I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to hear two new songs by Sarah Pirkle recently that is soon to come on her brand new project still in the works. These tunes are filled to the brim with an Appalachian flair from the carefully crafted words to the music that fills the air like a Smokey Mountain morning. What a natural voice that is unmatched in the form and style that is perfect for a girl sending the feel that she has literally lived the words she is singing from the emotion she delivers when performing. Meeting Sarah in person gives you the feeling your meeting an individual that loves what she does and hearing her perform in person gives you the spine tingling feeling your witnessing an individual that is on the brink of greatness. Sarah and her husband Jeff Barbra, have two previous projects out entitled "Dog Years" and "Barb Hollow Sessions" which I had to have for air~play. As a host of Southern Branch Bluegrass radio, I am a fan as well as bringing you the best music I can find. After meeting these folks a few months ago, I felt compelled to listen to the music they've produced and simply went to "you tube" and "myspace" to review a few tunes by this couple and was literally blown away by what each had accomplished on these projects. I wasted no time and went online and purchased both. I'm sure they would have offered me copies but I couldn't wait. I wanted them on my radio show that day. I still play their tunes on a regular basis and will continue to do so. What a wonderful contribution to East Tennessee that we have these two great artists living here to take in the natural Appalachian style of living and post this through the art each have to offer musically and the song writing capabilities of this duo are simply incredible. I love Sarah's craftsmanship so much I've pre-purchased my copy of her new release coming soon and if you get a chance, get yours ordered now as well. You will absolutely love it I'm sure.
A tremendous pleasure to hear a living legend, John Pennell with a very sweet and talented side kick, Julie Pennell to play for a nice crowd last night at a house concert on the river in Knoxville. Both John and Julie are song writers and have many songs that have been performed by others such as Mandy Barnett, Audie Blaylock, Sally Jones, Alison Krauss and Dan Tyminski just to name a few. Songs were performed with tremendous enthusiasm and emotion which really added to the evening. These folks have a brand new project coming out in the next couple months and I'm really looking forward to it. One fine treat were the tunes that these folks have put their own spin on such as tunes by Fleetwood Mack, The Beatles and James Taylor. John really shined like a new penny on his finger pick'n style and capabilities on numbers such as "Blackbird" by The Beatles. Ya get a chance, attend these house concerts in your area. This supports the music and gives you the chance to get up close to great entertainers.
Irene Kelley and The Carter Brothers are scheduled to appear at this same venue soon. Looking very forward to these shows.
Featuring the great artist Darrell Scott's newest release "A Crooked Road", my first week night show started off as a sweat fest but after reviewing the video today, it actually ended up sounding much better than I expected. My biggest fear nearly reared it's ugly head. I had rehearsed my set up the previous night and had everything working fine. I cranked up the power on my equipment to do the show and had a bad buzz I could not locate. Well, literally less than 10 minutes before air time, I had to move on to plan "B" and do an open mic program. NOT gonna complain. It worked. I'm in the process of upgrading my equipment for broadcasting and ordered a fine mixer, an external sound card and additional gear to help make my program more pleasing to the listener and enhance communications while on the air by adding a chat room and planning video overlays of performers which I'm very excited about. This will also allow me to take skype calls and do interviews while on the air. Let me mention please, it is well worth having a great friend helping me do this as he is one talented individual when it comes to technical issues. A very special Thank You to my buddy "T" aka, Red Neck Willie Ray and his dog. A special thank you to my listeners and supporters as I feel this will open up doors for me as I could have never been able to do with my previous station affiliation. I'll keep a monthly calendar available on my website of shows and upcoming events and a special thanks to Darrell Scott for all his determined hard work to bring us, "A Crooked Road". Disc # 2 scheduled for June 22, 2010, next Tuesday night. See ya there.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my time off and visit to the Bahama's and Key West, Florida.
What a thrill I don't care to repeat any time soon. I love to cruise but it's like a marathon. Hurry up and get on the boat. Hurry up and get off the boat at each disembarkment and try and sop up all the views and food, shop and.........OK, you get it. Well, unfortunately I don't have Oprah's $$$ therefore back to the grind of everyday life which hey, ain't that bad. I simply love traveling therefore I'm gonna take Samantha Brown's word for it and plan a trip to Porta Vallerta, Mexico for this fall. I'm planning on being there the week of my birthday so a party on my behalf is gonna be a hoot I'm sure. Musically, I've decided to make several changes to my radio career as well as headed back to a music career of writing and composing. I've got a blueprint of the studio I plan on building on my property and it will be fairly small but it will finally give me a place to do all the things I'm gonna accomplish. Broadcasting my show will be much easier and productive and will get numerous instruments out of the house as well as amplifiers, mixing boards, digital recorders, etc. and in a setting that will give each piece a deserved place to live. Never buy an up rite bass unless you have room to store it and use it as needed. It's a chore to get all this stuff out and try to practice and record due to the way our house is designed. It's an open floor plan so the kitchen, dining and living room are all one. It's called clutter. I've collected so much equipment I've actually donated a complete sound system to a Nashville venue and still can't move. OK, now. I'm starting this week to host my shows again starting tomorrow night @ 7:00PM til 8:00PM Eastern and will host a one hour show on Thursday as well in the same time slot. Sunday's until further notice will continue to do shows on World Wide Bluegrass but my new time slot will be back to 4:00PM - 6:00PM Eastern. I've found that 4 continuous hours is taking away from my family time and it's incredible to prepare for a show lasting 4 hours. Please check my calendar on my web-page to keep up with my broadcast times and live event schedules. I hope all will continue to enjoy my broadcasts and e-mail requests, suggestions and recommendations. Be happy to hear from you.
What a thrill I don't care to repeat any time soon. I love to cruise but it's like a marathon. Hurry up and get on the boat. Hurry up and get off the boat at each disembarkment and try and sop up all the views and food, shop and.........OK, you get it. Well, unfortunately I don't have Oprah's $$$ therefore back to the grind of everyday life which hey, ain't that bad. I simply love traveling therefore I'm gonna take Samantha Brown's word for it and plan a trip to Porta Vallerta, Mexico for this fall. I'm planning on being there the week of my birthday so a party on my behalf is gonna be a hoot I'm sure. Musically, I've decided to make several changes to my radio career as well as headed back to a music career of writing and composing. I've got a blueprint of the studio I plan on building on my property and it will be fairly small but it will finally give me a place to do all the things I'm gonna accomplish. Broadcasting my show will be much easier and productive and will get numerous instruments out of the house as well as amplifiers, mixing boards, digital recorders, etc. and in a setting that will give each piece a deserved place to live. Never buy an up rite bass unless you have room to store it and use it as needed. It's a chore to get all this stuff out and try to practice and record due to the way our house is designed. It's an open floor plan so the kitchen, dining and living room are all one. It's called clutter. I've collected so much equipment I've actually donated a complete sound system to a Nashville venue and still can't move. OK, now. I'm starting this week to host my shows again starting tomorrow night @ 7:00PM til 8:00PM Eastern and will host a one hour show on Thursday as well in the same time slot. Sunday's until further notice will continue to do shows on World Wide Bluegrass but my new time slot will be back to 4:00PM - 6:00PM Eastern. I've found that 4 continuous hours is taking away from my family time and it's incredible to prepare for a show lasting 4 hours. Please check my calendar on my web-page to keep up with my broadcast times and live event schedules. I hope all will continue to enjoy my broadcasts and e-mail requests, suggestions and recommendations. Be happy to hear from you.
A much anticipated event in which I've had tickets to for a month. The Bowman's, Cherryholmes, Darrell Scott and Jim Lauderdale were the line up. Blog's may not be the place to conduct this kinda business but, oh well, here it goes. The Bowman's listed as from Brooklyn, New York started the evening out with an Americana, Pop, Indie style that in the correct venue would be great I'm sure. Not Tennessee Shines with Cherryholmes and Darrell Scott. They seemed to be on stage forever and are fairly talented but? Cherryholmes came on next and featured tunes off their brand new CD Common Threads. The sound system was shallow and very flat considering I've seen them in concert 3 times and this was a slap in their face. I've met each individual in this family and think the world of them. I've never seen such unhappy looks from each one. These folks are true professionals and I'm sure they felt this as nothing but a gravel in the road. They gave a wonderful performance considering they were only given enough time for 4 songs. Darrell Scott was up next and he was so smooth and personal. Unfortunately, he was given the same treatment with the sound system. Emotion runs thru his blood when he sings and getting to speak with him was so awesome for me as a DJ and musician myself. I'm gonna look up his schedule and try and see him when he's not limited to only 4 songs. He made a comment himself while on stage about the time limit. These two, Cherryholmes and Darrell Scott overshadowed anyone else that took stage last night and seems really interesting that when the final act took stage, the sound guy cranked up the volume and changed the entire mix for the Lauderdale Band. I'll have a different perspective on Tennessee Shines from now on and hope it is somehow overcome soon. I've seen this kinda thing before and it's a lousy pitch to do when icon's in the biz do things to one-another like this. A special thanks to Sandy, Cia and the gang and especially Darrell Scott for his kindness and patience to take time to chat and take a couple pics with me. This guy is literally a walking/talking/singing/writing legend as far as I'm concerned. You folks ROCK and as a fan, keep those beautiful tunes rolling in.
On Sunday, May 23, 2010, a benefit concert was held at Vernon's Grill in Knoxville, Tennessee for three alumni graduates from Farragut High School. These folks live in Nashville and lost everything in the recent flood. What started out on face book as a concern from fellow alumni turned into a monster event covered by WVLT's Michelle Silva and myself with World Wide Bluegrass. Our little station is broadcast all over the globe via Internet stream and was heard in Australia by an individual that had a son performing. He spoke with me during the event and really showed appreciation for coverage. The performers were great to donate their time and talent and many folks pitched in to make this project successful. I was informed that over $ 30,000 was raised and am proud to be part of it. Congrats to all and certainly send best wishes to the families that the event was held for.
A major thank you to all who volunteered for this event. A heart felt thank you to all who donated funds for the folks in dire need from the recent flood of 2010. This night's talent was incredible and only the fact that it couldn't go nonstop for at least three days is the only gripe I have.
Mindy Smith, Tommy Womack, Randy Kohrs, Irene Kelley, Robby Hecht, Sarah Jean Kelley, Steve Lee, Like Red Candy, And Okay and Donna Beasley were all loaded with energy and enthusiam.
The entire evening was like pure festivel atmosphere, relaxed, friendly and casual and extremely appealing. My kinda peeps.
The whole night was broadcast world wide with web cam feed and professional audio.
Listeners and viewers were entertained with a vast array of musical styles and I was so impressed by the performers that I had never heard perform before.
The group "Like Candy Red" simply killed the audience. Absolutely incredible. From their appearence to their powerful blues kicking impact, I simply had to leave my broadcast stool and become an overpowered fan. They literally sent me and the entire crowd into orbit. AMAZING!!!!!
I have not been taken by a group like this in quite sometime. Ya got to give these folks a listen. WOW. http://www.myspace.com/colliersistersmusic
Mindy Smith was such a crowd pleaser that I've never been in a more packed house than when she took stage. She lured in the emotions like peering into a newborn baby's eyes. Her voice is truly a gift from Heaven. Her entire talent from song writing to her live performance is literally worth exceptional accalades.http://www.myspace.com/mindysmith
Irene Kelley doing Highway was as sweet as honey to me. I'm quite prejudice since I've known her for quite sometime but still, nobody has better song writing skills and from the heart performances than sweet Irene.
Sarah Jean, Irene's daughter was so beautiful to look at when I met her and gave an interview before she took stage, I hardly remember what we even said. She is quite talented and truly breath taking. This girl is on the road to a great career.
Every performer was at the top of their game and the evening topped off with a performance by Randy Kohrs. I was so excited to simply meet the guy. He took off like a true award winning entertainer that he is.
He brought along a full grass ensemble from a fiddler, banjo roller/guitar player, upright bass player, and Randy performed a couple tunes splashing out his perfection on the resonitor. His vocals were so powerful and what a vocal range he has.
The harmonies were equally impressive. The only style I can compare him to is Josh Shilling of Mountain Heart. He could sing the entire spectrum and come out with electrifing applause from the crowd. He was simply begged for an oncore and oblidged. http://www.myspace.com/randykohrs
A night to remember and an inspiring evening for me as well. I love all sorts of music and performance styles so the evening suited me to a "T".
Hey, I'm ready to do it again and hopefully we'll do a much bigger event soon to assist with more funds for the flood relief efforts. Let's not drop the ball you'all. Nashville needs us and we're here to help. We're not called volunteers for nothing!
Got a dandy for ya. All the schedules I'm trying to keep caught up with me this past Sunday. My show starts at 2:00PM EST and I had the house to myself and the two dogs. Around 12:30PM or so I had the urge for a nap. I had been up since around 4:00 AM and felt run down and figured what the hay, nap sounds great. Should I have set an alarm, YES! I was hearing my phone ring and couldn't break through the dozing fog to wake up. AHHHHHH. Sunday afternoon naps. I can think of only two things better. I finally break through and peak up at the clock, 2:10PM EST. Yikes~I scrambled around and signed on to do my show with a chat room wondering where I was. I promise you, the first half hour was a pure daze. Hopefully if I find myself in that position again I'll set the alarm. Great bluegrass to ya!!!
The evening started off with great food and conversation at a beautiful house concert event held on the Holston river in Knoxville last night. Cody and Andy were hot from the first note. Perfection and pure professionalism come to mind when it comes to these two pickers. Cody Kilby has four Grammy's and so does Andy Leftwitch. Never have I witnessed such finesse as from these two guys. No wonder they play for Ricky Skaggs. He obviously knows how to pick'm. Each have a solo project and well worth looking into. These boys are what other artists refer to as a musician's musician. It's literally indescribable to try and put into words what Cody and Andy sound like playing instrument's only feet away from you at this level. "Pure perfect pleasure" should be the title for the evening if I was making the call. Check out the links and you make up your mind. Nobody on the planet any better!
ANDY LEFTWITCH
What a tremendous evening from Nashville with some wonderful people. The most gracious people you'd ever want to meet were plentiful at The Flatrock Cafe. The night was to feature the awesome singer Irene Kelley and her beautiful song writing abilities.
From beginning to end the house was filled with such brilliant vocals and strings provided by Irene, Scott Neubert and Joey Click. Scott impressed me so much with his guitar work and he performed a solo tune that nearly brought the house to tears. A somewhat sad tune but exhorted the talent of Scott's song writing abilities and his singing ability enhanced by his guitar work.
http://www.myspace.com/scottneubert is some of Scott's work. The tune he performed was "A Daughter And Her Dad". This is on his Myspace page.
Joey Click is a superb Bass player and has a list of credit's a mile long and is presently touring with Josh Turner. He played on Irene's first project "Simple Path" and has performed on Merle Haggard's tribute project among others.
A final tribute goes to Ronnie Haislip, owner of the Cafe and most gracious host. He was simply the very best and what a pleasure to meet and get to know an individual with his kindness open throughout our visit.
Irene has plan's to do at least two new projects, one being a bluegrass record and a new project with her own song's already written. I certainly hope we continue to grow our friendship with these folks and more remotes for the listeners. I'll do my best to keep you folks posted and this was a night of music we won't soon forget. Fresh performance feel to the entire evening and the performers seemed to really enjoy themselves. I certainly did.
