Anastasia Music Festival Features Del McCoury, David Grisman, Sam Bush, Elephant Revival & More 3/16-18

Anastasia Music Festival is a Three-Day Celebration of Bluegrass Music
At The St. Augustine Amphitheatre Thursday, March 16-Saturday, March 18, 2017

St. Augustine, Fla. — In an epic three-day celebration of traditional and modern bluegrass music, the Anastasia Music Festival will feature over 20 of the brightest bluegrass stars performing live at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre Thursday, March 16 through Saturday, March 18. Bands performing include The Del McCoury Band (two sets), David Grisman’s Bluegrass Experience, Sam Bush, Elephant Revival, Fruition (three sets), Cabinet (two sets), Jeff Austin Band, The Travelin’ McCourys (two sets), Mandolin Orange (two sets), Sierra Hull, The Broomestix, Dustbowl Revival (two sets), Joe Pug, Jon Stickley Trio (two sets), and more! See the daily lineup below and stay tuned for more news about after-parties each night after the music ends at several local venues all three nights.

It’s also quite special to note that three generations of McCourys are represented at Anastasia. The Broomestix, a nine-piece R&B/Soul/Funk/Pop group out of the Nashville area, features Del McCoury’s grandson, Evan McCoury, on guitar, very exciting!

“Bluegrass music has such a rich history and to host a three-day festival celebrating the genre at the Amphitheatre is truly special,” says Ryan Murphy, Director of the St. Johns County Cultural Events Division which owns and operates the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. “We hope that music fans of all ages and families from all over will come out and enjoy traditional and modern bluegrass among the natural park setting of the St. Augustine Amphitheatre.”

This family-friendly event also features a Kid’s Tent on Friday and Saturday featuring fun activities for children and Brenda Star Walker will host daily yoga on Friday and Saturday. Children 10 and under are free with paid adult admission. Information on camping packages and other accommodations are available online at www.anastasiamusicfestival.com.

The Daily Lineup:

Performing on Thursday, March 16 will be Fruition, The Broomestix, Grits & Soul, Nikki Talley, Taylor Martin, and more to be announced. Gates are at 3pm with music starting at 4pm and music ends on Thursday at 10pm.

Friday, March 17 will feature performances by The Del McCoury Band, David Grisman’s Bluegrass Experience, The Travelin’ McCourys, Elephant Revival, Fruition, Cabinet, The Broomestix, Dustbowl Revival, Mandolin Orange, Jon Stickley Trio, Joe Pugg, Grits & Soul, Nikki Talley, Taylor Martin, Flagship Romance, I Like Dandelionsn and Paper Bird. Gates are at 11am with music starting at 12pm and ending at Friday at 10:30pm.

Saturday, March 18 performances include sets by Grateful Ball with The Travelin’ McCourys and Jeff Austin, Sam Bush, The Del McCoury Band, Cabinet, Fruition, The Jeff Austin Band, Sierra Hull, Mandolin Orange, Jon Stickley Trio, Dustbowl Revival, Joe Pugg, Taylor Martin, Nikki Talley, West King Band, Alastair – Byrd Revue, Robbie Dammit & The Broken Stringsn and Remedy Tree. Gates are at 11am with music starting at 12pm and ending at 10:30pm.

Stay tuned for more about each night’s after-parties for a list of venues and bands.

More information on all the performers can be found online at www.anastasiamusicfestival.com  in addition to camping and hotel accommodations, as well as volunteer and vending information. VIP, Three-day, and Single day tickets for the Anastasia Music Festival are on sale now at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre and Ponte Vedra Concert Hall Box Offices, online at ticketmaster.com, all authorized TicketMaster outlets, or by phone at 800-745-3000.

Anastasia Music Festival Full Lineup- 2017
The Del McCoury Band x2
David Grisman’s Bluegrass Experience
Sam Bush
Elephant Revival
Fruition x3
Cabinet x2
Jeff Austin Band
The Travelin’ McCourys x2
Mandolin Orange x2
Sierra Hull
The Broomestix x2
Dustbowl Revival x2
Joe Pug
Jon Stickley Trio x2
Grits & Soul x2
Nikki Talley x2
Taylor Martin x2
The Applebutter Express
Paper Bird
Flagship Romance
Town Meeting
West-King String Band
Alastair-Byrd Revue
Remedy Tree
I Like Dandelions
Robbie Dammit & The Broken Strings
Steve Pruett

For more information and to stay up to date on news, please visit www.anastasiamusicfestival.com, www.facebook.com/AnastasiaMusicFestival, www.twitter.com/AnastasiaFest17, www.instagram.com/anastasiafest17, and www.staugamphitheatre.com.

 

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Suwannee Springfest Adds Brandi Carlile, Railroad Earth, Horseshoes & Hand Grenades

Suwannee Springfest Celebrates 20th Anniversary
March 17-20, 2016 at the Spirit of Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, FL

Suwannee Springfest celebrates twenty years of kicking off the spring festival season at the beautiful Spirit of Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, FL on March 17-20, 2016. The festival is excited to announce a handful of additions to this year’s 20th anniversary including Brandi Carlile, Railroad Earth, Horseshoes & Hand Grenades, Habanero Honeys, The Applebutter Express, Steve Pruett, and Canary in the Coalmine.

The already stellar line-up includes legendary headliner John Prine as well as lot of return favorites from over the years 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 below and at suwanneespringfest.com.

Suwannee Springfest brings some of the best in bluegrass, americana, and roots music to multiple stages in the midst of a friendly, family-style environment and encourages attendee to bring their acoustic instruments to join in on the fun with some campground pickin’. Festivalgoers experience four days of camping in a stunning natural setting of moss-draped oak and cypress trees nestled in 800 acres on the shady banks of the historic, tea-colored Suwannee River. There are miles of trails for hiking, a plethora of prime camping spots, canoe and kayak rentals on the river, horseback riding, disc golf, as well as a restaurant and country store. The Spirit of Suwannee Music Park offers a unique experience like no other, a true playground for all that attend.

Get your tickets for Suwannee Springfest now for $175 (GA) until midnight on Sunday, January 17th when they raise to the next tier. Student / Military Ticket $175 advance through March 16th. Weekend tickets will be available at the gate for $210. 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.

Attendees can reserve RV hook ups, cabin rentals, and golf cart rentals by calling the park. SOSMP is located just north of Live Oak, Florida between Jacksonville and Tallahassee,  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.

Suwannee Springfest 2016 Lineup
John Prine
Brandi Carlile
Railroad Earth
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
Horseshoes & Hand Grenades
Nora Jane Struthers
Mandolin Orange
Rumpke Mountain Boys
The Broadcast
The Virginia Daredevils
The Applebutter Express
Grits & Soul
Grandpa’s Cough Medicine
Big Cosmo
Habanero Honeys
Nikki Talley
Sloppy Joe
Quartermoon
Steve Pruett
Canary in the Coalmine
Taylor Martin’s Engine
Two Foot Level
The Steppin Stones

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

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Town Mountain’s Holiday Bluegrass Benefit for MANNA FoodBank at Isis on Sat 12/20 w/ Mandolin Orange

Town Mountain, New Belgium Brewing Co. and The Isis Present:
The 3rd Annual Bluegrass Holiday Benefit
w/ Special Guests Mandolin Orange on Sat, Dec 20th at Isis Music Hall

Benefit for MANNA FoodBank & Funding America Through Entertainment (FATE)
New Belgium Serves Up Several Special Beers With A Portion of Sales Being Donated
—A Percentage of All Ticket Sales Will Be Donated—

$20; 5PM door (dining seating available) / 9pm show; Raffle
General Admission with Some Balcony Seating
828-575-2737
743 Haywood Road Asheville, NC 28806
www.IsisAsheville.com

On Saturday, December 20th, 2014 Town Mountain and Mandolin Orange will play a benefit for two local hunger relief organizations, Funding America Through Entertainment (FATE) and MANNA FoodBank at Isis Restaurant and Music Hall in Asheville, NC. New Belgium Brewing Company is sponsoring the event and will donate proceeds from their beer sales in addition to a monetary bonus. Town Mountain has dedicated a portion of ticket sales for the cause as well as arranged for a 50/50 raffle the evening of the show. This is the 3rd time that FATE and Town Mountain have teamed up to fight hunger, having donated more than $3000 towards the cause and Town Mountain will continue to develop the Holiday Bluegrass Benefit as an annual tradition.

Town Mountain. Photo by Jason Beverly.

Asheville-based Town Mountain’s hard drivin’ bluegrass sound, tight harmonies, and stellar in-house songwriting have become the band’s trademark as they have grown into a national touring act performing at at some of the most prestigious festivals in the country such as MerleFest, Grey Fox, Rockygrass, Suwannee Springfest and the Targhee Bluegrass Festival, just to mention a few. They light up the stage with their honky tonk edge and barroom swagger, featuring a Jimmy Martin-style bounce and confidence that is countered at times by a laid-back John Hartford-esque groove. Town Mountain includes Robert Greer on vocals and guitar, Jesse Langlais on banjo and vocals, Bobby Britt on fiddle, Phil Barker on mandolin and vocals, and Nick DiSebastian on bass.

The band is thrilled to be hosting this year’s Bluegrass Holiday Benefit with longtime friends Mandolin Orange at Isis Music Hall, the location where Town Mountain’s new album, Live At The Isis, was recorded.

Mandolin Orange, hailing from Carrboro, NC, is Andrew Marlin and Emily Frantz. “Mandolin Orange carries an understanding of tradition and shape it into a thing of beauty. They craft simple songs that go beyond chord progressions and vocal harmonies, leading somehow toward something pure. Using acoustic and electric guitars, mandolin and a hand-me-down fiddle, Andrew Marlin and Emily Frantz allure with a heart-worn sensibility…[which] combines bluegrass, rock and country for lullabies that swoon,” writes  Independent Weekly. They released their 3rd album, This Side of Jordan last summer through Yep Roc Records and have made quite a bit of noise on the folk/Americana circuit, while displaying a virtuosity and exuberance that crosses over to more indie-rock inclined audiences.

For more information about Town Mountain visit www.TownMountain.net and for more about Mandolin Orange  visit www.MandolinOrange.com.

MANNA FoodBank is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization serving Western North Carolina since 1983. As an accredited member of Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger relief organization, the mission of MANNA FoodBank is to involve, educate, and unite people in the work of ending hunger in Western North Carolina. MANNA serves 221 non-profit member agencies in 16 Western North Carolina. For more information, visit MANNAFoodbank.org or call 828-299-FOOD.

FATE specializes in facilitating relationships among corporate entities, Feeding America food banks, and entertainers. FATE brings attention to various hunger-related issues and generates revenues to combat hunger. In 2013, FATE generated revenues in excess of $20,000 for hunger relief organizations. More than $10,000 was generated for Asheville’s MANNA FoodBank!! For more info visit www.SupportFate.org

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Chapel Hill Folk Band, Mandolin Orange, Plays the Emerald Lounge on Saturday, April 30th

Mandolin Orange
w/ Maggie & Her Mistakes
Saturday, April 30, 2011
The Emerald Lounge

$5, doors 9pm, show 10pm
(828) 232-4372
112 North Lexington Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801
emeraldlounge.com

***

Mandolin Orange is a Chapel Hill, NC-based duo led by songwriter Andrew Marlin and instrumentalist Emily Frantz, who ornament lyric- and harmony-focused tunes with acoustic and electric guitars, fiddle and mandolin. The duo’s understated instrumentation draws on bluegrass and rock-and-roll alike, keeping Marlin’s dark lyrical themes at the forefront of their folk-country sound. Together they deliver a sound that’s uniquely their own yet satisfyingly familiar, and were recently recognized by Rosanne Cash to be “very exciting young people making great music”. Since releasing their debut full length ‘Quiet Little Room’ in May 2010, the duo has shared bills with Chatham County Line, the Steep Canyon Rangers and Abigail Washburn, and has performed at notable festivals such as Shakori Hills Grassroots, Beaufort Music Festival, and Albino Skunk Festival (SC).

Mandolin Orange is currently touring throughout the southeast in advance of their second full-length release, and working on its finishing touches in the meantime. On some tour dates the duo is joined by their recently added rhythm section, made up of Jeff Crawford on bass (formerly of Roman Candle, SpencerAcuff) and James Wallace on drums and organ (formerly of Max Indian, The Old Ceremony). The majority of the forthcoming album was recorded in a cabin in Franklin, NC with Jeff and James in December 2010, while the rest was completed at Crawford’s Arbor Ridge Studios in Chapel Hill. The album is not yet named, and is set to release in early fall of 2011.

The duo’s first album ‘Quiet Little Room’ released in May 2010 and was self-produced, recorded and engineered by Marlin and Frantz at Rubber Room Studios in Chapel Hill. The intimate and sparse style of the tracks met critical acclaim in several reviews. Independent Weekly’s Rick Cornell states that “all across the record is the sound of voices and instruments in the dark, finding light.” In a review for swampland.com, James Clementine confidently likens the album’s harmonies to those of Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris. Muzzle of Bees noted that their “focus moves from the instrumentation to the melody and ethos of songs … a little bit grassy, a little bit country-folk, a little bit something else.” Both North Carolina natives, Marlin’s rural upbringing and Frantz’s roots in bluegrass fiddle and harmony serve as the basis for the duo’s more explorative style. Quiet Little Room reflects the influence of traditional music on their original material, which edges into southern gothic with poignant, sometimes foreboding lyrics centered on themes of the natural world.

Mandolin Orange’s current work retains the intimacy, open space and focus established in their first album, but explores new musical territories through both Marlin’s songwriting and the addition of a full rhythm section. The band’s evolving sound reflects the eclectic musical environment of Chapel Hill, and their engaging performances are packing houses throughout North Carolina and beyond. With festivals booked for summer and Fall 2011 and an appetite for expansive touring, the second album release is sure to take this lyrical Americana act into new territory.

Find out more at mandolinorange.com, facebook.com/mandolinorange and twitter.com/mandolinorange

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Have you Herd? Donna the Buffalo Rings in 2011 with the Countdown to Midnight at First Night Raleigh!

Have you Herd? Countdown to Midnight with Donna The Buffalo 2010-2011

First Night Raleigh

Friday, December 31st, 2010

set time: 10:30 – Midnight

Main Stage – Site 26

The $9 First Night Raleigh Admission Button grants you access to every venue and every activity.

All Ages

City Plaza – Downtown

Raleigh, NC

http://www.firstnightraleigh.com

The countdown is underway to First Night Raleigh 2011 — marking 20 YEARS as central North Carolina’s best and biggest New Year’s Eve celebration. Festivities will begin at 2:00 on December 31, 2010 with the Children’s Celebration, followed by the People’s Procession down Fayetteville Street, an Early Countdown at 7:00 and Evening Performances of music, dance, comedy, interactive activities and more in two dozen venues throughout downtown Raleigh.

Donna the Buffalo is happy to be ringing in the New Year with the countdown to midnight at First Night Raleigh this year! The day’s events look to be fantastic and others on the lineup include Tropic Culture, Danny Paisley & The Southern Grass, Comedy Worx, Holy Ghost Tent Revival, Chuck Davis and the African American Dance Ensemble, Mandolin Orange, Lenny Marcus Trio, Transactors Improv Company, the First Night Light Circus and many more!

Fireworks at Midnight and appearance by Ira David Wood III, actor and Executive Director of Raleigh’s Theatre in the Park, sponsored by goLiveWorkPlay.com

For complete festival details, performer schedules and admission buttons go to firstnightraleigh.com. Ring in 2011 with 40,000 of your closest friends at FIRST NIGHT RALEIGH!

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Dehlia Low & Mandolin Orange Perform at the Pisgah Brewing on Sat, October 23rd

Emerging out of Asheville, North Carolina’s roots renaissance, Dehlia Low echoes the sounds of early country with a strong bluegrass flavor, crafting a fresh originality that feels like home.

Since the release of their second studio album “Tellico” in 2009, Dehlia Low has traveled across the U.S. in support of the album, including appearances at Merlefest, Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival, Appalachian Uprising, Pickathon, Jammin’ at Hippie Jack’s, Durango Meltdown and Bristol Rhythm & Roots. Dehlia Low’s most recent release “Dehlia Low – Live” showcases the group’s exceptional songwriting talent and outstanding vocal and instrumental performances recorded during the 2010 season at notable venues in the southeast including the Grey Eagle, Down Home and Mockingbird.

Dehlia Low’s had great success with their first two albums; both being listed within the top 20 of 100 releases in 2008 and 2009 on WNCW. They are also featured on a Live MerleFest compilation for 2010 for the Bluegrass Trust Fund.

Mandolin Orange is a Carrboro, NC-based band with songwriting and vocal harmonies at the core, led by Andrew Marlin and Emily Frantz. The duo ornaments lyrical tunes both tender and tough with acoustic & electric guitars, fiddle, and mandolin. As a band, they are joined by Jeff Crawford and James Wallace on bass and drums.  The duo’s debut album “Quiet Little Room” released May 1 to critical acclaim, and reflects the influence of traditional music on the duo’s contemporary folk style.

Show details:
Dehlia Low & Mandolin Orange
Pisgah Brewing
Saturday, October 23, 2010

doors 7:30; $8
828-669-0190
150 Eastside Drive
Black Mountain, NC 28711
www.pisgahbrewing.com

Advance copies of Dehlia Low- Live will be available at the show.

Stay tuned for more on the official album release party and tour…

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A Few Great Videos from Fall Shakori Hills 2010

Here’s a few more highlights from Shakori Hills Festival this past weekend!

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Snapshots from the Green Room Lounge at Shakori Hills Festival

I had such an amazing time this weekend at Shakori Hills in Silk Hope, NC hanging with friends, seeing some fantastic music, eating great food and generally lovin’ life! I got to see some of Donna the Buffalo, Preston Frank Zydeco, Snake Oil Medicine Show, Woody Pines, The Double E’s, Amelia’s Mechanics, Hee Haw Nightmare, Greg Humphreys, Big Fat Gap, Mandolin Orange and lots more!

I also spent a lot of time with my friends in the new “Green Room Lounge”‘ that they set up at the festival to take some film of musician interviews and sessions. They are going to launch their new website, Fingerlakes Unplugged and post some of the footage in a month or so, so stay tuned to http://fingerlakesunplugged.com. Posted below are some of the snapshots I took while in the Lounge.

Greg Humphreys in the Green Room Lounge

The Hee Haw Nightmare Band

The Smart Brothers

Tara Nevins, Ed Poullard, and Preston Frank discussing Creole, Cajun, and Zydeco

Woody Pines

Luigi at work...

Check out Caroline Pond’s Blog from the fest as well. It’s got a great video of Snake Oil Medicine Show: http://carolinepond.wordpress.com/2010/10/12/dance-tent-joy/

And click here for great footage from Shakori Hills Festival uploaded by people on YouTube.

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Chapel Hill Folk Band Pairs Up With Atlanta Singer-Songwriter At Mo Daddy’s on 9/2

Mandolin Orange, the Chapel Hill-based duo fronted by songwriter Andrew Marlin and vocalist/instrumentalist Emily Frantz, returns to Asheville for a show at Mo Daddy’s Bar following a summer CD release tour.  The duo pairs musical roles to stylize songs inspired by their country, jazz and bluegrass forebears, ornamenting lyrical songs with violin, mandolin, and acoustic and electric guitars. As a band, they are joined by Jeff Crawford on bass and James Wallace on drums.

The band will play a co-bill with Heather Lutrell, crtically acclaimed Atlanta-based singer/songwriter, at 10pm on Thursday, September 2nd at MoDaddy’s in downtown Asheville.  Tickets $5.

Mandolin Orange’s debut album Quiet Little Room released May 1 to critical acclaim and the duo toured throughout the southeast in support of the release.  The slow country duets that make up the album reflect the influence of traditional music on the duo’s contemporary style & songwriting. Mandolin Orange is currently exploring their second album with Jeff Crawford at Arbor Ridge Studios in Chapel Hill.

“Quiet Little Room” can be downloaded on iTunes, hard copies are available through cdbaby.com and local, independent record stores.

You can find Mandolin Orange on myspace and on Facebook.

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