Andy Hall & Roosevelt Collier Release ‘Let The Steel Play’ June 16 – Sacred Steel Meets Bluegrass

Andy Hall and Roosevelt Collier Release Let The Steel Play June 16, 2017
Sacred Steel Meets Bluegrass in this Exploration of the Slide Guitar

Andy Hall and Roosevelt Collier will be doing a Stageit show
Sunday, May 21 at 9:15pm ET/ 7:15pm MT to celebrate the upcoming release!
Tune in → www.stageit.com/andy_hall/andy_hall_and_roosevelt_collier/61242
The top 5 supporters will get a signed copy of the cd!

DENVER, CO — Andy Hall of The Infamous Stringdusters and Roosevelt Collier of the Lee Boys have come together on a new album, Let The Steel Play, which is set for independent release June 16, 2017. Let the Steel Play was born out of a love of slide guitar, and a friendship made through music. Andy Hall and Roosevelt Collier met in 2012 on Jam Cruise, and began playing music together when their paths would cross. Both are sought after sit-in players at festivals throughout the country and known for their dexterity, versatility, and intuitive knack for picking up rhythms and melodies.

Andy comes from the world of bluegrass, and cut his teeth in Nashville’s vibrant country and bluegrass scene having performed with Earl Scruggs, Ryan Adams, and Dolly Parton (who he is also on two albums with). Roosevelt “The Dr.” was born into the Sacred Steel sound, learning lap and pedal steel at a young age directly under his uncles and grandfather in the House of God church his family attended in Perrine, FL. Roosevelt has performed alongside BB King, Widespread Panic, The Allman Brothers, and Del McCoury Band.

Andy Hall  & Roosevelt Collier. Photo by Jason Charme

Coming from different backgrounds and methods, yet brought together through slide guitar, Roosevelt and Andy have joined forces to create a musical bridge that emanates a freshness, yet honors both traditions.

The bluegrass tradition is highlighted by classics such as a haunting and melodic version of “A Maiden’s Prayer,” which was written initially for piano in Poland and made popular in the 1930’s in America by Bob Wills who arranged it on fiddle in a more Western Swing style and added lyrics; it was later recorded by Buck Owens and Willie Nelson. Let The Steel Play also includes the 1920’s folk song made popular by Flatts and Scruggs, “Reuben’s Train,” which is jazzed up even more in it’s evolution here.

The time-honored song “This Little Light Of Mine” is played in both bluegrass and gospel music. Andy says, “We chose it because it seemed like a natural bridge between our two styles, and it is just fun to play. Roosevelt’s unique way of playing bass parts on the steel is highlighted in the breakdown section.”

“Power In the Blood” showcase the sounds of Sacred Steel. Written by Lewis E. Jones in 1899, the slides take on a very vocal style here; you can almost imagine yourself in church, feeling the holy spirit!

For a slightly more modern flair they also perform a version of the Grateful Dead’s “Crazy Fingers.” “When we recorded this album I had been playing quite a bit with Phil Lesh, and was doing Grateful Grass shows with Keller Williams, so I certainly had the Grateful Dead on the brain,” says Andy Hall, “‘Crazy Fingers’ has always been a closet favorite of mine. Amazing complex chords that work so well together. Yet the melody is so memorable. I play the melody throughout, and then Roosevelt soars on the intro riff that we repeat at the end.”

Additionally there are 5 originals that Andy and Roosevelt wrote together specifically for this project. From the uplifting “Rosebud” to the fast paced “Remington,” this record showcases not only exceptional slide work, but engaging songwriting. “The Darkest Hour” was written on Hall’s Weissenborn style guitar, which has a mellower, pretty sound and juxtaposes nicely with the gritty low sound of Roosevelt’s lap steel.

In the final song of the album, “Colfax Boogie,” Anders Beck of Greensky Bluegrass adds his Dobro prowess to make a slide guitar power trio. They co-wrote it while all together in the studio and had fun with three slides all taking turns and playing off each other, a perfect way to round out the project.

Let The Steel Play was recorded at Macy Sound Studios in Denver, CO, and produced by John Macy (The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Los Lobos). The mastering was done by Fred Guarino (he also recorded The Infamous Stringdusters’ 2015 album Undercover), at Tiki Recording.

Let the Steel Play is an instrumental offering that gives the listener something new, yet familiar. Where two traditions come together and form something new and relevant. The slide guitar is not all that common, but it’s certainly a treat to the ear and to the soul.

Let The Steel Play Track Listing
1. This Little Light Of Mine 4:51
2. Maiden’s Prayer 3:48
3. Singing Steel 4:01
4. Crazy Fingers 4:40
5. Rosebud 3:04
6. Reuben’s Train 3:34
7. Remington 3:06
8. The Darkest Hour 4:05
9. Power In the Blood 3:50
10. Colfax Boogie (W/ Anders Beck) 4:46

.

Instruments & credits:
Andy Hall:
1929 National Style 2 Squareneck Tricone 1, 10
Beard Mahogany Belle Beard Model Resonator Guitar 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9
Bear Creek Koa Weissenborn Style Guitar 8

Roosevelt Collier:
Asher Electro Hawaiian Lap Steel, 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Meredith Maple Resonator Guitar 3, 10

Anders Beck:
Meredith Mahogany Resonator Guitar 10
Websites:
www.artistworks.com/dobro-lessons-andy-hall
www.rooseveltcollier.net

Facebook:
www.facebook.com/andyhalldobro
www.facebook.com/RooseveltCollier

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Jon Stickley Trio’s New EP ‘Triangular’ Out Now! “Pure Joy Through Music”

Jon Stickley Trio’s New EP, Triangular, Out Now!
“Pure Joy Through Music”

Get Triangular now on iTunes, Amazon, and CDbaby

Js3 Announces Plans to Record Next Full Length Album, Produced by Dave King (The Bad Plus) at Echo Mountain Studios in Asheville NC after Successful Kickstarter Campaign

ASHEVILLE — On the tail of their critically acclaimed 2015 album, Lost at Last, Jon Stickley Trio independently releases a brand new 5-song EP, Triangular, on December 2,2016. With roots in gypsy jazz, bluegrass, and hip-hop in an “exhilarating all-acoustic swirl” (Acoustic Guitar Magazine), Jon Stickley Trio combines Jon Stickley’s rapid-fire flatpicking guitar with the sultry and wild, yet refined, melodies of Lyndsay Pruett on violin set over the deep groove of Patrick Armitage on drums.

“In a time when a lot of instrumental music feels more like math than art, Jon Stickley Trio’s Triangular reminds us of the pure joy that can be created and shared through music,” says Greensky Bluegrass’ Anders Beck.

Jon Stickley Trio is on tour this winter with shows in the southeast this December in Knoxville, Kingsport and Charlotte. Jon also has a couple of shows booked with Andy Thorn (Leftover Salmon) and Travis Book (The Infamous Stringdusters) in North Carolina mid-month. On December 30th, the Trio pops up north to Richmond, Virginia to open for The Infamous Stringdusters before heading home to Asheville for a special New Year’s Eve Celebration with The Honeycutters on Dec 31st. In early January, Jon Stickley travels to Denver to play two nights as a part of the Bluegrass Generals featuring members of The Infamous Stringdusters, Greensky Bluegrass, and more. The Trio joins up again in Wray, Colorado on the 21st with some surprise mystery dates out west TBA. There’s a scattering of other dates announced including WinterWonderGrass in California in the spring and FloydFest in the summer in Virginia. More to come!

The EP, Triangular, was recorded at Blue Sprocket Sound in Harrisonburg, VA this summer and was sent early to anyone that donated $10 or more to their recent successful Kickstarter Campaign to help them head back into Echo Mountain Recording Studio this winter with Producer Dave King (Of The Bad Plus) to record a yet un-named new full length album due out in 2017. The band surpassed their goal and reached $29,120 and is currently in studio recording..

“I like to think of music as a two way street, a reciprocal experience between musician and audience,” says Lyndsay Pruett. “The Kickstarter campaign really affirms my view on that. And it truly becomes about more than the money. Money is the thing we all know we need to make the world go around, but this process allows people to have an extra level of personal involvement. We have conversations with people we’ve met at shows from all over the country, and they become involved in the next record. Then when we go back to those places to play the music for them the experience is more substantial, and more fun, of course.”

Triangular features five songs leading out with with “Blackburn Brothers”, of which Beck says, “While the opening notes remind the listener of Tony Rice’s Manzanita (one of the greatest acoustic guitar albums of all time), one is suddenly catapulted into Jackson 5 territory a few minutes later in the same song. Sure, comparisons to previous musicians are a good way to explain a new artist to the masses, but to do so is to cheat Stickley of what he really is: a damn genius, a musical mastermind, and one of the most unique, creative, and inventive guitar players I’ve ever heard.”

“Plain Sight” was penned by Jon after the mass shooting at a concert in Paris. ”It’s as much an angry response to the perpetrators as it is a mournful tribute to the victims,” says Stickley. The music features Lyndsay’s delicate pizzicato violin plucking, Patrick’s breakbeat drum vibes, and Stickley’s signature high speed shredding. The third phase of the tune breaks down to a gentle trading of melodic lines by Jon and Lyndsay.

“Palm Tree” is a tropically themed dance tune has become a staple of the band’s live shows. It changes time signatures between 5/4 and 6/8, but remains danceable and accessible. The purpose of “Palm Tree” is to jam out and have fun, and that’s what the Trio does on this track. You can hear Jon and Lyndsay pushing each other while Patrick “cooks” underneath, heating up the skillet till its HOT.

“Echolocation”’ is a tribute to whales and the beautiful songs they sing underwater. The most evocative of the songs on the record, it features the cello-like longbows of Lyndsay’s violin that mimic the whales’ songs. Patrick’s epic drum solo over Lyndsay and Jon’s unison arpeggios is a climactic moment that is one of the band’s most dazzling recorded moments to date.

“Manzanita” is a classic composition by Jon’s hero, guitarist Tony Rice, is arguably one of the most important pieces of music in Newgrass history. The Trio recorded this song as a tribute to those who came before and took musical risks that changes the history of music.

“Since bluegrass players started delving into jazz, they’ve been composing progressive acoustic music, but so much of it has lacked the comfort in its own skin that Stickley’s songs possess.” Anders Beck says of Stickley’s style,“I could go on and on about how amazing it is that his twisty and turny songs don’t feel forced, and always bob and weave at the right time; or how Stickley’s guitar playing shares as much in common with the flow of the greatest rappers of all time as it does with his flatpicking heroes... I think you get my point. Stop reading this and go listen to his new EP.”

With the success of Lost At Last making it into rotation on radio stations both nationally and internationally, the Trio has traveled over 50,000 miles, performing at over 100 festivals and venues across the country in 2016 (Including the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC), attracted attention of thousands of new fans, and teamed up with a national booking agency. Jon Stickley Trio heads into the studio in early December to record the yet unnamed full length album with Dave King, who also produced Lost At Last which garnered praise from The New York Times, NPR’s Heavy Rotation, NPR’s World Cafe, Premier Guitar Magazine, Acoustic Guitar Magazine, and many others.

Jon Stickley Trio has evolved into a fully formed, musical identity that was just beginning to take shape on the first record. Stickley realizes, “Our musicality has matured individually, and collectively to the extent that we can read each other, and respond to each other in a completely intuitive and natural way. We can’t wait to take our matured sound back into Echo Mountain with our mentor and producer, Dave King.”

All of this interlocks, and is propelling the band into the future. Music City Roots’ Craig Havighurst says “A new generation of bluegrass-reared instrumental explorers is coming into its own, and the Stickley Trio is in the vanguard.” While the group does their thing in the studio, they are happy to share Triangular with the world now!

Jon Stickley On Tour
12/7 Wed – Knoxville, TN – WDVX Tennessee Shines @ Boyd’s Jig & Reel
12/8 Thu – Kingsport, TN – Sleepy Owl Brewery
12/10 Sat – Charlotte, NC – The Rabbit Hole *co-Bill with Billy Strings
12/15-16 Thu-Fri – Asheville, NC – Isis Music Hall *Stickley / Thorn / Book support for Travelin’ McCourys
12/17 Sat – Morganton, NC – Winter Music Fest *Stickley / Thorn / Book
12/30 Fri – Richmond, VA – The National  *support for The Infamous Stringdusters12/31/16 Sat – Asheville, NC – Isis Music Hall *w/ The Honeycutters

1/6-7/17 Fri-Sat – Denver, CO – Cervantes *Jon Stickley as a part of the Bluegrass Generals feat. members of The Infamous Stringdusters, Greensky Bluegrass, etc.
1/20 Fri – Abilene, KS – Great Plains Theatre
1/21 Sat – Wray, CO – 4th and Main Grille
3/30 Thu – San Francisco, CA – Neck of the Woods
3/31 Fri – Squaw Valley, CA – WinterWonderGrass
7/26-30 – Floyd, VA – FloydFest

* All dates are Jon Stickley Trio unless otherwise noted.

WATCH Jon Stickley Trio Perform ‘Echolocation’ on Music City Roots →

Head on over to Live For Live Music to listen to the World Premiere of “Blackburn Brothers.” →  http://bit.ly/JS3_L4LM_BlackburnBrothersPremiere.

For more information, updates from the road, and more, please visit www.jonstickley.com, www.facebook.com/JonStickleyTrio, www.instagram.com/jonstickleytrio, and www.twitter.com/StickleyMusic.

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Larry Keel’s Experienced is Out Today! Featuring Guests Sam Bush, Del McCoury, Peter Rowan

Larry Keel’s Experienced Out TODAY Friday, February 26, 2016!
Experienced is a blazing journey of music
featuring Larry Keel, Jenny Keel, and Will Lee
with special guests:
Sam Bush, Del McCoury, Peter Rowan, Keller Williams, Jason Carter,
Mike Guggino, and Anders Beck

LEXINGTON, VA —  Flatpicking guitar phenom Larry Keel dazzles music-lovers once more with his 15th self-released album Experienced, out today, February 26, 2016. Del McCoury says, “Larry Keel is a triple threat… songwriter, guitar player, entertainer. He can do it all.” The album is an entirely original work that showcases both Larry’s and bandmate Will Lee’s exceptional songwriting, singing and jaw-dropping instrumental performances, accompanied by Keel’s equally talented wife Jenny Keel on upright bass and harmony vocals.

Experienced is available now at Keel’s web store (http://larrykeel.com/products-page/) and CD Baby (http://bit.ly/LarryKeel_Experienced_CDBaby).

Added to the raw sophistication of Keel’s progressive acoustic style are several guest-musician-friends who appear on various tracks of Experienced, a list of artists that reads like a ‘Who’s Who’ of icons and new stars including Sam Bush, Del McCoury, Peter Rowan, Keller Williams, Jason Carter (The Del McCoury Band), Mike Guggino (Steep Canyon Rangers), and Anders Beck (Greensky Bluegrass). The album was recorded at Wally Cleaver Studio in Fredericksburg, VA with engineer (and guest drummer) Jeff Covert and mastered by the award-winning industry great Bill Wolf (Willie Nelson, Tony Rice, Doc Watson) in Arlington, VA.

The seven tracks on Experienced reflect Keel’s musical personality, from frenzied and raunchy to mystical and sensitive, and through it all, Keel’s honest attitude shines, fearlessly and with throttle wide-open. “I love me some Keels. There is a certain genuine authenticity that Larry and Jenny possess,” says Keller Williams. “When we get together, our wonder-powers unite to form a giant, impenetrable sphere of open-minded, Appalachian psychedelic goodness.” Sam Bush (who plays mandolin and fiddle on the fiery opening track “Ripchord”) exclaims, ‘Enjoy the music… Larry does!”

Kind Words About Experienced

Experienced is on the rise on the Americana Music Association’s radio chart and currently at #25!

“Experienced jimmies into your soul” —No Depression, Amos Perrine

“Few people can get away with describing their music as an ‘experience.’ But then again, few words come close to actually describing the music of Larry Keel. To see Larry Keel perform is to have just that: a unique, singular experience that cannot be duplicated.” —Bluegrass Today, Brian Paul Swenk

“The Keels are the next generation of pickers, and the way they invite legends like Del (McCoury) and Sam (Bush) into their songs adds a punch to music that already punches you in the gut, a punch that makes you want to giddy up, to stand-up, to throw your hands up and slam your boot wearing feet in the ground and shout ‘Hallelujah’” —Relix Magazine’s Peter Shapiro
Relix Magazine presented world premiere of Experienced
which is available to stream through the end of the day of the album release

“Not that many artists get to album number 15 in their career. With Experienced… Larry Keel hits that milestone… and he does so with more than a little help from his friends.” —Folk Alley premiered the song “Fill ’em Up Again.”

“[Keel] keeps things interesting by offering genre-bending novellas that demand attention and then subsequently, if not inevitably, satisfy it. The guy is simply too good to allow anyone a sense of comfort. Don’t dare click the stop button — you never know what might be coming around the playlist.”
—Frederick News-Post, Colin McGuire

“Always innovative and pushing boundaries, I was eager to see what type of magic Larry Keel could pull off with a list of guests that included Keller Williams, Del McCoury, and Sam Bush… To say that this album lived up to it’s hype would be an understatement. Every guest was utilized in a way that showcased their most impressive talents, yet this still clearly felt like a Larry Keel album the whole way through.” —Music Marauders, Mitch Melheim

“Keel’s record is beautiful–I love how the rawness of his voice (and playing) really lets the soul shine through the arrangements! I’ve always liked how he can go from sweet and sentimental to dirty and greasy and back.
I especially liked the song ‘Memories’” —Oliver Wood, The Wood Brothers
The Bluegrass Situation Premiered the song “Memories.”

“The album alternates from the sweet nostalgia of ‘Memories’ to the rough and raw ‘Fill ‘Em Up Again,’ to the spooky spirit-filled ‘Warrior,’ complete with Native American chanting from Rowan, similar to his work on ‘Land of the Navajo’ from the first ‘Old and In the Way’ album.” —Mountain Times, Jeff Eason

“It is clear just how much heart was put into each and every word written, and every note sang and played. It also seemed that Keel took the time to write songs that fit well with the musical stylings of his guests.”
—NYS Music, Amy Lieberman

“Bluegrass, Americana, and everything else that sounds good”
—The Lonesome Road Review, Larry Stephens

“Experienced… represents an exploration of American roots music
with folk and blues making appearances on the record.”
—Americana Review, Jason Gartshore

“Listening to the new Larry Keel album Experienced is a revelation. It is a look at what music can be when stripped of preconceptions and when a blend of bluegrass, deep woods psychedelia and moonshine combine.”
—Consider Collective, Eric Rayburn

“Experienced is an album you’ll want to experience again and again.”
—Wildman Steve, The Corner News

Experienced Track Listing:

1. Ripchord [Lee] 6:09  w/ Sam Bush
   2. ‘Lil Miss [Keel] 4:22
   3. Memories [The Keels]  4:00
   4. Fill’em Up Again [Lee] 2:55 w/ Del McCoury, Jason Carter, Mike Guggino
   5. Miles and Miles [Keel] 4:37 w/ Keller Williams
   6. The Warrior 4:38  [Keel] w/ Peter Rowan
   7. Another Summer Day [Lee] 4:47 w/ Anders Beck, Jeff Covert*All tracks with The Larry Keel Experience:
   Larry Keel, Will Lee, and Jenny Keel

   Find out more and stay up to date with news from Larry Keel at www.larrykeel.com, www.twitter.com/LarryKeel, www.facebook.com/LarryKeelFishinAndPickin.

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Larry Keel Brings New Album ‘Experienced’ (Ft. Sam Bush, Del McCoury) On the Road

Larry Keel Brings New Album ‘Experienced’ On the Road
With Tour Dates In The NE & SE States

Larry Keel Independently Releases Experienced on Friday, February 26, 2016
A blazing journey of music featuring special guests:
Sam Bush, Del McCoury, Peter Rowan, Keller Williams, Jason Carter, Mike Guggino, and Anders Beck

LEXINGTON, VA —  Flatpicking guitar phenom Larry Keel is set to release a his 15th album, Experienced, on February 26, 2016. Keel has a variety of musical formats swirling around the calendar each year: look out for his core band, The Larry Keel Experience (featuring Will Lee on 5 string banjo and vocals and Jenny Keel on upright bass and vocal harmonies). They are set to embark on an album release tour starting in late February with stops throughout the north and south eastern States including a couple of sets at Suwannee Springfest in Live Oak, FL and a lot of pickin’ gig on at Aiken Bluegrass Festival in South Carolina. See Larry’s full list of tour dates below including a few early February dates with Keller & the Keels, as well as All-star shows in Hawaii leading up to Valentine’s Day and at Winter Wondergrass in Vail in mid-February.

Experienced includes seven tracks and is an entirely original work that showcases both Larry’s and bandmate Will Lee’s exceptional songwriting, singing and jaw-dropping instrumental performances, accompanied by Keel’s equally talented wife Jenny Keel on upright bass and harmony vocals. It was recorded at Wally Cleaver Studio in Fredericksburg, VA with engineer (and guest drummer) Jeff Covert and mastered by the award-winning industry great Bill Wolf (Willie Nelson, Tony Rice, Doc Watson) in Arlington, VA.

Added to the raw sophistication of Keel’s progressive acoustic style are several guest-musician-friends who appear on various tracks of Experienced, a list of artists that reads like a ‘Who’s Who’ of icons and new stars including Sam Bush, Del McCoury, Peter Rowan, Keller Williams, Jason Carter (The Del McCoury Band), Mike Guggino (Steep Canyon Rangers), and Anders Beck (Greensky Bluegrass). According to Larry, “This project is a collection of my songs and Will Lee’s music, developed further with the amazing talents of some of our musician friends and heroes. Very real. Very fresh.”

Larry Keel On Tour with Experienced 2016

Keller & the Keels
2/04 Thu – Plaza Live – Orlando, FL*
2/05 Fri – Jannus Live – St. Petersburg, FL*
2/06 Sat – b.e. easy Music & Arts Festival – Lake Worth, FL

The Keels w/ Special Guests
2/12-13 Fri-Sat – Charleys Restaurant and Saloon – Paia, HI
2/19-20 Fri-Sat – WinterWonderGrass – Vail, CO

The Larry Keel Experience
2/26 Fri – Shepherdstown Opera House – Shepherdstown, WV
2/27 Sat – Gypsy Sally’s – Washington, DC
3/03 Thu – Rabbit Hole – Charlotte, NC ^
3/04 Fri – Charleston Pour House – Charleston, SC ^
3/05 Sat – Tifton Rhythm & Ribs Festival – Tifton, GA
3/18-19 Fri-Sat – Suwannee Springfest – Live Oak, FL
3/24 Thu – The Jefferson Theater – Charlottesville, NC <
3/25 Fri – Asheville Music Hall – Asheville, NC
3/30 Wed – Plain Folk Cafe – Pleasant Plain, OH
4/2 Sat – Woodlands Tavern – Columbus, OH
4/3 Sun – Elk Creek Cafe – Millheim, PA
5/7 Sat – Sleepy Creek Spring Ding on the Potomac – Berkeley Springs, WV

The Keels w/ Special Guests
5/13-14 Fri-Sat – – Aiken Bluegrass Festival – Aiken, SC >

*w/ Yonder Mountain String Band
^ w/ Jon Stickley Trio
< w/ The Woodshedders
> Friday LKE set, Sat Keller and Keels as well as Larry Keel All-star jam with Vince Herman, Mimi Naja, Paul Hoffman, Anders Beck and more!

More date TBA! Stay tuned to www.larrykeel.com.

What folks are saying about Experienced

“Keel’s record is beautiful–I love how the rawness of his voice (and playing) really lets the soul shine through the arrangements! I’ve always liked how he can go from sweet and sentimental to dirty and greasy and back. I especially liked the song ‘Memories’” —Oliver Wood, The Wood Brothers

“Larry Keel is one of my favorite artists..his new cd has grit, warmth, vision, and is so real. Which is what makes this band the most kick ass band to ever raise hell this side of the old dominion.”
—Chance McCoy, Old Crow Medicine Show

“Experienced jimmies into your soul” — No Depression, Amos Perrine

“Listening to the new Larry Keel album Experienced is a revelation. It is a look at what music can be when stripped of preconceptions and when a blend of bluegrass, deep woods psychedelia and moonshine combine.” —Consider Collective, Eric Rayburn

“The album alternates from the sweet nostalgia of ‘Memories’ to the rough and raw ‘Fill ‘Em Up Again,’ to the spooky spirit-filled ‘Warrior,’ complete with Native American chanting from Rowan, similar to his work on ‘Land of the Navajo’ from the first ‘Old and In the Way’ album.”  —Mountain Times/ Watauga Democrat, Jeff Eason

“Not that many artists get to album number 15 in their career. With Experienced (due out February 26), flatpicking phenom Larry Keel hits that milestone… and he does so with more than a little help from his friends.” –Kelly McCartney, Folk Alley premiered the song “Fill ’em Up Again.” Stream it here → www.folkalley.com/archives/001465.php

The Bluegrass Situation Premiered the song “Memories.” Stream it here → www.thebluegrasssituation.com/read/listen-larry-keel-memories  

“Larry Keel is a true original, be it traditional, progressive, improv- he does it all and with such joy. I love jamming with Keel. Enjoy the music, Larry does.”–Sam Bush

“Larry Keel, the Bluegrass Warrior, has kept the flame of mountain alive with intensity and clarity of singing and fiery guitar picking! Larry and Jenny both have big-ears and wide listening to open their music up to a growing young audience” —Peter Rowan

Find out more and stay up to date with news from Larry Keel at www.larrykeel.com, www.twitter.com/LarryKeel, www.facebook.com/LarryKeelFishinAndPickin.

 

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Larry Keel Set to Release ‘Experienced’ w/ Guests Sam Bush, Del McCoury, Peter Rowan & More

Larry Keel Independently Releases Experienced
on Friday, February 26, 2016
A blazing journey of music featuring special guests:
Sam Bush, Del McCoury, Peter Rowan, Keller Williams, Jason Carter,
Mike Guggino, and Anders Beck

LEXINGTON, VA —  Flatpicking guitar phenom Larry Keel dazzles music-lovers once more with his 15th self-released album Experienced, due out February 26, 2016. The album is an entirely original work that showcases both Larry’s and bandmate Will Lee’s exceptional songwriting, singing and jaw-dropping instrumental performances, accompanied by Keel’s equally talented wife Jenny Keel on upright bass and harmony vocals. It was recorded at Wally Cleaver Studio in Fredericksburg, VA with engineer (and guest drummer) Jeff Covert and mastered by the award-winning industry great Bill Wolf (Willie Nelson, Tony Rice, Doc Watson) in Arlington, VA.

Added to the raw sophistication of Keel’s progressive acoustic style are several guest-musician-friends who appear on various tracks of Experienced, a list of artists that reads like a ‘Who’s Who’ of icons and new stars including Sam Bush, Del McCoury, Peter Rowan, Keller Williams, Jason Carter (The Del McCoury Band), Mike Guggino (Steep Canyon Rangers), and Anders Beck (Greensky Bluegrass). According to Larry, “This project is a collection of my songs and Will Lee’s music, developed further with the amazing talents of some of our musician friends and heroes. Very real. Very fresh.”

The seven tracks on Experienced reflect Keel’s musical personality, from frenzied and raunchy to mystical and sensitive, and through it all, Keel’s honest attitude shines, fearlessly and with throttle wide-open. As Sam Bush (who plays mandolin and fiddle on the fiery opening track “Ripchord”) says, ‘Enjoy the music… Larry does!” “‘Lil Miss” follows up with a cynical gibe at a mock Miss Prim and not-so-proper young lady of modern day society, set to a down and dirty blues-rock riff.

“Memories” (co-written by Larry and Jenny) is the portrait of the artist (Keel) gently swept away by life’s vast gallery of experiences and personal connections, and the poignant emotions that spring from it all. As the third track, it cools down the pace of things, letting the listener settle into the musical journey Keel has orchestrated.

“Larry Keel is a triple threat… songwriter, guitar player, entertainer. He can do it all,” says Del McCoury, who is featured on the playful and rollicking “‘Fill em Up Again” along with Carter and Guggino. “I think what makes Larry so powerful is that he has lived his songs, he’s not sitting in a room trying to write the hit of the week, he’s writing what’s in his heart and on his mind.”

“I love me some Keels. There is a certain genuine authenticity that Larry and Jenny possess,” says Keller Williams. “When we get together, our wonder-powers unite to form a giant, impenetrable sphere of open-minded, Appalachian psychedelic goodness.” Appropriately, Keller plays on the swelling and rolling “Miles and Miles,” which is a sort of metaphoric travel log of life on the road as a musician (and as a human being)… the key being to stay true to one’s own ‘voice’.

“The Warrior” is loosely based on the Carlos Castaneda book The Teachings of Don Juan and the search for knowledge by an old Yaqui Indian brujo. Peter Rowan joins on percussion instruments, yodeling and throat singing, adding a burning tension to the music, as the tale is sung in Keel’s gravely baritone. “The warrior is seeking the power… Standing tall he will never cower… He can see the spirits in the air… He can see the things that are not there.” The musicianship, lyrics and magical production combine to bring the listener down into the depths of the mystics and back out again in revelation.

Following “The Warrior”, the album’s gentle and refreshing closing melody, “Another Summer Day,” emits the feeling of resurfacing into the world, relaxed and carefree to enjoy the daylight and breeze.  The tune was written and sung by Will Lee, with Anders Beck lending his intuitive touch on dobro and Jeff Covert carrying it along with a light drum beat.

“Larry is the yin and the yang,” declares Beck. “He will break your heart with a waltz, but he can also scare the hello out of you in the next song.  He plays on the edge… no, strike that.. he creates genius guitar solos while staring over the edge and laughing maniacally.”

“This studio album was a complete blast to make, from start to finish,” says Jenny Keel. “Larry, Will and I, along with our exceptional engineer Jeff Covert coalesce into a working musical unit that push each other to higher and higher heights of magic, skill, art and energy.  Add to that this cast of guests with all THEIR unique talents, and you have a recording that is pure enjoyment. Every detail of it!”

Throughout his prolific career, Keel has released 15 albums, including Experienced, and is featured on 10 others. Along with those that guest on the new album, Keel has performed with a multitude of top acoustic and electric musicians alive, and some now gone, including Vassar Clements, John Hartford, Tony Rice, Bill Monroe, Bob Weir, Jorma Kaukonen, Little Feat, Trombone Shorty, Railroad Earth, Leftover Salmon and many many others. Larry has written songs being performed by the likes of Del McCoury Band, Infamous Stringdusters and Yonder Mountain String Band and has a tune on Del McCoury’s GRAMMY-winning album The Company We Keep [2005] entitled ‘The Mountain Song.’

Experienced Track Listing:
1. Ripchord [Lee] 6:09  w/ Sam Bush
2. ‘Lil Miss [Keel] 4:22
3. Memories [The Keels]  4:00
4. Fill’em Up Again [Lee] 2:55 w/ Del McCoury, Jason Carter, Mike Guggino
5. Miles and Miles [Keel] 4:37 w/ Keller Williams
6. The Warrior 4:38  [Keel] w/ Peter Rowan
7. Another Summer Day [Lee] 4:47 w/ Anders Beck, Jeff Covert

*All tracks with The Larry Keel Experience: Larry Keel, Will Lee, and Jenny Keel

Find out more and stay up to date with news from Larry Keel at www.larrykeel.com, www.twitter.com/LarryKeel, www.facebook.com/LarryKeelFishinAndPickin.

 

 

 

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Head For The Hills Releases a New Music Video, Summer Tour Dates, Free Download

Head For The Hills Releases a New Music Video For “Never Does”
WATCH “Never Does”–> http://youtu.be/F7-rlIfFG7s

Head for The Hills On Tour Summer of 2014
Including stops at Summer Camp, Denver Botanic Gardens, Planet Bluegrass and more
Shows with The Steep Canyon Rangers, Nickel Creek, and Yonder Mountain String Band

From Telluride Bluegrass Festival to SxSW and all points beyond – Head for the Hills creates a sound based in bluegrass that reaches into indie rock, jazz, hip hop, world and folk to stitch together fresh songs that bridge the divide between past and future acoustic music. Bluegrass Today said they are “On top of modern string music.”

Head for the Hills is Adam Kinghorn (Guitar), Michael Chappell (Mandolin), Joe Lessard (Fiddle), and Matt Loewen (Bass). The quartet recently released their third studio album, Blue Ruin, of which CMT’s Edge said it “effortlessly matches integrity against innovation.” The album also charted in the CMJ Top 200.

Today, they are thrilled to announce the premier of their newest music video for the song “Never Does”from Blue Ruin. Written by Joe Lessard, “Never Does” is a driving pop infused song about love and loss. It is a pulsing, minor-key tale about a lack of fulfillment and closure told with a rapid-fire vocal delivery. Subtle audio effects and haunting background vocals add to the unceasing and urgent sense of anxiety within the track. They are also offering the song as a free download at: http://bit.ly/H4TH_NeverDoes.

Head for the Hills will also be on the road this summer beginning with an appearance at Pickin’ on the Poudre at the Mishawaka Amphitheatre on May 17th. The end of May brings them to Illinois for Summer Camp Music Festival, The Revival Festival in Minnesota, and the Campout for the Cause in Bond CO.  They pick back up in mid-June with Vaudeville Mews (IA), Love Fest in the Midwest (NE), Fly Me to the Moon Saloon (in Telluride and featuring special guest Anders Beck from Greensky Bluegrass), and Clear Creek RapidGrass in Idaho Springs. In July they are set to play Camp Euforia (IA), Dawg Daze of Summer (MO), and a co-bill with The Steep Canyon Rangers at the Denver Botanic Gardens. August has them at the Mohawk Valley Music Fest (OR) and supporting Nickel Creek at the Festival at Sandpoint. They will also be at Yonder Mountain String Band’s Kinfolk celebration in Lyons this September and the Boats and Bluegrass Festival (MN). More tour dates will be announced as the season progresses, so please stay tuned to headforthehillsmusic.com.

Head for the Hills has performed and appeared at many premier festivals and radio programs including Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Wakarusa Music Festival, SxSW, NPR-Ideastream, eTown, High Sierra Music Festival, RockyGrass and several more. They also appeared on the River’s Rising Flood Compilation to benefit Colorado Flood victims alongside: Furthur, Widespread Panic, Devotchka amongst others. The band was named “Best of Colorado” for 4 consecutive years via Westword Music Showcase (Denver, CO) and also co-released a craft beer with one of USA Today’s “Top 15 Craft Beer Breweries” – Odell Brewing Co.

Head for the Hills Summer 2014 Tour
05.17 | Mishawaka Amphitheatre – Pickin’ on the Poudre – Bellvue, CO
05.23 | Summer Camp Music Festival – Chillicothe, IL
05.24 | Revival Festival at Harmony Park Music Garden – Clarks Grove, MN
05.25 | Campout For The Cause – Bond, CO
06.13 | Vaudeville Mews – Des Moines, IA
06.14 | Love Fest in the Midwest – Bellevue, NE
06.18 | Fly Me to the Moon Saloon – Telluride, CO +
06.28 | Clear Creek RapidGrass Music Festival-  Idaho Springs, CO
07.11 | Camp Euforia – Lone Tree, IA
07.12 | Dawg Daze of Summer Festival – Savannah, MO
07.27 | Denver Botanic Gardens – Denver, CO #
08.08 | Mohawk Valley Music Festival – Marcola, OR
08.09 | Festival at Sandpoint – Sandpoint, ID *
09.19 | Kinfolk Celebration at Planet Bluegrass – Lyons, CO ~
09.27 | Boats and Bluegrass Festival – Winona, MN

+ with special guest Anders Beck (of Greensky Bluegrass)
# co-bill with Steep Canyon Rangers
* supporting Nickel Creek
~ with Yonder Mountain String Band, John Bell (of Widespread Panic), The Travelin’ McCourys, The Milk Carton Kids and more

For more information, to purchase tickets, and keep up-to-date with Head for the Hills, please visit  http://headforthehillsmusic.com.

Blue Ruin is available on iTunes: http://bit.ly/1aVRLfe & Amazon: http://amzn.to/12fiYSj.

 

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Leftover Salmon Still Smokin’ ~ Setlist and Recap of 420 in the Streets of Denver

Leftover Salmon on 420. Photo by John Joy.

Leftover Salmon Still Smokin’
Setlist and Recap of 420 in the Streets of Denver

Leftover Salmon featuring Bill Payne of Little Feat played to a large crowd this past weekend on Sunday, April 20th. With the entire city a-lit with activities throughout the day, folks gathered in the streets outside of Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom in Denver, CO, while Method Man and Redman performed inside to a packed house.

“People around the world are looking at Denver on this day…” said Vince Herman to The Denver Post/ Reverb. “I feel really glad that we can have a role celebrating in the streets.”

“It’s a little piece of culture that people can feel they own, and we’re going to see more and more of it,” Herman went on to state.

A bluegrass-focused jam band playing at the same event as a hip-hop act, Herman said is evidence of the different genres and cultures 4/20 brings to Denver. Vince said, “It’s a great indicator of the diversity of music in the Mile High City.”

The gates opened around 2pm with Leftover Salmon featuring Bill Payne taking the stage at 4:20pm. They brought up many guest throughout the day. After kicking off with “The 420 Polka” to celebrate this historic event, Karl Denson joined the band on sax on the majority of the first set. Anders Beck (Greensky Bluegrass), Allie Kral, Silas Herman (Gipsy Moon), Paul Hoffman (Greensky Bluegrass), Bonnie Paine (Elephant Revival) joined in in the second set. Everyone that sat in during the second set came back on stage, along with Daniel Rodriguez (Elephant Revival), to play during the encore.

The full set is available to download on www.LiveSalmon.com. All Leftover Salmon shows are streamed live on the site as well, pending a solid internet connection.

Set List:
Leftover Salmon
April 20th, 2014
Still Smokin’ – In the Streets of Denver, CO

Set I
1. 420 Polka
2. Down in the Hollow
3. Boo Boo > Gimmie da’ting (with Karl Denson)
4. Easy to Slip (with Karl Denson)
5. Breakin’ Through (with Karl Denson)
6. High Country
7. Bird Call (with Karl Denson)

Set II
1. Zombie Jamboree
2. Atlanta
3. All Nite Ride
4. Shanty (with Anders Beck)
5. Aquatic Hitchhiker (with Anders Beck)
6. Rag Mama Rag (with Anders Beck and Allie Kral)
7. Willin’ (with Anders Beck and Allie Kral)
8. Viper (with Anders Beck, Allie Kral and Silas Herman)
9. River’s Risin > Marley Medley
10. Everybody Must Get Stoned (with Silas Herman and Paul Hoffman)
11. Pasta on the Mountain (with Anders Beck, Silas Herman, and Paul Hoffman, and Bonnie Paine)
12. Boogie (with Anders Beck, Allie Kral, Silas Herman, Paul Hoffman, and Bonnie Paine)

Encore
13. Henry (with Bonnie Paine and Silas Herman)
14. Reach (with Bonnie Paine, Daniel Rodriguez, Silas Herman, Anders Beck, and Paul Hoffman and Allie Kral)

*Whole show with Bill Payne of Little Feat on Keys & Organ

For more information, please visit:www.LeftoverSalmon.com

Leftover Salmon and Friends. Photos by Mike Kaiz.
See more of his shots at Jambase: http://bit.ly/1jQuxIC

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Railroad Earth’s Music on the Mountaintop ~ Aug 24-26th ~ Railroad Earth X3; Dr. Dog; JJ Grey & Mofro; Sam Bush

Railroad Earth’s Music on the Mountaintop

August 24-26th at Grandfather Campgrounds in Boone, NC

THE 2012 LINEUP:
RAILROAD EARTH (X 3!) • DR. DOG • SAM BUSH
JJ GREY & MOFRO • GREENSKY BLUEGRASS
THE DIRTY DOZEN BRASS BAND • FUTUREBIRDS
THE HACKENSAW BOYS • HOLY GHOST
TENT REVIVAL • LARRY KEEL & NATURAL BRIDGE
THE BLACK LILLIES • RIVER WHYLESS
ROSE’S PAWN SHOP • NAKED GODS
MONROEVILLE • AND MANY MORE!

All Ages

$99 adv / Weekend Gate tickets: $120
Friday & Saturday Single Day Advance Tickets: $50 / Sunday: $40
For more information & to BUY TICKETS, visit musiconthemountaintop.com
Grandfather Campground // 1125 Riverside Drive, Foscoe, NC [map]

» Enter to Win a Pair of VIP Passes on JamBase! «

Read more about MOTM at beatdropping.com & gratefulweb.com

Railroad Earth’s Music on The Mountaintop is the premiere music festival in Boone, North Carolina, and is one of the nation’s first Green Festivals. 2012 marks the 5th annual three-day music festival outside of Boone, North Carolina on August 24-26th. It is Boone’s first and only multi-generational family festival offering three full days of music featuring national and world-renowned performers in Americana, Newgrass, Bluegrass, Acoustic, Folk, Funk & Eclectic, with camping, locally grown and organic natural whole food vendors.

Railroad Earth’s Music On the Mountaintop will return for a 2nd year to the Grandfather Campgrounds in Foscoe, North Carolina. The picturesque venue is located approximately ten miles from Boone, North Carolina, providing potable water throughout, several public restrooms and bathhouses, a public store, and plenty of shaded campsites. Additionally, Music on the Mountaintop will expand to include late night shows (Friday and Saturday), VIP, Summit VIP and All-Inclusive ticket options, music workshops, daily yoga classes, cabin rental options, and a new offsite parking location just miles away.

Performers include Railroad Earth X3; Dr. Dog; JJ Grey & Mofro; Sam Bush; The Dirty Dozen Brass Band; Greensky Bluegrass; The Hackensaw Boys; Larry Keel & Natural Bridge; Futurebirds; River Whyless; Holy Ghost Tent Revival, The Black Lillies; Monroeville; Naked Gods; Rose’s Pawn Shop, Stoney Creek Boys; Salem Speaks and many more.

MOTM also features a series of workshops curated by festival hosts Railroad Earth. Taking place throughout the weekend, the members of Railroad Earth have created a series of interactive workshops designed to complement the festival and bringing fans closer to their creative process. Workshops are to include: Zen and the Art of Improvisation featuring Railroad Earth’s Tim Carbone, Greensky Bluegrass’ Anders Beck and Railroad Earth’s Andrew Altman; Introduction to Weird Instruments featuring Railroad Earth’s Andy Goessling; Mandolin 101 with Railroad Earth’s John Skehan, Sam Bush and Andy Goessling; and Morning Meditation with Tim Carbone of Railroad Earth.

The weekend of workshops will culminate with an All-Star Jam celebrating the 100th birthday of Woody Guthrie. Joining Railroad Earth in celebrating the music of this legendary folk musician will be the Sam Bush Band, Larry and Jenny Keel and members of Monroeville.

Click to BUY TICKETS

General admission tickets are offered starting at $99.
The price includes three days of music, camping, and an alcohol fee.
VIP packages will be made available this year with two levels, Ridge VIP and Summit VIP.

Railroad Earth’s Music on the Mountaintop

Produced by Yellow Dog Entertainment and Hosted by Railroad Earth
Sponsored by Telluride.com as a “mini Telluride Bluegrass Festival”

MusicOnTheMountaintop.com

 

“Music with a Vision, Educate While Entertaining”

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