KEEN, Inc. (KEEN), today announces a partnership with the Jerry Garcia Family, a new limited edition collection combining Jerry Garcia’s artwork with KEEN’s iconic Newport sandal and UNEEK sneaker sandal with a portion of sales going to HeadCount, a non-profit that uses the power of music to register voters and participate in democracy. In an environment increasingly dominated by hate, KEEN and the Jerry Garcia Family want to encourage fans to participate in positive change and vote for love in their everyday choices and with their ballots.
“Jerry Garcia’s music helped define a generation's values of togetherness and community. KEEN was founded with similar values of bringing people together and doing the right thing,” said Erik Burbank, KEEN Chief Brand Officer. “It’s hard to imagine a better fitting or more exciting partnership. We’re on a mission to encourage people to take action and foster more love in the world. We see this as an alliance of two originals coming together with shared values to make a difference. We want fans to Vote Love in their everyday actions.”
The collection features two pieces of Jerry Garcia’s art- New York at Night and Banyan Tree. Initial release includes the iconic KEEN Newport sandal, the original hybrid sandal with protective toe. With over 10m sold, it is loved by outdoor enthusiasts, computer programmers, musicians and other humans. The initial drop also includes KEEN’s UNEEK sneaker sandal, a radical hybrid of sneaker and sandal.
“At times like these it’s important to speak up for what you believe in!,” said Trixie Garcia. “We, the Jerry Garcia Family, have banded together with KEEN Footwear because we, like you, value being socially responsible and eco-conscious! One way to help make a better world is to vote!! We are thrilled to kick things off with KEEN, by supporting HeadCount through the Vote Love campaign. Vote Love!!”
"HeadCount was started back in 2004 with the goal of getting every Deadhead and music fan registered to vote. So the spirit of Jerry Garcia is literally in our souls. Now, he will be under our soles too. We are very grateful to KEEN and the Jerry Garcia Family for supporting our work," said Andy Bernstein, HeadCount Executive Director.
The #VoteLove campaign, featuring Jerry’s iconic artwork, will create the visual identity and fan call to action for the KEEN and Jerry Garcia Family partnership.
Jerry’s influence is also visible in the packaging, which includes his art of Fish” on the cover, and the inlay of “Tiger”, one of Jerrys’ favorite guitars.
The new KEEN x Garcia product line includes KEEN UNEEK sneaker sandal ($150), KEEN Newport water sandal ($150), KEEN Together Masks ($20) and three different bag models (ranging from $80-$180), launching on www.
Music is the lifeblood of the Triangle, and for fifty years, Carrboro’s live music venue Cat’s Cradle has been the heart that keeps it pumping. But like many independent music venues across the country, Cat’s Cradle is in trouble. With its concert calendar canceled and the building shuttered due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the club is struggling to cover rent and basic overhead costs. With the prospect of drastically reduced revenue even after shows return, there is a growing need to help it survive until things normalize.
Releasing exclusively via Bandcamp on Friday, July 31st, Cover Charge: NC Artists Go Under Cover To Benefit Cat’s Cradle brings together some of North Carolina’s most notable artists across multiple genres to support the venue they love. Each artist performs a cover version of a favorite song, with many recorded during the pandemic. All proceeds from the sale of Cover Charge will benefit the Cat’s Cradle to ensure it can restore its rightful place for generations to come. A full track list is below.
Pre-orders for the digital-only release have been available since July 3, and the full album will be released this Friday, July31st.
“I, and the rest of the Cat's Cradle family, have been bowled over by the concern being shown for music venues both here and around the country,” says Frank Heath, owner of Cat’s Cradle. “Learning about this effort to assist the Cradle, has just reinforced another wonderful thing that we really already knew, that so many of the Triangle's great artists and musicians are also amazing and caring people, who value and want to help protect Cat's Cradle, and who also genuinely care about all of the other artists and the entire music community.”
More information on the music and the cause is available at coverchargemusic.com
Cover Charge Track Listing:
1. Superchunk - "Can't Stop the World" (The Go-Go's)
2. Sarah Shook & the Disarmers - "Apocalypse" (Cigarettes After Sex)
3. Hiss Golden Messenger and Jonathan Wilson - "Travellin’ in Style" (Free)
4. The dB's - "I'm on an Island" (The Kinks)
5. Steep Canyon Rangers - "Unknown Legend" (Neil Young)
6. Eric Bachmann & Skylar Gudasz - "All I Have to Do is Dream" (The Everly Brothers)
7. The Connells - "Keep Your Distance" (Richard Thompson)
8. Mandolin Orange - "Boots of Spanish Leather" (Bob Dylan)
9. The Love Language - "Everything Flows" (Teenage Fanclub)
10. Dex Romweber (feat. Jennifer Curtis) - "A Face in the Crowd" (Andy Griffith)
11.Tift Merritt - "Help Me Make It Through The Night” (Kris Kristofferson)
12. The Old Ceremony - "Alone Again Or" (Love)
13. Mayflies USA - "There is a Light that Never Goes Out" (The Smiths)
14. The Mountain Goats - "The Longest Winter" (Paradise Lost)
15. Faith Jones - "For What It's Worth" (Buffalo Springfield)
16. Mipso - "Long Distance Love" (Little Feat)
17. Terry Anderson and The Olympic-Ass Kickin Team - "Every Night" (Paul McCartney)
18. Florence Dore - "Somewhere Down the Line" (Marshall Crenshaw)
19. Southern Culture on the Skids - "Let's Work Together" (Wilbert Harrison)
20. Iron & Wine - "Piss Diary" (Kingsbury Manx)
21. Mount Moriah - "Don't Let It Bring You Down" (Neil Young)
22. Sam Melo of Rainbow Kitten Surprise - "Stars" (Janis Ian)
23. Don Dixon & Marti Jones - "Respoken" (The Lovin Spoonful)
24. Chatham County Line - "Think I'm in Love" (Beck)
25. The Veldt - "Dress You Up" (Madonna)
Widely known as a visionary in the independent book publishing world for over 40 years, esteemed former Publisher and CEO, Charlie Winton, is now in a new chapter of life. He continues exploring his creative passion and announces the March 1 release of his third and most ambitious album, Eternal Light.
Produced by award-winning Scott Mathews (Jack Nitzsche, Brian Wilson, Van Morrison and The Durocs), who Winton has collaborated with on all three of his releases. Eternal Light is a rollicking, soulful and melodic journey that features 10 original compositions that delve into the complexities of love and human connection.
Recorded at Tiki Town, Mathews’ studio in Mill Valley, CA, Winton’s third album in four years continues his musical journey pushing the boundaries of creativity and pursuing one’s passion. Winton’s transition from the world of publishing to music exemplifies the timeless nature of artistic expression and the limitless possibilities that come with exploring new horizons. He released his debut album Hold On Tight in 2020 followed by his sophomore effort, The Soul and The Shadow, in 2022.
A native of Northern California, after graduating from college Winton settled in Berkeley, where he began his career in book publishing. His storied career led him to work with iconic authors such as Gore Vidal, Gary Snyder, Wendell Berry, and Jim Harrison, and on the best-selling books 50 Simple Things To Save the Earth; Cold Mountain; Gangs of New York, Black Hawk Down; The Politics of Truth; and Rick Steves travel guides. His two passions converged through publishing books by Bobby Keys, Dee Dee Ramone, Richard Hell, and Dennis McNally’s On Highway 61.
“In many ways, there is a strong affinity between music and publishing,” offers Winton. “Both are essentially art businesses, both are collaborative, and both share the significant foundational aspect which is storytelling. I fell into this great thing with Scott that fit exactly what I wanted to do, exactly how I wanted to do it. A perfect fit with no risk and a big reward.”
Eternal Light Tracklisting:
1. Wings Of Desire
2. Brass Ring
3. Long Road
4. Angel Of Mercy
5. That Thunder
6. Strength Of Our Love
7. Eternal Light
8. Sheltering Sky
9. Saints
10. Love Will Get You Thru
Listen to the album here.
The album is now available for pre-order.