Suwannee Roots Revival Announces Old Crow Medicine Show, Yonder Mountain String Band, Donna the Buffalo, Oct 10-13

INITIAL LINEUP ANNOUNCED: 8th SUWANNEE ROOTS REVIVAL
OCTOBER 10-13, 2024
THE SPIRIT OF THE SUWANNEE MUSIC PARK – LIVE OAK, FLORIDA

Old Crow Medicine Show
Yonder Mountain String Band 
Donna the Buffalo – The Peter Rowan Band
Della Mae – Henhouse Prowlers
The Ain’t Sisters – Kaleta & Super Yamba Band
Blair Crimmins & The Hookers
Snake Oil Medicine Show – Grandpa’s Cough Medicine
Sloppy Joe – Quartermoon
Magic Moon Traveling Circus
and more to be announced!
Tickets → suwanneerootsrevival.com/tickets

LIVE OAK, FL — Reviving and carrying on the longtime tradition of hosting some of the most prominent names in American roots music and beyond, the 8th Suwannee Roots Revival takes place Thursday, October 10 – Sunday, October 13 at the renowned Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park (SOSMP) in Live Oak, Florida. 

The Suwannee Roots Revival initial lineup for 2024 includes Old Crow Medicine Show, Yonder Mountain String Band, Donna the Buffalo (4 days), Peter Rowan Band, Della Mae, Henhouse Prowlers, The Ain’t Sisters, Kaleta & Super Yamba Band, Blair Crimmins & The Hookers, Snake Oil Medicine Show, Grandpa’s Cough Medicine, Sloppy Joe, Quartermoon, Magic Moon Traveling Circus, and more artists to be announced soon! 

Jam-packed with stellar music and dance on multiple stages, this family-friendly festival includes four days of music, camping, yoga, music workshops, a Kids Tent, and more. Suwannee Roots Revival focuses on showcasing established as well as up-and-coming roots musicians throughout the weekend, often with some one-of-a -kind collaborations among the artists performing—you never know who will give a surprise sit-in on stage (or in the campgrounds for that matter). There’s an open call to play in the many campground pickin’ party sites throughout the weekend including at Slopryland and the Bill Monroe Shrine.

Stay tuned for further news about a wide range of hand-on workshops on the Music Farmers Stage, sponsored by the festival’s nonprofit arm, Live Oak Music and Arts Foundation (LOMAF). There will be a raffle to raise money for LOMAF, which is earmarked for music and arts programs locally in North Florida schools and includes the Suwannee Spirit Kids Music Camp.

Placing a strong emphasis on embracing the traditions that have made the park a national treasure, there will be a wide array of arts & crafts as well as culinary delights ranging from healthy to decadent in the Vending Village. The park itself is a place where kids of all ages can remember why they fell in love with the magic mixture of sights, sounds, and sensations that constitutes a weekend of paradise that is the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park.

When asked for a quote about Suwannee Roots Revival 2024, Festival Director Beth Judy said that she would say many things about the festivals but this email to her from Annah Garrett with Henhouse Prowlers says what she hears often from others. Annah says “Witnessing what you and Randy built from a unique perspective is an experience I hold near and dear to my heart. Even coming in so many years down the road, I became immediately enveloped in the love and community unlike any other I have experienced in the many festivals and events I have been a part of. There is a sense of belonging and passion that permeates the magical grounds, especially during your shows. Both the band and I are very excited to return.”

Donna the Buffalo, who has performed each spring and fall event since the early days in the late 1990’s Spoke with Florida Music Blog at this past year’s Suwannee Spring Reunion. Tara Nevins said, “this is basically our family here,” and Jeb Puryear continues, “We’re really grateful to Beth Judy and Randy for keeping this really good for a long time. People might take that for granted but it is really more of a challenge than people might think.” 

Festival Director Beth Judy says “From the very beginning, in 1997, with our first festival at SOSMP, we set an intention of a community of love and healing and music and positive impact on the lives of the people who were there. And we attracted those people who needed that in their lives, and many of them are still coming. The Suwannee Roots Revival is a current version of the events we began so long ago when music festivals were just starting to pop up again after Jerry’s passing. SpringFest and MagFest had changed and evolved over the years and now we are gathering everyone together for the big Reunion and Revival of what commenced during those early years.”

Set in the midst of 800 acres of Spanish moss-draped oak and cypress trees along the Suwannee River, the venue is a playground and the festival celebrates community based fun, growing friendships, laughing families, and that feel-good feeling you get from hanging out in such a beautiful natural setting. This is the place to make new memories with friends old and new while gathering in a picturesque setting breathing in the songs that fill the air… as they say at SOSMP: “Music Lives Here.”

Tickets are on sale now. Suwannee Roots Revival offers a multi-day Weekend Ticket that includes festival admission for four days of music, as well as primitive camping on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. Children 12 and under are free if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Early Bird Tier 3 Tickets are $175 (includes fees and taxes); Student / Military Early Bird Tier 3 are $160 (with a valid ID). Early Bird pricing ends June 20th. An additional event car pass is required to bring a car into the campground. Advance Car Pass: $15 or $20 at the Gate. For complete ticket information and to purchase tickets, visit suwanneerootsrevival.com/tickets/.

SOSMP offers guest comforts including a general store, full service restaurant, free showers, indoor bathrooms, and water stations. Upgraded camping, including RV hook ups and cabin rentals, as well as golf cart rentals are currently on sale. Reservations may be made by calling the Park office at (386) 364­-1683. 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 for further information.

Suwannee Roots Revival 2024 Initial Lineup
Old Crow Medicine Show
Yonder Mountain String Band
Donna the Buffalo (4 days)
Peter Rowan Band
Della Mae
Henhouse Prowlers
The Ain’t Sisters
Kaleta & Super Yamba Band
Blair Crimmins & The Hookers
Snake Oil Medicine Show
Grandpa’s Cough Medicine
Sloppy Joe
Quartermoon
Magic Moon Traveling Circus
More artists to be announced soon!

For more information, tickets, and to reserve camping, visit www.suwanneerootsrevival.com. 

Also visit us on a www.facebook.com/suwanneeroots, and Instagram: @SuwanneeRoots (#SuwanneeRoots).

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The Drunken Hearts Premiere Music Video “Fire In A House” With American Songwriter

THE DRUNKEN HEARTS
PREMIERE NEW MUSIC VIDEO TO THE SONG
“FIRE IN A HOUSE”

FROM THEIR OCTOBER LOHI RECORDS RELEASE: WHEELS OF THE CITY

DENVER, CO — The Drunken Hearts released a new music video today of their original song “Fire in a House,” exclusively premiered by American Songwriter Magazine. Watch it HERE. 

American Songwriter writes, “The five-man band from the Boulder/Denver area of Colorado carry a mountain spirit into its music and mix it with a 90s rock blend, that is eerily reminiscent of Pearl Jam — due in large part to the vocals of Andrew McConathy.” 

McConathy tells American Songwriter, “This song came to me after hearing of a fellow musician’s rather startling breakup with his band mate, and serves as a harsh reminder that even the most fairy tale relationships can come to an end. If you don’t watch out, it can burn down the whole damn town.” 

“Fire in a House” is the opening track of their new album Wheels of The City, which came out October 18, 2019 on LoHi Records to rave reviews. Glide’s Jim Hynes says, “Powerhouse singer Andrew McConathy is commanding from the outset on ‘Fire in House,” and Americana Highways’ John Apice calls the song, “a typical classic rock era swipe without sounding too retro.” Loudwire also featured the song song their “Weekly Wire” on release week.

NYS Music writes, “The album.. starts out with ‘Fire in a House,’ slowly building an intro, leading to a verse, a piano melody, and continuing with layers of other instrumentation and backing vocals. The tune eventually deconstructs to some degree toward the end, sonically arriving back where it began.” 

The album was recorded at Silo Sound Studios in Denver with friend and producer Tim Carbone (Railroad Earth). Carbone also performs piano on “Fire In A House.”

The Drunken Hearts are acoustic guitarist and powerhouse lead singer, Andrew McConathy joined by pedal steel, Dobro, and lap steel player Cody Russell and electric guitarist and vocalist Kory Montgomery, along with bassist and vocalist Jon McCartan and drummer Alex Johnson.

The band is continuing their album release tour, and is on the road opening for Yonder Mountain String Band for a slew of shows.

The full album is available at all outlets to stream and purchase now → https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/thedrunkenhearts/wheels-of-the-city-4

The Drunken Hearts Wheels of the City Tour Dates:
11/13 Wed – Baltimore, MD – The 8×10*
11/14 Thu – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Bowl*
11/15 Fri – Ardmore, PA – The Ardmore Music Hall*
11/16 Sat – Boulder, CO – The Fox Theatre
11/17 Sun – Woodstock, NY – Levon Helm Studios*
11/19 Tue – Greenfield, MA – Hawks & Reed PAC*
11/21 Thu – Portland, ME – Port City Music Hall*
11/22 Fri – Pawtucket, RI – The Met*
11/23 Sat – Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall*
11/24 Sun – York, PA – The Capitol Theatre*

* supporting Yonder Mountain String Band

For more information and updates from the road, please visit www.thedrunkenhearts.com, facebook.com/thedrunkenhearts, twitter.com/drunkenhearts, and instagram.com/thedrunkenhearts.

 

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Head For The Hills Releases a New Music Video, Summer Tour Dates, Free Download

Head For The Hills Releases a New Music Video For “Never Does”
WATCH “Never Does”–> http://youtu.be/F7-rlIfFG7s

Head for The Hills On Tour Summer of 2014
Including stops at Summer Camp, Denver Botanic Gardens, Planet Bluegrass and more
Shows with The Steep Canyon Rangers, Nickel Creek, and Yonder Mountain String Band

From Telluride Bluegrass Festival to SxSW and all points beyond – Head for the Hills creates a sound based in bluegrass that reaches into indie rock, jazz, hip hop, world and folk to stitch together fresh songs that bridge the divide between past and future acoustic music. Bluegrass Today said they are “On top of modern string music.”

Head for the Hills is Adam Kinghorn (Guitar), Michael Chappell (Mandolin), Joe Lessard (Fiddle), and Matt Loewen (Bass). The quartet recently released their third studio album, Blue Ruin, of which CMT’s Edge said it “effortlessly matches integrity against innovation.” The album also charted in the CMJ Top 200.

Today, they are thrilled to announce the premier of their newest music video for the song “Never Does”from Blue Ruin. Written by Joe Lessard, “Never Does” is a driving pop infused song about love and loss. It is a pulsing, minor-key tale about a lack of fulfillment and closure told with a rapid-fire vocal delivery. Subtle audio effects and haunting background vocals add to the unceasing and urgent sense of anxiety within the track. They are also offering the song as a free download at: http://bit.ly/H4TH_NeverDoes.

Head for the Hills will also be on the road this summer beginning with an appearance at Pickin’ on the Poudre at the Mishawaka Amphitheatre on May 17th. The end of May brings them to Illinois for Summer Camp Music Festival, The Revival Festival in Minnesota, and the Campout for the Cause in Bond CO.  They pick back up in mid-June with Vaudeville Mews (IA), Love Fest in the Midwest (NE), Fly Me to the Moon Saloon (in Telluride and featuring special guest Anders Beck from Greensky Bluegrass), and Clear Creek RapidGrass in Idaho Springs. In July they are set to play Camp Euforia (IA), Dawg Daze of Summer (MO), and a co-bill with The Steep Canyon Rangers at the Denver Botanic Gardens. August has them at the Mohawk Valley Music Fest (OR) and supporting Nickel Creek at the Festival at Sandpoint. They will also be at Yonder Mountain String Band’s Kinfolk celebration in Lyons this September and the Boats and Bluegrass Festival (MN). More tour dates will be announced as the season progresses, so please stay tuned to headforthehillsmusic.com.

Head for the Hills has performed and appeared at many premier festivals and radio programs including Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Wakarusa Music Festival, SxSW, NPR-Ideastream, eTown, High Sierra Music Festival, RockyGrass and several more. They also appeared on the River’s Rising Flood Compilation to benefit Colorado Flood victims alongside: Furthur, Widespread Panic, Devotchka amongst others. The band was named “Best of Colorado” for 4 consecutive years via Westword Music Showcase (Denver, CO) and also co-released a craft beer with one of USA Today’s “Top 15 Craft Beer Breweries” – Odell Brewing Co.

Head for the Hills Summer 2014 Tour
05.17 | Mishawaka Amphitheatre – Pickin’ on the Poudre – Bellvue, CO
05.23 | Summer Camp Music Festival – Chillicothe, IL
05.24 | Revival Festival at Harmony Park Music Garden – Clarks Grove, MN
05.25 | Campout For The Cause – Bond, CO
06.13 | Vaudeville Mews – Des Moines, IA
06.14 | Love Fest in the Midwest – Bellevue, NE
06.18 | Fly Me to the Moon Saloon – Telluride, CO +
06.28 | Clear Creek RapidGrass Music Festival-  Idaho Springs, CO
07.11 | Camp Euforia – Lone Tree, IA
07.12 | Dawg Daze of Summer Festival – Savannah, MO
07.27 | Denver Botanic Gardens – Denver, CO #
08.08 | Mohawk Valley Music Festival – Marcola, OR
08.09 | Festival at Sandpoint – Sandpoint, ID *
09.19 | Kinfolk Celebration at Planet Bluegrass – Lyons, CO ~
09.27 | Boats and Bluegrass Festival – Winona, MN

+ with special guest Anders Beck (of Greensky Bluegrass)
# co-bill with Steep Canyon Rangers
* supporting Nickel Creek
~ with Yonder Mountain String Band, John Bell (of Widespread Panic), The Travelin’ McCourys, The Milk Carton Kids and more

For more information, to purchase tickets, and keep up-to-date with Head for the Hills, please visit  http://headforthehillsmusic.com.

Blue Ruin is available on iTunes: http://bit.ly/1aVRLfe & Amazon: http://amzn.to/12fiYSj.

 

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Jeff Austin & The Here and Now (featuring Danny Barnes & The Keels) On Tour

 

Jeff Austin & The Here and Now (featuring Danny Barnes & The Keels)
On Tour

Mandolinist, vocalist and songwriter Jeff Austin is unstoppable. He is celebrated for his fleet fingers and penchant for improvisation on stage, but those qualities also speak volumes about how he chooses to live. Austin has cultivated his natural musical abilities and allowed himself to be driven by his boldest instincts. In this way, he has been able to build positive, exciting momentum around his life’s greatest passion.

While not on the road with Yonder Mountain String Band, Austin is joining forces with The Here and Now, featuring banjoist Danny Barnes and Larry & Jenny Keel on guitar and bass. They will be embarking on special late summer tour starting in the midwest near Chicago and looping through Bloomington, IN; Troy, OH; and Louisville and then heading south into Birmingham and St Louis before heading over to Tulsa. The tour lands for their final show of the run in Guthrie, Oklahoma with their second appearance as part of a Mumford and Sons Gentlemen of the Road Stopover.

Take a look at Jeff’s new website JeffAustin.com and download a free EP of Jeff Austin & The Here and Now.

Jeff Austin & The Here and Now on Tour:
8/28 Wed – Durty Nellie’s – Palatine, IL
8/29 Thu – The Bluebird – Bloomington, IN
8/30 Fri – Troy Memorial Stadium – Mumford and Sons Gentlemen of the Road – Troy, OH
8/31 Sat – Troy Memorial Stadium – Mumford and Sons Gentlemen of the Road – Troy, OH
9/1 Sun – Diamonds in Upper Highlands- Louisville, KY
9/2 Mon – Avondale Brewing Co. – Birmingham, AL
9/4 Wed – Old Rock House – St. Louis, MO
9/5 Thu – The Shrine – Tulsa, OK *Austin & Barnes duo show
9/6-7 Fri – Cottonwood Flats – Mumford and Sons Gentlemen of the Road – Guthrie, OK
9/7 Sat – Cottonwood Flats – Mumford and Sons Gentlemen of the Road – Guthrie, OK

More about Jeff Austin
Jeff Austin’s enthusiasm for the vast, vibrant world of music was rooted in him as early as he can remember: “I was always raised very musically. My mom always had music playing; she always sang.” It’s no surprise then that Austin himself grew up singing too. From beginning to end of his years in grade school just outside of Chicago, he sang in classes, choirs, and musicals, allowing his musical influences to lead him where they may. “I started listening to Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings,” Austin says. “And then the Beatles, that turned into Bob Dylan, and then the Grateful Dead and Phish.”

Austin continued this fearless course of action, attending University of Cincinnati and majoring in Musical Theatre, until he stumbled upon a crossroads that threatened to derail all of his plans. “I remember standing in front of the Grateful Dead three weeks before I dropped out of college and thinking, ‘there’s so much more to this music thing than being educated and being told what you are,’” Austin explains. “You can take what you think is your value and throw it at a crowd of people, and they will throw it back to you. The beauty is that nothing is black and white. It’s all grey; it’s interpreted at the moment.” Austin goes on to illustrate what this meant for his future: “At the time, I was auditioning for Broadway and off-Broadway shows. I walked away from everything I was set up to do because I realized that I just wanted to be in a band.”

Serendipitously, he met banjoist Dave Johnston around the same time. He encouraged Austin to try the mandolin so as to join his band The Bluegrassholes, so Jeff learned how to play the only way he knew how – with music: “I would listen to Not for Kids Only, which is a record of kids’ songs that Garcia/Grisman put out, nothing too fast. I would listen over and over and over and find the notes on my mandolin.” Picking up an instrument for the first time was exhilarating for Austin. “I never took lessons,” he admits. “I just threw myself in that world. I’ve always kind of learned in the line of fire.” The line of fire inspired Austin to be better, so he kept coming back. “For the better part of 3 years, I jammed night after night with these guys. There’s something about the pace, the speed, the aggressiveness, the chasing of the beat.” Austin was hooked.

In 1998, Austin and Johnston relocated to Nederland, Colorado. While working at a bar called the Verve, Austin met Adam Aijala and Ben Kaufmann, with whom he and Johnston would form the Yonder Mountain String Band. Together, the four musicians have created a wild, high-energy niche among the bluegrass legends of old and the up and coming jam band scene. Over fifteen years, Yonder Mountain String Band have built an intensely loyal fan base by playing festivals and venues across the nation, sharing the stage with legends like Jon Fishman, Phil Lesh, Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzman, Earl Scruggs, Pete Thomas, and Jimmy Herring, and releasing five studio albums and five live recordings.

“My time with Yonder has taught me what is possible,” Austin says. “It has shown me that if you work hard at it and you believe in it and there’s a part of you that’s meant to do it, it will happen. It’s clichéd, but it’s true.”

It is with this rich personal history at his back that propels Austin into a new creative direction as he prepares to step into the spotlight as a solo artist. On his forthcoming debut project, Austin’s songwriting remains rooted in Americana inspiration and the frantic energy of the jam genre but also, reaches even further weaving in more mainstream themes, reminiscent of his co-write contribution “Fiddlin’ Around,” that was featured on the 2010 Grammy nominated Dierks Bentley album, Up on the Ridge. While the upcoming, untitled solo effort is still a work in progress, it can already be summed up succinctly as Austin’s love letter to storytelling. “I love writing a three-minute song with a hook that would grab a five-hundred-pound marlin as much as I like writing something that goes, ‘okay, after the bridge, it’s going to open up and just go wide.’”

Indeed, “wide” is what Jeff Austin is all about. He wants new and different, complex and interesting. He wants everything the music world has to offer, and he’s willing to work hard to get it.

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For more information, please visit JeffAustin.com or Facebook.com/JeffAustinOfficial.

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Activities, Excursions and the Theme Night Announced for Strings & Sol!

 

Activities, Excursions and the Theme Night have been announced for Strings & Sol in Tulum, MX on Dec 12- 16th!

Show off your culinary skills at the guac’ off, play along with the Strummin’ Session by the pool or test your luck in the deep sea fishing competition with Adam Aijala of Yonder Mountain String Band and Railroad Earth‘s Carey Harmon. Taste the local flavors with Jeff Austin’s Taco Tour or join Tim Carbone of Railroad Earth as you snorkel through cenotes! Explore the Mayan Ruins and many more with artists from The Infamous Stringdusters and Leftover Salmon! These are just a few of the exciting Tulum adventures that await you!

Click here for more info

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YouTube Contest: Win Artist Passes to Jomeokee and Jam with Del McCoury!

Jomeokee is doing a video contest for a chance for someone to win 2 artist passes and a chance to  jam with Del McCoury at  the festival which takes place on September 14-16th, 2012. 

Del himself will be one of the judges picking the winner!

 

Del McCoury and Jomeokee Music and Arts Festival are proud to announce the “Jam with Del McCoury at Jomeokee Fest” YouTube contest. Musicians are encouraged to submit a video of themselves jamming, soloing and shredding to win the chance of playing onstage with bluegrass legend Del McCoury at the first annual Jomeokee Music and Arts Festival this September 14-16, 2012. One winner will receive 2 artist credentials to Jomeokee Fest and a once in a lifetime opportunity of playing in front of a live audience alongside the Del McCoury Band.

“This is an exciting chance for a fan to take part in a special performance with our friends,” says Del McCoury. “I love festivals that give a you family reunion feel; a big party with friends that you don’t get to see that often. That’s what Jomeokee Fest is shooting for!” He continues, “They gave me a whole stage to treat like a pickin’ party at my house!”

To enter, musicians must submit and upload a live performance video to the Jomeokee Fest YouTube channel www.youtube.com/jomeokeefest. Video entries must be less than two minutes in length. Entrants are asked to submit videos that showcase their skill. Video entries do not have to be of a full song – feel free to edit a previous performance that showcases a solo or particularly engaging moment. All instruments are encouraged to apply, but keep in mind: the winner will be performing with a band comprised of mostly acoustic instruments, therefore, heavy effects are discouraged. The sound for the video must be from the original recording, videos with an audio track overlaid will not be considered. The contest is open to all ages and entries must be received by August 10, 2012.

A panel of judges, which will include Del McCoury, will choose one grand-prize winner and two runners-up. The winners will be announced on August 17th. In addition to playing a song with the Del McCoury Band at Jomeokee Music and Arts Festival, the grand-prize winner will receive two artist passes with access to premium camping during the festival. Runners-up will receive a Jomeokee Music and Arts Festival poster signed by the Del McCoury Band. Full contest rules are available on the Jomeokee Festival website http://jomeokeefest.com/jam-with-del-contest/.

To submit a video or view submissions, visit www.youtube.com/jomeokeefest

For more information about Jomeokee Music and Arts Festival or to purchase tickets, visit www.jomeokeefest.com

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ABOUT JOMEOKEE MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL:

The first annual Jomeokee Music and Arts Festival will take place September 14 – 16, 2012 at the Jomeokee Campgrounds in Pinnacle, NC. Set inside a natural amphitheater, in front of Pilot Mountain, two side-by-side stages will showcase alternating sets of first-class live music. On one stage, bluegrass living legend Del McCoury will curate top notch bluegrass, string and Americana music. On the second stage, fans will get their groove on to sets featuring collectives of funk, jam and world music. Headliners Del McCoury Band and Stephen Marley will be joined by Yonder Mountain String Band, Keller Williams and the Travelin’ McCourys, Jimmy Herring Band, Lettuce, The Everyone Orchestra (Conducted by Matt Butler and featuring Jimmy Herring(Widespread Panic), Melvin Seals (Jerry Garcia Band), Al Schnier & Vinnie Amico(moe.), Michael Kang (The String Cheese Incident), George Porter Jr. (Meters), Jennifer Hartswick (Trey Anastasio Band), Jeff Sipe, members of Lettuce, and more!), The Emmitt-Nershi Band, and many more! Jomeokee is a family friendly festival featuring artist workshops, tent and RV camping, a kids’ zone, late night campfire jams and more. Children 12 and under are free when accompanied by a paid adult. Limit 2 kids per adult.

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Message from the Keels: Recaps From The Festy & Harvest Fest as well as Bass and Grass News!

Here’s a fun message from Larry and Jenny Keel:

It’s been an absolutely beautiful and magical fall festival season for the Keel crew, rolling around America’s hills and dales and doing our thang!

The Festy in Roseland, VA was an epic weekend of ideal festivating! Hosted by the wildly talented Infamous Stringdusters, this event represents all the best best elements of a great and inspiring music festival- loved all the collaborations the jams and pickin around the campfire were wide open and memorable, to say the least (larry’s guitar head stock smells like barbecue now! it’s got some awesome mojo in it forever more!) .. a stage highlight was seeing that nuclear jam during the Toubab Krew set, when Larry and members of the String Dusters got up with em and blew the roof off the place.. our new favorite version of ‘Cluck Ol Hen’!

Then we bolted across the middle of the country and headed over to Yonder Mountain String Band’s Harvest Fest, in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas.. spectacular autumn scenery, awesome property there at Mulberry Mountain- and a perfect music festival, complete with amazing stage acts, killer art and vending everywhere, and lots of spontaneous pickin jams among the world class artists- Larry and Will Lee, Scott Law and Darol Anger spent a whole late afternoon jammin away behind the main stage… late night picks included Keel, Mark Schimick, Will Lee, Drew Emmitt, Bill Nershi, Andy Thorn, gals and guys from Elephant Revival and Railroad Earth! all crammed into an RV ! super fun- look out for flipped out video on all that- coming soon! Stage highlights included Larry and Adam Aijala’s guitar duo set, with special guest Darol Anger, our Keel and Natural Bridge set, with a grand finale including almost all of the Greensky Bluegrass dudes, and then a wonderfully deep and spiritual set by Peter Rowan, on his own- he got Larry up to do some tunes with just the 2 of them.. on their guitars- Pete said he wanted to test drive a new tune he had just written that morning, and he wanted Larry and he to explore it together, on the spot.. it was awesome- look out for footage on that soon too!

And now! Stokin the home fires back in VA (well, getting the wood ready for the winter, more like it!), and preparing for our next adventure! Bass and Grass down on our favorite lake in the South: Goose Lake, near Perry GA.. join us and fishin/pickin/partyin instructors Jeff Mosier, David Blackmon, Steve McMurry and Gove Scrivenor as we dig in for a weekend of country style resort music and nature retreat together ! no need to know how to play an instrument- you just gotta know how to smile! bring it on, Oct 27-30!

Larry Keel Tour Dates:

Fishin and Pickin
Larry Keel, Jenny Keel, Mark Schimick, Will Lee
10/27-30/11 BASS and GRASS 4 Green Bell Bed and Barn Perry, GA

Larry Keel and Natural Bridge
10/16/11 LKNB HARVEST MUSIC FESTIVAL Ozark, AR
11/03/11 LKNB Boone Saloon Boone, NC
11/05/11 LKNB Private Eastern, NC
11/10/11 Eric Anderson’s Birthday Bash O’Neill’s Pub Lexington, KY
11/11/11 LKNB 123 Pleasant Street Morgantown, WV
11/12/11 LKNB Coffeepot Roanoke, VA
11/18/11 LKNB Gottrocks Greenville, SC
11/19/11 LKNB Private Somewhere, GA
12/09/11 LKNB Legal Grounds Rutherfordton, NC
12/10/11 LKNB Pour House Charleston, SC
02/04/12 LKNB Shepherdstown Opera House Shepherdstown, WV

Keel Brothers
Larry Keel – Guitar and vocals Gary Keel – Guitar and vocals
11/25/11 Larry & Gary Keel Bulls and Bears Pub Hagerstown, MD
11/26/11 Larry & Gary Keel Richardsville Firehall Richardsville, VA

Keller and the Keels
Keller Williams – Guitar and vocals Larry Keel – Guitar and vocals Jenny Keel – Bass and Harmonies
12/31/11 Keller and the Keels Brooklyn Performing Arts Center Wilmington, NC
01/09/12 Keller and the Keels JAM CRUISE 10 Ft. Lauderdale, FL

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Suwanne Springfest 2012 Lineup Announced!

The lineup for 2012’s Suwannee Springfest was just announced featuring Yonder Mountain String Band, Peter Rowan & Tony Rice, Justin Townes Earl,  Emmitt-Nershi Band , Larry Keel and Natural Bridge, Darol Anger and the Republic of Strings, The Infamous Stringdusters, The Gourds, Greensky Bluegrass, Great American Taxi, and more!The festival returns to Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, FL for the weekend of March 22-25, 2012 and three-day passes are now on sale for $125. Read on for the lineup

Stay tuned to suwanneespringfest.com for more!

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Larry Keel & Adam Aijala Videos from SouthEast Tour

Check out some great video footage from the recent SouthEast tour with Larry Keel and Adam Aijala

Larry Keel & Adam Aijala, from Yonder Mountain String Band, perform a duo acoustic show at the Shepherdstown Opera House in Shepherdstown, WV on 5/5/10.

This segment includes:
Intro by Bob Keel
Cattle In The Cane

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Larry Keel & Adam Aijala, from Yonder Mountain String Band, perform a duo acoustic show at the Shepherdstown Opera House in Shepherdstown, WV on 5/5/10.

This segment includes:
Pioneers
The Man That Only You Could Love

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Larry Keel & Adam Aijala, from Yonder Mountain String Band, perform a duo acoustic show at the Shepherdstown Opera House in Shepherdstown, WV on 5/5/10.

This segment includes:
Mountain Song

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Larry Keel & Adam Aijala, from Yonder Mountain String Band, perform a duo acoustic show at the Shepherdstown Opera House in Shepherdstown, WV on 5/5/10.

This segment includes:
Tear Stained Eye

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May 11, 2010 — Larry Keel & Adam Aijala, from Yonder Mountain String Band, perform a duo acoustic show at the Shepherdstown Opera House in Shepherdstown, WV on 5/5/10.

This segment includes:
Amos Moses

djones2125

Taken a show at Triad Stage in Greensboro, NC.

travisncs

Night out with Larry keel And Adam Aijala after a day of sells with the Down The Street Bead Show in Charleston South Carolina this past sunday……..This is the first of two encores for the night……..

johnwroberts1972

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Larry Keel & Adam Aijala (YMSB) tour the SouthEast this May!

Yonder Mountain String Band’s Adam Aijala is teaming up with fellow guitar virtuoso Larry Keel for a short run of acoustic shows in the Southeast. Get ready to watch these two bad-ass guitar players tear it up with their wild riffs and antics from their experiences picking and jammin’ together backstage, at festivals throughout the years, and their recent tour out West this past December.

Larry Keel is a world renowned, internationally touring, Mountain Music Troubadour. At 18, Keel ventured overseas to work at the Tokyo, Japan Disneyland, as a “Western Land” musician; playing 6 shows a day, 6 days a week for a solid year. Talk about getting your chops down! Early on, Larry established himself as a phenomenally talented flatpicking guitarist, winning top honors at guitar competitions across the country. Throughout his career, Keel has released 13 albums and is featured on 9 others.

While he honors the pioneers that introduced bluegrass and mountain music into popular culture, Keel allows his music to evolve and embrace sounds and styles that inspire him, all along the way. He has collaborated and shared the stage with many of his own legends including Tony Rice, Sam Bush, Vassar Clements, Curtis Burch, Peter Rowan, Darell Scott, Jim Lauderdale, Jack Lawrence, Mark Vann, Vince Herman, Mike Marshall, Darol Anger, Keller Williams, amongst others.

Keel has weathered the changing tides of traditional bluegrass, country, jam rock, roots reggae, and even the currently emerging indie-alt scene always honoring the pioneers that introduced Bluegrass and Mountain Music into popular culture. He is an ever evolving musical force that stands in ongoing defiance to all genre expectations. Don’t bother trying to pigeonhole the music of Larry Keel. He’s untamed and untamable.

When not performing with his MIGHTY ensemble, Natural Bridge, Larry collaborates regularly with powerhouse pickers in shows and events and instructional workshop situations across the country. Often, these music events coincide with another of Larry’s natural-born passions: FISHING. This year marks the beginning of his completely original recreational concept, FISHIN AND PICKIN, that serves as an on-line resource and networking hub in all things to do with fishing, the great outdoors, music, camping, enjoying life to the fullest!

Meanwhile, Adam Aijala was born in Worcester, Massachusetts and spent the majority of his childhood in the nearby town of Sterling. As a young teen, Adam loved skateboarding and listening to punk and hardcore music. He was exposed to such bands as Black Flag, the Dead Kennedys, and the Descendents.

In 1986, at age 13, Aijala began playing electric guitar and taking lessons. He learned power chords first, playing dozens of short punk tunes. In his early years of high school, he added metal bands like Metallica and Slayer to his repertoire. Shortly after, Adam’s musical tastes began to shift. He began listening to Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, and even the Grateful Dead. Desiring a new sound, Adam picked up his first acoustic guitar at age 17. He started listening to Bob Dylan and in college, Old and In The Way.

During his years at UMass Amherst, Adam played whenever he could as he studied Forestry. After graduation in 1995, and after a couple of major knee surgeries, he played several open mics around Worcester; strumming his originals like “Left Me In A Hole”, along with Dylan covers. He worked in the forestry field until 1997, when another knee injury forced him to rethink his career choice. It was at this point that Adam decided to pursue his career in music, moving to Nederland, Colorado. It was there where he met Jeff Austin, Ben Kaufman, and Dave Johnston…and the rest is YMSB!

Akin to Keel, Yonder Mountain String Band has always played music by its own set of rules. Bending bluegrass, rock, jam, and countless other influences that the band cites, Yonder has pioneered a sound of their own. With their traditional lineup of instruments, the band may look like a traditional bluegrass band at first glance but they’ve created their own music that transcends any genre. Dave Johnston points out “What could be more pure than making your own music.” Yonder’s sound cannot be classified purely as “bluegrass” or “string music” but rather it’s an original sound created from “looking at music from [their] own experiences and doing the best job possible.” The band continues to play by their own rules on their new record The Show.

“With me and Adam it’s just the guitars and doing our thing and doing some really cool freaky material and it is just so comfortable and that’s the way the music should be,” Keel said. “There shouldn’t be no hidden agenda just really soulful playing and writing and getting down to business. It is the most serious blessing of the whole thing. I grew up being so inspired by seeing and hearing all of these players like Sam Bush and Tony Rice, and even a lot of names you don’t hear or have never heard of, so it is like full circle for me to now get to stand in that circle with them and make music and trade riffs and feelings off of each other. It is the most amazing thing and I can’t believe it is happening sometimes.” ~ Dave Lavender, Herald Dispatch

For this tour with Keel and Aijala, expect more bending, twisting, and genre defying feats of guitar mastery and fiery vocals; rooted firmly in a tradition that is rich within both of their individual music!

West Coast Tour Samples:

Americana Roots posted an audio archive from their show at Mississippi Studios in Portland, Oregon: Set 1, Set 2

Check out some video archives from the West Coast tour:
Full show from the Tractor Tavern
“They”- Mississippi Studios
Instrumental- Mississippi Studios
Instrumental- Humbolt Brews
Burl Galloway song- Humbolt Brews

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