Valentines Day Feb.14th Black Stone Cherry, Cavo, and Rains

Deep down in Louisiana, close to New Orleans, rang like a Sunday morning church bell, calling on saints and sinners alike to free their minds and become part of the revolution. They came out of the Southern swamps, the California desert, the working class towns of the Midwest and all along the East Coast. Loud guitars and larger than life drumming came together with storytelling poetry. Rebel-ism gave birth to rock “n’ roll. Every few years or so, a special batch comes up from the ground, to serve as a beacon. Black Stone Cherry has arrived with their second Roadrunner Records release, Folklore and Superstition due out August 19.

"There is a mystique with folklore and superstition," says Black Stone Cherry drummer John Fred Young. "We're intrigued by and interested in history, roots and heritage, and we incorporate that into the band." The ability to tell compelling stories and lyrical tales isn't the only thing that Black Stone Cherry brings to the table. The band can churn out riffs that'll put hair on your chest. They crank out choruses that are fit for a fist-raising rebel rousing and still keep the beauty of a Sunday morning back porch service. Folklore and Superstition isn't just a Southern rock record. It's an American rock n’ roll record.

The album is a timeless work by American pied pipers destined to take their music from the back roads of America to the four corners of the globe. "We are taking Southern tradition and giving a taste to the rest of the world," says bassist/vocalist Jon Lawhon.

Black Stone Cherry didn't stray too far away from home to record the album. The band wrote all the songs in the infamous Practice House, an old farmhouse used by John Fred’s father and uncle to write Grammy winning albums for The Kentucky Headhunters. A song like “Soul Creek” fills the room with its vintage arena rock sound yet was born where the band held bonfires around a creek across the road.

The band enlisted famed rock producer Bob Marlette (Ozzy, Shinedown) and headed to Nashville’s Blackbird Studio that has housed everyone from Kid Rock to The Raconteurs, just 85 miles from their hometown of Edmonton, Kentucky. “We incorporated regional sounds into the mix throughout the album,” says Young. The band used turkey calls, a banjo and a washtub basin, among other things. Jon Lawhon recalls, "I made a washtub bass out of a tub, a broom handle and nylon rope!" Clearly, the band shyed away from absolutely nothing when it came time to explore and experiment. "We didn't want to leave any door unopened while recording," says guitarist/vocalist Ben Wells.

Years of touring in support of their self-titled debut helped inspire and direct Black Stone Cherry's worldview when it came time to write the new album. The band traveled extensively outside the United States during the tour cycle on their 2006 self-titled debut. This allowed them to stretch their creative muscle and flap their musical wings even higher, with songs like "Please Come In" and “Sunrise” that show the band's growth and diversity.

"This album has allowed us to dig deep into our roots," continues Young. "It also shows the influences of the songwriting. Our band is a positive band and we try to write songs that are uplifting. We also have a very big storytelling side which comes through on the songs 'Ghost of Floyd Collins’ and ‘Reverend Wrinkle.’"

Vocalist/guitarist Chris Robertson reflects on the process, saying, “Starting out as a band seven years ago, with high hopes and even bigger dreams, I honestly believe this record shows the experience of our past travels, and gives a hint of the future. It captures all the energy and heart that make up Black Stone Cherry. We took some chances on this album and I believe that our fans will appreciate seeing the other sides of the band that they may or may not have known existed.”

Guitarist/vocalist Ben Wells comments on the band’s expansion of its sound and subject matter, saying "The songwriting took on a life of its own, as the structures of the songs themselves have grown so much from touring. We have so much more to talk about and can use the things we picked up musically.” He admits the band also kept the ladies in mind this time around, recalling, “On the last album, girls would come up to us and say, 'You have songs for guys, so where are our songs?’ So we have a song called 'You' on this album, which is a timeless ballad."

The band’s family and friends are another influence. "Long Sleeves" is told from the viewpoint of a friend who took part in the battle of Mogadishu as featured in the film “Black Hawk Down,” while "Things My Father Said" is a ballad that hits home with people from all walks of life.

From the eerie swagger of “Devil’s Queen” to the tell tale rocker “Blind Man” to the triumphant stomp of the anthem “Soul Creek,” Black Stone Cherry say the trick to Folklore and Superstition is simply brotherhood, family, friends and home; no more, no less.

Pop Evil w/ Lansdowne Jan. 24th

Since re-releasing their first record in 2008, Pop Evil has developed their following the hard way. They have toured the US continuously since their first release, playing nearly 400 shows in two years and only taking time off to record their new album, War of Angels.

Leaving no stone unturned, no fan's question unanswered, and no road untraveled, the group pulled themselves up from their bootstraps and built themselves into a radio rock powerhouse that conjures the dirtiest hooks of the hard rocking 70ʼs, the hair metal 80's and the grunge - fueled 90ʼs…filtering it all through a modern prism coupled with a philosophical and spiritual outlook.

War Of Angels is a testimony to Pop Evil's resilience. Having been down a major label route fraught with the frustrations felt by far too many bands, the group has emerged with a Top 5 Active Rock single. They toured with Papa Roach and Judas Priest and created what Spin Magazine called one of the "10 Best Moments of Rock on the Range" where in front of tens of thousands of their heartland of the U.S.A. rock fans, they ceremoniously tore up their old contract and announced a new dawn.

With an output that easily appeals to students of Guns N' Roses, Pantera, Motley Crue and Aerosmith, Pop Evil is still nevertheless possessed with a talent, charisma and overall musical aesthetic that is decidedly and distinctly their own. They have put their stamp on the hard rock landscape with assured confidence and expert precision.

"Weʼre just a bunch of guys that grew up together and are hungry for rock nʼ roll," frontman Leigh Kakaty simply states. "There are no othersecond options for us. Itʼs just music. Thatʼs what weʼve done, this is where we've always wanted to be, and grind is what weʼll continue to do."

Coming from Michigan, one of the states in the nation hit hardest by the economic downturn, Pop Evil knows something about hardship and the heart that it takes to persevere, to overcome and to conquer. They know the meaning of hard work, too. Their indie debut, Lipstick on the Mirror, resulted in a rerelease through a major label and several inroads on rock radio but it's been word-of-mouth and live shows that have really driven the recently renewed momentum behind the band as their unique story continues to build.

"Weʼre just a good old fashioned Midwestern band that believes in grassroots and doing it from the ground up" Kakaty explains. "Weʼre the same band thatʼll rock your face with some heavy metal riffs then bring out the acoustic guitar and play some ballads."

Their very monicker represents something of a lifestyle to these five men. "Pop" represents the band's impressive hooks and well-crafted choruses while "Evil" conjures the more aggressive, hard rock side of the band. The band is a true mixture of pop sensibilities and "evil" sounding rock n' roll. It's not so much about distancing themselves from the mainstream as it is about forcing the mainstream to come to them on their own terms.

"I think all five of us didnʼt really fit in, in our own ways, growing up," Kakaty reasons. "Pop Evil is kind of our way of saying, "this is our fraternity, our home.'"

The songs on War Of Angels reflect the various shapes, colors and emotions represented in a Pop Evil performance. The album provides a brilliant showcase for Kakaty's impressive range and various approaches, the guitar showmanship of Dave Grahs and Tony Greve, the solid bottom end of Matt DiRito and the rhythmic pulse of drummer Dylan Allison.

"Last Man Standing" is a shot across the bow, serving notice to the rest of rock radio-land that Pop Evil crafts music of a higher caliber. "It's amazing to see the reactions we get from the fans and how much the song means to them. That is priceless," Kakaty says.

"Bosses Daughter" was co-written with the legendary Mick Mars of Motley Crue. "It's got that rockin' vibe where it picks up and just doesn't stop," points out DiRito. "I get such a kick out of playing it live. I feel like I'm in Motley Crue. It becomes my Nikki Sixx moment!"

Other standouts include "Monster You Made," which addresses some hard times and points to the power of positive thinking to overcome obstacles. There's also "Broken & Betrayed" which has beautiful melodies and incredibly memorable singalong harmonies.

"Next Life" is perhaps the album's most reflective song, particularly for Kakaty, who lost his father earlier this year. "Obviously itʼs a very personal piece for me as well." "And the list goes on with every song," he adds. "I donʼt think thereʼs any one I love more than the other, I usually listen to the song that best fits my mood."

With a career-defining sophomore album in their arsenal, Pop Evil are primed and ready to take their rightful place in the hard rock pantheon amongst their contemporaries and heroes. "We want to be known as a band with great music and a great live show," DiRito says.

Pop Evil is no fly-by-night, fair-weather band. War Of Angels is just one more giant leap in a career that has been built on a solid foundation and is intended to continue onward.

Kakaty concludes, "at the end of the day, we want our fans to know that we've sacrificed our personal lives for them. We want the people who listen to our music to know that they've become our new family. That's why weʼve given up so much to do this. They are loved. Music is Love!"

Leigh Kakaty - Lead Vocals
Dave Grahs - Guitar
Tony Greve - Guitar
Matt DiRito - Bass
Dylan Allison - Drums

UNKNOWN HINSON Nov. 18th

The UNtold Story of Unknown

Looking somewhat like Dracula's nasty little brother who spent some hard years drinking and working as a carnival barker for a second-rate freak show, Unknown Hinson translates that vibe to  his style of country and western-tinged psychobilly. Hailing from Charlotte, North Carolina, this red-necked crooner gained regional popularity with a self-produced television show in 1992 and soon was touring nationwide, wowing audiences with his outrageous and campy, white-trash persona and freewheeling, sleazy tone. Hinson’s most recent CD release,  “Target Practice”, melds weepy twang and searing guitar riffs and lyrics that speak of love-gone-bad and the dark side of the honky-tonk lifestyle.  Raucous, theatrical and over-the-top, Unknown Hinson isn’t just for the trailer park set anymore!

He's toured with Hank3 and Rev. Horton Heat.
Billy Bob Thornton names Unknown as one of his favorite songwriters and a genius picker. Matt Groening (the Simpsons) labels Unknown as a guitar maniac (and funny as hell to boot!) Hank3  has Unknown's face tatooed on his bicep! Marty Stuart introduced him as his illegitimate brother at the Ryman in Nashville, and is placing Unknown on the front cover of his upcoming book of personal photographs. Tom Petty came backstage at a Hollywood event to ask Unknown how he gets his "sound". The Rolling Stones invited him to participate in the soundcheck session for their latest show in Charlotte, NC.

Unknown is also gaining notoriety (and fans) as the voice of lead character "Early Cuyler" in the popular new show from Cartoon Network "The Squidbillies". The first season was so well-received that an immediate green light was given to two more seasons.

What do ventriloquism,  hoola hoop contests, target practice, monster sideburns, and hellacious guitar solos have in common? Book Unknown Hinson and find out!


Website
http://www.unknownhinson.com

Discography
21 Charttoppers (Uniphone)
The Future Is Unknown (Uniphone)
The Future Is Unknown (Capitol)
RocknRoll is Straight from Hell (Capitol)
Target Practice (Coffin Records) May 2006

Halloween with Goodspeed Oct. 29th

This will be Goodspeeds last show ever so do not miss this one!!!!!

Oct. 7th Matt Stillwell w/ The Taylor Barker Band

Matt Stillwell's move to Nashville was the ultimate eye-opener.

"I watched friends do showcases and hoped someone would show up," he says. "I watched them being promised record or publishing deals that might or might not happen. So I made the decision that what I needed to do was to eliminate the ‘no’s, and the way to do that was to go build a following."

A man with a work ethic as big as his talent, Matt did just that, and in this age of American Idol and viral videos, he has built his following the old-fashioned way--one city, one club, one crowd at a time.

In the last year Matt has had numerous accomplishments, with his past two singles “Shine” and “Sweet Sun Angel” climbing up the radio charts and both singles receiving a tremendous amount of airplay on GAC and CMT. Matt has appeared on CBS Sunday Morning with NASCAR legend Junior Johnson in a set that showcased “Moonshine” and Matt’s sponsor Carolina Catdaddy Moonshine. Matt played the Freemond Street Festival for the ACM Awards in Las Vegas with Zac Brown Band, Jason Aldean, Jake Owen, and Kelli Pickler. He has also played shows with highly recognized country music talents such as Alan Jackson, Darius Rucker, Eric Church, Pat Green, Randy Houser, Eli Young Band, and Colt Ford.

Matt Stillwell has proved to be a distinguished success, signing with Average Joe’s Entertainment, Full Scope Entertainment and is now being booked by New Frontier Touring. Matt has also created his own music festival “Stillwell Shinefest” and by the second annual festival, held in Village Resort in the mountains of North Carolina, the audience nearly tripled in attendance.

Since the release of his debut album, Shine, and the current single from the record “Dirt Road Dancing”, fans nationwide can experience the magic that Matt brings to bear every time he steps in front of a microphone. In a recent interview, Roughstock.com noted "Matt Stillwell has managed to carry a niche in the country music world with his star on the rise."

Shine, his current album release on Average Joes Entertainment, showcases the qualities that have brought him to the threshold of national attention--the songwriter's knack for finding the truth in any situation, the vocal chops to do justice to the joy and passion in each song, and the ability to take an audience on a roller-coaster of emotion and leave them better for the ride. Local news and gossip site NashvilleGab.com praises Stillwell's versatility adding, "Matt proves he is not a one sided artist, and shows his softer side balanced perfectly into the mix."

Friday Sept. 9th Rob Russell & The Sore Losers w/ Stephen Simmons

Jesco White w/ Dan Deel, Pick up the Snake, And The Tremors Aug 27th

Jesco White was born in Bandytown, a tiny community located in the Appalachian Mountains of Boone County, West Virginia.

Referred to as 'Appalachian Royalty' by some, Jesco is best known as 'The Dancing Outlaw'. Taking the shoes that were handed down to him from his father D Ray White (one of the greatest mountain tap dancers in the United States), Jesco practices a style of dancing that is a subtle mix of tap and clog dancing derived from this native Appalachian region.

As the popularity of the mini documentary The Dancing Outlaw grew ... so did the demand for Jesco. Many became aware of Jesco through third generation VCR tapes that were copied and handed off in a series of unimaginable successions that made him the cult icon that he is today. From Architects to Mechanics, Jesco's mystique and charm have captivated people for over a decade ... and made him one of the most notorious members of the 'hellbilly' movement.

Jesco has been linked to many popular artists through song. Big and Rich mention him by name in the single 'Comin to Your City'. Hank Williams III wrote the song 'Legend of D Ray White', which honors the cultural significance of Jesco's father. It also mentions Jesco ... as well as another legendary Boone County artist, Hasil Adkins, and Jesco's sister Mamie White. Jesco has been known to lend his taps to music beds of many country songs.

On the heals of the newly acclaimed feature documentary The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia ... the wild man from Boone County is once again poised to captivate, and hitting the road to promote the White family lifestyle of hillbilly hi-jinks and tales of drugs, guns, and fighting ... all part of a day in the life for the martyr of mountain tap dancing.