The Keels and Danny Barnes are Going to Rock Out Pisgah Brewing Thurs, October 6th

Check out this nice interview with Larry Keel about playing with Danny Barnes that is in GoUpstate.com this week:

By JASON GILMER
For the Herald-Journal

Look through Larry Keel’s discography and it’s easy to see that the Virginia-based flat picking guitarist is fond of jamming with others.

He has made albums with several different groups, individual acts and his family.

Now, he’s making music with banjoist Danny Barnes.

The duo, along with Keel’s wife Jenny on bass, play at 9 p.m. Thursday at the Pisgah Brewing Company in Black Mountain, N.C.

“I love being able to present something new to the crowd,” Keel said. “Mixing it up keeps it fun for the crowd and for myself.”

He and Barnes met up several years ago at the Northwest String Summit Music Festival and have played together on several occasions.

Keel is a big fan of Barnes’ music.

“I love a chance to play music with Danny Barnes, I tell ya. He’s just the newest, greatest songwriter that I’ve heard,” Keel said.

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READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE: http://www.goupstate.com/article/20111005/ARTICLES/110051036?p=2&tc=pg

 

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An Evening with Larry Keel, Danny Barnes and Jenny Keel at Pisgah Brewing on Thurs, October 6th

Original, and from the soul, Larry Keel has surfed the changing tides of traditional bluegrass, country, jam rock, roots reggae, and even the currently emerging indie-alt scene always honoring the pioneers that introduced Bluegrass and Mountain Music into popular culture. Keel is an award-winning Acoustic Americana flatpicking guitarist, well known for his entirely unique song-writing, gravelly voice and lightning fast licks and his band Natural Bridge is “consistently touted as the hottest, most provocative and most entertaining bluegrass band of this decade.”

Mousike Magazine describes Keel’s music as “Steeped in the old-timey and with a gravelly voice as deep and rich as moonshine on a riverbank… Larry’s flat-picking style is as seamless as it is gymnastic and he’s a master at simulating banjo rolls, mandolin runs or even parts that you would normally hear played on a fiddle.” Larry Keel is an ever-evolving musical force that stands in ongoing defiance to all genre expectations. And his fierce, high-spirited energy also appeals to young rockers, jammers, alt country pickers and fans who are equally drawn to Keel’s deep rumbling voice, his earthy and imaginative song-writing, and his down-home-gritty-good-time charm. Guitar Player Magazine noted, “When bluegrass guitar greats Tony Rice, Norman Blake, and Beppe Gambeta sing your praises, you must be good.”

Larry Keel will be picking with a variety of players swirling around the calendar for the whole year. For this special evening at Pisgah he will be joined by wife and rock-steady bass player Jenny Keel as well as banjo pickin buddy Danny Barnes.

Widely regarded as one of the most innovative and genre-bending artists of his craft, Danny Barnes’ musical interests are both varied and adventurous, and he incorporates that versatility into a progressive approach to an instrument that is musically polarizing and steeped in tradition. Although he demonstrates an appreciation for the history of the bluegrass, country, and folk music from which the banjo’s reputation was born, his inventive take is what truly separates him from his contemporaries…using the banjo as his ‘weapon of choice’ to play non-traditional music like rock, fusion, and jazz with electronic percussion and loop elements.

Both the Keels and Barnes have collaborated on stage with the likes of Bela Fleck, Del McCoury, Sam Bush, newgrass stars Yonder Mountain String band, Leftover Salmon, Keller Williams amongst others. When these powerhouse pickers get together, get ready to hear some chops!

Show details at a glance:
Larry Keel, Jenny Keel & Danny Barnes
Pisgah Brewing Company- Inside Taproom
Thursday, October 6, 2011

8pm doors/ 9pm show
$12 adv/ $15 dos
828/669-0190
150 Eastside Drive
Black Mountain, NC 28711
http://pisgahbrewing.com/

www.larrykeel.com
www.dannybarnes.com

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Smilefest New Artists Announcement! Jeb and Tara Duo added!

The Reunion: 2011

Mountain Roots Management is proud to bring another Smilefest Reunion to the musical family of Smilefest supporters past and present. The 2011 event promises to be something special!  Smilefest Reunion 2011 is scheduled to take place June 3-5, 2011 at Jomeokee Campground in Pinnacle, NC.

This private, invitation only event offers 2 stages, acoustic late night jams, VIP packages, RV and Vehicle Camping passes, and capped ticket sales at 1499 patrons. Smilefest Reunion 2011 promises to be a treat to all the Smile Folk that attend, guaranteeing an intimate experience between patrons, artists and festival.  Nestled below Pilot Mountain, the 100 acre plot has plenty of covered and open camping, rolling hills, scenic mountains and a near perfect amphitheatre which hosts the side-by-side stages.

Photo by John D Kurc

Smilefest is very excited to announce their 2nd and final round of Artist Additions to the Smilefest Reunion 2011. With so much amazing music rooted in the history of this event, a lot of hard work has gone into bringing the utmost in talent old and new.

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Smilefest is very excited to have added to our Sunday closing a special duo set from Jeb and Tara (of Donna and the Buffalo). Others performing over the weekend include: Railroad Earth, JJ Grey and Mofro, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, Larry Keel and Natural Bridge, Danny Barnes and more!

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Tara Nevins and Jeb Puryear, of Donna the Buffalo, have crafted a feel-good, groove-oriented, danceable and often socially conscious music all began over twenty years ago with roots in old time fiddle music that has evolved into a soulful electric Americana mix infused with elements of cajun/ zydeco, rock, folk, reggae, and country. As a band, Donna the Buffalo is known for touring the country while remaining fiercely independent as one of the industry’s most diverse roots-music bands and Encore states they have “earned a reputation as one of the most respected, eclectic and hardest-working acts today.”

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The dynamic songwriting tandem of Americana Roots vocalists Jeb Puryear and Tara Nevins have penned over 150 songs in their collaboration with DTB and have many more in the making. Their set at Smilefest is a special duo set which is always enjoyable for their fans to hear their favorite DtB songs in stripped down arrangements.

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This May, Nevins is also releasing a 2nd solo album Wood and Stone which showcases her ever-evolving repertoire as she journeys both back to her own “roots” and head-long into new territory. The album was produced by Larry Campbell with guests including Levon Helm, Jim Lauderdale, Allison Moorer, Teresa Williams and more and will be put out through Sugar Hill Records. In 2008, Puryear released a solo album, Hopes and Dreams, through GrassRoots Festival Records. Donna the Buffalo’s 2008 release Silverlined, on Sugar Hill Records, rose to #8 on the Americana Music Chart and the full band is in studio this spring working on their next album with John Keane in Athens, GA.

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Other Smilefest Artist Additions include:

BIG DADDY BLUEGRASS BAND, RALPH RODDENBERRY (Late Night Pickin’ Set), BIG SOMETHING, BOBBY MILLER and the VIRGINIA DAREDEVILS (Late Night Pickin’ Set), DUK TAN, FROM A SEED, and MATT NICHOLS

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For the full Smilefest Reunion 2011 Artist Lineup, go to http://www.smilefest.com/all-artists

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Big IV Productions Announces 15th Annual Suwannee Springfest March 24-27, 2011

Big IV Productions Announces 15th Annual Suwannee Springfest  March 24-27, 2011

Legendary Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, FL

Advance Discount Tickets Available Now

Bear Creek Music & Arts Festival and Purple Hatter’s Ball Dates also Announced

Big IV Productions is proud to announce details for the 15th annual Suwannee Springfest.  The perfect way to kick-off festival season, the event will take place March 24-27, 2011 at Live Oak, Florida’s Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park. Voted “Florida’s Best Live Music Venue” in 2009 by readers of Florida Monthly Magazine, the park resides next to the historic Suwannee River and boasts over 800 acres of perfect campsites with Spanish moss covered oak and pine trees providing shade and mood.  Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park is also a full service campground offering cabin rentals, RV hookups, and a wide range of amenities including a restaurant, general store, showers and bathrooms.

Donna the Buffalo

The critically acclaimed Suwannee Springfest will once again feature the best and brightest Americana and grassroots artists performing new and traditional folk, rock & roll, bluegrass and newgrass, alt-country and more. Confirmed talent for the 2011 fest includes: The Avett Brothers, David Grisman Septet, Jesse McReynolds, Donna The Buffalo, Emmitt-Nershi Band, Travelin’ McCourys with The Lee Boys, Jim Lauderdale, Mosier Brothers, Acoustic Syndicate, Danny Barnes, Scythian, Trampled By Turtles, Steep Canyon Rangers, Joe Craven, Pangea with Michael Kang, Larry Keel and Natural Bridge, Surprise Me Mr. Davis, The Motet, Dread Clampitt, Rowan Cunningham, Tornado Rider, Ralph Roddenbery, Greensky Bluegrass, Galen Kipar Project, Holy Ghost Tent Revival, Larkin Poe, Two Foot Level, Sloppy Joe, New 76ers, Saltwater Grass, Amy Hendrickson & the Prime Directive, Grandpa’s Cough Medicine, The Whetherman and more.

Larry Keel and Natural Bridge

2011 Suwannee Springfest Ticket Info: Early bird tickets are on sale now until January 31 for $125.  From February 1–March 15 tickets will be priced at $150.  From March 16-March 23 tickets will be $165.  From that point on, including at the festival gates, all weekend tickets will be $180.  Saturday/Sunday two-day passes (with camping) will be $145 and available only at the gate.  Single day tickets will be priced as follows: Thursday: $50, Friday: $65, Saturday: $75, Sunday: $50 (single day tickets do not include camping).  All weekend tickets include music, camping Thursday-Sunday nights, and all fees and taxes.  For more information on Suwannee Springfest, including up-to-date lineup and ticket details, go to: suwanneespringfest.com

Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park is also home to other Big IV Productions, including the Blackwater Music Festival (new in 2010) and the Bear Creek Music & Arts Festival (which recently celebrated its fourth). Hosted each November, the 2010 Bear Creek Music & Arts Festival was such a huge success and attracts such a loyal group of attendees, that dates and select artists have already been announced for next year.  Scheduled for November 11-13, 2011, the preliminary lineup includes Medeski, Scofield, Martin & Wood, The Funky Meters, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, John Scofield & Piety Street, Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk, Lettuce, George Porter, Jr., Jon Cleary, and the Pimps of Joytime.  For more information on the Bear Creek Music & Arts Festival go to: http://www.bearcreekmusicfestival.com/

The annual Purple Hatter’s Ball, celebrating the life of Rachel Morningstar Hoffman, will also once again take place at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park.  The 2011 event is set for May 13 & 14.  More details will be announced soon.  For more information on the Purple Hatter’s Ball go to: http://rachelmorningstarfoundation.org/

About Big IV Productions: Big IV Productions is owned and operated by Paul Levine and Lyle Williams, founders of the Bear Creek Music Festival and co-producers of the brand new Blackwater Music Festival with Blackwater Music, LLC (a company owned by Williams and Judy Van Zant / owner of Jacksonville Beach, FL’s Freebird Live). For 2011, Big IV Productions adds the 15th annual Suwanee Springfest to their family of festivals. Deeply engrained in the Florida music scene, Big IV Productions is also partners in Tallahassee’s Engine Room as well as Suwannee River Jam, and producers of the Purple Hatter’s Ball.

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Archive: Review of Keller & the Keels, Thief, in Acoustic Guitar Magazine

Please visit the Home Grown Music Network’s site to vote for the best HGMN album of the year! THIEF is on the list– hint hint

Check out this great review of Keller and the Keels, Thief, in Acoustic Guitar Magazine this month!

Who knew Amy Winehouse’s neo-soul hit “Rehab” would make a great bluegrass burner? On this mischievous collection of covers by jam-man Keller Williams with flatpicker Larry Keel and upright bassist Jenny Keel, a follow-up to their 2006′s Grass, the trio also tackles the Grateful Dead’s tripped-out “Mountains of the Moon,” Cracker’s cheeky “Teen Angst.” and more stylistically straightforward fare such as Kris Kristofferson’s “Don’t Cuss the Fiddle” and Danny Barnes’s “Get It While You Can.” Williams takes the mando role in this group, adding the bluegrass chops not on an actual mandolin but on a high-tuned Veillette mini-12-string guitar with the top two string courses removed. That leaves plenty of sonic room for Larry Keel’s superfine flatpicking runs and cross-picked rolls, played on a Santa Cruz OM and recorded in sumptuous acoustic detail. In keeping with the repertoire, the vibe of Thief is loose and playful, with all the tracks performed live except for harmony vocals. The trio indulges in a bit of space jamming but overall keeps a light focus on this odd and witty batch of songs, proving along the way that the grass is green out in left field. (SCI Fidelity)

-JEFFREY PEPPER RODGERS

TO SEE THE ORIGINAL POST PLEASE VISIT ACOUSTIC GUITAR MAGAZINE: http://www.acousticguitar.com/article/default.aspx?articleid=25669

Remember to visit the Home Grown Music Network’s site to vote for the best HGMN album of the year! THIEF is on the list– hint hint http://www.homegrownmusic.net/form/vote-for-the-hgmn-2010-album-of-the-year

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