & MOFRO, The New Mastersounds, Everyone Orchestra, The Wood Brothers, Cornmeal, WBPN and The Hue.

In addition to some of the most popular touring artists, 10KLF and its partner OurStage.com will kick off the 4th annual Cosmic Break Tour on April 3 at Cabooze in Minneapolis. OurStage is the only 100% democratic competition where the fans decide who's best in emerging music and film. Artists upload music and compete in monthly competitions. Fans visit OurStage.com and judge the music. Fan-favorite artists move on to the next round.

10KLFHosting regional showcases throughout ten Midwestern cities, the Cosmic Break Tour offers independent and emerging artists the chance for a paid performance slot at this summer's event as decided by fans voting.  Other showcases take place throughout April and early May in Sioux Falls, St. Louis, Fargo, Omaha, Iowa City, Milwaukee, Chicago, Duluth and then again in Minneapolis.

For those artists living outside these regions wishing to apply, three Cosmic Break slots will be chosen from performers applying nationwide. Complete details and music submission information can be found at http://www.ourstage.com/go/10KLF.

Located off the beaten path in Minnesota's pristine North Country, the festival's over 600 acres of unspoiled lakeside and forest camping provide an unusually tranquil and natural festival setting. Shorter lines and more personal space create a relaxed and friendly atmosphere that lasts all weekend long.

The 10,000 Lakes Festival continues the 'Help Us Help' campaign in 2008, an initiative giving back to the community through matching each dollar donated by patrons at online ticketing checkout. Proceeds go directly to worthy charities, split evenly to organizations including: the Becker County Humane Society, The Rex Foundation, Conscious Alliance, Detroit Lakes Public Schools and more.

Discounted festival tickets, campground reservations and complete festival details are now available online at www.10KLF.com. New in 2008, multiple festival ticket packages now exist, including an option to secure rare festival poster artwork bundled with event tickets with the 10KLF Jim Pollock Poster Package, featuring two VIP passes, a VIP campground vehicle reservation and two limited edition Pollock 10KLF prints only available through this package deal.

Thu, 03/27/2008 - 4:31 pm

Steve Poltz considers himself more at home in a hotel room than at his beach-accessible San Diego home. Many artists say they tour year-around, but Poltz truly does. Often when he plays a city, he comes back and hits it again within weeks, and then again. "No two shows are alike," he says. "So if you saw me at Joe's Pub in New York last month, you'll get an entirely different show the next time." Seeing that shows are unscripted, with no set lists, fueled only by the spirit of the audience, a growing legion of fans returns two and three times per year.

Poltz recently crammed a fortnight's worth of performances into one five-day period at South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas. He's not sure whether the 12 shows (an official showcase and 11 unofficial ones) set an all-time record. But he suspects he reached a representative sample of SXSW-goers and non-badge-wearing Austinites alike. "SXSW is a melting pot — fans, label heads, talent buyers, radio programmers and journalists all trying to have a good time," he says. "And we had an incredible week."

A few Steve Poltz SXSW highlights:

"I nearly got decapitated at Mojo Nixon's Jalapeño Breakfast at the Continental Club," he laughs. "I crowd surfed and was carried all the way to the back of the club and back, narrowly missing three low-slung ceiling fans."
 
"Then there was the ATXtreme Festival, which was held at what is usually a gay club called the Cock Pit, where we ended up writing a song on the spot: 'What is the greatest bar in the world?'/'The Cock Pit! The Cock Pit!'" he says.

Finally, after their third late night of SXSW-ing, Steve and the band woke up at 6 a.m. to play a live broadcast on Austin's KGSR-FM at the Four Seasons hotel. The radio program co-host was Lyle Lovett. Poltz received a thrill when Lovett broke out a Sharpie pen and asked Steve to autograph a copy of Traveling "To Lyle." "He'd seen me play before and we'd kept in touch," Steve says. A photo of the two is posted on Steve's website blog.
 
And then it was back into the van to continue on tour. Steve, the band and the tour manager, however, are not alone in the van. There's also a squirrel who hitched a ride a month ago in Eugene, Oregon, and refuses to leave. "There's plenty for him to live on — rotten burritos, discarded French fries, almonds . . .," Steve says. "But now we're trying to find him a female squirrel to keep him company."
 
Steve has sold many copies of his road-only companion album, Unraveling, on the tour, with fans often buying five at a time and sending them to friends.
 
Meanwhile, critics everywhere have been praising Traveling and Steve's live shows.
 
The Los Angeles Times noted: "Poltz sings songs with a satirical double-edge that can make you laugh and cry at the same time. He may have written for Jewel, but his own art reveals a far more individual vision." The Seattle Weekly reviewer said: "I proceeded to be blown away by the depth and excellence of his tunes; his sharp, witty lyrics; his voice — which alternately reminded me of Jeff Tweedy and David Lowery; and his hysterical storytelling and rants."
 
His hometown San Diego CityBeat pointed out that "Traveling and Unraveling represent the paradox that is Steve Poltz, a man whose music is both playful and painful . . . a bizarre cross-pollination of Weird Al and John Prine," while Time Out New York called Traveling "rocking and well conceived . . . his softly nasal vocals and rich guitar work make the album a complete and satisfying listen."

The Houston Press praised Traveling as "a super-smart power-pop gem, an album that should endear itself to all kinds of personalities, sane or insane," while the Dallas Observer called it "his best yet."

Summing it up, Vintage Guitar advised: "Poltz is the kind of songwriter and performer we need more of," and PopMatters deemed him "a fascinating artist — one that most of us would love to travel with and get to know better."

Following triumphant homecoming dates in San Diego and Los Angeles, Steve will take a rare breather for most of April. He and band will be back on the road for more non-stop action:
 
April 11 SAN FRANCISCO, CA  The Connecticut Yankee
May 9    MOORESTOWN, NJ  Jen & Dave's House Concerts
May 18   SAN DIEGO, CA  North Park Festival of the Arts (street fair)
May 29  PORT WASHINGTON, WI  Karen Krainz House Concert
May 30   SOUTH LYON, MI   Matt Maylen House Concert
June 6   EASTON, MD   Coffee East
June 13 CAVE CREEK, AZ  Cave Creek Coffee Company

Wed, 04/02/2008 - 3:34 pm

B.H.I.C. AT OUTSIDE LANDS MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL, 8/23

B.H.I.C. return to the bay area on Saturday, August 23rd to take part in the first annual Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. They'll set the stage for the legendary Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, and join over 60 bands and performers on five stages over three days, incl. Jack Johnson, Radiohead and more. Tickets on sale now!

FREE TICKETS TO "LAST CALL WITH CARSON DALY", APR. 9

Ben Harper is taping an episode of "Last Call with Carson Daly" on April 9th, and 1iota.com is giving away free tickets! Get them now while they last.

JACKSON BROWNE & TAJ MAHAL HEADLINE CLAREMONT FOLK FESTIVAL

Mark your calendars! May 3rd in Ben's hometown of Claremont, CA is the site for the 28th Annual Claremont Folk Festival with this year's featured performers, Jackson Browne and Taj Mahal. This special event features a full day of live music, workshops, crafts and family entertainment. Also featured is Innocent Criminal Leon Mobley and his band Da Lion. Tickets on sale now!

"LIFELINE" CONCERT 4/15 ON DIRECTV

Re-live one of last fall's standout performances when DIRECTV airs Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals "Lifeline: Live in Seattle" on April 15th! Shown exclusively on "The 101" , this hour long "best of" features selections from the Grammy-nominated "Lifeline" and classic fan favorites. Check local listings for details.

B.H.I.C. AT "SPRING BACK TO VAIL", 4/12

B.H.I.C. invite you to Vail, CO on Saturday, April 12th for a special one-night only engagement at the 2008 Spring Back to Vail concert. Tickets on sale now!

Thu, 04/10/2008 - 11:31 pm

The 12th annual All Good Music Festival has added performances from The JOIN (featuring Shearer & Shields of the NEW DEAL with Benevento & Russo), Brazilian Girls to combine with previously announced Perpetual Groove for the Thursday Night All Good Pre-Party and to continue the march towards summer's quintessential live music event held July 11-13 at Marvin's Mountaintop in Masontown, WV.

Their music incorporates bits of reggae, electronica, jazz, bossa nova, and you name it, and despite their name, no one in the band is Brazilian. "Brazilian Girls have taken the elegant seduction and gentle mystery of a Film Noir nightclub act, and infused it with the force and vivacity of the dance beat," says Jane Ratcliffe of Vogue. 

Jamie Shields (Keys) & Darren Shearer (Drums) of The New Deal developed The JOIN, a format where they will host a revolving door of musicians depending on what area of the world they're in.  The music takes the flavor of each setting, situation and guest performer, but is championed thru their distinctive 'livetronic' sound.  For the All Good Festival performance The JOIN enlists good friends, Marco Benevento & Joe Russo (the DUO) for a special amalgamation that should not be missed.

These additions supplement this year's previously announced first-rate lineup of Widespread Panic, Phil Lesh & Friends, Gov't Mule, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Medeski Scofield Martin & Wood, Keller Williams w/Moseley, Droll & Sipe, Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi Soul Stew Revival, Mike Gordon, Dark Star Orchestra, The Avett Brothers, SOJA, Railroad Earth, Tea Leaf Green, Perpetual Groove, The Bridge, Hot Buttered Rum, RAQ, Bonerama, Pnuma Trio, The Wood Brothers, Bassnectar, Outformation, Telepath, deSol, Scrapomatic and Basshound. Many more acts are still to be announced before the festival takes place.

Filling over 40 hours of live music throughout the weekend, attendees are able to witness each and every artist at the All Good Music Festival with no overlapping sets taking place in one centrally located concert area.

Additionally, the All Good Festival continues its search for new and unknown talent by having groups submit their Electronic Press Kit (EPK) to SonicBids.com. All bands interested in a chance to kick off the festival Thursday night or join the bands performing Friday need to submit their music by April 18 for consideration here.

Continuing its tradition of philanthropy and community support, the All Good Festival is partnering with Conscious Alliance for their annual food drive. The food donations contributed by festival patrons directly benefit the Saint Ursula Food Pantry of Morgantown, WV. Each donation of 10 non-perishable, canned food items will receive a free limited-edition All Good Festival poster created by artist Chris McMurray.   Each donation of 20 items or more will receive the full two-panel poster set. Posters are printed on a post-consumer waste paper, further enhancing the greening efforts of the festival.

As the mid-Atlantic's largest live music and camping event, the All Good Festival has grown to attract over 18,000 fans from across the nation. Aside from the musical performances, one of the festival's main attractions is the serene rural West Virginian setting and the natural grandeur of Marvin's Mountaintop.

Thursday Night All Good Pre-Party (Early Arrival) tickets are available now for $15 in advance and $30 at the gate; additionally, first-tier festival tickets are available at the rate of $129 and are offered through http://allgood.musictoday.com or charge by phone by at 1-800-594-TIXX

Sat, 04/12/2008 - 1:23 pm
Sat, 05/03/2008 - 10:53 am

The sixth annual 10,000 Lakes Festival (10KLF) held July 23-26 at the Soo Pass Ranch in Detroit Lakes, MN announces another round of artist confirmations by adding:

Deep Banana Blackout

Lotus

Extra Golden

Papa Mali

New Primitives

God Johnson

Lynx

Ultraviolet Hippopotamus

Additional acts will be announced in the coming weeks. For bands looking to get their Cosmic Break, there are two remaining slots for emerging and independent bands to play at 10KLF. Bands just need to go to http://www.ourstage.com/go/10KLF to apply for a chance at a paid gig at the 10,000 Lakes Festival.

The 10,000 Lakes Festival Lineup Includes:

Phil Lesh and Friends

The Flaming Lips

Michael Franti and Spearhead

Leftover Salmon

Mickey Hart Band feat. Kimock & Porter

George Clinton & Parliament/Funkadelic [Late Night]

Medeski Scofield Martin & Wood

Slightly Stoopid

Dark Star Orchestra

WookieFoot

TR3 featuring Tim Reynolds

The Bad Plus

JJ Grey & MOFRO

Deep Banana Blackout [Late Night]

Lotus [Late Night]

Extra Golden

Bonerama

Papa Mali

EOTO

Panjea with Michael Kang

Everyone Orchestra

The Waybacks

Secret Chiefs 3

The New Mastersounds

Dub Trio

The Wood Brothers

Cornmeal

God John son

Family Groove Company

U-Melt

One Under

New Primitives

Kinetix

Redux

Lynx

Pert' Near Sandstone

The Rhinestone Diplomats

WBPN

Ultraviolet Hippopotamus

The Hue

& more to be announced

Tue, 05/06/2008 - 6:48 pm

As summer approaches and festival season swings in to high gear, Jam Cruise - the floating festival where everyone on board has a "back stage pass" - is preparing for its seventh incarnation.  On January 4, 2009, Jam Cruise 7 will depart from Fort Lauderdale for five days and head to Belize City, Belize and Costa Maya, Mexico on the elegant MSC Orchestra.  Performing artists include Les Claypool, Medeski, Martin & Wood, Michael Franti featuring Jay Bowman, Keller Williams with Moseley, Droll and Sipe, Galactic Cruise Crewe (featuring Big Sam, Walter "Wolfman" Washington & Trombone Shorty), Leftover Salmon, Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, Martin Sexton, the New Deal, Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, Garage A Trois, Lettuce, Porter, Batiste & Stoltz, New Mastersounds, Emmitt-Nershi Band, Bonerama, The Lee Boys, The Dynamites featuring Charles Walker, Brock Butler,and DJ Rekha, with others still to be announced.

Featuring nearly 800 cabins with ocean view balconies, 13 decks, a fitness/relaxation area, a jogging track, a sauna, Turkish bath, swimming pools, Jacuzzis, restaurants, pizzerias, theatres, nightclubs and shopping areas, the MSC Orchestra offers Jam Cruisers all they could want and more. 

Following the strongest pre-booking in Jam Cruise history, all remaining cabins will become available for sale to the public on June 4 at 12 noon ET on www.jamcruise.com.  Jam Cruise has sold out each year and is on track to sell out again.  Visit www.jamcruise.com for more details.

Jam Cruise is presented by Cloud 9 Adventures: a partnership between Mark Brown, Josh Moore & Roger Naber.

Thu, 05/08/2008 - 1:51 pm

Attendees of the 12th Annual All Good Festival should plan on staying up late, with the recent announcement that these following acts will be performing Late Night sets:

Gov't Mule (Friday Late Night)

Dark Star Orchestra (Saturday Late Night)

The Join (Thursday Late Night)

The All Good Festival will be filled with the music and performances from previously confirmed artists Phil Lesh & Friends, Widespread Panic, Gov't Mule, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Medeski Scofield Martin & Wood, Keller Williams w/ Moseley, Droll & Sipe, Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi Soul Stew Revival, Mike Gordon, Dark Star Orchestra, The Avett Brothers, SOJA, The JOIN (with Shields & Shearer of The New Deal and Benevento & Russo), Railroad Earth, Tea Leaf Green, The Bridge, Perpetual Groove, Brazilian Girls, Hot Buttered Rum, RAQ, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, JJ Grey & MOFRO, Lettuce, Bonerama, Pnuma Trio, The Wood Brothers, Bassnectar, Outformation, Telepath, deSol, Eric Lindell, All Mighty Senators, Danielia Cotton, Reverend Peyton's Big Dam Band, Scrapomatic and Basshound.

Filling over 40 hours of live music throughout the weekend, attendees are able to witness each and every artist at the All Good Music Festival with no overlapping sets taking place in one centrally located concert area.

The All Good Festival and Rock the Earth are proud to partner again this year to promote carpooling to the festival, offering rewards and prizes at random to cars with three or more passengers. Prizes for carpooling vehicles include an 'Even Better' VIP upgrade, Rock the Earth gift bags and more.  Rock the Earth acts as an advocate to ensure the existence of a sustainable and healthy environment for all. They aim to represent those individuals and communities whose environment or natural surroundings are directly and adversely affected by others.

Early arrival tickets for the Thursday Night All Good Festival Pre-Party with The Join, Brazilian Girls and Perpetual Groove are now available for $15 in advance and $30 at the gate; additionally, second-tier festival tickets are now available at the rate of $139 and are offered through http://allgood.musictoday.com  or charge by phone by at 1-800-594-TIXX.

Wed, 05/14/2008 - 3:46 pm

Shot in high definition, Virtual Venues Network presents a life size and on-stage premiere screening of The String Cheese Incident's final two performances at Red Rocks Amphitheatre on August 11th & 12th, 2007. On a "virtual tour" to theatres and colleges all summer long, The String Cheese Incident - Hi-Def from Red Rocks brings SCI fans together to celebrate the energy and magic of The String Cheese Incident in hometown venues everywhere.  With more than 3 hours of live footage, this virtual concert experience is sure to thrill live music lovers everywhere, and give people a feel for what it was like to be at one of the world's premiere outdoor venues for these very special SCI shows.

Wednesday, May 14th @ 8:00pm (Doors @ 7:30pm)
Venue 515
515 Manitou Avenue, Manitou
Tickets $10.00 adv $12.00 dos / Ages 21+ Welcome
For more information please contact 719-685-1861 x10

Thursday, May 15th @ 8:00pm (Doors @ 7:00pm)
Bluebird Theater
3317 East Colfax Avenue, Denver
Tickets $10.00 adv $12.00 dos / Ages 16+ Welcome
For more information please contact 303-377-1666

Friday, May 16th @ 9:00pm (Doors @ 8:30pm)
Fox Theatre
1135 13th Street, Boulder
Tickets $10.00 adv $12.00 dos / All Ages Welcome
For more information please contact 303-443-3399

Saturday, May 17th @ 9:00pm (Doors @ 8:00pm)
Aggie Theatre
204 South College Avenue, Fort Collins
Tickets $10.00 / All Ages Welcome
For more information please contact 970-482-8300

Sunday, May 18th @ 8:00pm (Doors @ 7:00pm)
Belly Up
450 South Galena Street, Aspen
Tickets $10.00 / Under 16 needs parent
For more information please contact 970-544-9800

Thu, 05/15/2008 - 4:39 pm

Sonic Bloom is a 3-day camping festival, connecting music, dance, art and human performance in an atmosphere designed to inspire open channels of creativity amongst everyone involved. Featuring bands such as Zilla and Lotus, groundbreaking DJ's like Bassnectar and Bluetech, and countless visual artists, participants and attendees of Sonic Bloom will together co-create a world of communal improvisation.

Taking place in beautiful Winter Park, CO at the Winter Park Mountain Resort, this year's site will offer gorgeous scenery and countless amenities. From its vast wilderness landscapes, free camping, outdoor recreation, and first class hotel and dining accommodations, the Winter Park Mountain Resort offers something for everyone. Activities featured this year include mountain biking, Colorado's largest alpine slide, chairlift rides, and climbing.

Attendees can also expect visionary art exhibits, workshops, sculpture, fire performances, food vending (including vegetarian and vegan options), a variety of restaurants, craft vending, and amazing outdoor recreation in additional to an incredible aural experience. Those in attendance are encouraged to bring costumes as well as small gifts for fellow festivarians.

This year's Sonic Bloom Festival will benefit the Conscious Alliance and their initiative, Project Restoration, to create a network of food distribution facilities on impoverished American Indian Reservations. For each 10-item, non-perishable food donation, patrons will receive a free Sonic Bloom commemorative poster.

Line-Up:
· ZILLA
· Bassnectar
· LOTUS
· Praang (featuring. Steve Kimock, Janover, Travis & Hann)
· The Glitch Mob
· EOTO
· Heavyweight Dub Champion
· Bluetech
· Vibesquad
· The Motet Trio
· SPORQUE
· Rena Jones
· David Starfire
· ediT (live PA set)
· Ana Sia
· Nosaj Thing
· Eskmo
· Welder
· Sasha Butterfly Rose
· LYNX
· Sub-ID
· DJ Rootz
· Anahata Sound
· Jantsen
· Patch
· Future Simple Project
· Pretty Lights
· GSP & The Freestyle Movement
· The Sonic Bloom Rebel Alliance Orchestra (featuring Steve Kimock and members of ZILLA, EOTO, Heavyweight Dub Champion & more)

Festival Highlights:
· Alpine Slide
· Chairlift Rides
· Outdoor Climbing Wall
· Human Maze
· Leaps & Bounds Bungee
· Mini Golf
· Mountain Biking
· Human Gyroscope
· Fire Performances
· Live Painters
· Projection Artists
· Visionary Art Gallery
· Atmospheric design by Shits and Giggles
· Multiple restaurants on site
· Food and Beverage vendors of all kinds
· Yoga Classes
· Art Installations
· Craft vendors
· A presentation on Unified Field Theory
· Hooping Classes
· Fire spinning classes
· Free cereal Buffet at Dawn on the final morning
· All ages welcome
· Free camping

Early Bloomer Tickets On Sale Now!

3 Day Festival Package

Early Bloomer Special- $99 until May 18, 2008
Advance Tickets- $115 May 18- June 19, 2008
At the Gate- $135

One Day Passes

Thursday, June 19, 2008- $35 until June 19, 2008
At the Gate- $40
Friday, June 20, 2008- $65 until June 19, 2008
At the Gate- $70
Saturday, June 21, 2008- $65 until June 19, 2008
At the Gate- $70

Three Day VIP Passes

Until they're gone- $250

VIP Lodging

Sat, 05/31/2008 - 10:38 am
Fri, 06/13/2008 - 11:07 pm

Staggering gas prices curtailing your travel plans? Avoid the pinch and let Road Trips transport you far and wide while safely parked with your favorite listening device. Our latest 2-disc installment takes us to the magical Summer of '71 with stops in New Haven, Chicago and, for a limited time, sunny Southern California. All in brilliant HDCD and all for the same low $19.98.

Special Offer:  Early orders of Road Trips: Volume 1, Number 3 will get a special limited edition Bonus Disc containing a dazzling plethora of additional tunes from Summer '71.

For a limited time, Dead.net will proudly stream a generous sampling from Road Trips: Volume 1, Number 3. Browse individual tracks or play them all for absolutely no charge!

Mon, 06/16/2008 - 9:14 am

Composer and philanthropist Peter Buffett and international star Akon announced today the beginning of their musical collaboration and the launch of a new social action and resource website, IsThereSomethingICanDo.com. Akon added vocals and remixed Buffett's song "Anything," from his 2007 album 'Staring At The Sun.' Starting today, the track is available for free download at their new website IsThereSomethingICanDo.com

The website hopes to answer the question "Is there something I can do?" posed within the song and will offer practical ways to get involved in affecting positive change. It will also serve as a forum for users to learn and share information about their experiences with giving back.

Buffett wrote "Anything," after visiting post-war Liberia and Sierra Leone. Akon, an avid supporter of aid organizations benefiting his home of Senegal, viewed the video Buffett created after his trip and was immediately inspired to contribute.

"This song serves as a global call to action. After my trip to West Africa I knew I had to express what I saw the best way I know how - through music - and to have Akon hear my call was an honor and a surprise to both of us," Buffett says.

Akon adds, "I didn't know who Peter was when we met, and he didn't know anything about me. That's the thing that makes our work together genuine: It's based simply on our desire to encourage people to do something."

The "Anything" remix is the first project in what will be an ongoing relationship for this unique pairing. Next up, Akon will begin work on the song "Can We Love" from Buffett's upcoming album 'Imaginary Kingdom' (out September 9th, BeSide Records) and together they are planning further artistic collaborations around this theme.

More on Peter Buffett:
Omaha-born, EMMY Award winning Buffett has spent two decades as a composer and producer, best known for contributing to the score of the ACADEMY AWARD-winning film 'Dances With Wolves.' It wasn't until 2006's 'Gold Star' album that he added vocals to his intricate ambient sounds.

Buffett's next release 'Imaginary Kingdom' finds his signature lush electronic music and layered harmonies in their most revved-up state. The album features 14 tracks with a socially conscious focus including "Can We Love?," a song Buffett performed at this year's anniversary celebration of V Day in New Orleans, making him the only male to ever take the stage at the revolutionary rally to stop violence against women and girls.

More on Akon:
The son of accomplished jazz musician Mor Thiam, Akon was introduced to varied musical styles early on, and his two full-length albums for Universal, 'Trouble' and 'Konvicted,' are a hybrid of rap and silky R&B vocals. His multifaceted sensibilities and popular club anthems have launched him to international success, with four 2008 GRAMMY nominations and over 8 million records sold.

Mon, 06/30/2008 - 9:39 pm

Ziggy Marley, Jason Mraz, Natasha Bedingfield, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Jackie Greene and The Expendables are just a few of the musical acts confirmed to play the second annual WEST BEACH MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL in Santa Barbara, CA Friday, September 12, Saturday, September 13 and Sunday, September 14.  Presented by Twiin Productions in association with Jacalyn Kane Productions and sponsored by COX Media, [email protected], and The Santa Barbara Independent, it is one of the only U.S. festivals that takes place right on the beach.

Located seaside just west of Stearn's Wharf, the all-ages festival kicks off Friday, September 12 at 3:00 pm, just in time for a family-friendly happy hour.  In addition to three days with two stages of non-stop rock, reggae and jam bands, the festival is adding arts and crafts vendors and activities oriented toward children, so that families can come and enjoy the concert together.

"Some of the biggest, most successful music festivals in the country play in places like the desert and the mountains," co-producer Jeremy Pemberton explained.  "Santa Barbara offers something unique:  a comfortable, ocean view seat right on the beach.  Where else can you relax, sink your toes into the sand, and listen to world-class 'live' music on the beach?  And this year, with the collaboration of Jacalyn Kane Productions, we have a lot of top name talent coming to town."

The complete list of confirmed acts to date for the WEST BEACH MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL is:  Ziggy Marley, Jason Mraz, Natasha Bedingfield, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Jackie Greene, The Expendables, Kate Voegele, Braddigan (of Dispatch), Pete Francis (of Dispatch), Jim Bianco, Jesca Hoop, Iration, Shades of Day, Them Terribles!, Hoots & Hellmouth, Poor Man's Whiskey (performing "Darkside of the Moonshine"), BigBang, Musket, Josh Damigo, Cornerstone, The Upbeat, and Joe's Band. Look for more musical acts to be announced at a later date.

In other news, the festival is pairing up with the Friends of the World Food Program who will be providing PSA's and ticket buyers will have an optional donation opportunity.  Friends of WFP is a U.S-based non-profit organization dedicated to building support for the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) and other hunger relief efforts.  Drew Barrymore is one of their lead spokespersons. The World Food Program is the world's largest humanitarian agency, providing food to an average of 90 million poor people each year, including 58 million hungry children, in at least 80 of the world's poorest countries.  The organization recently received a $1 million donation from Not On Our Watch, a humanitarian organization co-founded by the all-star cast and filmmakers of Ocean's Thirteen including George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, producer Jerry Weintraub and David Pressman. 

Twiin Productions is expecting about 7,000 attendees per day this year as the concert continues to build its name locally and around the country.  In preparation, they are expanding their amount of Hawaiian-style cabanas right next to the stage with private food and drink service.   Those preferring a less expensive seat on the beach can bring blankets and beach towels.  Food and beverage options, including alcohol, will be available for purchase.  Three-day passes are now available for $105 and after July 6th, they go up to $115.  Single day tickets are also available for $30 to $55.  Children under 10 are admitted free with Adult Purchase.  Tickets available at www.westbeachfestival.com.

Sat, 07/05/2008 - 10:22 am

The first-ever SUNSET STRIP MUSIC FESTIVAL (SSMF) concluded Saturday (June 28), wrapping up three days of music and tributes celebrating the notorious Sunset Strip in West Hollywood and the music that made it famous.

Spotted in the crowds at the Cat Club, House of Blues, Key Club, The Roxy Theatre, Viper Room and the Whisky A Go-Go were an array of musicians, actors and music industry executives. Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters), Jerry Cantrell (Alice In Chains), Slim Jim Phantom (Stray Cats) and Poe, along with actors Kiefer Sutherland, Harry Dean Stanton ("Big Love"), Shane West ("ER"), Jesse Metcalfe ("Desperate Housewives") and Anya Monzikova ("CSI," "Deal Or No Deal") all enjoyed the festivities.

"The buzz that surrounded the entire three-day event was tremendous," noted festival organizer Todd Steadman. "The live performances and industry-related events attracted thousands of people to the Strip and exceeded expectations for the first year of the festival. We look forward to once again celebrating the music, history and energy of the Sunset Strip at next year's festival."

The SSMF kicked off Thursday, June 26 with a tribute—hosted by Sugar Ray frontman/Extra co-host Mark McGrath—to Lou Adler, Mario Maglieri and Elmer Valentine, all music industry icons who connect the Sunset Strip to its past, present and future.  Slash, Michelle Phillips of the Mamas & The Papas, Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong and other special guests were on hand to honor Adler, Maglieri and Valentine. The first night culminated with musical performances by Everclear, Soul Asylum and Camper Van Beethoven at House of Blues.

On Friday, Virgin America sponsored a party at The Standard hotel, where they announced the donation of 50 round-trip airline tickets to The Painted Turtle, a full-service camp for seriously ill children founded by Lou Adler and his wife Page in association with Paul Newman's Hole In The Wall Camps. A moving Jack Nicholson-narrated clip gave festivalgoers insight into the services that The Painted Turtle provides.

Saturday's highlights included a Larry King-moderated "Icon Panel" at the London West Hollywood hotel where Adler and Maglieri told stories about their life as Sunset Strip impresarios, talking about the last 40 years of music history and their roles influencing the Strip with the Whisky A Go-Go, The Roxy Theatre and Rainbow Bar & Grill. They covered a wide range of topics, including their favorite Strip moments (Cheech and Chong opening for Bob Marley), how bands like The Doors and Van Halen launched from the Strip, the English invasion of groups like Led Zeppelin and how Adler and Maglieri are both still active in their clubs. Their sons, Roxy Theatre owner Nic Adler and Whisky A Go-Go owner Mikeal Maglieri, along with Viper Room owner Harry Morton, joined the panel to discuss the future of the Strip.  The discussion was followed by a Gordon Ramsay-catered poolside dinner party.

During the day on Saturday, Los Angeles radio station Indie 103.1 broadcasted live from a free outdoor "Red Bull Music Academy Presents Wasted Space" event, which included performances by Camp Freddy - Billy Morrison, Matt Sorum, Donovan Leitch and Chris Chaney - with special guests Brett Scallions and Billy Duffy; Pop Noir; the Darling Stilettos dance troupe; and a Louis XIV meet and greet.

"Not only was this the first time all of the clubs along the Strip came together for one event, it also reminds people that the Strip is current and continues to be the foundation of the city's influential music scene," noted The Roxy Theatre owner Nic Adler.

Attendance at the clubs was at a maximum as SSMF festivalgoers were treated to performances by B Real of Cypress Hill with Slash and special guests, Camper Van Beethoven, Derby, Dilated Peoples, Everclear, Godhead, Hellogoodbye, Hot Hot Heat, Juliette & The Licks, L.A. Guns,  Louis XIV, Mickey Avalon, Soul Asylum, Starf***ers, The 88, Andre Legacy, Beardo, Good With Grenades, Lady Sinatra, Lisa D'Amato, Looner, Satisfaction, The Hatch, The Deadly Syndrome, The Shys, Transfer, and a Whisky All-Star Jam featuring McQueen with special guests Billy Duffy, Billy Morrison and Matt Sorum; Billy Boy On Poison; and Faded Spades featuring Hollywood Allstarz.

The SUNSET STRIP MUSIC FESTIVAL was sponsored by Indie 103.1, Metromix, Virgin America, Ticketmaster, the City of West Hollywood, 944 Magazine, West Hollywood Marketing & Visitors Bureau, Vitamin Water, Signature Creative, The Standard and Red Bull Music Academy.

Sun, 07/06/2008 - 12:08 pm
Mon, 07/07/2008 - 9:53 am

After their critically acclaimed last album, Electrified, Dressy Bessy will release its highly anticipated new album, Holler And Stomp, on September 30th, 2008 via Transdreamer Records. Combining uber-indie sensibilities mixed with bombastic style, the band remains inspirational, hook-laden and upbeat. 13 songs will have you dancing and singing in seconds.

"Personal, as well as impersonal experiences over the past few years have helped inspire my urge to HOLLER and STOMP!" – Tammy Ealom

Driven by vocalist Tammy Ealom and guitarist John Hill (who also moonlights in Apples In Stereo), along with groove-meisters Rob Greene on bass and Craig Gilbert on drums – Dressy Bessy bring a sense of style and uniqueness to the rock world. A full tour will commence in September.

Dressy Bessy are about power-pop chords, a dancing rhythm section and the compelling vocals of Tammy Ealom. Her witty lyrics hug the addictive melodies with true style. Backed by guitarist John Hill, whose guitar work helped propel Apples In Stereo to the forefront of the indie rock world and the thundering rhythm section of bassist Rob Greene and drummer Craig Gilbert - Dressy Bessy have the true spirit of underground rock.

Following extensive touring behind their last album, Electrified, Dressy Bessy needed some well deserved time off. For Tammy this meant getting down to writing a new batch of songs. Tammy's always been a self-proclaimed "melody first" sort of gal and wanted to try her hand at a "beats first" approach, sitting down at a drum kit knocking out groovy beats one drum at a time.

Tammy demoed the songs for HOLLER and STOMP at home. After about a year of recording she and the band realized that the songs had taken on the organic grass roots sound that Dressy Bessy was originally built upon and decided that these recordings, with proper mixing, additional guitars, bass, drums & lead vocals, would be the actual album tracks.

The band first met Trent Bell (The Flaming Lips) in 2003 while touring with the Starlight Mints, and had talked briefly about having him mix a record. Once they decided to go with the home recordings for this album, it was obvious that Trent should mix it ... and the rest is history!

The results are obvious with infectious and danceable grooves that dominate the album. Every song leads into the next with a driving authority – it's almost impossible not to move and shake it to these songs.

"Lyrically this album defines MY world. Personal, as well as impersonal experiences over the past few years have helped inspire my urge to HOLLER and STOMP! all over yo' ass! Listen up high!" ~! Tammy Ealom

 

The Live Experience…

Dressy Bessy are no ordinary band, nor are their fans ordinary. The atmosphere is a non-stop party and the music is relentless. Their compelling live show has left them with loyal and fanatical fans around the world. This band refuses to compromise and continues to push the envelope towards blissful entertainment.

"We rock our hearts out! We try to inspire as much dancing as possible," comments Ealom.

During their shows, with the lights flashing and the music pounding, people lose themselves in the Dressy Bessy experience. All this is standard fare for a band whose unscripted performances make for an unpredictable and euphoric atmosphere. "We'll rock the socks off anyone with an hour to spare. Both the band and the fans walk away sweaty and happy," says Tammy.
 
History...

Dressy Bessy have enjoyed great success in their hometown of Denver, where the band lives and plays.

"I decided to pick up the guitar in '96 when John Hill loaned me his four track while he was out touring with The Apples In Stereo, and soon I discovered I had a knack for writing songs and the rest is history," says Ealom.

In 1999, Dressy Bessy released Pink Heart, Yellow Moons, which was highly acclaimed and hailed as "virtually perfect and by far, the catchiest indie-pop record of 1999," by The Stranger. Continuing their run of indie-pop ecstacy, 2002's Sound Go Round, saw the band continue to develop its sound. In the spring of 2003, the band released a collection of rarities called Little Music. Later that year, their self-titled release, Dressy Bessy, expanded the band's base into bona fide indie rockstar status. Dressy Bessy has had numerous songs on soundtracks such as The Powerpuff Girls on the Cartoon Network and But I'm A Cheerleader. In 2005, Electrified shed some serious groove-tunes and caught people's attention when the album was highly praised by.

"We live in a world where upbeat pop, groove, and rock & roll reign supreme. We are just determined to never let anything slow our momentum.  We're always pushing forward, what else is there to do...hopefully in the end, the world will be better place. But you can always find us, just follow the trail of smiles." says Ealom.

Fans will be all smiles as Dressy Bessy release their most accomplished and infectious effort, HOLLER and STOMP.

Mon, 07/07/2008 - 2:51 pm

The Ninth Annual moe.down will be held August 29, 30 and 31 at the Snow Ridge Ski area in Turin, NY. moe.down has become known as Upstate NY's most musically diverse festival. moe. will perform a total of six sets throughout the weekend. A limited number of tickets are available at $105 until they are sold out or until August 5th. Please visit: moe.org/moedown for up-to-the-minute information and to purchase tickets.

moe. has finalized this year's line-up: moe., The Levon Helm Band, Yonder Mountain String Band, Sparrow Quartet featuring Abigail Washburn and Bela Fleck, The Presidents of the United States of America, Fishbone, Benevento-Russo Duo, Cornmeal, American Babies, U-Melt, The Macpodz, The Bridge, Lynch, The PMG, Swampadelica, and The Brew.

Over the past nine years, more than one hundred bands have performed at moe.down, including: Flaming Lips, Perry Farrell's Satellite Party, The Roots, They Might Be Giants, Meat Puppets, Medeski Martin & Wood, Ani DiFranco, Matisyahu, Blues Traveler, Leo Kottke, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Nellie McKay, Cracker Van Beethoven, David Grisman, and Les Claypool.

The moe.down festival promises three days of music, camping and fun at the Snow Ridge Ski Area in Turin, NY. The site is about an hour northeast of Syracuse, at the edge of the beautiful Adirondack Mountains. Ski lifts will be open, so bring your mountain bikes!

About moe.

Formed in Buffalo, New York in 1991, moe. is one of the finest groups in the jamband movement today. Their tours have taken them from Woodstock '99 to New York's Central Park, as well as to Japan and Europe. moe. has toured with legendary acts such as The Dead, The Allman Brothers Band, Robert Plant, and most recently, The Who. The band is also critically acclaimed for its songwriting and studio work; the group's 2001 studio album, DITHER, was awarded four stars by Rolling Stone. 2003's WORMWOOD received four stars by Blender Magazine. THE CONCH received rave reviews including Rolling Stone, Paste, Blender and many more. moe. is currently on tour supporting its latest studio effort, STICKS & STONES, again a highly admired album. In addition to moe.down, moe. also hosts Summer Camp each Memorial Day Weekend in Chillicothe, IL.

moe. is also becoming recognized for its charitable work: the band hosted a Tsunami Benefit concert at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City on February 10, 2005 and raised $150,000 for Tsunami survivors. The concert earned moe. its second Live Performance of the Year Jammy Award. moe. also raised over $100,000 for various charities, including the Red Cross for Hurricane Katrina survivors and for the music department at Bradley Elementary in Utica, NY, to help keep music in children's lives.

Mon, 07/28/2008 - 9:44 am

Hal Ketchum recorded his new album, Father Time, without a net. He amassed more than a dozen new original songs plus a dream team of musicians and entered the studio to record the album live to two-track. There were no overdubs and only a few second takes. "When I went into this project, my mentality was that this is either going to work or not," Ketchum says. But at the end of the first day, with nine songs finished, he knew the experiment was a success.

The resultant album, which contains 13 Ketchum-penned songs plus a cover of Tom Waits' "Jersey Girl," will hit stores on September 9, 2008. It is the album that Ketchum's talents have promised since he burst onto the country music scene in 1991 claiming the #1 spot with his very first single, "Small Town Saturday Night."
 
The recording of Father Time as a live, direct-to-tape album originated from a conversation he had with some fellow musicians about how recording had lost some of its creative edge in this high-tech era in which players record apart from each other in separate rooms and booths. "By the end of that conversation, I said, 'OK, I'm going to cut live to two-track.' I went home that afternoon and got a yellow pad and put together a wish list of players. And almost everyone I called was available for the two days I had blocked out."
 
Reared in upstate New York in a musical family, Ketchum played drums in R&B bar bands at a young age, but discovered his real calling upon his move to New Braunfels, Texas — just a stone's throw from the legendary Gruene Hall, the old dance hall that has become the mother church of the Texas music scene. He didn't know about the venue at the time, but one day followed the sounds of live music up a hill. "And there," he says, "was Gruene Hall in all its glory, with Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel playing." Ketchum became a mainstay of the hall and later released an indie album (Threadbare Alibis) that brought him to the attention of Curb Records. Since his first Curb release, 1991's Past the Point of Rescue, he has distinguished himself as a bona fide hitmaker, with 15 Top 10 singles to his credit and five million albums sold.
 
The songs on Father Time include some of Ketchum's recent compositions — most of them road-tested before audiences at his live shows — as well as the first song he ever wrote ("The Preacher and Me") and even one number ("Surrounded By Love") written on a lunch break on the first day of recording, plus some of his favorite collaborations with fellow songwriters that had yet to be recorded. As the title implies, the songs focus on life's essential matters, with characters that resonate with the believability of real people living (and dying). In "Yesterday's Gone," "Surrounded by Love" and "The Day He Called Your Name" family members face mortality with an enriching love and sweetness, and there are cinematic tales about everyday people ("Invisible" and "Ordinary Day") as well as the vividly unique characters that make life a rich pageant ("Millionaire's Wife," "Million Dollar Baby" and "Continental Farewell").
 
"I felt it was time to make a record like the first one I made where I wrote everything on the record," he says "I had the good fortune of having some hit records and developing a strong following as a live performer. But it was important at some point over all my years of making records that people got to see the essence of my songwriting and my voice as a singer and writer."
 
"It's a coming of age," he says of the new album. "This is what I do. I have a desire to be remembered as an artist, and whether somebody discovers this record today or 25 or 30 years from now, I want them to listen to this album and go 'Yeah, I understand.' The motivation here was to leave a little trail all my own."

Ketchum's friend Neil Diamond wrote in the liner notes, "I find it impossible to listen to it without smiling at the sheer exuberance of these tracks."

Sat, 08/02/2008 - 11:24 am

Steve Kimock will be joining the Everyone Orchestra on August 9th, 2008 at the Great American Music Hall.  Matt Butler will conduct, with Kimock, Dan Lebowitz, Audio Angel, members of Jambay, Legendary Nigerian percussionist Sikiru Adepoju and many special guests.

THE EVERYONE ORCHESTRA is a revolving cast of stellar musicians brought together by drummer/conductor Matt Butler for concerts, festival super jams and special benefit events. EO performances are designed to create space for each performer's musical personality to shine, engage the audience as participants in the jam and to facilitate a massive celebratory coming together featuring a conductor directing both musicians and audience alike.

"We pass the musical talking stick around the collective group of players and take turns leading the stage, much like sharing music around a campfire. We also play musical improv games that I sometimes refer to as 'music sports.' Then we culminate in moments with everyone is on stage at once, playing conducted improvisations together, says Butler, who is also the founder of the group.

The list of Everyone Orchestra alumni reads like a who's who of jam band music and beyond including members of The Grateful Dead, Phish, moe., String Cheese Incident, Derek Trucks Band, Railroad Earth, Hot Buttered Rum, Tea Leaf Green and Jimmy Herring, Darol Anger, Adrian Belew, Taj Mahal, Maria Muldaur, live painters, dancers, hula hoopers, firespinners, stiltwalkers, activists, a presidential candidate, storytellers and hundreds of others among a growing legion of other performers (See list on the left).

Butler's version of breaking down the barriers between musician and audience derives in part from desert art festival Burning Man's 'no spectators, only participants' ethic and is undoubtedly influenced by his old friend and mentor Ken Kesey, the king of the Merry Pranksters.

While Butler is the primary conductor, the Orchestra has also been conducted by former Jamie Janover, Leftover Salmon bassman Tye North, Jon Fishman, SCI's Michael Travis, ALO's Dan Lebowitz and Zach Gill, other musicians and members of the audience.

Through the events and work of The Everyone Orchestra, more than $100,000 has been raised for contributions to non-profit and environmental organizations around the nation.

Sat, 08/02/2008 - 12:53 pm

Presenters Twiin Productions - in association with Jacalyn Kane Productions of the second annual WEST BEACH MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL set for September 12, Saturday, September 13 and Sunday, September 14 - have announced George Clinton and Parliament/Funkadelic with special guest Lili Haydn.  They join the event's all-star music line-up that already includes Ziggy Marley, Jason Mraz, Natasha Bedingfield and Big Head Todd & The Monsters. Also, the festival, along with media sponsor the Santa Barbara Independent, has launched the "Road To West Beach" band contest in which local bands, songwriters, musicians and DJs can compete for a performance slot at the event.

Submissions for the "Road To West Beach" contest are being accepted now through Monday, August 4 via www.independent.com/roadtowestbeach where online voting will take place for five days starting August 7. Four winners plus a wildcard of each geographical region in its tri-county area will have the chance to compete at a regional showcase: August 21 in San Luis Obispo, August 23 in Santa Barbara/Carpinteria and August 24 in Isla Vista. From there fans will have the opportunity to vote for the winners who will go on to compete at the final showcase August 31 at Alameda Park in Santa Barbara. The winner of this final round will receive a slot on the main stage at WEST BEACH as well as studio time and feature coverage in the Santa Barbara Independent's annual music issue.

George Clinton who will appear on Sunday, September 14 - is one of the greatest innovators of urban-based soul, rock and funk over the last forty years. As a teenager in the late 1950s, Clinton formed the Parliaments, a doo-wop style vocal group which had a big R&B hit whit "I Wanna Testify" in 1967 on indy label Revilot.  When Revilot folded a year later, they retained the rights to the group The Parliament.  In a stroke of genius, Clinton recognized that he still record shifting the focus from the vocals to the band and, in 1968, George formed Funkadelic, a visionary band that combined acid rock with primal funk. Funkadelic carried the torch for George's creative output until 1972 when The Parliament's Revilot contract expired.  George renamed the group Parliament and signed them to Casablanca Records, while Funkadelic signed with Warner Brothers in 1976. These two powerhouse bands consisted of the same members and with the growth of funk as a vibrant musical force, George was churning out landmark hits with both acts: Parliament with dance floor jams like "Tear the Roof Off the Sucker (Give Up the Funk)," "Aqua Boogie," "Flashlight" and "Bop Gun" and Funkdelic with anthemic funk jams like "(Not Just) Knee Deep" and "One Nation Under A Groove." George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic will be joined by their frequent collaborator Lili Haydn the acclaimed singer-songwriter-violinist extraordinaire and recording artist.  Clinton has called her "the Jimi Hendrix of violin."

The WEST BEACH MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL - sponsored by The Santa Barbara Independent, [email protected], DEEP Magazine, KjEE, KTYD, KFYV, KLITE, and many more - is one of the only U.S. festivals that takes place right on the beach.  Located seaside just west of Stearn's Wharf, the all-ages festival each day will feature four stages of non-stop rock, reggae and jam bands, arts and crafts vendors and activities oriented toward children (further details on children's activities will be announced at a later date).  Three-day passes are now available for $115.  Single day tickets are also available for $35 to $55.  Tickets available at www.westbeachfestival.com.

Mon, 08/04/2008 - 9:59 am

The National Jazz Museum in Harlem begins the first full week of programming today, August 4th with a presentation on the life and work of one of the greatest living authors on blues and jazz, Albert Murray for Jazz for Curious Readers, followed by the first of four weeks of focus at Jazz for Curious Listeners on the great jazz pianist, educator and media man, Dr. Billy Taylor.

We round out the week with two pianists; first a discussion with pianist Dick Katz for Harlem Speaks, then a live performance by Michael Wolff in a trio setting at the Rubin Museum of Art for Harlem in the Himalayas.

Come join us at the National Jazz Museum in Harlem, because we're all for you, body and soul. (And don't forget our final Summer Film Series program this Sunday at the Museum of the City of New York.)

Sunday, August 3, 2008
MCNY SUMMER FILM SHOWS

2:00pm
Harlem Rent Party: Jazz Film Series      
Location:
Museum of the City of New York
(1220 Fifth Avenue | get directions)
FREE with Museum admission! |
More information: 212.534.1672, ext. 3395
 
Although they were held to help friends pay their bills, Harlem rent parties of the early 20th century were filled with music and good times. Join Loren Schoenberg, Executive Director of the Jazz Museum in Harlem, for a swinging afternoon of rare film clips featuring the kind of music you would have heard there — Fats Waller, Louis Jordan, Count Basie, Billie Holiday, Lena Horne, and many others. Presented in conjunction with Harlem Week.

Monday, August 4, 2008
JAZZ FOR CURIOUS READERS

6:30pm
Albert Murray: Philosopher of the Blues and Jazz
Guest: Greg Thomas
Location:
NJMIH Visitors Center
(104 E. 126th Street, Suite 2C)
FREE | Reservations: 212-348-8300 or register online

Essayist, novelist, and cultural critic Albert Murray's contribution to American literature has established the value and importance of the "blues idiom as the basis for approaching life in contemporary times.

Born in Nokomis, Alabama, on May 12, 1916, Murray received his BS from Tuskegee Institute in 1939. He joined the Air Force in 1943 and retired with the rank of major in 1962. During his period in the service, Murray earned his MA from New York, University (1948) and taught literature and composition to civilians and soldiers both in the United States and abroad.

The Omni-Americans (1970), Murray's first book, contains reviews, essays, and commentaries that engage and challenge the predominant frameworks within which matters of "race and culture were then being discussed. Critiquing what he called "the folklore of white supremacy and the fake lore of black pathology," the book argues that all Americans are multicolored and that social scientific attempts to explain black life in America are fundamentally mistaken. His next book, South to a Very Old Place (1971), extends that argument with a series of memoirs, interviews, and reports that document the positive, nurturing aspects of the African-American community in the South.

In 1972, Albert Murray was invited to give the Paul Anthony Brick Lectures on Ethics at the University of Missouri. These lecturers were published as The Hero and the Blues (1973). Here Murray develops his concept of literature in the blues idiom, a theory he eloquently practiced in the novel Train Whistle Guitar (1974), which won the Lillian Smith Award for Southern Fiction. The hero of this novel received from his family and neighbors in the segregated South the cultural equipment necessary for leading a successful life—a sense of fundamental individual worth combined with community responsibility akin to the relationship between the improvising jazz soloist and the supporting band.

In 1976, Murray turned the concept of the blues idiom back on itself, writing perhaps the best book ever published on jazz aesthetics, Stomping the Blues. Murray collaborated with Court Basie on his autobiography, Good Morning, Blues (1985), and in 1991 published The Spyglass Tree, the long-awaited sequel to his first novel. A catalog essay on the paintings of Romare Bearden (Romare Bearden, Finding the Rhythm, 1991) extends Murray's concepts of improvisation, rhythm, and synthesis even to the realm of the visual arts.

Greg Thomas, consultant to the National Jazz Museum in Harlem, will delve into Murray's work and thought with particular focus on the blues and jazz as a philosophical strategy to swing in spite of existential chaos, the tragedy of human history and the vicissitudes of modern life. Murray's relationship with essayist and novelist Ralph Ellison, author of the celebrated mid-century novel, Invisible Man, and path-breaking artist Romare Bearden, will also be explored.

Tuesday, August 5, 2008
JAZZ FOR CURIOUS LISTENERS

7:00pm
A Celebration of Dr. Billy Taylor
Location:
NJMIH Visitors Center
(104 E. 126th Street, Suite 2C)
FREE | Reservations: 212-348-8300 or register online

Instructors: Loren Schoenberg and Bret Primack
National Jazz Museum in Harlem board member Dr. Billy Taylor encompasses that rare combination of creativity, intelligence, vision, commitment and leadership, qualities that make him one of our most cherished national treasures.

The distinguished ambassador of the jazz community to the world-at-large, Dr. Billy Taylor's recording career spans nearly six decades. He has also composed over three hundred and fifty songs, including "I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free," as well as works for theatre, dance and symphony orchestras.
Playing the piano professionally since 1944, he got his start with Ben Webster's Quartet on New York's famed 52nd Street. He then served as the house pianist at Birdland, the legendary jazz club where he performed with such celebrated masters as Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis. Since the 1950s, Billy Taylor has been leading his own Trio, as well as performing with the most influential jazz musicians of the twentieth century.
Dr. Taylor has not only been an influential musician, but a highly regarded teacher as well, receiving his Masters and Doctorate in Music Education from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and serving as a Duke Ellington Fellow at Yale University. He founded the Harlem-based JazzMobile in the 1960s.

He has also hosted and programmed on radio stations WLIB and WNEW in New York, and an award-winning series for National Public Radio. In the early 1980s, Taylor became the arts correspondent for CBS Sunday Morning.
Dr. Billy Taylor is one of only three jazz musicians appointed to the National Council of the Arts, and also serves as the Artistic Advisor for Jazz to the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, where he has developed one acclaimed concert series after another, including the Louis Armstrong Legacy series, and the annual Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Festival.

With over twenty three honorary doctoral degrees, Dr. Billy Taylor is also the recipient of two Peabody Awards, an Emmy, a Grammy and a host of prestigious and highly coveted prizes, such as the National Medal of Arts, the Tiffany Award, a Lifetime achievement Award from Downbeat Magazine, and, election to the Hall of Fame for the International Association for Jazz Education.

Now in his eighties, and officially retired from active touring and recording, he remains active with his educational activities and a full schedule of speaking engagements and appearances on radio and television.
Writer/Video Journalist Bret Primack has been at the forefront of new media since he co-founded Jazz Central Station in 1995. In 1997, he was the first Jazz blogger with Bird Lives, where, as the Pariah, his heartfelt diatribes struck a responsive chord in the music industry. Bret has also created websites for Sonny Rollins, Joe Lovano and Dr. Billy Taylor, among many others.

An NYU Film School graduate, Bret began producing video for the web in 1999.
His documentaries and Video Podcasts include Orrin Keepnews, Producer for the Concord Music Group and The Sonny Rollins Podcast for Rollins' own Doxy Records, an ongoing documentary about the Saxophone Colossus.

Thursday, August 7, 2008
HARLEM SPEAKS

6:30pm
Dick Katz, Pianist
Location:
NJMIH Visitors Center
(104 E. 126th Street, Suite 2C)
FREE | Reservations: 212-348-8300 or register online

Come meet and hear the story of Dick Katz, a versatile pianist and arranger responsible for a host of memorable recordings through the years, often as an important sideman and/or producer. He studied at the Peabody Institute, the Manhattan School of Music, and Juilliard, in addition to taking piano lessons from Teddy Wilson. In the 1950s, he picked up priceless experience as a member of the house rhythm section of the Café Bohemia, with the groups of Ben Webster and Kenny Dorham, the Oscar Pettiford big band, and later with Carmen McRae. Katz was part of the popular J.J. Johnson/Kai Winding Quintet (1954-1955) and Orchestra USA and participated on Benny Carter's classic  Further Definitions album. He has freelanced throughout much of his career and was a guiding force behind some of Helen Merrill's finest recordings. Katz, who played with Roy Eldridge and Lee Konitz starting in the late '60s, co-founded Milestone Records in 1966 with Orrin Keepnews. In the 1990s, Dick Katz worked both as a pianist and an arranger with the American Jazz Orchestra and Loren Schoenberg's big band.

Friday, August 8, 2008
HARLEM IN THE HIMALAYAS

7:00pm
The Michael Wolff Trio
Location: Rubin Museum of Art
(150 West 17th Street)
$18 in advance | $20 at door |
Box Office: 212.620.5000 ext. 344
Michael Wolff, Piano
Chip Jackson, Bass
Mike Clark, Drums

A baby boomer in his prime, Michael Wolff is renowned for his old school jazz roots, melodically fresh and rhythmically compelling multi-keyboard style, and ever-expanding media presence. A New Orleans native whose father taught him blues on piano before he began classical lessons at age eight, Michael also grew up in Memphis and Berkeley, California, getting his first significant professional gig when he was 19 from Latin jazz vibist Cal Tjader. He made his recording debut with Cannonball Adderley's band in 1975, and has worked extensively with the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra, Sonny Rollins, Wayne Shorter, Tony Williams, Christian McBride and others including his late friend Warren Zevon and singer Nancy Wilson, for whom he wrote orchestral arrangements and conducted more than 25 major symphony orchestras during world-wide tours. Wolff's own band Impure Thoughts, launched in 2000, is an infectious improvising ensemble, richly percussive thanks to Indian tabla player Badal Roy, drummer Mike (Headhunters) Clark and electric bassist John B. Williams (on his new Trio CD, Wolff is joined by Williams and drummer Victor Jones.) Wolff's recent performances include an Impure Thoughts concert at the Royal Albert Hall as part of the BBC Proms and a trip to the British Virgin Isles. He tours the U.S. regularly, and will perform a series of Trio dates in support of his latest recording, jazz, JAZZ, jazz.

Wolff's growing corpus of movie soundtracks includes Dark Angel and The Tic Code (2000), a feature for actor-dancer Gregory Hines, that was semi-autobiographical in its depiction of the Tourette's Syndrome with which Wolff copes. His five-and-a-half year stint as musical director of the Arsenio Hall Show heightened his visibility and gave him the occasion to meet his wife, actress and writer/director Polly Draper. He is producer, and Draper writer-director of the smash hit Nickelodeon cable TV series The Naked Brothers Band, starring their sons Nat, 12, and Alex, nine (Wolff appears regularly as the boys' "hapless, accordion-playing dad"), and he produced his first music video for 2006's Love and Destruction's plaintive "Underwater," shooting on location in post-Hurricane Katrina New Orleans.

Described as a "Renaissance Man" by Miami New Times, Wolff won praise for his surprising CD Love and Destruction, his first to feature vocals on all songs. Add to that his virtuoso piano playing, his amalgam of rock-jazz and his World music-inspired live performances, and you have the makings of a multi-faceted artist, unafraid of labels and boundaries. In fact, The New York Times praised Wolff as "A pianist and vocalist with a style both global and contemporary." "It's not a sudden departure," Wolff says of his video efforts, as well as his affectively husky and hushed singing on Love and Destruction. "I'm making developmental steps. I've had some interesting years doing a lot of different things, and that was where I arrived." Wolff's late night, blue light singing on the CD brought new cool to an inspired selection of rock/pop classics as well as his own tunes about the well-lived life, now. JazzTimes Magazine raved that Michael Wolff is "one of the most innovative and dynamic pianists of his generation." "Wolff proves himself an exceptionally astute vocal stylist. His sound, a rock-jazz hybrid that exists somewhere in the vast expanse between Donald Fagen and Mark Murphy, is at once as distinctly powerful and as cunningly seductive as his playing." At radio, Wolff generated airplay on Acoustic Café and other key outlets. Starbucks put four tracks in rotation, in 5000 locations nationwide.

Sun, 08/10/2008 - 1:19 pm

Festival Network is proud to announce that the legendary Phil Lesh and Friends will headline Sunday, August 31, at the Slow Food Rocks music festival, which will be held during Slow Food Nation, the largest celebration of American food in history, taking place in San Francisco over Labor Day Weekend..

In a rare hometown appearance Phil Lesh and Friends will play on an outdoor stage at The Great Meadow at Fort Mason overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge, the second day of a two day music festival. Other artists include Grammy-winning Gnarls Barkley, who will headline the event on Saturday, August 30 with Ozomatli, The New Pornographers, and Medeski Martin & Wood. Joining Phil Lesh and Friends on Sunday, August 31, are G. Love & Special Sauce and the John Butler Trio...

Wed, 08/13/2008 - 9:44 pm

Conscious Alliance is proud to announce a very special late night Rebel Alliance Jam on Saturday, August 16th.  This Saturday is a full moon at YarmonyGrass, and a memorable highlight of the weekend's festivities will certainly be The Rebel Alliance Jam in the Revival Tent. The Rebel Alliance will be lead by String Cheese Incident multi-instrumentalist Michael Kang, and includes Michael Travis on drums, Jason Hann on percussion, Tye North on bass, Scott Law on guitar, Tim Carbone on fiddle and Steve Vidaic on keyboards.  We are also extremely excited to announce that the Rebel Alliance will be joined by some VERY SPECIAL GUESTS.

EOTO with Michael Kang will kick-off the Revival Tent on Saturday night.

Thu, 08/14/2008 - 3:07 pm

Rage Against the Machine has joined forces with the Iraq Veterans Against the War and Tent State University to perform as part of the "Tent State Music Festival to End the War" on Wednesday, August 27 at the Denver Coliseum. They will join the Flobots, The Coup, State Radio, and Wayne Kramer. Doors open at 9:30 AM, show begins at 11:00 AM.

Tickets are free and available by lottery.  Sign up for the lottery, with a valid photo ID (person must be present) at Tent State University at Cuernavaca Park between 11AM and 6:30 PM (look for the Tent State Music Festival booth near the IVAW Tower) Sunday, August 24 through Tuesday, August 26 during the D.N.C. Winners will be notified by email Tuesday evening, August 26.

Go to www.tentstate.org for more info.

Ticket Pickup Information and Policies:

Each lottery winner will get two tickets for the Festival.

WINNERS can claim their tickets at the Denver Coliseum beginning 9:30 AM on Wednesday, August 27.

ONLY the WINNER can claim the tickets on show day.  Photo ID required.  NO name changes will be accepted under any circumstance.

Guest MUST be present when WINNER claims the tickets. After claiming the tickets, WINNER and their guest must immediately enter the coliseum.

Any TICKETS UNREDEEMED BY 12:00 PM WILL BE RELEASED on a first come first serve basis. There will be a secured area set up for people to line up for any tickets not picked up.

Where: Denver Coliseum

at I-70 (Brighton Blvd. exit #275B) and south to Humboldt Street, just east of the junction of I-25 with I-70. Downtown is easily accessible via Brighton Boulevard

When: Wednesday, August 27

Doors at 9:30 AM

Show time at 11:00 AM

All Ages Welcome

Tickets:  FREE, available through lottery system

Sat, 08/16/2008 - 1:13 am
Sat, 08/16/2008 - 10:13 pm

Electronic music pioneers DELERIUM have announced the D-Tour 2008 North American Tour, which kicks off in Vancouver September 11 and ends in Atlanta October 4.  This marks the first major tour for front man Bill Leeb and Delerium in five years. Fans can expect guest vocalists from past Delerium albums to make special appearances, including Sixpence None The Richer's Leigh Nash and chanteuse Kristy Thirsk. Up and coming fellow Nettwerk artists Elsiane and Morgan Page will support the entire 16-date run.

Delerium has also been spending time in the studio working on their next project, an acoustic session that will be comprised of past hit singles as well as two new tracks. Since the release of their Nettwerk debut album Semantic Spaces in 1995, Delerium have gone on to sell over a million albums in North America alone, and are also known for a string of successful singles, including the worldwide dance smash "Silence" (featuring the talents of superstar Sarah McLachlan), which sold over 300,000 copies in the UK. Other hits have included "After All," "Innocente (Falling In Love)," "Underwater" and "Heaven's Earth."

Montreal's Elsiane - Elsieanne Caplette and Stephane Sotto - joins the bill in support of their debut album Hybrid (August 5), which CBC Radio 3 called "mind blowing."  Los Angeles-based electro house producer Morgan Page rounds out the bill with his up-tempo grooves that continue to top the Billboard Club play charts. The track "Longest Road" from his album Elevate (March 2008) was his first original chart-topper, making it all the way to #2 on the Billboard Hot Club Play Chart, sandwiched between megawatts Madonna and Michael Jackson.

Full tour dates as follows:

Date                City                              Venue

Sep 11            Vancouver                 Commodore Ballroom

Sep 12            Portland                     Wonder Ballroom

Sep 13            Seattle                        Showbox

Sep 15            San Francisco           Slim's

Sep 16            San Diego                  House of Blues

Sep 17             Los Angeles              El Rey Theatre

Sep 18             Anaheim                     House of Blues

Sep 21             Denver                       Gothic

Sep 24             Minneapolis               Myth

Sep 25             Milwaukee                  The Rave

Sep 26             Detroit                        Royal Oak Music Hall

Sep 27             Toronto                      Guvernment

Sep 28             Montreal                     Club Soda

Sep 30             NYC                             BB Kings

Oct 1                Washington                9:30 Club

Oct 4                Atlanta                         The Loft

Fri, 08/29/2008 - 10:07 pm
Sun, 09/07/2008 - 8:55 pm

Pianist David Leonhardt and his respective band-mates have performed and recorded with some of the finest jazz musicians in the business, and it's no wonder that they would be called upon by numerous jazz artists after listening to this polished and nicely-flowing trio set, where Leonhardt steers the unit through standards and pop/rock favorites.

An all star trio's exciting new eclectic collection of jazzed up arrangements showcasing their improvisational abilities in a creative journey set to songs by James Taylor, Eric Clapton, Elton John, George Harrison as well as Horace Silver, and Jerome Kern.

The musicians generate dynamics while tempering the various currents when required.  For example, on the pianist's comp "Whispers of Contentment – Shouts of Joy," the trio renders gradually ascending choruses, abetted by Leonhardt's powerful block chords and drummer Alvester Garnett's display of rhythmic ferocity.  Yet, melody is a key ingredient throughout, as the band tackles George Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," and Elton John's "Your Song," with panache, and a jazzy vibe.

On James Taylor's "Fire and Rain," Leonhardt injects jazz fills and a loose-groove motif amid lyrically resplendent phrasings, while the band also explores via an improvisational approach.  However, the musicians do find time to up the ante with bluesy moments and heated workouts.  In addition, Leonhardt looms as a vivid storyteller here and alters the overall tone of the album with his North African modal piece "The Dawn Over Morocco." Ultimately, it's a superfine effort that is topped off with an irrefutably appealing track mix and all executed with a melding of eloquence and passion. by Glenn Astarita JazzReview.com

David Leonhardt has always been a jazz pianist first, while enamored with the realm of contemporary popular songs. This duality is reflected in this set of standards, originals, and rearrangements of well known hit tunes. While one wonders if there is a real need to do numbers out of the repertoire of The Beatles, Elton John, Cream and James Taylor, Leonhardt and his trio do them with a modified flair and at times thoughtful repast. The extraordinary bassist Matthew Parrish and hot drummer Alvester Garnett help Leonhardt greatly in lifting all of these tracks to a higher interpretive level. The originals of the pianist are, to say the least, interesting. "Whispers Of Contentment - Shouts Of Joy" is a definitive spirit song, lovely in its Zen like invention. "The Dawn Over Morocco" sports impending heavy dramatic modality leading to a brighter day, the title track is a free bop true to its title, and "Winter Waltz" a quicker ice skating number reminiscent of a Vince Guaraldi Charlie Brown tune. "Late Night Blues" is pretty straight laced, and "Iberian Lament" organic, pretty and pensive. The trio does a splendid sprinting version of the Jerome Kern standard "Yesterdays" moving quickly from sideline to sideline, and a gorgeous, near perfect interpretation of Horace Silver's "Peace." Then there's the block chords and light Brazilian take of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," a waltz to 4/4 saccharine "Your Song," hard bopping and scattershot but barely recognizable "Sunshine Of Your Love," and off melody phrases but otherwise true to form "Fire & Rain." As honest, balanced and flexible a musician as there is in jazz, Leonhardt and this truly excellent trio needs to be heard by a general populist mainstream audience, and likely stretch these tracks out in more intimate live performances. - by Michael G. Nastos AllMusic.com

David Leonhardt Trio - EXPLORATIONS: Simply superb piano from David, bassist Matthew Parrish and crisp/clear drums by Alvester Garnett on this gem of a CD.  There are several originals; all packed with talent that shines from all 3 players, but in this case, the most notable tracks are David's arrangements of tunes like George Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", & Clapton's "Sunshine Of Your Love"!  He breathes new life into those tracks & elevates them back into their proper place... far above Muzak, & in the Universal realm... I can tell you without qualification that you've NEVER heard interpretations as spirited as these!  The recording is excellent; you're able to hear every little nuance, especially on tunes like the opener, "Whispers of Contentment - Shouts of Joy", definitely my favorite on the album; though in semi-ballad mode, power emanates between Leonhardt's phrasings here!  A great jazz album with a new approach to standards that merits our MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! - by Rotcod Zzaj

Tue, 09/09/2008 - 8:44 pm

Guitar Center is pleased to announce the next installment of Guitar Center Sessions: An Evening of Dialogue and Insight with Joe Bonamassa. Taking place Wednesday, September 17 at the Guitar Center in Hollywood, CA, the evening is free and open to the public. The evening will be powered in part by Gibson Guitars.

Joe Bonamassa is one of the premier blues-rock guitarists of his generation. At the early age of 12 he was already a touring pro, opening for the legendary B.B. King. Since then, Joe's incendiary playing has earned him a loyal legion of fans and numerous albums in Billboard's Top 10 blues chart. Also a gifted singer and songwriter, Joe Bonamassa was named Best Blues Guitarist by Guitar Player Magazine's readership in their annual Reader's Choice Awards for 2008, and recently released From Nowhere in Particular, a 2-CD live album recorded during his fall 2007 U.S. tour and released on his own J&R Adventures label. The CD debuted at #1 on the Billboard Blues Charts. Joe also hosts "Daily Cup Of Joe" as well, a Monday-Friday show on Sirius Satellite Radio's Blues Channel 74 that airs from 12-12:15 PM (ET).

Designed to provide informative, provocative conversation and hands-on tutorials, Guitar Center Sessions serves as an incubator for musicians, providing them an opportunity to network with their peers in an intimate setting and gain career-fostering advice from their heroes. Join us for a very special in-store event as Joe shares tips, techniques and experiences, talks about his signature Gibson Les Paul, and lays down some seriously soulful licks.

Wednesday, September 17 @ 7 pm

Guitar Center Hollywood

7425 Sunset Blvd.

(323) 874-1060

Free to the public. Limited capacity.

About Guitar Center

Guitar Center is the world's largest retailer of guitars, amplifiers, percussion instruments, keyboards and pro-audio and recording equipment. Our retail store subsidiary presently operates 214 Guitar Center stores across the U.S. In addition, our Music & Arts division operates more than 100 stores specializing in band instruments for sale and rental, serving teachers, band directors, college professors and students. We are also the largest direct response retailer of musical instruments in the United States through our wholly owned subsidiary, Musician's Friend, Inc., and its catalog and website. More information on Guitar Center can be found by visiting the company's website. The Guitar Center logo is a registered trademark of Guitar Center, Inc. Other brand or product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.