The Avett Brothers & Sol Driven Train Perform at the Southern Grown Festival in Sea Island, GA June 19-21

The Avett Brothers & Sol Driven Train Perform at the Southern Grown Festival in Sea Island, GA June 19-21

Sea Island’s Southern Grown Festival Celebrates the
Tastes & Tunes of The South

Grammy-Nominated Avett Brothers Join Award-Winning Chefs for
Celebration of All Things Southern

Tickets are on Sale now at www.southerngrown.com/tickets-and-pricing
Rates range from $65 GA to $1450 for a 2 person“All Access” pass
Sea Island Resort ~ 100 Cloister Drive, Sea Island, GA 31561

Sea Island Resort in Georgia is bringing together the best music and food south of the Mason-Dixon for the inaugural Southern Grown Festival, taking place June 19-21, 2015. The three-day festival, filled with brunches, barbeque and bourbon, pays homage to the distinctive culture of America’s South at one of the finest grand dame resorts of the region. Southern Grown will feature a weekend full of events and classes led by more than a dozen award-winning chefs and artisans from Louisiana to Kentucky, and will culminate with an oceanfront performance by North Carolina folk-rock band The Avett Brothers.

The Southern Grown festivities kick off on Friday evening with a “Big Fish” Fry, featuring an appearance by Big Fish author Daniel Wallace, live music from South Carolina jam band Sol Driven Train and a late night speakeasy experience with hand-crafted cocktails created by Tom Bulleit of Bulleit Bourbon. On Saturday, festivalgoers can participate in an array of classes and lectures, including a “Pole to Plate” class taught by two patriarchs of the Southern food movement, Mike Lata (Charleston’s FIG) and John Currence (Oxford’s City Grocery); a “Curds and Whey” session with cheesemongers Jessica and Jeremy Little of Georgia’s Sweet Grass Dairy; and an “Up in Smoke” tutorial celebrating barbeque, one of the South’s most honored traditions, with pit masters Harrison Sapp and Griffin Bufkin of Georgia’s Southern Soul Barbeque.

The highlight of the Southern Grown weekend occurs on Saturday evening, when the Grammy-nominated band The Avett Brothers takes the stage for an oceanfront performance on the lawn of The Lodge at Sea Island. As the sun sets over the Atlantic Ocean, guests will be serenaded by the band’s folk rock sounds while sampling selections from the carnival-style “culinary village,” emulating some of the world’s biggest music fairs. Additional music will be announced as the event draws nearer.

“Southern Grown truly reflects Sea Island’s rich history of gracious hospitality and memorable experiences,” said Scott Steilen, President of Sea Island. “Sea Island embraces its many long-standing traditions and we are thrilled to continue building thoughtful new traditions rooted in our rich culture.”

Southern Grown welcomes locals and travelers alike to experience the region’s wildly impressive food and music culture.  Festival tickets are now available for sale and prices range from $65 (general admission concert tickets) to $1,450 (“All Access” passes for two). For additional information on the Southern Grown weekend or to make reservations, please visit www.southerngrown.com or call 1-800-SEA-ISLAND.

About Sea Island:
An exceptional destination appealing to those who appreciate gracious service and heartfelt hospitality, Sea Island is the home of two of the top five resorts and one of the top five hotel spas in the Continental U.S., according to Travel + Leisure’s 2013 and 2014 World’s Best Awards. With four Forbes Five-Star experiences — The Cloister at Sea Island, The Lodge at Sea Island Golf Club, The Spa at Sea Island, and the Georgian Room restaurant – and an extensive array of engaging nature adventures and recreational experiences, Sea Island entices families, outdoor and activity enthusiasts, and those simply wanting to refresh and recharge. It is the only resort in the world to have received four Forbes Five-Star awards for seven consecutive years. Located on the southeastern coast of Georgia, Sea Island features five miles of private beach, a Beach Club, tennis and squash centers, Yacht Club, Shooting School, and Camp Cloister. Well known as a family resort, Sea Island is steeped in golf tradition and is home to three championship golf courses, including Seaside, site of the PGA Tour’s McGladrey Classic, as well as the nation’s finest Golf Performance Center. Guests may also enjoy nearby Broadfield, a Sea Island Sporting Club and Lodge, offering a variety of seasonal hunting, fishing, sporting and organic culinary opportunities. Renowned for its hospitality, Sea Island has been creating life-long traditions for discerning travelers and offering real estate ownership opportunities since 1928. Experience Sea Island at www.seaisland.com.

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Town Mountain Spring and Early Summer Tour Dates

Town Mountain Spring and Early Summer Tour Dates

Town Mountain is ready and reelin’ to travel the country this spring and summer! They will have stops in the Carolinas, Virginia, Georgia, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio, Kentucky, Colorado, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Washington and Oregon. Notable events include performance at the Leftover Salmon’s Bluegrass Throwdown, John Hartford Memorial Festival, ROMP, The Hampton Taphouse Festival, The Festival of Bluegrass, RapidGrass and much more!

Stay tuned for a new music videos coming your way from Town Mountain this season, including a track from Leave the Bottle [Pinecastle Records 2012]. They will be launching a new covers series that will kick off with their version of Bruce Springsteen’s “I’m on Fire”. This will premiere on The Bluegrass Situation this June (http://www.thebluegrasssituation.com).

Based in Asheville, NC, Town Mountain is Phil Barker on mandolin and vocals, Robert Greer on lead vocals and guitar guitar, Jesse Langlais on banjo and vocals, Bobby Britt on fiddle, and newest member Jake Hopping rounds them out with his rock-solid bass. One listen to their instantly memorable songs, and it’s plain to see why Grammy-winner Mike Bub would align with the group to produce Leave the Bottle as well as 2011’s Steady Operator.

“I’m not sure what the definition of bluegrass would be in words alone, but if that definition was set to music, it would probably sound something like Town Mountain’s Leave the Bottle… I could go on,” says Bluegrass Today’s David Morris, “There are no duds, and no filler songs on this project. But you get the point. This, my friends, is how bluegrass is supposed to sound.”

Leave the Bottle effortlessly covers a wide array of styles in the stringband spectrum featuring the stellar in-house songwriting that has become the band’s trademark. There’s the barroom swagger and honky tonk edge of tracks like “Up the Ladder” and the title track “Leave the Bottle”, the Jimmy Martin style bounce and confidence of “Lawdog” and “Lookin’ in the Mirror”, the Irish flavor of Bobby Britt’s “Four Miles”, and the laid back John Hartford style groove of “Greenbud on the Flower” among others. But no matter the style, the band’s delivery gives every tune a true and honest feel.

Town Mountain On Tour Spring and Early Summer Tour Dates
Fri 5/10 Chapel Hill, NC Merritt’s
Sat 5/11 Harrisonburg, VA The Clementine Cafe
Fri 5/17 Bloomingdale, GA Randy Wood Guitars
Sat 5/18 Panola, SC Birdfest at Pineland Farms
Sun 5/26  Black Mountain, NC Pisgah Brewing w/ Leftover Salmon’s Bluegrass Throwdown with Elephant Revival & Dangermuffin
Fri 5/31 Bean Blossom, IN John Hartford Memorial Festival
Sat 6/1 Carbondale, IL The Hangar 9
Sun 6/2 Chicago, IL The Red Line Tap
Mon 6/3 Urbana, IL The Iron Post
Tue 6/4 Lancaster, WI House Concert
Wed 6/5 Madison, WI High Noon Saloon w/ Horseshoes and Hand Grenades
Thu 6/6 Bangor WI Leo and Leona’s w/ Horseshoes & Hand Grenades and Cactus Blossoms
Fri 6/7 Cincinnati, OH THe Crow’s Nest
Sat 6/8 Lexington, KY Festival of the Bluegrass
Thu 6/13 Lexington, NC High Rock Outfitters
Fri 6/14 Tryon, NC Blue Ridge BBQ & Music Festival
Thu 6/20 Salem, VA Private Event
Fri 6/21 Raleigh, NC The Pour House Music Hall
Sat 6/22 Hampton, VA Hampton Taphouse Festival & After-Party
Sun 6/23 Norfolk, VA Town Mountain BBQ Picnic @ Norfolk Taphouse
Wed 6/26 Lexington, KY Willie’s Locally Known w/ Tyler Childers and the High Wall
Fri 6/28 Owensboro, KY ROMP: Bluegrass Roots & Branches Festival
Sat 6/29 Belvidere,TN Circle E Guest Ranch 2nd Annual Bluegrass Festival
Thu 7/4 Gold Hill, CO The Gold Hill Inn
Fri 7/5 Fort Collins, CO Acoustic Bridge Musical Potluck
Sat 7/6  Idaho Springs, CO Clear Creek RapidGrass Bluegrass Festival
Thu Thu 7/11 Charlotte, NC Whitewater River Jam at US National Whitewater Center
Fri 7/12 Fairfax, VA Fairfax County Summer Entertainment Series at Royal Lake Park
Sat 7/13 Gardners, PA Bluegrass On The Grass
Sun 7/14 Mount Solon, VA Red Wing Roots Music Festival
Tue 7/23 Bellingham, WA The Green Frog
Thu 7/25 Seattle, WA Tractor Tavern
Fri 7/26 Skamania, WA Columbia Gorge Bluegrass Festival
Sun 7/28 Eugene, OR Sam Bond’s Garage
Fri 8/2 Saxapahaw, NC Haw River Ballroom w/ Big Fat Gap

Please visit www.TownMountain.net for more information and further tour dates.

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John Driskell Hopkins & Balsam Range Debut at the Grand Ole Opry March 8th

Performing Music from Their Independently Released Album DAYLIGHT

John Driskell Hopkins & Balsam Range Performances:

Fri 3/8 Nashville, TN  WSM 9am

Fri 3/8 Nashville, TN The Grand Ole Opry 7pm
Sat 3/9 Knoxville, TN WDVX 1:30pm

Sat 3/9 Knoxville, TN The Shed

Thu 3/14 Athens, GA The Melting Point

www.JohnDriskellHopkins.com

Kind Words About Daylight:

“Hopkins’ vocals complement the use of fiddle, mandolin, banjo, and Dobro played by BR to produce a Southern sound that is truly alive… The deep tone of Hopkins’ vocals have the ability to convey edge and grit in songs [with] original lyrics are consistently honest, at times tongue-in-cheek, and at other times thoughtful…”
–Valerie Bertolami, Performer Magazine

“Pure musical joy, with songs ranging across every musical style from bluegrass and gospel to jazz and blues to country… often blinds with dazzling light.”
–Henry Carrigan, Country Standard Time

“Front and center here is Hopkins’ deep, rich and sensual baritone. His singing is warm and melodious in tone, inviting one to pay closer attention… Daylight is deserving of brighter shade.”
–Bill Clifford, Jambands.com

“I Will Lay Me Down” listed as a recommended track in indie releases
—CMT’s Craig Shelburne

“They make music that’s both country and grass, while being pure expressions of neither.  There are banjo rolls and mando scratches throughout… Purists may scoff (as purists are wont to do), but the results are enough to satisfy the lover of hyphens in me.” –Scott Foley, KRFC’s Routes and Branches

“Love a rich, deep country voice? Then John Driskell Hopkins is your man.”
–Mary Armstrong, Philadelphia City Paper

“A voice huskier than Charlie Daniels after a hard night.”
—Jim Farber, New York Daily News, #5 in Top 10 picks in music release week

“…what a great sound for John! I’m excited for people to hear him in this raw and broken-down format, his unique voice front and center!”
–Oliver Wood (of the Wood Brothers)

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been in the thick of it, swattin’ it out with a bonafide Bluegrass band with power vocals coming from a fellow with a pedigree like John Driskell Hopkins possesses. I don’t see anything but clear sailing for this song [Runaway Train].”
–Jerry Douglas

“John Hopkins’ new album, Daylight, has rich vocals and excellent pickers that are wrapped around well-crafted songs. What’s not to love?”
–Jim Lauderdale

“The unusual Sunday Jan. 27 WDVX Blue Plate Special [John Driskell Hopkins & Balsam Range] was the most highly attended yet in 2013, and one of the biggest turnouts in memory.  Even before the show went live on the air, the standing-room-only audience’s excitement was electric.”
–Sarah Waldrip, Blank News 

“A colorful collaboration… with meaty vocal performances that fluctuate from smooth croon to bluesy spittin’ growl, Hopkins takes us on a lively journey backed by a fine, fine group of ace musicians.”
–Janet Goodman, Music News Nashville

Listen HERE  “In Search of a Song with Jason Wilber”
John Driskell Hopkins’ interview with Executive Producer Rich Reardin

 

For more about John Driskell Hopkins and Daylight, visit www.JohnDriskellHopkins.com.

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Free Download of the Title Track of Dehlia Low’s ‘Ravens and Crows’ Which Releases Through Rebel Records on Aug 2, 2011

Newly signed to Rebel Records, Dehlia Low echoes the sounds of early country with a strong bluegrass flavor, crafting a fresh originality that feels like home in the flourishing roots music soundscape. Their new release ‘Ravens and Crows’ was produced by the Infamous Stringdusters’ Travis Book and hits the streets on August 2nd…

Dehlia Low’s vocal harmony and instrumentation reflect a deep connection to traditional music with modern arrangements and relevant, smart songwriting. The band combines their gripping, rustic-flavored vocal style with extraordinary instrumental prowess in original songs that feel at once both old and new pushing their sound into the emerging Americana genre. The group’s sound is focused on original music rooted in bluegrass but with a distinctive country/folk feel true to their southern Appalachian roots.

Dehlia Low’s eagerly-anticipated Rebel Records debut ‘Ravens & Crows’ is released August 2nd. Produced by Travis Book of The Infamous Stringdusters, this album helps to firmly establish Dehlia Low as one of the most compelling and distinctive young groups on the acoustic music scene today. With their tasteful, sometimes moody blending of different styles, the group has created a unique sound that already seems fully mature and established.

Dehlia Low formed in late 2007 as part of Asheville, North Carolina’s roots music renaissance. Singers Anya Hinkle (from Blacksburg, VA on fiddle) and Stacy Claude (from Atlanta, GA on guitar) pulled together a group of talented pickers from the region: Aaron Ballance on Dobro (Winston-Salem, NC), Bryan Clendenin on mandolin (Hurricane, WV) and Greg Stiglets on bass (Jackson, MS).

Here is what the press is saying about Dehlia Low’s Ravens and Crows:

“The group has taken off like a skyrocket…and deservedly so: in a musical world that doesn’t always treasure creativity, Dehlia Low has staked out a good piece of ground all its own.” ~ Nashville Scene, Jon Weisberger

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“Dehlia Low’s “Ravens & Crows” is carefully crafted to lure traditional, country, bluegrass and Americana fans. They are generally appealing to all of these genres without alienating anyone, which is hard to do.” ~ Boone Mountain Times, Ashley Wilson

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“Heavenly lead & harmony vocals…superb original songs…musical prowess.” ~ Al Shusterman, Backroads Bluegrass on KCBL

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“…bittersweet vocal harmonies and spirited picking…Dehlia Low promises to bring the sounds and soul of the Blue Ridge Mountains …” ~ Art News New Orleans

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“…relying on the warm tones of acoustic guitar, mandolin, upright bass, slide guitar, and not to mention fiddle thumpin’, strummin’ and pickin’ underneath honeysuckle vocal harmonies — the Asheville, N.C., quintet seems like it has rolled straight off a mountainside and right onto a wraparound wooden porch in some summer-grass valley.” ~ Style Weekly, Mike Hilleary

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“The real highlight on Ravens and Crows is the vocal harmony. Lead singer Anya Hinkle, guitarist Stacy Claude, and bassist Greg Stiglets’ voices blend beautifully on songs like the album’s title track.“ ~ Americana Music Examiner, Chris Griffy

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“…really special. I have added them to my “must see” list permanently.” ~ The Bluegrass Blog, Diane Farineau

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In 2011, Dehlia Low will be taking their “Appalachiagrassicana” sound across the U.S. in support of the new album:

Sun, July 24th – Mast Farm Inn – Banner Elk, NC
Fri, July 29th – North Columbia Schoolhouse Cultural Center – Nevada City, CA
Sat, July 30th – Sutter Creek Theatre – Sutter Creek, CA
Sun, July 31st -Freight & Salvage – Berkeley, CA
Tues, August 2nd – House Concert – Bear Valley, CA
Wed, August 3rd -The Abbey at Hopmonk Tavern – Sebastopol, CA
Thurs, August 4th – The Red Fox Tavern – Eureka, CA
Fri, August 5th – Dead on the Creek Festival – Willits, CA
Sat, August 6th – Oaksong Music Society at Gray Pine Farm – Oak Run, CA
Sunday, August 7th – House Concert | Berkeley, CA
Sat, August 13th- Stecoah Valley Center -Robbinsville, NC
Mon, August 15-21st – Northern Lights Bluegrass Festival |- Big River, SK
Fri, August 26th – Bacchus Bistro – Marshall, NC
Sat, September 3rd – The Station Inn – Nashville, TN
Thurs, September 8th – The Evening Muse – Charlotte, NC
Sat, September 10th – Mountain Song Festival – Brevard, NC
Fri, September 23rd – Hendershots Coffee Bar – Athens, GA
Sat, September 24th – Jammin’ at Hippie Jack’s – Crawford, TN
Mon, September 26th Abbeville County Career Center – Abbeville, SC
Tues, September 27th – The Basement – Nashville, TN
Sat, October 1st – The Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center – Asheville, NC
Sat, October 8th – Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival – Silk Hope, NC
Fri, October 14th – Private Event – Seneca, SC
Sat, October 15th – Private Event – Candler, NC
Sun, October 16, 2011 – Poplar Knight Spot – Aberdeen, NC
Thurs, October 20th – Cafe Nola – Frederick, MD
Fri, October 21st – The Purple Fiddle – Thomas, WV
Sat, October 22nd – Elk Creek Café – Millheim, PA
Sun, October 23rd – Puck Live – Doylestown, PA
Sat, November 12th – The Grey Eagle – Asheville, NC
Fri, November 18th – Ashland Coffee & Tea – Ashland, VA
Sat, November 19th – Southern Cafe and Music Hall – Charlottesville, VA
Tues, December 6th – Wilbert’s | Cleveland, OH
Wed, December 7th – Circus – Ann Arbor, MI
Thurs, December 8th – Salt of the Earth – Fennville,MI
Stay tuned to DehliaLow.com for more tour dates TBA!

Dehlia low on the web:
www.dehlialow.com
twitter.com/dehlialow
www.reverbnation.com/dehlialow
www.facebook.com/pages/Dehlia-Low

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Mad Tea Party plays in “Night Terrors” Sat, April 9th at the Star Bar in Atlanta

Rock and Roll duo, The Mad Tea Party, who is described by No Depression as “punkabilly” and as “digs up the bones of classic ‘60s garage rock” in heading to Atlanta this Saturday, April 9th!  They are joining a wild line-up for “Night Terrors” that includes Pinche Gringo, The Clap,  Mermaids, and more at the Star Bar.

Sarah Morgan did a wonderful writeup for the Atlanta Jam Band Examiner; read some of it here and follow the link for the full article:

The government may be shutting down but the music continues with Mad Tea Party at Star Bar. While their name may resemble the other tea party, this Asheville duo leaves politics at the door. Jason Krekel is too busy playing drums, guitar and singing simultaneously, and Ami Worthen’s hands are better served playing electric ukulele than making picket signs.

. . .   . . .   . . .

Making the trek from North Carolina to Georgia is not something the band does often, however Krekel is hoping to play Atlanta more than their staple twice a year.

“We’re more like weekend warriors,” Krekel said discussing Mad Tea Party’s tour schedule. “We probably average two to three weekends a month and every now and then we do a weeklong tour. The game has changed a lot out there on the road for small bands. It’s just not quite as worth it to go out and beat the highway like I did when I was younger. There are a lot more bands touring and lot less people listening. The recession has hit.”

There infrequency in Atlanta makes the opportunity to see them on Saturday too much to pass up. Where else are you going to hear punk ukulele? Exactly.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE: http://www.examiner.com/jam-bands-in-atlanta/mad-tea-party-at-star-bar-saturday

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Fishin and Pickin Presents “Trout & Tunes” with Larry Keel and Natural Bridge: April 28-30th at the Elk River Inn near Snowshoe

Slatyfork, WV – Join Larry Keel & Natural Bridge and friends for Trout & Tunes: three days of instruction, small concerts, incredible food and lodging. You’ll be hanging out at the Elk River Inn, Cabins & Restaurant located in the high peaks of West Virginia at the base of Snowshoe Mountain. Guitar, mandolin, banjo and bass guitar instruction are the highlights of Trout & Tunes. Picking sessions on Thursday, Friday and Saturday will build up to a very special concert Saturday evening to cap things off with Larry Keel, Natural Bridge and friends. Elk River has plenty of things to do when not learning a new lick. Fly and spin fishing for trout, hiking and mountain bikes trails are right out the door. Or just relaxing with a cold beverage near the campfire.

Guests arrive on Thursday between 4 and 7pm for a family style dinner; to meet with Larry, the band, special guests and fellow campers; and to settle in to a cozy cabin, Inn or bunk house lodging. All meals from Thursday evening through Sunday breakfast are included in this very special weekend. Between music workshops and jams, fishin is aplenty at the local rivers such as the Williams, Elk, or one of the dozens of native brook fisheries. Guests can also learn to fly cast with Elk River’s Orvis Endorsed guides in a Saturday workshop.

“With an unofficial title of ‘Bluegrass Legend and Master Fisherman’, Larry Keel is considered one of the best flatpickers on the planet. Steeped in the old-timey and with a gravelly voice as deep and rich as moonshine on a riverbank… Larry’s flat-picking style is as seamless as it is gymnastic and he’s a master at simulating banjo rolls, mandolin runs or even parts that you would normally hear played on a fiddle.” ~ Mousike Magazine

Joining the award-winning Flatpickin legend to make up Natural Bridge and to host Trout & Tunes are the vastly talented Mark Schimick on mandolin and vocals, Larry’s life-long picker pal (and fishing phenom) Will Lee on soulful, blues-grass style 5-string banjo and penetrating lead vocals, and wife Jenny Keel with her impeccable timing and solid, yet imaginative bass lines as well as tenor vocal harmonies. Expect to see some other special guests to host music workshops and sit in on the jams!

The cost for the Trout & Tunes weekend is $495.00 plus tax in the Farmhouse (5 bedrooms share 3 baths) and $595.00 plus tax in the Private Inn (room with private bath) or groups of 3-6 person private cabins. For more information or reservation, please call 304-572-3771 or 866-572-3771. You may also email info@ertc.com and visit the lodge website: www.elkriverinnandrestaurant.com

There is also more information for the musician fisherman or the fishin music-lover at Keel and company’s website Fishin and Pickin. Also stay tuned for more information on the 4th annual Fishin and Pickin: Big Bass and Bluegrass weekend near Perry, Georgia in the fall.

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Fishin and Pickin Presents “Trout & Tunes”
A Fishing & Music Workshop weekend with Larry Keel & Natural Bridge
Thursday- Sunday, April 28th – May 1st, 2011
4-7pm Thursday check-in; 10am Sunday morning check-out
Elk River Inn
Slatyfork, WV

For more information:
info@ertc.com
304-572-3771 or 866-572-3771
www.elkriverinnandrestaurant.com
www.fishinandpickin.com
www.larrykeel.com
Also find Trout & Tunes on Facebook

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