Thursday night in Stamford, CT on a mild late September evening, brought fun and great music to The City That Works. JD & the Straight Shot played an opening hour long set of mostly original compositions that ranged from Country to Americana inspired songs. Influences by Jay Ungar, David Bromberg, Larry Campbell and The Band can be heard in many of the songs.

During northwest Arkansas’ annual Bikes, Blues & BBQ festival near the end of September, fans of sultry Southern rock – of which there were many – enjoyed a lively set from JJ Grey & Mofro. A fairly frequent performer at George’s Majestic Lounge, lead singer JJ Grey was comfortable as ever with the variety of audience members. Bikers, bluegrass, and rock fans alike found themselves grooving along with Grey’s smooth performance.

Joe Deninzon writes about the songs on his new album, GUILTY OF INNOCENCE (Melodic Revolution Records).

Many of these songs are snapshots of my personal life; others address topical themes. I write in the abstract and try to strike balance where you know what the lyrics are referring to, but there is plenty of room for personal interpretation.

One of the most respected voices in reggae music today, The Expanders will continue to spread their passion for the genre when their “Roots Train Fall Tour” makes stops in eight western states from October 5-28, 2017.

The Sound Mind Collective Presents: Uplift! Brooklyn: A Concert Benefiting Exalt and Empowering NYC's Youth. The event is hosted by comedian Carolyn Castiglia and features music with The London Souls, The Nth Power, Qaasim & The Juggernaut War Party, and Revel In Dimes. It takes place at The Bell House on Friday, October 20th. Doors at 7pm. Please join us for an evening of engagement and musical performance to raise money for Exalt Youth NYC!

Giant Steps Music is proud to announce the launch of their Music Action Lab 2.0 starting on September 25, 207 that includes a unique calendar of events, workshops, and sessions. The Music Action Lab is an innovative music residency uniting musicians from across the globe to create social impact music, and to nurture the next generation of musical changemakers.

Bob Minkin is as big of a Deadhead as they come. When he discovered the Grateful Dead amongst other revolutionary rock bands hailing from the San Francisco Bay, it changed his life forever. By the time he made the Bay Area his home, he’d been photographing rock icons for decades. He was welcomed in the Grateful Dead’s inner circles in the mid-1970s and captured the iconic band in its true element.

By 1977, Frank Zappa's Halloween shows were already the stuff of legends. While the shows began in the late '60s, around 1972, these monumental performances would become annual events, initially in Passaic, NJ and Chicago, IL before moving to New York City in 1974, where they'd remain. NYC (and its audience) had become a special place for Zappa and the synchronization of Halloween in NYC proved to be the perfect match. From October 28-31, 1977, Zappa and his band played six historic shows at the 3,000 capacity Palladium.

Named the Vocal Group of the Year at this week’s International Bluegrass Music Association Awards in Raleigh, NC, Flatt Lonesome releases Silence In These Walls, the 4th CD from this powerhouse vocal and instrumental group. The album is available today, Friday, September 29.

Reggae roots ran deep last Saturday night at Denver’s Cervantes’ Otherside, as local and national acts alike took the stage together to celebrate life, love and the beauty we know as reggae music. Headlining the Ground Up Reggae Fest was Denver’s own Project 432 & the Hashtones, Ohio’s funk and jam six-piece Tropidelic as well as Minneapolis’ premier Irie provider Mr. Jon Wayne.