So a very wet second day of Muddy Roots was well underway, and this time all I had to do was walk on down from the ticket office. This year it sure was nice not to have to drive anywhere for the entire time. Although I really didn’t drink all that much I still didn’t drive much.
We will start this article for Day 2 with Taillight Rebellion which was a two piece band with a very cool sound. We didn’t use the Wooden stage until Saturday so they rescheduled the entire day. I truly did my best to cover all of the bands here but I missed quite a few and I’ll try to do my best to get all this covered.
They opened their set with an intro called Auld Triangle before playing music with their second song called “Keep Your Head Held High” and that’s off the album “Six Strings And Gasoline”. Now off their other album called “Broken” they played two called “You Stole It All From Us” and another called “Withdrawls”.
They had good timing between them and you could easily ascertain they were having an enjoyable time up there today and this was a truly nice band to begin the day with. “Into The shadows” was next followed by the song called ‘This City”.
‘Bottled Crime” was from their new album and the song “Outlaw Waltz” was from their first album, so they had a smaller amount of albums to play from than many of the other bands here this weekend, but overall they played a very nice set. They closed with “Six Strings And Gasoline”.
Vocals/Acoustical Pickin’- Jesse James, Bass/Dirty Vocals- Oatmeal Reed, Resonator/Back up vocals- Billy Mo,
Washboard- Tashia The Don, Drums- Chris Johnson make up this next band called Black Tarpoon, which sings hillbilly horror and punk.
They hail from Texas and even though I didn’t get much of their set list as I was wandering around trying to keep my electronics and papers dry I did sit and enjoy them some. They have an album available on their website so why don’t you go over and support them? Let’s watch a video of them courtesy of Bluedevil Dixie.
My buddy Mr. Lou Shields didn’t get the chance to play “Coffee Song” for me but that’s OK because he did play a damn fine set here this weekend. His usual stalwart way he sits and plays his one man band getup is always enjoyable…especially in the field. Let’s watch MY video of him playing this weekend.
He played the song called “Rustic Road” off of his GREAT album called Bad Axe Country, and another called “Cabin In The Woods”. See folks Mr. Lou is a gifted artist too not just a musician, in fact he drew the cover for the first Urban Pioneers album called “Addicted To the Road”.
He does lots of art exhibits and music shows all over the United States and is a truly talented person in his own right. One show with him and you’ll see why we love him at Muddy Roots. The last song I got to hear him play was called “Back Country” before I moseyed on to see other bands.
Billy Lupton- Mandolin & Vocals, Nick Lupton- Guitar, Eric Miron- Bass, Jessica Alvillar- Violin, Gilbert Montoya- Banjo & Vocals and David Archey- Harmonica & Vocals make up this band called Wicklow Atwater from Southern California. This was another band I really didn’t get to see the entire set, however I did get to see them play “Skid Row”.
Property of Miss Lisa Wells
They included the song “Inside You” into their set along with “I Wanna Be Your Man”. They have one album that I found as a band however they are all multi instrumentalists themselves in their own rights. They fit quite well into Roots music and also Americana as well.
EVERYBODY forgot about the rain here during this set, perhaps one of the most energetic and vivacious sets of the weekend…and honestly many of them occurred on this very second day. This is the band Dirtfoot from Louisiana and they didn’t come to play games….because…they had a pig on stilts throwing full beers around. Now I ask you…does that happen at Bonaroo?
Matt Hazelton, J Bratlie, Wayne Anderson, Cory Knippers, Spencer Teekel and John Hoffman make up this band which I’ll be completely honest they were so amazing and fun I forgot to list down the songs! This was a pleasant escape here folks and I had FUN.
-Ted Drozdowski, band leadin’, slide guitar, vocals, rabble rousin’ trouble makin’ ..And his accomplices Sean Szwick and Pete Pulkrabek make up this band called The Scissormen another Muddy Roots original band from the 2010 lineup…and dogs, lots of dogs.
Another very energetic band here today that even walked around and played songs into the audience, as they belted us with blues and rock music here. With an opening song called “John The Revelator” that had an a cappella opener then went into a drum roll and the song. They played another good song called “Jumper On The Line”, and went into “Do Wrong Man”.
I got to see them play “Can’t Be Satisfied” before they played a funkier song called “Josh Gibson” while showing off some truly fine guitar solos and another crowd induced guitar romp around the tent. Also included in their set was “Tupelo” and another song called “Black Lung Fever”. So I wanted to stop and add this piece from their website because it awoken my enthusiasm to delve into Mr. Ted further…
For Ted, American roots music is a vital bridge between generations, cultures and the past and the future. And he uses that bridge to not only connect deeply with his fans in concerts, but in the slide guitar and music history workshops he conducts.
Often Ted Drozdowski’s Scissormen are about surprises. Not only in the imagination and scope the trio brings to its recordings and performances, but even in the way Ted and the group approach creating music. Check out Ted playing the one-string diddley bow, for example, and consider where he recorded the next Ted Drozdowski’s Scissormen album: in a tent in the woods down a dirt road high on a mountaintop behind Nashville’s historic Loveless Café.
“The River” was next off their set and another called “New Catfish Blues” and they closed with the Led Zeppelin song “When The Levee Breaks”. I saw many different types of influence in this band here, and absolute talent in every member of this ensemble.
One of my many music friends to come from Maryland is Mr. Jimmy Swope and his brand of Roots/Americana music. I featured him during my coverage of this year’s Moonrunners in Chicago, and many other times as well. This fall we were supposed to both attend Crooked Smile In Indiana but alas it has been cancelled, so I have pretty much not planned any other major events in 2017.
I got to see him play his song “Tip Jar” and another called ‘This Old Town”. At this time I was going back and forth between stages pretty hard..and I got hungry so I decided to stop to eat after I was done watching Mr. Jimmy play the song called “Highway Mind”.
Video of The Rock Bottom String Band by Miss Delane Chavez.
I did not get a chance to catch any of the sets from the Rock Bottom String Band or the band after them Blackgrass Gospel but I did get to pick back up and see Moonshine Wagon which was another great band.
“My Liver Is Trying To Survive” was the popular notion here as everybody was enjoying themselves like usual, heck even I drank a few on Saturday night, and to be honest it was my first time really seriously imbibing. I had fun doing so with all my friends there.
“Moonshine In Your Life” was next from the “Folk You” album of 2015 and I went off to the other stages for other bands, as the rain finally began to subside to a mist. But it was still really damp and made the bones scream.
Video property of Miss Lisa Wells
Mr. Noah Tyson was another one I just simply did not get the chance to check out as much but let’s watch a video here about him. He’s from Illinois and from what I could hear of him, he was good.
James Hunnicutt made his first Muddy Roots appearance in 2011 and has been a Muddy Roots favorite ever since then. He garners a large crowd every year there and is always a sure bet for fun and wonderful music.
He usually always begins with different songs but the first one I took note of was of course “My Pain” which always has entire tents singing along here. He also played “Never Meant” along with some other new songs that we enjoyed.
As soon as he played “Don’t Let Teardrops Fill Your Eyes” a TON of the regulars all lined up to sing with him.
Rachel Kate I missed as well as RT N the 44’s so that I could see my buddy Sean K Preston And The Loaded Pistols who come from Charm City U.S.A. He and I first met in 2014 at Crooked Smile Festival and we instantly became friends, I was around him in Kansas City for Westport Roots Festival this year as well.
Let’s watch this video of him.
This is him singing his new song called “Barnburner” which he sent to me early this year. He’s been working on many new songs for us and until he records a new album his live shows will have to tide you over. Much like a few other sets I basically just let loose and enjoyed this set. HERE is a good sized chunk of his high octane set!
This was EASILY one of the biggest sets of the weekend by far, I enjoyed the entire set and folks for me to stay and forget to write the set list down is unheard of. This man is a sure bet for a BARNBURNER SHOW every time he is on stage.
Mr. J.P.Harris And The Tough Choices are another surefire bet for REALLY GOOD Honky Tonk Country Music. He killed it at the Opry house during the Nashville Boogie this past spring for sure! His album “Home Is Where The Hurt Is’ is a classic album to me.
He played “California Turnaround” first and then he played “Badly Bent”. His set always has full effect with perfect twang solos and plenty of steel guitar beauty. And as long as he continues to play songs like “Two For The road”, I shall always continue to enjoy his set.
“Oklahoma’s A Long Ways Away” was toward the middle of his set, as I was going back and forth tents to see him and Sean K Preston at the same time. He eventually closed his set with “Gear Jamming Daddy”, I was still going over to film Sean K Preston as well, and still getting ready for them to squeeze Slim Cessnas Auto Club on stage 3. Like I had already explained, they moved all the bands slated for stage 1 to stages 2 and 3.
Slim Cessnas Auto Club is slowly becoming a Muddy Roots powerhouse most years the festival happens as well. This band is quite eclectic and different, nobody sounds like them or vice versa, and they are very weird in their own way..but their fans “GET IT”..I do. I’m proud to be a SCAC fan.
This is yet ANOTHER crazy band here and the night’s only going to get wilder folks, just wait until I finish day 2. They started with “32 Months Gone Dry” and my personal favorite “This Is How We Do It In The Country”. NOW FOLKS I could already see them preparing Stage 2 for the Harmed Brothers, but seventy five percent of the entire attendance was right here folks…here.
They continued on with “Jackson’s Hole” and the last song I heard of theirs was “Fierce Cow” before I went onto get some videos of a few sets I didn’t get total notes for here..They are currently on tour overseas until November and every time I have witnessed them in concert they have exceeded my expectations…that was until Th Legendary Shack Shakers took the stage tonight….
Three bands towards the end of day 2 here I didn’t get the opportunity to see were called A Pony Named Olga, Pinata Protest who brought some Tex Mex Cow Punk into the mix, and The Harmed Brothers whom have multiple albums out. I have actually been listening to them quite frequently now, and I love their music…it just wasn’t possible for me to cover all of this at once.
I suppose with three stages going it was a tad bit easier to set up chairs at all three stages and float from one to another, but what happened was they squeezed all the stage one acts into the tents due to the weather here today. I do NOT BLAME Muddy Roots or Mr. Ronnie Reels from Reelsound Productions for concern of his equipment care. I think Mr. Chris handled this situation BEYOND effectively and ran his ASS OFF this weekend so WE could enjoy this event.
I did get to see some of the set that Also brought some Punk and Roots music here tonight from Oklahoma. According to their website they are brothers, and have a new album coming out later this year. They cover their own version of Dr.Ralph Stanley’s timeless classic “O Death”.
Their set included songs off of their album Wildfire, “Liberty” was the first one followed by “Woodsfolk” and another song called “Ruined”. Their Facebook describes them as Hardcordian Wonder Hard Punk Rock, each of these bands had their own unique sound and there was certainly something for everyone here this weekend.
“Row” was a song about being lost in an ocean and all you had left to do was ROW. It was a song of positive advice, because whatever your bad situation is in life the only thing left to do is keep trying and row. NEVER stop trying to succeed in life folks.
“Rapture” was next followed by “Bomb Caravan”. The title song of the album called “Wildfire” was next along with “As Close As It Gets” closed out the set here tonight.
Stump Tail Dolly is always a DAMN SURE bet to bring Metal and Country blended together into one bomb of awesomeness. See some of the most EPIC SETS of the weekend were still to come. I defiantly got my second wind here with songs like “I’ve Endured” and “Cumberland Gap”.
Band Members
Ryan Clackner, Lucy Cochran, Jamie Garry, Brian Weinberg are the prominent four that have been playing in this band that began around 2014. Stump Tail Dolly was slowly formed during the Red Simpson set at Muddy Roots in 2013. The ideas were being tossed around and we didn’t hear anything official until late 2014.
When we finally did we received an ass whipping in the form of the small EP album and a rigorous tour schedule, defiantly a hard working duo there. They recently released a full length album you can read about the new album here.
That link up above will take you to the album review and the new video for “Bogaloo”. This basically was a forty minute set full of complete chaos and mayhem, with ripping solos and instrumentals. All four of these musicians are seasoned and championed in their respected areas.
The Legendary Shack Shakers pretty much obliterated any previous set I ever witnessed them play tonight at Muddy Roots. They played a terrific set at the Nashville Boogie and tore up all their surroundings.
This video doesn’t do the antics of Mr. J.D.Wilkes justice, I think by far he is one of the greatest front men in this business and he completely annihilates all law and order on stage. There’s no telling WHAT he’s to pull up there..like hanging upside down on a light fixture and continuing to perform.
The first songs I noticed while they barrelled through their set list were from the Agridustrial album, and they were “Sugar Baby”, “Hobos Are My Heroes” and one of my favorites, the old “Dump Road Yodel”.
They had the crowd whipped into an absolute wild fever with a song they don’t play live as much called “Gipsy Valentine” and another favorite of mine “No Such Thing” from the Pandelerium album. With Mr. J.D.Wilkes you get him hanging upside down like this and swinging around as we encourage his destruction of everything around him.
I cannot forget the Nashville Palace induced harmonica battle he had with Mr. Ronnie Crutcher from Hillbilly Casino during the Nashville Boogie where they both went ape shit and blew us all away again. Their previous concerts have always left me speechless with songs like “Born In The Bluegrass”, and their last song was “Bullfrog Blues”.
The Urban Pioneers hit us up with some NEW songs at Moonrunners AND Muddy in 2017. “Run Rabbit Run” is on the Blue Plate Special CD they have out now..kind of a live album, and will be on their new album. I spoke to Mr. Jared at the Westport Roots Festival and he gave me a couple of tentative names for the new album.
Their set included classics like “Ain’t Gonna Work” and ’75 Southbound Blues”, and one of my favorite songs that attracted me to their band was called ‘Apparition In The Fog”. Their first album which included cover art by Mr. Lou Shields was an instant Roots success, and in my opinion is a classic album.
Mr. Martin up there pounding that upright bass for them for a while now, I always enjoy catching up with him in conversations all over the country. I enjoy seeing all the musicians and getting to know them as people, and I enjoy seeing YOU…yes YOU the one reading THIS. YOU make this work, not me not the bands…without the reader, or the fans…this and ALL scenes cease to exist.
“Till I Get Thrown Out” was next on the set list as well as “Please Give me A Highway”. I think this time they pretty much did a wonderful job of picking a wide array of songs from all three albums tonight. From the new album Feast Or Famine they played “Never Had A Waffle At Waffle House” to the first album with “Lost My Weed Waltz”.
“High On The Mountain” was another song on the list, followed by “Liz’s Reel” and the last song I noticed was “Walk This World” before going over to the other stage to see this next last band Shawn James And The Shapeshifters.
Shawn James And The Shapeshifters is a five piece band that plays blues and country and all sorts of other kinds of music rolled into one. I understand that there was severe sound and light problems due to the storms and I missed a lot of the last two sets of the night.
Video Property Of Miss Lisa Wells
