Win Tickets to the Yard Dogs Road Show at the Orange Peel in Asheville this Friday 10/1!!!

This is YOUR chance to WIN FREE TICKETS to the YARD DOGS ROAD SHOW at THE ORANGE PEEL this Friday, October 1st! All you have to do is post a comment to this blog of why YOU should win the tickets below and you are entered to win a pair.

Local Asheville absurdist gypsy folk funk punk band Sirius. B will be opening for the evening! What a GREAT pairing!

Here’s a snippet of what you will get to see from the Yard Dogs at the show:

The Yard Dogs Road Show is a hobo cabaret, a living patchwork of vaudeville and rock and roll. In the enchanting land of stage show entertainment theirs is both pleasant and formidable terrain.  They require a sensitivity to the subtle and the absurd. They lead the modern hobohemian on a visual and sonic journey through part of history that may or may not have existed – followed by an ambitious return to the emotional challenges of our punch-drunk contemporary world. It’s a true story on stage: sword swallowers, dancing dolls, fire eaters and sunset hobo poetry – all animated by the live sounds of the Yard Dogs cartoon heavy band. Yard Dogs Road Show is pure visual and sonic voodoo.

Show Details:
Friday, October 1st
9:00 PM (8:00 PM doors)
$16.00 advance / $18.00 door
Ages 16+

The Orange Peel
101 Biltmore Avenue
Asheville, North Carolina 28801
info@theorangepeel.net

POST A COMMENT BELOW FOR A CHANCE TO WIN TICKETS!

For another chance to win, go to twitter and post: “I want to win a free ticket to the Yard Dog‘s Road Show at @ThePeel THIS Friday 10/1 #YardDogsatThePeel

(make sure to use the hashtag #YardDogsatThePeel for your post to be counted)

CONTEST ENDS THURSDAY NIGHT AT MIDNIGHT

Winners names are chosen randomly and pulled from a hat.

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Fall Tour Dates Announced for the Galen Kipar Project!

Galen Kipar Project Fall Tour Dates:

Wed 10/6 ~ Stone Soup ~ Landrum, SC
Thu 10/7 ~ The Lab ~ Asheville, NC
Fri 10/8 ~ Canyons ~ Blowing Rock, NC
Sat 10/ 9 ~ Leaf Festival of Cashiers, NC
Thu 10/14 ~ Olde Hickory Tap Room ~ Hickory, NC
Fri 10/15 ~ The Purple Fiddle ~Thomas, WV

Sat 10/ 16 ~  Mojo’s ~ Urbanna, VA
Mon 10/18 ~ The PourHouse, Charleston, SC
Wed 10/20 ~ Awendaw Green, Awenedaw, SC
Fri- Sun 10/22-24 ~ Magnolia Festival ~ Live Oak, Fl

Thu 11/4 ~ Blue 5 ~ Roanoke, VA

Fri 11/5 Urbanna Oyster Festival ~ Urbanna, VA

“In Asheville, fans call his act a ‘small-scale symphony.’ It’s probably more like chamber folk/pop, sometimes reminiscent of Adrian Belew’s quieter moods.” ~Tad Dickens, Roanoke Times

Galen Kipar Project released their fourth album in five years, The Scenic Route in June 2010. It was recorded in Echo Mountain Studios in Asheville, NC and has been widely received, satisfying the musical longings of loyal fans as well as the uninitiated.

“The Scenic Route is luminous and warm; Kipar’s vocals as light and syncopated as water cascading over rocks…Each song on Routes is carefully orchestrated and worked with the tender care of a master painter at his easel. Kipar elevates this eight-song collection far beyond standard singer/songwriter fare, wringing emotion and texture from each song and adding layers of interest with rich, resonant percussion and an intricate dance of string tones. He pushes the envelope of how many sounds can be introduced without reducing the sum to a fuzzy, sonic snarl.” ~Alli Marshall, Asheville’s Mountain Xpress

Galen Kipar Project’s line up and instrumentation for the shows are  Aaron Ballance – lap steel guitar, dobro; Ben Portwood – upright bass, vocals; Galen Kipar – guitars, vocals, harmonicas; Jeremy Young – drum kit; Lyndsay Pruett – violin, vocals.

Check out the song “Rushing Over My Bones” in the video below. This song was chosen by WNCW for their Annual “Crowd around the Mic” compilation vol 14.

“Strange, slightly other-worldly acoustic music sung in a sweet, slightly distracted voice. I think of it as a sort of American Primitive, with hits of Sandy Bull in the guitars, Brett Dennen in the voice, Donna the Buffalo in the rustic simplicity, and something altogether new in the wonderful orchestrations… In the words of Tina Fey, when I hear the sounds of this nearby world, I want to go to there.'”

…

“North Carolina singer-songwriter Galen Kipar has nothing to do with the Grateful Dead, but I’m really excited to turn you on to this music. The Scenic Route has been my favorite CD since it arrived in my mailbox a couple of months ago.”~ David Gans; KPFA’s Dead to the World, Host of Grateful Dead Hour

.

Also, check out this studio session and Interview with Kipar and David Gans!

Galen Kipar Project on the Web

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Get ready for an Evening with Keller & the Keels on Pigah Brewing’s Outdoor Stage October 1st!

AN EVENING WITH: Keller and the Keels

Friday, October 1st

Pisgah Brewery in Black Mountain, NC at the NEW outdoor stage!

8pm show, Doors@ 6pm

LATE NIGHT (indoors)- Ralph Roddenbery Band and friends

Keller and The Keels is a fun, foot-stomping project that includes Keller’s old buddy and award-winning flat picker Larry Keel on guitar, and Larry’s beautiful, rock-solid in-the-pocket acoustic bass playing wife, Jenny Keel.  The trio released their first album, “Grass”, in 2006 to the acclaim of critics and fans alike.  A delightfully bizarre collection of anything-but-traditional bluegrass songs comprised of both covers and originals,“Grass”successfully blended the world of bluegrass, rock and folk into one tasty meal.

In 2010, Keller and The Keels have returned with their follow-up effort to“Grass”entitled “Thief”. This time around, the super-chill trio spent a few days in the studio recording entirely unique renditions of songs originally recorded by a diverse group of musicians such as Kris Kristofferson, The Butthole Surfers, Amy Winehouse, The Raconteurs, Ryan Adams and many others.

Check out “Thief” and discover how, regardless of whether a song is penned by Keller or The Presidents of the United States of America, once again, Keller makes it his own.

Pricing details for the Pisgah Outdoor Stage Show:

Friday, October 1st

$15 General Admission in advance

$35 Hopster VIP Package

Prefered Parking, Private Restrooms, Prefered Viewing, Private Bar, Select Brews/New Releases Available

$65 Brewmaster VIP Package –

Prefered Parking, Private Restrooms, Prefered Viewing, Private Bar, Catered Dinner in the Brewery, Pre-event Tasting in the Brewery, Select Brews/New Releases Available, Pisgah Pint Glass, New Keller and the Keels CD “Thief” -or- Keller and the Keels T-shirt

All prices in advance – tickets here

Click here for directions

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Magic Happens at Shakori Hills Fest! Fall fest is October 7-10th

Super pumped about Shakori Hills Fest being right around the corner! It’s October 7-10th in Silk Hope North Carolina.

You never know what will happen at Shakori  as the magic sets in… I’ve seen plenty of rainbows &  blue skies (as well as a few muddy dancing rainstorms…) I’ve seen one of the longest shooting stars ever that lasted at least a minute and flew over the mainstage as Donna the Buffalo was playing on one of the famous Sunday night sets… and I’ve seen some of the best musical collaborations EVER on stage! Everything goes and the festival is always amazing!

On the lineup for this fall are Donna the Buffalo, Preston Frank, Toubab Krewe, Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band, Snake Oil Medicine Show,Woody Pines,  Amelia’s Mechanics, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Lizzy Ross Band, Mandolin Orange and lots more! See the complete lineup here: http://www.shakorihills.org/performers/

At every Shakori, the last set on Sunday night is always one that everyone looks forward to as host band Donna the Buffalo brings out many guests from other bands that have played all weekend. Last spring one of the biggest hits was when  John Paul Jones had randomly appeared at Shakori because his overseas flight to England was delayed from the volcanic ashes that were in the air from the eruption in Iceland. He sat in with Donna the Buffalo and played several songs on bass, keys, and mandolin. Here is a great video of one of them:

Check out this very in depth and personal interview that Paul Kerr from Homegrown Music Network did with DtB’s Tara Nevins on the DtB bus at the festival just before that Sunday night set. At the point of the interview, Tara did not know that John Paul Jones was there again and ready to play:

HGMN: How did [Led Zeppelin bassist] John Paul Jones end up coming to Shakori Hills?

Nevins: He really likes traditional music. He always did, and he plays the mandolin. He produced that all-girl old-time band Uncle Earl. He produced one of their records, and I play triangle on it actually. I got to work with him in the studio. He was at MerleFest a few times and was just checking everything out. Because I had played triangle and was in the studio and had met him and worked with him, I think I might have said, “Hey we’re doing a dance in the dance tent later, why don’t you come by and sit in?” And everyone wanted him to sit in, you know? But he actually showed up and my drummer almost fell off his stool.

She told me later that when she left the bus to get on stage Jeb said, “Hey, Tara, John Paul Jones is here and wants to sit in”. She said something like, “yeah right Jeb” and then he said, “No, really, turn around” and she did and there he was. Funny because she was just telling a story about him at the interview a few minutes before and had no clue about his delayed flight or that he was even at the festival at all… Well.. That’s just some of the magic that happens at Shakori Hills!

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Larry Keel’s bustin’ out with some new great videos!

keel, up close and personal

Exciting News! Larry Keel‘s traveling with a Flip Video recorder!!! This means lots of NEW videos the day they’re recorded in real fun situations!!!

Check out the new YouTube channel here: youtube.com/user/Larrykeelmusic

To see the other videos and look out for more subscribe to the Larry Keel Music YouTube channel!

For tour dates, photos galleries, link to social networks visit larrykeel.com

and stay tuned to Fishin and Pickin

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Jenny Juice’s Brown Bag Songwriting Competition in Asheville this Fall!

Jenny Juice’s Brown Bag Songwriting Competition
Mondays at Modaddy’s
Oct. 4 – Nov. 29.

Sign-up at 8:00pm. Starts at 8:30pm. (see below for details)
2 Songs, $3.00 per act

“The Brown Bag an open mic songwriting competition that offers a way to network the Asheville music scene by inviting seasoned musicians and music business people to listen and judge the raw, fresh, talent in town that shows up regularly.”~ Jen Greer

Bi-annually (fall and spring) Jenny “Juice” Greer of Jen and the Juice hosts a 10 week open mic with a twist at Modaddy’s. Musicians put $3 into a brown lunch bag to perform. Celebrity judges select a winner, and the one performer they select takes home the bag of cash.

Win $500! At the end of the Monday night series there is a final shoot out of the weekly winners. This is the BIG Brown Bag which contains $500 and many other prizes. The BIG Brown Bag Finals are Saturday DEC. 4 at Modaddy’s.

Join the facebook group for the Brown Bag Series! There are lots of videos posted of past finalist and players!

SIGN UP – 2 ways!
1. NEW! We reserve spots for musicians who show up on Monday. Please be there by 8:00pm to sign up. You have a good chance of getting on the list, but the does get full quickly most nights, so be prepared to hang out if you don’t get on.

2. We do allow advanced sign-up. Please email our name to jen@jenandthejuice.com with the date you want to play.
Once you receive confirmation you are in! DO NOT CALL MODADDY’S. If you have reserved a spot you must be there by 8:30 to claim your spot.

Contest Rules:
• Only three people per act max.
• You can only win once per season. Then you are in the finals! If you have been in the finals before you can enter again this round.
• NEW! Amps and Effects are allowed! Please respect our time and be prepared.

Competition Criteria:
1. Song Lyrics
2. Instrumentation
3. Stage Presence
4. Crowd Response

Past Winners:
Ten Cent Poetry – http://www.myspace.com/chelsealynnlabate

Baby Cowboy – http://www.myspace.com/babycowboymusic

We want to hear from you! Let us know what you think or if you have a question jen@jenandthejuice.com

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Ukuleles aren’t just for luaus anymore!!! The Mad Tea Party headlines Hub City Ukefest 9/24!

Ukuleles aren’t just for luaus anymore!!! The Mad Tea Party headlines Hub City Ukefest 9/24! Read more about it in this great interview with Matt Wake from the Greenville Metromix! Also find out more about their NEW Halloween EP, “ROCK-N-ROLL GHOUL” at this previous post.

In October, the band will release its “Rock ‘n’ Roll Ghoul” four-song Halloween EP via seven-inch vinyl and digital download. The set includes detours into doo-wop and psychedelia. (Credit: Jonathan Welch)

Ukuleles aren’t just for luaus anymore

Hub City Ukefest boasts three bands, instrument-maker

By Matt Wake, Metromix

The ukulele Ami Worthen plays in Asheville indie duo Mad Tea Party is hot-rodded, both visually and sonically.  Berkley, Calif., luthier Peter Hurney built Worthen a uke with a black-with-flames paintjob (a la ’50s dragster) and she plugs the axe into a guitar amp. And distortion pedal.

“I’m really into the ukulele as a rhythm instrument and the percussive sound of it,” Worthen, 29, says. “The way I play it is almost like a snare drum. That’s the thing I really dig about it: Its ability to provide an exciting groove.”
She first heard the ukulele on an old-time album from Brad Leftwich and Linda Higginbotham. Worthen took up the instrument about five years ago.

On Sept. 24 Mad Tea Party—which includes guitarist/drummer Jason Krekel and draws from influences including Bo Diddley—will headline the Hub City Ukefest. The show also features Greenville’s Lil’ Junior, who cover Ry Cooder and Velvet Underground tracks, and Spartanburg combo Snidely Sidewinder & The Unrepentant Uke Boys.

…

READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE: http://greenville.metromix.com/music/article/ukuleles-aren-t-just/2192390/content

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Tokyo Rosenthal Announces Fall Tour Dates!

Rock and Sock Records announced today that their recording artist, Tokyo Rosenthal, will begin his Fall Tour on September 24th. In a career that started with the country rock boom, Rosenthal has honed his craft and “rootsy/ Americana with a little blues thrown in” sound to perfection. His most successful release to date, “Ghosts”, reached #5 on the Euro Americana Chart and the critical acclaim and US airplay has been overwhelming.  This will be Rosenthal’s first extended tour since his April and May UK tour. The tour will begin in ”Toke’s” backyard of ”The Triangle” in North Carolina and extend South before heading up to the Northeast in November. Tokyo will be joined on the tour at various times by Charlie Chamberlain(mandolin/lead guitar), Bobby Britt(fiddle) and Warren Sharp(lead guitar). In addition to live venue performances Toke will also be making radio and TV appearances.

Included among the dates announced so far will be Tokyo’s second appearance at The Bitter End in New York City this year. Toke will also be performing in Newport, Rhode Island for the first time in over 20 years, an area where he did a lot of his early performing. ”I’m looking forward to playing new venues in markets where “Ghosts“ got extensive airplay and returning to venues to play again for old friends and fans”, said Rosenthal. “It’s also a privilege to make music with Charlie, Bobby, and Warren.”

Press quotes:
“There is no perfect love but there is damn near perfect old time Americana swing here, the affectionate dance prevails, giddy yet tender it heals… These are songs that seem to talk to each different one of us they are immediate in their connection yet their caress abides long after the player has stopped spinning.”  – THE NEXT BIG THING“Be it ballads or rather rocking titles such as Inside Your Skull, this musician masters all facettes.” –Bruno Michel – CMJ

“I have a soft spot for Toke (pet name for those in the in crowd), he is one of those great musicians thats just keeps coming up with great music.” Simon Barrett – USA TODAY/BNN

“ ‘Did we really start that war… did they really lie about what for?’, Tokyo asks over a dramatic fusion of swirling fiddle and bombastic drums.” – COUNTRY MUSIC PEOPLE MAGAZINE

TOKYO HAPPENINGS:

* Toke will be touring the West Coast beginning in January 2011 and playing LA for the first time since 1993.

* Tokyo has begun work on a new album that is scheduled to be released in the late spring of 2011.

* Toke’s last CD, “Ghosts”, is being considered for a Grammy nomination in the Contemporary Folk Album category!

Below are the confirmed dates as of 9/12/10. For more updated information as dates are added log on to www.tokyorosenthal.com or www.myspace.com/tokyorosenthal.

* Tour Dates*

Sept.24- Java Divine – Holly Springs, NC

Sept.25- Bean and Barrel – Chapel Hill, NC

Sept.26- Carrboro Music Festival – Carrboro, NC

Oct.6 – The Evening Muse – Charlotte, NC

Oct.7- Smiley’s – Greenville, SC

Oct. 13 –  12th and Porter – Nashville

Nov.6- The Niche – Holly Springs, NC

Nov. 12 – 157 EAST- Chapel Hill, NC

Nov.13- UCLA CC – Graham, NC

Nov.16 -The Bitter End – NYC, NY

Nov.17- The Acoustic Cafe – Bridgeport, CT

Nov.18- Billy Goodes – Newport, RI

Nov.19- Bull Run – Shirley, MA

Nov.20-Mocha Maya’s – Shelburne Falls, MA

Nov. 21- Penuche’s – Concord, NH

Nov.22-  The Alternate Root TV Show

All dates subject to change.

Tokyo Rosenthal on the Web:



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Celebrate the Holidays with 3 UNIQUE sets of KELLER WILLIAMS **Featuring Reggae Dub/Funk w/ Jay Starling and Mark D + Keller & The Keels + Keller Solo Acoustic & Loopy Dance Grooves***

Keller Williams Announces “Celebrate the Holidays” NYE Run December 29-31 And 10^th Annual SPCA Holiday Benefit on December 26

Critically Acclaimed Covers Album Thief Sets Stage For Keller To Break Into Children’s Music with New Album, Kids, Due October 26

Keller Touring Theaters Across The Country This Fall

Keller Williams has announced plans for a set of very special East Coast New Year’s Eve concerts. Starting on December 29 in Virginia and concluding on NYE in North Carolina (details below), each show on the “Celebrate the Holidays” run will feature three sets built around a different theme. Set I will be reggae, dub and funk versions of Keller favorites with Jay Starling on keys, Mark D on drums and Keller on bass.  Set II will feature the bluegrass stylings of Larry Keel on guitar and his wife Jenny on bass with Keller playing his mini twelve-string (wanna-be mandolin) guitar.  And Set III will be old school Keller on acoustic guitar with his trademark looped-out dance grooves. Big screen video visuals will be provided by Scott Sunn.

Before the NYE run kicks-off, Keller bring his three-set extravaganza to his hometown of Fredericksburg, VA for his annual holiday concert to benefit the SPCA.  To celebrate the ten year anniversary of the event, which will take place on December 26 at the Fredericksburg Field House, Keller has invited local marching band Elby Brass to join the show for set break music.  100% of the concert’s profits will go to support The Fredericksburg Regional SPCA.  Less than 3% of The Fredericksburg Regional SPCA’s budget is received from the City of Fredericksburg, forcing the branch to rely almost solely on individual and corporate donations and fundraising events like this. The Fredericksburg Regional SPCA is a “no-kill” shelter whose mission is to tackle the problem of pet overpopulation through education, adoption, rehabilitation and spay/neuter.  www.spcafred.com

Keller’s SPCA benefit show and NYE run will cap a very busy year for one of the hardest working men in music.  May saw the release of his acclaimed all covers album Thief featuring Larry and Jenny Keel.  Praised by Blurt as “impressive…. a great effort that’s bound to bring in a few more fans,” the album features completely retooled versions of songs by everyone from Amy Winehouse to Ryan Adams.  Moving from covers to kiddos, Keller’s latest album finds him breaking into the world of children’s music with the appropriately titled Kids. A sure hit for parents and children alike, Kids is due October 26 via SCI Fidelity, this will be Keller Williams’ sixteenth album.

Keller will tour in support of Kids with select November dates in the Pacific Northwest as the “Super Music Friend” on the Yo Gabba Gabba tour.  Keller will also be playing for older kids with evening shows in the same cities.  Prior to the Kids tour Keller will be touring theaters all over the country, details below.

FOR FAN CLUB TICKETS AND INFO CLICK HERE

**TOUR DATES HERE**

NEW YEAR’S EVE RUN & BENEFIT CONCERT DETAILS

Sunday, Dec. 26th, 2010

SPCA Benefit

Location: Fredericksburg Field House in Fredericksburg, VA

Time: Doors at 7pm, show at 8pm

Tickets: $25

Ages: All ages

Website: www.fredfieldhouse.com

Wednesday, Dec. 29th, 2010

Location: The NorVa in Norfolk, VA

Time: Doors at 7pm, show at 8pm

Tickets: ADV $18/DOS $21

Ages: All ages

Website: www.thenorva.com/

Thursday, Dec. 30th, 2010

Location: The National in Richmond, VA

Time: Doors at 7pm, show at 8pm

Tickets: ADV $18/DOS $21

Ages: All ages

Website: www.thenationalva.com/

Friday, Dec. 31st, 2010

Location: Neighborhood Theatre in Charlotte, NC

Time: Doors at 8pm

Tickets: ADV $35/DOS $45

Ages: All ages

Website: www.neighborhoodtheatre.com, including information on hotel deals and transportation packages

www.kellerwilliams.net

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Videos from the pilot run of Lingua Musica at the Whitehorse in Black Mountain, NC

Lingua Musica is a NEW LIVE music talk show hosted by WNCW’s Midday host, Joe Kendrick, once a month at the White Horse in Black Mountain! The official World Premier is September 29th! Read more about the upcoming show here.

Check out the footage from the pilot launch on August 12, 2010 in the videos posted below. The guests for the launch included Steve McMurry and Jay Sanders of Acoustic Syndicate; multipercussionist, composer and educator River Guerguerian; Blurt Magazine music editor Fred Mills; musician and writer Carol Rifkin;  and club owner and music industry veteran Bob Hinkle. The band for the evening was Floating Action.

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