Free song download - Junior League Band

Friday night @ Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion

Hosting the Cameo stage was wonderful. What a beautiful venue.

First act: Jason Isbell Duo, which consisted of Jason Isbell and Browan Lawler from Jason Isbell and the 400 unit. All I can say is absolutely AMAZING! Great way to start off the night. Please see the video below ( forgive me for my bad filming, I missed their heads for about 30 secs of the video...hey, you got audio at least)

Next up was Eliza Lynn Band. Her tunes were great, and her harmonica player rocked the house. I must admit, I saw half of her set, because I had to run next door to see some of my good friend Sam Quinns set. So I didn't get a video, or picture. I know...I suck.

Pete Kartsounes was third up, and I will say, do not pronounce his name like it looks...it is Cartsoonesss. Just in case you ever happen to introduce him on stage. I caught half of his set as well, and he did really well, great songwriter. During his set, I hopped over to the Piedmont stage to catch the beginning of Holy Ghost Tent Revivals set...what great guys! They have a very eclectic sound that could make me dance for hours, and I hate dancing. Video below.

Lastly, Corey Harris and the 5x5 bands was up. I had a chance to sit and speak to these guys for a while backstage, and they are so chill and easy to talk to. My friend Sean, who was helping me host the stage, was so nice to take over the cameo stage and let me venture to Machiavellis during Corey's set, because the band I manage had arrived and needed to load in for their 11:00 set. This venue is smaller, but it was a ton of fun. The band did great, and there was some dancing going on...by the lead singers boyfriend. Quite a show. He was actually dancing w/ a lady who ...looks to me, had a broken leg. Go Mike!




Headed back to the hotel around 12:30 a.m to some jamming in the parking lot. I was able to dance and drink some beers, and talk to some musically inclined folks. Unfortunately, my camera had escaped me at this point.

Bands @ Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion

Part of the fun of going to festivals for me, is seeing all my favorite bands that I have become friends with over the years in one place, and being introduced to new tunes from bands I wouldn't normally listen to unless someone forced a cd in my cd player. Im sort of a music snob. I admit.

This was my first year going to Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion, and I must say it is quite an experience ( Thanks to my friend Dave Stallard). Bristol R&R is on State street in Bristol Va, and Bristol TN. You stand on one side of the street and you are in Tennessee, you look across the street, and that is Virginia. Wicked Crazy right?

Opening the schedule for BRR was like opening a present at Christmas time. There were so many bands, ( I didn't even count them...), starting at 5:00 on Friday afternoon through Sunday, there were at least two bands that I wanted to see at the same time, every hour. Such a hard choice, but so well planned. I got my little notebook out, and started writing down the bands I wanted to see at what times, I did NOT want to miss any bands that I have been waiting to see. Plus, I had to schedule my time around the band I manage who was also playing at Bristol R&R ( The Junior League Band), and I was also hosting the Cameo stage on Friday night.

Friday I arrived to check into our hotel. Much to our surprise.. the hotel we were staying at was completely booked for bands. Lots of the bands have been friends of mine for a while, and a lot of them, I have been wanting to meet. So this worked out Perfectly!! The New Familiars, Paleface, Ian Thomas, And the Moneynotes, Eliza Lynn, Corey Harris and the 5x5 band, Chris Volpe & Cheyenne Mize...and many many more.

Arrived at Bristol R&R to host the Cameo stage with my friend Sean Phipps. I must say, this was good for me, because I was able to see bands that I have not seen before. This kind of opened up new doors to my ears pursay. Shoot on over to the the blog about fridays acts...

Music Describe music you've heard recently...music that didn't involve instruments or singing.

This is a hard one...I love instruments, and I love singing. To describe a form of music w/out those two, is tough.

Recently, I went to a farm in Jonesboro, Tennessee. This has to be the most relaxing place, EVER. It made me think, how simple life could be. I wan't that simple life.




As I was sitting on the porch looking out at the Rolling Hills ( see photo above) I actually noticed the sound of the beautiful birds chirping, the sound of the crickets creeking, and the sound of the bees flying around me.

Do you ever really stop to listen to these sounds? Probably not..>I admit, this is the first time I really have paid attention to it..and it is wonderful. It is almost like nature is starting it's own band..and im in the audience.

9/3/09 playlist

In dedication to the Birmingham Folk Festival, I have decided to hit you with some artists playing there:

2009 Lineup in order-

Matt Boyer
www.myspace.com/latenightcuts

Ethan Gardiner
www.myspace.com/ethangardiner

Sarah Green
www.myspace.com/sarahgreenband

Neil Couvillion
www.myspace.com/neilcouvillion

Jon Black
www.myspace.com/jonblack

Old Slouch Hat
www.myspace.com/oldslouchhat

Mandi Rae
www.myspace.com/mandirae

Newgrass Troubadours
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQbtfz10BoI

The Back Row Baptists
www.myspace.com/chrisporterandthebackrowbaptists

Come on Go With Us
www.myspace.com/comeongowithus

Corduroy Road
www.myspace.com/thecorduroyroad
www.thecorduroyroad.com

The Hightide Blues
www.hightideblues.com
www.myspace.com/hightideblues

The Birmingham Folk Festival 2009 will be held at Avondale park on October 11th. It costs $10.00 to get in, and you won't be disappointed.

Music I am loving right now...

Everyone goes through phases, certain parts of your life you love one type of music, and another time of your life you think the music you used to like is Horrible and the music you like now you could not live without. For Example, when I was 9 I loved Hanson, I adored the long haired girly looking guys. I thought their music was the bomb diggity and I knew every single word to Mmm Bop. What? Is that not cool??? Ok ok ...now I look back and say.." No that's not cool, and never should have been"

This brings me to what music I now adore and I hope that 15 years from now I will not regret these music decisions of mine. I love Bluegrass, Folk, Americana, Blues, Jazz...or any band I can have the excuse to go see at a festival outside of the state of Alabama. Ok not true, some bands I would not travel for...but here are some that I would:

Samantha Crain and The Midnight Shivers- http://www.samanthacrain.com/
- Samantha's voice is echoing and just plain Beautiful. You listen to her lyrics and wonder " how did she come up with this stuff?" Also, I am often confused on what the lyrics mean, but that is what draws me to listen to it even more. I want to dissect every tune I hear and figure them out.

Nicole Atkins - www.nicoleatkins.com
- Again, another strong vibrant female voice. She writes songs like no other, and they make me want to get up and dance.

Sam Quinn and The Japan Ten
- What can I say, I have loved this guy sine the moment I heard his voice in "The Everybodyfields". While he did a great job teaming up w/ Jill Andrews in that band, sometimes people need to just move on, and he did...and is doing a great job at it! His voice is quirky, soft, and hits beautiful notes, as well as his band makes some beautiful tunes. You won't find anyone like this guy. www.myspace.com/samquinnjapanten

The Corduroy Road
- A good group of guys with a bluegrass flair and an Irish twist. They are young and have tons of potential to be huge. They actually almost remind me of a younger "Avett Brothers"...Watch out people! www.myspace.com/thecourduroyroad

The Hightide Blues
- I first heard these guys on a local radio station here in Birmingham. The radio station I actually was working at, and the song they played did not nearly do the band justice. I wasn't too impressed w/ the first song I heard until I saw them in concert for the first time and then got their cd, and now..im hooked! I was wrong about the first song, and I am right about every other song on their album...you gotta hear this! www.myspace.com/hightideblues

Neko Case
-Come on, do I really need to leave a desciption here. You should know who this lady is..and if you don't you should be ashamed of yourself and go listen now...its wonderful.
www.nekocase.com

The Junior League Band
- Ok Ok, I admit. I manage this band...BUT don't be to quick to judge. I did fall in love w/ their beautiful melodies and Lissy's awesome voice long before I became their manager. Check Check Check it out! www.myspace.com/juniorleagueband

The Wood Brothers
- The two brothers voices come off as an old time gospel track. You either love it or are totally bored with it. I personally, love it. They have so much talent, and can definitely draw a crowd. So I guess I am not the only one. Take a listen to these rootsy, jazzy, bluesy, country songs.
www.myspace.com/thewoodbrothers

The Avett Brothers
- I have two different opinions on the music that these guys make. My first opinion is that I like their older music better, about 4 or 5 years back when I used to see them in venues of 14 people in a crowd. Not that I like them better when they had less attention, but I liked them more when they played the more jumpy, bluegrassy, rock music. BUT second opinion, I will say, I am in love w / their new tunes as well. They are definitely different than their old stuff, and they have became WAY more popular recently w / Rick Ruban producing their album. Overall, I like all of their stuff...just prefer the new stuff www.theavettbrothers.com

Townes Van Zandt
- I had to add him in the mix, because...while I had never seen him live and he is no longer living, his music still rocks. Also, he was a great insparation to the above band "The Avett Brothers" and I am sure he was an influence to the rest of the bands on my list. www.townesvanzandt.com/

The Everybodyfields
- One of the second bluegrass bands I fell in love with ( the first was The Avett Brothers). This band actually played on stage before my sister at The Americana Folk Festival in Nashville, TN about 5 years ago. This duo is one of my favorite and I will say that the day this duo broke up, It was worst for me than Michael Jackson Dying. I was stunned that the band broke up and I still miss them. I am just glad Sam Quinn has a band now and So does miss Jill Andrews. I can still hear them both, just seperate. www.theeverybodyfields.com

Bombadil
- Also on Ramseur Records along side of Samantha Crain, Paleface, The Avett Brothers and other great artists, this band is totally quirky and has a childlike theme...and well..I LOVE IT. Too bad one of the band members recently had a case of tendonitis and they will be on a forcasted 2-year break until he recovers. But get to listening, you have plenty of time to get addicted to it! www.myspace.com/bombadil

Holy Ghost Tent Revival
- One of the weirdest mixes of music I have ever heard in my entire life, but it rocks. You mix a banjo, acoustic guitar, drums, trombone, trumpit, jazzy old school voices, with country tunes. You get - Holy Ghost Tent Revival. Yea....the moment I heard it I was in love.
www.myspace.com/hgtr

Langhorne Slim
- Quirky, Fun, Weird, Country, Rock, Indie, ahhhhh What is it? I can't really tell you..because I have no idea..but take a listen and decide. All I know is my ears love it. Oh and...this is another friend of The Avett Brothers www.myspace.com/langhorneslim

Justin townes Earl
- Um....Steve Earl's Son? How could this be bad....
Well its not..its great. I love his gravvvely yet smooth voice. But don't think I like Justins tunes because his dad is Steve Earl, this guy can definitely make it on his own...
www.myspace.com/justintownesearl

Hope you enjoyed ....xoxo- Aj

Please go to the side of my page to my "touch screen ipod" to hear these artists on my page.

Wilco in the Ham- Sloss Furnace

So Wilco came to Birmingham. This was the talk of the town for ...oh about...3 months before the actual show. So when they finally arrived, it was sort of a relief, because I was tired of hearing about it.

So let me just say, I was never a huge Wilco follower. I enjoy the music, but am not obsessed w/ them. As one of my friends says about music he is just "OK" with...."I would listen to it if it came on the radio, but I wouldn't buy a cd...or a concert ticket for that matter". But since I work at the radio station, i received 2 free tickets and thought " what the heck, I am going to go check out the band that everyone is raving about. Maybe they will be better in person".

I arrived at sloss in time for an awful headliner who I didn't catch the name of, but thank god I didn't because they were BAD. Wilco came on stage, and while I did not know any of the lyrics, it was not half bad. Considering I had been to like 7 concerts that week already, I was very tired and just wanted to go home. So I did leave right before the last couple of songs.

Now on another note, I would have asked for a different venue. Sloss in a perfect world would be a ROCKIN venue. It looks great, looks do-able. But its compeletly not!! You have the slanted crowd area in front of the stage, which would be great, but people fall forward onto each other, and if you want to dance...than your screwed. The acoustics aren't that great in the venue either. Overall, if this band played at workplay, I probably would go check them out again.

The Avett Brothers @ the Wharf at Orange Beach

Apparently, im an Avetturd ( as my sis says)

So this weekend I went to Orange Beach, AL with some friends. Widespread Panic was a HUGE ordeal down in Orange beach this weekend, because they were playing 3 nights in a row, one night w/ Keller Williams, one night w/ North Mississippi Allstars, and the last night with....The Avett Brothers.

I was not planning on going to any of these concerts, I just was planning on going to the beach and drinking a couple beers while my friends were at the shows. But the last night we were in town, I couldn't let myself pass up seeing my friends The Avett Brothers, even if they were playing with a band that I am not to fond of. So I went to the show and really enjoyed the Avetts set, and I think the widespread fans took the Avetts vary well ( i mean who wouldn't ...they are an awesome band). So after the Avett's set...I decided...well the band knows me..so I am going to try to fenagle my way backstage...even if I don't have a VIP pass. So I went to the security guard working the backstage entrance...and he was insistant that I was not going back there. This was a maximum security event and there were thousands of people there. Sure everyone will say they know the band to try to get backstage. But I tried to tell the security guard.."I swear to you..I know them...really..I do" as if that was going to make him believe me. About 45 minutes later ( i was really unconcerned w/ watching widespread) I still was standing w/ the security guard, except by this time..I think we became friends. Finally a security guard walked up ( he thinks he "Knows me" from somewhere) So i talk him into "escorting me" backstage. So he does, and we get back to the Avetts tour bus and he said.." I am going to have to escort you back, they are on the bus and I don't want to bother them"..so I said " can i just knock?" and he said " NO because if they don't know me and your lying to me...i could get fired"...So I ran up and Knocked anyways. Joe Kwon answered the door ( of course the person that DOESN'T know me answers the door!!) and i was like..oh crap!! but to my surprise...Scott Avett walks up behind me and is like ASHLEEJEAN!!! haha...he saved the day. So I looked at the security guard and said HA! and I went and hung out w/ the guys ( I don't know where bob was) on the tour bus. Only me right? How I finagled my way backstage is still on my mind...but I did and I told Scott, " don't I always find a way back?" like the annoying person that I am.


They are still as humble as can be and I love them for that. They are actually playing this weekend here in Birmingham at Sloss Furnace. So if you have never seen them, please go out and check them out...they put on one hell of a show.

Here are some pics for your viewing pleasure!!
More to come after this week...Dave Mathews / and Old Crow medicine show was last night. Wilco and Mogwai this week, then Avetts this weekend.

Oh the life I lead....

what do you eat first..the tail or the ear?

I eat the ears first....

Birmingham music go-ers..and Neko Case- AWESOME

Neko Case - Workplay April 4th, 2009


So, Neko came to Birmingham for the first time in a LONG time. Obviously, Birmingham was greatly appreciative....for the Workplay Soundstage room was packed out ( this is a big room). I must say, I was very proud of Birmingham when I showed up at the show, I actually had to wait in a line to get in. Generally, Birmingham folks get excited about Snoop Dogg coming to town, or Katie Perry....yea...not I. If they do like more underground bands ...they don't show it. So many great bands come to town, and people take it for granted and don't show up. For instance, Langhorne Slim did a show at the Bottletree last year, I was one of 11 people there, and I think 10 of those people were actually there to drink and didn't even know who Langhorne Slim was. So the fact that Neko Case had an almost Sold out show, was amazing to me. Not amazing for the fact that she is not worth it, because she is beyond worth that many people, but more amazed by the fact that people here know who she is, and actually showed up for a show.

Round of applause Birmingham, give yourself a pat on the back.

Now in some B'ham folk's defense... there is generally a regular crowd that is really into music and shows up at shows..but like I said..they are regulars. The same people over and over again take the opportunity to go to these rockin' shows. Thats awesome, but I like everyone's participation....I like to see the preppy folks at the indie shows...that way it gives me no reason to stereotype people. I also like to see locals support locals, not just because your friend is in a band and you want to show your support ( which that is still great to do) but because you opened up the Black and White newspaper or a Birmingham Weekly and saw a band listed that is from Birmingham, that you have never heard of...and you have nothing planned for that friday night, so you should go throw that $5.00 that bands way. You may even figure out that you like that band. I mean a "big' artist/band has to come from somewhere right? So maybe that band you took a chance on paying 5.00 to see ends up on Conan O' Brian next week and then has a record deal with Columbia records( uhh. the Avett Brothers... ? They aren't local but they came to Birmingham many times and I remember many times when not many people showed up to shows..and now everyone is going crazy over them. umm because they are awesome and ALWAYS have been..YOU BETTER BE AT THE SHOW ON THE 25th!!!) . Things like this happen all the time and people jump at the opportunity to see a band that they never went and seen before they got famous.

Enough of my ramblings...

Neko Case, her voice is harmonious, beautiful, echoing....i could go on. Also, they brought a little humor to the stage. If you were there, how about that "dutch omlette" everyone.
If you have not heard of Neko Case, or seen her live...please do ..soon. You won't regret it.

April Concert Calendar - It's going to be a good month!

So April seems like it is the best concert month of the year!! So far at least.

Here is my concert calendar of all the shows I will attend, or think you should attend this coming April ( if you have any suggestions, please comment and I will add them to the calendar):

Tim Brantley - Chili Cookoff 3.8.09

The Exeptional Foundation hosted a Chili Cookoff this past Saturday. A large amount of companies in the Birmingham Area made their own blend of chili and ..."cooked off". They had 2 bands play at this festival, and one of them was Tim Brantley. Tim is from Atlanta, and a favorite among the locals here in Birmingham and fans of Live 100.5

Late Post: Hightide Blues 2.5.09

This post is pretty late, I have been Anti-Blog lately. But I have decided to get back w / the times and start blogging about the concerts and events I am fortunate enough to go see.

In February a band called "The Hightide Blues" graced Birmingham with their presence and played a free show at Barnes and Nobles in Hoover, thanks to Live 100.5.



After the band played at Barnes and Noble, they stopped by the radio station ( Live 100.5) and showed us some tunes.... see below: They ROCK



The band also played a show at a local venue here in Birmingham that night called "Workplay Theatre".

If you have never seen or heard of the Hightide Blues, please check them out. Just watching the band, w/out even hearing the music will make you want to get up and dance.

Paul McDonald on lead vocals/ acoustic guitar/ keys, has a great raspy voice and always has a smile on his face, which makes me think he LOVES what he does.

Jonathan Pears on Harmonica/Lap Steel/ Electric Guitar/ Mandolin is undeniably great at every instrument he plays, and shows how versatile he is while playing those instruments.

Scotty Rollins on Drums can not only play the drums great, but has humor on stage while wearing a bear hat at the show ( i guess it was a teddy bear hat, maybe).

Wesley Flowers on Bass, is a newer member in the group who provides to be a great addition and hey, he was on the Ellen Degenerous show HAHA.

They are great performers, great musicians, and not too bad on the eyes.

I had to take some pics next to these hotties. Scott on left, (random guy middle), Paul on right, and myself far right.