FEST!: The 1st Annual Red, White and Brewgrass Festival

Fourth of July is just a couple weekends away. The awesome city of Athens, GA is offering up yet another festival to celebrate America with some fun times and great music, along with tasty food, drinks and more!

The first annual Red, White & Brewgrass Festival is going to be one fest to check out!

Though I wasn't unfamiliar with the genre, my interest didn't really develop in this type of music until about a year ago. Someone had introduced me to the music of Packway Handle Band, and I found the songs unique, beautiful, and refreshing. Talented musicians, I'm glad that they are not only co-hosting the event, but peforming as well. I have always heard great things about their live shows, and look forward to experiencing it myself firsthand.

Packway Handle Band | Photo by Jessica Horwitz (2008)

I do however, have firsthand experience enjoying the venue that is co-hosting. The Melting Point is an awesome venue, and one of the best out there. I've seen some of my favorites perform here (Glen Phillips, Antje Duvekot, Val Emmich, etc.) and enjoyed the delicious food while doing so. The people there are friendly and the service is quite good. Naturally, making it a great location for the festival.


If that isn't enough to whet your whistle, think about this. The tickets are totally affordable and the value you receive makes it definitely worth your while. With 14 acts performing on 2 stages, your sure to have an enjoyable time! You'll get to experience some of the best bluegrass and Americana bands in the region. What better way to celebrate the independence of our nation?

Red, White & Brewgrass Festival
Saturday, July 4th, 2009
$15 advance
$20 day of show
$10 (UGA Students with I.D.)

Doors open at Noon.
1:00 PM - Midnight

Now, just because it mentions "Brew" in the title, does not mean you have to be 21 to go. Just that you need an adult with you if you are under 18.

The following groups are included in the line-up:

Mountain Heart
www.mountainheart.com

Packway Handle Band
www.packwayhandle.com

The Dappled Grays
www.dappledgraysmusic.com

The Corduroy Road
www.thecorduroyroad.com

Bob Hay & The Jolly Beggars
www.myspace.com/bobhayandthejollybeggars

Curley Maple featuring David Blackmon
www.myspace.com/curleymaple

Johnny Roquemore & The Apostles of Bluegrass
www.myspace.com/apostlesofbluegrass

Jumpin' Jesus Christers
www.myspace.com/thejumpinjesuschristers

Mayhem String Band
www.myspace.com/mayhemstringband

North Georgia Bluegrass Band
www.myspace.com/northgeorgiabluegrassband

Peachtree Station
www.myspace.com/peachtreestation

Solstice Sisters
www.myspace.com/solsticesisters

String Theory
www.string-theory.net

Hawk Proof Rooster
www.myspace.com/hawkproofrooster

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT:
www.meltingpointathens.com
www.foundryparkinn.com

ON THE ROAD: Works Progress Administration

Glen Phillips, one of the most incredible singer/songwriters out there, is touring with his new band Works Progress Administration. Tour starts next week!

6/18 - San Diego, CA

Anthology

6/21 - Telluride, CO
Telluride Bluegrass Festival

7/04 - Berwyn, IL
Fitzgerald’s

8/16 - Schwenksville, PA
Philadelphia Folk Festival

8/18 - Exton, PA
Concert in the Square

8/19 - NYC
Joe’s Pub

9/06 - Groveland, CA
Strawberry Music Festival

9/18 - Asheville, NC
The Grey Eagle

9/20 - Decatur, GA
Eddie's Attic

11/12 - Fairfield, CT
Fairfield Theatre-Stage One

12/06 - Chicago, IL
Old Town School of Folk Music

www.wpamusic.com

LISTEN: The Goodfight - Good & Evil (A Double EP)

The Goodfight. This one man rock-n-roll band, is also known as Jonathan Rich. And let me tell you... this artist chose an appropriate moniker to go by. Emphasized, more so after listening to his most recent release.

The phrase, "To fight the good fight." has religious origins, but generally, it summons one to keep having faith, believe in it, and then share that good with others.

So, here I am... with renewed faith and belief in the music of today. Happy there is still plenty of talent existing out there who have yet to be discovered among the 'mass-produced-and-manufactured' sounding stuff.

This album is a clear example of that existing talent. And now, I'm glad to do my part by sharing with you.


Good & Evil (2009) is a double EP that should not be missed.

Best tracks - Side 1: We Are Far Too Easily Pleased

• Life is for Living, Not Wasting
  
• Mirrors Don't Lie, But People Do
  
• Honesty is the Best Policy

Best tracks - Side 2: Holiday

• Criminals
• Revolution
• Love
  

Jonathan's edgy vocals, expressive lyrics and fluid melodies are like the perfect storm. All combining just right, and thus expressing the passion and depth of his music.

I had a hard time picking the best tracks overall, so I went with picking the best of both sides. That was still challenging.


Each side of the double EP has a distinctness that sets them apart. Each song, individually, stands well on its own. What I think really makes this album stellar, is that when listened to from beginning to end, they cohesively create something more incredible and bring the music of The Goodfight, to a whole other level.

I'm glad someone found it necessary to share this music with me, and now it's my turn to do the same. Click on the links throughout this blog, or on the link below to hear for yourself.

The Goodfight Audio Player

Then go get the album here:

The Goodfight Webstore

I'm so excited that this artist is based right out of Athens/Atlanta, GA. I look forward to catching a live show soon, so I can share about it with all of you here. And it looks like he's got a couple coming up! Hope I can make one of them!

The Masquerade
Jun 18 2009
7:30 pm
695 North Avenue NE
Atlanta, Georgia

Eddie’s Attic
Aug 22 2009
8:00 pm
515-B North McDonough Street (upstairs)
Decatur, Georgia

Meanwhile, keep 'fighting the good fight'...

www.thegoodfightsite.com

On Facebook

On MySpace

On Last.Fm

I DIG: Jennings

"And you make me laugh when I'm mad You make me smile when I'm sad and I hate that I'm lost and loving it"
- Falling Higher

Jennings. I freakin' love this girl. She's got a powerful voice with a distinct style. The layering of her music, emotions, and lyrics together, projects big things ahead for this artist.



Her song, "Falling Higher" has been stuck in my head for awhile now. In fact, this past week alone, EVERY MORNING, I wake up with it in my mind. I LOVE when a song does that to me. Makes me want to know more about the artist, and hear more of their music. That doesn't always end up being the case, but it applies here.

Having listened to Femtastic (2007) and Storybook EP (2009) over the past weeks, I really dig what I'm hearing. I guarantee you will too, so do yourself a favor and check her out. You can sample some of her tracks here:

Doorway

Falling Higher

Tennessee and New York, you are in luck! Jennings has several shows coming up.

Cafe Coco
June 8, 2009 - 9 pm
Nashville, TN 37203
Info: (615) 321-2626

Lucky Jacks
June 18, 2009 - 10:30pm
New York, NY 10002

The Children's Magical Garden
June 21, 2009 - 12:30 pm
New York, New York

R Bar (2 Dates!)
July 23, 2009 - 8:00 pm
AND
August 27, 2009 - 8:00 pm
New York, New York
Info: 212-334-0484

Jennings is definitely one to watch, so look for more mentions of her throughout this blog in the future! Meanwhile, check her out in the links below:

www.jennings-music.com

On Facebook

On MySpace

On Twitter

On YouTube