Suwannee Roots Revival Adds Oteil & Friends, Leftover Salmon, Bruce Cockburn, Horseshoes & Hand Grenades

The 3rd Annual Suwannee Roots Revival Announces Additions to the 2018 Festival
Taking Place October 11-14, 2018 at Spirit of Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, FL

Line-up Additions Include Oteil & Friends, Leftover Salmon, Bruce Cockburn, Horseshoes & Hand Grenades, Shinyribs, Dustbowl Revival, Jon Stickley Trio and more!

Tickets On Sale Now
Tickets→ www.suwanneerootsrevival.com/tickets/

LIVE OAK, FL — Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park is pleased to announce additions to the 3rd Annual Suwannee Roots Revival which takes place Thursday, October 11 – Sunday, October 14 at the magical Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park (SOSMP) in Live Oak, Florida. Additions include Oteil & Friends, Leftover Salmon, Bruce Cockburn, Horseshoes & Hand Grenades, Shinyribs, Dustbowl Revival, Jon Stickley Trio, The Grass Is Dead, Jonathan Scales Fourchestra, David Gans as Artist-at-Large, and more! These superb additions join in on an already stellar lineup that includes Keller Williams’ PettyGrass Featuring The HillBenders, Donna the Buffalo, The Seldom Scene, Samantha Fish, Peter Rowan Free Mexican Airforce, Jim Lauderdale, Verlon Thompson, Rev. Jeff Mosier, and Joe Craven & The Sometimers.

With multiple stages (Amphitheater Stage, Porch Stage, Dance Tent, Music Hall, and Music Farmer’s Stage) Suwannee Roots Revival is jam-packed with stellar music and dance and many bands will perform multiple sets. This family-friendly festival includes four days of music, camping, yoga, music workshops, a Kids Tent, as well as campground pickin’ sessions. Set in the midst of 800 acres of Spanish moss-draped oak and cypress trees along the Suwannee River, the venue is a playground for endless activities such as swimming, canoeing, kayaking, disc golf, and biking.

Oteil Burbridge will lead an all-star cast as Oteil & Friends featuring John Kadlecik, Weedie Braimah, Alfreda Gerald, Jay Lane, Scott Metzger [JRAD], and Jason Crosby [Phil Lesh & The Terrapin Family Band]. Oteil is no stranger to the Suwannee festival family, originally playing SOSMP with Aquarium Rescue Unit and Oteil & The Peacemakers back in the day, as well as his annual Allman Brothers Band appearances in April. With his current gig with Dead and Company going better than ever, he’s making new fans everywhere he goes and Oteil & Friends will bring his vast and varied experiences into what promises to be a transcendental set that will be long remembered.

Festival director Beth Judy says, “Oteil has so many options right now, still he loves our festivals and he chose us. All his friends joining him are stellar musicians, but, I absolutely ADORE Alfreda Gerald’s voice! I can’t wait!”

Leftover Salmon, also a longtime Suwannee favorite who has played multiple times over the years, is one of the great purveyors of Americana that dig deep into the well that supplies its influences; rock ‘n’ roll, folk, bluegrass, Cajun, soul, zydeco, jazz and blues. They will be traveling with a new album, Something Higher (released May 2018), in which they tap into everything from horn-blasting R&B to reverb-drenched desert noir, from the cosmic roots music sound they helped create to neo-New Orleans-meets-Appalachia liquefaction. We are so excited to hear some of the new tunes at Suwannee Roots Revival!

One of Canada’s finest artists, Bruce Cockburn has enjoyed an illustrious career shaped by politics, spirituality, and musical diversity embracing folk, jazz, rock, and worldbeat styles. For 40 years, this Canadian musical legend has been capturing in song the essence of human experience – while fiercely striving to make it better for his activism on issues from native rights and land mines to the environment and Third World debt.

Bluegrass mavericks, Horseshoes & Hand Grenades, will be traveling in from Wisconsin with their 2018 album release, The Ode. Shinyribs is the continuation of The Gourds’ Kevin Russell’s musical journey of country-soul, swamp-funk and tickle; a Shinyribs show is an exaltation of spirit: a hip shaking, belly laughing, soul-singing, song-slinging, down-home house party. An eclectic eight-piece, Dustbowl Revival mines an energizing vein of soul, funk and roots-infused rock. Jon Stickley Trio is a genre-defying and cinematic instrumental trio: innovative flatpicking guitar and sultry-spacy violin along with classically trained and heavily jazz-influenced drums. The Grass Is Dead will make us all smile, smile, smile… Pickin’ and grinnin’ is what they do best, and they have been adapting Grateful Dead songs in their own bluegrass style since 1998.

Known nationwide as a purveyor of literate, improvisational folk-rock with looping, singer/songwriter/producer/photographer/author David Gans has composed, performed, and written about music for the whole of his adult life and Suwannee Roots Revival is thrilled to host him as an Artist-at-Large. He has been on the road this year with The Grass Is Dead and Rev. Jeff Mosier and we are excited to see who else he will be sitting in with! Gans will also broadcast his Sunday SiriusXM Radio Show, Tales From The Golden Road, live from the festival.

With stunning, virtuosic technique, multi-instrumentalist and composer Jonathan Scales is likely the most innovative steel drummer on the planet and his mesmerizing compositions and tasteful, avant-garde improvisation that set him apart from the pack. Bela Fleck, in considering Scales’ cover of his composition “The Imposter,” remarked “To say I am impressed would be a gross understatement…”

Katie Skene and Cosmic Kind is Skene along with John Molo (drums), Kevin Scott (bass), Rick Lollar (guitar) playing blues, soul, and rock under the influence of Col. Bruce Hampton. Hailing from the mountains of western North Carolina, Nikki Talley’s gorgeous voice and thoughtful songs are as eclectic as the state that boasts the mountains and the sea. Brett Bass and Melted Plectrum plays bluegrass with an edge, SYZYGY is the Gainesville, FL rock trio led by Suwannee favorite Tom Nelly, and The Corbitt Brothers are a trio with a hard-driving, southern rock sound.

The dance tent will continue to build a program of organized dance hosting bands for Contra/Square, Waltz, and Salsa. The Dunehoppers, from St. Augustine have been a staple of North Florida folk festival the past decade with a tasteful blend of high energy bluegrass, folk, and old time dance music. LPT is a 10-piece orchestra delivering salsa and Afro-Cuban music with their high-energy live shows. Based in Piedmont North Carolina, The Walker Family Band delights audiences with Irish dance and American old time music with a forward reaching attitude and will be your Waltz connection at the Dance Tent.

Take one part standup comic, mix in a bit of Penn & Teller, add a dash of Cirque Du Soleil, and you may come close to describing Jeff Bradley’s show. No matter if Jeff is on stage or holding court in the festival area, his comedy + cool stuff is not to be missed.  

Hosted by long time friends of SOSMP, Randy Judy and Beth Judy, Suwannee Roots Revival focuses on amazing roots music that ties together a weekend laced with community based fun, growing friendships, laughing families, and that feel good feeling you get from hanging out in such a beautiful natural setting.

Early Bird Tier 1 Tickets are on sale now. $140 gets a 4-­day Weekend Pass which includes music, primitive camping (where is most cases you can camp right by your car!), all taxes, and handling fees. Kids age 12 and under are free. There are also military and student discounts available. See all rates and tiers and get tickets at www.suwanneerootsrevival.com/tickets.

SOSMP offers guest comforts including a general store, full service restaurant, free showers, indoor bathrooms, and water stations. Upgraded camping, including RV hook ups and cabin rentals, as well as golf cart rentals are currently on sale. Reservations may be made by calling the Park office at (386) 364­-1683. SOSMP is located between Jacksonville, Florida & Tallahassee, Florida about 30 minutes south of the Georgia State line, about 45 minutes north of Gainesville and is host to a variety of events. Please visit the park’s web site at www.musicliveshere.com for further information.

Suwannee Roots Revival 2018  (New Additions in Bold)
Oteil & Friends
Leftover Salmon
Donna the Buffalo
Keller Williams’ PettyGrass Featuring The HillBenders
Peter Rowan Free Mexican Airforce
Bruce Cockburn
The Seldom Scene
Horseshoes & Hand Grenades
Samantha Fish
Shinyribs
Dustbowl Revival
Jim Lauderdale
Verlon Thompson
Rev. Jeff Mosier
Jon Stickley Trio
The Grass Is Dead
Joe Craven & The Sometimers
The Lonely Heartstring Band
Jonathan Scales Fourchestra
The Lee Boys
Katie Skene and Cosmic Kind
Tornado Rider
Sauce Boss
Belle and The Band
Whetherman
Sloppy Joe
Quartermoon
The Adventures of Annabelle Lyn
Brett Bass and Melted Plectrum
The Corbitt Brothers
Nikki Talley
SYZYGY
The Dunehoppers
LPT
The Walker Family Band
David Gans – Artist-at-Large
Jeff Bradley
Suwannee Spirit Kids
Tania & Magic Moon Traveling Circus

Further information at www.SuwanneeRootsRevival.com. Also visit us on at www.facebook.com/suwanneeroots, Twitter & Instagram: @SuwanneeRoots (#SuwanneeRoots)

 

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Suwannee Roots Revival Initial Lineup: Keller Williams’ PettyGrass Ft. The HillBenders, Seldom Scene, Samantha Fish, Peter Rowan, Donna the Buffalo

The 3rd Annual Suwannee Roots Revival
October 11-14, 2018
Spirit of Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, FL

Featuring:
Keller Williams’ PettyGrass Featuring The HillBenders, Donna the Buffalo, The Seldom Scene, Samantha Fish, Peter Rowan Free Mexican Airforce, Jim Lauderdale, Verlon Thompson, Rev. Jeff Mosier, and more!

Early Bird Tickets On Sale Now
Tickets→ www.suwanneerootsrevival.com/tickets/

LIVE OAK, FL — Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park is pleased to announce the 3rd Annual Suwannee Roots Revival featuring some of the finest in Americana, Bluegrass, Newgrass, Zydeco, Blues, and more! The event takes place Thursday, October 11 – Sunday, October 14 at the magical Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park (SOSMP) in Live Oak, FL. Featured acts include Keller Williams’ PettyGrass Featuring The HillBenders, Donna the Buffalo, The Seldom Scene, Samantha Fish, Peter Rowan Free Mexican Airforce, Jim Lauderdale, Verlon Thompson, Rev. Jeff Mosier, The Lonely Heartstring Band, Tornado Rider, Joe Craven & The Sometimers, The Lee Boys, Sauce Boss, Belle and The Band, Whetherman, Quartermoon, Sloppy Joe, and Tania & Magic Moon Traveling Circus.

With multiple stages (Amphitheater Stage, Porch Stage, Dance Tent, Music Hall, and Music Farmer’s Stage) Suwannee Roots Revival is jam-packed with stellar music and dance! A handful of bands will perform multiple sets and some artists will be participating in workshops throughout the weekend. This family-friendly festival includes four days of music, camping, yoga, a Kids Tent, as well as campground pickin’ sessions hosted by Sloppy Joe at Slopryland and Quartermoon at Bill Monroe Shrine as well as throughout SOSMP! Set in the midst of 800 acres of Spanish moss-draped oak and cypress trees along the Suwannee River, the venue is a playground for endless activities such as swimming, canoeing, kayaking, disc golf, and biking.

Live For Live Music’s Rex Thomson says, “Attendees of Roots have a long tradition of acknowledging greatness when they see it.” Greatness is what they will get!

The extremely talented and innovative Keller Williams has thrilled Suwannee audiences many times over the years and Roots attendees will remember The HillBender’s mind-blowing performance of “The Who’s Tommy” in our first year. Coming together as Keller Williams’ PettyGrass Featuring The HillBenders, they pay tribute to Tom Petty who was a Gainesville native, a great fit for Suwannee with sing-alongs that some people didn’t even know they knew!

Donna the Buffalo, known for their distinctive, groove-heavy, and danceable music, serves as the pillar of our weekend and returns for three days! Donna the Buffalo has performed at Spirit of Suwannee every Spring and Fall for over 20 years and their songs are part of the living amphitheater itself always closing out the Amphitheatre Stage on Sunday bringing up a plethora of special guests musicians from the weekend!

The Seldom Scene is an award-winning bluegrass band established 1971 and they have been instrumental in starting the progressive bluegrass movement as their shows include bluegrass versions of country music, rock, and even pop. The band has a long history with the Spirit of the Suwannee indirectly through the Cornett family’s iconic Festival of the Bluegrass held annually in Lexington, KY. Established in 1974 by the same family that owns SOSMP, this family-run festival is June 7- 10, 2018. The Seldom Scene will now bring their talented musicians, signature sound, solid repertoire and sheer sense of fun to Suwannee Roots Revival.

Samantha Fish makes her Suwannee debut! She is a rising star in the contemporary blues world with sublime acoustic guitar skills as well as rootsy, emotionally resonant songwriting. This charismatic young singer-guitarist-songwriter has earned a reputation as a guitar hero and powerful live performer.

GRAMMY-award winner Peter Rowan is a singer-songwriter with a career spanning over five decades.   From his early years playing under the tutelage of Bluegrass veteran Bill Monroe, to his time in Old & In the Way and his breakout as a solo musician and bandleader, and now his project, The Free Mexican Airforce, is flying again! This is Peter Rowan plugged in, a real treat!

Jim Lauderdale has done and said everything you can say about bluegrass and Americana three times over and he still has plenty of fresh takes and inspiration pushing him ever forward. His appearances at SOSMP, be it as his own featured singer-songwriter sets of his varied and amazing sit ins with all of his many friends on the line-up, particularly those Americana rockers Donna the Buffalo. Come see what GRAMMY voters, fans radio program and music lovers in general have all agreed… Jim Lauderdale is an artist not to miss.

For over thirty years, Verlon Thompson has been making his path as as a professional songwriter and traveling troubadour. Singer… songwriter… storyteller… Few are true masters of any one of those disciplines, but Verlon has put his stamp on each.  As a solo performer, and as the trusted sidekick of Texas Americana songwriting icon Guy Clark, Verlon has viewed the world from stages everywhere from Barcelona to Binger (his hometown in Oklahoma). Thompson has a potent future head of him as an elder statesman of Americana itself. Simply put… when he speaks all should listen.

The de facto spiritual leader of our music festival community here at the Spirit Of Suwannee has to be Rev. Jeff Mosier, and we’re totally fine to help him spread his vision and guidance through his communing with the divine. His quantification of the spiritual state of the Spirit of Suwannee nation is always spot on, and his sonic sermons on Sundays have left indelible marks on his fans, old and new alike. Scrugg’s-style banjo picker, Mosier is one of the earliest music pioneers who merged bluegrass instruments and traditional tunes with the magnetic energy of rock and roll, founded the jamgrass band Blueground Undergrass (BGUG) in 1998 after years of crafting his banjo skills in various bands, playing everything from bluegrass with his brother Johnny (Good Medicine) to experimental rock (Col. Bruce Hampton and the Aquarium Rescue Unit) to jazz-fusion (The Ear Reverents).

Be on the lookout for additional artists to be added to this already incredible line up, including a group of bands designed specially to get you out on the Dance Tent Floor. We’ll have Contra, Cajun, and more – maybe even a little Salsa thrown in there for you! The festival is sure to inspire some special moments moments whether on stage or off and, as always, pays tribute and remembers our beloved artists who have passed on with our memorial Vassar Sunday.

Hosted by long time friends of the park, Randy Judy and Beth Judy, Suwannee Roots Revival focuses on amazing roots music that ties together a weekend laced with community based fun, growing friendships, laughing families, and that feel good feeling you get from hanging out in such a beautiful natural setting.

“Indeed, emotion and enjoyment have equal standing at the Suwannee Roots Revival,” writes No Depression’s Lee Zimmerman. “As festivals go, it’s close to pure perfection.”

SOSMP offers guest comforts including a general store, full service restaurant, free showers, indoor bathrooms, and water stations. Upgraded Camping, including RV hook ups and cabin rentals, as well as golf cart rentals are currently on sale. Reservations may be made by calling the Park office at (386) 364­-1683. SOSMP is located between Jacksonville, Florida & Tallahassee, Florida about 30 minutes south of the Georgia State line, about 45 minutes north of Gainesville and is host to a variety of events. Please visit the park’s web site at www.musicliveshere.com for further information.

A limited number of Early Bird Tickets are on sale now for $140 for a 4-­day Weekend Pass which includes music, primitive camping (where is most cases you can camp right by your car!), all taxes, and handling fees. Kids age 12 and under are invited to join for free when accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who buys a multi-day ticket. There are also military and student discounts available.

Suwannee Roots Revival is encouraging folks to “Bring A Friend” that has never been to Suwannee Roots Revival. One of the rewards of bringing a new to Roots friend is a Bean Spence Signature Hat Pin – numbered and only available by this program. Complete “Bring A Friend” program details are forthcoming.   See all rates and tiers and get tickets at www.suwanneerootsrevival.com/tickets. While you are there, sign up for our Suwannee Roots Revival Newsletter to make sure you get up to the minute information on festival happenings.

Suwannee Roots Revival Initial Lineup 2018
Keller Williams’ PettyGrass Featuring The HillBenders
Donna the Buffalo
The Seldom Scene
Samantha Fish
Peter Rowan Free Mexican Airforce
Jim Lauderdale
Verlon Thompson
Rev. Jeff Mosier
The Lonely Heartstring Band
Tornado Rider
Joe Craven & The Sometimers
The Lee Boys
Sauce Boss
Belle and The Band
Whetherman
Quartermoon
Sloppy Joe
Tania & Magic Moon Traveling Circus
More to be announced…

Further information at www.SuwanneeRootsRevival.com. Also visit us on at www.facebook.com/suwanneeroots, Twitter & Instagram: @SuwanneeRoots (#SuwanneeRoots)

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Donna the Buffalo On Tour, New Album In The Works With Producer Rob Fraboni

(Left to right: David McCracken, Jeb Puryear, Tara Nevins, Mark Raudabaugh, Kyle Spark). Photo by Chris Mortenson from the band’s recent appearance on Jam in The Van

Distinctive, Groove-heavy, and Danceable,
Donna The Buffalo Recording New Album with Producer Rob Fraboni

 

Spring and Summer Tour Dates Announced!

ASHEVILLE, NC — Donna the Buffalo is joining forces with legendary Producer/ Engineer Rob Fraboni to record their next album February 2018 at Sonic Ranch in El Paso, TX. It is one of the world’s largest residential recording studios and is built around an 80-year-old hacienda and pecan orchard right along the border. Fraboni is well known for his work with Bob Dylan, The Band, Eric Clapton, The Rolling Stones, Tim Hardin, The Beach Boys, Joe Cocker, and Bonnie Raitt, and as Vice President at Island Records where he oversaw the remastering of the entire Bob Marley catalog. He produced the soundtrack on Martin Scorsese‘s groundbreaking concert movie, The Last Waltz, which included an all-star cast of famous rock and roll performers. He built and designed the legendary Shangri-La studios in Malibu to the specification of Bob Dylan and the Band. Referred to as a “genius” by Keith Richards in his bestselling autobiography Life.

Rob Fraboni, Tara Nevins, and Jeb Puryer at Sonic Ranch. Photo by Bess Greenberg

Known as one of the most dynamic and determined bands continuously touring America since 1989, Pittsburgh City Paper says, “Though it will always be hard to pinpoint the key to an act’s staying power, distinctiveness and consistency surely can’t hurt. Donna the Buffalo has carved out a niche; it has weathered trends, and even made some of its own by being unapologetically itself.” Donna the Buffalo is Jeb Puryear (vocals, electric guitar) and Tara Nevins (vocals, fiddle, guitar, accordion, scrubboard) joined by David McCracken (B3 Hammond organ, Hohner Clavinet & piano), Kyle Spark (bass) and Mark Raudabaugh (drums).

Donna the Buffalo drew their original inspiration from a cherished part of the American heritage: the old-time music festivals of the south that drew entire towns and counties together. Not only was it playing music at these events, it was the vibe and the togetherness that bonded the people that attended. The Erie Times says, “They craft spirit-soaring songs with distinct sensibilities: Nevins’ songs are unfailingly melodic, brisk and buoyant, powered by her reassuring, wisdom-soaked vocals and ever-present fiddle and accordion. Puryear’s songs accentuate the groove, his exceptional guitar work and sly, Dylan-like way with lyrics.”

Donna the Buffalo’s fanbase, The Herd, will be excited to hear the news of the upcoming album since their most recent album, Tonight, Tomorrow and Yesterday, came out nearly five years ago in the spring of 2013. All Music Guide says of it, “This is what 21st century Americana sounds like, a little bit of this and that from anywhere wrapped up into a poignant, jamming dance reel, a place where the past and history meet easily in the immediate now and everybody feels like dancing.”

Donna the Buffalo has released ten albums and are affiliated with several others including  two solo albums from Nevins including 2011’s Wood and Stone (produced by Larry Campbell in Levon Helm Studios) and Mule to Ride in 1999,  Puryear’s 2007 solo album Hopes and Dreams, and a 2003 release, Wait Til Spring, with Jim Lauderdale. The band’s 2008 release, Silverlined, as well as the 2013 release, Tonight, Tomorrow and Yesterday, (both on Sugar Hill Records) did well on the Americana Music Chart, each placing well into the top ten.

“Donna the Buffalo knows a thing or two about rhythm, says New Haven Register. “Cajun, zydeco and old-time rhythms. A bit of reggae rhythm. Various guitar and fiddle rhythms. The rhythm of traveling by bus year after year for more than a quarter-century now, criss-crossing America… over and over again.”

The band’s tour kicks back up in New York City at at the City Winery in mid-March before a show at Ransom Steele Tavern near their hometown in the Finger Lakes region of New York state. They’ll be sunny Florida for the Suwannee Spring Reunion in March and the Peace River Revival in early April. They’ve got a plethora of shows lined up including two festivals which they started and are still the driving force behind: Spring Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival in Pittsboro in North Carolina in May and The Finger Lakes Grassroots Festival in Trumansburg, New York in July, as well as other great festivals like MerleFest, Old Settlers Music Festival, Edinboro Music & Arts Fest, Buttermilk Jamboree, Blue Heron Music Festival, and more!

Donna the Buffalo on Tour
3/16 Fri – City Winery – New York, NY
3/17 Sat – Ransom Steele Tavern – Apalachin, NY
3/24-25 Sat-Sun – Suwannee Spring Reunion – Live Oak, FL
4/6 Fri – Terra Fermata – Stuart, FL
4/7 Sat – Peace River Revival – Punta Gorda, FL
4/14 Sat – Loaded Up and Truckin @ Oskar Blues Brewery – Hendersonville, NC
4/19-20 Thu-Fri – Old Settlers Music Festival – Driftwood, TX
4/21 Sat – Blue Moon Saloon and Guest House – Lafayette, LA
4/26-29 Thu-Sun – MerleFest – Wilkesboro, NC
5/3-6 Thu-Sun – Spring Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival – Pittsboro, NC
5/11 Fri – The Dock – Ithaca, NY
5/12 Sat – Narrows Center for the Arts – Fall River, MA
5/13 Sun – Infinity Hall – Norfolk, CT
5/17 Thu – Edinboro Music & Arts Fest – Edinboro, PA
5/18 Fri – The Ardmore Music Hall – Ardmore, PA
5/19 Sat – The State Theatre – Falls Church, VA
5/20 Sun – Edinboro Music & Arts Fest – Edinboro, PA
6/16 Sat – Buttermilk Jamboree – Delton, MI
7/6-8 Fri-Sun – Blue Heron Music Festival – Sherman, NY
7/19-22 Thu-Sun – Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival – Trumansburg, NY
8/16 Thu – Daryl’s House Club – Pawling, NY
8/17 Fri – Green Mountain Bluegrass & Roots Festival – Manchester, VT
8/18 Sat – Hickory Festival – Wellsboro, PA
8/24 Fri – Evanston SPACE – Evanston, IL
8/25 Sat – Porcupine Mountains Music Festival – Ontonagon, MI
9/15 Sat – Harwich Cranberry Jam – Harwich, MA

 

“Swing That Thing” Live on Jam in The Van –> 

For more information and tour dates, please visit www.donnathebuffalo.com
www.facebook.com/donnathebuffalo and www.twitter.com/donnathebuffalo

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Donna The Buffalo Unveils New Music Video and Fall/Winter Tour!

Groove-heavy and Danceable,
Donna The Buffalo Announce Fall, NYE, and Winter Tour!

Music Video For “Across The Way” Unveiled

“This is what 21st century Americana sounds like, a little bit of this and that from anywhere wrapped up into a poignant, jamming dance reel, a place where the past and history meet easily in the immediate now and everybody feels like dancing.” —All Music Guide

ASHEVILLE, NC — Donna the Buffalo is delighted to release a music video for their original song “Across The Way” along with a slew of tour dates for this Fall and Winter! The song breathes fresh air with lyrics written by Jeb Puryear, “Do you think that a smile matters… Do you think a song can change the world… If you do then let it play… All these things happen… Across the way… Do you believe in magic… I do… Every day… It’s right where you’re standing… Across the way.”

Known as one of the most dynamic and determined bands continuously touring America for nearly thirty years, Donna the Buffalo has created a community environment at their shows through their distinctive, groove-heavy, and danceable music. With roots in old time fiddle music that evolved into a soulful electric American mix infused with elements of cajun/ zydeco, rock, folk, reggae, and country, Donna’s music often contains social and moral responsibility as core beliefs, and they are just simply fun to get out and celebrate life with.

Donna the Buffalo is Jeb Puryear (vocals, electric guitar) and Tara Nevins (vocals, guitar, fiddle, accordion, scrubboard) joined by David McCracken (Hammond organ, Hohner Clavinet & piano), Kyle Spark (bass) and Mark Raudabaugh (drums).

Donna the Buffalo is excited to announce their Fall and Winter upcoming tour dates. They’ll be in the NorthEast in mid-September before heading south for a few shows including a performance at the historic Bijou Theatre in Knoxville, Tennessee and Deep Water Soul Fest in Hot Springs, North Carolina and their very own Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival in Pittsboro, North Carolina. In mid-October they return to Spirit of Suwannee Music Park in northern Florida for the Suwannee Roots Revival before returning north for shows in Binghamton and Tarrytown, New York.

In November they bring their new bus out west for shows in Fort Collins and Nederland, Colorado, then on to the Moab Folk Festival in Utah, as well as appearance at the Musical Instruments Museum in Phoenix, Arizona. They’ll travel up the coast of California for six shows including Pappy and Harriet’s in Pioneertown and the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco. Mid-month on they explore the NorthWest a bit more with shows in Eugene, Seattle, Portland, and Missoula. The band returns home and has a few shows in New York State in early December, along with a show at the new Boston City Winery!

Donna the Buffalo’s New Year’s run brings them back to Florida starting off December 29 at Ponte Vedra Concert Hall and then two nights (Including New Year’s Eve) at Skipper’s Smokehouse in Tampa. After a day of rest on New Year’s Day, they loop through Key West, Boca Raton, Orlando, Charleston, and Saxapahaw, NC.

Their Winter tour has more to be announced and already includes shows in Washington DC, Charlottesville, Atlanta, Charlotte, Saranac Lake, Buffalo, and Pittsburgh. Stay tuned for more dates to be added →  www.donnathebuffalo.com/on-the-road.

Donna the Buffalo Fall / Winter Tour
9/14 Thu – Infinity Hall – Hartford, CT
9/15 Fri – New Hope Winery – New Hope, PA
9/16 Sat – Harwich Cranberry Arts & Music Festival – Harwich, MA
9/22 Fri – Bijou Theatre – Knoxville, TN
9/23 Sat – Deep Water Soul Fest – Hot Springs, NC
10/5-8 Thu-Sun – Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival – Pittsboro, NC
10/13-15 Fri-Sun – Suwannee Roots Revival – Live Oak, FL
10/20 Fri – Touch of Texas – Binghamton, NY
10/21 Sat – Tarrytown Music Hall – Tarrytown, NY
11/2 Thu –  Hodi’s Half Note – Fort Collins, CO
11/3 Fri – The Caribou Room – Nederland, CO
11/4 Sat – Moab Folk Festival – Moab, UT
11/5 Sun – Musical Instruments Museum – Phoenix, AZ
11/8 Wed – Saint Rocke – Hermosa Beach, CA
11/9 Thu – Pappy and Harriet’s – Pioneertown, CA
11/10 Fri – Great American Music Hall – San Francisco, CA
11/11 Sat – The Catalyst Atrium – Santa Cruz, CA
11/12 Sun – Hopmonk Tavern – Sebastopol, CA
11/14 Tue – Humboldt Brews – Arcata, CA
11/15 Wed – WOW Hall – Eugene, OR
11/16 Thu – Tractor Tavern – Seattle, WA
11/17 Fri – Mississippi Studios – Portland, OR
11/18 Sat – Top Hat Lounge – Missoula, MT
12/1 Fri – Cohoes Music Hall – Cohoes, NY
12/2 Sat – City Winery – Boston, MA
12/8 Fri – The Westcott Theater – Syracuse, NY
12/9 Sat – Anthology – Rochester, NY
12/29 Fri – Ponte Vedra Concert Hall – Ponte Vedra, FL
12/30-31 Sat-Sun – Skipper’s – Tampa, FL
1/2/18 Tue – Green Parrot – Key West, FL
1/3 Wed – The Funky Biscuit – Boca Raton, FL
1/4 Thu – The Social – Orlando, FL
1/5 Fri – The Charleston Pour House – Charleston, SC
1/6 Sat – Haw River Ballroom – Saxapahaw, NC
1/19 Fri – The Hamilton Live – Washington, DC
1/20 Sat – Jefferson Theater – Charlottesville, VA
1/26 Fri – City Winery – Atlanta, GA
1/27 Sat – Neighborhood Theater – Charlotte, NC
2/8 Thu – The Waterhole – Saranac Lake, NY
2/9 Fri – Tralf Music Hall – Buffalo, NY
2/10 Sat – Rex Theater – Pittsburgh, PA

More shows to be announced at www.donnathebuffalo.com/on-the-road

 

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Finger Lakes GrassRoots Culture Camp Schedule Announced! Music, Workshops & More

GrassRoots Culture Camp at Trumansburg Fairgrounds on July 16-19

Four Days of Music and Dance Workshops
Leading Up to The 27th Annual Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival in Trumansburg, NY

See the full lineup and schedule →  www.grassrootsfest.org/culture-camp-1-1/

TRUMANSBURG, NY —  Over the past few decades, the Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival of Music and Dance has grown to be more than just a single event in Trumansburg, NY and this year the latest addition to the roster returns for its sophomore year: the GrassRoots Culture Camp 2017 runs from Sunday through Wednesday, July 16-19, the four days leading up to the 27th annual GrassRoots Festival which takes place July 20-23. Both the camp and the festival are held at the Trumansburg Fairgrounds.

Culture Camp is an incredible opportunity to attend four days of music and dance workshops led by many of the favorite GrassRoots performers including instructors from Donna The Buffalo, Driftwood, The Horseflies, Preston Frank and His Zydeco Family Band, Keith Secola, Balfa Toujours, Los Texmaniacs, Big Mean Sound Machine, Jennie Lowe Stearns, The Blind Spots, Richie and Rosie, Bobby Henrie and The Goners, and many more!

Culture Camp Coordinator and co-founding member of Donna the Buffalo, Tara Nevins, says, “GrassRoots Culture Camp offers first hand learning experience with masters of traditional and contemporary art forms, including music, dance, visual arts, and culinary arts in a fun and positive setting, promoting community and the importance of tradition and culture in our society.”

The workshops, along with themed nightly dinners and dances, provide an opportunity to immerse oneself in an intimate learning experience and to enjoy a few extra days of fun before the festival begins. Workshops include fiddle, banjo, guitar, the art of guitar and cello, bass, mandolin, accordion, improvisation, singing, children’s sing song, country songs old and new, cajun songs, songwriting, father and son duo, Native Americana, the spirit of the native american drum, Moog synthesizers, Afrobeat drumset rhythms & concepts, bodhran, scrubboard, triangle, dance, acrylic painting, yoga, youth percussion, and youth square dance. Advanced musicians as well as beginners are welcome!

PREVIOUS CULTURE CAMP ATTENDEES SAY:

“What an amazing experience Culture Camp turned out to be! Rarely is there an opportunity to immerse yourself in music while learning how to make it. The nightly shows in the dance tent were fabulous! The dinner cuisine was superb! My favorite workshops were Songwriting and Duet Singing. I left Culture Camp feeling inspired and energized!” –Phyllis Atwell

“In all honesty, last year’s Culture Camp was a major life experience for me. I was able to work and jam with with professionals, such as Jeb Puryear. At my level of playing as an adult learner, I never thought that I would have had that opportunity. I received individualized instruction from the very talented Joey Arcuri of Driftwood. I don’t think I’ve put down my upright bass since. I look forward to Culture Camp to rejuvenate the inspiration and motivation for another whole year. Culture Camp is such a beautiful way to ease into the excitement of the music festival….the feeding of my soul through music, education, arts, culture, and friends that have become family.” –Ni Lu

“My Culture Camp participation was a combination of learning, experiencing, and interacting with people up close and feeling the joy of what they do and bring to GrassRoots. It’s truly rewarding!” –Jeffrey Schriber

Watch Tara Nevins (of Donna The Buffalo) talk about GrassRoots Culture Camp

WORKSHOPS WITH INSTRUCTORS FROM:
Donna The Buffalo
Driftwood
The Horseflies
Preston Frank and His Zydeco Family Band
Keith Secola
Balfa Toujours
Los Texmaniacs
Big Mean Sound Machine
Jennie Lowe Stearns
The Blind Spots
Richie and Rosie
Bobby Henrie and The Goners
Jones Benally
Laila Belle
The Grady Girls
plus many more…..

NIGHTLY DANCES (Open to the public)

Sunday July 16th – Bobby Henrie and The Goners (rarified rockabilly, swing and everything in between)

Monday July 17th – Balfa Toujours – (“Balfa Always”, carrying on the legacy and tradition of the Balfa Brothers. Cajun music at it’s best.)

Tuesday July 18th – Los Texmaniacs – (Grammy-winning Conjunto band, incorporating elements from rock & roll and jazz while still honoring the roots of Conjunto Tejano)

Wednesday July 19th – Preston Frank and His Zydeco Family Band – (From Soileau, Louisiana, the finest in Creole/Zydeco music)

TICKETS AND DETAILS

ALL INCLUSIVE 4-DAY ADMISSION – $125 – This ticket includes four days of workshops plus nightly dinners & dances. Youth (15 and under) $65

SINGLE DAY FULL ADMISSION – $40 – This ticket includes one day of workshops plus nightly dinners & dances.
DINNER & DANCE ONLY – ONE NIGHT – $30 – 6:30 PM each night

DANCE ONLY – ONE NIGHT – $15  – 8:30 PM each night

CAMPING OPTIONS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FOR AN ADDITION FEE

LOCATION: Trumansburg Fairgrounds, Rt 96, Trumansburg, NY 14886. Info: (607) 387-5090

 

Listen to an interview with GrassRoots Culture Camp Coordinator Tara Nevins on WHCU radio  → http://whcuradio.com/morning-newswatch/grassroots-culture-camp/

You can find the event on Facebook: www.facebook.com/events/1766466600330369/

FOR COMPLETE GRASSROOTS CULTURE CAMP INFORMATION, THE SCHEDULE, TICKETS PRICES, AND FURTHER DETAILS, GO TO: www.grassrootsfest.org/culture-camp-1-1/

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Donna the Buffalo Performs at MerleFest 2017 – Groove-heavy & Danceable

This year at MerleFest, Donna the Buffalo plays sets on multiple stages:
Watson Stage Saturday Night Jam with Donna the Buffalo and Special Guests!
Sets on the Americana Stage, The Dance Tent, and The Hillside Stage.

Tara Nevins and Jeb Puryear also make an appearance in the Walker Center Stage as part of Docabilly Blues Blowout with Mitch Greenhill, T. Michael Coleman, Jeff Little, Jorma Kaukonen, Jim Avett, and Pat McInerney.
See DtB’s Full MerleFest Schedule Below

www.donnathebuffalo.com
www.merlefest.org

Known as one of the most dynamic and determined bands continuously touring America for nearly thirty years, Donna the Buffalo has created a community environment at their shows through their distinctive, groove-heavy, and danceable music. With roots in old time fiddle music that evolved into a soulful electric American mix infused with elements of cajun/ zydeco, rock, folk, reggae, and country, Donna’s music often contains social and moral responsibility as core beliefs, and they are just simply fun to get out and celebrate life with.

“Donna the Buffalo… amazing swirl of squeezebox, Hammond organ, fiddle and pulsing electric guitar… Their hippified Zydeco sound first reached my eager ears at MerleFest ages ago when they were stirring the Dance Tent into a swirl of sweat and energy,” says Music City Roots’ Craig Havighurst. “They’re as fine a band for close listening as they are for a party – a sound that’s been honed and practiced since 1989. Jeb Puyear and Tara Nevins share vocal and songwriting duties with he on Stratocaster and she on fiddle or sometimes Cajun rubboard. They don’t make news very often; they just play and tour and play and tour.

Donna the Buffalo first started playing MerleFest in 1994. It was the year the entrance was moved to it’s current location and new stages (like the Dance Tent) were added to help the growing festival. Learn more about the event’s history at Wilkesboro Journal-Patriot in their 2012 History of MerleFest series.

In 2000, MTV.com wrote, “Along with such true-bluegrass names as Ralph Stanley & the Clinch Mountain Boys, Sam Bush, and Laurie Lewis & Her Bluegrass Pals, some odd monikers show up on the schedule for this weekend’s MerleFest in Wilkesboro, NC… Odd as in Donna the Buffalo… Bands such as Donna the Buffalo… have often found themselves at odds with folk purists, but they’ve been accepted over the years at MerleFest and are just now finding summer homes at other festivals.”

“I think the festivals have broadened their scope. MerleFest was always pretty broad,” Donna the Buffalo frontwoman Tara Nevins said to MTV in 2000. “They’re having us this year for the dance [stage]… we fit because they’re broadening, but we also fit because we have a lot of roots stuff right in there… I feel there’s a thread between all that, whether it’s country, old time — the roots. So it’s exploring the thread between the idea of one world, one music community, one roots thing.”

Mountain Times’ Derek Halsey wrote in 2016, “Donna The Buffalo became a perennial favorite at MerleFest long ago. The rootsy and diverse jamband, based in upstate New York, has made a point of being a part of the North Carolina festival scene over the years and their appearance in North Wilkesboro every April has become a tried and true tradition.”

“We love playing in the Dance Tent as it is a fun set,” Nevins said in the interview with Halsey. “It has been a very long time. I can’t remember the first year that we played at MerleFest… We definitely feel like we’re a part of the MerleFest family and we love the festival and always look forward to it.” In 2016 Donna the Buffalo was honored to host the late-night Saturday night Midnight Jam for the first time (Mipso hosts in 2017).

Now, in 2017, this broad range of talent shines through honoring MerleFest’s roots and branches with a stellar lineup that includes, Transatlantic Sessions (hosted by Jerry Douglas and Aly Bain with special guests James Taylor, Sarah Jarosz, John Doyle), The Avett Brothers, Zac Brown Band, Bela Fleck, Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives, Del McCoury Band, Leftover Salmon, Sam Bush Band, The Earls of Leicester featuring Jerry Douglas, Peter Rowan, Steep Canyon Rangers, The Kruger Brothers, Jorma Kaukonen, The Steel Wheels, Mipso, Scythian, Chatham County Line, Sierra Hull, I Draw Slow, Jim Lauderdale, Bryan Sutton Band, Donna the Buffalo, The Waybacks, David Holt, Pete and Joan Wernick, Chris Jones & The Night Drivers, Claire Lynch, Front Country, The Stray Birds and lots more!

This year at MerleFest, Donna the Buffalo is stacked with sets on multiple stages including closing out the Watson Stage for a Saturday Night Jam with Donna the Buffalo and Special Guests! They also have sets on the Americana Stage, The Dance Tent, and The Hillside Stage. Tara Nevins and Jeb Puryear also make an appearance in the Walker Center Stage as part of Docabilly Blues Blowout with Mitch Greenhill, T. Michael Coleman, Jeff Little, Jorma Kaukonen, Jim Avett, and Pat McInerney.

Donna the Buffalo is Jeb Puryear (vocals, electric guitar) and Tara Nevins (vocals, guitar, fiddle, accordion, scrubboard) joined by David McCracken (Hammond organ, Hohner Clavinet & piano), Kyle Spark (bass) and Mark Raudabaugh (drums). “It’s been really fun with this lineup,” Puryear says. “You get to the point where you’re playing on a really high level, things are clicking and it’s like turning on the key to a really good car. It just goes.”

Their old school purple Eagle tour bus, however, was something that just wouldn’t “go.” Well known to The Herd across the country as the band travels spends over half of each year on the road, they put 1 million miles on the original engine traveling from coast to coast; from their home in Trumansburg on down to Suwannee, from MerleFest to Mcdowell Mountain, from Blue Heron to Grand Targhee, and every fine venue in between. Over mountains, through valleys, across plains, and desert, their bus enables Donna the Buffalo to share their music with you all.

Earlier this year, they successfully funded a new tour bus through GoFundMe raising over $85,000 in just a few weeks. “We thank you all for your continued support, love, and friendship. It means the world to us. We can’t do this without you and we can’t thank you enough. Peace and Love Always,” says Donna the Buffalo.

With their new bus equipped for the road, they have embarked on tour throughout the states and are thrilled to be returning to MerleFest in 2017!

Donna the Buffalo Full MerleFest Schedule:

Friday: Americana Stage: Donna the Buffalo
1:30 PM – 2:15 PM

Friday: Walker Center Stage: Docabilly Blues Blowout with Mitch Greenhill, T. Michael Coleman, Jeff Little, Jorma Kaukonen, Jim Avett, Tara Nevins, Jeb Puryear, and Pat McInerney
3:45 PM – 4:30 PM

Friday: Dance Tent: Freestyle Dance with Donna the Buffalo
5:15 PM – 6:00 PM

Saturday: Autograph Booth: Autograph Session with Donna the Buffalo
12:00 PM – 12:30 PM

Saturday: Creekside Stage: Tara Nevins is joining in on Memories of The Watson Family hosted by T. Michael Coleman with Watson Family Friends
12:00 PM-1:30 PM

Saturday: Dance Tent: Saturday Night Dance Party with Donna the Buffalo
7:00 PM – 8:15 PM

Saturday: Watson Stage: Saturday Night Jam with Donna the Buffalo and Special Guests
9:45 PM – 11:15 PM

Donna the Buffalo will also be part of the Midnight Jam on Saturday in The Walker Center, hosted by Mipso.

Sunday: Hillside Stage: Donna the Buffalo
11:15 AM – 12:00 PM

MerleFest has unveiled the 2017 MerleFest mobile app, now available for download for free. It features the MerleFest lineup and stage schedules, artist biographies, map, announcements, social media links and more.

The app allows users to plan for their entire MerleFest experience. A bonus for MerleFest fans: once downloaded, the app will be fully functional without having connection to phone service. Just visit your app store and search MerleFest and you can have the schedule in your hands before you even get on site!

For more information and tour dates, please visit www.donnathebuffalo.com
facebook.com/donnathebuffalo and twitter.com/donnathebuffalo.

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Donna the Buffalo On Tour In Their New Bus Throughout Eastern States

Donna the Buffalo On Tour In Their New Bus Throughout Eastern States

Distinctive, Groove-heavy, and Danceable,
Donna the Buffalo Is A Band For The People

ASHEVILLE, NC — Donna the Buffalo’s old school purple tour bus was well known to The Herd across the country. After over a decade of service and after delivering the band safely to thousands of gigs, they decided it is time to retire their beloved purple Eagle tour bus and they just successfully funded a new tour bus through GoFundMe raising over $85,000 in just a few weeks!

Being on the road since 1989, the band spends nearly half the year on the bus and they put 1 million miles on the original engine traveling from coast to coast; from their home in Trumansburg on down to Suwannee, from MerleFest to Mcdowell Mountain, from Blue Heron to Grand Targhee, and every fine venue in between. Over mountains, through valleys, across plains, and desert, their bus enables Donna the Buffalo to share their music with you all. “We thank you all for your continued support, love, and friendship. It means the world to us. We can’t do this without you and we can’t thank you enough. Peace and Love Always,” says Donna the Buffalo.

With their new bus equipped for the road, they are about to embark on winter tour and also have announced a handful of shows in the spring. They will celebrate the New Year’s with a run of shows in Florida before heading up to Atlanta (with Butch Trucks of The Allman Brothers who also performs at the show in Ponte Vedra) and then loop their way through the Southeast through Charleston, Columbia, Saxapahaw, and Asheville.

In mid-January they travel to Jamaica for Dark Star Orchestra’s Jam In The Sand at Jewel Paradise Cove Resort with Los Lobos. They close out the month returning to New York, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut before looping back down through Charlottesville and Charlotte. Rising singer-songwriter Bess Greenberg will join them for a handful of shows in the north mid-February. DtB returns to Florida for the end of the month for shows in Stuart and Orlando as they head down to Virginia Key for GrassRoots Live.

Donna the Buffalo will embark the Sounds of the Sea Cruise with Max Creek and Adam Ezra Group at the end of March and a handful of May shows have been announced in the midwest. Stay tuned for more tour dates.

Known as one of the most dynamic and determined bands continuously touring America for over 25 years, Donna the Buffalo has created a community environment at their shows through their distinctive, groove-heavy, and danceable music. Donna the Buffalo is a band for the people that is accessible, positive, and memorable. With roots in old time fiddle music that evolved into a soulful electric American mix infused with elements of cajun/ zydeco, rock, folk, reggae, and country, Donna’s music often contains social and moral responsibility as core beliefs, and they are just simply fun to get out and celebrate life with.

Donna the Buffalo is Jeb Puryear (vocals, electric guitar) and Tara Nevins (vocals, guitar, fiddle, accordion, scrubboard) joined by David McCracken (Hammond organ, Hohner Clavinet & piano), Kyle Spark (bass) and Mark Raudabaugh (drums). “It’s been really fun with this lineup,” Puryear says. “You get to the point where you’re playing on a really high level, things are clicking and it’s like turning on the key to a really good car. It just goes.”

Donna the Buffalo On Tour
12/29 Thu – Ponte Verdra Concert Hall – Ponte Vedra Beach, FL *w/ Butch Trucks & The Freight Train Band
12/30 Fri  – Skipper’s Smokehouse – Tampa, FL *w/ Verlon Thompson
12/31 Sat – Skipper’s Smokehouse – Tampa, FL *w/ Ralph Roddenberry
1/1 Sun – The Funky Biscuit – Boca Raton, FL
1/3 Tue – City Winery – Atlanta, GA *w/ Butch Trucks & The Freight Train Band
1/4 Wed – Pour House – Charleston, SC
1/5 Thu – New Brookland Tavern – West Columbia, SC
1/6 Fri – Haw River Ballroom – Saxapahaw, NC
1/7 Sat – The Orange Peel – Asheville, NC
1/19-22/17 Thu-Sun – Jam In The Sand at Jewel Paradise Cove Resort – Runaway Bay, Jamaica * w/ Dark Star Orchestra, Los Lobos
1/27 Fri – Towne Crier Cafe – Beacon, NY
1/28 Sat – The Mauch Chunk Opera House – Jim Thorpe, PA
1/29 Sun – Infinity Hall – Norfolk, CT
2/2 Thu – The Ardmore Music Hall – Ardmore, PA
2/3 Fri – Jefferson Theater – Charlottesville, VA
2/4 Sat – Neighborhood Theater – Charlotte, NC
2/8 Wed – The Waterhole – Saranac Lake, NY *w/ Bess Greenberg
2/9 Thu – Buffalo Iron Works – Buffalo NY  *w/ Bess Greenberg
2/10 Fri – G.A.R. Hall – Peninsula, OH  *w/ Bess Greenberg
2/11 Sat – The Rex Theater – Pittsburgh, PA  *w/ Bess Greenberg
2/24 Fri – Terra Fermata – Stuart, FL
2/25 Sat – The Social – Orlando, FL
2/26 Grassroots Live – Virginia Key, Florida
3/25-4/1 Sat-Sat – Sounds of the Sea Cruise *w/ Max Creek, Adam Ezra Group
5/4-7 Thu-Sun – Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival – Silk Hope, NC
5/12 Fri – Gateway City Arts – Holyoke, MA
5/13 Sat – City Winery – New York, NY
5/18 Thu – Edinboro Music & Arts Fest  – Edinboro, PA
5/19 Fri – City Winery – Chicago, IL
5/20 Sat – Bell’s Eccentric Cafe – Kalamazoo, MI
5/21 Sun – Edinboro Music & Arts Fest – Edinboro, PA

Donna the Buffalo Performing “Working On That”

For more information and tour dates, please visit www.donnathebuffalo.com
facebook.com/donnathebuffalo and twitter.com/donnathebuffalo

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Help Donna the Buffalo Get a New Bus! Perform with the Band, House Concerts, Tickets

Help Donna the Buffalo Get a New Bus!
Perform with the Band, House Concerts, Tickets

More information → www.gofundme.com/donnathebuffalo

Trumansburg, NY — One of the most dynamic and determined bands continuously touring America for since 1989, Donna the Buffalo has created a community environment at their shows through their distinctive, groove-heavy, and danceable music. Donna the Buffalo is a band for the people that is accessible, positive, and memorable. With roots in old time fiddle music that evolved into a soulful electric American mix infused with elements of cajun/ zydeco, rock, folk, reggae, and country, Donna’s music often contains social and moral responsibility as core beliefs, and they are just simply fun to get out and celebrate life with.

Donna the Buffalo is founding members Jeb Puryear and Tara Nevins joined by David McCracken, Kyle Spark, and Mark Raudabaugh. “It’s been really fun with this lineup,” Puryear says. “You get to the point where you’re playing on a really high level, things are clicking and it’s like turning on the key to a really good car. It just goes.”

After over a decade of service and after delivering the band safely to over a thousand gigs, it is time to retire their beloved purple Eagle tour bus. Being on the road for over 25 years, the band spends nearly half the year on the bus. At this point they cannot continue doing what they do without buying a new bus.

They put 1 million miles on the original engine traveling from coast to coast; from their home in Trumansburg on down to Suwannee, from MerleFest to Mcdowell Mountain, from Blue Heron to Grand Targhee, and every fine venue in between. Over mountains, through valleys, across plains, and desert, our bus has enabled Donna the Buffalo to share their music with you all.

In the last 6 months they have replaced the engine twice. At this point, with yet another round of mechanical issues due to the bus’s age, they are struggling to make it to their shows. The time has come. Jeb Puryear says, “We have no choice but to buy a new bus.”

Owning and maintaining a bus is no small feat. Jeb, along with the bands driver Loi Cao, Jordy Risk, and many others through the years have worked extremely hard to maintain the bus and keep everyone safe on the road. Tara says, “We appreciate everyone’s devotion, love, and hard greasy grueling work to keep us in our purple bus on the road all of these years.”

“We love our bus and we are sad to see it go” All of the band agrees saying, “We have wonderful memories with you all because of that bus. We will carry this love on to the new bus.”

The band’s manager, Ben Greenberg, has started a GoFundMe page to help make it happen→ www.gofundme.com/donnathebuffalo. All money raised will be used directly towards the purchase of the new bus. They have been shopping steadily and we have found one that they are very excited about.

From the moment the band posted the campaign to social media, within 24 hours over 20k was raised. Tara says, “We are feeling the love so strongly! I can’t even express how much we appreciate this. We are feeling incredible gratitude and love! And it’s only the beginning! Thank you so very much from all of us! This means so much to us! We are sending you love back big time! We can get there, I hope we can! We can’t wait to drive in our new bus out west down south, up north, and east! Love and thank you to all! I know we can do this!”

Levels of donations range from $25 for a signed copy of their next studio album when released to house concerts with Tara and Jeb to performing a song with the band and a lifetime guest list for two. They have been in the studio a handful of days already this year and are planning on returning this winter to lay down more track. More news will be forthcoming about the next studio release. There are also a couple of Herd Getaway Lottery entry levels for one person or a couple for the possibility of winning a weekend on the bus with the band, a private meet & greet and cocktails with Tara and Jeb including show tickets, a private songwriting session with Tara and Jeb, dinner and cocktails for two with Tara and Jeb, guest list for a year or two for two people, box seta, t-shirts, mugs, hats, a weekend on the bus. All of the levels are named after songs that have become fan favorites over the years.

“We thank you all for your continued support, love, and friendship. It means the world to us. We can’t do this without you and we can’t thank you enough. Peace and Love Always,” Donna the Buffalo.

For more information and tour dates, please visit www.donnathebuffalo.com
facebook.com/donnathebuffalo and twitter.com/donnathebuffalo

 

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Suwannee Springfest 2016 Initial Lineup: John Prine, The Del McCoury Band, Keller Williams Grateful Grass & more!

Announcing The 20th Annual Suwannee Springfest Initial Lineup
John Prine, The Del McCoury Band, Keller Williams Grateful Grass, The Infamous Stringdusters, Nicki Bluhm & the Gramblers, Jeff Austin Band, The Larry Keel Experience, Donna the Buffalo & More

~ March 17-20, 2016 at the Spirit of Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, FL ~

Grab your super early bird tickets now and save→  www.suwanneespringfest.com/tickets

Live Oak, FL — Suwannee Springfest celebrates 20 years of kicking off the spring festival season at the beautiful Spirit of Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, FL. It takes place March 17-20, 2016 and we are thrilled to announce that John Prine will be headlining the festival with his debut appearance at the event! A lot of return favorites from over the years will be joining in to help celebrate the anniversary including The Del McCoury Band, Keller Williams Grateful Grass, The Infamous Stringdusters, Jeff Austin Band, The Larry Keel Experience, Donna the Buffalo, and Jim Lauderdale. Nicki Bluhm & the Gramblers and Dave & Dave (of Trampled By Turtles) make their debut appearance at the fest!

Other fun acts on the bill include Cabinet, Fruition, Jon Stickley Trio, Nora Jane Struthers, Mandolin Orange, Rumpke Mountain Boys and more. Stay tuned for additional artist announcements, workshops, and other activities! See the full lineup at suwanneespringfest.com

Get your tickets for Suwannee Springfest now at the super early bird rate of $160 (GA) until midnight on Wednesday Dec 16th before they rise to the next tier of $175 through January 17th. Student / Military Ticket $175 advance through March 16th. Individual day tickets are also available. Tickets are inclusive of all taxes and fees, and include 4 days of primitive camping and music Thursday – Sunday nights. Kids under 12 are invited to join for free.

Attendees can also upgrade for a VIP Experience which includes a four-day ticket with primitive camping, dinners from Thursday – Saturday evenings, a VIP Laminate, a swag bag with the festival poster, a cap, and other goodies for $300 until 1/17 when it goes up to $350. See all rates and tiers and get tickets at www.suwanneespringfest.com/tickets.

Suwannee Springfest is a gem of a festival with beautiful early spring weather in a stunning natural setting of moss-draped oak and cypress trees where festivalgoers experience four days of superb music in the midst of a friendly, family-style environment. Keep an ear out for some campground pickin’ and bring your acoustic instruments to join in on the fun!

Located just north of Live Oak, Fla, the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park is a one-of-a-kind music park and premier campground nestled in 800 acres on the shady banks of the historic, tea-colored Suwannee River in North Florida. With multiple stages, miles of trails and over 800 acres for camping, hiking, swimming, canoe and kayak rentals on the river, horseback riding, disc golf, and a restaurant and country store; the park offers a unique experience like no other, a true playground for all that attend.

Attendees can reserve RV hook ups, cabin rentals, and golf cart rentals by calling the park. SOSMP is located between Jacksonville, Florida & Tallahassee, Florida about 30 minutes south of the Georgia State line, about 45 minutes north of Gainesville and is host to a variety of events. Please visit the park’s web site at www.musicliveshere.com or call them at 386-364-1683 for information.

Further information at suwanneespringfest.com. Also visit us on at facebook.com/suwanneespringfest, twitter.com/SuwanneeSpring and instagram.com/SuwanneeSpringfest.

Suwannee Springfest Initial 2016 Lineup
John Prine
The Del McCoury Band
Keller Williams Grateful Grass
Infamous Stringdusters
Nicki Bluhm & the Gramblers
Jeff Austin Band
The Larry Keel Experience
Donna the Buffalo
Dave & Dave (of Trampled By Turtles)
Jim Lauderdale
Cabinet
Fruition
Jon Stickley Trio
Nora Jane Struthers
Mandolin Orange
Rumpke Mountain Boys
The Broadcast
The Virginia Daredevils
Grits & Soul
Grandpa’s Cough Medicine
Big Cosmo
Nikki Talley
Sloppy Joe
Quartermoon
Taylor Martin’s Engine
Two Foot Level
The Steppin Stones

More tba at suwanneespringfest.com.

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Donna the Buffalo Announce Winter 2016 Tour Dates

Donna the Buffalo Announce Winter 2016 Tour Dates
Distinctive, groove-heavy, and danceable,
Donna the Buffalo is a band for the people

One of the most dynamic and determined bands continuously touring America for since 1989, Donna the Buffalo has created a community environment at their shows through their distinctive, groove-heavy, and danceable music.

Donna the Buffalo is happy to announce their new year’s and winter tour for 2016! They travel into Florida leading up to the  New Year with a show in Ponte Vedra Beach on the 30th of December and they ring in the new year on NYE at Skipper’s in Tampa. They continue on in early January through Stuart, Boca Raton, Key West, and Orlando before heading back up north for stops in Saxapahaw, NC as well as Charlottesville, and Richmond, Virginia before a short break.

The tour picks back up again at The Hamilton in Washington, DC on January, 22nd as they travel south to play Asheville’s Orange Peel the following day. The following Thursday they meet up with Ben Cohen (Co-founder of Ben and Jerry’s) for another Stampede show – this one Free – in Plymouth, NH on the 28th. That weekend they roam the northeast with shows in Jim Thorpe, Buffalo, and Infinity Hall in Norfolk. In early February they hit the Brooklyn Bowl, Club Helsinki Hudson, the Narrow center for the Arts in Fall River and the Bull Run Concert Series near Boston, MA. Inventive New York City-based band, City of the Sun will open along select winter shows.

Donna the Buffalo is the host band for the Virginia Key GrassRoots Festival of Music, Art & Dance in Miami and they’ll be performing throughout the weekend from Thursday-Sunday, February 18-21. Stay tuned for more dates to be announced for late winter and early spring!

Donna the Buffalo is Jeb Puryear (vocals, electric guitar) and Tara Nevins (vocals, guitar, fiddle, accordion, scrubboard) joined by David McCracken (Hammond organ, Hohner Clavinet & piano), Kyle Spark (bass) and Mark Raudabaugh (drums). “It’s been really fun with this lineup,” Puryear says. “You get to the point where you’re playing on a really high level, things are clicking and it’s like turning on the key to a really good car. It just goes.”

Donna the Buffalo is a band for the people that is accessible, positive, and memorable. With roots in old time fiddle music that evolved into a soulful electric American mix infused with elements of cajun/ zydeco, rock, folk, reggae, and country. I

“For the dizzying array of styles and genres with which they work, Donna The Buffalo maintain a surprising level of consistency… over the course of their 25-year career, they retain a sharp focus that has helped them create some truly lasting music…” writes Elmore. “Few groups are this comfortable as performers, and even fewer would take as many risks.”

Donna the Buffalo Winter Tour 2016
12/30 Wed – Ponte Vedra Concert Hall – Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
12/31/15 Thu – Skipper’s Smokehouse – Tampa, FL
1/1/16 Fri – Terra Fermata – Stuart, FL
1/2 Sat – The Funky Biscuit – Boca Raton, FL
1/5-6 Tue-Wed – Green Parrot – Key West, FL
1/7 Thu – Plaza Live – Orlando, FL
1/8 Fri – Haw River Ballroom – Saxapahaw, NC
1/9 Sat – The Jefferson Theater – Charlottesville, VA*
1/10 Sun – Capital Ale House – Richmond, VA
1/22 Fri -The Hamilton – Washington, DC*
1/23 Sat – The Orange Peel – Asheville, NC*
1/28 Thu – Flying Monkey Performance Center – Plymouth, NH#
1/29 Fri – Mauch Chunk Opera House – Jim Thorpe, PA*
1/30 Sat – Buffalo Iron Works – Buffalo, NY*
1/31 Sun – Infinity Hall – Norfolk, CT*
2/3 Wed – Brooklyn Bowl – Brooklyn, NY
2/4 Thu – Club Helsinki Hudson – Hudson, NY
2/5 Fri – Narrows Center For the Arts – Fall River, MA
2/6 Sat – The Bull Run Concert Series – Shirley, MA
2/18-21 Thu-Sun – Virginia Key GrassRoots Festival of Music, Art & Dance – Miami, FL

* w/ City of The Sun opening
# Stampede show with Ben Cohen (Co-founder of Ben and Jerry’s) Free!

For more information and complete tour dates, please visit www.donnathebuffalo.com
facebook.com/donnathebuffalo and twitter.com/donnathebuffalo

More about the music →
Jeb talks of his inspiration “rolling off all the great protest songs and the socially conscious music like Bob Marley and The Beatles and Bob Dylan – all of that stuff. So that, to me, is sort of like a tradition to write from that angle as a way of reflecting on what you feel about the world and how you feel it could be better and getting to a different place as a society. There’s also the strength that comes from music and gives you the feeling like you can change those things and make some progress, and then express some of the particulars about what you’d like to change.”

“If there’s a common thread, it’s an up-tempo beat that gets audiences dancing, moving and smiling, even for the more topical songs. That’s part of the point: Sending energy and spreading joy can be political acts… When the band recently went out to the Occupy Wall Street demonstrations, Puryear read a pamphlet that said ‘it’s about the vibration,’ and he agrees.

‘The vibe is going to be the big change, out of a passion for living,”Jeb says said to the Rochester Messenger Post. “Just that kind of energy, something we kind of feel in ourselves.” It’s certainly kept the band rejuvenated, he noted: It’s “having an absolute chemistry that’s creative and can still be exciting over 20-something years.’”

Donna the Buffalo was on tour in the fall of 2015 with The Stampede: A tour to raise awareness to the inappropriate use of corporate money in politics, which garnered press in USA Today and SALON, as well as the support of Occupy Wall Street and Headcount, amongst many others. They joined forces with Ben Cohen, Co-Founder of Ben & Jerry’s, who has started stamping slogans on currency in protest (stampstampede.org). American roots music troubadour Peter Rowan joined in on the tour as well; he says “At last, it comes around again; making music with Donna the Buffalo, one of my favorites.”

“As a band, we have made a long term commitment to join this burgeoning movement,” says Jeb Puryear. “It is clear to us that we will never get significant government action on issues like healthcare, student debt, wall street banks, the environment, and corporate tax evasion until we outlaw legalized corporate bribery of our politicians.”

For more information and complete tour dates, please visit www.donnathebuffalo.com.

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