Jon Stickley Trio On Tour With New Album, Maybe Believe – “Clear, Present, and Slightly Dangerous”

Jon Stickley Trio On Tour With New Album, Maybe Believe
Produced by Dave King (The Bad Plus) at Echo Mountain Studios in Asheville NC

“Stickley’s Martin churns out a mixture of bluegrass, Chuck Berry, metal, prog, grunge, and assorted other genres – all thoroughly integrated into a personal style.”
— Guitar Player Magazine, Michael Ross

“Clear, Present, and Slightly Dangerous”
—Musoscribe, Bill Kopp

“Stickley and his mates play a guitar-focused instrumental music that blends bluegrass/newgrass with a jazz trio vibe… this is a must-listen.”
—Jambase, Aaron Stein

“A learned, cohesive and stylistically daring acoustic sound all their own”
—Lexington Herald-Leader, Walter Tunis

“A force of musical exploration and innovation”
—Live For Live Music, Rex Thomson

“A compelling soundtrack you never knew you needed”
–The Poke Around, Tom Cunningham

“Thoughtful & energetic” —Bryan Sutton

“a damn genius, a musical mastermind, and one of the most unique, creative,
and inventive guitar players I’ve ever heard…”
—Greensky Bluegrass’ Anders Beck

ASHEVILLE — Jon Stickley Trio is on tour with Maybe Believe, their 3rd independently released full length album [May 12, 2017]. 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.

Jon Stickley Trio has been touring the States extensively this year and kicks off September at the Jackpine Jamboree in Wisconsin and then they’ll spend a week at Sisters Folk Fest in Oregon with workshops and performances. Mid-month brings them around to the northeast before playing out the rest of September back in midwest. After a quick break in their hometown of Asheville, NC, they head  west with a stop in Colorado before a handful of shows in California, including the Joshua Tree Music Festival. Then the road brings them up through Utah and Wyoming before a few more Colorado shows. They close out October by joining in on the Halloween fun at String Cheese Incident’s Suwannee Hulaween down in northern Florida at the Spirit of Suwannee Music Park.

In early November the Trio heads into Virginia for a couple of shows before traveling back into Florida for the Riverhawk Fest and more performances throughout the state. The end of the month brings the Trio back up towards their home-state for a scattering of shows and to rest up a bit before heading out in early December to Strings and Sol in Puerto Morelos, a Mexican port town on the Caribbean coast of the Yucatán Peninsula where they join in on Cloud 9’s annual 4-night all-inclusive Tropical Bluegrass Adventure with Yonder Mountain String Band, Greensky Bluegrass, Railroad Earth, Leftover Salmon, The Infamous Stringdusters, Fruition, and Bryan Sutton. To close out the year they have a special New Year’s Eve Celebration in their hometown of Asheville at Isis Music Hall with The Digs!

Stay tuned to Jon Stickley Trio’s website and social networks for more dates to be announced and updates from the road.

Jon Stickley Trio ‘Dream Vision’ Tour
9/2-3 Sat-Sun – Jackpine Jamboree – Birnamwood, WI
9/5-10 Tue-Sun – Sisters Folk Fest – Sisters, OR
9/13 Wed – Gypsy Sally’s – Washington, DC * w/ The Last Revel
9/14 Thu – World Cafe Live – Philadelphia, PA * w/ The Last Revel, Jeremiah Tall
9/15-16 Fri-Sat – Wormtown Music Festival – Greenfield, MA
9/17 Sun – Knitting Factory – Brooklyn, NY * w/ The Last Revel
9/20 Wed – The Raccoon Motel – Davenport, IA
9/21 Thu – Tonic Room – Chicago, IL
9/22 Fri – The Source Public House – Menasha, WI * w/ Head For The Hills
9/23 Sat – Boats and Bluegrass – Winona, MN
9/24 Sun – Carnahan Hall – Lafayette, IN
10/3 Tue – Dolores River Brewery – Dolores, CO
10/5 Thu – Winston’s – San Diego, CA *w/ The Ghost of Paul Revere
10/6 Fri – Boulevard Music – Culver City, CA *w/ The Ghost of Paul Revere
10/7 Sat – Joshua Tree Music Festival – Joshua Tree, CA
10/10 Tue – Don Quixote’s – Felton, CA
10/12 Thu – Throckmorton Theatre – Mill Valley, CA
10/13 Fri – Old Ironsides – Sacramento, CA
10/14 Sat – Moe’s Original BBQ – Tahoe City, CA * W/ Brad Parsons
10/17 Tue – Piper Down – Salt Lake City, UT
10/18 Wed – Pinedale Fine Arts – Pinedale, WY
10/20 Fri – Wildflower Concert Series – Lyons, CO * Monacle Band Album Release Show
10/21 Sat – Cervantes’ Other Side – Denver, CO
10/22 Sun – 4th and Main Grill – Wray, CO
10/27-28 Fri-Sat – Suwannee Hulaween – Live Oak, FL
11/2 Thu – Cat’s Cradle – Carrboro, NC * w/ Larry Keel
11/3 Fri – 5 Points Music Sanctuary – Roanoke, VA * w/ Larry Keel
11/4 Sat – Bright Box Theater – Winchester, VA
11/11-12 Sat-Sun – Riverhawk Fest – Brooksville, FL
11/14 Tue – Terra Fermata – Stuart, FL * w/ The Nouveaux Honkies
11/16 Thu – Point Ybel Brewing Co. – Fort Myers, FL
11/17 Fri – Wynwood Yard – Miami, FL
11/18 Sat – Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center – Sarasota, FL
11/19 Sun – Iron Oak Post – Melbourne, FL
11/20 Mon – Beaches History Museum – Jacksonville Beach, FL
11/30 Thu – The Grove at Upcountry Provisions – Travelers Rest, SC
12/1 Fri – The Spinning Jenny – Greer, SC
12/2 Sat – House Concert – Walkertown, NC
12/8-12 Fri-Tue – Strings and Sol – Puerto Morelos, Mexico
12/31 Sun – NYE Celebration at Isis Music Hall – Asheville, NC * w/ The Digs

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

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Jon Stickley Trio Featured on NPR’s Folk Alley & Mountain Stage- New Album Out Now

Jon Stickley Trio. Photo by Heather Hambor

Jon Stickley Trio Featured on NPR’s Folk Alley & Mountain Stage

New Album, Maybe Believe, Produced by Dave King (The Bad Plus)
at Echo Mountain Studios in Asheville NC

Out now on Amazon, iTunes, cdbaby, Bandcamp
www.jonstickley.com/product/maybe-believe/

ASHEVILLE —  Jon Stickley Trio independently released their 3rd full length album, Maybe Believe, on May 12, 2017. Jon Stickley Trio create textural soundscapes combining 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. Produced by Dave King (Of The Bad Plus) at Echo Mountain Recording Studio in the band’s hometown of Asheville, NC.

On release week, NPR’s Folk Alley posted the world premiere of a stream of the entire album → www.folkalley.com/archives/001565.php.

In April, Jon Stickley Trio performed on NPR’s Mountain Stage and their episode is scheduled for broadcast this Friday, May 20 and begins feeding to 200+ NPR stations. Airtimes and stations can be found here: http://goo.gl/7p4Y7J.

They will also be touring the States extensively with Maybe Believe. See the full list of tour dates below.

What people are saying about Jon Stickley Trio:

“The latest record from the Jon Stickley Trio flexes new and strong muscles, utilizing more progressive structures and deeper pockets than ever before. All the while, the group retains its place as a modern-thinking acoustic ensemble with one foot in tradition and the other in a bluegrass honored future that allows for the avant garde, punk, and be bop to mix in freely and tastefully.”
—Dave King

“Clear, Present, and Slightly Dangerous”
—Musoscribe, Bill Kopp

“The Trio… flex some seriously creative musical muscles on the twelve-track project which contains nine originals and three covers that beguile with the trio’s skillful, energetic musicianship.”
—The Daily Country, No Depression, Tara Joan

“With this eclectic instrumentation, their melodies wander between cultures and rhythms, pulling you in and making you want to dance… With instrumental only tracks, the Jon Stickley Trio’s diverse musicality is the star.” —Scenes Media, Christie Hudon

“In an age of music where it can be difficult to find something new, Jon Stickley Trio is a consistent breath of fresh air. Their infectious and irresistible energy can be felt through each note, providing a compelling soundtrack you never knew you needed.” — The Poke Around, Tom Cunningham

“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…  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…” —Greensky Bluegrass’ Anders Beck

“The majority of the songs on the new album were written by Stickley, using his talents to layer different grooves and play with polyrhythms. Lyndsay Pruett contributed a couple of jazzier numbers including ‘The Price of Being Nice”’ and a short solo, ‘Lady Time,’ that closes out the album with her distinctive pizzicato playing and violin improvisation.” —AXS, Renee Wright, Renee Wright

“A new generation of bluegrass-reared instrumental explorers is coming into its own, and the Stickley Trio is in the vanguard.” — Music City Roots, Craig Havighurst

“Thoughtful & energetic” —Bryan Sutton

Find out more about Maybe Believe in this behind-the-scenes video with the band recorded at Echo Mountain during their recording sessions →

Jon Stickley Trio On Tour
5/19 Fri – Lower Town Arts & Music Festival – Paducah, KY
5/20 Sat – Forest Fest – Louisville, KY (11am show)
5/20 Sat – Moonshiner’s Ball – Berea, KY
5/26 Fri – Rooster Walk – Martinsville, VA
5/27 Sat – Big Wesser BBZ at Nantahala Outdoor Center – Bryson City, NC
6/8 Thu – Founders Brewing Co – Grand Rapids, MI
6/9 Fri – Parliament Room at Otus Supply – Ferndale, MI
6/10-11 Sat-Sun – NorEastr Festival @ County Fairgrounds – Mio, MI
6/12 Mon – WNMC House Concert Series @ The Moon Tower – Traverse City, MI
6/14 Wed – B Side Ballroom – Oneonta, NY
6/15 Thu – Abilene Bar – Rochester, NY
6/17 Sat – Skunk Funk Music Festival – Cazenovia, NY
6/18 Sun – Gypsy Sally’s – Washington DC
6/19 Mon – Metro Gallery – Baltimore, MD
6/20 Tue – Motorco Music Hall – Durham, NC
6/21 Wed – Muddy Creek Music Hall – Winston-Salem, NC
6/22 Thu – River Jam at US Whitewater Center – Charlotte, NC
6/23-24 Fri-Sat – Clusterpluck @ Spirit of Suwannee Music Park – Live Oak, FL
7/7-8 Fri-Sat – Breckenridge Brewery – Littleton, CO
7/15 Sat – Red Wing Roots Music Festival – Mount Solon, VA
7/22 Sat – Burning Can @ Oskar Blues – Brevard, NC
7/29-30 Sat-Sun – FloydFest – Floyd, VA
8/2 Wed – The High Watt – Nashville, TN
8/3 Thu – Hi Tone – Memphis, TN
8/4 Fri – Homegrown on the River – Ozark, AR
8/6 Sun – Rhythms on the Rio – South Fork, CO
8/9 Wed – The Bishop – Bloomington, IN
8/10 Thu – Woodlands Tavern – Columbus, OH
8/11 Fri – Bright Box Theater – Winchester, VA
8/12 Sat – Musikfest – Bethlehem, PA
8/16 Wed – The Ark – Ann Arbor, MI
8/17 Thu – Albert S. George Youth Center – Barnesville, OH
8/18 Fri – Ignition Music Garage – Goshen, IN
8/19 Sat – Short’s Brewing Co – Bellaire, MI
8/20 Sun – Hoxyville Music Festival – Wellston, MI
9/5-10 Fri-Sun – Sisters Folk Fest – Sisters, OR
9/14 Thu – World Cafe Live – Philadelphia, PA
9/15-16 Fri-Sat – Wormtown Music Festival – Greenfield, MA
9/17 Sun – The Knitting Factory – New York, NY
10/7 Sat – Joshua Tree Music Festival – Joshua Tree, CA

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

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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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Tour Dates: Jon Stickley Trio Captivates Crowds w/ Rapid-Fire Guitar, Sultry Violin & Drums

Tour Dates: Jon Stickley Trio Captivates Crowds
w/ Rapid-Fire Guitar, Sultry Violin & Drums

Jon Stickley Trio is excited to embark on tour for a plethora of shows this festival season! They have stops throughout the country including the White Squirrel Festival in North Carolina and Rooster Walk in Martinsville, Virginia this May. They kick off June in Nashville on their way St. Louis and then Colorado’s Front Range. Mid-June brings them back to the Southeast and they finish up the month at ROMP in Owensboro, Kentucky. In July, the Trio simmers in the Carolinas before making appearances at Red Wing Roots in Virginia and North West String Summit in Oregon. Mid-July sees their return to Colorado to the Dolores River Brewery and they close out the month in New Mexico and Texas before making their way back East in August with a notable show at Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage in Washington, DC. See the full list of dates below and stay tuned for more to be announced.

Jon Stickley Trio is making waves with the independent and fan-funded release of their 2nd album, Lost at Last [October 2015], which was produced by Dave King of The Bad Plus. The originality and sheer energy of this genre-bending ensemble serves as a welcome wake up call for those who experience it. 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.

The New York Times’ Nate Chinen writes “… there’s hardy cohesion among the players — no less on the Gypsy standard ‘Valse de Wasso’ than on ‘Darth Radar’ a turbocharged original with a ska upbeat and a shredding melody.” Premier Guitar Magazine took note of “Darth Radar,” calling it, “a rapid-fire take that moves from a serious ska beat to burning surf-style runs that would make Dick Dale proud.” They caught the attention of NPR’s Heavy Rotation, made an appearance on Nashville’s Music City Roots (where they performed three songs and received three standing ovations from packed audience), as well as recording with NPR’s World Cafe in the Trio’s hometown of Asheville, NC with live studio audience in a sold out show. It has been a whirlwind and the Trio is up for more with a new album they will record this winter.

Jon Stickley Trio On Tour 2016
5/27 Fri – White Squirrel Fest – Brevard, NC
5/28 Sat – Roosterwalk – Martinsville, VA
6/1 Wed – The Basement – Nashville, TN
6/2 Thu – The Bootleg at Atomic Cowboy’s LouGrass Thursday’s – St. Louis, MO
6/4 Sat – Pagosa Folk ‘N Bluegrass – Pagosa, CO
6/8 Wed – Hodi’s Half Note – Ft. Collins, CO (with Front Country)
6/9 Thu – Cervantes – Denver, CO
6/10 Fri – Lazy Dog – Boulder, CO
6/16 Thu – Pickin’ in the Plaza – Raleigh, NC
6/18 Sat – The Getdown in Pumpkin Town – Marietta, SC
6/24 Fri – ROMP (late night set) – Owensboro, KY
7/6 Wed – Nantahala Brewing Co. – Bryson City, NC
7/7 Thu – Visulite Theatre – Charlotte, NC
7/9 Sat – Red Wing Roots – Mt. Solon, VA
7/12 Tue – NWSS Pre-Party- Nectar’s- Seattle, WA
7/14-16 Thu-Sat – NorthWest String Summit – North Plains, OR
7/20 Wed – Dolores River Brewery – Dolores River, CO
7/21 Thu – Crash Music – Aztec, NM
7/22 Fri – Taos Mesa Brewing – El Prado, NM
7/23 Sat – Private House Concert – Albuquerque, NM
7/28 Thu – Dosey Doe Music Cafe – Conroe, TX
7/29 Fri – Lamberts Downtown – Austin, TX
8/5 Fri – Secret Stages – Birmingham, AL
8/6 Sat – Boyd’s Jig & Reel – Knoxville, TN
8/11 Thu – American Tobacco – Durham, NC
8/12 Fri – Jimmy’s at Red Dogs – Wrightsville Beach, NC
8/13 Sat – Calico Room – Wilmington, NC
8/18 Thu – Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center – Washington, DC
8/21 Sun – The Rowayton Summer Music Festival – Rowayton, CT
8/24 Wed – Empire State Plaza Concert Series – Albany, NY
8/25 Thu – Joe’s Pub – New York, NY
9/24 Sat – Boats & Bluegrass – Winona, MN
9/29 Thu – Private House Concert – Traverse City, MI
9/30 Sat – Crooked Tree Arts – Petosky, MI
10/13-16 Thu-Sun Suwannee Roots Revival – Live Oak, FL

The Trio has produced two “official” music videos. “Point to Point“recently was awarded three prizes at the 2016 Music Video Asheville including Judges Choice, People’s Choice, and Best Soundtrack. Folk Alley premiered the video for “Rice Dream,” writing “Jon Stickley’s guitar harmonics and Lyndsay Pruett’s violin harmonics twine seamlessly together, creating an almost otherworldly atmosphere and the end result is a bit unnerving in its intensity.”

Jon Stickley Trio returned to the setting of where Lost at Last was recorded, Echo Mountain Recording Studios in Asheville, and performed for almost two hours for a live webcast on IAMAVL.com’s “Echo Sessions.” Watch the full show here →  http://bit.ly/Js3_Nov2015_IAMAVLEchoSessions_FullShow.

For forthcoming new about his next release, updates from the road, and tour dates, please visit www.facebook.com/JonStickleyTrio, www.instagram.com/jonstickleytrio, and www.twitter.com/StickleyMusic.

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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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Jon Stickley Trio Independently Releases ‘Lost at Last’ Today, Video Premier – Flatpicking Guitar, Violin & Drums

Jon Stickley Trio Independently Releases ‘Lost at Last’ Today
Rapid-fire Flatpicking Guitar
Combined with Melodious, Sultry and Wild Violin
And Deep Groove Drums

The Bluegrass Situation Premiered Jon Stickley Trio’s
New Music Video for ‘Point to Point’

Jon Stickley Trio independently releases Lost at Last, their 2nd album, on October 6, 2015. The originality and sheer energy of this genre-bending ensemble serves as a welcome wake up call for those who experience it. With roots in gypsy jazz, bluegrass, and hip-hop, Jon Stickley Trio combines Jon Stickley’s rapid-fire flatpicking guitar with the sultry and wild, yet refined, melodies of Lyndsay Pruett (Futureman) on violin set over the deep groove of Patrick Armitage (Atmosphere) on drums. The three have fused their collective styles into a repertoire of exciting and innovative original music along with some captivating covers. The album is now available on CD Baby and  iTunes.

The New York Times’ Nate Chinen writes “… there’s hardy cohesion among the players — no less on the Gypsy standard ‘Valse de Wasso’ than on ‘Darth Radar’ a turbocharged original with a ska upbeat and a shredding melody. And when Mr. Stickley and friends turn to bluegrass, as on ‘The High Road,’ by Tim O’Brien, they sound both respectful and free.”

Lost at Last was recorded in the band’s hometown of Asheville, NC at the iconic Echo Mountain Studios under the watchful eye of producer Dave King (The Bad Plus). While recording the album, King referred to the band’s imaginative sound as “this whole other thing.” King’s creative energy and inspired musical approach led the band deeper and deeper into the heart of their musical consciousness, which led to the solidification of their musical identity.

“Working with our producer Dave King was a life changing experience for us all,” says Stickley. “He is an intense, master musician, but also a hilarious, life-loving, positive, HEAVY, ‘unimpeachable’, inspiring dude! He helped us find ourselves, and his mark on the album is undeniable.” Jon goes on to say, “We succeeded in capturing a lot of spontaneous energy.”

Fan-funded through Kickstarter, Lost at Last features eleven tracks including six original tunes. It opens with ”Point-to-Point,” a song that could sum up the Trio’s personality, ranging from delicate syncopated pizzicato interplay to a powerful electo-rock climax featuring Jon’s distinctive flat-picking style. “Darth Radar” is already a crowd favorite at the Trio’s live shows; it was originally inspired by the modern dubstep artists, Skrillex and deadmau5, but over time has settled into an upbeat groove, with elements of ska and the fleet single string tremolo one might hear from Dick Dale, and other surf guitar gods. “Rice Dream,” is Jon’s subtle prayer for Tony Rice, who is one of his biggest musical influences. The song highlights Jon’s nimble picking style and soft harmonic chimes as well as the haunting beauty of Lyndsay’s violin.

Other tracks include the hypnotically enchanting “Goa,” penned by Pruett on the shores of the Indian Ocean, the cinematic and neoclassical “Octapickin,” in which Pruett’s beautiful string arrangements and improvisations take the listener through an emotional dreamscape, and the relaxing and poetic “Pamlico Sound.”

Lost at Last features a handful of covers including The Bad Plus’ “Never Stop”, Tim O’Brien’s “The High Road,” set to a grooving half time feel and break beat reprise, held down by Patrick Armitage on the drums. Lost at Last also features a  ‘Stickley” version of Strength in Numbers’ “Slopes” (written by Bela Fleck, Mark O’Connor). The record also includes a traditional gypsy jazz waltz, “Valse de Wasso,”and ends with “Flight of the Durban,” penned by Stickley’s longtime friend Leftover Salmon’s banjo ripper Andy Thorn.

What Folks Are Saying About Lost At Last:
“Jon Stickley is a guitarist based in Asheville, N.C., and rooted in the flatpicking bluegrass tradition, the quicksilver dialect of Tony Rice and Norman Blake. But in the Jon Stickley Trio, with the fiddler Lyndsay Pruett and the drummer Patrick Armitage, he also bounces around in Gypsy jazz, folk-punk and jam-band territory, tracing a fidgety continuity of style.” –The New York Times, Nate Chinen

“Blending elements of traditional, fast paced bluegrass with sultry backings in jazz and raging hip hop beats, Lost at Last is an album not to be missed.” —Performer Mag, Kate Dennis-Skillings

“Asheville has a force to be reckoned with in the tight three-piece perfection of the Jon Stickley Trio. It’s pretty incredible how closely the three play with their unique blend of Appalachian, jazz, maybe even prog-rock styles.” —Martin Anderson, Music Director & Host at WNCW

“This is very very cool music. Jon’s ideas on the acoustic guitar are the freshest of the fresh. Lost at Last is rated BA: Bad. Ass.” —Larry Keel, Guitar Legend & Master Fisherman

“Lost At Last takes the listener on a winding musical journey where the unexpected is the expected… Sweeping melodies, precise pickin’, thumping percussion and frenzied violin are just some of what await you… ”  –The Daily Country, Tara Joan

“Probably the best thing about reviewing music is finding artists I’ve never heard of and falling in love… When I first put on Jon Stickley Trio’s sophomore album, Lost at Last, I listened for a few minutes and thought, ‘that’s bold–opening with an instrumental.’ I dig it. I soon learned it was an album of sell-your-soul-to-the-devil quality picking instrumentals.” –Grateful Music, Dan Fugate

 

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Jon Stickley Trio’s ‘Lost at Last’ Now Available for Pre-Order, New Videos

Jon Stickley Trio’s ‘Lost at Last’ Now Available for Pre-Order, New Videos

Rapid-fire Flatpicking Guitar
Combined with Melodious, Sultry and Wild Violin
And Deep Groove Drums

Lost At Last Independently Hits the Streets on October 6, 2015
Pre-order →  http://bit.ly/JS3_LostAtLAst_iTunes_2015

“This is very very cool music. Jon’s ideas on the acoustic guitar are the freshest of the fresh. Lost at Last is rated BA: Bad. Ass.” —Larry Keel

Jon Stickley Trio independently releases their 2nd album, Lost at Last, on October 6, 2015. The originality and sheer energy of this genre-bending ensemble serves as a welcome wake up call for those who experience it. With roots in gypsy jazz, bluegrass, and hip-hop, Jon Stickley Trio combines Jon Stickley’s rapid-fire flatpicking guitar with the sultry and wild, yet refined, melodies of Lyndsay Pruett (Futureman) on violin set over the deep groove of Patrick Armitage (Atmosphere) on drums. The three have fused their collective styles into a repertoire of exciting and innovative original music along with some captivating covers.

Lost at Last is now available to pre-order on iTunes, with an immediate download of “Point-to-Point” → http://bit.ly/JS3_LostAtLAst_iTunes_2015

Lost at Last was recorded in the band’s hometown of Asheville, NC at the iconic Echo Mountain Studios under the watchful eye of producer Dave King (The Bad Plus). While recording the album, King referred to the band’s imaginative sound as “this whole other thing.” King’s creative energy and inspired musical approach led the band deeper and deeper into the heart of their musical consciousness, which led to the solidification of their musical identity.

“…the eleven songs uniquely merge their roots, including Bluegrass, Jazz, Americana, Rock and Punk into something surprising and original. Frequently, when we think of music, we think lyrics and melody, and often forget the power an instrumental can have all on its own with songs open to interpretation and willing to take you wherever you want to go. Lost At Last takes the listener on a winding musical journey where the unexpected is the expected on both originals (“Point To Point,” “Darth Radar”) and covers (“The High Road,” “Slopes”). Sweeping melodies, precise pickin’, thumping percussion and frenzied violin are just some of what await you when you get Lost At Last.”
—The Daily Country, Tara Joan

Live video recording of “Never Stop.” Thanks Depthink Productions for the great shots as usual. And a huge thanks to The Bad Plus for making such an awesome song for Js3 to play.   

“Probably the best thing about reviewing music is finding artists I’ve never heard of and falling in love… When I first put on Jon Stickley Trio’s sophomore album, Lost at Last, I listened for a few minutes and thought, ‘that’s bold–opening with an instrumental.’ I dig it. I soon learned it was an album of sell-your-soul-to-the-devil quality picking instrumentals.” —Grateful Music, Dan Fugate

Wonderful video session and interview Js3 did with In Blue Handmade this past spring highlighting a Jon Stickley original, “Octopickin,” from the new album. The cinematic and neoclassical song features Pruett’s beautiful string arrangements and improvisations which take the listener through an emotional dreamscape.

“This trio churns out a wide variety (wi-i-i-i-de) of genres, sometimes encroaching on territory of various bluegrass and jazz artists. I hear bits and pieces that, if isolated, I would recognize as everything from the Dixie Dregs to Morwenna Lasko & Jay Pun (it’s that acoustic guitar and violin combo) to gypsy to Windham Hill. I am astounded by the twisting and crunching of various styles.”
—Frank Gutch, Bob Segarini Blog

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

Stay tuned for an official music video for “Point To Point” coming out on The Bluegrass Situation soon! Check out the teaser here → http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40UiLnrnWr0&feature=youtu.b

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Jon Stickley Trio To Release ‘Lost at Last’ on Oct 6 – Flatpicking Guitar, Violin & Drums – Announcing Tour

Jon Stickley Trio Independently Releases Lost at Last on October 6, 2015

Rapid-fire Flatpicking Guitar
Combined with Melodious, Sultry and Wild Violin
And Deep Groove Drums

“At the unlikely intersection of Bluegrass, Jazz and Punk lies the Jon Stickley Trio. A true fusion of American music, this virtuosic trio exploded onto the landscape, leaving listeners scratching their heads, wondering what exactly it was they were hearing, and desperate for the next song to begin. For their second record, Lost at Last, JS3 has, like an open-wheel, open cockpit-race car, abandoned anything frivolous or unnecessary, and this stripped-down, streamlined JS3 is built for speed, dangerous as hell, and irresistible.”
––Travis Book, The Infamous Stringdusters

Jon Stickley Trio is set to independently release a 2nd album, Lost at Last, on October 6, 2015. The originality and sheer energy of this genre-bending ensemble serves as a welcome wake up call for those who experience it. With roots in gypsy jazz, bluegrass, and hip-hop, Jon Stickley Trio combines Jon Stickley’s rapid-fire flatpicking guitar with the sultry and wild, yet refined, melodies of Lyndsay Pruett (Futureman) on violin set over the deep groove of Patrick Armitage (Atmosphere) on drums. The three have fused their collective styles into a repertoire of exciting and innovative original music along with some captivating covers.

Lost at Last was recorded in the band’s hometown of Asheville, NC at the iconic Echo Mountain Studios under the watchful eye of producer Dave King (The Bad Plus). While recording the album, King referred to the band’s imaginative sound as “this whole other thing.” King’s creative energy and inspired musical approach led the band deeper and deeper into the heart of their musical consciousness, which led to the solidification of their musical identity.

“Working with our producer Dave King was a life changing experience for us all,” says Stickley. “He is an intense, master musician, but also a hilarious, life-loving, positive, HEAVY, ‘unimpeachable’, inspiring dude! He helped us find ourselves, and his mark on the album is undeniable.” Jon goes on to say, “We succeeded in capturing a lot of spontaneous energy.”

Jon Stickley Trio. Photo by Heather Hambor.

Fan-funded through Kickstarter, Lost at Last features eleven tracks including six original tunes. It opens with ”Point-to-Point,” a song that could sum up the Trio’s personality, ranging from delicate syncopated pizzicato interplay to a powerful electo-rock climax featuring Jon’s distinctive flat-picking style. “Darth Radar” is already a crowd favorite at the Trio’s live shows; it was originally inspired by the modern dubstep artists, Skrillex and deadmau5, but over time has settled into an upbeat groove, with elements of ska and the fleet single string tremolo one might hear from Dick Dale, and other surf guitar gods. “Rice Dream,” is Jon’s subtle prayer for Tony Rice, who is one of his biggest musical influences. The song highlights Jon’s nimble picking style and soft harmonic chimes as well as the haunting beauty of Lyndsay’s violin.

Other tracks include the hypnotically enchanting “Goa,” penned by Pruett on the shores of the Indian Ocean, the cinematic and neoclassical “Octapickin,” in which Pruett’s beautiful string arrangements and improvisations take the listener through an emotional dreamscape, and the relaxing and poetic “Pamlico Sound.”

Lost at Last features a handful of covers including The Bad Plus’ “Never Stop”, Tim O’Brien’s “The High Road,” set to a grooving half time feel and break beat reprise, held down by Patrick Armitage on the drums. Lost at Last also features a  ‘Stickley” version of Strength in Numbers’ “Slopes” (written by Bela Fleck, Mark O’Connor). The record also includes a traditional gypsy jazz waltz, “Valse de Wasso,”and ends with “Flight of the Durban,” penned by Stickley’s longtime friend Leftover Salmon’s banjo ripper Andy Thorn.

In their short time together, Jon Stickley Trio has shared the stage with Greensky Bluegrass, The Infamous Stringdusters, Leftover Salmon, Larry Keel, and Leon Russell, amongst others. They have thrilled audiences at some of the nation’s top festivals including MerleFest, Floydfest, and Four Corners Folk Fest. Billy Nershi (String Cheese Incident) says, “I’ve had the pleasure of playing with Jon onstage and off. He always plays something I didn’t think was possible.”

This virtuosic band’s experimental compositions are not easily confined, yet remain true to the players’ musical roots lending to an accessible and danceable sound. “The inspiration of blending the rhythmic, fast-paced techniques of bluegrass with songs from the other end of the musical spectrum led to the formation of Stickley’s eponymous trio,” writes Alli Marshall with Asheville’s Mountain Xpress. Through the recording of Lost at Last, the band has honed their fiery, yet sensitive sound to create something that is uniquely the Jon Stickley Trio.

Lost at Last Track Listing
1. Point to Point – original – Stickley
2. The High Road – written by Tim O’Brien
3. Rice Dream – original – Stickley
4. Never Stop – The Bad Plus song – written by Reid Anderson
5. Darth Radar – original – Stickley
6. Octopickin – original – Stickley
7. Slopes – Strength in Numbers – written by Bela Fleck, Mark O’Connor
8. Goa – original – Pruett
9. Valse de Wasso – gypsy jazz song
10. Pamlico Sound – original – Stickley
11. Flight of the Durban – written by Andy Thorn (of Leftover Salmon)

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

Watch the teaser video for Jon Stickley Trio’s music video for “Point to Point” from the new album Lost at Last –>

Jon Stickley Trio on Tour
8/25 Tue – Jammin’ Java – Washington DC (w/ Della Mae)
8/26 Wed – Cat’s Cradle – Carrboro, NC. (w/ Della Mae)
8/27 Thu – Double Door Inn – Charlotte, NC (w/ Old Salt Union)
8/28 Fri – Grey Eagle – Asheville, NC (w/ Della Mae)
8/29 Sat – Private Party – Nebo, NC (w/ Della Mae)
9/03 Thu – Cervantes’ Other Side – Denver, CO (Pre Phish Party)
9/05 Sat – Four Corners Folk Festival – Pagosa Springs, CO
9/07 Mon – Lazy Dog Pub Labor Day Party – Boulder CO (w/ Benny Gallaway)
9/26 -Sat – Snowshoe Mountain – Snowshoe, WV (w/ Shakey Graves and more)
9/29-10/2 Tue-Fri – IBMA Performances TBA – Raleigh, NC
10/3 Sat – House Concert – Selma, NC
10/10 Sat – Isis Music Hall Hometown CD Release Show – Asheville, NC
10/15 Thu – NC State Fair – Raleigh, NC
10/21 Wed – Awendaw Green (4-6pm) – Charleston, SC
10/21 Wed – The Southern (9pm) – Charleston, SC
10/22 Thu – Palmetto Brewing Co – Charleston, SC
10/23 Fri – The Lyric Stage – Tallahassee, FL
10/24 Sat – The Funky Buddha – Boca Raton, FL
10/27 Tue – Terra Fermata – Stuart, FL
10/28 Wed – Guana Banas – Jupiter, FL
10/30-11/1 Fri-Sat – Suwannee Hulaween – Live Oak, FL
11/14 Sat – Red Light Cafe – Atlanta, GA
11/21 Sat – House Concert – Concord, NC
12/2 Wed – Martin’s – Roanoke, VA
12/5 Sat – Cat’s Cradle Back Room – Carrboro, NC
12/11 Fri – Boyd’s Jig and Reel – Knoxville, TN
12/12 Sat – The Basement East – Nashville, TN
12/13 Sun – The Post’s Bluegrass Brunch – Nashville, TN
12/13 Sun – House Concert – Knoxville, TN

More Dates TBA
www.jonstickley.com/tour

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Jon Stickley Trio Announces Summer Tour, New Album This Fall

Jon Stickley Trio is Lyndsay Pruett, Jon Stickley & Patrick Armitage (pictured left to right). Photo by Allie Leanna Photography.

Jon Stickley Trio Announces Summer Tour, New Album This Fall

Jon Stickley Trio set to Release Lost at Last,
Produced by Dave King (The Bad Plus), This October

“Asheville’s Jon Stickley Trio create an experimental mosaic of American music. They combine their namesake’s flat-picking, Lyndsay Pruett’s nimble violin and jazz and hip-hop rhythms from former Atmosphere drummer Patrick Armitage.” –Indy Week, Justin Weber

ASHEVILLE, NC —  Jon Stickley Trio has earned a reputation for painlessly shattering expectations. The originality and sheer energy of this genre-bending ensemble serves as a welcome wake up call for those who experience it. With roots in bluegrass, gypsy jazz, and hip-hop, Jon Stickley, one of the world’s most innovative flatpickers, violinist Lyndsay Pruett (Futureman), and drummer Patrick Armitage (Atmosphere), have fused their collective styles into a repertoire of exciting, innovative original music, along with fresh takes on traditional tunes. They are set to release a new album, Lost at Last, in October of 2015.

The album was recorded in Asheville, NC’s iconic Echo Mountain Studios, under the watchful eye of producer Dave King (The Bad Plus). While recording the album, King referred to the band’s imaginative sound as “this whole other thing.” King’s creative energy and inspired musical approach led the band deeper and deeper into the heart of their musical consciousness, which led to the solidification of their musical identity.

Lost at Last features six original tunes, along with covers of The Bad Plus, Tim O’Brien, and Bela Fleck. The record also includes a traditional gypsy jazz waltz, and ends with Andy Thorn’s banjo ripper, “Flight of the Durban,” all done in the Trio’s signature explosive style.

The virtuosic trio’s compositions truly do not fit into any specific genre, but remain totally accessible and danceable to audiences across the board, while remaining true to their musical roots. The Trio successfully raised over $18,000 in a Kickstarter campaign that solidified the band’s fan base with over 300 people pre-ordering CDs, and pledging their support.

In their short time together, the trio has shared the stage with The Infamous Stringdusters, Leftover Salmon, Larry Keel, Leon Russell, amongst others and have thrilled audiences at some of the nation’s top festivals including MerleFest, Floydfest, and Four Corners Folk Fest. Billy Nershi (String Cheese Incident) says, “I’ve had the pleasure of playing with Jon onstage and off. He always plays something I didn’t think was possible.”

“The inspiration of blending the rhythmic, fast-paced techniques of Bluegrass with songs from the other end of the musical spectrum led to the formation of Stickley’s eponymous trio.” writes Alli Marshall with Asheville’s Mountain Xpress. Through the recording of Lost at Last, the band has honed their fiery, yet sensitive sound to create something that is uniquely the Jon Stickley Trio.

Jon Stickley Trio travels through Colorado’s Front Range in late June. They pick back up for a hometown show with The Hackensaw Boys in Asheville in mid-July followed by performances in Virginia, Georgia, and Tennessee. More shows to be announced.

Jon Stickley Trio on Tour
6/6 Sat –  Nantahala Brewing Co – Bryson City, NC
6/24 Wed – Barkley Ballroom – Frisco, CO
6/25 Thu – Cervantes’ Other Side – Denver, CO >
6/26 Fri – Clear Creek RapidGrass – Idaho Springs, CO
6/27 Sat – Oskar Blues – Longmont, CO
6/28 Sun – Oskar Blues – Lyons, CO
7/10 Fri – RiverMUSIC – Asheville, NC *
7/11 Sat – Red Wing Roots – Mt. Solon, VA
7/16/15 – Red Light Cafe – Atlanta, GA
7/17/15 – Wolf Hills Brewing – Abingdon, VA
7/18/15 – Jig and Reel – Knoxville, TN
7/23/15 – Zia Taqueria – Asheville, NC
7/24/15 – Cat’s Cradle – Carrboro, NC ^
7/31/15 – Summer Concert at the Jones House, Boone, NC
7/31/15 – Murphy’s – Boone, NC
8/7/15 – Gottrocks, Greenville, SC
8/8/15  – Soulshine Music Festival – Green Mountain, NC
8/20/15 – Zia Taqueria – Asheville, NC
9/05 Sat – Four Corners Folk Festival – Pagosa Springs, CO

> ft. Andy Thorn of Leftover Salmon w/ Sanctum Sully & Lost Caravan
* w/ The Hackensaw Boys
^ w/ Big Fat Gap

More shows tba

WATCH the music video of “Darth Radar,” a song about flying through space →

For more information,  further tour dates, and the lastest Jon Stickley Trio news, please visit www.jonstickley.com, www.facebook.com/JonStickleyTrio, and www.twitter.com/StickleyMusic.

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Visit U-Stream tonite for The Keel Brother’s show LIVE at Bulls and Bears Pub

Flatpicking guitar masters Larry Keel and his brother Gary perform tonight,  Saturday, March 12th at Bulls and Bears Pub in Hagerstown, MD.

Tune into this show live at 9pm on U-Stream. Special thanks to Jason Dragas for putting it all together!

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/the-keel-brothers

The KEEL BROTHERS consider that their music is deeply rooted in their father Jim Keel’s generation and his musical tastes, drawing on selections from the earliest Stanley Brothers, Hank Williams, Doc and Merle Watson, Classic Country Gentlemen, fiddle tunes and flatpicking guitar tunes and old ballads that were always a part of the weekly “jam sessions” of the Keels’ large circle of Bluegrass picker-friends. It was Larry’s older brother Gary (older by 12 years) who taught him to play the guitar at age 7, and bought him his first instrument. The “Keel Brothers” project is the long overdue glimpse into the fantastic family energy that launched young Larry into virtuoso playing by the age of 17.

Find out more about The Keel Brothers and their two albums at: http://larrykeel.com/discography/

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