Leftover Salmon Releases Jeff Austin Tribute Song on Backline to Support Mental Health

Leftover Salmon Releases “Songs You’ve Left Unsung” on Backline

In Memory of Jeff Austin

Written by Greg Garrison

Pay What You Wish – 100% of Proceeds Donated to Backline

Denver, CO — Leftover Salmon releases “Songs You’ve Left Unsung” as a tribute to dear friend Jeff Austin in his memory. The song was penned by LoS’s bassist, Greg Garrison, and is out today, November 4, 2019 at Backline.care/songs-left-unsung/. All proceeds from the sale of it are donated to Backline. 

Backline.Care is a hub for music industry professionals and their families to quickly and easily access mental health and wellness resources. Backline has partnered with leading support organizations and care providers to streamline access to a wealth of services and educational resources specifically geared towards this work and lifestyle. It is a hub to discover existing organizations, unique content, peer networks, and case managers who can help create a plan that addresses your unique mental health and wellness challenges–on and off the road. Their website was created by music industry professionals for music industry professionals.

Here is a note from Greg Garrison about “Songs You’ve Left Unsung”:

I first met Jeff Austin when we were in 7th grade. Through the 80’s and 90’s, we somehow always wound up in the same places at the same times…Rolling Meadows, IL as kids, Decatur and Urbana, IL during our college years, and eventually Colorado as adults. And then, maybe predictably, as members of touring bands in the same scene.

“Songs You’ve Left Unsung” is a reflection on some of these times…the verses move chronologically, starting in Illinois and winding up in Colorado. The chorus is meant to be bittersweet but also hopeful for those of us that are still here writing songs, experiencing music, raising families and living life with all of its turbulent ups and downs.

I wanted to release the song with Backline because I think their mission is exceptionally important; providing mental health and wellness support to people in the music industry while also providing an opportunity for those of us who deal with issues like depression, anxiety, and substance abuse to share our stories. Hopefully, these stories will provide comfort, clarity, support, inspiration and a helping hand to anyone who is in need.

On a personal note, I have always struggled with a certain amount of social anxiety (not the easiest thing when you’re in a band like Leftover Salmon); the kind of anxiety that makes you feel like you’re always in the way, that folks don’t really want to hear what you have to say, play or sing, always looking for a way out of conversations because “this person doesn’t really want to be talking to me anyway…”. It makes being a musician, which involves a healthy amount of“putting yourself out there” a difficult task at times. Thankfully, when the music is happening and I’m playing the bass, I can close my eyes, quiet my mind and feel at home.

I discovered that I suffer from low-level depression (called dysthymia) during one of my most difficult periods as a human and as a musician. When I parted ways with Punch Brothers in 2008, a lot of things came crashing down. While my amazing third child (Ella) had just been born, I was also in the midst of a crumbling marriage, had no steady gig or income (Leftover Salmon was still just waking up from its hiatus), and the band that I had put so much time, effort, and soul into was moving in a different direction. Lots of stress…lots of anger…lots of confusion…lots of self-doubt…lots of hopelessness. I know many musicians can relate to this scenario, it’s certainly not a unique one in our industry.

Fortunately, through counseling, I was able to get my proverbial “shit together” to some extent, and I started taking medication (which I still take to this day). It’s hard to admit you need help. I’m glad that I did. I was lucky enough to have some honest people around me who recognized what I was going through and pushed me to make changes.

Like many, I certainly wish I would have understood the extent to which Jeff was hurting, and that I could have given him a helping hand when it was needed. I’m glad that an organization like Backline exists now, as having the support of others who have gone through or are going through a similar situation will allow the healing to start and leave far fewer songs left unsung.

-Greg Garrison

To donate and download the song, please visit www.backline.care/songs-left-unsung. 

For more about Leftover Salmon, please visit www.LeftoverSalmon.com. 

 

 

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Suwannee Springfest Additions Include Lucinda Williams, John Hiatt, Del McCoury & David Grisman, Hot Rize, Jeff Austin, The Duhks, Pgrass

Suwannee Springfest Additions Include Lucinda Williams, John Hiatt,
Del McCoury & David Grisman, Hot Rize, Jeff Austin, The Duhks, Pgrass

Suwannee Springfest March 19-22, 2015
at The Spirit of Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, FL

Suwannee Springfest 2015 Lineup Additions:
Lucinda Williams
John Hiatt
Del McCoury & David Grisman
Hot Rize with Red Knuckles and the Trailblazers
Jeff Austin
The Duhks
Pgrass
Virginia Dare Devils
Whetherman
Flagship Romance
The Applebutter Express
Big Cosmo
Canary in the Coalmine
Acoustic Ensemble

In addition to the already announced line-up of:
The Wood Brothers, Shovels and Rope, Keller Williams and The Travelin’ McCourys, The Infamous Stringdusters, Blind Boys of Alabama, Donna The Buffalo, Larry Keel Experience

www.suwanneespringfest.com

Live Oak, FL — On March 19-22, 2015, the 19th annual Suwannee Springfest kicks off the spring festival season at The Spirit Of Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, FL. A gem of a festival with beautiful early spring weather in a stunning natural setting, Suwannee Springfest is thrilled to announce a few additions to the already stellar lineup. Additions include Lucinda Williams, John Hiatt, Del McCoury & David Grisman, Hot Rize with Red Knuckles and The Trailblazers, Jeff Austin, The Duhks, Pgrass, Virginia Dare Devils, Whetherman, Flagship Romance, The Applebutter Express, Big Cosmo, Canary in the Coalmine, and Acoustic Ensemble.

Bands that have already been announced to perform are The Wood Brothers, Shovels and Rope, Keller Williams and The Travelin’ McCourys, The Infamous Stringdusters, Blind Boys of Alabama, Donna The Buffalo, Larry Keel Experience, Cabinet, Jim Lauderdale, Verlon Thompson, The Seth Walker Band, Fruition, Town Mountain, Joe Craven, amongst others.

Festivalgoers experience four days of superb music in the midst of a friendly, family-style environment with good times including music from usual festival favorites, as well as lots of talented new faces in Bluegrass & Newgrass, Acoustic Blues, Roots Rock, Singer/Songwriter, Cajun/Zydeco, New & Traditional Folk and other forms of American Roots music.

Along with the camping, there are nearly 12 miles of trails suitable for hiking, biking, horseback riding and nature exploring. For RV hook ups, cabin rentals and golf cart rentals, please call SOSMP 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 including Wannee, Magnolia Fest, Bear Creek Music and Arts Festival, Hulaween, and Aura Music Festival amongst others. Please visit the park’s web site at www.musicliveshere.com or call them at 386-364-1683 for information.

Get your tickets in advance for Suwannee Springfest and save for $160 until February 28th; $175 from March 1st through March 18th; and $200 at the gate. Individual day tickets are also available. Student / Military Ticket $150 Advance. 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 Thursday – Saturday evenings, a VIP Laminate, a swag bag with the festival poster, a cap, and other goodies for $300 through February 15th ($350 from 2/16 on and at gates. If you purchase a VIP Ticket you will be entered into a drawing for a pair of upgraded All Access Passes. Please visit SuwanneeSpringfest.com for ticketing and other information.

Suwannee Springfest Final 2015 Lineup
Lucinda Williams
John Hiatt
Del McCoury & David Grisman
The Wood Brothers
Shovels and Rope
Hot Rize with Red Knuckles and The Trailblazers
Keller Williams and The Travelin’ McCourys
The Infamous Stringdusters
Jeff Austin
Blind Boys of Alabama
Donna The Buffalo
Larry Keel Experience
Cabinet
Jim Lauderdale
The Duhks
Verlon Thompson
The Seth Walker Band
Fruition
Town Mountain
Joe Craven
Dread Clampitt
Pgrass
Shinyribs
Jon Stickley Trio
The Shook Twins
Taylor Martin’s Acoustic Band
Ralph Roddenbery Band
Grandpa’s Cough Medicine
Virginia Dare Devils
Whetherman
Flagship Romance
The Applebutter Express
Sloppy Joe
Nikki Talley
Big Cosmo
Canary in the Coalmine
Grits & Soul
Quartermoon
The Josh Daniel/Mark Schimick Project
Steve Pruett’s Back from the Brink
Oak Hay
Short Straw Pickers
Sarah Mac Band
Acoustic Ensemble

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

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Jeff Austin Band Announces Additions to Fall 2014 Tour Including November Dates with The Travelin’ McCourys

Jeff Austin Band Announces Additions to Fall 2014 Tour
Jeff Austin, Danny Barnes, Eric Thorin and Ross Martin on Tour This Fall

JAB announces November Shows with The Travelin’ McCourys as Part of The Bluegrass Ball

Jeff Austin is on tour with Danny Barnes (banjo and vocals), Eric Thorin (bass and vocals), and Ross Martin (guitar and vocals) as the newly formed Jeff Austin Band.

They have added additional tour dates for this Fall including appearances in New Jersey, Virginia and West Virginia in October. New for this November, Jeff Austin Band is linking up with The Travelin’ McCourys  as part of The Bluegrass Ball, the widely successful collaborative festival on wheels the McCourys started, for a week with shows in Dallas, St Louis, Bloomington, Madison and Minneapolis.

These dates are in addition to their previously announced dates out west for shows this October in Flagstaff, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Arcata, Eugene, Portland, Seattle and Bellingham. JAB will also be performing two nights at Railroad Earth’s Hangtown Halloween Ball in Placerville, CA where Leftover Salmon and moe. amongst others. Jeff will also be featured as an “Artist-at-Large” at the Ball.

Austin is set to make several festival appearances over the next month, including Grateful Grass sets at Utopia Festival and Lockn’ with Keller Williams, and two sets with JAB at the Phases of the Moon Festival.

Please visit JeffAustin.com for more information and further tour dates. Keep up to date with Jeff on facebook.com/JeffAustinOfficial and twitter.com/Jeffreyaustin10.

Jeff Austin Band on Tour  (Recently added dates in bold)
9/5-6 Fri-Sat – Lockn’ Festival – Arrington, VA*
9/12 Fri – Utopia Festival – Utopia, TX^
9/13-14 Sat-Sun – Phases of the Moon – Danville, IL
10/9 Thu – Mexicali Live – Teaneck, NJ
10/10 Fri – Mill Point Park – Hampton, VA
10/11 Sat – V Club – Huntington, WV
10/12 Sun- Schmitt’s Saloon – Morgantown, WV
10/21 Tue – Orpheum Theater – Flagstaff, AZ
10/22 Wed – Musical Instruments Museum – Phoenix, AZ
10/23 Thu – The Mint – Los Angeles, CA
10/24-26 Fri-Sun – Hangtown Halloween Ball – Placerville, CA #
10/28 Tue – Humbrews – Arcata, CA
10/29 Wed – WOW Hall – Eugene, OR
10/30 Thu – Mississippi Studios – Portland, OR
10/31 Fri – Nectar’s Lounge – Seattle, WA
11/01 Sat – The Green Frog – Bellingham, WA
11/11 Tue – Gas Monkey Bar N Grill – Dallas, TX %
11/12 Wed – Old Rock House – St. Louis, MO %
11/13 Thu – Castle Theatre – Bloomington, IL %
11/14-11/15 Fri-Sat – Majestic Theatre – Madison, WI %
11/16 Sun – Cabooze – Minneapolis, MN %

* Jeff plays with Grateful Grass featuring Keller Williams and Keith Moseley
^  Jeff plays with Grateful Grass featuring Keller Williams and Sam Grisman
# w/ Railroad Earth, Moe., Leftover Salmon and more. JAB plays two days and Jeff is Artist-at-Large
% w/ The Travelin’ McCourys as part of The Bluegrass Ball

 

 

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Jeff Austin Band Announces a Fall West Coast Tour

Jeff Austin. Photo by Señor McGuire.

Jeff Austin Band Announces a Fall West Coast Tour

Jeff Austin, Danny Barnes, Eric Thorin and Ross Martin
Travel Through Arizona, California, Oregon and Washington This Fall

 Celebrated for his fleet fingers and penchant for improvisation on stage, mandolinist, songwriter and vocalist Jeff Austin is on tour with Danny Barnes (banjo and vocals), Eric Thorin (bass and vocals), and Ross Martin (guitar and vocals) as the Jeff Austin Band. They have also have been in the studio with a number of other friends, heroes and mentors to record an album due out early in 2015.

Fall brings the Jeff Austin Band to the West Coast with shows in Flagstaff, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Arcata, Eugene, Portland, Seattle and Bellingham. JAB will also be performing two nights at Railroad Earth’s Hangtown Halloween Ball in Placerville, CA where Leftover Salmon and moe. amongst others. Jeff will also be featured as an “Artist-at-Large” at the Ball.

Jeff Austin Band is set to perform at a number of shows and festivals this summer including Grand Targhee Bluegrass Festival, Nedfest and Phases of the Moon. Jeff will also be appearing at Gathering of the Vibes, Yarmony Grass and Lockn’ Festival for special Grateful Grass sets featuring Austin along with Keller Williams and Keith Moseley.

Austin is headed in a new creative direction with the Jeff Austin Band as he prepares to step into the spotlight as a solo artist. On his forthcoming debut project, Austin’s songwriting remains rooted in Americana inspiration and the frantic energy of the jam genre but also, reaches even further weaving in more mainstream themes, reminiscent of his co-write contribution “Fiddlin’ Around,” that was featured on the 2010 Grammy nominated Dierks Bentley album, Up on the Ridge.

While the upcoming, untitled solo effort is still a work in progress, it can already be summed up succinctly as Austin’s love letter to storytelling. “I love writing a three-minute song with a hook that would grab a five-hundred-pound marlin as much as I like writing something that goes, ‘okay, after the bridge, it’s going to open up and just go wide.’”

Please visit JeffAustin.com for more information and further tour dates. Keep up to date with Jeff on facebook.com/JeffAustinOfficial and twitter.com/Jeffreyaustin10.

Complete Schedule of the Jeff Austin Band Tour Dates:
8/01 Fri – Gathering of the Vibes – Bridgeport, CT*
8/09 Sat – Targhee Bluegrass Festival – Alta, WY
8/16 Sat – Yarmony Grass – Bond, CO*
8/22 Fri – NedFest – Nederland, CO
8/23 Sat – Keystone Resort – Keystone, CO
8/24 Sun – Center for the Arts – Crested Butte, CO
9/5-6 Fri-Sat – Lockn’ Festival – Arrington, VA*
9/12 Fri – Utopia Festival – Utopia, TX^
9/13-14 Sat-Sun – Phases of the Moon – Danville, IL
10/21 Tue – Orpheum Theater – Flagstaff, AZ
10/22 Wed – Musical Instruments Museum – Phoenix, AZ
10/23 Thu – The Mint – Los Angeles, CA
10/24-26 Fri-Sun – Hangtown Halloween Ball – Placerville, CA #
10/28 Tue – Humbrews – Arcata, CA
10/29 Wed – WOW Hall – Eugene, OR
10/30 Thu – Mississippi Studios – Portland, OR
10/31 Fri – Nectar’s Lounge – Seattle, WA
11/01 Sat – The Green Frog – Bellingham, WA

* Jeff plays with Grateful Grass featuring Keller Williams and Keith Moseley
^  Jeff plays with Grateful Grass featuring Keller Williams and Sam Grisman
# w/ Railroad Earth, Moe., Leftover Salmon and more. JAB plays two days and Jeff is Artist-at-Large

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Hear From Jeff Austin About Upcoming Album with Danny Barnes, Eric Thorin and Ross Martin; DelFest Recap

Hear From Jeff Austin About Upcoming Album w/ Danny Barnes, Eric Thorin & Ross Martin

Recap of Jeff Austin “Artist at Large” at DelFest

Mandolinist, vocalist and songwriter Jeff Austin is embarking on the second leg of his Spring tour starting this weekend. Jeff is on tour this year with Danny Barnes (banjo and vocals), Eric Thorin (bass and vocals), and Ross Martin (guitar and vocals). They have been in the studio with a number of other friends, heroes and mentors to record an album; it can already be summed up succinctly as Austin’s love letter to storytelling. “I love writing a three-minute song with a hook that would grab a five-hundred-pound marlin as much as I like writing something that goes, ‘okay, after the bridge, it’s going to open up and just go wide.’” They put together this great video together to tell you more about it: http://vimeo.com/filmcartel/rundownpromo

Jeff was an “Artist at Large” this past weekend at DelFest in Cumberland, MD. He closed out Saturday night headlining slot with The Travelin McCourys, dueting with Billy Nershi on the last song with the crowd going nuts. Listen to the set here: http://bit.ly/RBJiGL. Later that night, he appeared with Railroad Earth and Ronnie McCoury on a three way mandolin jam. On Sunday he appeared with the String Cheese Incident on “I Know you Rider.” Sunday late night (actually monday morning) Jeff played the majority of the set with the Travelin McCourys singing some of his originals.

Needless to say, Jeff is on a mission to deliver the High Octane Bluegrass that he has been known for and will continue to deliver with his new band that include Danny Barnes, Eric Thorin and Ross Martin.

Please visit JeffAustin.com for more information and further tour dates. Keep up to date with Jeff on facebook.com/JeffAustinOfficial and twitter.com/Jeffreyaustin10.

See Jeff Austin & Friends on Tour at:
5/30 Fri – Pour House – Charleston, SC
5/31 Sat – Penguin Music Fest – Wilmington, NC +=
6/01 Sun – Pisgah Brewing Company – Black Mountain, NC +
6/03 Tue – Lincoln Theater – Raleigh, NC
6/04 Wed – The Hamilton – Washington, DC +
6/05 Thu – The Lyric Theatre – Blacksburg, VA
6/06 Fri – Riverbend Festival – Chattanooga, TN
6/07 Sat – Blue Plum Festival – Johnson City, TN
8/01 Fri – Gathering Of The Vibes – Bridgeport, CT %
8/09 Sat – Grand Targhee Bluegrass Festival – Alta, WY
8/16 Sat –  YarmonyGrass – Yarmony, CO
8/22 Fri – Nedfest – Nederland, CO
8/23 Sat – River Run Events Plaza – Keystone , CO
8/24 Sun – Center for the Arts Outdoors Stage – Crested Butte, CO
9/5-6 Fri- Sat – Lockn’ Festival – Arrington, VA%

All Shows with  Danny Barnes, Eric Thorin and Ross Martin unless otherwise noted
* w/ New Master Sounds
+ Leftover Salmon
= w/ Keller Williams
% Grateful Grass ft. Keller Williams, Jeff Austin and Reed Mathis

 

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Jeff Austin & The Here and Now Release Free Soundboard Recording; Add Tour Dates

Jeff Austin & The Here and Now Release Free Soundboard Recording; Add Tour Dates

Jeff Austin & The Here and Now (featuring banjoist Danny Barnes and Larry & Jenny Keel) are thrilled to announce the audio release of a soundboard recording of last August’s show at The Elk’s Lodge in Troy, OH as part of the Gentleman of the Road Festival. The download is available for FREE at www.JeffAustin.com.

Here’s Jeff’s recap of the show:

Late in the evening of August 30th, 2013… or, was it early in the morning of August 31st? Danny Barnes, Larry Keel, Jenny Keel and myself were led into the Elk’s Lodge of Troy, Ohio to play a late night show for a packed room of folks who had spent their day in the blazing late summer sun…enjoying themselves to the fullest. We wondered if they had anything left in the tank… By God, did they ever. Through the sweat, the endless toasts, the folks who faded in the heat of the crowded room… I hope you enjoy a few hours of bluegrass fun between me and some of my dearest friends. Late night from Troy…no holding back now, folks.

Live From The Elk’s Lodge Track List:
1. Bluegrass Breakdown
2. Angel With The Golden Hair
3. The Wedding Song
4. The Mountain Song
5. Red Haired Boy
6. On and On
7. Shit Creek
8. Kentucky Mandolin
9. Groundhog
10. Groundspeed
11. Death Trip > Loser > Death Trip
12. Isotope
13. Jesse James
14. Foggy Mountain Special
15. Sitting Alone in the Moonlight > Foggy Mountain Breakdown > Rag Doll
16. Rattler
17. Bone
18. Crow Black Children
19. Wheel Hoss

The Here and Now on this recording is Jeff Austin (mandolin and vocals) with Danny Barnes (banjo and vocals), Larry Keel (guitar and vocals), and Jenny Keel (bass and vocals).

They link up again for several shows in the Midwest in early March 2014 kicking off at the Cabooze in Minneapolis, before heading over to Milwaukee to the Miramar and then along to Chicago’s City Winery. The final show of the run lands them at Bell’s Brewery in Kalamazoo.

Starting in early May, Jeff will pick back up on tour with Danny Barnes (vocals), Eric Thorin (bass and vocals), and Ross Martin (guitar and vocals). They will be touring together throughout the year and also heading into the studio this March with a number of other friends, heroes and mentors to record an album.

Jeff Austin & The Here and Now on Tour
3/5 – Cabooze – Minneapolis, MN*
3/6 – Miramar Theater – Milwaukee, WI*
3/7 – City Winery (early and late show) – Chicago, IL*
3/8 – Bell’s Brewery – Kalamazoo, MI*
5/8 – Terminal West – Atlanta, GA +
5/9 – Pour House – Charleston, SC +
5/10 – Aiken Bluegrass Festival – Aiken, SC +
6/6 – Riverbend Festival _ Chattanooga, TN +
6/7 – Blue Plum Music Festival – Johnson City, TN +
8/8 – Targhee Bluegrass Festival – Targhee, WY
8/22 – Nedfest – Nederland, CO

* – w/ The Keels and Danny Barnes, Horseshoes & Hand Grenades supports
+ – w/ Danny Barnes, Ross Martin and Eric Thorin

Please visit JeffAustin.com for more information and to download the live show.
Keep up to date with Jeff on facebook.com/JeffAustinOfficial and twitter.com/Jeffreyaustin10.

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Jeff Austin & The Here and Now (w/ Danny Barnes & The Keels) Announce Midwest Shows in March

Jeff Austin & The Here and Now (w/ Danny Barnes & The Keels) Announce Midwest Shows in March

Jeff Austin is joining forces with The Here and Now, featuring banjoist Danny Barnes and Larry & Jenny Keel on guitar and bass for several shows in the Midwest in early March 2014.

The tour kicks off at the Cabooze in Minneapolis, before heading over to Milwaukee to the Miramar and then along to Chicago’s City Winery. The final show of the run lands them at Bell’s Brewery in Kalamazoo. Tickets go on sale Friday, December 6th, 2014 at 12 pm CST.

Mandolinist, vocalist and songwriter Jeff Austin is unstoppable. He is celebrated for his fleet fingers and penchant for improvisation on stage, but those qualities also speak volumes about how he chooses to live. Austin has cultivated his natural musical abilities and allowed himself to be driven by his boldest instincts. In this way, he has been able to build positive, exciting momentum around his life’s greatest passion. While not on the road with Yonder Mountain String Band, Austin is joining forces with The Here and Now and other special projects.

Please visit JeffAustin.com for more information and to download a free EP of Jeff Austin & The Here and Now. You can also keep up to date with Jeff on facebook.com/JeffAustinOfficial and twitter.com/Jeffreyaustin10.

Jeff Austin & The Here and Now on Tour
Wed 3/5/14 – Cabooze – Minneapolis, MN
Thu 3/6/14 – Miramar Theater – Milwaukee, WI*
Fri 3/7/14 – City Winery – Chicago, IL* (early and late show)
Sat 3/8/14 – Bell’s Brewery – Kalamazoo, MI*
*w. Horseshoes and Hand Grenades supporting

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Jeff Austin Adds Dates To Summer Tour

Jeff Austin Adds Dates To Summer Tour

Mandolinist, vocalist and songwriter Jeff Austin is on tour this summer with various friends while not on the road with Yonder Mountain String Band. This weekend Jeff Austin & Friends (Allie Kral, Danny Barnes and Eric Thorin) play Friday August 23rd in Jackson Hole, WY and Sunday, August 25th at NedFest in Colorado.

As Jeff heads towards the eastern part of the country, he will join forces with The Here and Now, featuring banjoist Danny Barnes and Larry & Jenny Keel on guitar and bass. This special late summer tour starts in the midwest near Chicago and loops through The Midwest before heading heading south and then over to over to Oklahoma.

More details have emerged for Jeff Austin & The Here and Now’s sets at the Mumford and Sons Gentlemen of the Road Troy Stopover Downtown Street Festival in Ohio with a daytime set on the Market Street Stage and late-night set at Elks Lodge on Friday, August 30th and a late-night set on Saturday, August 31st at the Market Street Stage. For more about the GOTD

Jeff Austin on Tour:

Jeff Austin & Friends
Featuring Allie Kral, Danny Barnes and Eric Thorin
8/23 Fri – Jackson Hole Live – Jackson Hole, WY*
8/25 Sun – NedFest – Nederland, Co*

Jeff Austin and The Here & Now
The Here & Now Features Danny Barnes and Larry and Jenny Keel
8/28 Wed – Durty Nellie’s – Palatine, IL
8/29 Thu – The Bluebird – Bloomington, IN
8/30 Fri – Mumford and Sons Gentlemen of the Road Troy Stopover Downtown Street Festival – Troy, OH
4:30pm-5:30pm @ Market Street Stage & 11:45pm-2:00am @ Elks Lodge
8/31 Sat – Mumford and Sons Gentlemen of the Road Troy Stopover Downtown Street Festival – Troy, OH
12:00am-1:00am @ Market Street Stage
9/1 Sun – Diamonds in Upper Highlands- Louisville, KY
9/2 Mon – Avondale Brewing Co. – Birmingham, AL
9/4 Wed – Old Rock House – St. Louis, MO
9/5 Thu – The Shrine – Tulsa, OK *Austin & Barnes duo show
9/6 Fri – Cottonwood Flats – Mumford and Sons Gentlemen of the Road – Guthrie, OK
9/7 Sat – Cottonwood Flats – Mumford and Sons Gentlemen of the Road – Guthrie, OK

Take a look at JeffAustin.com for further information and to download a free EP of Jeff Austin & The Here and Now.

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Jeff Austin & The Here and Now (featuring Danny Barnes & The Keels) On Tour

 

Jeff Austin & The Here and Now (featuring Danny Barnes & The Keels)
On Tour

Mandolinist, vocalist and songwriter Jeff Austin is unstoppable. He is celebrated for his fleet fingers and penchant for improvisation on stage, but those qualities also speak volumes about how he chooses to live. Austin has cultivated his natural musical abilities and allowed himself to be driven by his boldest instincts. In this way, he has been able to build positive, exciting momentum around his life’s greatest passion.

While not on the road with Yonder Mountain String Band, Austin is joining forces with The Here and Now, featuring banjoist Danny Barnes and Larry & Jenny Keel on guitar and bass. They will be embarking on special late summer tour starting in the midwest near Chicago and looping through Bloomington, IN; Troy, OH; and Louisville and then heading south into Birmingham and St Louis before heading over to Tulsa. The tour lands for their final show of the run in Guthrie, Oklahoma with their second appearance as part of a Mumford and Sons Gentlemen of the Road Stopover.

Take a look at Jeff’s new website JeffAustin.com and download a free EP of Jeff Austin & The Here and Now.

Jeff Austin & The Here and Now on Tour:
8/28 Wed – Durty Nellie’s – Palatine, IL
8/29 Thu – The Bluebird – Bloomington, IN
8/30 Fri – Troy Memorial Stadium – Mumford and Sons Gentlemen of the Road – Troy, OH
8/31 Sat – Troy Memorial Stadium – Mumford and Sons Gentlemen of the Road – Troy, OH
9/1 Sun – Diamonds in Upper Highlands- Louisville, KY
9/2 Mon – Avondale Brewing Co. – Birmingham, AL
9/4 Wed – Old Rock House – St. Louis, MO
9/5 Thu – The Shrine – Tulsa, OK *Austin & Barnes duo show
9/6-7 Fri – Cottonwood Flats – Mumford and Sons Gentlemen of the Road – Guthrie, OK
9/7 Sat – Cottonwood Flats – Mumford and Sons Gentlemen of the Road – Guthrie, OK

More about Jeff Austin
Jeff Austin’s enthusiasm for the vast, vibrant world of music was rooted in him as early as he can remember: “I was always raised very musically. My mom always had music playing; she always sang.” It’s no surprise then that Austin himself grew up singing too. From beginning to end of his years in grade school just outside of Chicago, he sang in classes, choirs, and musicals, allowing his musical influences to lead him where they may. “I started listening to Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings,” Austin says. “And then the Beatles, that turned into Bob Dylan, and then the Grateful Dead and Phish.”

Austin continued this fearless course of action, attending University of Cincinnati and majoring in Musical Theatre, until he stumbled upon a crossroads that threatened to derail all of his plans. “I remember standing in front of the Grateful Dead three weeks before I dropped out of college and thinking, ‘there’s so much more to this music thing than being educated and being told what you are,’” Austin explains. “You can take what you think is your value and throw it at a crowd of people, and they will throw it back to you. The beauty is that nothing is black and white. It’s all grey; it’s interpreted at the moment.” Austin goes on to illustrate what this meant for his future: “At the time, I was auditioning for Broadway and off-Broadway shows. I walked away from everything I was set up to do because I realized that I just wanted to be in a band.”

Serendipitously, he met banjoist Dave Johnston around the same time. He encouraged Austin to try the mandolin so as to join his band The Bluegrassholes, so Jeff learned how to play the only way he knew how – with music: “I would listen to Not for Kids Only, which is a record of kids’ songs that Garcia/Grisman put out, nothing too fast. I would listen over and over and over and find the notes on my mandolin.” Picking up an instrument for the first time was exhilarating for Austin. “I never took lessons,” he admits. “I just threw myself in that world. I’ve always kind of learned in the line of fire.” The line of fire inspired Austin to be better, so he kept coming back. “For the better part of 3 years, I jammed night after night with these guys. There’s something about the pace, the speed, the aggressiveness, the chasing of the beat.” Austin was hooked.

In 1998, Austin and Johnston relocated to Nederland, Colorado. While working at a bar called the Verve, Austin met Adam Aijala and Ben Kaufmann, with whom he and Johnston would form the Yonder Mountain String Band. Together, the four musicians have created a wild, high-energy niche among the bluegrass legends of old and the up and coming jam band scene. Over fifteen years, Yonder Mountain String Band have built an intensely loyal fan base by playing festivals and venues across the nation, sharing the stage with legends like Jon Fishman, Phil Lesh, Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzman, Earl Scruggs, Pete Thomas, and Jimmy Herring, and releasing five studio albums and five live recordings.

“My time with Yonder has taught me what is possible,” Austin says. “It has shown me that if you work hard at it and you believe in it and there’s a part of you that’s meant to do it, it will happen. It’s clichéd, but it’s true.”

It is with this rich personal history at his back that propels Austin into a new creative direction as he prepares to step into the spotlight as a solo artist. On his forthcoming debut project, Austin’s songwriting remains rooted in Americana inspiration and the frantic energy of the jam genre but also, reaches even further weaving in more mainstream themes, reminiscent of his co-write contribution “Fiddlin’ Around,” that was featured on the 2010 Grammy nominated Dierks Bentley album, Up on the Ridge. While the upcoming, untitled solo effort is still a work in progress, it can already be summed up succinctly as Austin’s love letter to storytelling. “I love writing a three-minute song with a hook that would grab a five-hundred-pound marlin as much as I like writing something that goes, ‘okay, after the bridge, it’s going to open up and just go wide.’”

Indeed, “wide” is what Jeff Austin is all about. He wants new and different, complex and interesting. He wants everything the music world has to offer, and he’s willing to work hard to get it.

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For more information, please visit JeffAustin.com or Facebook.com/JeffAustinOfficial.

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