*** About Jam in the Van***
Jam in the Van ==== Where music takes a whole new road.
They will be traveling anywhere accessible by road to find and record intimate musical experience’s for their fans.
***Video Credits ***
Artists: Aaron Wood
Director of Photography: Abran Rubiner
Recording Engineer: John Washington
Post Production by: Adam Weiss
Created & Produced by Jam in the Van, LLC
Music by: Aaron Wood www.aaronwoodmusic.com
Here’s a note from Larry and Jenny Keel and some snapshots of the Bluebrass Session they were recording last week in New Orleans:
Bluebrass String Section
We were honored this last week to be a part of a project where all the musicians created an entirely new form of music…legends from the New Orleans music scene and pioneers of the acoustic music scene collaborated to create Bluebrass 2… it is the continuation of the first project which we recorded in 2004, combining influences from Ireland, Scotland, England, Africa, America,delta blues, western swing, on and on … made for the most spiritual project I have ever been a part of…
Recorded entirely inside the legendary Maple Leaf Bar, on Oak Street, and produced by the presiding King of Oak, Chris Jones, and executive producer Little King Steve Metcalf (royalty out the ass!!), we were guided into an adventure of epic proportions- taking a magical musical journey with all kinds of string musicians and brass and drummers: a cast of up to 15 people.. so far!
This isn’t a Woody Wood album. This is Aaron Wood.
After years of going by “Woody,” a nickname given to him by a childhood friend, the 37-year-old rocker said he’s decided to start using the name his real name on stage, and his new album, he hopes, is the first step toward forging his own identity and being true to himself.
“This album is me. It might be painful for me to listen to, or it might be painful for others to listen to because it’s sad, but this is who I am, and I want to make sure for the rest of my life that I don’t run away from that,” Wood said before a recent gig at the Lexington Avenue Brewery in downtown Asheville.
“At the end of the day, this (album) is me and nobody else. I only hope that everything I put out from this point will be able to follow that frame of mind, and just being honest about who I am and what I am.”
Wood, who’s hot guitar licks and Al Green-inspired voice have been a staple on the Asheville music scene for nearly two decades, is set to release his first full-length album at a CD release party Saturday, April 2 at Highland Brewing Co. The self-titled Aaron Wood album features 11 tracks inspired by recent trials and tribulations in his life, including a painful divorce.
“There aint no happiness in any song on this. It’s all about sadness and pain,” Wood said. “This album is as true about how I have felt in the last two years and there aint a single song on there that’s not painful for me. It’s cathartic as a motherfucker.”
The album has been a year and a half in the making. At the urging of his manager, Jessica Tomasin, Wood used the Kickstarter fund-raising website to help cover recording and production costs. The site raised more than $9,000 in pledges from folks all over the United States and overseas. He cut the album at Echo Mountain Recording Studio in Asheville, with some local talent lending a hand, including Artimus Pyle, Ryan Burns, Tony Black and Mike Rhodes.
At the CD release party, Wood will be joined on stage by several who helped make the album. LaZoom Bus is offering a free shuttle service from downtown in front of the Emerald Lounge to the Highland Brewing Tasting room off Old Charlotte Highway. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door.
After the CD release, the band will return to Emerald Lounge from midnight to 2 a.m. To play an after party featuring Motown and soul cover songs. The after party is free to those who attend the CD release party. Otherwise, it’s $5.
Wood hopes the new album will allow him to take his music across the globe. Although he will always consider Asheville home, Wood also thinks it’s time to spread his wings and check out another scene for a while. New Orleans, where he regularly plays, is beckoning.
“I bitch about Asheville a lot. I get sick of it a lot, and I have an urge to stay down in New Orleans for a while,” Wood said. “New Orleans is my spiritual hometown for sure.”
written by Mike McWilliams. Mike writes about entertainment for take5 in Asheville.
The skinny white boy from the mountains of Western North Carolina carries around more soul in his restless bones and battered guitar than most of use could ever dream of. With a background as diverse as his music, Aaron “Woody” Wood converges elements from all walks of life to create music that we all can connect with. Aaron Wood is thrilled to announce the release of his new self-titled album at Highland Brewing on Saturday, April 2nd. The album is result of the first successful kickstarter campaign in Asheville and has been a year and a half in the making.
The album is being released by J-Woo Records and was produced at Echo Mountain Studios in Asheville, NC by Roger Alan Nichols and engineered by Nichols and Jon Ashley; the run-time is 41 minutes. Along with Aaron Wood on guitar and vocals the album features Mike Rhodes on drums, Tony Black and Matt Gentling on bass, Ryan Burns on organ and piano, Debrissa McKinney on backing vocals, The Asheville Horns (Ben Hovey, Derrick Johnson, and Greg Hollowell), Jon Ashley on piano and rhodes, Artimus Pyle on percussion, and a song with cellist Paul Leech.
The release party is an early show that starts at 9pm and features the music from the album. Aaron performs along with Tony Black (Bass), Mike Rhodes (Drums), Josh Blake (Guitar), Kellin Watson (Vocals), Debrissa McKinney (Vocals), Ryan Burns (Keys), and The Asheville Horns. Aaron will be performing with a custom built amp and pedals at the show which are provided by event sponsor Suspect Device Audio.
LaZoom Bus is offering free shuttle service from downtown in front of the Emerald Lounge (the location of the after dance party) to the newly opened Highland Brewing tasting room which is located in East Asheville off of Old Charlotte Highway. In order to make reservations, just text “LaZoom” to 411669, then wait for your confirmation within 5 days. Make your reservations early to ensure that you get your seat!
The shuttle service is free for patrons thanks to event sponsors Suspect Device Audioand Text Ripple. Along with the shuttle reservations, Text Ripple also is offering a way for fans to get a free poster, koozie or free button. Just be one of the first 150 people to text “Woody” to 411699 and your free merch can be claimed at the CD Release show.
The band will be making it around town late-night for an after-dance-party at the Emerald Lounge from 12-2am to play Motown and Soul covers. This after party is free for people who attended the CD release party at Highlands; otherwise it’s $5.
Hopping around town for his album release and showing off his many styles is fitting for Aaron Wood who leaves a great legacy in the Southern region. As a professional musician, Aaron was a pivotal member of The Blue Rags, with whom he had success with national media coverage (MTV) and international tours. He has also recorded and preformed with a slew of New Orleans and Western North Carolinas finest musicians in what was a blending of New Orleans Jazz and Bluegrass. The Blue Brass sessions featured members of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Rebirth Brass Band, Larry Keel, Trombone Shorty and many others.
One look at the long list of artists he has shared the stage with exemplifies his diversity, not to mention respect from his musical peers. From Jimmy Martin to Leon Russel, R.L. Burnside to Warren Haynes, Sara Evans to Carlos Santana, Aaron has played and learned from some of those who have helped shaped music into what it is today.
Aaron delivers his music with all the soul, power, and energy that have made him renowned as a musicians musician. Roots legend, Corey Harris calls him “a master”, and Donald Harrison, New Orleans Jazz great, calls him “his musical brother.” We hope that you can join us for the the album release of Aaron Wood!
Show Details at a Glance:
Aaron Wood CD Release Party
Highland Brewing
Saturday April 2nd
21+, Doors at 8:30; Show at 9
Tickets $10 in advance; $12 at the door
Aaron “Woody” Wood has a musical background that is as diverse as it can get. His earliest memories are of making the rounds in the bluegrass circuit with his father A.L. Wood, often sitting on stage with Bill Monroe and the Stanley Brothers. He’s dabbled in every genre from folk to rock to blues and was a pivotal member of the Blue Rags, a band signed to Sub Pop in the 90s. He’s had the opportunity to share the stage with R.L. Burnside to Leon Russel to Sara Evans to Carlos Santana as well as a slew of New Orleans finest. He’s currently embarking on a new venture, funding a solo project on his own.
Recently Aaron finished a 5 song EP at Echo Mountain Recording in Asheville, NC. Using the site www.kickstarter.com he is asking people to work with him to finish the album. Kickstarter is a new way to fund creative ideas and ambitious endeavors. It is powered by a unique all or nothing approach where projects must be fully funded or no money changes hands. Aaron has funded the first half of his album himself, and has about 60 days to raise $9000 to finish. The risk is all on him.
Project creators inspire people to open their wallets by offering smart, fun, tangible rewards, i.e. products, benefits, or experiences.
Here’s an idea of some of the incentives that will be offered through the site: The $1 to $5 dollar range will get you downloads of the songs he’s already finished that you can listen to right now. Other levels will offer, hand made screen printed CDs, Posters, Vinyl, and T-shirts. There will be other levels that offer an opportunity to be apart of the recording experience, have Aaron record a mutually agreed upon cover, or have him play a private show for you and your friends.
A special tier will be offered for local and regional fans, that will get you a copy of the full album as well as an invite to a house show/pool party featuring Aaron Wood, Jason Krekel and a few more musicians. Food, drink, pool, yard games and 40 ft slip and slide will be provided. Space is limited for this tier so sign up early.
To hear the first 5 songs of the album, please check out www.aaronwoodmusic.com Be sure to check www.kickstarter.com for updates and to see how you can be a part of making a great record.
Press Quotes:
“Aaron “Woody” Wood is using a unique approach – call it social networking, or crowd-sourced funding – to get a full-length album recorded and produced… I love this model for getting an album created and honestly… In this digital age of online connectedness, it’s all about creating a vibrant network that wants to be invested.” ~ Ashevegas Blog
“I’ve been a fan of Wood’s since seeing him play the first time and wondering who the hell it was that was shredding the guitar like that. I think I’m gonna pony up.” ~ Blog Asheville
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