Donna the Buffalo continues to stampede with the Herd this winter!

“With more than 20 years of experience, impeccable musicianship, and uplifting, heady music, Donna the Buffalo has become one of the premier Americana and roots-rock outfits on the eastern seaboard, if not the whole country.” ~ Ryan Whirty, Rochester City Paper

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Donna the Buffalo continues to stampede with the Herd this winter! They will be traveling through North Carolina, Tennessee, and Alabama before heading back up north to West Virginia, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New York before making the trek back down to Florida for the Inagural Virginia Key Grassroots Festival the 2nd weekend of February!

Travis Newbill wrote an awesome live review from Donna The Buffalo’s recent show at Revolution Live in Ft Lauderdale on Jan 9th! Some excerpts are below.

Donna’s groove is infectious, hypnotic and wholesome, subtly incorporating trance, reggae, and pop qualities into a sound which is Americana first and foremost. It is rootsy music offered by deep, sensitive players. At times they could be described as Mazzy Star, sped up and minus the echo, with an emphasis on allowing grooves to develop, peak, and come to rest.

Singer and multi-instrumentalist Tara Nevins has the presence of an Americana shaman. Whether she is zoning with the tambourine, violin, washboard, accordion, guitar, or singing, she is visibly tapping into mystical energy, and inviting all those willing into that vast space. Ditto guitarist Jeb Puryear, whose eyes roll involuntarily into the back of his head while the rest of his body surrenders as well–possessed by the groove with jaw agape.

The band was locked in from start to finish Friday night while delivering their sweetly melodic songs and jamming extensively. The crowd was locked in as well. The audience was equal parts bluegrass, Grateful Dead, and reggae people — all friendly spirits. It is no wonder why this band has such a dedicated following. There is no other band that this writer has come across that does quite what they do. And they do it with a humble confidence and great joy. Click here for the full review in the Broward-Palm Beach New Times.

Photo credits: Full band shot by John D Kurc.  Jeb Puryear by Gene Martin. Tara Nevins and Kyle Spark by Rich Orris.

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DtB on the radio this winter:

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Sun, Jan 15th; between 6-8pm EST — WQFS in Greensboro, NC — Interview with Tara on “Hangin’ with Higgs”. (also doing a ticket giveaway!)

Tue, Jan 17th; 6-8pm EST — WMNF in Tampa, FL — Jeb Puryear Co-Hosts & plays Virginia Key GrassRoots Fest DJ with DJ Ed Greene on “Freak Show” Listen to the Poscast!

Thu, Jan 19th; 4pm EST — WQFS in Greensboro, NC — Duo session with Jeb & Tara on David Wright’s program “The Caravan” (also doing a ticket giveaway!)

Fri, Jan 20th; 5pm EST — WDVX in Knoxville — Jeb & Tara duo session with Tony Lawson in the “Features at 5”

Sat, Jan 21st; between 4 and 6pm — 98.1 The River in Asheville — Jeb & Tara duo session with Aaron LaFalce in “Studio AVL”

Sat, Jan 21st; in the 5pm EST hour — WCOM in Carborro, NC — Tara Nevins interviews on Tom Arnell’s “Placeholder Show”

Sun, Jan 22nd; starts around 7pm EST — Kix Country in Port Charles, FL — Studio session and interview with Jeb who will also play DJ with Virginia Key GrassRoots Fest Music on Larry’s Timko’s show “Down Home Cookin'”

Sat, Jan 28th; — time tba  WWVU (U92 fm) in Morgantown, WV — Jeb and Tara duo session with Carly Parana’s “Alternate Routes”

Sun, Feb 5th; 2pm WLRN in Miami, FL — Interview with Jeb Puryear and Emma Hewitt about the Virginia Key Grassroots Festival with Michael Stock on “Folk & Acoustic Music”

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DtB on tour this winter:

Thu, Jan 19, 2012 – Greensboro, NC – The Blind Tiger – w/ Woody Pines
Fri, Jan 20, 2012- Knoxville, TN – The Bijou Theatre – w/ Woody Pines
Sat, Jan 21, 2012 – Asheville, NC – The Orange Peel – w/ Woody Pines
Sun, Jan 22, 2012 – Huntsville, AL – Crossroads Café – w/ Woody Pines
Tue, Jan 24, 2012 – Birmingham, AL – WorkPlay Theatre – w/ Woody Pines
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 – Nashville, TN – 3rd & Lindsley – w/ Wooten Brothers
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 – Carrboro, NC – The Cat’s Cradle – w/ Woody Pines
Fri, Jan 27, 2012 – Falls Church, VA – The State Theatre
Sat, Jan 28, 2012 – Morgantown, WV – 123 Pleasant Street
Thu, Feb 2, 2012 – West Chester, PA – The Note – w/ Mason Porter
Fri, Feb 3, 2012 – Buffalo, NY – The Tralf
Sat, Feb 4, 2012 – Utica, NY – Uptown Theatre
Sat-Sun, Feb 10-12, 2012 – Miami, FL – Virginia Key Grassroots Festival
Fri, March 23, 2012 – Charleston, SC – The Pour House
Sat-Sun, March 24-25,2012 – Live Oak, FL – Suwanee Springfest
Sun, March 22, 2012 – Atlanta, GA – Sweetwater 420 Festival
Thu-Sat, April 26-28, 2012 – Wilkesboro, NC – Merlefest

More shows tbd…
Stay tuned to www.donnatehbuffalo.com

 

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Acoustic Syndicate Mini-Documentary

This is a great Acoustic Syndicate mini-documentary that was filmed at the Orange Peel in Asheville, NC by MPA Productions.

Folk-rock band, Acoustic Syndicate, is the product of Cleveland County’s McMurry clan and is known for their high-energy, positive sound. Guitarist Steve “Big Daddy” McMurry is joined by his cousins, Bryon McMurry on banjo and Fitz McMurry on drums. The three McMurrys also bring a trademark vocal trio that only a lifetime of singing together can deliver. They are backed on acoustic and electric bass by Asheville’s Jays Sanders‘ versatile playing that hinges between being the steadfast “rock” and expanding into adventurous improv. The guys have written some great new songs and have recently added (the Biscuit Burners) Billy Cardine‘s blistering dobro sounds to the mix.

Here is a link to an audio archive from the show at the Orange Peel in Asheville over Thanksgiving weekend: http://www.archive.org/details/as2010-11-27.at853.flac16.

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Video Interview with Donna the Buffalo’s Jeb Puryear & Tara Nevins by Jeremiah Greer LIve

Jeremiah Greer Live came out to Donna the Buffalo’s recent show at the Orange Peel in Asheville, NC.  He got some footage of the band and also was able to meet up with Jeb Puryear and Tara Nevins after the show to talk with them a bit about life on the road, their musical inspirations and more!

Visit Jeremiah Greer’s website at jeremiahgreerlive.com

Find out more about Donna the Buffalo at donnathebuffalo.com

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Orange Peel podcast in preview of shows with Carolina Chocolate Drops, Toubab Krewe, Clutch, The Old 97’s & Donna The Buffalo

Click to listen

Becky Upham, also know as the Mountain Xpress’s “Profiler“,  has been working with The Orange Peel in Asheville to bring podcast previews to fans for upcoming shows.

The podcasts are available for free on iTunes and at the club’s website as a stream.

This podcast features the Carolina Chocolate Drops, Toubab Krewe, Clutch, The Old 97’s & Donna The Buffalo.

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Toubab plays for New Year’s Eve Eve on Dec 30th; DtB plays the Peel on January 29th, 2011.  Find out about more shows and get tickets from the Peel’s website: www.theorangepeel.net

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Some Holiday Magic: B-boy Santa Sneak Attack in Asheville, NC

This video rocks! A dancing Santa b-boy is on the loose in Asheville, North Carolina and he’s looking to start a hip hop, break dance holiday flash mob. Did he succeed? Watch him sneak up and surprise visitors with head spins, flares and seriously fresh break dancing moves at the Pritchard Park Drum Circle, Pack Square, Asheville Visitors Center, Lexington Avenue Brewery, The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa, National Gingerbread House Competition, The Orange Peel and America’s Largest Home, Biltmore.

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Archive: Donna the Buffalo has Asheville Ties

Blog Asheville posts from Dreamspider Publicity’s press release: DtB has Asheville ties!

Thank you Blog Asheville for posting~

http://blogasheville.blogspot.com/2010/01/donna-buffalo-asheville-connections.html

Donna the Buffalo bring their trademark hybrid of folk, reggae, Cajun, zydeco, rock and country to The Orange Peel on Thursday, January 28th, 2010.

Just so you know, the rhythm section of the band has strong ties to Asheville.

Bass Player, Jay Sanders, has lived here for 12 years and has played music throughout these times. He started off as a bass player with Snake Oil Medicine show when they first moved into the WNCScene and played with CX1 for a brief period as well. Jay also plays with Acoustic Syndicate and a Jazz Group called the E.Normus trio. Look for some collaborative projects from him starting late February, Tuesday nights at the Rocket Club .

Dave McCracken, the keyboard player, has family ties for generations in Asheville. His father, James, was born a raised here playing music at the Grove Park during his late teens before moving on to Greensboro where he opened a music store. Dave’s grandfather, Cicero Jr. was born in 1911 in town and his great grandfather, Cicero, was a country doctor that rode through Fairview on horseback to treat patients at home. Dave was born in Greensboro to the music scene there and continues to stop through Asheville with many collaborative projects with Hobex, Cyril Lance, Folkswaggin, and Cosmic Charlie. He also was an engineer at Moog in Asheville building analog synthesisers for a little over a year.

Vic Stafford, the drummer, was born and raised in Asheville, having even gone to the Biltmore School before it shut down. He has collaborated on projects with Stephanie’s ID, the Goodies, and Kat Williams. Steven Heller from Upstream Productions is one of Vic’s mentors and co-collaborators. He has also frequently does work with both Collapseable Studios and Echo Mountain.

Between the three southern men, they reinterpret the older songs of Donna the Buffalo into a new repertoire that sounds lively and fresh, along with adding insight to new music that is written.

Donna The Buffalo

The Orange Peel
Thursday January 28, 2010
18+
doors 8pm, show 9pm
$18.00/ $20.00
(828) 225-5851
101 Biltmore Ave
Asheville, NC 28801
www.theorangepeel.net
www.donnathebuffalo.com

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Archive: Favorite stomping grounds: Donna the Buffalo brings mountain music back to Asheville

by Michael Flynn • published January 22, 2010 12:15 am

Asheville Citizen Times Take Five

http://www.citizen-times.com/article/20100122/ENT/301220004/1033/ent

Formed more than two decades ago in upstate New York, Donna the Buffalo has always felt at home in Western North Carolina. “We have many, many ties to Asheville on different layers,” vocalist and fiddle player Tara Nevins said. “It’s like a sister city.”

Led by Nevins and fellow vocalist, songwriter and guitarist Jeb Puryear, the band’s uptempo blend of rootsy folk and traditional mountain music has built a widespread following in this region.

Nevins’ and Puryear’s string band background has led to many Asheville connections over the years, and the current rhythm section also has strong ties to the city. Drummer Vic Stafford is a native, bassist Jay Sanders has lived in town for 12 years, and keyboard player Dave McCracken once built synthesizers at Moog Music.

The group, which recorded much of its most recent release, “Silverlined,” at Echo Mountain Studios, returns to Asheville on Thursday for a gig at The Orange Peel.

photo by John Darwin Kurc

Nevins spoke to take5 while driving with the band to New Hampshire for a show alongside Little Feat.

Question:

How have recent lineup shifts affected the band’s music?

Answer:

It’s made a really great new rhythm section. Our grooves have gotten tighter, and our jams more exciting. It’s an awesome foundation to play and sing on top of. Right now, we’re pretty much in the pocket from the start rather than five or six songs in. They’re awesome players and great guys.

Q:

How do you characterize the band’s multifaceted sound?

A:

It’s really hard to describe. It’s very roots-oriented Americana or original danceable folk rock with ties to different traditional music, such as old-time fiddle music, zydeco and country. I grew up listening to pop music, so it’s also pop infused with tradition.

Q:

After all these years, you’re also playing duo shows with Jeb. How’s that going?

A:

It’s been great. We usually do them in small settings, so the fans, or “The Herd,” love them because they’re intimate. It’s a challenge — you have to be on your toes. It’s kind of cool to hear (the songs) pared down. It’s a nice musical challenge.

Q:

What can folks expect at the Thursday show?

A:

We’ll do our usual — we never make a set list. We’ll play some from “Silverlined,” some new things and some old favorites. Who knows — we might have a guest star show up.

Q:

What’s your reaction to the 20-year success of New York’s GrassRoots festival?

A:

It seemed like a cool thing to do when we started it. But you don’t know where it’s going to go. I can’t believe it’s been 20 years and how far it’s come. It just grows a little bit every year. We’re just the host band. It’s held up by hundreds of volunteers.

Q:

DTB is always on the move. What’s on tap for 2010?

A:

We hope to be doing more with Little Feat. We’ll also be touring with some other folks that we can’t mention yet. We’ll be traveling out West, working on new material, going to lots of regular festivals and some new ones. It’s a really full schedule.

Q:

In your latest CD, what was the cloud that turned out to be “Silverlined”?

A:

There was a lot of change happening.

As hard as change can be, there can be a silver lining to it. In the course of 20 years, we’ve run into a lot of silver linings.

Flynn writes about entertainment for take5. E-mail mickfly@bellsouth.net.

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