BIG GIGANTIC has set their sights even bigger this year for their massive hometown show dubbed “ROWDYTOWN.” Taking over the famed Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado, the third annual event is expanding to two days in 2014: Friday, September 26 and Saturday, September 27.

I have been going to shows regularly for over 15 years. Somewhere along the line, I came to understand that live music is my adopted religion and venues of great renown are, collectively, my house of worship. Being a Deadhead, in particular, is a sect onto itself. Until recently, I only understood this spiritual manifestation in the abstract.

After debuting their first ever tour to two sold out crowds at Evanston, Illinois’ SPACE, The Southern Soul Assembly wowed fans in Nashville, Atlanta, and more before bringing the first leg of the tour to a close at Suwannee Springfest in Live Oak, FL.

Omnivore Recordings will soon release the full-length version of The Garden Spot Programs, 1950, featuring 24 performances, unheard for 64 years, from country music legend Hank Williams. Rescued from obscurity, these shows originally aired more than six decades ago; The Garden Spot Programs, 1950 collects material from the four episodes now known to exist.

There is no doubt in Colorado about how much the members of the Disco Biscuits love to come to Boulder. In fact, they have vehemently expressed their love for the area at every show for the last several years. You guys should all move here already. It’s okay, we all do it. None the less, every time they are here it is a gigantic treat for all of us involved. Friends see friends and dance the night away. It is a true Boulder party.

To most of us who really pay attention to the current state of music and journalism, it comes as no surprise when I say that the quality and quantity of genuinely good music news and coverage coming out of the major media outlets has diminished substantially over the last decade or more.  They tend to focus more on pop artists, movie stars, and political discourse rather than covering and featuring truly great music (as they once did). 

Polly O'Keary, award-winning and world-touring bass player, vocalist and songwriter, is back in the northwest with a new album titled Compass.Polly has had a long career in blues, and brings 25 years of experience to the stage.

Future Roots band, The Boston Boys, return home this month after a tour of eight countries throughout Europe and North Africa, concluding with a three week stint in Morocco. Their tour in Morocco, in partnership with the U.S. State Department, is part of cultural exchange programming whose alumni include Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong."Returning to Morocco for a month gave us the freedom to feel integrated into a rich musical community and incorporate some of their traditions.

A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN will open at New York City’s Gramercy Theatre (127 E 23rd St. / 23rd & Lexington Ave) on Thursday, April 10th, giving fans a chance to see Broadway’s acclaimed theatrical rock experience in one of New York’s most intimate concert venues. Tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster.com and at the Gramercy Theatre box office.