Big Head Todd and The Monsters have quietly become an American institution following three and a half decades of writing, recording, and touring (totaling over 3,500 performances). After countless sold out shows in amphitheaters and on the high seas, beaming their tunes to outer space (literally), earning the endorsement of everyone from Robert Plant to The Denver Broncos, and tallying tens of millions of streams, Big Head Todd and The Monsters cite the friendships formed in the crowd among their proudest accomplishments. Fast forward to 2021 and the Colorado quartet—Todd Park Mohr [vocals, guitar, keys, sax, harmonica], Brian Nevin [drums, percussion], Rob Squires [bass, vocals], and Jeremy Lawton [guitar, keys, vocals, steel guitar]—continue to unite audiences.
"Friendships have spawned because of our band," smiles Todd. "Maybe a bit like the Grateful Dead, the line between audience and stage has over time become a bit blurred and many lifelong friendships have been made in every direction. I'm very proud of that. Bringing people together and sharing a joy for a couple of hours is an important function of music. Music can cultivate community, even harmony. We need that!"
Fittingly, the guys in the band began as friends as well. Todd and Brian first crossed paths in high school jazz band circa 1982. Soon, the guys started to jam in Brian's basement also joined by Rob. Sweat-soaked house party gigs and talent shows followed until they became a fixture on the bar circuit "before I was even old enough to drink," laughs Todd. As perennial outliers, the musicians performed original material at these formative gigs, standing out from a bevy of cover bands in the scene at the time.
Adopting the moniker Big Head Todd & The Monsters, they served up their independent debut Another Mayberry in 1989 and Midnight Radio in 1990 to critical acclaim, setting the stage for their seminal 1993 breakout Sister Sweetly. Powered by staples "Broken Hearted Savior," "It's Alright," and "Bittersweet," it eventually went platinum, and they supported Plant on tour. At the time, Variety hailed Todd as "a soulful singer and nimble lead guitarist," while The Los Angeles Times claimed, "Mohr, who has a voice like smoke, writes great songs that incorporates blues, folk, rock and country, which sounds sort of like, well, Big Head Todd and the Monsters."
In the end, Big Head Todd and The Monsters will never stop bringing crowds together. In fact, they'll hit the road yet again for a full-scale US tour in winter 2022 with more on the horizon.
"If I had any message for our listeners, it would just be, 'Thank you'," he leaves off. "We're so fortunate to have lives making music. We're grateful to be in the situation we're in, and we're going to continue as long as we can."
Celebrating their 40th Anniversary, 10,000 Maniacs has a lot in common with Jamestown, New York, the city that spawned them back in 1981. Both are honest and hardworking, a step outside the mainstream, and both possess a bit of magic. "It's a city of blue-collar poetry," says keyboardist Dennis Drew. "And that's what we're about, real-life stories. We're a family, we do real work and we keep moving forward."
The band has covered plenty of ground in its 40 years, from cult-stardom to international stardom, to their current status as a cornerstone alternative band. But the sound and spirit of 10,000 Maniacs remains consistent. The live shows embrace their entire catalogue, and the lineup is still anchored by four of the six original members. Drew, guitarist John Lombardo, and bassist Steven Gustafson co-founded the band in 1981. Drummer Jerome Augustyniak joined in 1982, solidifying the rhythm section. And the two "new" members have long been part of the family: Mary Ramsey toured and recorded with the Maniacs as a viola player and backup singer beginning in 1991 before stepping into the front woman's role 27 years ago. And the new guy Jeff Erickson, the lead guitarist for a mere 19 years, came in at the behest of his friend and mentor, the late Rob Buck.
The band is still touring and are currently writing new material for a 2021 release.
Grand Haven native and member of the uber-popular band Greensky Bluegrass, we are ecstatic to have Michael doing a special opening set!!
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Jeremy Hoekstra is an artist from Grand Rapids, MI who has been making music for over ten years. He is part of the movement of musicians redefining what it means to be a pop/singer-songwriter, bringing multiple genres of music together to create a unique sound.Spotify | Apple Music | iHeart | YouTube
Another local artist, we can't wait to have Allie on stage!
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For his latest album We Imagined an Ending (November 5, Burnside), Matt the Electrician (Matt Sever) challenged himself to turn the seven deadly sins on their head. "I got to wondering, 'What would be the opposite of that?' Despite Sever's teenage years immersed in nihilistic hardcore and metal, bleak-for-bleakness' sake has just never been his bag.
"Of course, I didn't realize 'the opposite of the seven deadly sins' was also a fairly well-worn path," Sever continues with a laugh. "There are all these different virtues that answer the sins, like the seven Bushido virtues and the seven Quaker virtues..."
Sever can rattle off many of his song pairings without even checking his notes: "Night Owls" (Faith); "Big Changes" (Justice); "Dance" (Honesty); "Switch Shadows" (Empathy); "When the Lights Went Out" (Hope); "Heartbeat" (Peace); "Home Again" (Prudence); "Temporary" (Equality); "What If You Needed Me" (Community); and "Mindless" (Knowledge).
Produced by Tucker Martine (Decemberists, Neko Case, Sufjan Stevens, First Aid Kit), Sever recorded We Imagined an Ending way back in October of 2019. At least three songs— "Night Owls," "Temporary," and "If You Needed Me" — were written with his late mom at the forefront of his mind, and "When the Lights Went Out" (whose lyrics include the album's title) came to him within minutes of hearing the news about the death of fellow songwriter Neal Casal by suicide. "When the lights went out / We had to light the way," he
sings.
"There's actually a lot of death on this album," he observes. "But it's more about the cycle of things. The full line in "When the Lights Go Out" is, 'We imagined an ending, and then tried to let it go.' We all have what we think is going to be the way things are going to work out, but then they don't always work out that way at all. Like you might think, 'Oh, we'll see Mom next Christmas,' and then you just don't. So then you have to just figure out how to move on and get through that. And as hard as it may be, there's growth that comes out of that moving-on process, and things you learn from it. And out of that growth comes... hope."
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Musician, painter and educator Natalia Zukerman grew up in New York City, studied art at Oberlin, started her mural business Off The Wall in San Francisco, began her songwriting career in Boston, and now resides, writes, plays, teaches and paints in the Hudson Valley. Having released eight independent albums on Weasel Records and her own label Talisman Records, Zukerman has toured internationally as a solo performer since 2005. Her music can be heard on the soundtrack of several seasons of The L Word and ABC Family's Chasing Life. She also created the score for The Arch of Titus, an independent film created for Yeshiva University and a Harvard online course called Poetry in America. Alongside her touring career, Zukerman continues to paint private and public murals as well as illustrate children's books, design and paint sets for plays in New York City and paint private portrait commissions. In February, 2017, Natalia became a Cultural Diplomat for the US Department of State, playing concerts and conducting workshops with her trio, The Northern Lights throughout Africa. Natalia teaches private songwriting lessons and has taught at various programs and festivals throughout the US and in Canada. In May 2018, she was the artist in residence at the cell theatre in New York City where she developed her multimedia one woman show, The Women Who Rode Away. In March, 2020, Natalia co-produced an online music festival called Shut In & Sing which ran for 8 weeks and provided immediate financial relief to hundreds of independent musicians at the beginning of the lockdown. Since then, she has been performing livestream shows, teaching songwriting, coaching, running an integrative wellness platform, painting, gardening, has become a 200 hour certified yoga teacher and is the artistic director for the conscious global community, SoulCall Global.
Natalia met musician and teacher Paul Reisler in 2018 at the Song School at The Rocky Mountain Folk Festival where she was a guest teacher. The two immediately recognized a musical kinship. She has been a guest teacher for the last two years with Kid Pan Alley and in love with the program, she is beyond thrilled to be joining the team as Program Director.
"Natalia's voice could send an orchid into bloom while her guitar playing can open a beer bottle with its teeth." –New Yorker
"a strutting brass band one minute, a sighing lover the next." –The Boston Globe
"a wise mix of rootsy styles from torch blues to country swing. If you're a fan of Madeleine Peyroux, Bonnie Raitt or even Amy Winehouse, you'll find stuff to connect with here." –Philadelphia Daily News
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Peter Madcat Ruth is a Grammy Award-winning virtuoso harmonica player based out of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Performance Magazine refers to him as "A harmonica virtuoso who is rapidly approaching legend status." Come check out these mad skillzzzz!
reverbnation.com/jeffarmstrong
Jeff is a traveling, singer song-writer from Holland, MI with an affection for exploring all that life has to offer. Jeff is currently traveling the US, booking shows and working on material for his next studio album.
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Natchez Trace is an acoustic trio covering classic hits from the 1960's & 1970's. First formed in the 1970's, this trio continues to play live venues around West Michigan, featuring harmony vocals, bass and acoustic guitar stylings. Natchez Trace is Ronn Burke, Steve Damstra and Robin Spring. (And, of course, Rex the Roadie!)
Country music hitmaker Phil Vassar is a piano-pounding powerhouse on stage who taps into his audiences via social media for song requests throughout his more than 135 shows a year. Phil Vassar's reign of signature songs include ten No. 1 singles and 26 Top 40 hits, including "Carlene," "Just Another Day in Paradise," "Six-Pack Summer, When I Love You," and many more. Vassar was racking up hits on the radio long before he even began his own recording career that has seen the release of six albums, two ASCAP Songwriter of the Year trophies, ACM's Top New Male Vocalist and sold-out shows across the country. Vassar's songwriting career blossomed in the mid-'90s when he landed a publishing contract with EMI and penned hits for Collin Raye (Little Red Rodeo), Alan Jackson (Right on the Money), Tim McGraw (For a Little While), Jo Dee Messina (Bye Bye, Alright), and Blackhawk (Postmarked Birmingham). He signed a record deal of his own with Arista in 1998 and was named ASCAP's Country Songwriter of the Year in 1999. Vassar continues to churn out incisive, soulful lyrics and infectious melodies that capture the heart and soul in the unique and special way that only he can.
JAMIE O'NEAL
Jamie O'Neal is a Platinum-selling 4 x Grammy nominated country singer songwriter who became a household name in 2001 with her back-to-back #1 singles, "There Is No Arizona" and "When I Think About Angels." With multiple hits that followed, including "Shiver", "Trying To Find Atlantis" and "Somebody's Hero," Jamie's career caught fire. She earned numerous accolades including an ACM award, Billboard Award, CMA nominations along with Grammy nominations. O'Neal has appeared on The Tonight Show, David Letterman, Emeril cooking show, Craig Kilborn and numerous other national tv shows.
While she has penned most of her own songs, Jamie has also written songs for such notable artists as Reba McEntire, Martina McBride, Leann Rimes, Idina Menzel, CeCe Winans (Grammy winning album) and more. Her voice can be heard internationally in major motion pictures including All by Myself for Bridget Jones's Diary and Bridget Jones' Baby.
She was also picked to perform with Carrie Underwood when she needed the perfect duet partner for CMT's 100 greatest duets with 'Does He Love You'. "I'm so happy to finally get some new original music out there for the fans" says O'Neal about her new album ' 'Sometimes'. Critics raved about the new music from her newest album release with Rolling Stone country touting "She hasn't lost an iota of her powerhouse vocal talent" while People Magazine's Tomás Mier says "The new rendition of the track 'There Is No Arizona' with Lauren Alaina features a vocal-driven, more anthemic sound compared to the 2000 original."
American Songwriter's Tricia Despres chronicled how the version with Lauren Alaina "had both singers pushing each other to new heights," while Wide Open Country's Bobby Moore picked the collaboration for their Five New Songs You Need to Hear and characterized the track as "jazz and pop-infused glory." The album features new versions of some of her biggest hits re- recorded as duets with special guests Lauren Alaina, Martina McBride, Sara Evans and John Paul White of The Civil Wars fame. Singles off the album have featured heavily on Spotify Playlists including New Boots, Women of Country, New Traditions Country Heroes and several top Apple Music playlists. The album contains 8 brand new songs including the kick off single 'The World Goes On' which O'Neal says reminds us all who are going through hard times that "even though life is filled with ups and downs tomorrow brings us new chances, renewed faith and inner strength that we can get through the bad times to better days. If 2020 showed us anything it's that life is fragile and family and friends are what truly matter. Music has the ability to live on forever and be healing to us all and I'm just so excited to have my new music out there plus some of my hits in this fresh new way! We're finally back out on the road again with new songs and I'm loving getting to see the fans enjoying live music again!"
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The Kindred Souls is an instrumental and vocal quartet consisting of Pete Muller, John Whooley, Missy Soltero, and Martha McDonnell.
Pete Muller, a singer, songwriter, and pianist who lives in Santa Barbara, California, has released four solo albums to date. Muller most recently toured the country with the other Kindred Souls in support of his latest solo album, "Dissolve," which features three Top 30 charting AC singles.
Muller says of the group, "John, Missy, and I have been playing together for years and we share a great chemistry with one another. When we started playing more and more with Martha we realized we had something truly special as a group. We decided to make it official and call ourselves the Kindred Souls."
"Touring as the Kindred Souls went so well that we thought that maybe we should make a record. Producer Peter Katis (Interpol, The National) helped it all come together and we created our first official EP release, The Sound. Building on each other's strengths allowed us to offer some fresh takes on songs we all love." The covers album's first two singles "For What It's Worth" and "The Way" have both reached Top 20 on the Adult Contemporary chart.
Hailing from Western Colorado, multi-instrumentalist John Whooley is primarily a saxophonist He's also a recording engineer and acclaimed for his guitar playing and harmonizing. "The joy that I feel when we are harmonizing and playing together is one of the most special feelings," says Whooley about the band's chemistry. At 6'5" tall, Whooley likes to perform sitting down with TKS so everyone ends up about the same height.
Missy Soltero has been performing with Muller since they met at a mutual friend's rehearsal dinner 10 year ago. "Pete truly has a knack for bringing together talented individuals and making magic happen with them. I'm proud to be part of such a strong and unique group of musical forces," adds Soltero. Enamored with making noise since she was a toddler, Soltero's mother started her in tap dance classes at age three. By age ten, she was acting on camera. After being invited by Muller to sing on his third album, she joined the Kindred Souls as a vocalist. Without a percussionist in the quartet, she took it upon herself to learn the cajon before their first tour. She lives in Mammoth Lakes, CA.
NYC-based classical violinist and fiddler Martha McDonnell is no stranger to the limelight, with stints with major orchestras and Broadway shows, such as the world premiere of "The Last Ship" with Sting, performing on stage with the original Broadway cast of Steve Martin's "Bright Star", and the acclaimed "Girl from the North Country". Her success has led to performances on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon, The Today Show, Charlie Rose, and the Tony Awards. Commenting on the band's chemistry, Martha adds, "I think we each bring something unique to the table. We also laugh a lot, which makes the whole experience that much more fun."
thefableofasong.com | IMDB | Trailer
In May of 2017, a Nashville based duo named The Young Fables embarked on an experiment to film the songwriting process. The hope was to simply capture the construction of a song from beginning to end. To the writer's surprise, not only was the creative process documented, but Laurel Wright, Wes Lunsford, Dean Fields, and Patryk Larney found themselves writing a relatable and promising new song, 'Daddy's Girl'.
The song grew.
Grammy award winning producer, Mitch Dane would produce The Young Fables' sophomore record "OLD SONGS", with "Daddy's Girl" as the feature single. With excitement building around the song, cameras followed the duo into the studio to film the making of the record. Soon, the album was complete. The Young Fables had it all.
That's when things changed.
A series of unforeseen and devastating events would impact the lives of The Young Fables. Simultaneously, 'Daddy's Girl' took on new meaning. The song could no longer be heard as the once light-hearted ode to a parent. Despite coping with the tragedy, the duo's album released to critical acclaim and the track became a favorite among a growing fan base.
Things started turning around.
The Young Fables were handpicked by Shania Twain to perform on USA's TV show, Real Country. With national exposure, high-remarks from Rolling Stone and a feature video on CMT, the duo was back on their feet.
That's when things changed. Again.
The lyrics of 'Daddy's Girl' now took on a THIRD life. How could one song be heard in so many different ways? In October of 2018, producer Patryk Larney enlisted director Andy Strohl to tackle the arduous task of developing a feature length documentary to adapt the layers of a story unlike any other to visit the big screen. The Fable of a Song™ chronicles the unimaginable events that followed the decision to capture the story BEHIND the writing of a song and the realization that the story of 'Daddy's Girl' was in fact in FRONT of the song
Thirty years. It's an eternity in rock 'n' roll, and a marathon for the bands who fly its tattered flag. Revisit the class of 1988, and the casualties are piled high: a thousand bands that blew up and burnt out. In this chew-and-spit industry, the Spin Doctors are the last men standing, still making music like their lives depend on it, still riding the bus, still shaking the room. They've never been a band for backslaps and self-congratulation. Even now, plans are afoot for a seventh studio album and another swashbuckling world tour, adding to their tally of almost two thousand shows. But faced with that milestone, even a band of their velocity takes a breath for reflection. "I'd never have guessed," admits drummer Aaron Comess, "this would have turned into thirty years of making great music together."
Like all the best rock 'n' roll mythology, the final page of the Spin Doctors' biography remains forever unwritten. But if the band's story is to begin anywhere, it should be at New York's New School university in the fall of '88, when a fateful door-knock sparked the first meeting of Comess and guitarist Eric Schenkman. Trading as the Trucking Company, Schenkman, local legend John Popper and a charisma-bomb vocalist named Chris Barron had been making a glorious noise in the clubs downtown. But when Popper committed himself to Blues Traveler, the remnants sought new blood. Having assured Schenkman that he'd "check them out," Comess formed a ferocious rhythm section with Bronx-raised bassist Mark White. "When I first met them," recalls White, "I thought, 'These are some funky-assed white boys.' I'm the black guy in the band, and they had to teach me to play the blues."
Long-term strategy has never been the Spin Doctors' style. While
cultural commentators have long since given up plotting the trajectory of this
most unpredictable band, it's a revelation to learn that the lineup themselves
have no road map. "For the next album," considers Barron, "I kinda want to stay
spontaneous. I'd personally like to make a quarter-turn and do a rock record.
But I have a feeling it's gonna get funky. Y'know, there's that great quote
from Keith Richards when he went to meet Mick Jagger at AIR Studios to make
Steel Wheels. And he told his wife – 'I'll either be back tomorrow or in a
month'. I think that's how it's gonna go for us, too."
Thirty years. A thousand twists. But whatever happens down the road, rest assured that the Spin Doctors will always be the last men standing, still making music like their lives depend on it, still riding the bus, still shaking the room. "It's been a great ride," considers Comess. Then he adds: "So far…"
Originating from Gainesville, FL, Sister Hazel is comprised of five gifted, seasoned musicians whose well-spring of natural talent has been called "one of the Top 100 Most Influential Independent Performers of the last 15 years" by Performing Songwriter Magazine. Song "All for You" topped the adult alternative charts during the summer of 1997 and the success propelled their album to platinum status.
In their first showing on the country music charts they made a strong debut with "Lighter In The Dark" at #4 on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart, #6 on Billboard's Independent Albums chart, #30 on Billboard's Top Current Albums chart.
The band landed on Billboard's Top Country Albums Chart again in 2018 and 2019 with Volumes I, II, III, and IV of a clever EP compilation series titled "Elements." In February 2018, "Water," landed on the Billboard Country Albums chart at #9 and at #2 on Billboard's Independent Albums chart along with making their debut on the most revered stage in country music, the Grand Ole Opry. In September of 2018, "Wind" landed at #1 on iTunes country page and #11 on Billboard's Independent Albums chart. In February 2019, Vol. III "Fire" landed at #5 on Billboard's Independent Albums chart and #46 Billboard's Top Country Albums Chart. The collectible compilation series ended with "Earth" which again landed at on the charts at #15
on Billboard's Americana/Folk Album chart.
Living up to their fan-centered reputation, the band hosts annual events like "Hazelnut Hang," that focuses on fan involvement and was a pioneer in themed cruise experiences by co-founding "The Rock Boat," a cruise featuring nonstop opportunities for fan/artist interaction. Sister Hazel has been equally attentive to connecting with their audience through social media. They have since made their Grand Ole Opry debut and shared the stages with country music superstars at The ?CMA Festival, Tortuga Music Festival, among others. In addition to the events and touring, the band also gives back with "Lyrics For Life." Founded by singer Ken Block and the Band, the charity unites musicians and celebrities for concerts and auctions to benefit cancer research and patient-care charities.
willyporter.com | Facebook | Twitter | Insta | Spotify
Searching for the shaman that lives inside the guitar has led Willy Porter on a musical and personal odyssey spanning over two decades, 10 albums, and multiple continents. His journey remains defined by an independent drive to evolve as a musician and human, affording him the freedom to create the next song on his own terms. Equally accomplished as a guitarist, singer, and songwriter, Porter's songs weave a universal perspective about the questions, struggles, and triumphs of human existence. His live shows are guitar-driven events--equal parts grit, soul, and muscle--that are electrifying, dynamic, and wholly original in the way that Porter's voice blends and fuses with his virtuoso fret work.
A largely self-taught musician, Porter began treating audiences to his brand of guitar playing and wry storytelling in the late '80's while living in Madison, Wisconsin. In 1990, he released his first full-length independent album, The Trees Have Soul, and the touring life has flowed steadily ever since. Porter has literally logged millions of miles across America, Canada, the UK, and Europe, touring solo, as well as with various incarnations of the Willy Porter Band and in support of artists like Tori Amos, Paul Simon, Jethro Tull, Sting, and Jeff Beck.
Porter's breakthrough album, Dog Eared Dream, was released in 1994, and the song "Angry Words" quickly became a staple at the burgeoning AAA radio format. This led to a major label deal with BMG/Private Music in 1995. Unfortunately, Private was dismantled by BMG just as Porter was preparing to release his follow-up. With contractual freedom in 1998, Porter quickly signed with the San Francisco-based label Six Degrees. There he released three albums beginning with the studio gem, Falling Forward (1999), produced by multiple Grammy-winner Neil Dorfsman (Dire Straits, Sting). The eponymous Willy Porter (2001) followed featuring great guest performances by Ian Anderson from Jethro Tull and Tony Levin. His fan-favorite solo disc, High Wire Live (2003) was co-produced with Grammy-winner Ben Wisch (Marc Cohn, Shawn Colvin).
In 2005 Porter left Six Degrees and launched his own imprint, Weasel Records. Together with longtime keyboardist/ collaborator Dave Adler, Porter produced the atmospheric album Available Light in 2006. His work with Guild & Fender guitars over the next several years would result in the manufacture of the "Willy Porter Signature" acoustic guitar. Porter then took time to record and produce singer/songwriter Natalia Zukerman, on her whip-smart Weasel debut, Brand New Frame (2008). Porter released his next disc, How to Rob a Bank in 2009, the heavily Americana-flavored record featuring the contributions of the LA-based quartet, Raining Jane. Bank was followed with a live disc recorded with the Carpe Diem String Quartet in (2010). This collaboration produced a gorgeous EP featuring several of Porter's most enduring tunes ("Breathe," "Paper Airplane," "Watercolor"), elevated and reinterpreted against a backdrop of lush string arrangements. In 2011, Porter produced the second Weasel release for Natalia Zukerman, the driving Gas Station Roses. A partnership with Milwaukee-based singer/ songwriter Carmen Nickerson resulted in the album, Cheeseburgers and Gasoline (2013). This spartan production illuminates themes of life-longing and relationship repair, all while balancing the dream of self-actualization on the axle of a carnival's Tilt-a-Whirl. The record also includes Porter's brilliant cover arrangement of Peter Gabriel's "Digging in the Dirt."
On his latest disc, Human Kindness (2015), Porter brings all of his acoustic, electric, and multi-string chops to bear in service of a great collection of songs. This album is a driving, tuneful return to the pop sensibilities of his best work that also showcases Porter's growth as a writer, musician, and producer.
In addition to making a life in music, Porter finds ways to make an impact on local and international levels. He is an active supporter of Advocates of Ozaukee, a shelter and treatment facility for victims of domestic violence and abuse in Mequon, Wisconsin. His annual benefit concerts have raised more than $90,000 for this organization to date. Porter also gives his time and talents to helping behind the scenes at First Stage, a world-class Milwaukee-based children's theatre company. His recent involvement with Kids4Peace International works to bring kids from Palestine, Israel, and the Middle East together with American kids to work towards a dialogue of mutual respect, tolerance, and understanding in hopes that the next generation will have leadership comprised of strong, peaceful voices.
Willy Porter lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with his wife, two children, and their Beagle/ Terrier, Charlie.
kaitlinrosemusic.com | Facebook | Insta
Kaitlin has been playing guitar and writing songs since the summer of 2001 after finding her mom's Alvarez in the hallway closet. By the end of the day she taught herself the theme song to The Godfather, which made her Italian grandmother very proud.
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Kim Richey was in our record collection and CD collection long before there was a venue called Seven Steps Up. As a venue, Kim is one of the greatest musical joys we have brought to our stage because, well, we are such huge FANS ourselves! In fact, we might be a little groupie-ish.
An Ohio native, Richey's passion for music was sparked early on in her great aunt's record shop where she'd scour the bins and soak it all in. She took up the guitar in high school and, while studying environmental education and sociology at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, she played in a band with Bill Lloyd. But it didn't stick. After dabbling in being a cook, the call to music came back and she eventually ventured out on her own.
Through it all, Richey has worn her heart on her lyrical sleeve, revealing herself time and again. "I started writing songs because of Joni Mitchell, probably like most women songwriters of a certain age," Richey confesses. "I loved being able to write songs because I was really super-shy. I couldn't say things to people that I wanted to say. If I put it in a song, there was the deniability. If I ever got called on it, I could say, 'Oh, heavens no, that's just a song! I made that up.'"
A native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Garrison moved to Nashville in 2011 to play, perform, and write music. His career jumpstarted when he signed a record deal with Island Records and his song "Shake That" hit number six on the Billboard Dance Chart in 2013. Today, he is collaborating with an array of songwriters and artists and finalizing his forthcoming record, Garrison
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Expanding on the boundaries of what an indie-folk band can be, Laura Cortese & the Dance Cards take their extensive string music background, add their knowledge of folk and roots music, and incorporate an edgy pop sensibility to create their latest album, BITTER BETTER. A stunning lesson in all the ways string instruments can be played – bowed, plucked, percussively – the album showcases Cortese and multi-instrumentalist producer Sam Kassirer striving to capture the most adventurous approach to each moment. The result is an album that incorporates dance-worthy foundational grooves, synth, and loops to push the boundaries of the genre. BITTER BETTER will be released on April 17 on Compass Records and the band has been invited to support The Mountain Goats on their extended US tour.
While the album's 11 tracks provide relief and release, they also encourage self-examination and personal discovery—the work that is necessary to sustain the energy needed to keep striving, to connect, and to continue to make our complicated world a better place. With BITTER BETTER, Laura Cortese & The Dance Cards throw out the rulebook, creating a beautifully vivid, musically unexpected canvas from their refreshingly unconventional perspective.
danielchampagnemusic.com | Facebook | Insta | Spotify
The Australian singer, songwriter and one-of-a-kind guitar virtuoso will bring his tour back to America for the first time in over two years! One reviewer recently wrote "Daniel Champagne exudes a natural ease on stage, as he sings poignant lyrics and beautifully crafted melodies that invariably whisk the heart up with grand romanticism. Coupled with an exhilarating gui-tar talent that transcends mere acoustic playing to replicate a whole band, Champagne must be seen to be believed'
The story goes that the young artist first picked up his instrument of choice as a 5-year-old following in the footsteps of a musical father. He began writing songs at 12, training classical-ly throughout his teens and performing wherever he could, honing his craft and developing the dynamic live show that he is renowned for today. At 18 he left school, turned profession-al and hit the road without looking back.
The following decade saw him release 5 studio albums, tour relentlessly around the globe with upwards of 300 shows per year, play some of the biggest festivals under the sun and share stages with the likes of Tommy Emmanuel, INXS, John Butler, Lucinda Williams, Ani DiFranco, Judy Collins and Rodrigo y Gabriela.
In early 2020 as the COVID pandemic ground all touring to a halt, Daniel returned to Aus-tralia writing music and further honing his craft and will return to international audiences with a swag of new songs and a complete new live show. For fans of guitar, songs or just ar-tistic expression at it's finest this show is a must see!
WHAT THE PRESS SAY..
"The word Prodigy seems to entirely fall short of this soft-spoken young man's skills, he co-axes sounds and melodies out of his instrument that literally drop jaws." The Calgary Herald, CANADA
"Today I saw the future of Folk – Festival goers flocking in the thousands towards the main stage to witness a young musical phenomenon from Australia dish out an absolute show-stopper." The Firefly Column, USA
"Daniel Champagne is a crossroads. Fusing the strong traditions of Blues, Folk and other roots art with pop showmanship and admirable lyrical ability. I firmly believe that he will be-come an ambassador for roots music in a time where it desperately needs representation." The Indie Blender, CANADA
"reinventing roots guitar" Rhythms Magazine, AUSTRALIA
"Watching Daniel Champagne perform is a once in a lifetime experience. He is a true prodigy that plays like no one else could possibly play unless they spent at least two lifetimes studying the art." BW Review, NEW ZEALAND
jesseterrymusic.com | Facebook | Twitter | Insta | Spotify JESSE TERRYJesse Terry's seventh album, When We Wander, is the first he wrote since becoming a parent. So it's no surprise the family theme courses through many of its 12 songs. His music career has been a family project ever since he became a full-time touring artist a decade ago. That was right around the time when Jesse met his wife Jess working on a cruise ship in the South Pacific. "As soon as we got back to the states, I proposed to her at Nashville's Bluebird Cafe in July 2010 and we packed up the car for the first tour right after that. We've been touring together full-time ever since." Now with two-year-old Lily added to the clan, family is more important than ever to him, including the parental urge to love and protect. "If I were the moon, I'd light all of your back roads," he sings in "If I Were The Moon": "You wouldn't need no headlights / I'd always be full." The life of a touring family inspired the album's title track. "When we wander, when we wander / Don't it feel like we're finally found." But in the face of the pandemic, he has found that "wandering is not just a literal thing. We've followed our hearts with so many decisions in 2020-2021, and have found that there are many ways to wander and be free and brave." One of those ways has been going virtual. He says that his livestream concerts have "become the highlight of my week and the thing that sustains us emotionally and financially. And an amazing community has sprung up from these concerts." The stage had been Jesse's home for a decade. He plays around 150 shows a year, from Bonnaroo to the Philadelphia Folk Festival, the 30A Songwriters Festival to AmericanaFest. When the pandemic canceled concerts and delayed the album's release, he pivoted to performing online and found a strong new connection to his fans, who had helped fund his albums all along. "My musical tribe has always been there for me," he says with gratitude. Though recorded in 2019, the songs off the new album click with fans online too. He and his band recorded When We Wander live in the studio, a first for his career. "I wanted to try that Jason Isbell, Chris Stapleton, Neil Young approach to live recording, prioritizing emotion and raw performances over perfection. I loved that experience." Recorded live, the album resonates especially with the intimacy and community spirit of the online shows. He also wrote all the music and lyrics this time, instead of working with collaborators, and took a very personal approach, including a look back. "In Spite of You" recalls his stay in a residential facility for behavior modification that traumatized him as a young teenager: "The sermons that you sold me all were fakes." Yet he emerged to earn a degree from Berklee College of Music, net a five-year staff writer gig on Nashville's Music Row penning material for major TV networks, and win prestigious songwriting awards. And then to become the singer-songwriter his countless fan know today, who (in the words of Music News Nashville) "bring[s] to mind iconic artist/poets like Paul Simon and Jackson Browne... [with] a performance that touches the heart like only a whisper can." | meaghanfarrell.com | Facebook | Twitter | Insta | Spotify MEAGHAN FARRELLAs an emerging singer-songwriter in New York City and Nashville, Meaghan Farrell didn't know her own power. Or, maybe it would be more accurate to say that she simply didn't know how to harness it. She had always loved to sing, turning heads with her strong voice at a young age in her hometown of Harrisburg, PA. Meaghan knew early that she was meant to write songs, perform, and connect with people. For several years she did just that – writing and producing a number of independent recordings, gathering experience and confidence as she toured around the country in support of her music. Like so many new artists, Meaghan was proud of her early songs, but the material wasn't completely "her", she hadn't yet found her voice. Driving around the country as a touring singer-songwriter can be a lonely proposition, with lots of time to think behind the wheel, to get to know one's self. It was on this journey of self-discovery that Meaghan realized that her artist voice was actually the voice inside her own head. "Conversations with Myself came out of an extraordinary time in my life," Meaghan says. "I was no longer willing to accept feeling certain kinds of familiar pain anymore. It all started with checking in with myself every single day, over a cup of coffee in the morning. It was through this sort of meditation that I began the journey of healing a very broken heart. I am still on that journey. I am still talking to myself, trying to more deeply understand who I am... and I am learning how truly grateful I am for all that I have and all I can give." After two years of writing and touring, Meaghan recently teamed up with production duo Nate and Dan Monea at their Little C Studios in Canton, Ohio. The Moneas helped her express the full range of her emotions: from heartbreak to healing, from injustice to empowerment, from anxiety to confidence, Meaghan shares it all. Her philosophy is simple - the best version of yourself has always been there, it is often too noisy to hear that voice. The trick is to quiet the world, quiet yourself until you can truly hear it. The clarity. The calm. The love. With her powerful new music, Meaghan Farrell aspires to be heard for many years to come. One conversation at a time. One song at a time. Meaghan says, "Look into the deepest, darkest parts of yourself. Get uncomfortable. Accept it all with love, compassion and gratitude for where you've been. I believe from that place, your dreams start to become your reality." |
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When Kanin Elizabeth was just an infant, her parents noticed one strange thing. Although she was too young to talk, when she rode in the car, she would start to hum. Perhaps it was an inkling of what she was to become.
Now 16 years later, music infuses the heart of this Michigan-based songbird, who has begun writing and performing her own tunes as she puts wings on a professional career as a singer-performer.
"Songs, and songwriting keeps me inspired, moving forward. I tend to scribble down notes, lyrics or just random thoughts on pieces of paper, backs of cigarette packs, sometimes on my shirt cuff. Rock n' roll is closest thing I've got to a spiritual power. It's been the higher voice in my life and it's never let me down." - John Waite
Countless musicians of far lesser accomplishment have probably made similar statements regarding their own personal creative process, but when the confession comes from John Waite – whose been successfully writing, recording and performing some of the most listenable, enduring and appreciated popular music for more than 35 years – one cannot help but both recognize and marvel at the shimmering legacy of this British born rock star.
The ride began when Waite was tapped as bassist and lead vocalist for the Babys who rocketed to Top 20 chart positions with a pair of infections hits, "Isn't it Time" from the band's sophomore LP, Broken Heart in 1977 and the monster ballad, "Every Time I Think of You" off 1978's Head First. But it was the album's rhythmically aggressive and seductive title track where fans got their first glimpse of the authentic John Waite, a no-holds-barred rock n' roll performer devoted heart and soul to live performance and making sure every fan in the audience left the concert hall just as elated and exhausted as the band they'd paid to see.
After John Lennon's assassination, December 9, 1980, a bizarre thing happened during one of those furious Baby's performances when John was pulled from the stage by an overzealous fan during an encore. The freak event seriously injured his knee and the group disbanded shortly thereafter. From the ashes of the Baby's, however, rose an abundant and prodigious solo career, ignited by the well-received release, Ignition, that featured the single, "Change," which rode the AOR charts for weeks in 1982, the year a new cable channel that would alter the course of popular media culture called MTV launched. At the forefront of its early play list was the video for the Holly Knight-penned track that in 1985, was included on the platinum-selling Vision Quest soundtrack.
John's next solo effort, 1984's No Brakes, did exactly what the title inferred, barreling at runaway train speed to international acclaim and U.S. platinum success thanks to the smash hit, "Missing You," which did not stop until it reached Number 1 on the Billboard's Hot 100 Singles, Album Rock Tracks and Adult Contemporary charts. The following up single, "Tears" was a top 10 hit on the Billboard Mainstream Rock charts.
Continuing to evolve as both a songwriter and formidable stage presence, Mask of Smiles was released in 1985, possessing a pair of muscular hit melodies, "Every Step of the Way," and "If Anybody Had a Heart," which appeared on the soundtrack to the 1986 motion picture, About Last Night starring Demi Moore. John's fourth solo LP, Rover's Return, highlighted by the superlative, "These Times Are Hard for Lovers." The same season that Bon Jovi was urging two lovers to live on a prayer, John delivered an aortal anthem of timeless resonance. "Baby we can make it 'cause our love will pull us through/ these times are hard for lovers its down to me and you/Nothing's gonna break us if we hang on to what's true, these times are hard for lovers, I believe I you."
"I don't have a plan and most of the songwriting is a knee jerk reaction of being alive. I try to speak from an honest place where the listener can both hear and feel where I'm coming from; the job is mine, to help them understand me. There's a real need as an artist to express who you are and where you're coming from."
A long and prodigious career often combines composition and interpretation, like in 1990 when John recorded the Martin Page and Bernie Taupin-penned track, "Deal for Life" for the Days of Thunder soundtrack. But two years prior to that cinematic adventure, superbly performing another songwriter's work led to one of the biggest hits on John Waite's illustrious resume. In 1988, a reunion with former Baby's band mates, Jonathan Cain and Ricky Phillips –along with uber-guitarist Neal Schon from Journey and drummer Deen Castronovo –resulted in the John Waite fronted supergroup, Bad English. And in 1989, the group's ballad, "When I See You Smile," – penned by Grammy-winning songwriter, Diane Warren – went to Number 1 on Billboard's Hot 100 and was certified Gold. The album reached Top Five and sold more than two million units in the U.S. alone. Bad English released two albums before breaking up in 1992.
Since returning to the recording studio and concert trek as a solo artist in 1995, John has produced a string of solid, existentially eccentric, courageously eclectic and blisteringly electric rock n' roll records, including 1995's Temple Bar, 1997's When You Were Mine, 2001's Figure in a Landscape, 2004's The Hard Way, 2006's Downtown: Journey of a Heart and 2010's In Real Time –an extraordinary live recording that featured burning in-concert realizations of the Baby's "Change", "Back on My Feet Again" and "Head First", not to mention Bad English's "Best of What I've Got" as well as a mind-blowing cover of Led Zeppelin's "Rock and Roll." It was this lifelong passion for original Country that inspired John's sensational 2006 duet with bluegrass legend, Allison Krauss, where the two combined honeysweet vocal forces to remake his international hit, "Missing You." On February 5, 2007, they performed the song on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
John teamed up with Matchbox 20 lead guitarist and songwriter, Kyle Cook in 2011 and their creative chemistry birthed the exhilarating Rough & Tumble, a long form exercise in raucous riffs and bloody truths highlighted by "Further the Sky," "Shadows of Love" and the Classic Radio chart topping title track, a remarkable feat for any musician to reach number one airplay after three and a half decades in the music business trenches.
All-Access Live hit the streets in 2012 and delivered on all stages of John's career–solo, The Babys and Bad English. Bearing a dynamic, stripped down sound which shows off his talented three-piece band, Waite demonstrates why he's considered one of the great rock and roll singers, imbuing the timeless material with saber toothed vitality and kinetic power.
In 2014, Waite returned with Best. Navigating raucous rock, gut bucket blues and country, Waite's new greatest hits album is a thrilling snapshot representing the inspired artistic breadth of this legendary artist's entire career tallying more than 40 years on the rock and roll highway featuring re-recorded versions of signature classics, "Back on My Feet Again," "Isn't It Time" and "Missing You," hard-hitting live renditions of "Head First," "Saturday Night" and "Change" to the more introspective fare of "Suicide Life," "Downtown" and "Bluebird Café."
With more live shows and new music in the offing, John Waite continues to forge his own singularly personal path, celebrating the present and engaged by the promise of the future. The story is far from over for the Lancaster, England-born rock star/balladeer/storyteller who was inspired onto his musical path by blues, soul and country along with a deep connection to the Celtic folk music of his homeland.
Ambrosia, the band known and loved by a multitude of fans since the 1970's, is now more alive and compelling than ever. This 5-time Grammy Nominated ensemble is exploring new musical territory and bringing an exceptional musical performance to stages everywhere.
In 1970, four young musicians from the South Bay of Los Angeles, came together to create a new moving and invigorating style of music. Joseph Puerta, Christopher North, David Pack, and Burleigh Drummond produced a sound that was immediately recognized. Today, Ambrosia is three of the original members with the addition of guitarist Doug Jackson, contributing keyboardist Mary Harris, and powerful lead vocals of Kipp Lennon (from the band Venice). Always exploring the possibilities of progressive, classical, and world influences – with tangled roots of soul, rhythm, and blues – Ambrosia is continuing to entertain their original fans while still engaging newer audiences.
Originally labeled as America's answer to the progressive invasion of English acts Yes and King Crimson, the group quickly proved itself with a unique blend of aural landscapes. Their musical styles attracted the collaboration with cultural icons Leonard Bernstein, Kurt Vonnegut Jr., Alan Parsons, Bruce Hornsby, Michael McDonald, Edgar Winter, Dave Mason, Gary Wright, Al Stewart, and others. Ambrosia had toured extensively with Fleetwood Mac, Heart, and the Doobie Brothers.
During Ambrosia's early recording history they garnered 5 Grammy Nominations, received frequent radio airplay, and gained the admiration and respect of the musical community – in addition to th ir sold out concerts around the world. Ambrosia achieved 5 Top 40 hit singles on Warner Bros. Records, released between 1975 and 1980, including "How Much I Feel" and "Biggest Part of Me". In 2015 the group released a new single, "Hopes and Dreams", which was featured on the series called The Sparrows that aired on the Fox television channel. As of 2017, the new Ambrosia material keeps coming.
Bringing a breathtaking performance of their classic hits as well as new moving music, Ambrosia puts on a perfect show.
danrodriguezmusic.com | Facebook | Insta | Spotify
Hi, I'm Dan. I'm a whiskey & beer drinking, fishing & hunting loving, motorcycle riding, quality food eating, hippie sympathizing, people loving, husband & father who lives in Minneapolis and shares a life with my amazing wife and two adorable sons named Oak and Alder. I grew up in the suburbs of Detroit, MI, and moved to Minneapolis when I was 18 to study music, and I stayed because I'm one of those crazy people that enjoys the snow and cold weather.
Music is my trade & performing it for people is my passion. When I'm not in my studio writing songs and cutting records, or on the road playing shows, I'm usually tending to our backyard chickens, eating fresh veggies from my wife's huge garden, making syrup from our city maples, or doing one of my many outdoor hobbies.
Now here are a few things about my music career that I should probably share in a mu- sic bio:
samrobbinsmusic.com | Facebook | Insta | Spotify
Sam Robbins describes himself as an "old soul singer songwriter." A Nashville based musician whose music evokes classic 70's singer songwriters like James Taylor and Neil Young, Sam adds a modern, upbeat edge to the storyteller troubadour persona.
theseathesea.com | Facebook | Twitter | Insta | Spotify
The Sea The Sea, Chuck E. Costa and Mira Costa, is an Upstate New York based indie folk-pop duo featuring what Bob Boilen (NPR's All Songs Considered) calls "excellent harmonies" & Huffington Post calls, "Two of the loveliest male-female voices you might ever hear this or any other year." The group's 2020 release, Stumbling Home, dubbed "otherworldly" by Rolling Stone marks the duo's third full-length album, and the duo's first primary recording / engineering credits on one of their albums, as well as that of co-producers—teaming up with recent Grammy and Tony award winner Todd Sickafoose (Hadestown, Anais Mitchell, Ani DiFranco, Andrew Bird). Previous releases from The Sea The Sea—Love We Are We Love (2014), In the Altogether (2016 / EP), and From The Light (2018)—have been praised by outlets including NPR, American Songwriter, and No Depression, and the animated video for their song "Waiting" sparked viral interest from Buzzfeed and Pitchfork, as well as inclusion at the international TED 2015 conference. The band has garnered features across all music platforms including Apple Music "Best of the Week" and "A-List Singer/Songwriter," gathering 20+ million streams on Spotify to-date. Live performance broadcast appearances of The Sea The Sea include Mountain Stage, with host Larry Groce calling them "ready to take their place among the best young male/ female duos now performing," Audiotree, and Paste Music/Daytrotter—recently describing the band as "defined by their infallible vocal harmonies and their unconventional song arrangements. The Sea The Sea is a pop band only in their melodic infectiousness—otherwise they are at their best when subverting conventions."
leedewyzeofficial.com | Facebook | Spotify
Lee DeWyze has an earnest ability to create a delicate balance of harmony, melody, deep emotion and subtlety in his songs. His depth as a songwriter calls to mind some of his earliest influences like Simon and Garfunkel, Yusef Islam (Cat Stevens) and Johnny Cash.
There are no false notes in this new album, each song a unique light in the constellation of his imagination. He sings quietly, as if whispering secrets. His lyrics and melodies mesmerize, cycling like nursery rhymes, somehow soothing while also sharpening our alertness that something unusual is going on here.
Over the last 10 years, Lee has released five albums, including his critically lauded Frames (Vanguard Records, 2013), which included the top 40 Billboard Hot AC hit "Fight." In 2014, his song "Blackbird Song" (20M+ streams) was placed in the show "The Walking Dead." After signing with Shanachie Records in 2016, Lee released the album Oil and Water, which hit Number One on the iTunes folk and singer/songwriter chart, followed by Paranoia (2018), which hit Number One on the Alternative chart. As the winner of American Idol Season 9 in 2010, he made his major label debut with Live It Up (RCA). His latest release, Ghost Stories (Aug 2021), has over 3M+ streams. His video for Castles won 11 awards world-wide (Los Angeles, NY, and London) for best animated video with TIFF (The International Film Festival).
Lee's songs have appeared in over 75 movies, TV shows, and commercials.
www.albertleeofficial.com | Facebook | Spotify
The simple truth is Albert Lee is one of the most popular artists of all times to visit Seven Steps Up. There is no one quite like Albert Lee.
"The greatest guitarist in the world."- Eric Clapton
"Albert is in every sense of the word, a genuine guitar wizard".- Earl Scruggs
"When Saint Peter asks me to chronicle my time down here on earth, I'll be able to say - with pride if that's allowed - that for a while I played rhythm guitar in a band with Albert Lee."- Emmylou Harris
Guitar legend ALBERT LEE first came to prominence during a 1964-68 stint in British Blues and R & B stalwarts Chris Farlowe's Thunderbirds. After working in the UK bands for touring country acts such as Bobby Bare and Skeeter Davis, Lee's next full-time berth was two years with the UK answer to the Flying Burrito Brothers and Nitty Gritty Dirt Band-Head, Hands, and Feet. His reputation grew and session work blossomed, including appearances on "The London Bo Diddley Sessions" for Chess and Jerry Lee Lewis' "The London Sessions". This and other work with U.S. based greats led to a permanent position in the Crickets, and by the time that ended Albert had long since made Southern California his home. There he became friendly with Don Everly, who had also settled in Southern California; they played regularly on a formal and informal basis, with Albert contributing to Don's 1974 solo effort "Sunset Towers". The move to California also led to work on sessions for the debut album of Jackson Browne.
Lee joined Joe Cocker's band in the mid-70s, a time that included recordings for the April 1976 release "Stingray". From there A & M Records signed Albert as an artist in his own right. The solo album's completion was delayed by constant studio and touring work, primarily in Emmylou Harris' Hot Band; in 1976 Albert replaced James Burton when Burton left to continue work with Elvis Presley's TCB band. The Emmylou Harris albums "Luxury Liner" (Jan. 1977), "Quarter Moon in a Ten Cent Town" (Jan. 1978) "Blue Kentucky Girl" (April 1979), "Roses in the Snow" (May 1980, recorded July 1979), and "Evangeline" (Jan 1981, recorded 1978-80) all include Albert. He ended his touring tenure with the Hot Band to complete his solo album, and "Hiding" was finally released in 1979.
An invitation around the Christmas season in 1978 led to a five-year adventure for Albert in Eric Clapton's band. The live album "Just One Night", recorded at Budokan in December 1979, was the first release (April 1980) to feature Albert. "Another Ticket" (Feb. 1981), "Time Pieces Vol 2-Live in the 70s" (1983), and "Money and Cigarettes" (Feb. 1983) all were part of Albert's tenure with Eric.
His studio work in this period continued, including contributions to three albums by Rosanne Cash: 1979's "Right or Wrong", 1981's "Seven Year Ache", and 1982's "Somewhere in the Stars". Other sessions included work with Dave Edmunds, Rodney Crowell, Nanci Griffith, Carlene Carter, and countless others. His solo efforts continued as well, with the self-titled "Albert Lee" in 1982, and instrumental releases on MCA- the acclaimed "Speechless" (1986) and "Gagged But Not Bound" (1987).
When the Everly Brothers reunited on September 23, 1983 at London's Royal Albert Hall, Albert was on hand as guitarist and Musical Director. He continued in that role for over 20 years until the Brothers retired. An invitation in 1987 by steel guitarist Gerry Hogan for Albert to play his annual festival led to the formation of Albert Lee and Hogan's Heroes, who remain an active touring force in the UK and Europe- and a recording force worldwide, with 7 albums to their credit. The DVD "Live at the Tivoli" was released in 2011, and the new CD, "On the Town Tonight" was released on February 14, 2012.
Albert remains an occasional member of the Crickets, and toured regularly with Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings. Sugar Hill Records released Albert's solo efforts "Heartbreak Hill" in 2003 and "Road Runner" in 2006. A summer 2011 jaunt with John Jorgenson prompted Albert to form his own U.S. band for the very first time. His duo concerts with Peter Asher showed live music lovers in the US, Canada and Australia that Albert is just as much a wizard on an acoustic guitar as he is on an electric. His appearances at Eric Clapton's Crossroads benefit concerts have only enhanced his legend--see them on DVD and Blu-ray--and he remains a favorite of everyone, especially Beatle fans who has seen his stellar contributions to the Concert for George.
The Albert Lee Band includes John Thomas, aka "J.T', on keyboards. J.T.'s musical resume includes 23 years with Bruce Hornsby, who graciously called John "the greatest keyboard player in the band." Emmylou Harris, Don Henley, Sparks, Tracy Chapman and a host of other have called upon John's gifts.
chriswisermusic.com | Facebook | Insta | Spotify
While sharpening his live performances with thousands of hours on stage, Chris has developed a unique voice and songwriting style that is a blend of Americana/Soul/Blues-rock. You can hear his multi-genre influences in his writing, but there is a consistent familiarity, pop sensibility, and edgy soulfulness in his voice that resonates through his songs.
sarahpeacockmusic.com | Facebook | Twitter | Insta | Spotify
American history is blood-stained with the dehumanization of entire communities. Casting her own harrowing spell, singer-songwriter Sarah Peacock draws parallels between current events and the 1692 Salem Witch Trials with the title song to her new record, Burn the Witch (March 27, 2020). Finger-picking guitar work cleanses the throat as her voice swells to mimic the havoc strewn through time, as well as present-day strife along our southern border. Such raw intensity boils over onto the rest of the 11-track record, and while her style is not easily defined, her storytelling prowess is irrefutably potent and unnerving.
"Hopefully, this song inspires people to take a look at what's happening in our world today and how we abuse people," she says of the song, which is delivered as a "catalyst for hope."
Peacock has a bedeviling way about her, particularly in the way she harvests such influences as Brandi Carlile and Heart. She even filters heavy metal band Metallica through a rootsy, acoustic lens to emerge with a silky, sticky musical web of her very own. "Keep Quiet" slithers from her bones in a similar sinister fashion, twisting her lyrical mechanisms even tighter, while "Mojave" flourishes with a vibrantly polished hook. Her voice always rises to the occasion -- switching between various styles as effortlessly as a chameleon.
Firm in her belief to use her platform for social and cultural change, the shift occurred after her tour bus burned to the ground in 2016. Then on a four-month tour, weaving up the west coast, she and her crew stopped for a quick bite to eat. Their generator caught fire and the blaze consumed nearly everything aboard.
"After the fire, I signed with a Nashville label when I came home from the tour. I did two records for American Roots Records prior to parting ways with them in the fall of 2018. There was Beauty in the Ashes (2017) and then Hot Sheet Motel (2018). I think the connection piece and synergy between the bus fire and Burn the Witch was that the bus was a pivotal moment where I realized people really were listening. The fans showed up for me when I was ready to quit, and that made me internalize (probably for the first time) that the world was actually paying attention. I started writing differently. I wrote like the fate of the social climate depended on it. Burn the Witch is what happened after really letting the juices of that experience and those last two records soak in. It's about the music, the songs, and the power they have to plant a seed of change."
Burn the Witch is a brawny, life-affirming set that digs into themes of perseverance, overcoming personal struggles, finding redemption in the ashes and what freedom should feel like. "The Cool Kids" recalls being bullied in school and the idea that "hurting people tend to hurt people," she says in hindsight. "I feel sorry for all those kids who picked on me."
lightingmatchesmusic.com | Facebook | Insta | Spotify
Lighting Matches is an alternative-rock band based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Made up of musicians with a variety of musical backgrounds, Lighting Matches stays true to their roots while also setting fire to the lines and limitations of genre labels.
Fronted by dynamic duo (and real-life couple) Matt Plessner and Rachel White, and backed by the talented Kevin Packard and Scott Garrison, their debut album "Against The Flame" displays lots of what they are best known for: thought-provoking lyrics and tight harmonies.
Matt & Rachel will be joining us for this #FreeFridayNight!
kneedeepbayarea.com | Facebook | YouTube
Knee Deep delivers a powerful sound, tight 3 & 4 part harmonies over a broad spectrum of material from 60's, 70's, 80's & 90's and beyond.
Knee Deep performs a wide variety of medleys designed to keep dancers on the dance floor.
wearethecontenders.com | Facebook | Spotify
Americana duo The Contenders return to Spring Lake! There is something truly special about a Contenders live show. The way their voices melt together. Their easygoing chemistry and banter on stage that draws you in. Their last show here was a spiritual awakening and experience.
The legend Levon Helm said that if you give it good concentration, good energy, good heart, and good performance, the song will play you. If that's true, then Jay Nash and Josh Day are well and truly played by the set of songs in their debut EP, "Meet The Contenders." The collection breathes with musicality and grit in the tradition of heroes—The Band, Tom Petty, The Dead, Dylan.
Thrumming and heady, with a steady heartbeat and a hint of honky-tonk, this EP speaks of wanderers and highways, lovers and losers, good times and missed chances, swimming pools and movie stars, all with a ferocity born of hard work and honed skill. Nash and Day have been players and poets for the better part of two decades; they have been making music, telling tales, drinking whiskey, and having fun touring together as The Contenders since 2012.
A Passion For Music for Over 40 Years
Ruth and Max Bloomquist have been making music together since they met in 1975 and discovered their shared love not only for each other, but for music and songs made with acoustic instruments and featuring lyrics from the heart. Ruth and Max immersed themselves in folk, bluegrass, country, singer songwriters, and other acoustic music to create a sound and style all their own.
Award Winning Songwriter
From the beginning, Ruth was inspired to write songs from her own heart and experience. In 1997 Ruth and Max released Ruth's first CD, Jewel Of My Heart, a collection of original songs that were popular with their audiences. Two more "solo" CDs followed to rave reviews. Meanwhile, in 2003, Ruth was a winner of Merlefest's Chris Austin Song Writing Competition with her joyful Gospel song, By The River. Ruth's songs have also been recognized by the South Florida Folk Festival, the Great Lakes Songwriting Contest, the Lake Superior Big Top Chautaqua, and Mike Pinder's Songwars. Ruth has lead songwritng workshops at the Wheatland Music Festival and the WMO Spring Traditional Arts Weekend, has showcased her songs at the IBMA World of Bluegrass, and has assisted Bluegrass Songwriter Committee head Louisa Branscomb in bluegrass songwriter song circles. Ruth's signature song, Michigan Girl, has garnered over 370,000 YouTube views. Their 2010 Release, Turn Back A Page, shot to number 5 on the Folk DJ Airplay Chart upon its release with several tracks remaining in the Top 100 that year.
Outstanding Vocalist
Ruth was named Outstanding Vocalist of the Month for December 2006 by Singer Universe Magazine. Her resonant alto has been compared to Anne Murray, Linda Ronstadt, and Kathy Mattea. After hearing Ruth and Max perform the Scott Wiseman standard, Remember Me, Garrison Keillor told Ruth, "You have a big voice... I'd like to sing that song with you." And the next night he did!
iainmatthews.nl | Facebook | Spotify
There's a purity about Iain Matthews' voice. And it's mirrored by the integrity of his career.?The singer-songwriter has never been seduced by fame. His focus has always been on creating music that captivates the ear, the mind and the heart.??Born Ian Matthews McDonald, June 16, 1946, in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, England, he soared to prominence in 1967, as a founding member of Fairport Convention. In that pioneering band, Matthews created exquisite harmonies with first Judy Dyble, then Sandy Denny. ?After two years, he left and formed Matthews Southern Comfort. They enjoyed a huge hit with their stirring version of Joni Mitchell's "Woodstock." ?One of the outstanding solo albums Matthews recorded during his years in Los Angeles was 1973's "Valley Hi," produced by Michael Nesmith.?Matthews has fronted such bands as Plainsong, Hi-Fi, No Grey Faith, More Than a Song and a Dutch jazz combo, The Searing Quartet. After working for a while in A&R, in 1987 Matthews returned to performing and recording as a solo artist. Since returning to live in Europe in 2000, Matthews focuses mostly again on his now all Dutch ensemble, Matthews Southern Comfort and his seemingly never ending stream of solo recordings. Matthews latest album, released in 2021 and titled " Distant Chatter" is a duo effort, with Dutch songwriter and multi instrumentalist B J Baartmans.
iainmatthews.nl | Facebook | Spotify
There's a purity about Iain Matthews' voice. And it's mirrored by the integrity of his career. The singer-songwriter has never been seduced by fame. His focus has always been on creating music that captivates the ear, the mind and the heart. Born Ian Matthews McDonald, June 16, 1946, in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, England, he soared to prominence in 1967, as a founding member of Fairport Convention. In that pioneering band, Matthews created exquisite harmonies with first Judy Dyble, then Sandy Denny. After two years, he left and formed Matthews Southern Comfort. They enjoyed a huge hit with their stirring version of Joni Mitchell's "Woodstock." One of the outstanding solo albums Matthews recorded during his years in Los Angeles was 1973's "Valley Hi," produced by Michael Nesmith. Matthews has fronted such bands as Plainsong, Hi-Fi, No Grey Faith, More Than a Song and a Dutch jazz combo, The Searing Quartet. After working for a while in A&R, in 1987 Matthews returned to performing and recording as a solo artist. Since returning to live in Europe in 2000, Matthews focuses mostly again on his now all Dutch ensemble, Matthews Southern Comfort and his seemingly never ending stream of solo recordings. Matthews latest album, released in 2021 and titled " Distant Chatter" is a duo effort, with Dutch songwriter and multi instrumentalist B J Baartmans.
Livingston Taylor's career as a professional musician has spanned over 50 years, encompassing performance, songwriting, and teaching. Described as "equal parts Mark Twain, college professor, and musical icon, Livingston maintains a performance schedule of more than a hundred shows a year, delighting audiences with his charm and vast repertoire of his 22 albums and popular classics. Livingston has written top-40 hits recorded by his brother James Taylor and has appeared with Joni Mitchell, Linda Ronstadt, Fleetwood Mac, and Jimmy Buffet.
He is equally at home with a range of musical genres – folk, pop, gospel, jazz – and from upbeat storytelling and touching ballads to full orchestra performances. In addition to his performance schedule, Livingston has been a full professor at Berklee College of Music for 30 years, passing on the extensive knowledge gained from his long career on the road to the next generation of musicians. Liv is an airplane-flying, motorcycle-riding, singing storyteller, delighting audiences with his charm for over 50 years.
chelseaberry.com | Facebook | Insta | Spotify
Chelsea Berry opens the show. Chelsea Berry is a singer-songwriter with the edge, power, and finesse of legends. Her presence has been described by listeners as "compelling… she draws the entire house into her world like moths to a flame."
As a vocalist and performer, she evokes the style of artists such as Eva Cassidy, KD Lang, and Melissa Etheridge. She is an avid and accomplished recording artist; she has released 10 original albums over her 25 year career as well as collaborated on projects with dozens of other writers and performers. Her music is played regularly on Sirius XM's The Loft and has been featured on local radio and TV stations from Modesto CA to Manhattan.
A favorite among venues up and down the East Coat, Berry's beautiful voice and commanding stage presence have taken her on the road as support for Livingston Taylor, Chris Smither, Mavis Staples, Chris Isaak, Shawn Colvin, and many others.
Berry's newest original album, "Peace Love & Happiness", is slated to release on August 19.
Born and raised in Alaska, she now makes her home in Maine.
"Great, talented, beautiful … her future is so bright you're gonna have to wear shades." – Chris Smither
tretfure.com | Facebook | Bandcamp | Insta | Twitter | Spotify
Tret Fure began her career at the age of 16, singing in coffeehouses and campuses in the Midwest. At 19, she moved to LA in hopes of obtaining a record deal. Within a year she was performing as guitarist and vocalist for Spencer Davis, touring with him and penning the single for his album "Mousetrap". She went on to record her own album "Tret Fure" in 1973, on MCA/UNI Records, with the late Lowell George of Little Feat as her producer. With the success of that release, she opened for such bands as Yes, Poco, and the J Geils Band.
A prolific artist in the contemporary singer-songwriter arena, Tret Fure has released 17 albums and CDs over the course of her 51 year career. In addition to being a gifted songwriter, Fure has engineered and produced countless recordings by a variety of artists, including her own work.
In the early 80s, Tret moved to the independent side of the industry discovering the blossoming genre known as Women's Music. She recorded with and produced some of the best of women's music including mixing the legendary "Meg & Cris at Carnegie Hall" (1983). She worked as a duo with Cris Williamson throughout the 90s, producing, engineering and releasing 3 CDs together. Now after 9 acoustic releases on her own label, "Tomboy girl Records", she has re-established herself in the folk world.
Some highlights from her career include:
1990 - Voted both Best Guitarist and Best Engineer in a Reader's Choice poll in "Hot Wire: The Journal of Women'sMusic & Culture".
2004 - Winner of the South Florida Folk Festival Singer/Songwriter Competition in 2 out of 3 categories, Best Overall and Best Up-Tempo Song.
2004 - Winner of the Women in the Arts "Jane Schliessman Award" for Outstanding Contributions to Women's Music.
2009 -Voted "Pride In The Arts" Favorite Female/Lesbian Musician.
2009 - Winner of the Women in the Arts "Janine C Rae Award" for the Advancement of Women's Culture.
2011 - Winner of the Women in the Arts "Phyllis Roark Memorial Award" for Philanthropy.
2015 - "Rembrandt Afternoons" (2015) was chosen by the acclaimed folk music show 'Midnight Special' as their album of the week.
2017 - 2nd place winner in the "Musicians United to Protect Bristol Bay" songwriting contest for her song "The Fishermen of Bristol Bay" (2015).
2018 - #1 song "Lessons From Home Plate" from the CD "Roses in November" (2018) for the month of June in the FAI FOLK CHART.
2020 - 1st place winner in "A Still Small Voice 4U" songwriting competition with her song "Monuments".
2021 - 2nd place winner in "A Still Small Voice 4U" songwriting competition with the song "Louder Than the Guns".
2021 - #1 song "Monuments" from the CD "Stone by Stone" (2020) for the month of February in the FAI FOLK CHART.
2021 - #1 song "Roses in November" from the CD "Roses in November" (2018) for the month of November in the FAI FOLK CHART.
Wanda A. Fischer from WMAC Northeast Public Radio has this to say, "Roses in November is yet another masterpiece from Tret. Exceptionally crafted songs delivered with passion, conviction and, yes, soul. Tret weaves magic both in the lyrics and between the lines. This will certainly be on my "Best of 2018" list."
In addition to touring and recording, Tret teaches guitar and songwriting individually and in workshop settings. She paints pet portraits on commission and, an accomplished cook, Fure has also published a cookbook, "Tret's Kitchen", featuring her own recipes. Along with bridging the marketing, production, music and art worlds, Tret served for 6 years as President of Local 1000, The Traveling Musicians Association--a union geared toward helping traveling musicians find security and longevity. Tret is truly a Renaissance Woman!
jeffreygaines.com | Spotify | Twitter | Insta | YouTube
Jeffrey Gaines has been heralded for his soul-searching lyrics and his powerful live performances.
With only his voice and a guitar for accompaniment, Jeffrey Gaines has earned a reputation as a captivating performer, entertaining audiences everywhere he goes.
Raised in Harrisburg, PA by parents more inclined to spin soul classics by Aretha and Otis than the New Wave and Brit Rock blasting from their son's room, a teenaged Gaines began singing and playing guitar in several local garage bands. He soon decided to set out on his own and quickly landed a record deal, releasing Jeffrey Gaines, the first of his five studio releases. The album garnered four stars from The Philadelphia Inquirer, describing Gaines as "…an ethereal soul…insistent, impassioned, full of self-knowledge." Somewhat Slightly Dazed, and Galore followed. Interview Magazine called Gaines' music "soul-searching" and "refreshingly free of jargon, sentiment or cliché."
Jeffrey Gaines released Always Be (Artemis) to both critical and commercial praise. Featuring his emotional interpretation of "In Your Eyes" and his own soaringly beautiful "Always Be," the album hit #5 on R&R Callout America CHR/Pop list, also reaching #45 on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart. The New York Post proclaimed Always Be as "a dozen-song mix…that completely illustrates the depth he is capable of."
Gaines' impressive catalogue grew with Toward The Sun, produced by Mitchell Froom (Elvis Costello, Bonnie Raitt, and Crowded House). The Boston Globe declared that "Gaines' soulful, wounded vocals make a case for his being one of pop's finest singers…an artist who deserves far more attention than some of his more hyped, yet less talented peers." Mojo noted, "This established soul-folkie's sexy growl has an underlying edge, making it a memorable album. Heartfelt unpretentious."
Throughout his career, Gaines has built a rapport with his fans unlike any other in popular music today. Gaines goes as far as letting his fans influence the songs he performs each night. "When it's just me playing, I only know the first song I'm going to play, but from there the energy and the vibe tell me what the next song is going to be. Someone may yell a song, and I'm like 'Exactly! Good call.' That's so fun to me, keeping it exciting and spontaneous. I don't even know what's around the corner, and the crowd doesn't either." Based on that relationship with the audience, Gaines released Jeffrey Gaines Live (CD / DVD) followed by Live In Europe, which was recorded during his 25-city tour with Joe Jackson.
griffinhousemusic.com | Facebook | Twitter | Insta | Spotify
Griffin House is out with a new record called "Stories for a Rainy Day."
A nine song collection written during the pandemic and recorded in just 3 days, the album is being described as his most happy and upbeat yet. The opening track "The Mississippi Hippie" was originally written for a feature in Esquire magazine called "Somewhere in Mississippi" and was rediscovered and resurrected for "Stories for a Rainy Day." The album was recorded by Tim Pannella using a stripped down trio set up with Jersey based musicians Eric Novod on drums, Mark Masefield on keys, and House on guitars and vocals. With minimal production and the band playing together as opposed to overdubbing, the songs have a space to be more playful, free and alive.
A concept record, with each song telling a story, an idea inspired from one of House's favorite childhood albums "Ten Summoner's Tales," the final tale features the hilarious character "Guido" and is the only song on the album that was recorded live in concert.
"Stories for a Rainy Day" was released on Valentine's Day 2022 and features the artwork of Scottsdale based painter Priscilla Nelson. House will be playing the new songs live in 2022-2023 with over 100 tour dates already booked. You can find tour dates and more info at http://griffinhousemusic.com
arihest.com | Facebook | Twitter | Spotify
Oh, Ari! What a voice. We could listen to his voice all night. Ari has been here many times and we always ALWAYS look forward to his return. It's been almost 2 years since his last performance and we can't wait!
"I've been making music and touring the planet for about 15 years. What started out as an occasional creative outlet is now my way of life. Growing up just outside New York City, I began playing guitar in the hallways of my high school, learning the songs of The Beatles, Peter Gabriel, Smashing Pumpkins, and Dave Matthews Band. I graduated, went to college for a communications degree, and finished feeling way more inclined to make music than anything else, so I hit the road. In these past 15 years, I've played in every state in the U.S. and toured extensively throughout Europe. I've had the honor of playing with a slew of incredible musicians wherever I've gone.
I just released my ninth LP, Natural, and I've also released three solo EPs as well as a song-a-week project of 2008 called "52". I also am in three bands that have recorded albums over the past few years -The Open Sea with Rosi Golan, Bluebirds of Paradise with Chrissi Poland, and most recently a duets album with Judy Collins called Silver Skies Blue, which was nominated for a Grammy award for "Best Folk Album" of 2017.
Sometimes my music is heard on TV or in movies – The Path, The Lincoln Lawyer, Private Practice, Army Wives, and One Tree Hill to name a few. I also scored music for a film called Dreamriders, a documentary which won several independent film awards. I feel extremely fortunate to be able to sing and play music for a living. I wanna keep it going for as long as possible. It's good for my soul, and I love knowing that what i create can have a real impact on people."
– Ari Hest
rachaelkilgour.com | Facebook| Spotify
gracepettis.com | Facebook | Spotify
Two incredible singer/songwriters. One incredible Sunday night.
antjeduvekot.com | Facebook | Spotify
Antje Duvekot has a voice and style that stops you dead in your tracks. I still remember the first time I heard one of her songs. I was walking across the room listening to music on a singer/songwriter channel and her song Dublin Boys came on. I quickly ran over to the TV and jotted down her name and within an hour had ordered every single one of her CD's. Fell in love! Fast forward a few years and we have a venue. This one is special, folks. She's been here before, and we LOVE her. LVOE LOVE LOVE her.
rebeccaloebe.com | Facebook | Insta | Twitter | Spotify
jesseruben.com | Facebook | Spotify | The We Can Project Insta
Two incredible songwriters. One fantastic Saturday night.
www.tyronewells.com | Facebook | Insta | Twitter | Spotify
First things first. Let's get this out-of-the-way. Tyrone Wells (I) wrote this bio. I figured, "who better to talk about myself than myself?". I'm a lot of things in no particular order… a preacher's son, a brother, a husband, a dad, a real estate lover, a major-label artist, an independent artist, an opener, a headliner, a very self-conscious dancer (think "Footloose", only without the cathartic cutting loose), a gardener, a wanna be surfer, a person who has needed therapy, a pickleball player, a barstool theologian, and this next one kind of goes without saying because you're here reading my bio.. I'm a singer-songwriter.
I've written a lot of songs. Probably approaching around 1,000 songs now… to me, when I wrote them, they were all good songs. The luxury of time has informed me, some of the songs were maybe just good to me. And some of the songs, inexplicably, have millions upon millions of listeners. Meanwhile, others have tens upon tens. I don't know why, I just write them and set them free.
Ultimately, I'm trying my best to be honest, and write a song that I, and you can both love. I'm gonna keep trying. I'm so grateful that you have listened. Be it once, or be it a hundred times. I've got big love for you. I'll be over here chopping away and reminding myself to be vulnerable. Peace and Love, XOXO Tyrone
stephenkellog.com | Facebook | Twitter | Insta | Spotify
I wish I'd known when I started out that the contents of an artist biography ends up being repeated many times in the years to come. It can be frustrating to be viewed through an outdated lens. But what's to be done? The past, including old one-sheets, remains unshakable.
I know you're a busy person and, chances are, if you're reading this, you're here for the updated Cliffs Notes. So I'll tell you what I'm proud of having done over the last 20 years and you decide for yourself if any of the soundbites interest you.
I was born, raised and am currently residing in New England. I have four kids and married my high school sweetheart. I've written about them extensively on all my records. I also put out a book in 2020 called "Objects In The Mirror: Thoughts on a Perfect Life from an Imperfect Person." It's a collection of essays about what I've found to be the most important aspects of a life well-lived. For better or worse, my live show has morphed into one with a fair amount of comedy baked into the storytelling. I write what I believe to be true and I try to have a sense of humor about the stuff that hurts. My newest record is called Keep It Up, Kid and it comes out December 2, 2022. Side B is a suite of 5 interconnected songs that explore the journey from youth to middle-age. Side A is a note of solidarity to anyone looking for hope in hopeless situations. We are all alone in the world, but it's nice to feel as though we are not.
There have been some flattering quotes over the years, but the largest publication to offer up a humdinger was Rolling Stone, who in 2019, said I was like, "John Prine fronting the Heartbreakers." My grandfather taught me not to believe my own propaganda, but I still work hard to fulfill the promise of such heady praise.
In 2013, I delivered a Tedx Talk on job satisfaction and that has led to speaking engagements for some amazing organizations. I've also had the honor of performing at a number of children's hospitals as well as for the U.S military, who gave me an "Armed Forces Entertainer of the Year" award. Those experiences have been enriching and I hope I've used my talents for good there. I've had some great adventures co-writing too and one of the singles I co-wrote, "Got Soul," was the title track for Robert Randolph's Grammy Nominated album of the same title. Although I have, on occasion, cracked the billboard charts, it has been a minute since all that went down, so I'll just say that there is little that means more to me than the people who show up year after year, record after record. Take care of the art and the art will take care of you.
In closing, I guess what I'm most proud of having done, the thing I'd want people to know about the first two decades of my career, is that I survived with my soul intact. I've played more than 2200 concerts, traveled Europe supporting Gregory Alan Isakov and Josh Ritter, sang duets with Adam Duritz and Rosanne Cash. I've sold out the 9:30 club, and performed at the Beacon Theater. I've made music in spite of the challenges and managed to build a life that resembles that of my listeners in all the ways that matter. I have not accomplished all that I intended for myself, but that's why I'm playing another hand at the table. That's the point of Keep It Up, Kid. Thanks for checking out my stuff.
- Stephen Kellogg, April 2022
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