10 More Albums We Are Looking Forward To In 2020

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Feb 202020

By Joshua Wallace

When I previously released a list called “10 Albums We Are Looking Forward To In 2020”, that list contained albums where we knew the release date and all of the details. Well, here’s a list of 10 more albums we are pretty sure are coming out in 2020 that we are looking forward to. Some of these albums have release dates and some of them just have a very early pre-release single and nothing else. Keep an eye out here for more on these albums as info comes available.

American Aquarium – Lamentations – May 01st

American Aquarium is gearing up to release their new album Lamentations. This record was recorded late last year with Shooter Jennings producing. The band just announced a release date of May 1st and the first leg of the album’s tour. Look for new music soon.

Randall King – TBA – TBA

There isn’t much to go on for Randall King’s first album from major label Warner Music Nashville. He’s released 4 singles since signing with them including a Christmas tune. While the Christmas tune might not make an album, the trio of other singles probably will. Keep your eyes out for more info coming soon. Check out his latest song titled “Hey Cowgirl”.

Zach Bryan – TBA – TBA

Zach Bryan has stated that new music is on the way. While this independent artist tends to release things on his own time, he has recently entered the recording studio with famous producer Dave Cobb. This is purely speculation here, but we hope to hear something out of that recording session sometime down the line in 2020. In the meantime, check out his newest self released song, “Rest, Rose”.

Logan Ledger – Logan Ledger – April 3rd

Logan Ledger has had a rough time getting his self titled debut LP out, but it is finally coming to us on April 3rd. We have been big fans of the songs that have slowly trickled out over the past year and I can’t wait to hear the whole thing. With five tracks already available, this one is an early album of the year candidate. We recommend checking out “Imagining Raindrops”.

Porter Union – Loved & Lost – March 6th

We were big fans of Porter Union’s 2017 debut LP. That album did well on our year end Top 50 lists that year. Their new record is called Loved and Lost and is looking to be just as good. They already have a single out called “I’ve Got You Covered” that you can check out now. Look for this one in March.

Pat Reedy & The Longtime Goners – Make It Back Home – Summer

Pat Reedy is gearing up to release the follow up to his 2018 Muddy Roots Records release titled That’s All There Is (And There Ain’t No More). This record will be called Make It Back Home and out sometime this summer. If the first single and title track is any indication, this new record is picking up where the last one left off and will be one to look forward to in 2020.

Corb Lund – Agricultural Tragic – April 24th

Corb Lund is back in the saddle with a new release titled Agricultural Tragic. There is already a new song out called “90 Seconds Of Your Time” which I highly recommend checking out. This one is due out in April.

Craig Gerdes – Tough As Nails – Mid March

Craig Gerdes is releasing his second album in mid March titled Tough As Nails. We were big fans of his first release Smokin’ Drinkin’ and Gamblin’ and if the single “Between The Cradle and The Grave” is any indication, this one will be a rocking good time as well.

Bob Wayne – Rogue – Unknown

Bob Wayne has announced a new record called Rogue. There is no current release date though he is taking pre-orders. This record will be his first all acoustic album and he is pairing it with a huge tour that looks to break the world record for most shows in a tour cycle.

Jon Stickley Trio – Scripting The Flip – April 3rd

If you have never heard Jon Stickley Trio, I highly recommend checking out their music. They have a new record titled Scripting The Flip coming out in April and it’s going to be a good one. They are an instrumental group that pairs bluegrass with jazz, folk punk and other genres of music. The group consists of Jon Stickley who is an amazing flat picking guitar player, Lyndsay Pruett on fiddle and Hunter Deacon on drums. This record has 3 pre-release singles out and I recommend checking out “Don’t Slip”.

Railbird Festival Announces Their 2020 Lineup

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Feb 192020

By Joshua Wallace

Railbird Festival has announced their 2020 lineup and it’s a good one. This event takes place at The Grounds at Keeneland in Lexington, KY from August 22nd – 23rd. Tickets for this stacked lineup go on sale Friday at 10AM EST.

Check out http://www.railbirdfest.com for more information.

Here are some highlight videos. There are great artists on this lineup from top to bottom.

Album Feature – Aubrie Sellers – Far From Home

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Feb 172020

By Joshua Wallace

Aubrie Sellers is back with the follow up to her 2016 debut record called New City Blues. This new record is called Far From Home and it amps up the garage country style Aubrie introduced in her debut. It goes into more space rock and psychedelic country and fleshes out the style she started with on her debut. I particularly dig this brand of country music and this album has quickly become my favorite of 2020 so far.

The album kicks off with the title track which is a spacey ballad about how we wander aimlessly into loneliness. The melody is the kind of thing you’d normally hear with a fiddle and smooth guitar playing in the background, or in some cases A Capella. However, I really dig the spacey guitar sounds as it creates a feeling of loneliness that echoes the sentiment of the track. Up next is “My Love Will Not Change” which features Steve Earle on a banger of a track that would see lots of radio play if things were right in the current landscape of country music. It has a groovy fuzzy guitar riff and a foot stomping back beat. Steve Earle is a nice feature on the track as trades lines with Aubrie on the second verse. Definitely check this one out when you get a chance.

One of my personal favorites on this album is the track “Glad”. It leans into the fuzzy country rock vibe with heavily distorted guitars and a thick groove that screams cool. It’s a catchy revenge song where Aubrie is glad that an ex broke her heart. The thick riffs and groovy back-beat make for a really good dance-able track with this one. “Troublemaker” leans further into the fuzzy space rock country sound Aubrie is creating on this record. This track has my favorite riff on the album and that creates a fun vibe especially when paired with over cuts like “Glad”. I particularly dig the psychedelic solo work on here and I love the transition back into the next verse. I can’t wait to hear that live. Finally, “Under The Sun” is a great smooth ballad in the later half of the album. It’s still somewhat spacey guitar rock that leans into pop rock and country rock territory. This is another song that should get lots of radio play from this album. I particularly dig the hook in this one and it still has the smooth groovy vibe you get in the rest of the album.

Aubrie Sellers has released a sophomore LP that improves every bit on her debut release which was already a great album in itself. Here, she’s further defining her brand of “garage country” by leaning further into the elements of that sound that made her first album special. This has me looking forward to seeing her band live. I think I will get that chance very soon as she just announced a co-headlining tour with Lillie Mae which kicks off very soon. You can find more info on that at her website. Far From Home is available everywhere as of Friday February 7th, 2020.

Favorite Tracks : Far From Home, My Love Will Not Change, Drag You Down, Glad, Troublemaker, Under The Sun, One Town’s Trash

Aubrie Sellers – Far From Home (2020)

Far From Home
My Love Will Not Change feat. Steve Earle
Lucky Charm
Worried Mind
Drag You Down
Going Places
Glad
Haven’t Even Kissed Me Yet
Troublemaker
Run
Under The Sun
One’s Own Trash

ROOTS ROADHOUSE FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES INITIAL ARTIST LINEUP

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Feb 132020

ROOTS ROADHOUSE FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES

INITIAL ARTIST LINEUP

Presented By Spaceland, The Echo and Grand Ole Echo The Annual Festival Will Take Place In Los Angeles, CA On March 29^th, 2020

“Within moments of walking into Roots Roadhouse at the Echoplex and seeing BBQ pits, haystacks, cowboy hats and boots, I realized that this is one of the best festivals in Los Angeles, it’s a hidden gem.”—Janky Smooth Blog

“The potent lineup features an intriguing mix of local roots, indie and “cowternative” bands combined with certified blues and country legends.”—LA Weekly

Los Angeles, CA January 30, 2020—Formed in 2010, the Roots Roadhouse Festival celebrates its annual season of roots music on March 29^th, 2020. Roots Roadhouse is an all day festival that takes place on the legendary Echo and Echoplex stages in addition to their patio stages. The festival’s programming is characteristically musically multifarious, blending elements of roots music including outlaw, country, roots rock, indie folk, blues and of course, the cosmic sounds of California country. The lineup incorporates the best of local roots music scene to national touring acts. In addition to the live performances there will be food trucks and an eclectic array of vendors along with country music DJs.

Some highlights of this year’s programming are below. Others will be announced at a later date.

ROOTS ROADHOUSE 2020

March 29, 2020; 3pm/All Ages

@Echo and Echoplex (entrance 1154 Glendale Boulevard)

Tickets $35 + tickets available at spaceland.tv

DJs: Friends in Low Places | Emily Rose | Cuz’n Roy

ABOUT ROOTS ROADHOUSE

Every year Roots Roadhouse celebrates the outlaw country spirit and the cosmic cowboy soul with some incredible performers showcasing the best American roots music has to offer locally and nationally. The all-day-into-night festival takes place at the Echo and Echoplex and includes “back porch” stages for a more acoustic experience. Roots Roadhouse also includes games for kids, food trucks, DJs and a plethora of vendors that set up shop. From local barbecue joints to handcrafted leather belts, you’re sure to find some one-of-a-kind gems.

The Oak Ridge Boys Begin 20/20 Tour Across North America

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Feb 122020

The Oak Ridge Boys Begin 20/20 Tour Across North America

First tour leg took a big Texas swing

The Boys visit East Tennessee and Indiana this week

Nashville, Tenn. – GRAMMY® winning, Country Music Hall of Fame and Grand Ole Opry members The Oak Ridge Boys have kicked off the new year strong with “The Oak Ridge Boys 20/20 Tour.” This tour will see the legendary band crisscross the country from Florida to Nevada and just about everywhere in between. With nearly sixty concerts in over twenty states announced already, The Oak Ridge Boys have 20/20 vision when it comes to hitting the road this year!

“We are stoked about all that 2020 has to bring! A new David Cobb produced album is in the works and a huge tour chock full of beautiful theaters and performance centers, as well as a myriad of fairs and festivals across the nation,” say Joe Bonsall. “Our updated set lists this year includes hits and favorites as well as some deep cuts and a tribute to 40 years of the “Together” album. Add some Gospel and a wave of the Flag and we will be bringing a middle America show for the entire family. We may be coming to your town, so COME ON OUT and HEAR US SING!”

The Oak Ridge Boys 20/20 Tour:
FEB 13 The Stanley Theatre / Utica, N.Y.
FEB 14 Stambaugh Auditorium / Youngstown, Ohio
FEB 18 Grand Ole Opry House / Nashville, Tenn.
FEB 22 IP Casino Resort and Spa / Biloxi, Miss.
FEB 27 Florida Strawberry Festival / Plant City, Fla.
FEB 28 Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee / Immokalee, Fla.
FEB 29 Orange Blossom Opry / Weirsdale, Fla.
MAR 04 Clemens Center / Elmira, N.Y.
MAR 05 Peoples Bank Theatre / Marietta, Ohio
MAR 06 The Birchmere / Alexandria, Va.
MAR 07 American Music Theatre / Lancaster, Pa.
MAR 13 UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center / Tifton, Ga.
MAR 14 Alabama Theatre / North Myrtle Beach, S.C.
MAR 20 Medina Entertainment Center / Medina, Minn.
MAR 21 Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City / Kansas City, Kan.
MAR 23 Rodeo Austin / Austin, Texas
MAR 28 Spartanburg School District 3 Community Auditorium / Spartanburg, S.C.
MAR 29 Opp Rattlesnake Rodeo / Opp, Ala.
APR 04 Sugar Creek Casino / Hinton, Okla.
APR 10 Celebrity Theatre / Phoenix, Ariz.
APR 17 The Mansion Theatre / Branson, Mo.
APR 18 The Mansion Theatre / Branson, Mo
APR 24 Dayton Masonic Center / Dayton, Ohio
APR 25 Renfro Valley Entertainment Center / Renfro Valley, Ky.
MAY 01 Carl Perkins Civic Center / Jackson, Tenn.
MAY 08 The Jackson College / Jackson, Mich.
MAY 09 Hatfield Hall / Terre Haute, Ind.
MAY 10 Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts / Warsaw, Ind.
JUN 05 Hartville Kitchen / Hartville, Ohio
JUN 06 Hartville Kitchen / Hartville, Ohio
JUN 13 Northern Lights Casino / Walker, Minn.
JUN 25 Cv Music Festivals / Cadott, Wis.
JUN 26 The Devon Lakeshore Amphitheater / Decatur, Ill.
AUG 08 Mill Town Music Hall / Bremen, Ga.
AUG 19 Berrien County Youth Fair / Berrien Springs, Mich.
SEP 23 The Mansion Theatre / Branson, Mo
SEP 24 The Mansion Theatre / Branson, Mo
SEP 26 Arlington Music Hall / Arlington, Texas
OCT 14 The Mansion Theatre / Branson, Mo
OCT 15 The Mansion Theatre / Branson, Mo
OCT 21 The Mansion Theatre / Branson, Mo
OCT 22 The Mansion Theatre / Branson, Mo
NOV 11 The Mansion Theatre / Branson, Mo
NOV 12 The Mansion Theatre / Branson, Mo
NOV 18 The Mansion Theatre / Branson, Mo
NOV 19 The Mansion Theatre / Branson, Mo
NOV 14 Crystal Grand Music Theatre / Wisconsin Dells, Wis.

About The Oak Ridge Boys:
The Oak Ridge Boys, who have sold over 41 million records worldwide, are synonymous with “America, apple pie, baseball, pop, rock, gospel and country music.” In addition to their awards and accolades in the country and pop music fields, they have garnered five GRAMMY® Awards, and twelve GMA DOVE Awards, as well as numerous international awards. The group—Joe Bonsall, Duane Allen, William Lee Golden, and Richard Sterban—have earned prestigious membership in the Country Music Hall of Fame (2015 Inductees) and the Grand Ole Opry (2011), and are known worldwide as one of recording history’s most extraordinary musical successes. They have charted single after single and album after album, celebrating one double-platinum album and one double-platinum single and more than 30 Top 10 hits, including No. 1 chart-toppers “Elvira,” “Bobbie Sue,” “Thank God For Kids,” “American Made,” “Y’All Come Back Saloon,” among dozens more. For more information and to view upcoming tour dates for The Oak Ridge Boys, please visit oakridgeboys.com.

Album Feature – The Cadillac Three – Country Fuzz

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Feb 102020

By Joshua Wallace

I have been a fan of The Cadillac Three for a while. They bring a sound similar to ZZ Top but with modern aesthetics which bring that sound forward. They always have a mix of rocking numbers and smoother songs meant for country radio. This album is much heavier on the fuzzy rock tunes as the title implies. For those who are not familiar, The Cadillac Three have been around since 2011 and are Jaren Johnston on lead vocals and guitar, Kelby Ray on bass guitar, steel guitar and vocals, Neil Mason on drums and vocals. Let’s check out some of the good stuff from this record.

The album kicks off with “Bar Round Here” which is a fun rockin number about your local watering hole. I dig the electric slide guitar solo on this one. You know you’re in for a fun record. The track “Slow Rollin’” is a slower track that brings the heavy fuzz rock sound you would expect from this record. I dig the groove this track has and it’s sure to be a fan favorite live. “Crackin’ Cold Ones With The Boys” has some fun lyrical turns with the laundry list style of songwriting. It has an infectious hook and some groovy beats that will pull you in much like the rest of this album does.

On a different note, the ballad “Raise Hell” is a song about how hard it is to get to Heaven if you want to raise hell. This track is a ballad, but it keeps the heavy fuzzy rock aesthetics that run through the album and I dig that in a song like this. “Jack Daniel’s Heart” is a fun spin on the typical Jack Daniels song. It asks the question who broke Jack Daniel’s heart to make him want to make a whiskey so strong. The dobro on this track is groovy and infectious. It will have anyone dancing once this one comes on. Finally, we have the heaviest song on the album “Whiskey and Smoke”. The riffs are heavy and thick with this one and it goes more into stoner rock territory than southern rock. I dig it as there is nothing else really like this in The Cadillac Three catalog.

This is the best record from The Cadillac Three in my opinion and leans stronger on the southern rock heavy sound that makes them unique from other bands on country radio. If you have slept on this band for any reason, Country Fuzz is a good place to give them another look. This album was out everywhere as of Friday February 7th, 2020.

Favorite Tracks : Bar Round Here, Slow Rollin’, Crackin’ Cold Ones With The Boys, Labels, Raise Hell, Jack Daniel’s Heart, Whiskey and Smoke

The Cadillac Three – Country Fuzz (2020)

Bar Round Here
The Jam
Hard Out Here For A Country Boy feat. Chris Janson, Travis Tritt
Slow Rollin’
All The Makin’s Of A Saturday Night
Crackin’ Cold Ones With The Boys
Labels
Raise Hell
Back Home
Dirt Road Nights
Blue El Camino
Jack Daniel’s Heart
Why Ya Gotta Go Out Like That
Heat
Whiskey and Smoke
Long After Last Call

The Blue Ox Announces Initial Lineup!

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Feb 092020

BLUE OX MUSIC FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES ITS INITIAL LINEUP FOR 2020 Gov’t Mule, Sam Bush Band, The Infamous Stringdusters, Yonder Mountain String Band, Leftover Salmon, The Jerry Douglas Band, Charlie Parr, plus 2 nights of Pert Near Sandstone, are among the artists to perform at the 6th annual Blue Ox Music Festival – Taking place on June 11- 13, 2020 at Whispering Pines Campground. Tickets are on-sale now at when you log onto BlueOxMusicFestival.com

EAU CLAIRE, WISCONSIN – December 17, 2019 – Blue Ox Music Festival is proud to announce the first round artist lineup, for the 6th annual Blue Ox Music Festival, which will be held June 11-13, 2020.
The annual early summer pilgrimage of Bluegrass, Americana, and Roots artists, and their loyal music festival fans; return to the tall pines and hardwoods of Whispering Pines Campground in the Northwoods of Wisconsin.

This year Blue Ox honors a fine lineup of performances by heavy hitters – Gov’t Mule, Sam Bush Band, The Infamous Stringdusters, Yonder Mountain String Band, Leftover Salmon, The Jerry Douglas Band, Charlie Parr, Rising Appalachia, Horseshoes & Hand Grenades, Charley Crockett, Henhouse Prowlers with Tony Trischka, Lillie Mae, Them Coulee Boys, Legendary Shack Shakers, Sunny War, Julian Davis & The Situation, Nora Brown, Arkansauce, Armchair Boogie, Kind Country, One Way Traffic, Short Round String Band, Feed The Dog, Intuitive Compass, Barbaro, and The High 48s. Pert Near Sandstone will host the Blue Ox Music Festival for the sixth year, in addition to performing for two nights.

Since its inception in 2015, the Blue Ox Music Festival has consistently brought together a collection of top level regional and national acts that have set the stage and standard of artists for the true music festival fan’s experience for years to come. With the vision of an intimate music and camping experience focused on Bluegrass, Americana Roots genres – the 3-day festival creates a unique experience with an impressive lineup of notable artists, in a familial and beautiful outdoor venue setting.

Besides the high quality of artists and performances that guests see over the 3-day festival, Jim Bischel, President of Blue Ox Music Festival, credits the fans for making the event, “something magical, as the attendees are here for the camaraderie, they’re here for the fellowship and they are true fans of the music. Part of their devotion, he adds, is that they appreciate the music from more than a listener’s standpoint. So many of the guests are musicians themselves.”

New this year, in addition to the traditional Blue Ox late night sets – The Backwoods Stage will feature regional and emerging artists from 11:30AM to 6:30PM on Friday, June 12 and Saturday, June 13. The first round of artists for the Backwoods Stage include – Miles Over Mountains, Nickle & Rose, Good Morning Bedlam, The Thirsty River, Dig Deep, Never Come Down, Pit Wagon, Katey Bellville, Gabe Barnett, and Doug Otto and the Getaways.

*Stay tuned for additional headliner announcements in early January 2020. The complete lineup for all 3 stages and late night artists at the 2020 Blue Ox Music Festival will be announced over the next few months.
As musicians and ambassadors for the festival – members of Pert Near Sandstone, Nate Sipe and Justin Bruhn, produce and host the popular, Road to Blue Ox Podcast. In each episode, Bruhn and Sipe interview one of the performing artists on the lineup, as well as highlighting key information and updates about the festival. Tune in for new 2020 Road to Blue Ox episodes on Apple iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher and Pocket Casts.

Pert Near Sandstone is set to release their second studio album in mid-2020 – with new music to be debuted at Blue Ox. Bruhn says, “Pert Near is grateful to play host and be such an integral part of Blue Ox. Every year, we are honored to cocurate the lineup, essentially building our own special mixtape for the Blue Ox stage! It’s a dream come true. We always look forward to showing our fellow artists just how wonderful the dedicated fans of our region are. See you in the Pines!”

About Blue Ox Music Festival – Blue Ox creates and fosters a wonderful sense of artistic community and has become a cornerstone of the cultural renaissance movement in the Eau Claire area. Blue Ox Music Festival at Whispering Pines Campground boasts 140 acres of pristine forest, walkable trails and landscaped lawn with music presented on three distinct stages, (Main Stage, Saloon Stage, Backwoods Stage).

As a family friendly environment, diverse cultural events take place throughout the festival grounds, including music workshops, morning yoga, eclectic craft vendors, dance performance, kids stages as well as a disc golf course. The variety of quality food and beverage vendors offers something delicious for everyone to enjoy. All ages are welcome. Children 13 and under are free with a paid adult.

Presently, 3-day General Admission Tickets are available for purchase at this time. General Admission gives you access to all entertainment and Unreserved Tent Camping. Car Camping Passes are available, for guests who prefer their car on the camp site next to their tent. Reserved RV / Tent sites are also available for purchase. Camping accommodations include spaces for RVs, Family and Quiet Camping, and for those who wish to just arrive at the festival, enjoy and lay their heads – there are “Glamping” options for purchase in early 2020.

Ticket prices for the 2020 Blue Ox Music Festival will increase on Friday, December 27, 2 019 at 11:59PM. Fans are encouraged to buy their tickets before December 28, 2019 in order to take advantage of the best prices available to date. Tickets are going fast, so please join us at the Blue Ox Music Festival on June 11, 12, 13, 2020 – for three days of phenomenal music and camping in a family friendly, intimate atmosphere.

Please visit www.blueoxmusicfestival.com for more information on tickets, camping, the artist lineup and more.
Also we have LOTS MORE coming on this festival.

Album Feature – Brent Cobb – No Place Left To Leave

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Feb 082020

By Joshua Wallace

No Place Left To Leave is an important album for Brent Cobb. It’s also one that the majority of his fan base probably hasn’t heard yet so this is a good re-release. Brent Cobb released this record in 2006 before he truly hit the national scene with his 2016 album Shine On A Rainy Day. This record was produced with his cousin Dave Cobb who he had just met at the time. They made the record with Shooter Jenning’s then backing band including Jason “Rowdy” Cope on guitar and Chris Powell on drums. This album features his first two cuts that were recorded by another artist also. These songs are “Bar, Guitar and a Honky Tonk Crowd” which was recorded by Whiskey Myers and “Hold Me Closely” which was recorded by The Oak Ridge Boys. He has since gone on to have songs cut by the likes of Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert, The Steel Woods and Lee Anne Womack. This is actually my first time hearing his first album so let’s dig into some of these songs.

The album kicks off with “Richland”. It’s an upbeat shuffle about the place where Cobb comes from called Elleville, GA. This is a small town in southwest Georgia and this song is about the life you’d find there. I really dig the harmonica work throughout the track and you can tell this will be a fun record right from the start. “Lavenders and Loving Gestures” is another highlight and it’s a wonderful break-up ballad. I really dig the pedal steel guitar throughout the track. This version of “Bar, Guitar and a Honky Tonk Crowd” plays more like a demo tape than the version Whiskey Myers recorded on their debut album. It’s still a great rocking tune though that plays into the southern rock sound you would find on Cobb’s Providence Canyon album.

“Black Bottle” continues the southern rock sound and it’s a tune that reminds me of some of the 90’s era grunge bands but more acoustic leaning than that era of rock could be. “Dirt Road In Georgia” is probably my favorite track on this record. This song really captures small town Georgia life better than most others who have tried. I dig the smoothness of this track and I can’t wait to hear a live version of this in the future. “Black Creek” is another smooth ballad on the album that is often a fan favorite. There is some great acoustic picking and it is a great example of the songwriting you would find on his bigger releases.

Even back in 2006, Brent Cobb was showing some promising talent. This re-release of his first album shows me that he will be around for a while whether he is doing a singer songwriter style or a low key southern rock style. You can see Brent Cobb on his acoustic tour if your date isn’t already sold out. I highly recommend seeing him live whether it is acoustic or with his band. You can find out where he will be here. The reissue of No Place Left To Leave is out everywhere as of Friday, February 07th, 2020.

Note: The Charlottesville, VA venue has since been upgraded to The Jefferson

Favorite Tracks : Richland, Lavenders and Loving Gestures, Bar, Guitar and a Honky Tonk Crowd, Black Bottle, Dirt Road In Georgia, Black Creek

Brent Cobb – No Place Left To Leave (2020)

Richland
No Place Left To Leave
Butterfly
Lavenders and Loving Gestures
Bar, Guitar and a Honky Tonk Crowd
Don’t Want To Leave
Black Bottle
Dirt Road In Georgia
Black Creek
Hold Me Closely

Album Feature – Possessed By Paul James – As We Go Wandering

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Feb 072020

By Joshua Wallace

I have been a fan of Possessed By Paul James for over ten years now. For those who are not familiar with his music, he is a multi instrumentalist who is a one man band live, but his later records are recorded with a full band. He plays guitar, fiddle and banjo and is an incredible vocalist. His live shows are truly an experience because you are focused on him as a performer and it draws you in. This album is a follow up to his 2013 release There Will Be Nights When I Am Lonely. Even though there are seven years apart from these releases, nothing has changed when it comes to the full band sound of Possessed By Paul James’s recorded output. Let’s take a look at some of my favorite tracks.

I particularly enjoy “In The Dark Of Morning”. It’s an upbeat acoustic tune with some really good fiddle work. It’s a song about running back home and particularly enjoy the line about “We’re running home to lovers or we’re running from our graves” which indicates the dual nature of running back home. You can either be going for good or bad reasons. Another standout is “I’m So Good At Absolutely Nothing”. It’s an awesome banjo tune that’s about accepting failure and facing it head on. “Dance With Me Tonight” starts off with some killer fiddle work on a simple tune about a man approaching a woman and asking her to dance and be with him as he thinks they were once lovers. The fiddle playing on this tune is great to dance to and I love that about this track.

Possessed By Paul James never disappoints with his albums, however his live show is where you will be blown away as he performs these songs solo with enough power and conviction to match anyone out there. You can often find PBPJ live at the Muddy Roots music festivals. If you are nowhere near those festivals, you can find his touring schedule at his website. He can’t always tour everywhere though as he is a special education teacher as well as an amazing musician. As We Go Wandering is out everywhere as of January 31st, 2020.

Favorite Tracks :Come Back In My Mind, In The Dark Of Morning, I’m So Good At Absolutely Nothing, When It Breaks, Dance With Me Tonight, I Didn’t Know You When

Possessed By Paul James – As We Go Wandering (2020)

Come Back In My Mind
In The Dark Of Morning
Your White Stained Dress
I’m So Good At Absolutely Nothing
I Come From SW Florida
Be At Rest
When It Breaks
Dance With Me Tonight
Don’t Tell Me
I Didn’t Know You When
Asleep With Both Eyes Open
As We Go Wandering

Album Feature – Tre Burt – Caught It From The Rye

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Feb 072020

By Joshua Wallace

I first came across the music of Tre Burt when he was announced as the newest artist signed to John Prine’s Oh Boy! Records. That will automatically put any artist on my radar as Oh Boy! Records is building a small but great roster of artists. Tre Burt’s sound is straight out of the 60’s folk scene. There’s a bit of a raspy quality to his voice that makes him stand out. This album is pure folk music with guitar, harmonica and sparse use of drums, keyboards and bass. I dig this sound and it’s something I want to hear more of.

The album kicks off with “What Good” which is a number that could come straight from an early Dylan record. It’s just Tre Burt and his guitar on a track that asks what good does the driving / flying / sailing do? I love the line “I’m but a passenger, I never said I understood”. I think we’ve all been at that place at some point. Another standout track is “Real You”. This was one of the pre-release singles that pulled me into the rest of the album. It’s one of the more upbeat tracks and one of the tracks to feature drums. It’s about searching for love and a real connection but maybe the other person isn’t feeling it. Finally, the “Last Hurrah” keeps the theme of relationships and looks at the end of one. It’s a bittersweet song looking back at what is lost while looking forward to what is to come. I really dig the harmonica work on this one as it’s some of the best on the record.

I love that Tre Burt’s sound is something you don’t hear much of anymore. It’s like a blast from the past and takes you right into a 60’s folk mindset while still being current. The raspy quality of his voice is great for this style of music as well. He’s one of few artists signed to John Prine’s Oh Boy! Records and I feel like he’s a good fit that helps diversify their small roster. Tre Burt is touring on a smaller scale right now and you can find out where he will be at his website. Caught It From The Rye is available everywhere as of Friday, January 31st, 2020.

Favorite Tracks : What Good, Undead God Of War, Only Sorrow Remains, Real You, Last Hurrah

Tre Burt – Caught It From The Rye (2020)

What Good
Caught It From The Rye
Undead God Of War
Franklin’s Tunnel (Feat. Sea Of Bees)
Only Sorrow Remains
Real You
Moth’s Crossing
Get It By Now Blues
Last Hurrah

Top 10 2020 Country Music Releases To Look Forward To

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Feb 062020

By Joshua Wallace

Feb. 7: Aubrie Sellers, Far From Home

We are big fans of Aubrie Sellers here at Gary Hayes Country. Her first album New City Blues introduced us to her low fi grungy brand of garage country and we’re looking forward to hearing more. I particularly dig “Drag You Down” from the pre-release singles.

Feb. 15: Billy Don Burns, The Country Blues

There is a new Billy Don Burns album out this month. While there is no pre-release single out yet, you can expect this album to be as real as it gets. A new Billy Don Burns album is always on our most anticipated albums list. This album includes some updated versions of some classic Billy Don Burns tunes such as “Runnin’ Drugs Out Of Mexico”, “Wild Dogs” and “Stranger”. “Wild Dogs” was recently covered by Colter Wall and “Stranger” was recently covered by Cody Jinks. Since there is no pre-release track from this ablum, I will include a link to hear the original version of “Runnin’ Drugs Out Of Mexico” from the Heroes, Friends and Other Troubled Souls album.

March 6: Brandy Clark, Your Life Is a Record

Brandy Clark is quickly becoming one of the top female country artists you should know. Her new album Your Life Is A Record promises more somber moments as indicated in pre-release tracks “Who You Thought I Was” and “I’ll Be The Sad Song”.

March 6: The Panhandlers, The Panhandlers

I think most of our Texas Red Dirt fans probably already have March 6th circled on their calendars. That is the release date for the new super-group The Panhandler’s debut self titled album. If you don’t know, this group features the likes of William Clark Green, Cleto Cordero, Josh Abbott and John Baumann. Check out the track “No Handle” for a preview.

March 27: Lilly Hiatt, Walking Proof

Lilly Hiatt’s 2017 album Trinity Lane was one of our favorites that year and her new record Walking Proof is probably going to continue that streak. Pre-release tracks “P-Town” and “Brightest Star” showcase a rock forward country sound.

April 3: Ashley McBryde, Never Will

This is a big one. If “A Little Dive Bar In Dahlonega” did big things for Ashley McBryde, “One Night Standards” and the trilogy of songs that it begins has been even bigger. I’m particularly a fan of the rocking murder ballad “Martha Divine” which is the middle part of that trilogy. This is one of our most anticipated albums of 2020.

April 3: Caleb Caudle, Better Hurry Up

Caleb Caudle is back with a follow up to his 2018 album Crushed Coins. This record was recorded with a bit of the soul of Johnny Cash at the Cash Cabin. The title track is out now and I’m really digging the sound he’s taking on with this one.

April 10: John Anderson, Years

One of the biggest surprises early this year was a new single from John Anderson. Years is an entirely new release produced by mega producer Dan Auerbach. Auerbach was already responsible for one of our favorite 2020 albums with Marcus King’s El Dorado. Some are comparing this record to Johnny Cash’s American Recordings albums and it could be a similar career revival for John Anderson. Check out the title track everywhere now.

April 18: Whey Jennings, Gypsy Soul

Whey Jennings has a new record coming out this year called Gypsy Soul. You might have heard of Waylon’s grandson as a touring act performing mostly cover songs and a few originals. As far as I can tell, this is his first recorded LP and I’m looking forward to hearing the entire record. The title track “Gypsy Soul” is out now and you can get a copy of the album at it’s album release show on April 18th at The Nashville Palace which is one of Whey’s favorite venues to play.

April 24: Whitney Rose, We Still Go To Rodeos

Finally, Whitney Rose has announced the follow up to her amazing 2017 album Rule 62. This one is titled We Still Go To Rodeos and you can hear the single “Believe Me, Angela” now. It’s not a typical cheating song in that it’s more about compassion than revenge. This has me looking forward to hearing the entire album in April.

The Inaugural Born And Raised Festival Has A Killer Lineup

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Feb 052020

By Joshua Wallace

The inaugural Born And Raised Festival has announced it’s lineup and this one might be worthy of a road trip. This festival is being held in Pryor, OK at the Rocklahoma Festival site.

Willie Nelson & Family and Hank Williams Jr. will headline a lineup featuring a lot of our favorite country singers. We have Jamey Johnson, Whiskey Myers, Blackberry Smoke, Margo Price, Shooter Jennings, Paul Cauthen, Mike and The Moonpies, Zach Bryan, Kendell Marvell, Elizabeth Cook and more on this amazing lineup. I hope they have minimal overlap between sets so folks can get a chance to see everyone they want to here. You can find out everything you need on the festival’s website. Tickets start at $89.50 and go on sale February 14th, 2020 at 10 am CT. This one is sure to sell out with that lineup. We will have more information here at Gary Hayes Country as it becomes available.

More Info On DelFest…And MORE TO COME!

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Feb 042020

DelFest Announces Initial Lineup for 2020

May 21-24 in Cumberland, MD

November 21, 2019 – Cumberland, MD – DelFest, the festival brainchild of Del McCoury and his extended McCoury family now in its 13th year, in partnership with High Sierra Music, announced an initial star-studded lineup today. Held at the Allegany County Fairgrounds in beautiful Cumberland, MD, DelFest originated from the desire to create a family-friendly music festival celebrating the rich legacy of McCoury music while creating a forum for world-class musical collaborations and to showcase fresh new talent. On May 21-24, 2020—Memorial Day Weekend—DelFest will stay true to their original mission statement with musical performances from The Del McCoury Band, The Travelin’ McCourys, Old Crow Medicine Show, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Béla Fleck & The Flecktones, Punch Brothers, Sam Bush, Billy Strings, Mandolin Orange, The Infamous Stringdusters, Sierra Hull, and emcee, Joe Craven with many more to be announced.

Fans are encouraged to take advantage of discounted Advance 4-Day passes which are available now at DelFest.com. All other passes including DELuxe VIP packages, on-site RV passes with and without hookups, and parking will go on-sale Dec. 3rd at 12p EST. Once again, DelFest Academy will serve as a prelude to the festival, taking place May 17-20 at the Allegany County Fairgrounds, with registration also opening on Dec. 3rd. The Academy is a 4-day instrument-specific deep dive led by The Travelin’ McCourys and other star players, and students of all ages and skill levels, from children to adults, are welcome.

Stay tuned for more artists and ticket information to be announced in the coming weeks. Relive the magic from DelFest 2019 with Osiris’ Brokedown Podcast who was on-site recording exclusive interviews with last year’s artists. Please visit DelFest.com for more information or to purchase discounted Advance 4-Day passes.

About DelFest:

Produced in association with High Sierra Music, the 13th Annual DelFest will again offer a quality festival experience stamped with the unique McCoury touch. Personally chosen by Del McCoury, the Allegany County Fairgrounds in Cumberland, MD serves as the perfect location for DelFest–nestled along the Potomac River in the scenic Appalachian Mountains, the Fairgrounds are convenient to four major airports and easily reached by rail or road. The city of Cumberland is also a great host, offering multiple hotel options, a charming downtown and great amenities including biking, a steam train engine and museum, and top-notch dining.

In addition to traditional stage sets by these world-class artists, attendees can again expect to see one-of-a-kind collaborations, special guest sit-ins, various tributes to Del McCoury and his musical legacy, intimate appearances, both at unique “playshops”—informal workshops where the emphasis will be on performance rather than instruction—and in late-night indoor performances and picking sessions.

Album Feature – Hayden Haddock – Red Dirt Texas

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Feb 032020

By Joshua Wallace

I first came across Hayden Haddock when I heard his track “Honky Tonk On” as a pre-release single for this record. As a first impression, it was a really good track. It reminded me of a cross between Aaron Watson and Randall King. Hayden Haddock certainly represents the red dirt sound perfectly. This is actually his second album that I can find. His first release was First Rodeo which was a seven song effort from 2018. Red Dirt Texas is the name of his new release and it’s a better effort in every way. There is better production across all ten tracks here and a more confident sound. Let’s dig into a few of my favorite tracks.

The album kicks off with the title track, “Red Dirt Texas”. It’s a great ode to Texas red dirt country and it’s a fun way to kick off the album that lets you know what you’re in for over the next thirty minutes. “Still Dancin’” is a great country love song and Hayden Haddock gets to showcase his smooth vocals on this track that would fit in nicely on any Aaron Watson record. “Honky Tonk On” is a good Texas honky tonk track. You can’t really go wrong with this one and it’s a perfect introduction to Haddock’s sound. Finally, “Take You Home” is a song about taking the right one home to mamma, but in a rocking country number. I dig the guitar work on this track and I’m sure it’s a live favorite.

Red Dirt Texas makes a great first impression to the music of Hayden Haddock. If you’ve never heard his music, I highly recommend giving it a spin. If you’re out in Texas, Hayden Haddock is playing live all over that state so there are plenty of chances to check him out live there. If you’re not in Texas, check out this new release and let us know what you think on social media. Red Dirt Texas is out everywhere as of Friday January 31st, 2020.

Favorite Tracks : Red Dirt Texas, Still Dancin’, Honky Tonk On, Whiskey Did You Miss Me, Take You Home

Hayden Haddock – Red Dirt Texas (2020)

Red Dirt Texas
Friends Like These
Where You Come In
Better Than It’s Ever Been
Still Dancin’
Honky Tonk On
One By One
Whiskey Did You Miss Me
Take You Home
America

2020 Massive List Of Festival Information.

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Feb 022020

This is an annual ongoing piece here on my website, because we cover SO MANY nationwide festivals per year, and also it’s becoming more difficult to print individual articles for 275 festivals. I still plan to relentlessly print and promote that many separately, and as they all reveal their lineups, I’ll follow suit.

ROMP: June 24-27th Kentucky

The 2020 ROMP Festival lineup will be announced very soon! Stay up-to-date with us on social media to get the inside scoop on all things ROMP. In addition to the special performance of LIVE from Here with Chris Thile, the 2020 LINEUP promises to make for another great weekend in Owensboro, KY! Stay tuned…

GET TICKETS

There are so many ways to contribute to ROMP Festival! We couldn’t do it without our tireless army of volunteers, street team members, and sponsors. To join the ROMP team, click below for more info.

GET INVOLVED

ROMP wouldn’t be ROMP without all the amazing food and craft vendors. Applications to vend at ROMP are now open! We strive to have healthy food options and hand-made arts & crafts to enhance the festival experience. Apply now!

APPLY NOW

Miss out on scoring some ROMP gear from previous festivals? Check out our sale on merchandise! We’re getting ready for ROMP 2020 and have discounted some very cool items still in stock. Score your swag today!

SHOP NOW

Rio Frio Fest: March 11- 15th Texas

Jan 16, 2020

PURCHASE TICKETS FOR RIO FRIO FEST HERE!

A TEXAS STYLE SPRING BREAK!

A GREAT VALUE

BIG RIVER LODGES

15+ CONCERTS

FREE SHUTTLES

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

Artists/Schedule Subject To Change: See RioFrioFest.com for Details

Pickathon: July 30th – August 2nd Oregon

2020 TICKETS ON SALE
SATURDAY AT 9AM!

Don’t miss out!

Here we go folks! Tickets to Pickathon 2020 are set to go one sale this Saturday at 9am. Set the alarms, drop it in your google calendar, blow the bugles, fire off a telegram! General admission tickets are going on sale, plus we’re going to release more RV, car camping, and tent package options. The festival lineup won’t be ready until early February, so this is your chance to beat the rush. Patron Passes are still available if you want to go HAM on Pickathon this year! We’ve mentioned before that Pickathon will look and feel completely different in 2020, and we promise you won’t want to miss out on this. So get your tickets and come on home this summer: www.pickathon.com/tickets

GET TICKETS

P.S. Limited number of Patron Passes still available!

A Patron Pass gets you:

• Full weekend ticket + Thursday Early Entry
• Full backstage access at every stage
• Free food all weekend and unlimited drinks at any bar
• Access to additional stages/exclusive secret session tapings
• Reserved VIP parking space
• Express check-in at the gate
• Exclusive early access to purchase accommodations

BECOME A PATRON PASS HOLDER

PICKATHON 2020 DATES

July 30-August 2 • Pendarvis Farm

Hoxeyville: August 14th – 16th Michigan
Camp Greensky: June Michigan

August 14-16, 2020

Grab your Hoxey Earlybirds before our artist announcement!

Lowest price available now

New Hoxey hats are in the store now

Save $55 off Camp Greensky gate prices now.

Last call before our artist announcement, coming soon!

Lock in your festival tickets

Thank you again for another wonderful year!

Forecastle: July 17-19th Kentucky

🚤 Lineup & Tickets Sail In Wednesday 2/12 🚤

It’s time to rock the boat! Your 2020 lineup arrives Wednesday, February 12th at 10am EST with 3-day tickets on sale at 12pm EST (same day)! Add a reminder to your calendar with the buttons below, and cruise around forecastlefest.com to get ready to secure your tickets. Check out on sale details and tips here.

Delfest: May 21st – 24th Maryland

More Acts Added!

We are thrilled to share our latest lineup additions to DelFest 2020! Please join us in welcoming Leftover Salmon, The Jerry Douglas Band, Anders Osborne & Jackie Greene, Molly Tuttle, The Lil Smokies, Della Mae, Cris Jacobs Band, Hot Club of Cowtown, Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen, The Broomestix, Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley , Steve Poltz, Sister Sadie, Lonesome River Band, Dré Anders, Twisted Pine, Fireside Collective, The Jakob’s Ferry Stragglers, Crying Uncle Bluegrass Band and Birches Bend!

You can listen to the full Lineup on our 2020 Spotify playlist!

Advance pricing is good through February 10th — get yours at the link below!

GET ADVANCE PASSES NOW!

DelFest Academy

DelFest Academy instructors have been announced! In addition to our Grammy-winning host band The Travelin’ McCourys [Rob McCoury (banjo), Ron McCoury (mandolin), Jason Carter (fiddle), Cody Kilby (guitar), Alan Bartram (bass)], our 2020 Instructors will also include Frank Solivan (mandolin) and Dirty Kitchen bandmate Mike Munford (banjo), Chris Luquette (guitar), Ronnie Bowman (guitar and vocals), Garnet Bowman (vocals) and Jay Starling (dobro).

DelFest Academy takes place May 17-20 at the Allegany County Fairgrounds. Registration is now open! LEARN MORE

Grey Fox Bluegrass: July 15th – 19th New York

As one decade ends and another begins, we thank
music lovers the world over for making Grey Fox
such a special time and place year after year.

We hope to see you all in Oak Hill, NY,
Wed, July 15 thru Sun, 19, 2020

• TICKETS ON SALE JANUARY 4TH •
Doorbuster Ticket Sale begins Saturday, Jan 4th at Noon.
$205 per person (age 13 and up). Kids 12 and under are free.
Ticket quantities are limited. When Doorbusters are sold out,
we’ll begin the Super Savers Sale at $225 per person.

On Saturday at noon, click here to buy tix:
https://greyfoxbluegrass.com/festival/tickets/

• 2020 VEHICLE PASSES •
Due to limited space, these prices are in effect for 2020.
Limit: One vehicle pass per full festival ticket.

On-Site Vehicle Pass: $50
This pass allows you to park your vehicle on site.
If you don’t need your vehicle near your campsite,
we encourage you to purchase a Car Corral pass
and park in the car corral across the street.

Car Corral Vehicle Pass: $20
Allows campers to drive in, unload, then park in car corral.
Vehicle passes limited to one per full festival ticket.
High Meadow Campers must purchase a car corral
vehicle pass and park in car corral.

• 2020 GREY FOX ARTIST IN RESIDENCE •

Jerry Douglas to perform three big days: July 16, 17 & 18
14-time Grammy winner, 3-time CMA Entertainer of the Year, and
National Endowment for the Arts Fellow. Photo by Vorobiov

Video: Douglas performing Little Martha.
https://youtu.be/3wqkXQWczPI

• WHEN & WHERE •
Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival takes place July 15-19, 2020
On the Walsh Farm in Oak Hill, New York
Albany: 40 mins / Syracuse: 2 hrs / NYC: 2.25 hrs
Boston: 3.5 hrs / Montreal: 4.5 hrs / Baltimore: 5 hrs• LINEUP COMING FEB 14 •
Hosted, as always, by Dry Branch Fire Squad.
Presenting over 40 bands on six stages.
Full lineup with bluegrass music’s top touring bands and
exciting, young emerging artists, will be announced on
Valentine’s Day, February 14. What’s not to love?• JOIN US •
Thousands of fans from over 30 states and a dozen countries
consider Grey Fox the place to be every third weekend in July.
Tickets and information at www.GreyFoxBluegrass.com.

Stay tuned for upcoming news about all things Grey Fox!

John Hartford Memorial Festival: May 27 – 30th Indiana

Recently Added Bands:

We just added the following sixteen bands to the 2020 roster – John Cowan & Songs From The Road Band Featuring Andy Thorn, Vince Herman as Artist at Large, Chicago Farmer & the Field Notes, Clare Brown, Deep Fried Pickle Project, Dan Andree Band, Ernie Hill’s Story Songs, Fox Crossing Stringband, Joe Kidd & Sheila Burke, Miles Over Mountains, Relic, Stillhouse Junkies, The Kay Brothers, The Misty Mountain String Band, White Lightning Boys, Will Kimble and Trina Emig. To view all the artist photos and bios click here. The Daily Lineup will be announced at a later date.

We Cap Tickets For Your Comfort:

Just like years past there is a ticket cap. We will continue to limit the amount of multi-day tickets sold to just 2,000 Full-Festival Tickets. This year the first tier (of three) multi-day tickets sold in a record 14 hours, and as of print the second tier has just 100 left. Last year the 2nd tier sold out as well. Pick up discounted tickets while they are available. We strive to create an exclusive, laidback, event. We are a family friendly, kid friendly, dog friendly, jam friendly, just plain friendly festival. Single Day tickets will go on sale around early March. Click Here to buy multi-day tickets.

Contest Info:

Applications are now open for both the John Hartford Memorial Band Contest and The Songwriter’s Challenge. Win cash prizes and more! All entrants will be considered for future bookings. We have booked many of the bands and songwriter’s that competed in previous years. Click Here to learn about the Band Contest and Click Here to learn about the Songwriter’s Challenge.


2019 Winner Good Morning Bedlam

Band Contest– The deadline for submissions is Midnight, CST, Feb 28. Judges will narrow down the qualified entries to a maximum of 12 finalist bands to compete live at JHMF10. Final contestants will be notified via email by Thursday, March 5. Any band that was booked at the 2019 festival is ineligible to enter, as well as all previous 1st place Band Contest winners. All entrants will be considered for future bookings. We have booked many of the bands that competed in previous contests.

1st Place Prize: $1000, a Hartford main stage slot at the 2021 John Hartford Memorial Festival.

2nd Place: $500

3rd Place: $300

4th Place: $200

1-4th place bands receive a custom designed and fabricated hardwood trophy.


	2019 Winner Barker Thompson, from St. Louis, MO.

Songwriter’s Challenge- We will stop accepting entries when we reach 40 compliant and complete entries or at Midnight CST, Feb 28, 2020, whichever comes first. Entrants will be prejudged and notified by March 21, 2020. Our top four winners will perform on Friday, May 29, in our Songwriter’s Challenge on the Hartford Stage, the House that Bill Monroe built. All compliant contestants will be considered for bookings at future events.

1st place wins $200.00, two full festival tickets, a slot in our Main Stage Songwriter’s Showcase, an invitation to return to the 2021 John Hartford Memorial Festival to perform your winning song during our 2021 Songwriting Contest Showcase and additional festival goodies.

2nd place wins $150, one full festival ticket, a slot in our Main Stage Songwriter’s Showcase and additional festival goodies.

3rd place wins $100, one full festival ticket, a slot in our Main Stage Songwriter’s Showcase and additional festival goodies.

4th place wins $50, one full festival ticket, a slot in our Main Stage Songwriter’s Showcase and additional festival goodies.

1-4th place songwriters receive a custom designed and fabricated hardwood trophy.

Free Primitive Tent Camping:

Don’t forget, for the first time ever, all 4-Day Full Festival ticket holders get free primitive tent camping. The campground and the facilities are maintained and operated by the Bill Monroe Memorial Music Park and Campground. Reservations are not required for primitive camping. For any additional questions about camping reservations, camping with hook-ups, or anything else regarding camping, call the Campground at (812) 988-6422.

Nestled in the beautiful hills of Brown County in Southern Indiana, in a little slice of heaven called Bean Blossom, the park is located on a 55-acre tract of land. Bill Monroe fell in love with this small town, and the property he owned, calling it his home away from home for more than forty years. Once you visit, you too will experience the magic of Bean Blossom. Come experience the history, become a part of tradition and find out why so many call this the Mecca of Bluegrass Music. The facilities are complete with hot showers, clean restrooms, coin laundry facility, two dump stations, a water park complete with a beach, rope swings, swim platform and a water slide; walking trails, assorted picnic tables, fire rings, and barbecue grills; large covered pavilion, camp store, gift shop, and museum (your festival wristband gets you in the museum).

Photo & Video Review:

Last year we had seven official photographers wandering the festival and capturing musical memories and superlative moments. Experience last year by checking out the hundreds of photos from 2019 that we archived on our past festival photo page. Click Here to view the images. Thanks again to the following photographers; Amanda Cannon, Danny “Hootenanny” Clark, Sara Compton, Matthew Hill, Will Huston, Aaron Ligenfelter and Troy Phillips.

Ace videographer Troy Phillips of Live Music Video Productions created this recap of the 2019 edition of the festival. If you’re new to our gathering consider this a great way to familiarize yourself with the vibe of the event. For those of you who were lucky enough to be in attendance press play and see if you can spot yourself.

See You May 27 – May 30, 2020:

Where in the world can you go to sit back, relax, leave your worries at the gate, enjoy the campground atmosphere and listen to or participate in campfire jamming? Where can you go to experience the most exciting, thoroughly entertaining bunch of pickers and singers ever assembled in the most laid back atmosphere in the country? Join us May 27 – May 30, in Bean Blossom, Indiana at the Bill Monroe Music Park & Campground for the 10th annual John Hartford Memorial Festival, “The Most Laid Back Festival in America!” That’s where it all takes place.

News from The Screamin’ Rebel Angels.

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Feb 012020

Right around now, I’m focusing on the Ameripolitan Awards and a bunch of Rockabilly bands that are nominated for awards there. The Honky Tonk bands that are being brought to Memphis by the mastermind himself Mr. Dale Watson.

This band here is from the Northeast region of America, and they are quite prevalent on the Muddy Roots Nashville Boogie, The New England Shake Up and MANY OTHER Rockabilly festivals. And they are an awesome stage presence for this website.

Their 2019 release “Heel Grinder” was on my MUST HAVE LIST of last year, and every time they get around in this area, I always go catch their show. Their new video is in this article and please go support Miss Laura’s Amerpolitan nomination, and all of their other festival appearances.

Hi Friends! NEW VIDEO ALERT! PRESS PLAY! Buckle in and get ready for our most colorful and high energy music video to date! Have a watch, share, subscribe and leave a comment! If you’re in Brooklyn, we are playing Knitting Factory 1/19 with Third Man Records recording artist Olivia Jean! We are also doing a limited run direct to vinyl session, and have 12 spots left! Have a read, and see ya on your screen! <3 Laura Palmer

Screamin’ Rebel Angels – Baby Gets Down (Official Music Video)

Click the above link to watch Screamin’ Rebel Angels new music Video for “Baby Gets Down!” It’s a whirlwind of energy, color and wild rock ‘n roll! Shot at Roxy and Dukes Roadhouse, Cinematography by D.C. DuFrane, Edited and Directed by Laura Palmer

If you are in Brooklyn on Sunday January 19th, (tomorrow! ahhh!) come see us at Knitting Factory with Olivia Jean and Joey Slater!

SUN FEB 2: DIRECT TO VINYL LIVE SESSION
SAT FEB 8TH: THE SQUARE ROOT, ROSLINDALE, MA
SAT FEB 15TH: LAURA PALMER SOLO SHOW AT THE IRIDIUM PRESENTS ANNA COPA CABANA’S MIDNIGHT SHOW AT BLUE RIBBON, NYC
FRI FEB 21: THE AMERIPOLITAN AWARDS, WELCOME TO MEMPHIS SHOW WITH BLOODSHOT BILL MEMPHIS, TN
MON FEB 24: THE AMERIPOLITAN AWARDS CEREMONEY, MEMPHIS, TN
SAT FEB 29: GET WEIRD, OTTO’S NYC
SAT APRIL 11: VIVA LAS VEGAS ROCKABILLY WEEKENDER
SAT APRIL 25: SLED FEST 2020
MAY 9: ROCK ‘N ROLL RAMPAGE
THU JUN 10: SCREAMIN’ FESTIVAL SPAIN
JUNE 27: MOTO BLOT CHICAGO
JULY 11TH: VIVA EAST ROCKABILLY WEEKENDER

The‌ ‌Bell‌ ‌Theater:‌ ‌Kentucky’s‌ ‌Best‌ ‌small‌ ‌Venue‌ ‌You‌ ‌Are‌ ‌Sleeping‌ ‌On.‌

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Jan 302020

The‌ ‌Bell‌ ‌Theater:‌ ‌Kentucky’s‌ ‌Best‌ ‌small‌ ‌Venue‌ ‌You‌ ‌Are‌ ‌Sleeping‌ ‌On.‌ ‌

Donnie‌ ‌Shelley‌ ‌

‌

The‌ ‌Bell‌ ‌Theater‌ ‌located‌ ‌in‌ ‌Bell‌ ‌County’s‌ ‌Pineville.‌ ‌Scenic‌ ‌Pineville‌ ‌is‌ ‌1.7‌ ‌square‌ ‌miles‌ ‌located‌ ‌between‌ ‌the‌ ‌Cumberland‌ ‌River‌ ‌and‌ ‌Pine‌ ‌Mountain.‌ ‌Amongst‌ ‌the‌ ‌beautiful‌ ‌Eastern‌ ‌Kentucky‌ ‌landscape‌ ‌sits‌ ‌The‌ ‌Bell‌ ‌Theater.‌ ‌

The‌ ‌following‌ ‌read‌ ‌isn’t‌ ‌going‌ ‌to‌ ‌be‌ ‌exactly‌ ‌what‌ ‌garyhayescountry.com‌ ‌readers‌ ‌are‌ ‌accustomed‌ ‌to, ‌I‌ ‌hope‌ ‌the‌ ‌readers‌ ‌find‌ ‌this‌ ‌to‌ ‌be‌ ‌important‌ ‌or‌ ‌at‌ ‌least‌ ‌interesting.‌ ‌ ‌

‌

On‌ ‌saturday‌ ‌january‌ ‌11th‌ ‌2020‌ ‌I‌ ‌was‌ ‌fortunate‌ ‌enough‌ ‌to‌ ‌make‌ ‌the‌ ‌3,5‌ ‌hour‌ ‌drive‌ ‌down‌ ‌to‌ ‌Bell‌ ‌Counties‌

‌Pineville.‌ I‌ ‌came‌ ‌close‌ ‌to‌ ‌staying‌ ‌home‌ ‌due‌ ‌to‌ ‌weather.‌ ‌It‌ ‌poured‌ ‌rain‌ ‌the‌ ‌entire‌ ‌drive.‌ ‌Hard‌ ‌heavy‌ ‌blinding‌ ‌downpours‌ ‌wouldn’t‌ ‌keep‌ ‌me‌ ‌from‌ The Bell Theater ‌hosting‌ ‌Ronee Napier,‌ ‌Morgan Wade,‌ ‌and‌ ‌Kelsey Waldon.‌ ‌

In‌ ‌most‌ ‌cases‌ ‌this‌ ‌is‌ ‌where‌ ‌the‌ ‌show‌ ‌review‌ ‌would‌ ‌begin.‌ ‌We‌ ‌will‌ ‌get‌ ‌to‌ ‌that‌ ‌in‌ ‌a‌ ‌bit‌ ‌.‌ ‌First‌ ‌I‌ ‌would‌ ‌like‌ ‌to‌ ‌

spend‌ ‌a‌ ‌little‌ ‌time‌ ‌on‌ ‌Pineville‌ ‌and‌ ‌The‌ ‌Bell‌ ‌theater.‌ ‌They‌ ‌both‌ ‌have‌ ‌an‌ ‌interesting‌ ‌story‌ ‌to‌ ‌tell.‌ ‌ ‌

‌

Scenic‌ ‌Pineville‌ ‌Kentucky‌ ‌is‌ ‌situated‌ ‌on‌ ‌a‌ ‌small‌ ‌1.7‌ ‌square‌ ‌mile‌ ‌area‌ ‌between‌ ‌The‌ ‌Cumberland‌ ‌River‌ ‌and‌ ‌Pine‌ ‌Mountain.‌ ‌Housing‌ ‌a‌ ‌population‌ ‌of‌ ‌less‌ ‌than‌ ‌2000‌ ‌people.‌ ‌Pineville‌ ‌is‌ ‌one‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌oldest‌ ‌settlements‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌Commonwealth.‌ ‌In‌ ‌1977‌ ‌the‌ ‌floodwall‌ ‌constructed‌ ‌in‌ ‌1952‌ ‌was‌ ‌overtaken‌ ‌by‌ ‌floodwaters‌ ‌destroying‌ ‌or‌ ‌damaging‌ ‌200‌ ‌homes.‌ ‌ ‌

‌

The‌ ‌Bell‌ ‌Theater‌ ‌was‌ ‌constructed‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌late‌ ‌1930’s.‌ ‌The‌ ‌original‌ ‌construction‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌building‌ ‌housing‌ ‌the‌ ‌Theater‌ ‌consisted‌ ‌of‌ ‌two‌ ‌commercial‌ ‌spaces‌ ‌on‌ ‌either‌ ‌side‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌art‌ ‌deco‌ ‌auditoriums‌ ‌entryway‌ ‌and‌ ‌ticket‌ ‌booth.‌ ‌The‌ ‌auditorium‌ ‌opened‌ ‌as‌ ‌a‌ ‌single‌ ‌screen‌ ‌movie‌ ‌theater.‌ ‌The‌ ‌Bell‌ ‌showed‌ ‌movies‌ ‌until‌ ‌1971.‌ ‌The‌ ‌1977‌

flooding‌ ‌forced‌ ‌the‌ ‌County‌ ‌Clerk’s‌ ‌office‌ ‌to‌ ‌relocate‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌second‌ ‌floor‌ ‌area‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌Bell‌ ‌Theater‌ ‌with‌ ‌Auditorium‌ ‌remaining‌ ‌unused.‌ ‌The‌ ‌auditorium‌ ‌sat‌ ‌dark,‌ ‌then‌ ‌she‌ ‌sat‌ ‌dark‌ ‌and‌ ‌caked‌ ‌with‌ ‌flood‌ ‌mud‌ ‌for‌ ‌over‌ ‌forty‌ ‌years.‌ ‌ ‌

‌

What‌ ‌happens‌ ‌next‌ ‌is‌ ‌what‌ ‌excites‌ ‌me.‌ ‌Moved‌ ‌me‌ ‌to‌ ‌write‌ ‌this‌ ‌piece.‌ ‌ ‌It‌ ‌would‌ ‌have‌ ‌been‌ ‌easy‌ ‌to‌ ‌bring‌ ‌in‌ ‌equipment‌ ‌to‌ ‌level‌ ‌the‌ ‌vintage‌ ‌building‌ ‌to‌ ‌rubble.‌ ‌ And‌ ‌haul‌ ‌away‌ ‌a‌ ‌piece‌ ‌of‌ ‌pinevilles‌ ‌history‌ ‌and‌ ‌the‌ ‌memories‌ ‌of‌ ‌many‌ ‌generations‌ ‌of‌ ‌its‌ ‌residents.‌ ‌Truck‌ ‌load‌ ‌by‌ ‌truck‌ ‌load.‌ ‌Fortunately‌ ‌that‌ ‌is‌ ‌not‌ ‌eastern‌ ‌kentucky‌ ‌style.‌ ‌It’s‌ ‌

just‌ ‌not‌ ‌how‌ ‌life‌ ‌is‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌appalachian‌ ‌region.‌ ‌Folks‌ ‌from‌ ‌this‌ ‌area‌ ‌still‌ ‌believe‌ ‌in‌ ‌a‌ ‌way‌ ‌of‌ ‌ life‌ ‌long‌ ‌passed‌ ‌most‌ ‌places.‌ ‌These‌ ‌folks‌ ‌believe‌ ‌in‌ ‌repairing‌ ‌what‌ ‌can‌ ‌be.‌ ‌They‌ ‌know‌ ‌the‌ ‌worth‌ ‌of‌ ‌rolling‌ ‌up‌ ‌their‌ ‌sleeves‌ ‌and‌ ‌get‌ ‌their‌ ‌hands‌ ‌dirty.‌ ‌They‌ ‌understand‌ ‌that‌ ‌there‌ ‌is‌ ‌only‌ ‌so‌ ‌much‌ ‌history‌ ‌left‌ ‌yet‌ ‌to‌ ‌be‌ ‌torn‌ ‌down‌ ‌leaving‌ ‌only‌ ‌fading‌ ‌memories‌ ‌of‌ ‌its‌ ‌existence.‌ ‌ ‌

‌

Pineville‌ ‌has‌ ‌found‌ ‌a‌ ‌way‌ ‌to‌ ‌combine‌ ‌a‌ ‌piece‌ ‌of‌ ‌its‌ ‌history‌ ‌with‌ ‌Eastern‌ ‌Kentucky’s‌ ‌New‌ ‌number‌ ‌one‌ ‌resource,‌ ‌Music.‌ ‌In‌ ‌a‌ ‌both‌ ‌sides‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌coin‌ ‌way.‌ ‌Refusing‌ ‌change‌ ‌by‌ ‌resurrecting‌ ‌a‌ ‌venue.‌ ‌While‌ ‌simultaneously‌ ‌embracing‌ ‌the‌ ‌economic‌ ‌changing‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌guard‌ ‌from‌ ‌coal‌ ‌to‌ ‌music.‌ ‌In‌ ‌eastern‌ ‌kentucky‌ ‌fashion‌ ‌by‌ ‌choosing‌ ‌to‌ ‌bring‌ ‌live‌ ‌back‌ ‌to‌ ‌a‌ ‌piece‌ ‌of‌ ‌history‌ ‌with‌ ‌minimal‌ ‌change‌ ‌from‌ ‌its‌ ‌beginings.‌ ‌Instead‌ ‌of‌ ‌huge‌ ‌remodles‌ ‌full‌ ‌of‌ ‌posh‌ ‌eminities‌ ‌designed‌ ‌to‌ ‌draw‌ ‌upcharge‌ ‌revenue.‌The‌ ‌Bell‌‌ doesnt‌’ ‌need‌ ‌to‌ ‌provide‌ ‌these‌ ‌things.‌ ‌

It‌ ‌provides‌ ‌something‌ ‌much‌ ‌better‌ ‌and‌ ‌harder‌ ‌to‌‌find.‌ ‌A‌ ‌very‌ ‌intimate‌ ‌live‌ ‌music‌ ‌experience.‌ ‌Seating‌ ‌occupancy‌ ‌314‌ ‌general‌ ‌admission‌‌with‌ ‌standing‌ ‌floor‌ ‌area‌ ‌370.‌ ‌Every‌ ‌live‌ ‌music‌ ‌addicts‌ ‌personal‌ ‌heaven.‌ ‌in‌ ‌a‌ ‌small‌‌authentic ‌Eastern‌ ‌Kentucky‌ ‌vintage‌ ‌venue‌ ‌to‌ ‌boot.‌ ‌Thats‌ ‌worth‌ ‌more‌ ‌than‌ ‌a‌ ‌fast‌ ‌lane‌‌entry ‌pass‌ ‌or‌ ‌Vip‌ ‌bar‌ ‌could‌ ‌ever‌ ‌be.‌ ‌

Management‌ ‌are‌ ‌killing‌ ‌by‌ ‌bringing‌ ‌current‌‌ relevant ‌artists‌ ‌to‌ ‌Pineville‌ ‌a‌ ‌mix‌ ‌of‌ ‌established‌ ‌nationally ‌touring‌ ‌artists‌ ‌as‌ ‌well‌ ‌as‌ ‌artist‌‌ from‌ ‌the‌ ‌hot‌ ‌up‌ ‌and‌ ‌comming‌ ‌scene.‌ ‌These‌ ‌ingredients‌ ‌make‌ ‌The‌ ‌Bell‌ ‌Theater‌ ‌is‌ ‌a‌ ‌Fans‌‌venue.‌ ‌One‌ ‌that‌ ‌should‌ ‌be‌ ‌on‌ ‌ones‌ ‌short‌ ‌list‌ ‌of‌ ‌venues‌ ‌to‌ ‌visit.‌‌‌

‌

The‌ ‌main‌ ‌reason‌ ‌I ‌felt‌ ‌compled‌ ‌to‌ ‌use‌ ‌my‌ ‌small‌ ‌voice‌ ‌to‌ ‌talk‌ ‌about‌ ‌The‌ ‌Bell‌‌Theater‌ ‌is‌ ‌the‌ ‌fact‌ ‌that‌ ‌nobody‌ ‌else‌ ‌is.‌ ‌There‌ ‌isnt‌ ‌a‌ ‌lot‌ ‌a‌ ‌buzz‌ ‌about‌ ‌what‌ ‌is‌ ‌going‌ ‌on‌‌there‌ ‌outside‌ ‌of‌ ‌Bell‌ ‌County‌ ‌and‌ ‌a‌ ‌small‌ ‌tight‌ ‌circle‌ ‌of‌ ‌true‌ ‌music‌ ‌loving‌ ‌individuals‌ ‌that‌‌call‌ ‌themselves‌ ‌family.‌ ‌That‌ ‌simply‌ ‌does‌ ‌not‌ ‌sit‌ ‌well‌ ‌with‌ ‌me.‌ ‌I‌ ‌hear‌ ‌people‌ ‌say‌ ‌“Support‌‌ live‌ ‌music.‌ ‌Support‌ ‌local‌ ‌music‌ ‌venues.”‌ These‌ ‌statements‌ ‌seem‌ ‌to‌ ‌mean‌ ‌more‌ ‌to‌‌myself‌ ‌than‌ ‌they‌ ‌do‌ ‌to‌ ‌a‌ ‌lot‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌others‌ ‌using‌ ‌them.‌ ‌I‌ ‌dont‌ ‌consider‌ ‌complaining‌ ‌about‌‌what‌ ‌mainstream‌ ‌radio‌ ‌is‌ ‌playing,‌ ‌or‌ ‌how‌ ‌Nashville‌ ‌is‌ ‌destroying‌ ‌the‌ ‌music‌ ‌scene‌‌ supporting‌ ‌a‌ ‌damn‌ ‌thing.‌ ‌

Cutting‌ ‌down‌ ‌throwing‌ ‌out‌ ‌negitave‌ ‌commentary‌ ‌about‌ ‌the‌‌artists‌ ‌and‌ ‌music‌ ‌you‌ ‌dislike‌ ‌is‌ ‌time‌ ‌and‌ ‌energy‌ ‌wasted‌ ‌that‌ ‌would‌ ‌be‌ ‌better‌ ‌spent‌‌promoting‌ ‌what‌ ‌you‌ ‌love‌ ‌and‌ ‌enjoy.‌ ‌To‌ ‌activly‌ ‌support‌ ‌and‌ ‌help‌ ‌build‌ ‌something‌ ‌or‌‌someone‌ ‌up‌ ‌can‌ ‌only‌ ‌be‌ ‌achieved‌ ‌thru‌ ‌positive‌ ‌channels..‌ ‌I‌ ‌cant‌ ‌recall‌ ‌anything‌ ‌rising‌ ‌up‌‌, and‌ ‌doing‌ ‌well‌ ‌from‌ ‌bashing‌ ‌something‌ ‌else.‌ ‌This‌ ‌is‌ ‌a‌ ‌trend‌ ‌that‌ ‌needs‌ ‌to‌ ‌stop.‌‌‌

Bottom‌ ‌line‌ ‌is‌ ‌The‌ ‌Bell‌ ‌Theater‌ ‌is‌ ‌providing‌ ‌something‌ ‌that‌ ‌most‌ ‌music‌ ‌loving‌‌people‌ ‌are‌ ‌asking‌ ‌for.‌ ‌They‌ ‌are‌ ‌doing‌ ‌their‌ ‌part,‌ ‌well.‌ ‌Its‌ ‌up‌ ‌to‌ ‌us‌ ‌and‌ ‌only‌ ‌us‌ ‌to‌ ‌do‌ ‌our‌‌part.‌ ‌Otherwise‌ ‌it‌ ‌will‌ ‌not‌ ‌survive.‌ ‌

The‌ ‌Bell‌ ‌can‌ ‌not‌ ‌contine‌ ‌to‌ ‌bring‌ ‌us‌ ‌live‌ ‌music‌ ‌from‌‌relavant‌ ‌artist‌ ‌without‌ ‌our‌ ‌support.‌ ‌Let‌ ‌me‌ ‌define‌ ‌support‌ ‌for‌ ‌those‌ ‌who‌ ‌seem‌ ‌to‌ ‌be‌‌confused‌ ‌as‌ ‌to‌ ‌what‌ ‌it‌ ‌actualy‌ ‌is.‌ ‌Attendance‌ ‌spending‌ ‌monies‌ ‌on‌ ‌tickets‌ ‌to‌ ‌shows.‌‌ Spending‌ ‌money‌ ‌on‌ ‌beer‌ ‌while‌ ‌attending‌ ‌the‌ ‌shows.‌ ‌A‌ ‌simple‌ ‌donation‌ ‌of‌ ‌whatever‌ ‌you‌‌can‌ ‌spare‌ ‌on‌ ‌the‌ ‌way‌ ‌out‌ ‌the‌ ‌doors.‌ ‌This‌ ‌is‌ ‌how‌ ‌you‌ ‌support‌ ‌a‌ ‌small‌ ‌independant‌ ‌venue.‌

‌

Clicking‌ ‌an‌ ‌“interested”‌ ‌buttion‌ ‌on‌ ‌a‌ ‌social‌ ‌media‌ ‌event‌ ‌page‌ ‌and‌ ‌sitting‌ ‌on‌ ‌the‌ ‌couch‌‌waiting‌ ‌on‌ ‌a‌ ‌live‌ ‌feed‌ ‌isnt‌ ‌doing‌ ‌a‌ ‌thing‌ ‌to‌ ‌support‌ ‌artists,‌ ‌live‌ ‌music,‌ ‌or‌ ‌venues.‌ ‌There‌ ‌is‌‌a‌ ‌lot‌ ‌more‌ ‌at‌ ‌stake‌ ‌than‌ ‌the‌ ‌possibility‌ ‌of‌ ‌a‌ ‌venue‌ ‌closing‌ ‌its‌ ‌doors.‌ ‌I‌ ‌Challenge‌‌everyone‌ ‌to‌ ‌attend‌ ‌one‌ ‌Bell‌ ‌Theater‌ ‌show.‌ ‌Im‌ ‌positive‌ ‌it‌ ‌will‌ ‌not‌ ‌be‌ ‌your‌ ‌last.‌‌

‌

‌“Music‌ ‌gives‌ ‌a‌ ‌soul‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌universe,‌ ‌wings‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌mind,‌ ‌flight‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌imagination,‌ ‌and‌ ‌life‌‌

to‌ ‌everything.”‌ ‌Plato‌‌

‌

Skinnerback‌‌

Ladies Night: At The Bell Theater Donnie Shelley

On January 11th, 2020 I made the trip down to Pineville Kentucky in torrential downpour rain. The Bell Theater was hosting an all-female bill. Ronee Napier, Morgan Wade, and Kelsey Waldon all brought their talents to the Bells stage. I had been looking forward to this show since it had been announced. It definitely measured up to my expectations. The Bell theater is one of my favorite venues to experience live music in. For many reasons outlined in a previous piece.

I arrived at the Bells door quite a bit early. I generally arrive early for every show at every venue I attend. It was chilly and still raining as a small group of individuals congregated near the venue doors. It was not long before management pulled us in out of the weather before the official Time for doors. It is not hard to see why I love the Bell Theater. We make our way in and find a spot to take in the show.

Ronee Napier was on the bill as an opening support artist. I had never heard of her before seeing it on the show posters that night. The MC introduced her as a friend of his wife and local talent. The Bell Theater had invited her to open the show. This also happened to be her very first time stepping on a venue stage to play and sing songs for people. She brought some accompaniments along in the form of her fiddle playing uncle Elias Collett.

I could see she was a bit nervous as she was handed over the stage following her introduction. You could hear it in her voice as she introduced her uncle Elias. Those nerves faded away after the first verse of her cover of The Way I am. By her 3rd song, the Dixie Chicks song Travelin’ Soldier Ronee had taken command of the stage as she captured the undivided attention from all in attendance. Following this cover with 3 more covers (setlist listed below).

Ronee and Elias then truly showed they had plenty of guts and even more, heart when they lead into a cover of You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive. This could have gone south for the duo quickly. A bold and risky move in this area. The pair undeniably owned this song. They received a standing ovation. You could see the delight in Ronee’s expression as she soaked in the thunderous applause. She thanked the crowd before she shared the story of how her sister asked her how she was going to play this show without an original song in her catalog.

Ronee stated that she informed her sister that “I ain’t no songwriter.” with encouragement and idea swapping from her sister. The siblings proceeded to write an original. 24 hours before her stage debut. She began strumming her guitar to the tune of her original work Burnin’ Like Bourbon. For a song less than 24 hours old. Written by two people who had never claimed to be songwriters. Their original song stood up. Was it perfection? No, was it exactly what it needed to be in that exact moment? Possibly. I believe it to be the song that proved to Ronee maybe she is a songwriter after all.

Did we just witness a local woman fulfill a lifelong dream of playing a few songs on stage opening a show for Due paying musicians? Alternatively, did we just witness a spark ignited in a woman who decides to write some original songs and begin the attempt to forge a career singing the songs she loves as well as the songs that fabricate the story of her life? Only Ronee can answer those questions.

Ronee Napier Setlist

The Way I Am

When the Mountains Cry

Travelin’ Soldier

Bobby McGee

Hurt

Youll Never Leave Harlan Alive

Burnin’ Like Bourbon (original)

Next up would be Morgan Wade. What can I say about Morgan and her songwriting? her ability to put her songs in your soul, to make you feel the place her songs were written from. The passion in her lyrics can not be faked. These songs are genuine and directly from her heart and soul. watching her perform her songs on stage it is obvious they are coming from a real place, a real experience, a real person. These are not fictional tales spun by a made-up persona that only emerges when she shoulders her guitar and steps up to a microphone in a stage’s spotlight.

These are not just songs she sings for our enjoyment to pay a utility bill. It is as important for her to be singing these songs to her fans as it is for her fans to hear them. Morgan is a special talent that does not come along very often. Morgans music has no ceiling in my honest opinion. The only limit to her success is up to her. I believe she can take her career to any level she desires.

I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Morgan’s set was to be with her full band, The Stepbrothers. The five-piece band steps out on the Bell Theater stage to play their first show of 2020. The vibe was full of excitement, electric and upbeat. It was apparent that Morgan was the draw on this night. Morgan touched on the social media subject of the day. The “you are so much prettier when you smile” ramblings.

She also shared with the crowd that a lengthy phone conversation with her family back home centered around her not smiling sufficiently. Was responsible for the lack of an official set list being worked up. She would turn to the band members with the next song to be played. This did not have any effect on the flow of their set.

The Stepbrothers brought their A-game to Pineville Saturday night. They were tight, fluid, and high energy. Bringing along a great visual aspect and stage presence that definitely complemented the audible experience of their set. Morgan Wade and The Stepbrothers stole the show in Pineville Saturday night.

No disrespect to Kelsey Waldon intended. The headlining artist, Kelsey Waldon released a solid album in 2019 on John Prine’s Oh Boy label. It landed itself in my top 10 albums of the year. It has been in many people’s “Top Albums of 2019 lists. Kelsey played a nearly perfect set. A solid performance. Showcasing her Excellent songwriting talents. Her vocals emerged as the stand out of the set. Her band is assembled with solid and talented musicians.

My only complaint with the headliners set was The bands’ stage presence. Essentially, a good stage presence pulls the audience into the performance. This did not happen to me. There was not a bit of excitement from the band. They seemed “robotic”. However, I will always give credit where credit is due. Musicians can be
talented and skilled at their craft without exceptional stage presence. Kelsey’s band members are all talented, skilled and disciplined musicians. Unfortunately, stage presence will always be the deciding factor between a decent performance and a great performance.

The night was loaded with talent and terrific music provided by all the artists. I did not leave Pineville disappointed. It is hard to leave eastern Kentucky in bad spirits. When It assembles that amount of talent. It provides an intimate location to showcase it, with friendly accommodating salt of the earth folks making up the staff. It is Impossible.

Thank you to Kentucky, Bell County, Pineville, and The Bell Theater.

Live Review – Mike and The Moonpies In Macon, GA

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Jan 292020

By Joshua Wallace

Photography By Joshua Wallace

I was able to see Mike and The Moonpies live in Macon, GA on January 25th, 2020 which was a Saturday night. This concert was at The Creek Stage at The Rookery which is a restaurant in Macon. They convert a dining room into a concert hall when they have concerts scheduled. It’s a very intimate venue and a very unique setting. I hope to go back to The Rookery sometime soon to eat as it looked like a very good restaurant. I arrived at 09:30pm on a Saturday night and it was packed. You can’t say that about many places these days. This show was actually billed as the after party for a show that was happening at the Hargray Capitol Theater which is down the street from The Rookery. That show was Robert Earl Keen with Aubrie Sellers as the opening act. I was only here for Mike and The Moonpies though and they got things kicked off at 10:45 pm with no opener. The small room filled out pretty quickly. The Moonpies put on a great show as they always do. This band gets better every time I see them.

The band kicked things off with “Smoke ‘Em If You Got ‘Em” and “Damn Strait”, the latter of which is my favorite track off The Hard Way album and is always fun to hear live. When the band got into “Getting High At Home” and “Steak Night At The Prairie Rose”, you could tell this would be a fun crowd as they were singing along with both songs. In fact, this crowd favored pretty much everything from Steak Night At The Prairie Rose and the new album Cheap Silver and Solid Country Gold. The band still played through the older stuff and I especially loved hearing “El Camino” from their The Real Country album. We got a great Merle Haggard cover with “Working Man Blues” before the band got into material from the new record.

I was happy to hear “Young In Love” and “Miss Fortune” live this time. I feel like those are two underrated tracks from the stellar new album. “You Look Good In Neon” was another hit with the crowd as it turned into a sing-a-long. This was amazing as the last time I had heard this song live, the record was barely out and no one knew the track. You could say the same for “Danger” too which is another mega popular track from the new album. “Beaches Of Biloxi” is also always a popular live track with bass player Omar’s seemingly random crowd participation bits. The band then got to the title tracks of both 2012’s The Hard Way and the new album Cheap Silver and Solid Country Gold. The latter of which was another sing-along with the crowd. From there, they did “London Homesick Blues” and their cover of Fastball’s “The Way”. I used to love that song back in the 90’s and until Mike and The Moonpies did it, I had not heard it in a long time.

The band did a great version of “Bottled Beer” off their first album which concluded with Omar’s tease of the famous bass line from Metallica’s “For Whom The Bell Tolls”. The fans that know that song always pop for it. They wrapped up the regular set with “We’re Gone” and “The Real Country”. The band played a great closing jam before coming back to the stage for covers of Townes Van Zandt’s “Pancho and Lefty” and Rusty Weir’s “Don’t It Make You Wanna Dance”.

I highly recommend seeing this band live in smaller venues while you have the chance. I don’t think we will have that opportunity for very long. This band is a very tight live band and they have such a charismatic stage presence that not many have right now. Omar Oyoque is one of the best bass players you can find in a country band and is a highlight of every show. Mike and The Moonpies are currently playing in Key West, FL as part of Mile 0 Fest. If you’re in the southeast, your next chance to see them will be at the Standard Deluxe in Waverly, AL for the 20th Anniversary of the “Old 280” Boogie on April 18th. You can find details of that event here and check out the band’s website for more tour information and where you can find out when they are coming near you.

The Dead South Invades The Caverns And Info On Bluegrass Underground PBS Taping.

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Jan 282020

Coming to The Caverns

The Dead South

with The Rev Peyton’s Big Damn Band

Saturday, October 3

Tickets go on sale this Friday at 10a CT

A rock band without a drummer, a bluegrass band without a fiddler. To the gentlemen of The Dead South, a self-styled 4-piece string band from Regina, Saskatchewan, it’s about how, not what, you play. The Dead South’s combination of cello, mandolin, guitar and banjo has all the hallmarks of a group tuned to bygone times, but with their signature sleight of hand, The Dead South find distinctly modern bathos in this old time rigging.

The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band has built its reputation the long, slow, hard way. After 12 years of playing as many as 300 shows each year, Rev. Peyton, the world’s foremost country blues finger-style picker, along with the biggest little band in the country has pieced together one of the most dedicated followings out there.

Don’t miss The Dead South with the Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band on Saturday, October 3 in The Caverns. Get your tickets this Friday at 10a CT.

RSVP on Facebook

TICKET PAGE

The Dead South - In Hell I'll Be In Good Company [Official Music Video]

Check out The Dead South’s video for “In Hell I’ll Be In Good Company”

Raise A Little Hell - Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band

Watch the video for “Raise A Little Hell” by The Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band

Go VIP with a Stay and Cave Package

The Caverns - Enjoy a Stay-and-Cave Package

Our Stay and Cave packages include two lodging options. Stay on Monteagle Mountain, or in the Manchester valley. Additionally, you’ll receive ground transportation to and from the venue, food vouchers, merchandise from The Caverns, the best views of the stage from inside the cave, and a dedicated representative to ensure your experience is all that it can be.

SEE PACKAGES

Bluegrass Underground PBS TV Taping

March 27-29, 2020

Epic 3-Day Bluegrass Underground event is a music festival underground with the very best in American roots music.

GET A 3-DAY PACKAGE

Jam-packed into one epic weekend of underground concerts, the Bluegrass Underground PBS TV taping will treat audiences to performances by bonafide legends like Asleep At The Wheel and Blind Boys of Alabama, rising stars like groove-driven jam band Goose, psychedelic soul Black Pumas, cutting-edge singer-songwriters Cam, Yola and Sam Lewis, harmonious duos Mandolin Orange and three-time GRAMMY nominated Milk Carton Kids as well as instrumental fireworks from bluegrass phenom, Molly Tuttle, and a surprise act to be announced in the coming weeks.

FRIDAY

MARCH 27

Molly Tuttle
Goose
Cam
Asleep At The Wheel

FRIDAY TICKETS

SATURDAY

MARCH 28

The Milk Carton Kids
Sam Lewis
TBA

SATURDAY TICKETS

SUNDAY

MARCH 29

Mandolin Orange
Black Pumas
Blind Boys of Alabama
Yola

SUNDAY TICKETS

Bluegrass Underground is underwritten on PBS by Tennessee Tourism and by Grundy County, TN. The 12 episode series is presented to PBS nationally in partnership with WCTE in Cookeville, TN, which serves the Upper Cumberland and Middle Tennessee.

Three million years in the making, The Caverns welcomes all to the historic Season X taping of the iconic PBS television series, Bluegrass Underground.

UPCOMING SHOWS

Sat, Feb 13 – Umphrey’s McGee – Show Info – SOLD OUT

Sat, Feb 29 – Railroad Earth – Get Tickets

Sat, Mar 7 – Arlo Guthrie with Folk Uke- Get Tickets

Sat, Mar 21 – Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder – Show Info – SOLD OUT

Fri, Mar 27 – Bluegrass Underground PBS TV Taping: Molly Tuttle, Goose, Cam, Asleep at the Wheel – Get Tickets | Get a 3-Day Package

Sat, Mar 28 – Bluegrass Underground PBS TV Taping: The Milk Carton Kids, Courtney Marie Andrews, Sam Lewis, TBA – Get Tickets | Get a 3-Day Package

Sun, Mar 29 – Bluegrass Underground PBS TV Taping: Mandolin Orange, Yola, Black Pumas, Blind Boys of Alabama – Get Tickets | Get a 3-Day Package

Sat, Apr 4 – Drivin’ N Cryin’ with The Silks- Get Tickets

Sat, Apr 10 – Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers – Get Tickets

Sat, Apr 11 – Dark Star Orchestra – Get Tickets – SOLD OUT

Fri, Apr 24 – Alison Krauss – Show Info – SOLD OUT

Sat, Apr 25 – The Floozies – Get Tickets

Sun, Apr 26 – Andrew Bird with Erika Wennerstrom – Get Tickets

Fri, May 22 & Sat, May 23 – Lotus – Get Tickets

Sun, May 24 – An Evening with Amy Grant – Get Tickets

Fri, May 29 & May 30 – The Disco Biscuits – Ticket Page – Public On Sale begins Fri (1/17) at 10a CT

Fri, Jun 5 – The Mavericks – Get Tickets

Sat, Jun 6 – Rhonda Vincent & The Rage – Get Tickets

Sat, Jun 20 – Todd Snider – Get Tickets

Sat, Oct 3 – The Dead South with the Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band – Ticket Page – Public On Sale begins Fri (1/17) at 10a CT

VIST THE CAVERNS TICKET PAGE

‘Charley Pride: I’m Just Me’ Debuts On CBC’s documentary Channel Wednesday, January 1

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Jan 272020

Plus, Pride announces trio of Canadian concert dates in April, with additional U.S. dates to be added

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Charley Pride: I’m Just Me, a documentary about the life and career of legendary Country music superstar Charley Pride, will debut on CBC’s documentary Channel on Wednesday, January 1 at 7:30 pm ET/4:30 pm PT as part of their All Day Music Marathon. It will repeat on Sunday, February 2 at 9:00 pm ET/PT [click here for trailer & airing info].

Charley Pride: I’m Just Me traces the improbable journey of Charley Pride, from his humble beginnings as a sharecropper’s son on a cotton farm in segregated Sledge, Mississippi to his career as a Negro League baseball player and his meteoric rise as a trailblazing country music superstar. Narrated by country music icon Tanya Tucker, the new documentary reveals how Pride’s love for music led him from the Delta to a larger, grander world. In the 1940s, radio transcended racial barriers, making it possible for Pride to grow up listening to and emulating Grand Ole Opry stars like Ernest Tubb and Roy Acuff. The singer arrived in Nashville in 1963 while the city roiled with sit-ins and racial violence. But with boldness, perseverance and undeniable musical talent, he managed to parlay a series of fortuitous encounters with music industry insiders into a legacy of hit singles, a Recording Academy “Lifetime Achievement Award” and a place in the Country Music Hall of Fame.

The film includes original revealing interviews with country music royalty, including Garth Brooks, Dolly Parton, Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker and Marty Stuart. It also includes several on-camera conversations between Pride and special guests, including Rozene Pride (his wife of 61 years), Willie Nelson, and other fellow musicians. The film also features many songs from his repertoire of classic country hits, along with more modern cuts like “Standing In My Way,” from his latest album Music In My Heart, released in 2017.

On January 30, 2019 the film made its world premiere at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. The premiere featured an appearance by Charley Pride himself, along with special guest artists featured in the film, including the film’s narrator Tanya Tucker, Jimmie Allen, Janie Fricke, and Sylvia Hutton. Members of the media, and other family and friends of Pride also attended. After the film a Q&A was hosted by the film’s director Barbara Hall, and journalist Robert K. Oermann, Country Music Hall of Fame’s Peter Cooper, and of course, Charley Pride.

Notable Talent In The Film:
• Charley Pride
• Garth Brooks
• Dolly Parton
• Willie Nelson
• Tanya Tucker (narrator)
• Brad Paisley
• Darius Rucker
• Marty Stuart
• Sylvia Hutton
• Charlie Worsham
• Jimmie Allen
• Whoopi Goldberg

“There’s always been a handful of people with global appeal that goes beyond the face value of the culture of Country music. Mr. Pride is absolutely one of those folks.”
– MARTY STUART

“Charley deserves every accolade he can get. And, we’ll make up some new ones if we need to. He’ll deserve them too!”
– WILLIE NELSON

“He’s one of America’s great country stars. He is Americana personified.”
– WHOOPI GOLDBERG

Buzzworthy Moments:
• Charley Pride and fellow country music superstar Willie Nelson reminisce on camera about the early days of their careers.
• Charley Pride explains how he maneuvered his way through the white ranks of country music in order to gain acceptance in the industry.
• Charley Pride and his wife Rozene speak candidly about Pride’s struggles with mental illness over the years. While on tour in Germany in 1968, the singer suffered a manic attack and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

Running Time: 78 minutes

Production Credits:
Charley Pride: I’m Just Me is a production of Corridor Group Productions Inc. The film is directed and executive produced by Barbara Hall.

FEB 21 – Desert Diamond Casino / Sahuarita, Ariz.
MAR 28 – Edgewater Resort / Laughlin, Nev.
APR 22 – Casino New Brunswick / Moncton, N.B. (Canada)
APR 25 – Casino Rama / Rama, Ont. (Canada)
APR 27 – Club Regent Event Center / Winnipeg, Man. (Canada)
MAY 03 – Northern Quest Resort & Casino / Airway Heights, Wash.
JUL 26 – WinStar World Casino & Resort / Thackerville, Okla.
**For Charley’s most updated tour schedule, visit charleypride.com/tourFollow Charley Pride on Facebook and at CharleyPride.com.

About Charley Pride:
Charley Pride is celebrating more than 50 years as a recording artist. He has enjoyed one of the most successful careers in the history of country music and is credited with helping to break color barriers by becoming the first black superstar within the genre. A true living legend, he has sold tens of millions of records worldwide with his large repertoire of hits. A three-time GRAMMY® award and Recording Academy “Lifetime Achievement Award” winner, Pride has garnered no less than 36 chart-topping country hits, including “Kiss An Angel Good Morning,” a massive #1 crossover hit that sold over a million singles and helped Pride land the Country Music Association’s “Entertainer of the Year” award in 1971 and the “Top Male Vocalist” awards of 1971 and 1972. A proud member of the Grand Ole Opry, Pride continues to perform concerts worldwide and has toured the United States, Canada, Ireland, The United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand over the last several years. His latest album, Music In My Heart, was released in 2017 on Music City Records.

About documentary Channel:
documentary Channel is Canada’s signature destination for provocative, thoughtful, and entertaining factually-based programming. Canada’s only documentary channel, it brings viewers documentary programming 24 hours a day, seven days a week. documentarychannel.ca

# # #

Suggested Tweet:
.@CBCdocs premieres #CharleyPride documentary on Wed, Jan. 1 at 7:30pm ET bit.ly/2PDZjxy

‘Charley Pride: I’m Just Me’ [Official Trailer]

Helping Others Help Animals At Critter’s Hollow.

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Jan 262020

I’m STILL catching up on my year end lists and all of the emails that entails. I have SO MUCH TO DO in the winter months before festival season, that I’m always several months behind on jobs. I pulled this one day weekend job in October 2019 where I was invited to Heart In Hands Critter’s Hollow Ranch And Rescue in McMinville Tennessee for some music and food and fun for a GREAT CAUSE.

Originally, I had anticipated to celebrate my daughter’s birthday party that day as well, but things didn’t work out on her end. I still took the opportunity to run over there, and see some friends I haven’t seen in many years. It was really a blessed day to catch up with them and see everyone, and listen to some killer music.

I’m going to post a bunch of GREAT pictures, and talk about the bands involved..many of the songs I might not have wrote down or remembered but I have a bunch of great information from this event that I did. This was a VERY FUN family type event on Miss Latricia’s family property, where animals run amuck and bonds are created between friends.

They have a yearly fund raiser to raise money that enables them to take care of all of these animals that they adopt out for people. There was food that we all were eating all day, and they had camping for those that wanted to drink or just camp and have fun. This was a single day event, but it did go on into the early evening. The ranch itself was beautiful and not too far from my home on the Tn-Ky state line, in fact it was so close I was scolding myself for not going up there sooner.

Heart in Hand, Critters Hollow Ranch & Rescue is a 501c non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing unwanted pets (dogs, cats, horses and other farm animals) and finding suitable forever homes for them. Our mission is that our organization ensures each animal under our care is spayed or neutered to help with the over population of unwanted animals, is up to date on vaccinations, is tested and treated for heartworms, and begins training in basic commands. We screen eligible applicants for each adoptee and match them up with families best suited for their energy, temperament, and abilities. We operate solely on donations, sponsors and volunteers! 100% of all donations are used directly for the care of our rescues. Our donations determine our capacity and we ALWAYS want to rescue more! Please consider donating today!

Our rescue is funded solely on donations, please consider donating today.

So now for just a little while I wanted to write about the music and friends I met and friends I got the chance to reconnect with after all this time. From down around Cadiz Kentucky, which is Western Kentucky around the Land Between The Lakes area the first person to play was Mr. Tim Lynch.

We have met one another a few times in the past around different places in town, but it’s been several years since I ran into him and this was a great opportunity to enjoy his music once again.You know, this was a prime opportunity to play covers and originals both. He played “Waitin Around To Die” from Mr. Townes Van Zandt, and “Are You Ready For The Country” from Waylon.

You’ll find him all over Clarksville Tennessee, and Nashville playing his originals like “Halfway To Rockcastle”. He has a very Bluesy sound, and has redone many of his songs on different albums with varied sounds. We really enjoyed his acoustic and harmonica set, and it was really nice to see him again.

From his American Dreams album he played “Hard Livin'”, that is one of my favorite songs he plays and I’m glad he played it. See, I work in a factory so it speaks to me as broken down worker. Sometimes I feel like I am killing myself for a couple bucks, and my health is declining so badly.

My good friend Miss Juelane Porter played a nice set with me as I played my own songs, so her and I took turns playing songs. She played songs like “Seven Year Ache” and “Poor Poor Pitiful Me” ( Terri Clark Version). Her best song she plays is ‘Soft Place To Fall’ by Miss Allison Moorer. I just don’t get to see her as often as I’d like to, and I knew that everyone would enjoy her songs.

I was really there to enjoy some music and take photos for them, so I really didn’t write down EVERY SONG like I do for big festivals or house shows. So this article is going to be more photos and less writing, however later on that night the last act boasted a TRUE Country Music Legend of the steel guitar….and the LAST Texas Troubador left with us…that I know of I’m NOT sure on that right now…

My good buddy Mr. Richard McLain from the Glade City Rounders and also Mr. Randy Hill played a nice set. They both also played “Mountain Dew” with me and Miss Juelane. His son Mr. Riley was with us as well, and is always quick with a handshake and even quicker with a guitar.

‘He’s In the Jailhouse Now” was recorded by so many throughout the years, and made popular by more names than even I could mention. It’s credited to have been wrote by Mr. Jimmy Rogers, and was also used on old Vaudeville shows.

They also played “John Henry” and another song that the Rounders play called “They’re After Me”. His young son Mr. Riley is an amazing young prodigy on that guitar. He “Gets It”, and in my opinion has a truly great mentor that knows more about music than I do.

He played guitar for both of them on their sets to old time songs like “I’m My Own Grampa” and others made popular by Mr. Louis Marshall “Grampa” Jones. “Here Rattler” Hea Hea was another good one he played. He also played more like ” 8 more Miles To Louisville” and ” Old Rattler’s Pup”.

So right now I want to introduce the staff and crew that made this event possible. President – Latricia Romero Vice President – LeeAnna Romero Treasurer – Cheryl Romero Secretary – Michelle Boucher Board Members – Drea Booth Brandon Tolley Roger Conger Al Conger Jennifer Koons Josh Koons Margie Rangel

And the sound man of course. You cannot have a fun show without a sound man. This is one of our Muddy Roots family Mr. Josh Koons, and he set up the stage and ran sound for us today. He is included in yet another article I’m working on for the Southern Gothic festival, you’ll be reading that later on this week.

The mayor of Stuart County even came out for this event his name is Mr. Robin Brandon, and he joined us to enjoy on the fun and the friendship. I’d like to talk some more and show you more about the fundraiser here this weekend. Next up was Miss Mallory Eagle and Mr. Doc Elliot and they also had guitarist Mr. Adam Durran who previously played for Miss Jaime Wyatt.

Miss Jaime produced his album as well, and I got a copy that day it’s called “The Rowdy Kind”. They played “Blood Mary Monday” , and they did a lengthy instrumental of “Freeborn Man”. As the sun began to fade away for the crisp cooler night to set in, we got to listen to “Bad Habits”.

“Destiny” was next followed by one called “Nautical Wheels”. I did remember them playing one cover called “The Bottle Let Me Down” from the 1966 “Swingin Doors” album.

There were so many people that showed up to have fun, here is Miss Mallory Eagle and Miss Kaitlin Butts. I wasn’t fully aware that they were going to be here, so yeah the amount of unadvertised surprises made this an event I’m glad I didn’t miss. Next year you certainly shouldn’t miss it either.

Mr. Kevin Bowden AKA SixPack was on hand to play some Hank III songs, as well as songs like “Redneck Family Tree”. His gritty Honky Tonk music fit in quite well here with the rest of the lineup today. He also played a song by Mr. Shel Silverstein called “Still Gonna Die” , which was on the Old Dogs album comprised of Waylon, Mr. Jerry Reed, Mr. Bobby Bare and Mr. Mel Tillis.

He played “Let The Moonshine In” and another called “35 Dollars” . We were all having a marvelous time down here in the hollers, and it was FUN to play with all the dogs and goats while the music went on. The food was very good and the moonshine was better.

Mr. Joey Allcorn is a man that I HIGHLY respect for his knowledge and love of the genre. He does an incredible job of upholding the integrity and tradition of the history of Country Music. He has always been a good friend, and a personal hero of mine for what he does.

He played “Juke Joint Jumpin” by Mr. Wayne “The Train” Hancock. He also played “Tired Of Being Blue” from the 50 Years Too Late album, also from that album (going out of order) he played “Alabama Chain Gang”, and his closing song was “This Ain’t Montgomery”.

His long list of covers tonight embellished the entire evening, with songs like “T For Texas” , and “Drivin Nails In My Coffin”. He played “Cry Cry Cry” by Johnny Cash, “Love’s Gonna Live Here”. Additionally they played “Thanks A Lot” , “Walking The Floor” and “Waltz Across Texas”.

The absolute pinnacle of the night was when my good buddy Mr. Joey Allcorn brought with him Mr. W.D. Miller and this man on steel guitar Mr. Lynn Owsley, and I cannot write enough good about this precious piece of history. Note for note he is still quite precise.

He was 14 when he began the steel guitar and at 20 it needed some repairs, so he took it to a shop here in Nashville. That trip would change his life forever, and when he was there he met Shot Jackson. Jackson invited him to the Opry that night, where he watched Mr. Roy Acuff and from that point he knew Nashville was the place for him.

Within a week he was playing steady for Miss Wanda Jackson and following that came the shorter tenures of Charlie Louvin, Stonewall Jackson and Webb Pierce. However in 1974 he began his most notable job as a member of the Texas Troubadours, whom backed Ernest Tubb.

Many of the hits they played here tonight he was responsible for creating the steel guitar solos for, and in his book he has many stories about his gambling and partying days of the Golden Age of Country Music. He was at the dice table in Las Vegas and was walking away from the table, broke. he noticed that he had 110 left and bet it on 11-1 odds and won. He bet several more times and won until he had 17,000 which he used as a down payment on his home.

Possessed By Paul James Releases As We Go Wandering On January 31st.

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Jan 262020

COMING SOON

• JANUARY 31, 2020 •

The tension of justice and peace, rest and movement, unity and self-expression are at the heart of Possessed By Paul James’ followup to his 2013 breakout release

Konrad Wert is a man of many voices. As a Special Education teacher, he is articulate and intentional. As an advocate for justice in education he is passionate. But as an artist and musician, better known by his stage name, Possessed By Paul James, his voice is expressive, holding rest and action in tandem. After gaining recognition from NPR, The New York Times, CMT, and MTV for his celebrated live performances and 2013 Billboard-charting breakout release, There Will Be Nights When I’m Lonely, the Golden Apple-winning educator took some time to reflect and reorient and underwent two vocal surgeries. “The nature of being a school teacher, a public speaker, and a musician, you know, any ear nose & throat specialist will tell you that’s like a hat trick for getting a vocal surgery. So there was some time where I needed to really learn how to sing fluidly and in a healthy way while preserving the opportunity to continue as a teacher and articulate, speak, without duress.” After a few years away from music, Wert is returning with a new album, As We Go Wandering, (due January 31, 2020), bringing a rejuvenated voice to Possessed By Paul James. Where There Will Be Nights was crying out on behalf of the dilemmas faced by families, students, and teachers nationwide, As We Go Wandering brings a sense of peace. But as the title suggests, in Possessed By Paul James’ estimation, perhaps counter-intuitively, peace, rest, and movement dance hand in hand.

I have featured Mr. Konrad Wert many times before from several festivals from all over , and every performance has been an intense experience filled with riveting songs of passion. He is one of those intense one man bands that utilizes a plethora of instruments to bring forth his final product…Roots Music that stands the test of time. In the next few weeks we will be releasing an album review for this one.

This tension of justice and peace, rest and movement, unity and self-expression are at the heart of Possessed By Paul James’ music and performances. Raised Mennonite among pacifists and service workers in a small community in southwest Florida, Wert’s upbringing brought strict guidelines of what could come into the house. “The aesthetic was very church oriented,” he says. “We had this typified image of Jesus in the living room, Mary in the hallway, and a painting of the Last Supper in the bedroom. Musically, we didn’t get anything heavier than The Monkees.” Upon leaving home however, , Wert discovered punk rock. Coming from a rural town, Wert had been exposed to a lot of roots music, and where others would have merely seen a jarring conflict with their upbringing, Wert saw an interface. “I actually found that in many ways, punk was like urban blues, you know, just with more energy and amplification. I dove in and started getting to know the Stooges, Patti Smith. I realized ‘Wow, punk is beautiful. Punk is to the street, punk is to the listener.’” To paraphrase David Byrne, the punk movement was defined by attitude rather than style, something that sought to remove the boundaries between spectator and artist and making everyone a participant in what Patti Smith called, “just another word for freedom.” For Wert, Possessed By Paul James became a way to create an environment for expression and reflection in a way that can foster wholeness from a sense of community. “We could look at the complexities of expression, the conflict of ego and humility, and servitude within the Mennonite-Amish community and in our rumspringa – that was incredibly impactful for me. Because, how do you express yourself, and in a way that’s not completely arrogant? How do you do that in a way that reflects what really matters? That’s a huge element of what Possessed By Paul James is.”

WATCH

Possessed By Paul James

“Hurricane”

“As We Go Wandering is about the question of where we go from here. How do we move forward,” says Konrad Wert. This tension is expressed at the very center of the tracklist, with “Be At Rest.” “All across the nation teachers see the same needs, fill the same roles, and ask the same hard and troubling questions: Students who are hurting, families fighting for the rights of their children, passionate teachers who constantly bear burdens that can become crushing,” says Wert. “Most troubling and devastating are the increasing numbers of human beings that are falling to violence within our schools. ‘Be At Rest’ provides an open image and feeling to all those hurting: ‘Raise up your voices, lay down down your sword and shield, be at rest. Come together on the foundations of peace and justice so we may heal, so we may help, so we may learn in order to do better for our children.’” So what about the name, Possessed By Paul James? “It’s partly just because of the way we play, maybe it’s due to anxiousness or anxiety, I don’t know, but just close the eyeballs and get it out,” says Wert. “But also, Paul was my grandfather, James is my dad’s middle name – so it’s a reference to something bigger than me, that there is something greater than ourselves, something that we’re in together. It’s important for us to acknowledge and be honest about that – the good, the bad, and the ugly. We are more than just ourselves.”

TRACK LIST:

Come Back In My Mind
In The Dark Of Morning
Your White Stained Dress
I’m So Good At Absolutely Nothing
I Come From Southwest Florida
Be At Rest
When It Breaks
Dance With Me Tonight
Don’t Tell Me
Didn’t Know You When
Asleep With Both Eyes Open
As We Go Wandering

Here is the new single that was released early.

Single out now
“When It Breaks”

Possessed By Paul James

The Bluegrass Situation premieres new track from the celebrated teacher, activist and songwriter

Today, Possessed By Paul James released a new song, “When It Breaks.” Premiering the track Tuesday, The Bluegrass Situation spoke with Konrad Wert about life on the road, family, and his work as an artist and education activist, and teacher, who reflected on the themes of the song: “When the world comes crashing down around us what will we do? I ask this question when thinking of my children. How will I react when tragedy strikes?” Read the rest at The Bluegrass Situation >

“When It Breaks”

New single from Possessed By Paul James

Miss Ashley McBryde Releases Two Videos For Never Will Out April 3rd.

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Jan 262020

The album, produced by Eric Church and Miranda Lambert collaborator Mr. Jay Joyce features a couple of recently unveiled tracks: McBryde and Jeremy Spillman co-write “Martha Divine” and McBryde, Shane McAnally and Nicolette Hayford’s “One Night Standards”.

She has this album locked and loaded in the barrel on the horizon of the Grammy Awards, where she is nominated for two awards for her second album “Girl Going Nowhere”. We shall find out tonight if she wins anything or not, I’m kind of excited about this awards show here folks because a TON of people I like are in it to win it.

Last year in Atlanta, Mr. Joshua and I covered her set in Atlanta at Mercedes Benz Stadium as she was part of the opening program for George Strait. You can read all about that right HERE We had a wonderful time out there in Atlanta with her and the others.

Even though she really isn’t embraced completely by mainstream people or the mainstream media, her management still continues to cling on to the belief that she may indeed one day be. Now, people like me secretly have the belief that more people will hopefully become more in tune with better forms of Country Music. THAT IS one of the great struggles of the rampant influx of crappy pop country music that perverts FM radio. Her and Mr. Jon Pardi are two of the front runners of this close Country borderline problem.

“The significance behind the album title comes from the lyrics in the title track: ‘I Didn’t, I Don’t and I Never Will’,” McBryde says in a press release. “Before we recorded it with Jay [Joyce] in the studio, I said to my band mates, ‘If we’re going to cut this and put it on the record, you’re promising anyone who ever listens to our music, we don’t listen to the noise in the background. We didn’t, we don’t and we never will. Don’t cut it unless you’re willing to promise it.’ And we cut it right then.”

Never Will Track Listing:

1. “Hang In There Girl” (McBryde, Jeremy Bussey)
2. “One Night Standards” (McBryde, McAnally, Hayford)
3. “Shut Up Sheila” (Hayford, Charles Chisholm)
4. “First Thing I Reach For” (McBryde, Randall Clay, Mick Holland)
5. “Voodoo Doll” (McBryde, Hayford, Brandy Clark, Connie Harrington, Jake Mitchell, Aaron Raitiere)
6. “Sparrow” (McBryde, Hayford, Clark, Harrington, Mitchell, Raitiere)
7. “Martha Divine” (McBryde, Spillman)
8. “Velvet Red” (McBryde, Patrick Savage, Daniel Smalley)
9. “Stone” (McBryde Hayford)
10. “Never Will” (McBryde, Chris Harris, Blue Foley, Matt Helmkamp, Christian Sancho, Victor Quinn Hill)
11. “Styrofoam” (Clay)

Legendary Music Impresario Jim Halsey Honored With Memorial Hall Renaming In Independence, Kansas Commemorating His 70 Years In The Entertainment Industry

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Jan 252020

Legendary Music Impresario Jim Halsey Honored With Memorial Hall Renaming In Independence, Kansas Commemorating His 70 Years In The Entertainment Industry

(L-R) Duane Allen, William Lee Golden, Jim Halsey, Joe Bonsall
Photo by: Steve McBride

The auditorium inside Memorial Hall is now recognized as the ‘Jim Halsey Auditorium’

Halsey has represented 29 inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame, as well as 12 members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and has played a pivotal role in bringing country music to television

Halsey shares 70 stories from 70 years in the music and entertainment business with Tulsa World writer Jimmie Tramel [read here]

INDEPENDENCE, Kansas – Legendary music impresario and manager Jim Halsey is celebrating more than 70 years in the entertainment industry. A pioneer of country music innovation and expansion, the 89 year old Independence, Kansas native was honored in his hometown with the 2,000 seat auditorium inside Memorial Hall being renamed to the Jim Halsey Auditorium. Now 89, Halsey has booked hundreds of acts and performances at the venue since 1949.

“This honor means more to me than anything else in my life. To be recognized in my home town that I love dearly is the best thing to ever happen to me,” said Halsey.

Over the course of his career Jim Halsey has played a key role in the direction and management of many country music giants. He has managed, booked or guided the careers of some of the most iconic figures in country music, including, Roy Clark, Waylon Jennings, The Judds, Hank Thompson, Merle Haggard, Reba McEntire, Wanda Jackson, Freddy Fender, Roy Orbison, Tammy Wynette, Rick Nelson, Clint Black, Dwight Yoakam, Minnie Pearl, James Brown and The Oak Ridge Boys, who he’s managed for over 45 years.

Halsey’s vision, marketing, and passion was fundamental to the rapid growth of a genre that may otherwise have taken many more years to develop. His leadership resulted in The Jim Halsey Company becoming the biggest Country music agency in the world. Halsey’s artists collectively have hundreds of gold and platinum records, received countless awards, including Grammy awards and nominations, and sold out shows at The Grand Ole Opry, Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall and helped to expand Country music on a global basis, headlining festivals and performances all over the world. In 1976, Halsey took Country music artists Roy Clark and The Oak Ridge Boys on the first-ever tour of the U.S.S.R. To date, he is the only producer or manager who has ever presented every artist on a single episode of the Hollywood Squares, as well as book his acts in every Las Vegas showroom for an entire week.

In 2010 Halsey released an entertainment business book titled ‘Starmaker: How To Make It In The Music Business’ [ Amazon | Goodreads ] digging deep into the fundamentals of how to develop an act, get an agent, use press to build an audience, play the biggest and best forums and more. Halsey recently added to some of these stories with Tulsa World’s Jimmie Tramel, chronicling 70 stories from 70 years in the entertainment and music business. He has future plans to pen another book, detailing his many global adventures advancing music and entertainment around the world.

“My life and interest is really in people and what makes them work and the energy they have,” he said. “If you can observe and notice the energy of a person, then you have the ability to get, and use, parts of that energy yourself. So my whole life has been about trying to harness energy — for the good. So I’m still doing it today. The Oak Ridge Boys still exude that energy. I am inspired by them. They are my closest friends in the world, but they are inspirational to me and to a lot of other people, too.”

# # #

Suggested Tweet:
Country music industry impresario @JimHalsey celebrates 70 years in the entertainment industry with renaming of @IndependenceKS Memorial Hall’s auditorium to the Jim Halsey Auditorium

Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt with Jim Halsey and The Oak Ridge Boys
Photo by Steve McBride

Impresario Jim Halsey poses at his office and museum in Tulsa, Okla.
Photo by Mark Furnas

Jim Halsey and The Oak Ridge Boys
Photo by Jon Mir

Minisa and Jim Halsey at Jim’s office and museum in Tulsa, Okla.
Photo by Mark Furnas

Town Mountain Debuts New Video From Red Rocks Featuring Mr. Tyler Childers.

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Jan 252020

I’ll admit I’m pretty late to the party on this one, and four other articles I am working on today. Well, I guess I just have too many irons in too many fires….but WHO DOESN’T? I mean with so much good music out there, the possibilities are endless on who and what to report on.

Last year Mr. Tyler Childers was at Red Rocks Ampitheater and my staff member Mr. Luther was there you can read about that right here. I wrote another good one about the phenomenon that he is in the music business today here is that article.

Town Mountainis an absolute BANGIN Bluegrass band with an energetic stage show that has been lighting up the road all over America. Their set at Kickin It On the Creek was one of the best of the entire weekend, and recently they released a new video for the song “Down Low”.

Town Mountain Releases New Live Video of Sold-Out Red Rocks Performance “Down Low” featuring Tyler Childers

Watch video today via JamBase; New 2020 Tour Dates Announced

December 11, 2019 – Nashville, TN – Known for their rowdy, energetic performances,Town Mountain has spent most of 2019 on the road, playing major festivals and venues across the country, including the legendary Grand Ole Opry. On September 30, the band made their debut at the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado, to a sold-out crowd alongside prolific singer-songwriter Robert Earl Keen and Grammy-nominee Tyler Childers. Today, JamBasepremiered the band’s live performance of “Down Low” featuring Childers, who co-wrote the duet with banjo player and vocalist Jesse Langlais for Town Mountain’s most recent album, New Freedom Blues. “It’s always a pleasure to do shows with Tyler and The Food Stamps,” Langlais explains. “We love the guys and we love the music, brothers in arms! And it’s always a highlight when Tyler comes up with us and performs ‘Down Low’. Especially at a venue like Red Rocks where you can just feel the energy and magic in the air.”

The band played a number of songs from their extensive discography including their well-known rendition of Bruce Springsteen’s 1984 single “I’m On Fire”, a fan-favorite that has racked up almost 6.5 million streams on the group’s Spotify alone. Childers ended the night with what The Bootcalled an “epic, show-stopping jam session”, calling on Town Mountain guitarist/vocalist Robert Greer and Robert Earl Keen to join him in performing Keen’s classic, “The Road Goes On Forever”.

Town Mountain recently wrapped up 2019 with one final run that included a two-night stint at Nashville’s beloved Station Inn; the band invited a handful of surprise guests to join them on stage, including Grammy award-winning songwriter Jim Lauderdale, dobro legend Jerry Douglas, and hailed bluegrass flatpicker

Billy Strings. Read more about the night via Nashville Lifestyles.

Returning to the road in 2020, the band will tour the East Coast and are set to perform at Squaw Valley’s WinterWonderGrass in late March.

Town Mountain 2020 Tour Dates:

Jan 31 – Raleigh, NC – The Pour House

Feb 1 – Washington, DC – The Hamilton

Feb 7 – Charlotte, NC – The Visulite Theater

Feb 8 – Boone, NC – Boone Saloon

Feb 27 – Newport, KY – The Southgate House Revival

Feb 28 – Nelsonville, OH – Stuart’s Opera House

Feb 29 – Pineville, KY – Bell Theater

Mar 28 – Squaw Valley, CA – WinterWonderGrass Music & Brew Festival

Apr 16 – Greer, SC – SpringSkunk Music Festival

May 2 – Asheboro, NC – Jimmy-June Music and Arts Festival

Jun 6 – Pagosa Springs, CO – Pagosa Folk ‘N Bluegrass

Jul 16 – Clayton, NY – Clayton Opera House

About Town Mountain:

Town Mountain is comprised of Jesse Langlais (banjo/vocals), Phil Barker (mandolin/vocals), Robert Greer (guitar/vocals), Bobby Britt (fiddle), and Zach Smith (bass). Since releasing their debut album Original Bluegrass and Roots Country in 2007, Town Mountain have made a name for themselves in bluegrass, country, and Americana circuits, and have amassed a sizable discography. They’ve toured with the who’s who of roots musicians, including Ralph Stanley and His Clinch Mountain Boys, the Del McCoury Band, Greensky Bluegrass, Yonder Mountain String Band, and many others. In 2016, Town Mountain made their Grand Ole Opry debut, performing both at the Opry House and at the famed Ryman Auditorium. Their most recent album, New Freedom Blues, was self-released in October 2018 and has garnered attention from fans and critics alike; including praise from No Depression, The Bluegrass Situation,American Songwriter, The Boot, and Saving Country Music, amongst others.Rolling Stone Country recently published a profile on the band and how they are actively “reshaping a strict genre,” noting, “call it an evolution or a revolution, but it’s clear that Town Mountain is at the forefront.”

Winterwondergrass Announces Lineups For All Three Festivals.

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Jan 232020

2020 TICKETS ON SALE NOW

It’s that time of year when the seasons are changing and we’re getting pumped for winter! Buy your tickets for the 2020 WinterWonderGrass of your choice.

See you in the Mountains!

COLORADO
Steamboat
Feb 21-23, 2020
View Lineup

Get Tickets

CALIFORNIA
Squaw
March 27-29, 2020
View Lineup

Get Tickets

VERMONT
Stratton
April 10-11, 2020
View Lineup

Get Tickets

CARAVAN TO WONDERGRASS
We celebrate the journey as much as the destination! Every season the WWG team hosts free local “Pop-Up” shows correlating with the announcement of each festival line-up.

More Info

COAST TO COAST
Join us in multiple WWG locations across the country. Coast to Coast friends receive pop up perks at all locations! Save up to 10% on these passes.

Buy Now

One of the festivals I have always supported is Winterwondergrass, and beginning in February it’s one of the earlier festivals that begin first. As time moves on here, I’ll be adding more information on these three festivals, and as many videos we can find.

We aim to cultivate and nurture the relationship between nature, authentic music, and communal family, creating a vehicle for inspiration. When we come together with open hearts and open minds, bringing all of our differences and unique opinions, we begin to dissolve the illusion of separation from one another. Our intention is to create a platform for artists, vendors, attendees, and our planet to unite as one – connecting the tribe.

MEDIA

“WinterWonderGrass began in 2013 as a tiny, homegrown music festival in a parking lot in Edwards and is now returning for its seventh year in 2019 at its new home in Steamboat Springs, with sister festivals in Lake Tahoe, California, and Stratton, Vermont. The trifecta that founder Scotty Stoughton and his team have created over the past seven years is not only tremendously impressive but is also a blessing for bluegrass and string music fans across the nation. Stoughton and crew are also the faces behind Campout for the Cause, and though they’re not strangers on how to carefully curate a near-perfect festival, the WinterWonderGrasses are officially in a league of their own.” – 303 MAGAZINE

ARTISTS

“Performing live music, for us, is a conversation with the audience. it’s a relationship between the musicians and the listeners built on energy and trust. WinterWonderGrass makes that exchange so much more profound by changing the playing field. Something about enduring the cold, being in the elements together, and raging thru [sic] snowfall makes the reward so much greater for both parties.” – Paul Hoffman (Greensky Bluegrass)

“This festival really hits home for me coming from the North. There’s something about fully embracing the great outdoors in all it’s magnificence that gives the music a vivid glow like you’ve never experienced it before.” – Lindsay Lou

ABOUT THE FOUNDER

At the heart of all his endeavors, Scotty Stoughton is an artist. He lives and breathes music and the world that holds its sound waves. Onstage performing with Bonfire Dub or behind the scenes producing his many festivals and events, including WinterWonderGrass and Campout for the Cause, Stoughton values music as more than a platform where rhythm meets beat.

For him, it’s an expression that sets the stage for a life worth living, a vision worth having and a dream worth creating. Bonfire Entertainment puts a spotlight on community and interpersonal connection, as well as the overall impact we have on the environment. Stoughton finds solace and inspiration in the natural world, especially on the water, and is the co-founder of Stand Up Paddle Colorado. His support of international non-profit organizations, along with local involvement through community events, always keeps his hands moving quickly without ever losing the beat.

Older Entries

There are so many ways to contribute to ROMP Festival! We couldn’t do it without our tireless army of volunteers, street team members, and sponsors. To join the ROMP team, click below for more info.

ROMP wouldn’t be ROMP without all the amazing food and craft vendors. Applications to vend at ROMP are now open! We strive to have healthy food options and hand-made arts & crafts to enhance the festival experience. Apply now!

2020 TICKETS ON SALE SATURDAY AT 9AM!

Don’t miss out!

P.S. Limited number of Patron Passes still available!

A Patron Pass gets you:

PICKATHON 2020 DATES

July 30-August 2 • Pendarvis Farm

August 14-16, 2020

Grab your Hoxey Earlybirds before our artist announcement!

Save $55 off Camp Greensky gate prices now.

🚤 Lineup & Tickets Sail In Wednesday 2/12 🚤

More Acts Added!

DelFest Academy

Our rescue is funded solely on donations, please consider donating today.

COMING SOON

• JANUARY 31, 2020 •

The tension of justice and peace, rest and movement, unity and self-expression are at the heart of Possessed By Paul James’ followup to his 2013 breakout release

WATCH

Possessed By Paul James

“Hurricane”

Single out now “When It Breaks”

The Bluegrass Situation premieres new track from the celebrated teacher, activist and songwriter

“When It Breaks”

New single from Possessed By Paul James

Never Will Track Listing:

2020 TICKETS ON SALE
SATURDAY AT 9AM!

Single out now
“When It Breaks”