Time to Start Planning for the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion

I just started making plans for this year's Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion held September 19-21 in various outlets within the city. This is easily my favorite music festival; no need for camping, musicians perform at all types of venues; and easy access to food and beer. Plus shuttles buses to the area hotels. Bristol, itself, is considered the Birthplace of Country Music with the likes of the Carter family, Jimmy Martin, and the Stanley Brothers as a short representation on musicians who first recorded there. Coverage our of past ventures to Bristol can be read here, but needless to say, we are quite excited with this year's lineup - starting with Sturgill Simpson. This guy is the future of country music and we are ready to pair him with Emmylou Harris, Shaver, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Dale Watson, and other country - americana legends. Then there's old friends Holy Ghost Tent Revivial and local players in Roger Rasnake, Ed Snodderly, Scotty Melton, Annie Robinette, and Wayne Henderson. Bluegrass fans will be sure to catch Donna Ulisse & the Poor Mountain Boys and Marty Raybon & Full Circle. I'm also excited about The Kruger Brothers, Truth & Salvage Co., Folk Soul Revival, The Black Lillies, M.S.G. – The Acoustic Blues Trio, among many others. And as usual, tickets are extremely affordable - a weekend pass is only $70. See you there.

Catching up with Holy Ghost Tent Revival and a Gumbo of Cabinet

Hard to believe that it's been three years since our MyJoogTV video with Holy Ghost Tent Revival and Flying Dog Brewery. Since I hadn't seen the band live in quite a while, jumped at the chance to catch up with the guys when they came to Jammin' Java during a mini-tour with Cabinet.  During this time, there has been a slight personnel change, Patrick settled down with marriage, but Stephen, Matt, Kevin, Hank, Charlie, and Ross have continued to crank out tight and sophisticated music. The sound has changed slightly, still some 20's dixieland (love the horns) and more classic rock. This evening Matt and Kevin fronted a few songs which augmented the diversity in their portfolio. Since our video, HGTR has continued to mature and grow stronger; make sure you check out their remaining dates on this tour and keep alert to a CD release in early Spring 2014.

As for Cabinet, what more can you say about this act? They had the entire club dancing and singing from the first song. And why not, acoustically they are a gumbo of that old time string sound, mixing bluegrass and old time country, with music bellowing from throughout the stage. And then when they went electric - watch out - they can play.  I really need to get down to The Festy to see these guys again. Cheers.



MyJoogTV Episode 2: Holy Ghost Tent Revival at Flying Dog Brewery from MyJoogTV on Vimeo.