Vertigo Jazz Project and One Leg Up Masquerade New Years Eve Party at MoDaddy’s

Vertigo Jazz Project & One Leg Up

MoDaddys
Saturday, New Year’s Eve 12/31

Complementary Champagne Toast and Balloon Drop at Midnight!

Masquerade and Photo Booth!

$15 / $10 before 10pm (So get there early and save $5)
Open for dinner all night, NYE event starts at 9pm

Music begins at 10pm sharp with One Leg Up.

(828) 258-1550
77 Biltmore Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801
www.modaddysbar.com

Vertigo Jazz Project:

Throw out your expectations of what “jazz music” is or might be. Jazz is a giant tree with thick roots, a twisted trunk and continuously expanding branches. Just pull up the wikipedia page and you’ll find countless sub-genres and off-shoots. Over the past century jazz musicians have always pulled inspiration from many sources, be it Latin, funk, or even pop music.

Asheville, North Carolina’s Vertigo Jazz Project is doing just that. It being the 21st Century, we are bombarded by music from all sides,and thus influenced by it whether we like it or not. VJP decided to embrace that influence and is creating original jazz music for modern audiences. And, yes, taking jazz back to its foundation- the dance floor. This is music to move to. Throw out your inhibitions and come have fun watching some musicians play the %#$! out of their instruments. But, if that’s not your thing that’s okay, you’ll enjoy listening as well.

Speaking of musicians and their instruments, VJP is a power trio (i.e. guitar, bass and drum set). And speaking of influences, guitarist and son of a preacher man Preston Cate learned music in church at an early age, bringing some blue-eyed soul and gymnastic improv skills to the group. Meanwhile, Ryan Reardon on electric bass has been all over the map, from symphony orchestras to studying in West Africa. Rounding out the trio is Sean Mason on drum set, learning vicariously through his father, former member of The Fugs, play in all sorts of musical settings.

VJP is currently in the studio working on their third album, entitled “This is Rock?”, set for release in spring 2012. They tour throughout the southeast and enjoy frequent well-known guest soloists. Here’s a link to a great video of the band live: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zCqohNhaa0.

To quote the great Thelonious Monk- “Where’s jazz going? I don’t know? Maybe it’s going to hell. You can’t make anything go anywhere. It just happens.” www.vertigojazzproject.com

One Leg Up:
Based in Asheville, North Carolina, One Leg Up performs a vibrant mixture of upbeat Gypsy Jazz, Latin, Swing and original jazz compositions and is a favorite of club, concert, and festival stages throughout the southeastern United States. One Leg Up is John Stineman (guitar, vocals), Jim Tanner (Guitar), Zack Page (bass), Mike Guzalak (Clarinet, Sax) and Steve Trismen (violin, vocals). They formed in 2003 as a “String Swing” band in the style of famed French gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt.

Propelled by their excellent self-produced debut recording “Gypsy Blue”, they soon won critical acclaim for their “hot club” prowess and were tapped to back up award-winning Spanish guitarist Pere Soto on some of his 2005 U.S. tour dates. Also in 2005, One Leg Up performed at a concert and book show with Michael Dregni, author of Django: The Life and Music of a Gypsy Legend. Over the years, One Leg Up has broadened its repertoire to include fresh arrangements of Django classics, vocal harmonies, original compositions, and innovative adaptations of classic jazz numbers in the French “hot club” and American “big band” styles. Now more than just a Django band, their latest recording “Pere La Chaise” is a music mix that is danceable and accessible. One Leg Up continues to attract a growing, varied, and enthusiastic fan base with music that always swings.  www.onelegupjazz.com

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Lazybirds Perform their Ragtime Style of American Roots Music at MoDaddys on Friday, September 23, 2011

Lazybirds. Photo by Jen Fox

Lazybirds is a classic American roots band from the mountains of North Carolina. Specializing in good time music that is just about impossible not to move to, there is also a depth to the band that faithful fans have treasured over the years. According to the legendary Doc Watson, “Lazybirds play a good variety of blues, jazz, and that good old ragtime sound, and you will hear the flavor of that in anything they play.” The ‘Birds cover a lot of musical ground, from early American stringband music to Dylan classics, as well as classic sounding originals, but deep roots are what hold all of these sounds together.

The Lazybirds most recent CD release (2010), “Broken Wing,” pays homage to founding member Andy Christopher, who played tenor banjo and tenor guitar, and sang with the band until being stricken suddenly with a mysterious heart condition. The title track, a Lazybirds original, describes how the band misses their soul brother; “It seems wrong you’re not here on my right,” “There’s a hole where there should be your banjo.” Andy was with the band for part of the recording before he took sick, and you can hear his distinctive banjo picking particularly on “Life,” a Lazybirds rendition of the Sly and the Family Stone classic that will surprise most listeners other than long time fans, who expect the occasional knuckle-ball from this band. In essence the CD is life-affirming, moving through the blues, swing and deep country with humor and heart. “Broken Wing” has received sparkling reviews across the American southeast and in Europe.

Lately the band has been incorporating more original music into the mix. Some of these will certainly find their way onto the next Lazybirds recording, but you’ll have to check the credits to know which songs are Lazybirds originals and which are old classics, as the band has been steeping in the American roots melting pot for so long that it flavors anything they do. The band began nearly twenty years ago, when Jay Brown and James T Browne, who had played acoustic blues and folk together in high-school, moved up to Boone NC where they immediately met Mitch Johnston. Eventually Mitch became the hard driving bass man who perfectly complimented James’ jazz drumming and Jay’s finger style blues-swing guitar and jazzy harmonica. Shortly afterward they met Andy, who’s rhythmic style opened up more doors for the band. A few years later they were joined by German born fiddler and blues guitarist Alfred Michels who, evidence clearly suggests, is from 100 years ago.

Together they have played top festivals across the southeast, including Merlefest, Bristol Rhythm and Roots, LEAF, Birmingham City Stages, Music on the Mountaintop, and Bele Chere. They have shared the stage with their friends The Old Crow Medicine Show and Doc Watson. They’ve been a longstanding favorite in some of the best bars from Birmingham to Boone. Lazybirds is an American classic worth getting to know.

Show Details at a Glance:

LazyBirds
MoDaddys
Friday, September 23, 2011

9:30, $5
(828) 258-1550
77 Biltmore Ave.
Asheville, NC 28801
http://www.modaddysbar.com

www.lazybirds.net

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Asheville Jazz Band Spork! Releases Debut CD at MoDaddy’s on Thursday May 26th

Featuring Justin Ray on trumpet, Steve Alford on clarinets, Jacob Rodriguez on saxophones, Mike Holstein on bass, Ben Bjorlie on drums

Spork! is a 5-piece jazz ensemble from Asheville, NC that combines unique instrumentation, high-energy musicianship and widely varying influences to create a totally new sound. A sound deeply rooted in the jazz tradition, but coupled with the raw power of rock or the sly grooves of hip hop. Trumpeter Justin Ray, clarinetist Steve Alford, and saxophonist Jacob Rodriguez make up the front line; playing horn lines with Tower of Power-like precision before taking off on solo flights that bring memories of Miles and Coltrane. Bassist Mike Holstein is a wizard, filling the space with bass lines, but also somehow conjuring guitar riffs and piano chords from his instrument all at the same time. Drummer Ben Bjorlie is the glue, providing exactly what is needed at any given moment, from frenzied solos to deep pocket grooves. These musicians come together to create the Spork! experience.

Spork! was born when Ray and Rodriguez moved to Asheville from New York City. They were quickly accepted into Ashevilleʼs thriving indie rock/original music scene, and Ray soon began to look for the musicians he needed to perform his own compositions. Enter Alford, who had recently arrived in North Carolina from Chicago and itʼs one-of-a-kind avant-garde jazz community; North Carolina native Holstein, a giant among the jazz musicians of the southeast; and Bjorlie, a drummer equally comfortable in jazz, rock, funk, and the host of other influences that compromise the Spork! sound.

Since its inception, Spork! has been a favorite among musicians of all types. Their first gigs at clubs around Asheville were populated almost exclusively by members of the music community. Their audiences have continued to grow, mostly through word of mouth. They hope to reach even more fans through the upcoming release of their self-titled 2 disc live recording on May 26th, 2011. The recording captures performances at two different Asheville clubs (The Rocket Club and The Magnetic Field) with the group at its funky and frenetic best.

Spork! will continue to record and perform after the release of its debut double volume CD recorded live in Asheville. Collaborations with other artists and groups are currently taking shape, including performances with a string quartet and a DJ in the continuing attempt to bring more influences under the Spork! umbrella.

Find out more about Spork! and see some great videos at http://www.facebook.com/Sporkband.

Spork!
CD release Party
Thursday, May 26th, 2011
MoDaddy’s Bar

9pm, $5
828-258-1550
77-B Biltmore Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801
www.modaddysbar.com

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Not quite traditional, not quite modern. The Herman Clan plays MoDaddy’s in Asheville 12/2!

SHOW CANCELLATION: Vince Herman’s mother and father are both gravely ill and he will be unable to perform. Please keep Vince, Colin, Silas and their family in your prayers this holiday season. Bobby Miller and the Virginia DareDevils will be performing in their honor for the MoDaddy’s show this Thursday Dec. 2nd in Asheville.

The Herman Clan is proud to announce their debut East Coast Tour! Hailing from the music infused—and snow clad—mountains of Colorado, they bring with them a flavor of life and Bluegrass in Nederland, CO. The Herman Clan is a family band led by the one and only Vince Herman of Leftover Salmon & Great American Taxi.

Teaming up with his sons Silas and Colin on guitar and upright bass, respectively, The Herman Clan delivers their own unique and tightly knit interpretation of traditional bluegrass, Americana and beyond. Joining the Herman Clan for this run are:  on Banjo  Jason Flournoy, on B3 Hammond ~ Dave McCracken (Donna the Buffalo), on Mandolin ~ Bobby Miller (Virginia DareDevils), and on Fiddle ~ Zebulon Bowles (Emmit Nershi Band)!

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The Herman Clan play Asheville & Greensboro ~ Featuring Vince Herman of Leftover Salmon & Great American Taxi!

SHOW CANCELLATION: Vince Herman’s mother and father are both gravely ill and he will be unable to perform. Please keep Vince, Colin, Silas and their family in your prayers this holiday season. Bobby Miller and the Virginia DareDevils will be performing in their honor for the MoDaddy’s show this Thursday Dec. 2nd in Asheville.

What’s the ideal way to survive those rugged snowy Colorado high mountain winters? If your last name is Herman, then the answer is you PLAY!

The Herman Clan is proud to announce their debut East Coast Tour! Hailing from the music infused—and snow clad—mountains of Colorado, they bring with them a flavor of life and Bluegrass in Nederland, CO. Not quite traditional, not quite modern, the trio recently opened for Tony Trischka at the historic Stage Stop Tavern.

The Herman Clan is a family band led by the one and only Vince Herman of Leftover Salmon & Great American Taxi. Vince sings and plays the mandolin and guitar, always doing what comes naturally to him: delivering unforgettable performances filled with witty humor, smooth guitar licks, and amazing improvised lyrics while pairing this all with amazingly strong song-writing and appreciation for traditional American music.

Teaming up with his sons Silas and Colin on guitar and upright bass, respectively, The Herman Clan delivers their own unique and tightly knit interpretation of traditional bluegrass, Americana and beyond. Silas—though young—is already making waves in the Colorado music scene. With close to ten thousand people looking on, Silas recently shredded the main stage at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival and at Red Rocks with LOS—how many 16 year olds can say that!? Colin rounds the trio out on stand-up bass, providing a solid steady foundation for the bands’ engaging picking adventures.

Together the Herman’s deliver a musical flavor all their own , fresh, inspired and all in the family! Come check ‘em out and see one of the best new sounds emerging from the high country of Colorado!

THIS JUST IN: joining the Herman Clan for this run are:  on Banjo  Jason Flournoy, on B3 Hammond ~ Dave McCracken (Donna the Buffalo), on Mandolin ~ Bobby Miller (Virginia DareDevils), and on Fiddle ~ Zebulon Bowles (Emmit Nershi Band)!

The Herman Clan N. Carolina show details:

MoDaddy’s Bar
Thursday, December 2nd

$7, 10pm
828-258-1550
77 Biltmore Ave.
Asheville, NC 28801
http://modaddysbar.com

~AND~

The Blind Tiger
Friday, December 3rd
opening for American Aquarium

$7, 10pm
336-272-9888
2115 Walker Avenue
Greensboro, NC 27403-1655
www.theblindtiger.com

www.vinceherman.com

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Jenny Juice’s Brown Bag Songwriting Competition in Asheville this Fall!

Jenny Juice’s Brown Bag Songwriting Competition
Mondays at Modaddy’s
Oct. 4 – Nov. 29.

Sign-up at 8:00pm. Starts at 8:30pm. (see below for details)
2 Songs, $3.00 per act

“The Brown Bag an open mic songwriting competition that offers a way to network the Asheville music scene by inviting seasoned musicians and music business people to listen and judge the raw, fresh, talent in town that shows up regularly.”~ Jen Greer

Bi-annually (fall and spring) Jenny “Juice” Greer of Jen and the Juice hosts a 10 week open mic with a twist at Modaddy’s. Musicians put $3 into a brown lunch bag to perform. Celebrity judges select a winner, and the one performer they select takes home the bag of cash.

Win $500! At the end of the Monday night series there is a final shoot out of the weekly winners. This is the BIG Brown Bag which contains $500 and many other prizes. The BIG Brown Bag Finals are Saturday DEC. 4 at Modaddy’s.

Join the facebook group for the Brown Bag Series! There are lots of videos posted of past finalist and players!

SIGN UP – 2 ways!
1. NEW! We reserve spots for musicians who show up on Monday. Please be there by 8:00pm to sign up. You have a good chance of getting on the list, but the does get full quickly most nights, so be prepared to hang out if you don’t get on.

2. We do allow advanced sign-up. Please email our name to jen@jenandthejuice.com with the date you want to play.
Once you receive confirmation you are in! DO NOT CALL MODADDY’S. If you have reserved a spot you must be there by 8:30 to claim your spot.

Contest Rules:
• Only three people per act max.
• You can only win once per season. Then you are in the finals! If you have been in the finals before you can enter again this round.
• NEW! Amps and Effects are allowed! Please respect our time and be prepared.

Competition Criteria:
1. Song Lyrics
2. Instrumentation
3. Stage Presence
4. Crowd Response

Past Winners:
Ten Cent Poetry – http://www.myspace.com/chelsealynnlabate

Baby Cowboy – http://www.myspace.com/babycowboymusic

We want to hear from you! Let us know what you think or if you have a question jen@jenandthejuice.com

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Jonathan Scales Fourchestra ~ Innovative Steel Pan ~ MoDaddy’s October 1st

Photo By Jon Leidel

Show Details at a Glance:

Jonathan Scales Fourchestra

w/ Marley Carroll (DJ Set)
MoDaddy’s
Friday, October 1st, 2010

9pm, $5, 21+
828-258-1550
77-B Biltmore Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801

The steel pan, an amazing musical discovery born in the Caribbean nation of Trinidad & Tobago, is often times associated with sandy beaches, tropical climates, and cruise ships: that’s not exactly what you get at a show by the jazz-fusion quartet, Jonathan Scales Fourchestra.

Here you have a classically trained composer turned steel pan maestro (front man Jonathan Scales), heavily influenced by the complexity of banjo virtuoso Bela Fleck to the hustle of Jay-Z.  Gritty  blues guitar (Duane Simpson) and ‘old-soul’ bass (Michael Libramento) provide the harmonic support for Scales’ sound, while gospel/hip-hop drums (Phill Bronson) drive the time-shifting, modern  grooves.  The cast of Characters hold this mind-bending concoction together with jazz edge and classical sensibility.

Steel pannist and virtuoso composer, Jonathan Scales, formed his ‘Fourchestra’ in 2007 as a means to deliver his musically complex, but somehow accessible ideas to anyone willing to listen. Since then, Scales has released two well received, full-length works (2007’s One-Track Mind and 2008’s Plot/Scheme) featuring the likes of Jeff Coffin (of Dave Matthews Band), Joseph Wooten (of Steve Miller Band), and Jeff Sipe (of Aquarium Rescue Unit). 2011 will usher in the 3rd installment of Jonathan’s musical saga, “Character Farm and Other Short Stories”.  Scales’ versatility and innovative nature have allowed him to share the stage with acts like The Wooten Brothers Band, Larry Keel & Natural Bridge, The Duhks, Everyone Orchestra, Toubab Krewe, Ben Sollee, Casey Dreissen, and Futureman.

Press:

“…A Thelonius Monk-like attitude with a Mozart creativity that works.” –Pan on the net

“At the end of the day, Scales is going to be a major play in rewriting the books on steelpan music outside of the box.” –When Steel Talks

“…rising star of the steel drums…” –Traps Magazine

“…Jonathan Scales makes the pans fit in unconventional musical spaces…” – Modern Drummer

“The innovative Asheville, North Carolina based steel drummer Jonathan Scales brings new vitality to the traditional Caribbean instrument on his sophomore release, picking up where Othello Molineaux left off 20 years ago with Jaco Pastorius.” – JazzTimes

“Jonathan Scales is dropping serious musical conversation. . . Jonathan Scales clearly has something to say – and he is letting his talent and pan instrument do the talking. There are many pretenders, but double second pan player Jonathan Scales is The Real Deal. ” – Pan on the Net

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Rorey Carroll Releases “Roadside Lullabies” in Asheville on Thurs, Sept 23rd

Rorey Carroll is a singer songwriter sitting pretty between her Americana, folk and alternative country/bluegrass influences. “Roadside Lullabies”, her first album, was recorded by Eric Wilson and will be released at the end of September, 2010. The album was recorded Echo Mountain Studios and Omni Artists Productions; it was mastered at Crossroads Music, all in the Asheville, NC area.

Rorey Carroll will be releasing “Roadside Lullabies” at MoDaddy’s bar in Asheville on Thursday, September 23rd. The show start at 9pm with the Honeycutters. Playing along with Carrol for the evening will be Rick Cooper- guitar, Aaron Ramsey- mandolin + banjo, Jess Smith- bass, and Zeb Bowles- fiddle.

Rorey Carroll’s fiercely independent spirit is reflected in her songwriting, while her sweet voice resonates the soulful energy. She credits her parents for encouraging her personal expression in music and poetry at an early age. From her life experiences on foot, through the window of her car, to the bed of a freight train, Carroll has learned to use her guitar as a vehicle to tell a story.

She got her first taste of wandering when she moved from the Midwest to Leadville, a small mining town in Colorado. Leadville exposed her to a different lifestyle. In a place where hitchhiking and living in a tent is the norm, Carroll lived hand to fist, out of a backpack, learning the skills that would take her around the country. Inspired by her new life, she picked up her guitar and started putting her poetry into music. From her first three chords, she wrote her first songs.

At 20, she decided to walk the Appalachian Trail, from northern Georgia to Maine, with a good friend, a mean dog and a backpack friendly guitar. She fell in love with the older mountains and culture of Appalachia and settled into Asheville, NC after the trail. Immersing herself into an area of the country thick with amazing songwriters, musicians and inspiration, Carroll learned more about the art of songwriting and composition. She delved deeper into herself to create songs with love, angst and emotion.

Carroll began to attract the attention of the music industry with her onstage performances throughout the South and at Desert Rocks in Moab, UT, singing her songs “Head Hung” and “Leaning on Lonely”, and “Golden Sky”. She has sold her self-released recordings through local festivals and music venues across the country.

Show Details at a Glance:

Rorey Carroll CD Release Party
“Roadside Lullabies”
The Honeycutters open
Thursday, September 23rd.

Mo Daddy’s
9pm, $5 general, $15 with CD
77-B Biltmore Avenue
Asheville, NC
828-258-1550
www.myspace.com/modaddysbar
www.roreycarroll.com
Rorey Carroll on Facebook

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David Gans and Friends to play Asheville, Greensboro and Boone

David Gans and Friends

Tuesday April 27th ~ The Rocket Club ~ Asheville, NC
Wednesday, April 28th ~ The Blind Tiger ~ Greensboro, NC
Thursday, April 29th ~ MoDaddy’s ~ Asheville, NC
Friday, April 30th ~ The Reel House Cinema ~ Boone, NC

David Gans has had a long career as a media multi-hyphenate: singer-songwriter-guitarist-radio producer/host-author-journalist-record producer-photographer. That he can juggle so many balls in the air is nothing short of astonishing; that he does it with such skill, passion, assurance, wit and grace is even more remarkable.

Along with his stories and music, David has wrangles up a fine group of musicians to play with him while he is out this way: Jay Sanders on bass (Acoustic Syndicate), Dave McCracken on Keys (Donna the Buffalo), Billy Cardine on Dobro (Biscuit Burners), Mike Rhodes on Drums (The Blue Rags), and Bobby Miller on mandolin (The Virginia Dare Devils), amongst other special guests. There will be different configurations of musicians on the different days…

Known far and wide as the light behind the widely syndicated Grateful Dead Hour radio program, several books on the Dead and a number of intriguing CDs relating to the band and its music (see discography below), David has in recent years developed a solid following nationwide for his compelling songs and music. In fact, despite the economic downturn, David says he’s had his best year ever out on the road: “I’m having great gigs! Creatively, I’m as satisfied as I can be. I’m in complete control of my own musical destiny and I’m doing it on my own terms. I don’t have any executives telling me they ‘don’t hear a single,’” he laughs. “I’m not at anybody’s mercy.”

But “skilled solo performer” fills only one page of David’s artistic resumé. Besides playing in all sorts of bands through the years—from the fondly remembered Reptiles to the Honky Tonk Hippies, to his recent forays jamming on Beatles songs with Chris and Lorin Rowan (and friends) in a group called Rubber Souldiers—he’s also sat in with an amazing range of fine musicians, such as Phil Lesh, Donna the Buffalo, Henry Kaiser, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Ollabelle, the late great Vassar Clements, Jim Lauderdale, The String Cheese Incident, Peter Rowan, and moe., to name just a few.

He has also written songs with a host of others, including Jim Page, Lorin Rowan, and Robert Hunter. And his live repertoire is peppered with an incredibly broad (and unpredictable) range of cover tunes by old and new musical heroes. Pressed to list some of his own songwriting influences not too long ago, David reeled off Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Neil Young, Jackson Browne, Steve Goodman, John Prine, CSN, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Holland-Dozier-Holland, Mann & Weil, Carole King, Gram Parsons, Elton John & Bernie Taupin, Robbie Robertson, and the Grateful Dead; quite a list. But he’ll also tell you that in recent years, as he’s toured extensively and played with so many superb musicians at festivals and in other settings, he’s discovered a whole new generation of songwriters and players who are inspiring him.

As both a player and a fan, he understands the indefinable transformative power of music—how it feeds our very life-force, bonds us together in obvious and unseen ways, teaches us, heals us, makes us better citizens of this fragile planet.

As David notes, “I came up in the time when we thought music could change world, and I still think it can—the only way the world can be changed: one person, one soul at a time.”

He’s definitely doing his part!

Check out this great review of David’s  new single release, “Life is  Jam”

David Gans on the web:
Blog: http://cloudsurfing.gdhour.com
Web site: http://www.dgans.com
Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dgans
Music: http://www.cdbaby.com/all/dgans

David Gans Show details:

The Mindtopnic Music Series: David Gans, Jay Sanders, Billy Cardine, Bobby Miller & Tim Haney
Tuesday, April 27th, 2010
The Rocket Club
$5, 9pm
401 Haywood Rd.
Asheville, NC. 28806
828.505.2494
http://www.therocketclub.net

David Gans, Jay Sanders, Bobby Miller, Dave McCracken, and guests
Wednesday, April 28th, 2010
The Blind Tiger
$7, 9:30 doors
2115 Walker Ave
Greensboro, NC 27403
336-272-9888
http://www.theblindtiger.com/

David Gans, Jay Sanders, Billy Cardine, Bobby Miller & Mike Rhodes
Thursday, April 29th, 2010
Mo Daddy’s
$5, 9pm
77-B Biltmore Avenue
Asheville, NC
828-258-1550
www.myspace.com/modaddysbar

David Gans, Jay Sanders, Bobby Miller & Mike Rhodes
Friday, April 30th, 2010
The Reel House Cinema
The Lost Ridge Band opens
$5, doors 10pm
828-262-3222
215 Boone Heights Drive
Boone, NC 28607
-Turn at the Burger King, they are across from the Wellness Center
http://www.thereelhouseboone.com/

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Big Brown Bag Songwriting Competition Finals Hosted by Jenny “Juice” Greer at MoDaddy’s Friday, Dec 11th

Asheville’s own cosmic Willy Wonka of music and more, multi media wonder, Jenny “Juice” Greer has brewed up The Big Brown Bag Songwriters Competition to keep up warm at MoDaddy’s on Monday nights this fall. The series takes place at MoDaddy’s on Biltmore Ave in Ashevillle and began on October 5th and the last weekly round is Monday Dec 7th with the Finals on Friday December 11th. Also, big Thanks to the Wedge Brewery for sponsoring the beer for judges and musicians! Also sponsoring are Henco Reprographics for event printing needs, local music ambassador Rhoni Sampson with Gorilla Marketing, and Dreamspider Publicity.

The rules to enter each week: Each act is limited to three people on stage, no amplifiers, and two songs per act. Each week there is a rotating cast of celebrity judges consisting of local seasoned musicians and music industry professionals. This is in the spirit of fostering relationships amongst the different sectors in the music industry here in Asheville. The four judging criteria are lyrics (words, poetry, content), vocal performance, musical composition/ instrument playing, and stage presence (which includes crowd response).

For the Big Brown Bag Series Finals on Friday, December 11th, each weeks winners will be showcased. Three finalists will be chosen to perform a second round that evening from which the Big Brown Bag winner will be chosen by the celebrity judges: international touring musician David Wilcox, Rebecca Sulock (A&E Editor at the Mountain Xpress), Bad Ash (Radio host at 105.9 the Mountain and 98.1 the River), Brian Landrum booking for the Grey Eagle and producer Robert George.

The audience will also be voting on the winner of the Audience Choice Award.

Live Video Streaming on the internet of this Big Brown Bag Series Final is provided by David Conner Jones at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/big-brown-bag-songwriting-competition-finals.

What do the finalists win ? Other than the Brown Bag, past winners of the final have played at LAAFF 2007 and the Mountain Sports Fest 2008. This year, Jenny Juice has been collaborating with local restaurant/ bar Jack of the Wood to book some of the weekly winners in the pub throughout the winter and spring. The three finalists of the shootout that come back to play one song each. These three performers will go on WNCW’s Local Color with Laura Blackley within in the next month so be on the lookout. Hillcreek Studios will host  a party featuring BIG brown bag final winner the as well as the runners up.

Weekly Winners So Far (and who you should expect to see at the Finals):
Valorie Miller
Ten Cent Poetry FINALS WINNER!
Lyric Jones
Taylor Martin
Shane Connerty FINALS RUNNER UP!
Dulci Ellenberger
Kate McNally AUDIENCE CHOICE WINNER!
Lyndsy Wojcik
Mike Willis SECOND RUNNER UP!
Julian from Baby Cowboy

You can also read more about The Brown Bag Series in the recent Mountain Xpress Article.

The idea for hosting the Big Brown Bag Series here in Asheville came to Jenny Juice about three years ago. It stemmed from similar songwriting competitions that take place at Eddies Attic (which one of Asheville finals just recently won the Finals!) in Atlanta and the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville. The idea of the Brown Bag is that everyone who performs puts a few dollars into the bag upon entry. This brown bag is also passed around the audience to throw in a bit of cash and it is then awarded to the winner at the end. For the Finals, the brown bag will be filled by only the people that come and partake in the crowd and not the performers. Then, at the end of the night, the one lucky winner keeps the brown bag with the cash.

Jenny is quick to point out that this is not about the money, though. This series is here to support original songs and songwriters through a listening room experience and to provide a network for the musicians to get to know one another. People are asked to keep their talking to a minimum during each performance so that everyone can really hear each person songs. 2009 Performers thus far have included many longtime Ashevillians, newcomers to the area, and everything in between across multiple genres of music and style.

Prizes for the winner include: $500, hand-made trophies by Dreamspider Publicity, one free 1/4 ad in Mountain Xpress, treasured spot on Laura Blackley’s Local Color wncw.org, poster printing from Henco, and Gorilla Marketing from Rhoni Sampson via Orange Peel and Anythings Possible Productions.

If you’d like to support the lucky winner with a prize please email jen@jenandthejuice.com

If any of you witnessed this event in the past, you can testify, it was a beautiful thing. Last time it was held at the Root Bar the finals looked like a Walmart parking lot on black Friday! 😉  Everyone that comes out should hope to hear some cool songs, be inspired, and support the the Asheville music scene.

Details at a Glance:
Big Brown Bag Songwriting Competition Finals
MoDaddy’s
Friday, December 11th
Brown Bag cash prize for winner!

Tix $6

Jenny “Juice” Greer
www.jenandthejuice.com

77-B Biltmore Avenue
Asheville, NC 828-258-1550
www.myspace.com/modaddysbar

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