Steeldrivers hammer spike in Billboard chart
The Steeldrivers are joined on stage by Marty Stuart during the groups Opry Debut.Highly regarded individually as songsmiths and sessions players, Nashville based band, The SteelDrivers’ debut is currently #4 on Billboard’s Bluegrass Chart after only two weeks on the street.
The SteelDrivers will make two appearances on Sat., Feb. 23 at the upcoming 2008 International Folk Alliance Conference in Memphis. They have also been invited to join Vince Gill at this summer’s popular Bluegrass at The Ryman series on Thurs., July 3.
On their debut CD of all original material, The SteelDrivers’ back-country high lonesome collides with Delta soul and is one of the most refreshing sounds to emerge from Nashville in a long time. With no hype, just pure talent, these 5 musicians have already established a name for themselves in a town that barely looks twice at a bunch of folks holding acoustic instruments. Stretching the boundaries of your typical bluegrass band, the rock/blues/soul vocals of guitarist Chris Stapleton put the high lonesome bluegrass sounds smack dab in the middle of town.
You can read our review of “The Steeldrivers” here.
No commentsBand earning its “Expedition” monicker
Williams & Clark ExpeditionTalk about an itinerary befitting of their name, as in “expedition.” As in the Williams & Clark Expedition, which will be traveling both land and sea this month.
The tour starts this evening when the band gathers at the national SPBGMA Convention at the Music City Sheraton in Nashville, Tenn., for a 7:30 performance in the ballroom. The group will gather around again Sunday for the 34th annual SPBGMA Awards in support of Blake Williams, who is nominated for “Entertainer Of The Year”.
Then, the band heads farther south — to Florida, to hop aboard the Carnival Miracle Cruise Ship for the 3rd annual Rhonda Vincent Bluegrass Cruise from Feb. 11 to Feb. 19. After coming inland, the band’s next venture will also be related to the water — at the Bluegrass on the River festival Feb. 29 and March 1 near Parker, Ariz.
An up-to-date touring schedule of the Tennessee-based Expedition can be found on the band’s Web site, http://www.williamsandclarkexpedition.com/wce%20calendar.htm
No commentsFranklin, Ky. fest lists performers
Steep Canyon Rangers burnin’ up the stage at the 4th annual 2007 Franklin, KY Music Festival photo by Wendy ConnorAlthough it’s only a two-day event, the Franklin Music Festival in Franklin, Ky. is gaining a reputation for the quality of acts it attracts.
That reputation will get a little more polished this year, with the announcement of the 2008 festival lineup for the Sept. 5-6 event. Bands already booked to perform include The Grascals, The Isaacs, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, Nothin’ Fancy and IIIrd Tyme Out.
The official festival Web site has been updated with all the latest information, including lodging, local attractions, and the performance schedule.
You can read a roundup on last years Franklin Music Festival here.
No commentsUSA Today to feature Tim Hensley and “Long Monday”
Tim hensley’s “Long Monday”Tim Hensley’s “Long Monday” is a quiet little record that could. Designed as a bridge between songwriter-driven acoustic, classic and modern bluegrass, it’s caught the ear of some very impressive publications, ranging from Bluegrass Unlimited to The Nashville Scene. Today, Hensley’s record is the subject of a feature in USA Today.
BluegrassJournal.com’s review of “Long Monday” can be found here.
No comments“I did the record because it was the right thing to do. It was music that people deserved to hear, and we found a label that got our vision for it. So, hopefully, Tim’s music can be heard by more than people who’re out on our tour and unwinding after the show. He really deserves that, and it’s nice to see some of the critics responding to it, too.”Kenny Chesney
Bluegrass on the Grand Ole Opry this week
(L-R) Johnathan, Nathan and John McEuenFriday, February 1
The Whites - 8:00-8:30
Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press - 9:00-9:30
Saturday, February 2
The Whites - 6:30-7:00 & 9:30-10:00
The Time Jumpers - 7:00-7:30 & 9:30-10:00
Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys - 7:30-8:00
Old Crow Medicine Show - 8:00-8:30 & 10:30-11:00
John McEuen with sons Jonathan & Nathan - 8:30-9:00 & 11:00-11:30
The Grand Ole Opry is broadcast live on WSM 650 AM radio, online at www.WSMonline.com and on XM Satellite Radio (XM 11). All listed times are central time.
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