Listen to Town Mountain’s “Comin’ Back To You” live from the Myriad Botanical Gardens in OK

Listen in to a live performance of Town Mountain‘s original song “Comin’ Back To You” in the Myriad Botanical Gardens! Thanks to The Oklahoman‘s Nathan Poppe for recording it!

Town Mountain. Photo by Nathan Poppe

Town Mountain. Photo by Nathan Poppe

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The Motet & The London Souls Added to Magnolia Fest 2015 with Tedeschi Trucks Band, The Avett Brothers, The Del McCoury Band, Keller Williams Grateful Gospel, Lake Street Dive, Jeff Austin Band & more

The Motet & The London Souls Added to Magnolia Fest 2015 with Tedeschi Trucks Band, The Avett Brothers, The Del McCoury Band, Keller Williams Grateful Gospel, Lake Street Dive, Jeff Austin Band & more

The 19th Annual Magnolia Fest on October 15-18, 2015
at the Spirit of Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, FL
3076 95th Dr, Live Oak, FL 32060
www.musicliveshere.com | www.magnoliafest.com

More information and tickets → www.magnoliafest.com/tickets/

Magnolia Fest celebrates its 19th year at the magnificent Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, FL on October 15-18, 2015. Spicing it up a bit more, the festival announces the additions of  this year and adding The Motet and The London Souls to the bill.

On this fall’s lineup are Tedeschi Trucks Band, The Avett Brothers, The Del McCoury Band, Keller Williams Grateful Gospel, Lake Street Dive, Jeff Austin Band featuring Danny Barnes, Ross Martin & Eric Thorin, Oteil Burbridge and Roosevelt Collier Band, Steep Canyon Rangers, Rebirth Brass Band, Donna the Buffalo, Jim Lauderdale, New Orleans Suspects, Col Bruce Hampton, Jerry Joseph & The Jackmormons, Lost Bayou Ramblers, The Lee Boys, The Congress, Band of Heathens, Nikki Talley and more!

Festivalgoers enjoy four days of camping, live music, unique arts and crafts, a wonderful selection of foods and beautiful fall weather. Another reason to attend Magnolia Fest is the stunning setting located just north of Live Oak, FL, in The Spirit of Suwannee, a one-of-a-kind music park and premier 500+ acre campground nestled on the shady banks of the historic, tea-colored Suwannee River with lush overgrowths of Spanish moss. There is also nearly 12 miles of trails suitable for hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing, and nature exploring, as well as canoe and bike rentals.

With four stage of music including a natural amphitheatre set into the trees, an expansive meadow stage, a music hall, and another wood-built stage near the vending Magnolia Fest consistently features some of the world’s finest performers in Americana, Roots Rock, Acoustic Blues, Singer/Songwriter, Bluegrass & Newgrass, Cajun/Zydeco, New & Traditional Folk and other forms of American Roots music. There’s also campfire pickin’ throughout the festival by attendees and performers alike; you just never know who may show up to play in this energetic and family friendly musical celebration.

Tickets are on sale in advance and at the gate. Early bird rates are $185 until August 20th; $200 until October 14th; and $210 at gate. All weekend tickets are inclusive of all taxes and fees, and include 4 days of primitive camping and music. Kids under 12 are invited to join for free. Fans can also upgrade their experience with VIP tickets for $350 through 8/30 ($400 after that) which includes dinner, discounts, VIP Lounge, festival poster, & other perks. The Live Oak Music And Arts Foundation (LOMAF) will have a booth with raffles to raise money for the local music and art programs in the area.

SOSMP is located between Jacksonville, Florida & Tallahassee, Florida about 30 minutes south of the Georgia State line, about 45 minutes north of Gainesville. For RV hook ups, cabin rentals and golf cart rentals, please visit the park’s web site at www.musicliveshere.com call SOSMP at (386)-364-1683. For further information and tickets, please visit → www.magnoliafest.com/tickets.

Magnolia Fest 2015 Full Lineup
Tedeschi Trucks Band
The Avett Brothers
The Del McCoury Band
Keller Williams Grateful Gospel
Lake Street Dive
Jeff Austin Band featuring Danny Barnes, Ross Martin & Eric Thorin
Oteil Burbridge and Roosevelt Collier Band
Steep Canyon Rangers
Rebirth Brass Band
New Orleans Suspects
Donna the Buffalo
Jim Lauderdale
The Motet
Col. Bruce Hampton
Jerry Joseph & The Jackmormons
Lost Bayou Ramblers
The Lee Boys
The Congress
Band of Heathens
The London Souls
Nikki Talley
The Applebutter Express
Whetherman
Grits & Soul
Sloppy Joe
Quartermoon
Grandpa’s Cough Medicine
The Corbitt Brothers
Quebe Sisters
Big Cosmo
Berry Oakley’s Skylab
Habanero Honeys
Flagship Romance
This Frontier Needs Heroes
JacksonVegas
Bryce Alastair Band
The Mojo Gurus
Back From The Brink
Bonnie Blue

Stay up to date with Magnolia Fest news at  www.MagnoliaFest.com, www.facebook.com/MagnoliaFestfl, www.twitter.com/MagnoliaFest, and www.instagram.com/magnoliafest.

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An Evening with Grits & Soul at Isis Upstairs Lounge on Wed, Aug 12th

Grits & Soul. Photo by Jenny Baumert.

An Evening with Grits & Soul at Isis Upstairs Lounge on Wed 8/12
$5, 5pm Door/ 7pm Show
General Admission Seated Lounge Show :: Limited Tables Available with Dinner Reservation
Seating without dinner reservation will be first come first serve
Call 828-575-2737 dinner reservations
http://isisasheville.com

At the heart of Grits & Soul are song-crafters Anna Kline and John Looney. Based in Asheville, North Carolina, they take the influences of mountain bluegrass and classic country and fuse it with those of Mississippi soul and blues.

On the heels of their 2013 MerleFest IBMA showcase and the release of their debut album, Flood Waters, the duo continues to attract the attention of audiences throughout the Southeast. Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine gave the team a glowing review, calling Flood Waters “intriguing and enveloping.” The recording highlights the collaboration of a gifted lyricist with a talented arranger, with a shared sensibility of stirring melodies and powerful story lines.

Since the release of Flood Waters, they received coveted invitations to perform at Merlefest, Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, Albino Skunk Festival, and Suwannee Springfest, amongst others and recently opened for Jim Lauderdale at the Ingles 4th of July celebration downtown Asheville. Notable upcoming appearances include Magnolia Fest 2015 and Country Festival in Sint-Truiden, Belgium.

Grits & Soul are a memorable musical team with their voices blending together in seamless harmony. Their collaboration forges a powerful connection between hard-driving bluegrass, barroom honky tonk, Celtic, Southern gospel, and slow-burning blues. Working together for over four years now, they continue to hone their sound and songs onstage together, logging thousands of highway miles and hundreds of performances.

Anna’s powerhouse voice is “mesmerizing — growling, slurring, soaring, swooping, note-bending, word-bending…they’re all a part of her power-packed technique,” says Bluegrass Unlimited. John, who grew up in Mt. Sterling, KY, is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist, setting the tone onstage with his interpretation of classic melodies, while his skills as arranger shine through their original material.

They are currently working on new material for a 2016 album release. For more information and further tour dates, please visit www.gritsandsoul.com, twitter.com/gritsandsoul, and facebook.com/gritsandsoulband.

The entire Flood Waters album can be heard at http://www.soundcloud.com/gritsandsoul/sets/flood-waters

It can also be found on Spotify and iTunes.

Watch Grits & Soul Live at The Grey Eagle in Asheville → www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oi_EApz42Rs

The Grits & Soul Live at Our State Magazine → http://www.ourstate.com/grits-soul-live

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Cancer Survivorship Benefit for Sheila Shine at at New Mountain on Tue 7/21 w/ Music & More

Help Sheila Shine On:
A Benefit Extravaganza for Marshall, NC resident Sheila McGuire, aka “Sheila Shine”
at
New Mountain’s Outdoor Courtyard on Tuesday, July 21, 2015
6:30pm doors/ 7pm entertainment; All Ages
Rain or Shine (will be moved indoors if it rains)
Interactive Family Drum Circle with DRUMSTRONG at 7pm
Music, Poetry, Hula Hoops & more!
Silent Auction/ Raffle; $10 Suggested Donation (includes raffle ticket)
Office: 828.785.1701
38 N French Broad Ave • Asheville, NC 28801
www.newmountainavl.com

Schedule of Events
6:30-7:00 Arrival
7:00-8:00 DRUMSTRONG Family Drum Circle
8:00-8:15 Barbie Angell
8:15-9:00 Big F’N Deal Band (Bluegrass)
9:00-9:15 Barbie Angell/David Weber
9:15-10:00 Yess I (Reggae)
10:00-10-15 Barbie Angell – Drawing
10:00-11:30 Risin’ Shiners (Miller, Matulich, Parks, Stack, Martin, Martin, Pruett)
11:30-? Drums / Selector Az-iZ (Adrian Zelski of DubConscious) DJ Set

ASHEVILLE, NC — Life has ways of testing the strength and endurance of us in this world. Last year, Sheila McGuire, or Sheila Shine as most know her, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Although she is now receiving Medicaid, the financial burden of having not been able to work, coupled with other health care and living costs, has put her livelihood in jeopardy. In the midst of her health crisis, Sheila has also been fighting to keep her beloved mountain sanctuary home Spirits Rising, in Little Pine Valley of Marshall where she has lived since 2007, which is facing foreclosure. It is difficult enough to endure a trauma to one’s physical body, let alone have trauma in their sense of security and place of refuge.

New Mountain in Asheville has generously offered their space to host multiple benefits, in which Sheila is actively participating in, throughout the coming months with the first being held on Tuesday, July 21st in the outdoor courtyard. Performers set for the evening include The Risin’ Shiners (ft. Bobby Miller, Taylor Martin, Drew Matulich, Josh Stack, Rob Parks, Griff Martin, and Lyndsay Pruett), Selector Az-iZ (Adrian Zelski of DubConscious), The Big F’N Deal Band, Yess I, Melmac Pink of Asheville Hoops, Kenny the Clown, poetry by Barbie Angell and David Weber.

Doors open at 6:30pm with an Interactive Family Drum Circle with DRUMSTRONG starting at 7pm. Led by Kennon Knight; Dan McDermitt, and Kim Nelson of DRUMSTRONG; Drew Heller & Justin Perkins of Toubab Krewe & of Les Amis; Adama Dembele of Zansa & Les Amis & others! Bring your drum for an opening ceremony to drum in honor of, or in memory of, for your own fortification or just out of the goodness of your heart.

There will also be a silent auction/ raffle and educational materials on site including information from Mission Hospital’s Ladies Night Out program. $10 suggested donation for the event (Includes a raffle ticket).

DRUMSTRONG is a supporting partner in the “Help Sheila Shine On” events where folks will enjoy great music, solid health resources, great art/raffles, fun activities, and a powerful drum circle to BEAT cancer. DrumsForCures produces DRUMSTRONG events raising awareness & funds in support of cancer survivorship, education & research through Rhythm. All cancers, All populations are represented. DRUMSTRONG’s Scott Swimmer writes, “Join DRUMSTRONG Rhythm as we celebrate survivorship and boost our dear friend Sheila to higher ground. Lord knows she needs your support; and in doing so, also benefit thousands of people globally.”

For each benefit, we are seeking donated items such as artwork, music/ art lessons, gift certificates to local businesses & restaurants, and other creative ideas. We are also in the planning phases for the events further out; if you would like to perform, contribute, or have any other creative ideas, please do let us know. There are benefits planned each month up through the end of the year; please stay tuned for details.

Sheila Shine. Photo by Leigh Monson.

Sheila has been a good warrior and has been fighting for life. Since August 19, 2014, she has endured five cancer surgeries including a double mastectomy, along with dealing with chronic back pain from an injury she sustained when hit by a drunk driver in 2005. Her final surgery blessedly came back with positive results of being cancer free as of June 19th, 2015. She still has to be careful, especially with her nutritional needs and stress levels. She’s out of the woods and feeling much better, but she still has a long road paved with more surgeries and medication regimens ahead of her.

Now let’s help her get back on her feet financially. With the support of a wide network of friends and festival family, Sheila has been able to open up and talk about her experience with others and is working toward manifesting her dream of making her home a mountain retreat for musicians and others with cancer to recuperate. She has been receiving much support within her community of friends worldwide.

The Sheila Shine Fund will blossom by your participating in committing to share your pulse and making tax deductible donations through DrumsForCures’ 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Donate via PayPal at scott@drumstrong.org and make sure to note the donation is in honor of in honor of Sheila Shine on the email. This charitable Contribution to DrumStrong will give money to Spirits Rising directly with  10% going to DrumsForCures.

Friends of Sheila Shine have also created a Go Fund Me account for anyone that would like to donate: www.gofundme.com/SheilaShineFund. Stay up to date with more news from Sheila & Friends and about the benefits at her facebook group www.facebook.com/groups/SheilaShineOn.

Stay up to date with more news from Sheila & Friends at her facebook group www.facebook.com/groups/SheilaShineOn.

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Town Mountain Summer Tour 2015; New Recording Project of Two Grateful Dead Tunes; Americana Fest Announced

TOWN MOUNTAIN SUMMER TOUR 2015; NEW RECORDING PROJECT OF TWO GRATEFUL DEAD TUNES; AMERICANA FEST ANNOUNCED

New Impromptu Town Mountain Recording Project Announced
To Honor The Grateful Dead in the year of the band’s 50th Anniversary
The band will record “Town Mountain” renditions of two of their favorite Grateful Dead songs

ASHEVILLE, NC — Town Mountain continues their Summer Tour 2015, traveling from coast to coast. The award-winning Asheville-based group is excited to debut at Yonder Mountain’s Northwest String Summit in Oregon where Bobby Britt will also be teaching a fiddle workshop with Darol Anger and Alex Hargraves. Other tour highlights include a performance at Steep Canyon Ranger’s Mountain Song Festival in Brevard, NC and the honor debuting their music at this year’s Americana Music Association Festival and Conference in Nashville.

Town Mountain’s hard drivin’ bluegrass sound, tight harmonies, and stellar in-house songwriting have become the band’s trademark. They light up the stage with their honky tonk edge and barroom swagger, featuring a Jimmy Martin-style bounce and confidence that is countered at times by a laid-back John Hartford-esque groove. Town Mountain includes Robert Greer on vocals and guitar, Jesse Langlais on banjo and vocals, Bobby Britt on fiddle, Phil Barker on mandolin and vocals, and Adam Chaffins on bass.

Town Mountain is heading into the studio for an impromptu recording session during the summer of 2015. For this impromptu summer project, Town Mountain will be cutting two songs to pay tribute to The Grateful Dead. The Dead has had a huge influence on Town Mountain as a whole and each of its members. Banjoist Jesse Langlais says, “We want to honor their 50 year mark tour with Town Mountain renditions of two of our favorite Grateful Dead songs.” Look for these two new tunes this festival season.

Town Mountain just wrapped up the final touches of their 5th studio album. Produced and engineered by GRAMMY winner Dirk Powell, the album was recorded in Powell’s studio The Cypress House in south Louisiana. For a sneak peek at what to expect on the future album, watch the band perform a new original song, “Wildbird,” in this wonderful session filmed by Hype Music Festivals at the 2015 Suwannee Springfest in Live Oak, FL →  http://bit.ly/Wildbird_byTownMountain_HYPE.

Town Mountain at The Festival Of Bluegrass. Photo by Jamie Shepard.

The festival season has been off to a great start with hefty tours throughout America including a show at Folk Alliance in Kansas City. Recently they were honored with their first appearance at CMA Fest (The Country Music Association) in Nashville. And a true highlight for the band was playing the closing Saturday night set at The Festival Of Bluegrass in Kentucky, A festival they have played for five years and traditionally one of the band’s musical heroes, The Seldom Scene, played that slot for the past 29 years or so. Langlais calls the experience, “Truly humbling!”

Town Mountain is in it for the long haul… check out out where they’ll be travelin’ to next and keep and eye on TownMountain.net for further dates as well as a brand new selection of merchandise. For updates from the road, please visit facebook.com/TownMountain, twitter.com/TownMountain, and instagram.com/townmountainbluegrass.

Town Mountain Summer Tour 2015:
7/10 Fri – Music Fest n’ Sugar Grove – Sugar Grove, NC
7/11 Sat – An Appalachian Evening at Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center – Robbinsville, NC
7/12 Sun – Concerts for A Cause – Pittsboro, NC
7/18-19 Sat-Sun – Northwest String Summit – North Plains, OR
7/23 Thu – Liberty Theater – Watonga, OK
7/24 Fri – Southern Sound Concert Series – Oklahoma City, OK
7/25 Sat – Saxon Pub – Austin, TX
8/1-2 Sat-Sun – Sioux River Folk Festival – Canton, SD
8/3 Mon – Monday Night Concert Series –  Sioux Falls, SD
8/6 Thu – Thursday Night Live – Courthouse Square – London, KY
8/7 Fri – Cosmic Charlie’s – Lexington, KY
8/8 Sat – Bluegrass in the Park Folklife Festival- Henderson, KY
8/13 Thu – Thursday Night Americana Series in Washington Park – Cincinnati, OH
8/14 Fri – Anodyne Coffee Roasting Co. – Milwaukee, WI
8/15 Sat – LarryFest – LaFarge, WI
8/16 Sun – LarryFest After Party – Bangor, WI
9/2 Wed – Creative Alliance – Baltimore, MD
9/3 Thu – Iron Horse Music Hall – Northhampton, MA
9/5-6 Sat-Sun – Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival – Brunswick, ME
9/12 Sat – Mountain Song Festival – Brevard, NC
9/18 Fri – Americana Music Festival – Nashville, TN
9/19 Sat – Poppy Mountain Bluegrass Festival – Morehead, KY

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