Suwannee Springfest 2016 Initial Lineup: John Prine, The Del McCoury Band, Keller Williams Grateful Grass & more!

Announcing The 20th Annual Suwannee Springfest Initial Lineup
John Prine, The Del McCoury Band, Keller Williams Grateful Grass, The Infamous Stringdusters, Nicki Bluhm & the Gramblers, Jeff Austin Band, The Larry Keel Experience, Donna the Buffalo & More

~ March 17-20, 2016 at the Spirit of Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, FL ~

Grab your super early bird tickets now and save→  www.suwanneespringfest.com/tickets

Live Oak, FL — Suwannee Springfest celebrates 20 years of kicking off the spring festival season at the beautiful Spirit of Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, FL. It takes place March 17-20, 2016 and we are thrilled to announce that John Prine will be headlining the festival with his debut appearance at the event! A lot of return favorites from over the years will be joining in to help celebrate the anniversary including The Del McCoury Band, Keller Williams Grateful Grass, The Infamous Stringdusters, Jeff Austin Band, The Larry Keel Experience, Donna the Buffalo, and Jim Lauderdale. Nicki Bluhm & the Gramblers and Dave & Dave (of Trampled By Turtles) make their debut appearance at the fest!

Other fun acts on the bill include Cabinet, Fruition, Jon Stickley Trio, Nora Jane Struthers, Mandolin Orange, Rumpke Mountain Boys and more. Stay tuned for additional artist announcements, workshops, and other activities! See the full lineup at suwanneespringfest.com

Get your tickets for Suwannee Springfest now at the super early bird rate of $160 (GA) until midnight on Wednesday Dec 16th before they rise to the next tier of $175 through January 17th. Student / Military Ticket $175 advance through March 16th. Individual day tickets are also available. Tickets are inclusive of all taxes and fees, and include 4 days of primitive camping and music Thursday – Sunday nights. Kids under 12 are invited to join for free.

Attendees can also upgrade for a VIP Experience which includes a four-day ticket with primitive camping, dinners from Thursday – Saturday evenings, a VIP Laminate, a swag bag with the festival poster, a cap, and other goodies for $300 until 1/17 when it goes up to $350. See all rates and tiers and get tickets at www.suwanneespringfest.com/tickets.

Suwannee Springfest is a gem of a festival with beautiful early spring weather in a stunning natural setting of moss-draped oak and cypress trees where festivalgoers experience four days of superb music in the midst of a friendly, family-style environment. Keep an ear out for some campground pickin’ and bring your acoustic instruments to join in on the fun!

Located just north of Live Oak, Fla, the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park is a one-of-a-kind music park and premier campground nestled in 800 acres on the shady banks of the historic, tea-colored Suwannee River in North Florida. With multiple stages, miles of trails and over 800 acres for camping, hiking, swimming, canoe and kayak rentals on the river, horseback riding, disc golf, and a restaurant and country store; the park offers a unique experience like no other, a true playground for all that attend.

Attendees can reserve RV hook ups, cabin rentals, and golf cart rentals by calling the park. SOSMP is located between Jacksonville, Florida & Tallahassee, Florida about 30 minutes south of the Georgia State line, about 45 minutes north of Gainesville and is host to a variety of events. Please visit the park’s web site at www.musicliveshere.com or call them at 386-364-1683 for information.

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

Suwannee Springfest Initial 2016 Lineup
John Prine
The Del McCoury Band
Keller Williams Grateful Grass
Infamous Stringdusters
Nicki Bluhm & the Gramblers
Jeff Austin Band
The Larry Keel Experience
Donna the Buffalo
Dave & Dave (of Trampled By Turtles)
Jim Lauderdale
Cabinet
Fruition
Jon Stickley Trio
Nora Jane Struthers
Mandolin Orange
Rumpke Mountain Boys
The Broadcast
The Virginia Daredevils
Grits & Soul
Grandpa’s Cough Medicine
Big Cosmo
Nikki Talley
Sloppy Joe
Quartermoon
Taylor Martin’s Engine
Two Foot Level
The Steppin Stones

More tba at suwanneespringfest.com.

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Sam Lewis’ Self-Titled Americana/Country/Soul Album Releases TODAY Featuring Kenny Vaughan & Co.

Sam Lewis Debuts Self-Titled Americana/Country/Soul Album Featuring Kenny Vaughan And Co. March 13th

Listen to the First 3 Tracks Free & ORDER HERE

samlewis.bandcamp.com

The album is also available on iTunes and Amazon

Sam Lewis. Photo by Susan Urmy

Sam Lewis releases his self-titled debut March 13th. In it, he pulls together some of Nashville’s most seasoned musicians, who have helped put the breath into a body of songs that are as straight-forward and captivating as the man who sings them.

Five years of constant writing, performing and touring have become the nexus of Lewis’ self-titled debut. Along with co-producer Matt Urmy, Sam has woven ten songs into a conversation, between himself, the band, and his listeners. Urmy, himself an accomplished singer/songwriter, assembled a group made up of Nashville’s top session and touring players, including guitarist Kenny Vaughan, keyboard player Reggie Bradley Smith, Derek Mixon on drums and bass player Dave Jacques. Making a surprise appearance on the album is soul chanteuse Jonell Mosser, providing backing vocals on “I’m A River”.

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Early Praise for Sam Lewis:

“There’s so much soul pouring out of this guy’s pores you could bathe in it. It’s like hearing Al Green for the first time.” –Grant Britt, No Depression

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“With his rich soulful vocals, well-crafted songs, and passel of hot pickers, Sam Lewis’ first album is a treasure trove of roots country and blue-eyed soul. Kenny Vaughn’s electric guitar twang combines with Reggie Bradley Smith’s keyboard and accordion to form the harmonic core, while Dave Jacques bass and Derek Mixon’s drums do the rhythmic heavy lifting.” –Steven Stone, Audiophile Review

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“It shows on Lewis’ new self-titled album that he learned from the sources, rather than a copy of a copy; he’s deeply committed to both soul and country streams, and the combination fits him like a second skin.” –Jewly Hight, Nashville Scene

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“Lewis takes simplicity from Willie Nelson, poetry from Bob Dylan, soul from Ray Charles, stage presence from Leon Russell, rich delivery from Van Morrison and combines them to create one authentic, solid message.” –Sarah Garrett, Fishbowl Records

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“Sounding a bit like James Taylor, but bluesier and more country, Sam Lewis shares 10 songs on his self titled debut CD. It’s a consistently good, cleanly produced listen, often about human flaws, weaknesses, and some of the facets of love.”–Tom Geddie, Buddy Magazine

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“The complete artist is one that everyone should be reminded of from time to time – the one who writes, sings, performs and handles every aspect of the form of expression found in music. And this is where you find Sam Lewis, blending a mix of country and soul in a manner such as Van Morrison or Ray Charles. He has a story to tell that is relevant to all in the wake of his new self-titled album.” –Travis Swann, Mufreesboro Post

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“The realness … instantaneously creates a link between Lewis and other famous singer/songwriters like Amos Lee, John Prine and Henry McCullough.” –Greenberry Taylor, Fishbowl Records

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“This one stands up to repeated listening, cut after cut, time after time. It’s time to pay attention to Sam Lewis. He deserves it, and so do you.” –Grant Britt, No Depression

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Early Radio Spins:

WDVX – Knoxville, TN

WNCW – Asheville, NC

KRFC – Fort Collins, CO

WETS – Johnson City

WTJU – Charlottesville, VA

WFDU – Teaneck, NJ

WNTI – Hackettstown, NJ

Fat Music Radio – Grass Valley, CA

Wildman Steve Radio – Auburn, AL

WUSB – Stonybrook, NY

WUSC – Columbia, SC

WQFS – Greensboro, NC

WCOM – Carrborro, NC

WHEO – Floyd, VA

The Songwriter Lounge @ East Nashville Radio

Please call and request to hear more of Sam Lewis
from your favorite Americana DJ’s!

samlewistunes.com

twitter.com/samlewistunes
youtube.com/samlewistunes
facebook.com/samlewistunes
reverbnation.com/samlewistunes

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Free Download of “I’m A River” From Sam Lewis’ Debut Self-Titled Album

Release Date Tuesday, March 13th!  

The album is NOW available on iTunes, Amazon and Bandcamp

samlewistunes.com

“I’m a River has vocal echoes of a country cousin version of John Prine, backed by ethereal background vocals courtesy of Jonell Mosser” –Grant Britt, No Depression

When asked what inspired this song, Sam says, “Temptation. I was feeling a bit broke down when I wrote this. Sometimes I wish I could give more and take less. This song is a combination of admittance -that I can sometimes ‘bite off more than I can chew’, an acceptance- that ‘yes, I am aware of this’ and simply a warning.”

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“The album is no doubt a presentation of the artist, but the subject matter weaves a patchwork and tells a story that is relevant to all and the human condition.” –Travis Swann, Mufreesboro Post

“The incredible storytelling … really blossoms into something personal and soulful in I’m a River… shows the depth Lewis went into in creating these 10-songs, never skimping on details, but at the same time never overwhelming listeners with too much, creating an emotional imagery that isn’t too common today. The realness packed into this track, along with the others, instantaneously creates a link between Lewis and other famous singer/songwriters like Amos Lee, John Prine and Henry McCullough.” —Fishbowl Records, Greenberry Taylor

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Lyrics:  I’m A River

There’s a valley not far from here, beyond the dam where all the water runs real clear you’ll find everything you’ve been looking for, there was a time when I could offer you much more, would you believe it if ever you were told once I was worth more than my weight in gold, where dreams and promises once flowed with such grace, have all been washed up and dried on these banks

you’d run into me and I’d save your life, I’d have you singing I saw the light, but I’m a river full of heart ache that you’ll never swim, take one step closer and I’ll pull you in I’ve seen trouble and I’ve seen pain, I got beat by the sun and I have drowned in the rain and I’ve found it hard to look straight ahead, all I’ve wanted lies on this riverbed, it’s the gospel I heard a man say, you can’t get back what you don’t give away, with every seed I’ve sewn and love I’ve made stay lord knows that I’m ready for the levy to give way

PRE-ORDER  & Listen to the First 3 Tracks:

samlewis.bandcamp.com

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Sam Lewis Debuts Self-Titled Americana/Country/Soul Album Featuring Kenny Vaughan & Co. March 13th

Sam Lewis Debuts Self-Titled Americana/Country/Soul Album Featuring Kenny Vaughan and Co. March 13th

Sam Lewis is connecting the dots. Whether crossing genres or state lines, he has pieced together a story people need to hear. His self-titled debut, which releases March 13th, pulls together some of Nashville’s most seasoned musicians, who have helped put the breath into a body of songs that are as straight-forward and captivating as the man who sings them.

Five years of constant writing, performing and touring have become the nexus of Lewis’ self-titled debut. Along with co-producer Matt Urmy, Sam has woven ten songs into a conversation, between himself, the band, and his listeners. Urmy, himself an accomplished singer/songwriter, assembled a group made up of Nashville’s top session and touring players, including guitarist Kenny Vaughan, keyboard player Reggie Bradley Smith, Derek Mixon on drums and bass player Dave Jacques. “It was amazing”, says Lewis, “because I had never played these songs with anybody before, and especially with those type of guys: professional, but also really seasoned musicianship.” Making a surprise appearance on the album is soul chanteuse Jonell Mosser, providing backing vocals on “I’m A River”.

Kicking off with the thick groove of “The Cross I Wear”, every track strikes a balance between light and dark, from the push/pull of Smith and Vaughan, to the way Lewis’ voice melts over the top of the band. “I just fell in love with his music; his delivery and his whole thing,” says Vaughan. “I thought, ‘Man, this guy has really got it going on’, which is very unusual for hardened, grim professionals like us to be impressed by somebody like that. It’s one-in-a-million. It hardly ever happens.”

The combination of Mosser’s and Lewis’ vocals bring “I’m a River” to an almost spiritual level. Every word on the album is a product of Lewis’ careful attention to detail, whether it be the fictional “Bluesday Night” or the autobiographical “Southern Greek Tragedy”. According to Steve Wildsmith, of The Daily Times, Lewis’ writing “conveys the weight of a heavy heart with well-turned phrases and searing images usually reserved for such luminaries as John Prine” that “sets him down a path well worn by contemporaries like Guy Clark and John Hiatt.” He is able to tell the story with only the necessary lyrics, leaving the rest to nuance, and the listeners own discretion.

Recording began in March of 2010, at Eric Fritsch’s Eastwood Studio, in Nashville, TN, with a final day of tracking scheduled for January of 2011. Once complete, it was put into the hands of two-time Grammy nominee engineer Brandon Bell, who mixed everything together. Following a December 2011 appearance on Nashville’s Music City Roots, Craig Havighurst noted, “Beyond the honeyed voice and sparking band (guitar hero Kenny Vaughan included), Sam stood out for his songs, which had that been-here-forever quality. It’s no wonder this guy’s generating buzz… He sings a little like Van Morrison, making it Americana with a groovy twist. Welcome to Nashville. More of this please.”

Music was one of the few constants in Sam’s life. His family never stayed anywhere for long, which meant that friendships were forged between himself and the music he absorbed, from Roy Orbison to Van Morrison to Willie Nelson. The influence of Ray Charles can be felt from the first note to the last beat, making Sam’s debut a complimentary companion to Charles’ own,  two-volume Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music. Leaving home as soon as the opportunity arrived, Sam landed in Knoxville, and later Nashville.

Sam has spent hours, in fact years, collecting and arranging the relationships and experiences he has forged. To the average person, they seem like an amalgamation of time and happenstance, but to him, they are the moral of the story. “I never once felt, in this whole process that someone just kind of pointed. No one took me by the hand, but almost every single one of these connections were very personal. I was introduced to these people that helped make this record. These are gonna be people that I’m going to know the rest of my life.” Lewis has drawn us a clear picture of where he’s going, and thankfully, he has invited us along for the ride. ~ Bio written by Samantha Harlow.

 

Upcoming Shows:

2/6 CD Release Show ~ Nashville, TN ~ The Basement

with RB Morris, Kenny Vaughan Trio and Matt Urmy

2/10 CD Release Show ~ Knoxville, TN ~ Barleys Taproom

with RB Morris and Kenny Vaughan Trio

5/24-25 Crawford, TN  ~ Jammin’ at Hippie Jacks

5/18  Johnson City, TN ~ Studio One ~ Johnson City Radio ~

9/14-15 Bristol, TN  ~ Bristol Rhythm and Roots Festival

More dates tba

Video EPK of Album

samlewistunes.com

youtube.com/samlewistunes

facebook.com/samlewistunes

reverbnation.com/samlewistunes

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