Deep Roots Mountain Revival @ Marvin's Mountaintop

WHAT: DEEP ROOTS MOUNTAIN REVIVAL FESTIVAL

WHEN: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 – SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016

WHERE: MARVIN’S MOUNTAINTOP IN MASONTOWN, WV

TICKETS: Tier 1 General Admission 3-Day $150 (on sale now) // GA + Thursday Early Arrival $180 (on sale now) // VIP $570 (on sale now) // Tier 2 General Admission 3-Day $150 (on sale starting August 1) // GA + Thursday Early Arrival $180 (on sale starting August 1)

PURCHASE TICKETS: www.mountainrevival.com/tickets
FESTIVAL WEBSITE: http://www.mountainrevival.com

Festival preview by Bill Rudd...

In less than a week, music returns to the mighty Marvin’s Mountaintop in Masontown, West Virginia. The hallowed All Good grounds will host the inaugural Deep Roots Mountain Revival from September 15 to 18. The festival’s impressive and diverse “Americana” lineup has been the talk of the campgrounds all summer, boasting a bevy of heavy hitters supported by the some of the region’s best bands.

Bluegrass and jamgrass are well represented from headliners Greensky Bluegrass and Leftover Salmon, to the legend lead Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder and David Grisman Sextet. With festival favorites like Cabinet, Larry Keel Experience, Cornmeal, and Rumpke Mountain Boys, teamed with local Appalachian acts like The Hillbilly Gypsies, The Woodshedders, Grand Ole’ Ditch, and The Jakob’s Ferry Stragglers, this Mountain Revival is sure to be a picker’s paradise.

Fans who prefer headier jams can look forward to appearances from a variety of bands like Melvin Seals and JGB, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, The Hip Abduction, Big Something, Ginada Pinata, and Fletcher’s Grove, in addition to a special assembly of Zach Nugent’s Dead Set comprised of Vinnie Amico (moe.), Russ Lawton and Tony Markellis (Trey Anastasio Band), Colin Lenox (Dead Set), and the aforementioned Melvin Seals. The Lot Scene staff is especially looking forward to seeing the Cris Jacobs Band bridging the gap to the Mountaintop’s past.

Deep Roots has broadened their festival’s appeal even further by introducing alternative country to the party. Acts like Jamey Johnson, Blackberry Smoke, Shooter Jennings with Waymore’s Outlaws, Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives, and Yarn should be warmly welcomed in West Virginia. Americana artists such as Rising Appalachia, Fruition, The Black Lillies, Megan Jean & the KFB, and The Company Stores don’t fit as easily into any genre because each specialize in making outstanding original music that has to be witnessed first-hand to be understood. With a stellar lineup coming to a storied location, we’re incredibly excited to be on hand for the first annual Deep Roots Mountain Revival.

DEEP ROOTS MOUNTAIN REVIVAL FULL LINEUP:

Greensky Bluegrass
Jamey Johnson
Blackberry Smoke
Leftover Salmon
The David Grisman Sextet
Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder
Corey Smith
Love and Theft
Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives
Shooter Jennings with Waymore's Outlaws
Cabinet
Melvin Seals & JGB
Rising Appalachia
Fruition
Pigeons Playing Ping Pong
Rumpke Mountain Boys
Cris Jacobs Band
Zach Nugent's Deadset
The Black Lillies
Yarn
The Movement
Alvin "Youngblood" Hart's Muscle Theory
The Hip Abduction
Big Something
The Marcus King Band
Larry Keel Experience
Cornmeal
Girls, Guns & Glory
Spiritual Rez
The Woodshedders
The Trongone Band
Grand Ole Ditch
Megan Jean & The KFB
Hillbilly Gypsies
Fletcher's Grove
The Jakob's Ferry Stragglers
Poor Taters
Ginada Pinata
Matt Mullins & The Bringdowns
Hillbilly Carnival
The Company Store
I-Vibes
Low Seam
The Kind Thieves
Rus Reppert
The Greg Harrison Band
Corey Hager

Freekbass To Unleash Retro-Modern Funktronica On The Front Range!!!

Saturday, July 30th

Sancho's Boulder Arrow - Boulder, CO

Doors:  8PM - Show:  9PM

With Orbis & Roxy Roca

---

Freekbass Unleashes Retro-Modern Funktronica at Sancho's Boulder Arrow
 

New album, Cincinnati, produced by Duane Lundy (My Morning Jacket’s Jim James, Ben Sollee) and featuring contributions from members of Bootsy’s Rubberband, Parliament-Funkadelic and the Trey Anastasio Band.

"With organic, bass-centric sounds mixing with forward-looking soundscapes, Cincinnati finds Freekbass bridging the gap between classic funk and the future of the groove. Aided by the vision of producer and engineer Duane Lundy, this album lives in the rawness of the earth while traveling to the future of worlds yet to be discovered.
 
Inspired by the inventiveness and massive sonics of David Bowie, the ten-songs on Cincinnati celebrate a sound while simultaneously pushing the envelope of what it is and what it can be. Funk is only a part of it. 
 
Accompanying him on the album are Joel "Razor Sharp" Johnson from Bootsy's Rubberband, Big Bamn from Bootsy Collin's Funk Unity Band, Chip Wilson from George Clinton's Parliament-Funkadelic, Les Claypool collaborator Skerik, Jennifer Hartswick from Trey Anastasio Band, Kim Manning and percussionist David Farris.
 
In addition to albums, Freekbass has released three instructional DVDs Learn Funk Bass with Freekbass, Level 1 & Level 2 and 50 Freekbass Licks You Must Know. He also gave a master class at this year’s London Bass Guitar Show (and appeared with a number of great bassists on the cover of Bass Guitar Magazine).
 
“I feel with music it is your duty to release not just albums, but to let other people gain any insight into what got you where you are,” Freekbass says. “Plus I have personally become such a better player since I have started instruction.”
 
Knowing he has as much to learn as he has to teach, Freekbass has played in a number of different projects with the likes of Bootsy Collins, Phish’s Mike Gordon, DJ Spooky, Buckethead, Bernie Worrell, Kelly Richey, Adam Deitch, Steve Molitz and many more." 

 
For more information on Freekbass, please see his website here:  www.freekbass.com

For more information on the venue, please head here:  www.facebook.com/Sanchos-Boulder-Arrow-1480932945540510/

Freekbass

BIG NEWS FROM KELLER WILLIAMS TODAY!!!

Keller Williams Releases New EP:  Bluhm

A collection of Tim Bluhm covers featuring Jackie Greene, Reed Mathis, Jason Crosby, Larry and Jenny Keel with 100% of proceeds benefiting Tim Bluhm’s medical fund.

Hey there, Friends of the Scene!!  Some lovely news for all of us who love us some Keller Williams:  he is releasing some brand spanking new music today!!  Featuring a powerhouse group of friends and guests, this album is also for a great cause making it all the more special a surprise for this Tuesday.  Please take a read below for more info on the EP from Keller's camp:

"Today, independent recording artist Keller Williams releases Bluhm, a five track EP benefitting fellow musician Tim Bluhm of The Mother Hips who, in the fall of 2015, was severely injured in a speed flying accident. Since his accident, Tim has undergone a number of surgeries incurring upwards of $50,000 in uninsured medical expenses. Keller has been a longtime fan of Tim Bluhm, whom he describes as “the epitome of a west coast songwriter.” Inspired by Tim’s plight, Keller wanted to support Tim and his music by releasing Bluhm and giving 100% of the net proceeds to Tim Bluhm’s medical fund.

For the Bluhm recording, Keller rallied an all-star west coast crew of musicians and some old time friends to collaborate on this five track EP. Bluhm features performances by Jackie Greene, Reed Mathis, Jason Crosby, and Larry and Jenny Keel. “I looked at it as a perfect excuse to record five of my favorite Tim Bluhm songs with all the proceeds going to help him get back on his foot,” says Williams. Bluhm is available for digital download through livedownloads.com and iTunes.

As always, Keller is a busy man this summer. In addition to recording Bluhm, he is travelling the country hitting many festivals with some of his fan-favorite projects and working on a new KWahtro record to be released in the coming months. You can catch Keller Williams at the shows listed below and stay tuned for a Fall Tour announcement coming in July!"

Bluhm Track Listing:

"Smoke" (Jackie Greene, banjitar & vocals; Reed Mathis bass; Keller Williams, guitar & vocals)

"Spotless As You" (Reed Mathis, bass; Keller Williams, guitar & vocals)

"Esmerelda" (Jackie Greene, dobro & vocals; Reed Mathis, bass; Keller Williams, guitar & vocals)

"Gold Plated" (Reed Mathis, bass; Keller Williams, guitar & vocals)

"Do it on the Strings" (Larry Keel, guitar & vocals; Jenny Keel, bass & vocals; Jason Crosby, fiddle; Keller Williams, mandola & vocals)

---

Keller Williams Tour Dates:

6/30 Party in the Park | Rochester, NY | More Than A Little 7/01 Grateful Fest | Garrettsville, OH | More Than A Little

7/02 Paradise on the Point | Cincinnati, OH | Keller Williams Solo

7/03 Highberry Music Festival | Ozark, AR | Keller Williams Solo

7/09 Blissfest | Harbor Springs, MI | Keller Williams Solo

7/15 Terrapin Crossroads | San Rafael, CA | Keller Williams Solo

7/16-17 Northwest String Summit | North Plains, OR | More Than A Little & Keller Williams’
Grateful Gospel

7/21 Jerry Jam Music Festival | Bath, NY | Keller Williams Solo

7/22 Be Kind Gathering | Harrodsburg, KY | Keller Williams Solo

7/23 Live from the Underground | McMinnville, TN | Keller Williams Solo w/ special guest
Zach Deputy

7/30-31 Floyd Fest | Floyd, VA | Keller Williams Solo, Keller & The Keels, More Than A Little                                                                                                                                                         

8/04 The Peace Center for the Performing Arts | Greenville, SC | Keller Williams Solo                                                                                                                                          

8/05 Brooklyn Performing Arts Center | Wilmington, NC | Keller Williams Solo

8/06 Levon Helm Studios | Woodstock, NY | Keller Williams Solo

8/07 Jonathan Edwards Winery | North Stonington, CT | Keller Williams Solo

8/20 Camp Barefoot | Elkins, WV | Keller Williams Solo & Keller Loves Canon

8/27-28 LOCKN’ Festival | Arrington, VA | Keller Williams’ Grateful Grass & Keller Williams’
Grateful Gospel

9/02 Bell’s Brewery | Kalamazoo, WI | More Than A Little

9/02-04 Shoe Fest | Manteno, IL | More Than A Little

9/04 The Bootleg | St. Louis, MO | More Than A Little

9/08 Jackson Hole Center for the Arts | Jackson Hole, WY | Shut the Folk Up & Listen ft. Leo
Kottke

9/09 The Mishawaka Amphitheatre | Bellvue, CO | Keller Williams Solo, Keller & his
Compadres ft. Jeff Austin, Jay Starling, Bridget Law and Keith Moseley w/ special guest
Trout Steak Revival

9/10 The Mishawaka Amphitheatre | Bellvue, CO | More Than A Little with special guest
Andy Frasco

9/16-18 Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion | Bristol, TN | Keller Williams Solo

9/22-24 Resonance Music & Arts Festival | Thornville, OH | Keller Williams and special guests                                                                                                                                        

9/23-25 Catskill Chill | Lakewood, PA | Keller Williams’ Grateful Grass

10/22 The Georgia Theatre | Athens, GA | KWahtro with special guest Zach Deputy

11/12 The Orange Peel | Asheville, NC | KWahtro with special guest TBA

12/09-13 Strings & Sol | Puerto Morelos, Mexico | Keller Williams’ Grateful Grass, Keller & the
Keels

Additional dates to be announced.

Tickets and Info available at www.kellerwilliams.net

WinterWonderGrass 2016 Survival Guide

Fruition's Jay Cobb Anderson

 

2015 WinterWonderGrass Recap

What better way to get ready for this year's festival than to take a walk down memory lane care of our dear friends at The Mischief Collective?  Please take a look at the following links for insights into last year's WinterWonderGrass experience (both CO and CA):

15 Ways WinterWonderGrass Will Warm Your Heart

"7. The Crowd

The Sweet Lillies provided Leftover Salmon fans with a fantastic opening set at Agave on Saturday night. Their drummer for the evening, Jake Wolf, who also happens to be an Avon councilman, stepped forward to share the feedback he’d been receiving from the locals- that WinterWonderGrass attendees hold a reputation for being the most kind, respectful, and dedicated to the music. If you care to surround yourself with people who are passionate about bluegrass…WinterWonderGrass is the place to do so."

WinterWonderGrass Tahoe 2015 - 5 Artist Profiles

Artist Profile:  Chris Pandolfi

"TMC: Is there a moment in particular from any of the four installments of the festival, including Tahoe, that stands out to you?

CP: I’ll never forget standing on stage the first year, trying to stay warm, wondering who’s idea it was to have an outdoor bluegrass festival in Colorado during the winter. And then all the sudden it started to dump snow from above, and all that ski town energy came pouring up onto the stage. The lights caught the snow and suddenly you could see forever—the energy became overwhelming. The music just came to life and it went down as one of our most memorable Stringduster sets of the year."

And be sure to be on the lookout for members of both The Mischief Collective and The Lot Scene all around WonderGrass this year.  Who knows just what sort of insanity we'll be getting up to?  Wanna join in The Mischief Scene shenanigannery?  Well then come on and get your crazy on with us WWG-style!!

Andy Thorn and Tyler Grant

WinterWonderGrass 2016 Survival Guide

WinterWonderGrass is a fest quite unlike any other given its time of year and location.  Snow is almost a surety in the Rocky Mountains surrounding Avon, CO.  As such, it pays to remember all the right gear and clothing — trust us, you don’t want to be caught unawares…or you’re gonna have a bad time.  Beer and bluegrass is the name of the game and with so many great breweries representing at WWG this year, how can you go wrong?  And that music lineup!  Forget about it, right??  So, speaking from some experience with WonderGrass, we’d like to offer up a little friendly advice for those going this year.

THE BEERS

So many delicious brews to choose and you can hit every one!  A word to the wise, the altitude is a real thing when it comes to boozing in the mountains.  Please be safe and stay hydrated to keep yourself in raging shape.  There’s a ton of amazing music in store for the weekend — you wouldn’t want to be a festy casualty.  But enough of the dire warnings…here are our brewery recommendations for you this year:

Beers Not To Be Missed:

• Breckenridge Brewery

• Avery

• Oskar Blues

• Lefthand

• Odell

The Wood Brothers

THE MUSIC

How could you make a mistake when it comes to ANY of this lineup?  With a schedule jam-packed full of amazing main stage and incredible secondary stage acts, it can be so hard to decide whom to see.  Based on the schedule, here are the bands that we would recommend as “must sees” for WWG 2016:

Music Not To Be Missed:

Friday

• The Travelin’ McCourys

• Larry Keel’s WWG All Stars

• Leftover Salmon

• The Grant Farm

Saturday

• Peter Rowan & Friends

• Fruition

• Greensky Bluegrass

• Larry Keel

• Billy Strings

Sunday

• WWG All Stars

• Paul Hoffman

• Dustbowl Revival

• The Lil’ Smokies

• Greensky Bluegrass

Andy Thorn of Leftover Salmon

THE LATE NIGHT

You really can’t go wrong when it comes to late night at WWG.  So many choices between such great music.  All the venues are incredible, small, intimate spaces that provide the perfect backdrop for the nighttime crawl.  Here is our plan for late night festivities:

Late Night Not To Be Missed:

• Friday - The Travelin’ McCourys OR The Grant Farm with Town Cavalry

• Saturday - The Lil’ Smokies/Billy Strings

• Sunday - Dustbowl Revival and WWG Allstars

Vince Herman of Leftover Salmon

There you have it, friends -- our 2016 WonderGrass Survival Guide.  We're looking forward to seeing you all out in Avon this year.  Safe travels to the fest this year -- let's all hope for great weather on I-70!!!  

Let's get ready to WonderGrass!!!

- The Lot Scene (Will and Parker) and The Mischief Collective (Hilary and Tory)

The "Mischief Scene"

PS - Be sure to find The Lot Scene to get your complimentary commemorative button for this year!!  Look for our top hats and our rubber chicken buddy!!

The Werks Host STS9, Lettuce and more at The Werk Out Music & Arts Festival

The Werks Host STS9, Lettuce and more at The Werk Out Music & Arts Festival
Ohio Band’s Seventh Annual Homegrown Event Held at Legend Valley on August 4-6

http://www.thewerkoutfestival.com | http://www.thewerksmusic.com

Celebrating 10 years of playing together, The Werks have put together one of their most exciting Werk Out Music & Arts Festival to date. Held at Legend Valley (just east of Columbus) on August 4-6, this seventh annual event features three nights of The Werks, along with STS9, Lettuce, two nights of Dopapod, two nights of Twiddle and many more. 

The end of 2015 and beginning of 2016 was a very trying time for The Werks. They marked their 10th anniversary with the release their new album, Inside a Dream. They played one of the most talked about sets from Jam Cruise. Then tragedy struck. Only hours after they had left the stage on Jam Cruise, back at home founding keyboardist, Norman Dimitrouleas (brother of bassist, Dino) passed away in his sleep. This much tumult could be the end of many bands, but The Werks remain committed to their life’s work. Their music. Taking time to process the loss, Dino has announced a leave of absence from the band and will be replaced by SassafraZ’s Jake Goldberg.

2016’s initial lineup includes:
The Werks (3 nights)
STS9 (2 sets)
Lettuce (Late Night)
Dopapod (2 nights)
Twiddle (2 nights)
The Motet (Late Night)
Zoogma
Turkuaz
The Mantras
Broccoli Samurai
Glostik Willy
Tropidelic
Sassafraz
Mister F
Cheezcake
Higher Learning
Litz
and more to be announced

From headlining stages at the country’s biggest festivals, to selling out shows around the country, to running their own record label, 1320 RECORDS, pushing boundaries is all in a day’s work for instrumental electronic rock band STS9. 

For more than two decades, Lettuce have brought a new vitality to classic funk, matching their smooth and soulful grooves with a hip-hop-inspired urgency and mastery of beat. 

Formerly known as Buckeye Lake Music Center, the sprawling festival grounds of Legend Valley have played host to some of Ohio’s most memorable live performances of the past five decades including half a dozen Grateful Dead concerts as well as tour stops from Lollapalooza, AC/DC, WOMAD, The Allman Brothers Band, and numerous other large events.

GA festival passes are available now for $109.95 and $219.95 for VIP packages which include Official VIP-Access Laminate, VIP only Showers, VIP only Bathrooms, VIP only concert viewing area & more. The Werk Out Festival tickets are available at http://www.thewerkoutfestival.com/site/get-tickets. 

The Werk Out Festival is produced by Trickle Productions and The Werks Music, LLC. 

Complete Werk Out Festival information and tickets are available at http://www.thewerkoutfestival.com/. 

Dog Days Bluegrass Festival *Free Music Alert*

Dog Days Bluegrass Festival presented by BeeJeeCo

Watering Bowl / Denver, CO / August 30, 2015

2015 marked the inaugural year of Dog Days Bluegrass Festival, held at Watering Bowl in Denver, CO. As the name might suggest, Dog Days Bluegrass Festival is a dog-friendly, outdoor event featuring some of the Front Range's favorite bluegrass pickers. In addition to the first rate music, Dog Days also included art, vendors, and a raffle which benefited Denver Dumb Friends League, an organization working to eliminating pet homelessness and suffering in the Denver area.

In anticipation of their 2016 date and lineup announcements, our friends at BeeJeeCo. have begun releasing soundboard recordings of last year's event. Links to sets 1 & 2 from the Dog Days All Stars are below, including some surprise sit-ins from Greensky Bluegrass' Paul Hoffman in set 2. We hope you enjoy, and be sure to like BeeJeeCo. on Facebook (here) so you can be the first to hear new soundboard releases as well as information on upcoming events.

Chris Pandolfi (Infamous Stringdusters) - Banjo

Andy Hall (Infamous Stringdusters) - Dobro

Tyler Grant (Grant Farm) - Guitar

Adrian Engfer (Grant Farm) - Bass

Also featuring:

*Paul Hoffman (of Greensky Bluegrass) on select songs - Mandolin

SET 1

Track Listing:

00:00:00  Banter

00:00:30  I'm Troubled

00:04:00  99 Years

00:07:50  Ground Speed

00:11:28  Big Irons

00:19:04  I'm on my Way Back to The Old Home

00:22:10  Pick Myself Up

00:28:45  Mr. Charlie

00:33:08  Big Mon

00:37:17  I've Been All Around This World

00:43:40  Over in The Glory Land

SET 2

00:00:00  Banter

00:00:57  Hippie Guitar

00:06:40  Good Morning Mister Railroad Man

00:13:19  Big Boss Man * w/ Paul Hoffman of Greensky Bluegrass

00:20:32  House of The Rising Sun * w/ Paul Hoffman of Greensky Bluegrass

00:28:10  White House Blues * w/ Paul Hoffman of Greensky Bluegrass

00:32:10  Jam * w/ Paul Hoffman of Greensky Bluegrass

00:39:35  Donovan * w/ Paul Hoffman of Greensky Bluegrass

00:47:23  Rollin' In My Sweet Baby's Arms * w/ Paul Hoffman of Greensky Bluegrass

00:53:30  Jam * w/ Paul Hoffman of Greensky Bluegrass

Announcements from the world of Dark Star Orchestra

Dark Star Orchestra Announces Theme for NYE in Philly, Crosses 2500 Show Threshold, Turns 18 This Week, and Returns to Jamaica in January

Among other milestones it’s crossing this week, Dark Star Orchestra is finally old enough to vote. The band enters into its 18th year of performing on 11/11/15, the anniversary of their first performance in 1997; while later this same week, the band will perform its 2500th show at the House of Blues in Boston, MA on November 18. This milestone is just one of many that Dark Star Orchestra has crossed, having already eclipsed the actual number of performances the Grateful Dead shared in their 30-year career. 

The numerical milestones aside, the band today announces noteworthy plans for its New Year’s Eve at the Electric Factory in Philadelphia with a duo of nights December 30 & 31. In the spirit of Bill Graham’s classic NYE celebrations, DSO has joined forces with the legendary West Coast festival design team at Peak Experience Productions. The key to the celebration is participation in DSO’s theme of “Let It Shine!”. The band wants to know what you are grateful for and what you want to shine some love and light on in 2016. There are creative plans to include each fans’ thoughts and wishes as part of the New Year’s show. Various engaging activities including a costume contest, all while presenting a multi-media journey featuring cirque performers, audience participation and a musical exploration for all who are present. More details are at http://bit.ly/DSONYE2015. Tickets for both nights at the Electric Factory are available at http://bit.ly/DSO_Philly. 

Soon after 2016 rings in with a four night, Cosmic New Year celebration run, Dark Star Orchestra returns to Jamaica for their fourth incursion of the Jam in the Sand Festival. Fewer than twenty rooms remain at press time for the event happening January 19 – 23, 2016 at the Jewel Paradise Cover in Runaway Bay, Jamaica. DSO performs four full nights, two sets per night and they’re joined by Steve Kimock’s Tribute to Jerry Garcia and Peter Rowan’s Bluegrass Band. Details on remaining available packages for the all-inclusive event can be found at www.DSOJamInTheSand.com. A video showing footage from this year’s Jam in the Sand Festival can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-fXMn8AwMk. 

N Street Village & White Ford Bronco Doing Important Work

On October 13th, I had the honor of photographing a fundraiser event for N Street Village (http://www.nstreetvillage.org), a non-profit organization in Washington, DC, which does amazing work helping homeless and low-income women, addressing both emergency and long-term needs. White Ford Bronco, the DC area's premier 90's cover band, put on a rockin' show full of your favorite hits from your least favorite decade. They had the sold-out crowd at Tropicalia dancing and singing along throughout the entire set. A big thank you to the band for supporting N Street Village! If you get a chance to see them play around the DC area, definitely don't miss out! You can find out more about them here: http://www.whitefordbronco.com

If you believe (like I do) that we are all in this together and we all have an obligation to help our fellow sisters and brothers, N Street Village is a great example of an organization doing things the right way. If you believe (like I do) that you should donate your time and money to reputable organizations who are using those resources in the most efficient and beneficial ways possible, N Street Village is a great example of an organization doing things the right way. Far from a handout, N Street Village offers these women a hand UP.     

A little about the women they help...

• N Street Village serves nearly 1400 women annually
• 142 program residents at a time
• 51 affordable housing units
• 92% reported mental health issues, substance abuse issues, or both
• 84% report a history of domestic violence or significant trauma
• 75% have chronic health problems
• 11% HIV+; one percent is considered an epidemic rate by the World Health Organization
• Nearly 1 in 2 women have no income when they come to N Street Village (46%)

The impact of their work in a year (statistics taken from 2013 report)...

• 45,000 meals served
• 635 women received wellness center health services
• 96% of residents maintained stable mental health
• 92% of residents in recovery maintained sobriety
• 100% of newly employed clients kept their jobs for at least 3 months

Check out the video below for more information on N Street Village, and if this cause strikes a chord with you, please consider donating to N Street Village at the link below: https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/NStreetVillage

From N Street Village's Website...

N Street Village is a community of empowerment and recovery for homeless and low-income women in Washington, D.C. With comprehensive services addressing both emergency and long-term needs, we help women achieve stability and make meaningful gains in their housing, income, employment, mental health, physical health, and addiction recovery.

Our excellence has been widely recognized. We are winners of the Washington Post Excellence in Nonprofit Management Award -- the first organization ever awarded on its first application, the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill Heroes in the Fight Award, and the Center for Nonprofit Advancement Board Leadership Award. 

The Werks & Twiddle Twerking into the Front Range

Jam Double-Bill:  Twiddle + The Werks = Twerk Tour Comes to Colorado!!

Friday, November 6th - Aggie Theater - Fort Collins

Saturday, November 7th - Boulder Theater - Boulder

After an amazing festival season, Twiddle and The Werks are back for the amazing double-billed Twerk Tour! Playing at Bonnaroo, Electric Forest, Wakarusa, Summer Camp and many more of this summer’s most exciting events, these two bands are ready to keep the party going well into the fall with a string of shows.

Twiddle spins tall tales over an intricate soundscape of hi-def shred. Their fresh multi-genre approach conjures up jazz, classical, and bluegrass, but above all, masterfully blends reggae and funk. Obliterating laws of improvisation, their complex arrangements never fail to leave crowds lusting for more. With sage songwriting and unmatched variety, Twiddle’s thrilling infancy continues to exceed all expectation. 

Twiddle is Mihali Savoulidis (guitar, vocals), Ryan Dempsey (keyboards, vocals), Brook Jordan (drums, vocals), Zdenek Gubb (bass, vocals).

The Werks produce a dance party that can be appreciated by a majority of musical tastes. Known for fusing psychedelic shredding guitar, wailing organ of jam and classic rock with funk slap bass, synthesizers, and modern dance beats, The Werks create their own style of music. Their unique style of performing is affected and manipulated by the energy of the audience, guaranteeing that each show will be different and memorable.

The Werks is Rob Chafin (drums, vocals, samples), Dino Dimitrouleas (bass, vocals), Chris Houser (guitar, vocals), Dan Shaw (keyboards, vocals).

This is a fantastic opportunity to see to incredible bands at the same time -- what more do you need?  If you're in Colorado why not head to FOCO and BOCO and get your TWERK on???

Tickets can be purchased here:

Aggie Theatre - Ft. Collins, CO - Friday, November 6th, 2015 (Purchase Tickets)                                                                                                                                          $17 Advance / $20 Day of Show / Doors: 8:00 pm / Show: 9:00 pm  (event ends at 2:00 am)

Boulder Theater - Boulder, CO - Saturday, November 7th, 2015 (Purchase Tickets)
      $20 / $23 / Doors 8pm / Show 9pm / ALL AGES / (Twiddle closes)

Want to know a little more about the tour from the band members themselves?  Take a gander at the video below to get you in the mood for some TWERKin'!!

Here's hoping you can make it to these unique Front Range shows, friends!!

Trey Anastasio Band - New Audio Track and Tour Dates

Trey Anastasio Band will embark on a short fall tour to help promote the release of "Paper Wheels," the Phish guitarist's 10th solo album, which is due out October 30th.

Pre-sale begins Thursday, August 27! 

http://treytickets.shop.ticketstoday.com/

October 16 - Kings Theatre, Brooklyn, NY
October 16 - Kings Theatre, Brooklyn, NY
October 30 - Brooklyn Bowl, Las Vegas, NV - SOLD OUT
October 31 - Brooklyn Bowl, Las Vegas, NV - SOLD OUT
November 1 - House Of Blues, San Diego, CA
November 4 - The Wiltern, Los Angeles, CA
November 6 - Fox Theatre, Oakland, CA
November 7 - Fox Theatre, Oakland, CA
November 9 - Crystal Ballroom, Portland, OR
November 10 - WAShowbox SODO, Seattle, WA
November 12 - The Depot, Salt Lake City, UT
November 13 - Fillmore Auditorium, Denver, CO
November 14 - Fillmore Auditorium, Denver, CO

Give a listen to the opening track, "Sometime After Sunset," and let us know what you think!

From Trey Anastasio's new album "Paper Wheels" available October 30th. Pre-order from www.trey.com http://vevo.ly/YQzvE9

Paper Wheels Track List

1. "Sometime After Sunset" 
2. "The Song" 
3. "Never" 
4. "In Rounds" 
5. "Flying Machines" 
6. "Invisible Knife" 
7. "Lever Boy" 
8. "Bounce" 
9. "Liquid Time" 
10. "Paper Wheels" 
11. "Speak to Me" 
12. "Cartwheels"

Bob Weir Sits Down with Dan Rather

AXS TV has released a preview of an interview that Dan Rather did with The Grateful Dead's, Bob Weir, which will air in full on August 11, 2015.  Get a taste of the interview below, as Rather and Weir discuss The Grateful Dead's influence on Americana for a full half century.

As soon as possible, we will update this article with an exact time, so you can set your DVR's.

On August 11, catch The Grateful Dead's Bob Weir on The Big Interview with Dan Rather!

THE GRATEFUL DEAD - "FARE THEE WELL" - Final Thoughts - CHICAGO, IL - 3-5 JULY 2015

THE GRATEFUL DEAD - "FARE THEE WELL" - Final Thoughts

CHICAGO, IL - 3-5 JULY 2015

by Rockin' Randi Starrett

The final Fare The Well show, the last stand of the last original members of The Grateful Dead, is a wrap. Instead of words, I had tears.  Tears of joy, tears of longing, tears of sadness - all commingling into a feeling of melancholy.  But not a lot of words.  So I asked strangers, those walking back from the final show, ones standing at the L, people who came up to grab my Jerry doll (who spent the weekend at the shows too) for one last hug, fans at the Chicago Cubs game on Monday, and my Facebook friends, to give me one word to describe the experience. And here are those single words, though as one fan elaborated after saying "emotional" - the feelings the songs and scenes evoked and the joy of seeing old friends.  So here are those one  word descriptions (and yes, I allowed for made up words and hyphenated words):

Love, more, scrumtrulescent, life-affirming, incredible, uplifting, deadlicious, mmmm, didbobbywearshortshorts, transition, amazing, needed, deadlike, inspiration, happy, golden-road-to-unlimited-devotion, smiles, graceful, community, beautiful, bittersweet, bliss, wow, absolutelygreat, dead, rebirth, emotional, home, inspirationmovemebrightly, breathtaking, fun, grateful, magic, family, f’ingamazing, awesome and amazeballs.  

It truly was a real good time for most who attended and who all seemed grateful for the experience.  In true journalistic integrity, however, I must also mention a few words that were not as positive: typical, yawn, uninspired, time-to-move-on, controversial and a quote from the Billboard article, klunky.   Somehow, those were included as my Facebook stream was hijacked into a debate (seems following direction was a bit of a chore for some, or maybe the thread just got too long.)  It also seemed just using one word was tough, as one attendee stated, and it also seems that the feelings evoked by this monumental event were deep.  The most common word, though, in my totally random survey:  Love. 

The Grateful Dead - "Fare Thee Well" - Night Two - Set One - Chicago, Il - 4 July 2015

THE GRATEFUL DEAD - "FARE THEE WELL" - NIGHT TWO - Set One

CHICAGO, IL - 4 JULY 2015

by Rockin' Randi Starrett

Set One - Shakedown Street, Liberty, Standing on the Moon, Me and My Uncle, Tennessee Jed, Cumberland Blues, Little Red Rooster, Friend of the Devil, Deal

The morning of day three, and final, Grateful Dead “Fare Thee Well” shows has dawned (well nooned).  More detailed reviews are forthcoming, along with many pictures, but we are off to the Grisman Brunch.  Suffice it to say that waking up today with our hearts full is a grateful, grateful feeling.  

Tonight is the last show and all I really wish for is a time machine to go back thirty years or so to go on tour and follow The Grateful Dead (I do make awesome grilled cheese sandwiches).  Until those technologically savvy musicians invent that device (see cool article about the Dead being technological pioneers in Wired magazine) tonight is, well tonight is....I'm having a hard time putting it in black and white....the last show.  The last show.

Sadness and excitement combined equals a bittersweet but happy melancholy.  Some fans who already know they are missing out (not fear of, fomo, but "kimo" -  know I'm missing out) are even now headed for Chicago hoping for that one last miracle.  And there are miracles to be found, although I saw more fingers in the air in the crowds gathered in the parking lots and on the grassy hills  yesterday than tickets being waved.   One attendee even posted online that he found his miracle on the ground.  I just hope whoever lost it purposely planned this "best ground score ever!"

Last night was, although there are really no adequate words to describe the best family holiday reunion  showcasing a special musical performance by several well-known and truly well-loved musicians — well here's one word,  amazing.  Just amazing.  Yes, I called the opener (along with several thousands of you I'm sure ) including our cool row mates.  Awesome neighbors are enhancing this amazing ride — thank you neighbors!

The opening notes of....what else but “Shakedown Street” energized all 70,000 plus of us, all dancing happily to start the Fourth of July celebration.  “Liberty”, yes another good call given the holiday. Oooh Freedom...ooo  Liberty we all chorused, truly feeling for one last time we had found our way home.  The tears expected for the last of the “Fare Thee Well” shows on Sunday now began in earnest as Anastasio's vocals on “Standing on the Moon” seared our souls, filling those spots held for those we dearly miss. 

By “Tennessee Jed” this largest sing-a-long was loud.  And happy.  A true collaboration shared equally by the band and fans.  Then finally, a “Cumberland Blues”.  (I lost my bet that there would be no repeats in any of these final shows, first played this tour the first night in Santa Clara .)

“Little Red Rooster”, a real surprise to many but nicely vocalized by Weir, especially  after the band had shared the leads in the previous tune, was unexpected, unlike the Lesh-led “Friend of the Devil”.  Sleep had already become a bit of a commodity this weekend as many other musicians were hosting streaming shows and performing late night shows at venues across Chicago.  

Hornsby and Anastasia led this grateful train on the rails to set break with “Deal”, showcasing the collaborative interplay on stage.  Fans jokingly calling  the band  "Treyful Dead" as Anastasio skillfully filled the parts de Jerome.  

Although Friday night's show, night one of the tour, was also at sold out capacity, Saturday's crowd had seemingly multiplied.  The pit, well pits as the Field was blocked off into several of them, contained thousands of fans (my guesstimate maybe 25,000?) most of whom were decked out in the red, white and blue finery including sparkled top hats and flag.

Stay tuned for Set Two!!

The Grateful Dead - Fare Thee Well - Night One - Chicago, IL - 3 July 2015

The Grateful Dead - "Fare Thee Well" - Night One

Chicago, IL - 3 July 2015

by Rockin' Randi Starrett

Set One - Box of Rain, Jack Straw, Bertha, Passenger, The Wheel>Crazy Fingers>The Music Never Stopped

Set Two - Mason's Children, Scarlet Begonias, Fire on the Mountain, Drums, Space, New Potato Caboose, Playing in the Band, Let it Grow, Help on the Way, Slip Knot, Franklin's Tower

Encore - Ripple

The first night of The Grateful Dead's three night Fare Thee Well run in Chicago summed up in two words: "Ripple encore." The end. Seriously, if you were there, you felt the collective shiver as the crowd erupted when those first notes were heard. If you weren't, I hope at least you were watching one of the many streams (several options, Google "stream Grateful Dead Fare Thee Well shows"). Using only one word: supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! From the opening notes of "Box of Rain" (if you called that one, raise your hand, all none of you can have my seat tonight) through "Jack Straw" before "Bertha" went into "Passenger", all approximately 70,000 fans in Soldier Field were enraptured. Musically the band was tight and seamless. The soundcheck shows in Santa Clara last weekend did the trick (even Shapiro was quoted calling the two added pre-shows to this final Fare The Well tour by that moniker.) The music never stopped, at least for set one until the original four, Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart, joined by Trey Anastasio, Bruce Hornsby, and Jeff Chimenti, instinctively jammed through "The Wheel" into "Crazy Fingers" into that afore mentioned song. If set one joyously seemed to blow by (where did the time go) set two really opened up the jams.

After the loss of band leader and lead guitarist Jerry Garcia. almost twenty years ago, the other original members have played in various configurations. Much debate ensued when it was announced that Phish's front man was chosen to fill the empty Birkenstocks. Naysayers should now be permanently silenced.

Although some seats may have had better sightlines, every seat inside the stadium was a great seat. The demand is greater than tickets available and fans are seeking miracles.

I just know, in my heart of hearts, Jerry was one of the angels sitting on the gorgeous waning gibbous moon that majestically rose over the stadium, with one of his biggest fans, photographer George Weiss right by his side. Thank you for assuring us, from the first notes of this first of the final shows, that love will see us through. You are deeply missed. And Phil, that was me you waved back at while your silver transport van was stopped across from the Field Museum on your way leaving the show. Thank you security for letting me step up to the window. And thank you Phil and the whole band. You said y'all never imagined the response you would get for these shows. We all know it's not just the shows, it's the best Fourth of July family reunion ever. But next time we all need to wear nametags affixed with pictures of what we looked like 20 plus years ago (you too Shapiro, we want to applaud the youngster who had this vision. )

And three more words: two more nights!

Grateful Grass - 02 July 2015 - Chicago, IL - Set One

As Chicago began to fill up with the colors of tie-dye on a perfect summer day, Keller Wiiliams and the Infamous Stringdusters took the stage on July 2, 2015, at the Incredibly beautiful historic Chicago Theatre. This Grateful Grass collaboration was a heady kick-off for fans in town for The Grateful Dead's Fare Thee Well shows. The packed house was a mix of jubilant patrons, young and old, including a couple of kids under ten, who stood on their second row seats in the orchestra pit to be able to see over the heads of those standing and dancing in front of them.

Few attendees sat for the first set of the Rex benefit show, which kicked off with a private reception for VIP ticket holders. Regular patrons who were lucky or observant, got a glimpse or picture of Trixie Garcia before the show began, as she came out into the audience after the toast to the music never stopping. 

Keller's sound manager extraordinairre Lou Gosain was seen in his usual spot, the sound booth (underneath the overhanging mezzanine at the back of this theatre) lending his vocal backups and smiles, along with his technical expertise.

As taken directly from Panda's set list:

Jack Straw D
Brown Eyed D
Candyman C
Stranger G
Cold Rain E
Shakedown C
Big River A
Cumberland G
Mr Charlie G
On The Road G
He's Gone E
Samson D
Scarlet B
Bertha G

The touching set opened with a rousing "Jack Straw" and had the packed capacity crowd singing along and smiling to the first of their comfort tunes. "Brown-Eyed Woman", an all-time favorite written by Hunter and Garcia (of course) was only the second of the sing-a-long set. 

No thunder or rain (and the weather prediction for the weekend in Chicago is excellent) but an incredible amount of electricity as the theatre was filled with the energy of grateful heads whose "shakin" continued through the well loved tunes and practically exploded when the first notes of "Shakedown Street" were heard. 

As one grateful tune led to another, the energy between Keller and the Dusters and their fans seemed to grow exponentially yet turned very bittersweet when the band broke into "He's Gone". Hands were held and neighbors were hugged as the poignancy of the weekend was felt.

The lightning-like energy exploded as the collaboration then segued into "Samson and Delilah". Fortunately, the Chicago Theatre building, which opened in 1905 has been restored and no one in the right mind could ever want to "tear this building down" as the grandeur of the French Baroque venue only accelerated the incredible feel. 

A chorus of over 3500 voices merged together singing "the sky was yellow and the sun was blue" as this hearts of many gold (we love you Keller, we love you Dusters) band threw out a blistering "Scarlet Begonias". "Bertha" then brought this amazing sing along set to a poignant close.

As one fan commented that he could listen to them play these well loved Dead songs all night long, the almost two hour set ended seemingly too soon, yet set two with Greensky Bluegrass was gratefully anticipated.

At set break, the street under the magical marquee outside filled up with excited conversation and mingling, reminiscent of the pre-show just a few hours prior, as the kind venue allows attendees to leave and reenter the theatre with just reswipes of tickets.

-Rockin' Randi Starrett for The Lot Scene

Stay tuned for Set Two!!

Dear Jerry Concert @ Merriweather Post Pavilion - Columbia, MD - 5/14/15

"Ripple" Finale at the Dear Jerry (Jerry Garcia) Celebration concert at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD.

"Ripple"
Dear Jerry Celebration Merriweather Post Pavilion Columbia, MD 5/14/15

Grand Ole' Ditch - "Pigeon Eatin' Catfish"

We just can't get enough of Grand Ole' Ditch's new album, "Big Red Ball!                                

Check out one of my favorite tracks, "Pigeon Eatin' Catfish" below...

DIGGING THEM AS MUCH AS WE ARE?

Download the entire album *HERE* for $9.90 (throw a few extra dollars their way if you'd like to support an up & coming bluegrass juggernaut)...

Or if you prefer iTunes, you can make sure Apple gets their cut by purchasing the album *HERE*.