Saint Disruption (Feat. John Medeski) with Warren Haynes – “Imagine” Out Today

SAINT DISRUPTION’S JOHN MEDESKI AND JEFF FIREWALKER CELEBRATE
50 YEARS OF JOHN LENNON’S “IMAGINE”
FEATURING GUITAR LEGEND WARREN HAYNES

Saint Disruption’s “Imagine” Out Now → https://orcd.co/stdimagine 

“… this version brings together soulful vocal harmonies and dignified yet ominous piano work. What could be described as almost a hip-hop beat provides the rhythmic backbone that pushes the song forward and allows the vocals and piano to shine. With Medeski’s effortlessly cool jazzy touch and Haynes adding textures with his subtle slide playing, the vocals are allowed to soar to new heights and present this song in a more grandiose manner that feels spiritual.”
—Glide Magazine Song Premiere

ASHEVILLE, NC —Saint Disruption, the spirit-driven music and art collective led by renowned  improvisational keyboardist John Medeski (cofounder of Medeski Martin & Wood) and musician, scientist, and folk healer Jeff Firewalker Schmitt, has created a soulful rendition of John Lennon’s classic composition “Imagine.” The single features slide guitar work by Grammy winning vocalist, songwriter, guitar legend, and Gov’t Mule front man Warren Haynes, marking the first time that Haynes has recorded with his nephew Austn Haynes, cofounder of Asheville-based hip-hop quartet Free Radio.

Out April 8, 2022 via Root Doctor Collective, the track also features impressively dynamic vocalists—Datrian Johnson and Grammy winning artist Debrissa McKinney (both of whom also work with Austn in Free Radio)—with the foundational bass parts played by Jake Wolf.

Noted Asheville spiritual artist Saïd Osio provides the striking original artwork inspired by the single. “When I was asked to create an image for the new ‘Imagine’ single, I was struck by the richness of John Lennon’s creative vision as a watchtower. I wanted to honor John Lennon in deepening what his song calls forth in me. In this time of upheaval ‘Imagine’ beckons humanity forward, to embrace Gaia as she continues her journey as divine consciousness.”

“Such a cool, inventive take on this timeless tune,” says Warren. “It highlights the amazing strength and importance of the song while taking it into the future. It’s a real honor to work alongside my nephew Austn, my Asheville cohorts and my old friend John Medeski.”

Jeff Firewalker reflects, “We were inspired to celebrate the 50 year anniversary of Lennon’s classic recording ‘Imagine,’ as we feel the message is more pertinent than ever. There are no human dilemmas, no global issues, no societal imperatives that the message of ‘Imagine’ doesn’t touch. We hope that our rendition stands as a ‘call to action,’ as we ask ourselves, “Are we courageous enough to dismantle the structures that have not served us?”

For this song, Medeski provides tasteful, ominous piano work, and skilled arrangements. He also stepped behind the console to mix the highly-textured reimagined track with Chris Bittner at Applehead Studios. John remarks, “I’m very sensitive about covering songs. I don’t see the point unless you have something personal to say or want to shed a different light on the original. ‘Imagine’ is an anthem, so at first, I was tentative. It was essential that we evoke a different emotional landscape as the backdrop for the song— something all of us were feeling. I think it happened. Nothing felt forced, it all came together easily and naturally, a good sign!”

Medeski and Firewalker Schmitt had no idea they’d meet and strike up a friendship when they traveled independently to the heart of the Amazon to work with a shaman healer in 2008— but when they did, a collaborative creative relationship was born. Over a decade after that fateful meeting, in the midst of a global pandemic, the two felt an urgent need to join forces and make music as Saint Disruption. Saint Disruption brings together musicians and artists to create works that support positive change in the world, with a spotlight on the rich artistic community of Asheville, NC as the creative hub. Firewalker and Medeski are pleased to have created the foundation to bring Warren and Austn Haynes together for the first time in a recording. 

Austn comments, “It’s been a long-time in the making for me to collaborate with Warren, and to start by paying homage to a song of this stature was as frightening as it was fitting. Free Radio and Saint Disruption have become like a musical spirit family and bringing Warren into the mix really felt for me like one side of the family finally coming together with the other. I couldn’t be more grateful that it turned out exactly how it did.“

“‘Imagine’ has long been one of my favorite songs,” says Austin of the song that was initially released in October 1971. “Although John Lennon’s classic might not make most people think about hip-hop, for me, I’ve always wanted to remix it and rap on it. In this dark time our world is currently in, I attempted to meet Lennon on his committed frequency of love and add some poetic confidence in the spirit of hip-hop. Working with this group of musicians was humbling and encouraging because they really helped create the space for the presence and camaraderie that brought our version to life.” 

American Songwriter’s Geoffrey Himes writes, “What’s surprising about this partnership between Schmitt and Medeski is how different the results are from what most people expect of ‘spiritual music.’ The two men may have met in a shaman’s kitchen in the far reaches of the Amazon jungle, but the music they created sounds much more like an American street than that rainforest or a guru’s mountaintop. The predominant flavors are hip-hop, funk, blues-rock and electronica, even if the lyrics are probing issues of systemic oppression, personal identity and barriers to spiritual development.” 

Austn Haynes and the entire Free Radio collective is featured on Saint Disruption’s critically acclaimed debut album Rose in the Oblivion [Released April 8, 2021 via Root Doctor Collective.] The debut is a sweeping seven-track opus of probing and political neo-funk featuring contributions from Lyric Jones and Last Poets founder Umar Bin Hassan amongst others. 

Looking forward, Saint Disruption is planning to release more music and visual art collaborations, music videos, and their soon-to-be-launched No Simple Disruption Podcast/Video-show—released in conjunction with the No Simple Road Podcast and The UBC TV Network—which aspires to provide a platform for young visionaries to share their works and engage in deep dialogue with thought-leaders of their choice.

Stream Saint Disruption’s “Imagine” here → https://orcd.co/stdimagine 

Revisit Rose in the Oblivion here: https://orcd.co/saintdisruption.

For further updates and news about Saint Disruption, please visit: 

www.saintdisruption.com 

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Taylor Martin’s ‘Song Dogs,’ OUT TODAY – Ft. Members of The Honeycutters, Mountain Heart & More

Taylor Martin’s Song Dogs Out Today, November 16, on Little King Records
Produced by Amanda Anne Platt at Sound Temple Studios in Asheville, NC
Featuring Members of Amanda Anne Platt & The Honeycutters, Mountain Heart, and more

Available Now To Stream and Purchase → https://taylormartin.hearnow.com
(Please note that this link takes you to the correct album on Spotify; however, it currently
attributes the album to the wrong Taylor Martin, working with Spotify to correct this)

More about Taylor Martin at https://about.me/songdogs

ASHEVILLE, NC — Taylor Martin’s Song Dogs is out now on Little King Records (11/16/18). Spinning tales of the highway, homes, lost love, love regained, redemption, and the overuse of cell phones, Martin’s soulful, relatable lyrics and raspy, emotion filled voice is instantly recognizable. The Honeycutters’ Amanda Anne Platt took the lead as Music Producer (along with adding harmony vocals on a handful of songs) with the help of Co-Producer and Engineer, Robert George, and Martin’s visions for the album. The album was recorded at Sound Temple Studios in Asheville, North Carolina.

“Taylor Martin is a killer songwriter,” declares Platt. “He’s got a great sense of melody and an ability to write classic, accessible songs about things we all take for granted. It’s also to his credit that he hits all sides of the spectrum– there are toe tappers and tear jerkers on this album and everything in between. I’m a big fan of the saying, ‘Great songs produce themselves,’ I certainly found that to be true in working with Taylor.”

The album features a number of special guests including Platt, Mountain Heart’s Aaron Ramsey and Josh Shilling, GRAMMY winning Secret Agent 23 Skidoo’s Debrissa McKinney, and Jon Stickley Trio’s Lyndsay Pruett on fiddle, among others.

To celebrate the album’s release, Martin shares a video for the album’s title track “Song Dogs which is full of stunning imagery. Taylor says, ”when I heard that the filmmaker Aladin Aathmani, was heading to Morocco, I jumped at the opportunity to have my musical vision put in a distant landscape. His emotional video interpretation of ‘Song Dogs’ is very moving and like nothing I imagined (in a great way).”

The piano driven, haunting title song comes last, inspired in part by coyotes howling (per cover art) to find each other at night,” writes Country Standard Times’ Jim Hynes of the song. He continues, “It may seem that it stands apart from the others in tone and style, but several listens to Martin will have you hearing an array of styles and influences. That’s what makes it so infectious. Each song stands apart.”

A resident of Asheville since 2004, Martin has been creating music since 1994. He blends musical styles: the approach to music he grew up with in Richmond, Virginia; the western spirit he experienced living five years in Paradise, Utah; and the sounds of southern rock, country, and rhythm n’ blues.

Jeff Burger writes, “The North Carolina–based Taylor Martin, whose raspy vocals recall Levon Helm and, occasionally, Dr. John, features eight originals on this third album, along with three well-chosen covers: Bob Dylan’s ‘Sign on the Window,’ Neil Young’s ‘Music Arcade,’ and Merle Haggard’s ‘Kern River.’ Martin’s own lyrical subjects are all over the map: ‘Little Pictures,’ the funky opener, is about excessive cellphone use, for example, while ‘Hollywood’ references Marilyn Monroe, and the melancholy ‘Eden Colorado’ is about looking for a friend, a dream, and some hope. The music—sometimes funky, sometimes folky, sometimes poppy—is just as varied.”

Martin previously released a video for the album’s bluesy opener “Little Pictures,” which is a song that tips the brim to artists like Professor Longhair while having a contemporary social commentary. The song is what Martin calls his, “observation of people being lost to reality and the death of empathy and the human experience. People being on cell phones too much are missing out on the beauty of the world.” It also invites the listener to put down their electronics and sink further into the experience of the album. Americana Highways premiered the video and wrote “The song rings instantly familiar and simplifies a complex message in clear lyrical fashion, over catchy, punchy, piano-prominent rhythms.”

“Taylor Martin is a singer-songwriter who will remind you of everything good from Tom Waits to the Everly Brothers or the Avett Brothers with some surf rock thrown in. Well-sung, well-played, well-written and relevant…” writes Asheville Citizen Times.

Asheville’s veteran songwriter is just below the forty mark with a bright future as a songwriter and performer ahead of him. Although as jaded and bitter as some road worned heroes, Martin finds refuge in a good sense of humor. “I would have been a terrible dentist,” he laughs. “I’m here, music is why, this is Earth, let’s make more music.”

Taylor Martin – Song Dogs Track Listing

1. Little Pictures   3:34
2. Here Comes the Flood    2:59
3. Eden Colorado   3:17
4. Music Arcade [Neil Young] copyright Silver Fiddle Music   4:25
5. Second Sight   3:41
6. Hollywood   3:41
7. Our Memories   3:49
8. Kern River [Merle Haggard] copyright Mt. Shasta Music   4:00
9. Milk and Honey   3:22
10. Sign on the Window [Bob Dylan] copyright Big Sky Music   3:39
11. Song Dogs   4:49
     

     

MUSICIAN CREDITS
Taylor Martin – Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar (all)
Richie Jones – Drums, Aux Percussion (all)
Matthew Dufon – Bass (all) Harmony Vocals (2,10)
Aaron “Woody” Wood – Acoustic Guitar (3,8), Electric Guitar (5, 6,10)
Matthew Smith – Electric Guitar (1, 2), Pedal Steel (3,7,8,11)
Aaron Ramsey – Acoustic Guitar (2,4,7,9,10), Mandolin (9)
Josh Shilling – Piano (1,2, 6,7, 8,10,11), B3 (1,2,5,6,7,10), Wurlitzer (5)
Phil Alley – Telecaster (7)
Lyndsay Pruett – fiddle (4,5,7,8)
Amanda Anne Platt – harmony  vocals (2,4,7,9,10)
Debrissa McKinney – harmony vocals (6)

Recorded @ Sound Temple Studios in Asheville, NC
Recorded & Mixed by Robert George
Produced by Amanda Anne Platt
Co-Produced by Robert George & Taylor Martin

For more information and tour dates, please visit www.TaylorMartin.org and www.facebook.com/taylormartin.org and www.twitter.com/song_dogs.

 

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Taylor Martin’s ‘Song Dogs,’ Produced by Amanda Anne Platt, Out 11/16 on Little King Records

Taylor Martin Releases Song Dogs on November 16 on Little King Records
Produced by Amanda Anne Platt at Sound Temple Studios in Asheville, NC
Featuring Members of Amanda Anne Platt & The Honeycutters, Mountain Heart, and more

First Single: “Little Pictures” Available Now →  https://taylormartin.hearnow.com/little-pictures

More about Taylor Martin at https://about.me/songdogs

ASHEVILLE, NC — Taylor Martin brings you music with a beating heart; his raspy, emotion filled voice is instantly recognizable and his lyrics have an unflinching sincerity. Martin releases his third album, Song Dogs November 16, 2018 on Little King Records. On it, he spins tales of the highway, homes, lost love, love regained, redemption, and the overuse of cell phones. The Honeycutters’ Amanda Anne Platt took the lead as Music Producer (along with adding harmony vocals on a handful of songs) with the help of Co-Producer and Engineer, Robert George, and Martin’s visions for the album. The album was recorded at Sound Temple Studios in Asheville, North Carolina.

“Taylor Martin is a killer songwriter,” declares Platt. “He’s got a great sense of melody and an ability to write classic, accessible songs about things we all take for granted. It’s also to his credit that he hits all sides of the spectrum– there are toe tappers and tear jerkers on this album and everything in between. I’m a big fan of the saying, ‘Great songs produce themselves,’ I certainly found that to be true in working with Taylor.”

The album’s bluesy opener “Little Pictures” tips the brim to people like Professor Longhair while having a contemporary social commentary. The song is what Martin calls his, “observation of people being lost to reality and the death of empathy and the human experience. People being on cell phones too much are missing out on the beauty of the world.” It also invites the listener to put down their electronics and sink further into the experience of the album. Americana Highways premieres the official music video for “Little Pictures” and write, “The song rings instantly familiar and simplifies a complex message in clear lyrical fashion, over catchy, punchy, piano-prominent rhythms.”

A resident of Asheville, North Carolina since 2004, Martin has been creating music since 1994. He blends musical styles: the approach to music he grew up with in Richmond, Virginia; the western spirit he experienced living five years in Paradise, Utah; and the sounds of southern rock, country, and rhythm n’ blues.

The album features some of the finest, most innovative musicians in acoustic music today including, not only The Honeycutters’ Amanda Anne Platt, but also their guitarist and pedal steel player, Matthew Smith. Mountain Heart’s Aaron Ramsey (mandolin, acoustic guitar) and Josh Shilling (Piano, B3, Wurlitzer) perform on much of the album along with Jon Stickley Trio’s Lyndsay Pruett on fiddle. Drummer Richie Jones [Ralph Roddenbery, Donna Hopkins Band] and bassist Matt Dufon perform on all eleven tracks. Asheville guitar legend, Aaron “Woody” Wood, takes the lead on acoustic and electric guitars on a handful of tracks, GRAMMY winner Debrissa McKinney (Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, Empire Strikes Brass) lends harmony vocals on a song and Phil Alley adds some texture with his Telecaster on a track.

“I was supported by mostly local musicians for Song Dogs, says Martin. “Josh came in from Nashville and Richie came from Atlanta, but other than that it’s all friends from Asheville. There’s a lot of love on this record. Having close friends record with you really helps the album go deeper.”

“Working on Taylor’s albums has always been an awesome process,” says Josh Shilling.  “His distinct melodies, chord progressions, and organic recording approach create a unique and extremely vibey song and sound. His ability to pull the perfect band together makes the recording sessions feel amazing, and I love that he’s seeking emotional, human performances more than perfect performances. There’s some grit and soul on this record that feels like it came from another time and place… perhaps an Allman Brothers or Leon Russell time and place.”

“I’ve always tried to write from the heart and to do that there just has to be a story underneath,” says Martin. From the catchy “Here Comes The Flood” to the mellow and rolling “Eden Colorado” (with Wood’s expansive guitar solo and the delicate interplay of Smith’s pedal steel) to the dreamlike “Second Sight” (with it’s lucid surf tones and Pruett’s orchestral string arrangement) to the more pop-oriented “Hollywood” (featuring McKinney on harmony vocals), the album will have you hooked.

“Our Memories” is a lonesome duet that reflects on remaining in a home after the love has moved out and the remnants are left behind; Martin and Platt’s vocals intermingle with the sultry fiddle and pedal steel melodies of Pruett and Smith. Another duet with Platt, “Milk and Honey” features Aaron Ramsey on mandolin and is a love song that written over the course of many years to express that even in this numbing technological age people can still be in love in the land of milk and honey.

There are three covers on the album including Bob Dylan’s nostalgic “Sign on the Window” [New Morning], an upbeat and slightly cajun version of Neil Young’s poignant “Music Arcade” [Broken Arrow], and Merle Haggard’s song of tragic loss, “Kern River.”

The album’s title track, “Song Dogs,” lands as the final track and features Shilling on piano paired with Smith’s pedal steel. Martin says, “I spend a ridiculous amount of time in the woods alone. Usually right before dark the coyotes will begin to howl to find each other for the nights hunt. One such evening I wrote these lyrics about the loneliness of the modern age and how difficult it is to ‘stay’ when your heart is restless. And the remorse after you’ve gone too far… I sure do identify with those animals at dusk.”

“Taylor Martin is a singer-songwriter who will remind you of everything good from Tom Waits to the Everly Brothers or the Avett Brothers with some surf rock thrown in. Well-sung, well-played, well-written and relevant…” writes Asheville Citizen Times.

Asheville’s veteran songwriter is just below the forty mark with a bright future as a songwriter and performer ahead of him. Although as jaded and bitter as some road worned heroes, Martin finds refuge in a good sense of humor. “I would have been a terrible dentist,” he laughs. “I’m here, music is why, this is Earth, let’s make more music.”

Taylor Martin – Song Dogs Track Listing

1. Little Pictures   3:34
2. Here Comes the Flood    2:59
3. Eden Colorado   3:17
4. Music Arcade [Neil Young] copyright Silver Fiddle Music   4:25
5. Second Sight   3:41
6. Hollywood   3:41
7. Our Memories   3:49
8. Kern River [Merle Haggard] copyright Mt. Shasta Music   4:00
9. Milk and Honey   3:22
10. Sign on the Window [Bob Dylan] copyright Big Sky Music   3:39
11. Song Dogs   4:49
    
    MUSICIAN CREDITS
    Taylor Martin – Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar (all)
    Richie Jones – Drums, Aux Percussion (all)
    Matthew Dufon – Bass (all) Harmony Vocals (2,10)
    Aaron Woody Wood – Acoustic Guitar (3,8), Electric Guitar (5, 6,10)
    Matthew Smith – Electric Guitar (1, 2), Pedal Steel (3,7,8,11)
    Aaron Ramsey – Acoustic Guitar (2,4,7,9,10), Mandolin (9)
    Josh Shilling – Piano (1,2, 6,7, 8,10,11), B3 (1,2,5,6,7,10), Wurlitzer (5)
    Phil Alley – Telecaster (7)
    Lyndsay Pruett – fiddle (4,5,7,8)
    Amanda Anne Platt – harmony  vocals (2,4,7,9,10)
    Debrissa McKinney – harmony vocals (6)
    
    Recorded @ Sound Temple Studios in Asheville, NC
    Recorded & Mixed by Robert George
    Produced by Amanda Anne Platt
    Co-Produced by Robert George & Taylor Martin
    
    For more information and tour dates, please visit www.TaylorMartin.org and www.facebook.com/taylormartin.org and www.twitter.com/song_dogs.

 

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Asheville Musicians Perform Paul Simon’s Graceland at Isis to Support Helpmate Wed 5/6

Asheville Musicians Perform Paul Simon’s Graceland at Isis
to Support Helpmate Wed 5/6

Tickets on Sale Now!

More than fifteen Asheville musicians will gather in a  collaborative effort to support local non-profit Helpmate at Isis Music Hall on Friday, May 6th. Orchestrated by local musician, producer, and IamAVL.com co-founder Josh Blake, Safe and Sound Presents: Retrospective Collective will include a very special Prix Fixe dinner prepared by Chef Mike Mahoney and will include instrumental music during dinner and Paul Simon’s album Graceland played in its entirety.

Tickets can be purchased at www.safeandsoundavl.com

The following artists are confirmed with additional cameos to be announced:
Josh Blake
Debrissa McKinney
Derrick Lee Johnson
Jamar A. Woods
Aaron Woody Wood
Phil Bronson
Jeff Knorr
Ryan G Reardon
Alex Bradley
Kyle Snuffer
Tyler Housholder
Kellin Watson

Schedule of Events:
6pm Dinner reservations begin

(Reservations must be made in advance by calling Isis at 828-575-2737)

7pm Live Dinner Music begins

8pm Local musicians perform Paul Simon’s Album “Graceland” in its entirety.

Tickets:
$20/General Admission

$65/ Includes Prix Fixe Dinner by Isis Restaurant and Show and VIP seating.

A three course meal prepared by Chef Mike Mahoney and special VIP seating for this very special Asheville show.

$500 to sponsor a table of 6 – includes a drink upon arrival and your business name featured at the event.

Very special seating for six sponsored by your business. Be greeted with a complimentary cocktail, beer or wine. Then enjoy a three course meal prepared by Chef Mike Mahoney. This purchase is a tax deductible donation to Helpmate.

About Helpmate
Proceeds to benefit Helpmate, Buncombe County’s non-profit agency providing safety, shelter and support for victims of domestic violence.

For tickets, please visit: www.safeandsoundavl.com

Isis Music Hall
828-575-2737
743 Haywood Road, Asheville, NC 28806
http://isisasheville.com

 

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H.E.A.L.E. Festival: Benefit for Debrissa McKinney ~ August 25th at Avery’s Spring Disc Golf Course

We Love Debrissa ❤

Debrissa McKinney. Photo By Lori Sky Twohy/ LST Images

The Heal Everyone & Love Everyone Festival is an event dedicated to Debrissa Mckinney. This is a free event and has been put together in order to raise money in order to help Debrissa pay for her medical expenses. Debrissa has recently fought a battle with Hodgkins Lymphoma and now is fighting another battle with her medical bills.

H.E.A.L.E. Festival

Saturday, August 25th

11am- 7pm

 Avery’s Spring Disc Golf Course

2010 Brevard Road in Arden, NC.

Silent auction, Kids Area, Food, Beer & lots more!

FREE! Donations are welcome ❤

Donation checks for Debrissa can be made out to “HEALE FEST”
The address to send checks to is:
HEALE FEST
PO BOX 8051
Asheville, NC 28814

Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band
Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
Duende Mountain Duo
Secret B-Sides
Kung Fu Dymamite
and more!

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Aaron “Woody” Wood to release NEW Album at Highland Brewing on Saturday, April 2nd

The skinny white boy from the mountains of Western North Carolina carries around more soul in his restless bones and battered guitar than most of use could ever dream of. With a background as diverse as his music, Aaron “Woody” Wood converges elements from all walks of life to create music that we all can connect with. Aaron Wood is thrilled to announce the release of his new self-titled album at Highland Brewing on Saturday, April 2nd. The album is result of the first successful kickstarter campaign in Asheville and has been a year and a half in the making.

The album is being released by J-Woo Records and was produced at Echo Mountain Studios in Asheville, NC by Roger Alan Nichols and engineered by Nichols and Jon Ashley; the run-time is 41 minutes. Along with Aaron Wood on guitar and vocals the album features Mike Rhodes on drums, Tony Black and Matt Gentling on bass, Ryan Burns on organ and piano, Debrissa McKinney on backing vocals, The Asheville Horns (Ben Hovey, Derrick Johnson, and Greg Hollowell), Jon Ashley on piano and rhodes, Artimus Pyle on percussion, and a song with cellist Paul Leech.

The release party is an early show that starts at 9pm and features the music from the album. Aaron performs along with Tony Black (Bass), Mike Rhodes (Drums), Josh Blake (Guitar), Kellin Watson (Vocals), Debrissa McKinney (Vocals), Ryan Burns (Keys), and The Asheville Horns. Aaron will be performing with a custom built amp and pedals at the show which are provided by event sponsor Suspect Device Audio.

LaZoom Bus is offering free shuttle service from downtown in front of the Emerald Lounge (the location of the after dance party) to the newly opened Highland Brewing tasting room which is located in East Asheville off of Old Charlotte Highway. In order to make reservations, just text “LaZoom” to 411669, then wait for your confirmation within 5 days. Make your reservations early to ensure that you get your seat!

The shuttle service is free for patrons thanks to event sponsors Suspect Device Audio and Text Ripple. Along with the shuttle reservations, Text Ripple also is offering a way for fans to get a free poster, koozie or free button. Just be one of the first 150 people to text “Woody” to 411699 and your free merch can be claimed at the CD Release show.

The band will be making it around town late-night for an after-dance-party at the Emerald Lounge from 12-2am to play Motown and Soul covers. This after party is free for people who attended the CD release party at Highlands; otherwise it’s $5.

Hopping around town for his album release and showing off his many styles is fitting for Aaron Wood who leaves a great legacy in the Southern region. As a professional musician, Aaron was a pivotal member of The Blue Rags, with whom he had success with national media coverage (MTV) and international tours. He has also recorded and preformed with a slew of New Orleans and Western North Carolinas finest musicians in what was a blending of New Orleans Jazz and Bluegrass. The Blue Brass sessions featured members of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Rebirth Brass Band, Larry Keel, Trombone Shorty and many others.

One look at the long list of artists he has shared the stage with exemplifies his diversity, not to mention respect from his musical peers. From Jimmy Martin to Leon Russel, R.L. Burnside to Warren Haynes, Sara Evans to Carlos Santana, Aaron has played and learned from some of those who have helped shaped music into what it is today.

Aaron delivers his music with all the soul, power, and energy that have made him renowned as a musicians musician. Roots legend, Corey Harris calls him “a master”, and Donald Harrison, New Orleans Jazz great, calls him “his musical brother.”  We hope that you can join us for the the album release of Aaron Wood!

Show Details at a Glance:
Aaron Wood CD Release Party
Highland Brewing

Saturday April 2nd
21+, Doors at 8:30; Show at 9
Tickets $10 in advance; $12 at the door

828-299-7223
12 Old Charlotte Hwy
Asheville, NC 28803
www.highlandbrewing.com
Tickets available online at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/166037
Facebook event http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=130793460326088

www.aaronwoodmusic.com

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