Upcoming Concerts

Jeff and Vida Band

Friday, September 17, 2010 at 7:00 pm

Jeff and Vida’s nine years of performing and songwriting, have seen them delve into many different genres of music; country, honky-tonk, rockabilly, even a little rock and roll.  But throughout their career, which has included four critically acclaimed albums, literally thousands of live shows in the U.S. and Europe, and a move from New Orleans to Nashville, bluegrass has remained a key influence in their style and sound.  Nowhere is this more evident than on their new CD, Selma Chalk. 

The new record features thirteen original songs, a stellar band, and an enigmatic name. Inside the CD jacket, selma chalk  is defined as “an impurity in the most fertile soil of the South”.  Intentional or not, the title seems an apt metaphor for the music contained within- an outsiders’ take on fertile traditions of Southern and Appalachian string band music.  Indeed, a number of tracks do fit neatly into what might be called a ‘traditional bluegrass’ sound. More often than not however, the record bends bluegrass instrumentation around material that's a little edgier, a little bluesier and a little rougher than your typical bluegrass album.

“they continue to shape some of the most potent, bluegrass-influenced sounds around.” “in Vida Wakeman they have one of THE contemporary Americana vocalists” Whisperin’ and Hollerin’ (UK)

“There’s no holding back Jeff Burke on the mandolin, and the players on banjo, fiddle and other instruments are some of the best you’ll hear anywhere...the virtuoso playing isn’t standard - it’s dazzling” Music News Nashville

“Jeff & Vida make music that is real and true. Theirs are the songs you long to hear late at night on the interstate, in poolhalls and smoky whiskey bars.” New York Times Magazine

Pickin' in the Pines

Saturday, September 25, 2010 at 11:00 am

Pickin' in the Pines is coming! A wonderful jam at Hyde Park, in Shelter #3. Bring a dish to share, and the Southwest Pickers will provide hamburgers and hot dogs.

This will also be the annual Elections for the Board of Directors of the Southwest Traditional and Bluegrass Music Association. Please come and participate!

Bryan Bowers

Wednesday, October 13, 2010 at 7:00 pm

From his rather unglamorous beginning as a street singer, Bryan Bowers has become a major artist on the traditional music circuit. He has redefined the autoharp and is also well known as a singer-songwriter. Bryan has a dynamic outgoing personality and an uncanny ability to enchant a crowd in practically any situation. His towering six foot four inch frame can be wild and zany on stage while playing a song like `Dixie' and five minutes later he can have the same audience singing `Will The Circle Be Unbroken' in quiet reverence and delight

For nearly three decades, Bryan Bowers has been to the autoharp what Earl Scruggs was to the five-string banjo. He presents instrumental virtuosity combined with warmth, eloquence, expression and professionalism.

"To call Bryan Bowers' performance simply a 'concert' would be inadequate if not inaccurate ... (it) could better be described as an experience!"
-Deseret News

"Bowers is widely regarded as the leading virtuoso on the autoharp... Bowers also has distinct gifts as a singer and songwriter."
-People Magazine

"...This man makes more music from an Autoharp than you can imagine from a 12-string guitar and a harpsichord combined. He has more stage presence and charisma than any stage performer in recent memory."
-The Washington Times

The Chapmans

Saturday, October 16, 2010 at 7:00 pm

The Chapmans, a Missouri-based family band, have launched a new Web site, http://www.thechapmansonline.com.

The band consists of brothers Jeremy, Jason and John and their father Bill. They were the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Emerging Artist of the Year in 2001. They have three albums out on the Pinecastle Label, including “Simple Man,” the latest released in 2005.

According to The Chapman’s MySpace page, “the band’s musical journey begins in the early 1990s in Colorado where young fiddler John Chapman won a statewide junior division championship in his early teens. Inspired by his son’s interest in music, Bill took up the banjo and the two started a bluegrass band with some family friends. Eventually John would switch to guitar and begin singing lead vocals. When younger brothers Jeremy and Jason took up mandolin and bass respectively, a hobby turned into a full-on family passion.

“The Chapmans honed their skills through shows at county fairs and bluegrass festivals throughout the 1990s,” the MySpace biography continues. “They moved to the Missouri Ozarks in 1995 to make nationwide travel easier. In 1998 the Chapmans jumped into the national spotlight when they won the International Bluegrass Band Championship held by the Society For the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America (SPBGMA). Along with the critical success of the band’s first independent album, ‘Love’s Gonna Live Here,’ the win paved the way for the Chapmans to sign a record contract with independent roots and bluegrass label Pinecastle Records.”

Willson and McKee

Saturday, November 20, 2010 at 7:00 pm

Willson & McKee are... Two Voices with Hammer Dulcimer, Mountain Dulcimer, Guitars, Irish Bouzouki, Bodhran, Celtic Harp, Accordion, Stories, and... FUN!

www.jigheads.com

Willson & McKee, a nationally touring duo specializing in original as well as traditional Irish and Scottish acoustic music, will be performing on [date] at [venue]. For information and tickets, call [contact].
Rocky Mountain Celtic… what Celtic becomes when it settles comfortably, three generations in the west! Americans doing what they do best – interpreting their roots music in fresh and original ways!! The combination of their Celtic heritage plus their Montana and Colorado roots gives audiences a fresh musical experience. Original compositions with an ancient sound, and traditional pieces re-dressed in their distinctive style.
This duo, has won four top honors at the International Songwriting Competition at the Milwaukee Irish Festival the largest Irish Festival in the World! Along with stellar songwriting skills, they showcase instrumental award winning talents such as the 2002 National Dulcimer Champion and many others. Blazing instrumentals, warm harmony vocals, and a lot of laughter complete the Willson & McKee experience!

The concert will include material from their nine recordings, including their newest release “How Changed From the Time”, from their Scotland/England tour.

“Our audiences frequently ask for an encore, but they very rarely give a quick standing ovation, the way they did for you on Saturday night! The blend of music and performing style, which you gave them, was excellent!” N. Smith, Caltech, Pasadena, CA

“Willson and McKee are better than any review I could write for them.
Together, they create a show that takes you to the past in the present. The tunes are familiar, sad and wonderful all at the same time. Their songs are of full strong lives and unforgettable stories that deserve a special place in our collective memory.” D.Lerdal, Dahl Fine Arts, Rapid City, SD

A Willson & McKee concert is a curiously un-tamed moment in time, gathering past and present… a comfortable and engaging musical evening with friends.
Willson & McKee are: ancient, new and un-plugged…