This CD by Red Rooster showed up in the pile of CD's a month ago and I was intrigued by the image of a tractor in front of a city skyline. The music is an infectious reflection of the cover, urban pop melodies played by mostly country instruments. The New York-based band calls themselves a folk collective, centered around lead vocalist Jay Erickson and guitarist Nat Zilkha, who also share the songwriting. The other band members play fiddle, steel and banjo that blend amazingly with a small horn section and your standard keys, bass and drums.

Hints of gospel, blues and even a few samples can't keep the twang from shining through. The album closes with the only cover, Porter Wagoner's "Satisfied Mind, " sung passionately by "ringer' vocalist Susannah Hornsby. This is Americana music in the broadest sense of the word and that's a good thing. I dare you to not love what these guys in Red Rooster are doing.

Momentary Prophets

    Masters of the hug and lovers of song and community, MPs have been on a 3-year journey that has been for the members themselves, remarkable and brilliant. The mission: Move you. Whether physically or emotionally, MPs want to move you and make you happy.

In July, 2009, their first full-length album, Sunflower, was released. The naming of the album has a lot of meanings but the most important relates to the role sunflowers play in the soil as ecowarriors. Sunflowers are one of the top plants for bioremediation, a process in which the plant sucks up potentially dangerous heavy metals in the soil. Sunflowers outperform maize and soy making them effective pollutant cleaners. Momentary Prophets hope their mission and tour will act as 'audioremediation.'

Momentary Prophets love you.

Bearquarium
As we enter a new decade, it is no wonder Bearquarium's progressive sound is considered a "scene cornerstone for years to come" (Seven Days VT). With their unique blend of afro-percussive rhythms, fiery horn lines, funky dance grooves and soulful vocals, this eight-piece ensemble puts on a live performance unlike any other. Nominated as a top finalist for Magic Hat’Äôs Sponsor Your Tour Contest (2009) and recognized as releasing a Most Notable Album of 2009 (Burlington Free Press), Bearquarium stands out as a breath of fresh air amongst your run-of-the-mill funk bands. The group released their debut self-titled album in July 2009, and is currently touring the northeast banging on drums in a town near you.

Tuscarawas River Band

Originally formed by a group of whitewater raft guides around the campfires outside of Buena Vista, Colorado, the Tuscarawas River Band has matured into a professional national act with a unique refined sound. The TRB is known to play catchy, original tunes, mix in a variety of popular music in their own peculiar way, and create surprising transitions between different genres of music. Armed with both acoustic and electric instruments, the TRB sound is a blend of bluegrass, funk, reggae, rock, blues, country, and traditional folk songs. Still true to the high lonesome sound of their acoustic beginnings, the TRB also explores the electric possibilities, in the process creating their own unique brand of mountain music. Backed by three part harmonies, a powerful yet versatile rhythm section, funky bass lines, earthy bluegrass rhythms, and the explosive crunch of electric blues guitar, the TRB always keeps audiences on their toes.

Steven Johnson

    howdy. people tell me i play campfire music and it's true that i started picking around fire about 4 years ago in WY. i was borne in elkins town WV in 1985 and since have rambled all over. i keep my eyes half open all the time and don't care much for TV. i write a-lot of my music while running, i even like running through the rain. birds never wear watches and witches don't ride on brooms.

Second Draw

Second Draw \`sec-kund `dro\ 1: a second, longer, more satisfying “pull” off of good whisky 2: the musical distillate of core elements of American, jam band, bluegrass, blues and folk music. 3: Charlottesville, Va based musical experience comprising guitar, mandolin, banjo, accordion, and bass 4: second longer more satisfying “pull” off the jug of American Stump Music

Our repertoire consist primarily of originals written by Shannon Williams (banjo) whose songs are more lyrically based with flavorings of bluegrass, folk or blues and Rob Frayser (mandolin) who brings more mystical, rhythmic, jam band based elements to the group. The overall sound that emerges represents the raw distillation of these two varied perspectives. Throw in the full body sound of an accordion, fluid flatpicking guitar and solid bass underpinning and you can taste the good whisky sound of Second Draw!

Blue Line Highway

Imagine if the migration of the 60's went to Nashville instead of San Francisco? What music might the Jefferson Airplane have played? Or...how might Rickie Lee Jones cover a Carter Family tune?
Start with big vocals on top of acoustic and electric guitars. Now...add bass and congas (sometimes)and shake for 6 minutes.
Understanding the combination of styles the members bring to the table is the story of Blue Line Highway.
Lead singer Julia Dooley is strongly influenced by classic blues and old time country like the Carter Family.
Guitar player John Leedes has many influences but
even he will describe some of his licks as being very Grateful Dead-like.
Songwriter and guitarist Melissa McKenna has obviously been listening to Joni Mitchell and Rickie Lee Jones and somehow brings a west coast feel to east coast lyrics.
Ray Alfano on bass completes the rhythm section and glues the mix together.
And sometimes when appropriate Blue Line Highway also includes percusion.
When folks hear Blue Line Highway live they generally talk about how the band can play such a variety of tunes that somehow.. all fit together so nicely.

Heritage

Rising from the back yards of Okaloosa County, Florida, HERITAGE broke into the pop/reggae scene in 2009 with their debut album, Natural High. This album mixes Tony Verecchia's easily digested vocals and the fluidity of Damien Kealoha’Äôs vibrant ukulele sound to produce an effort bursting at the seams with ultra-catchy originals. With standout tracks like "Broken Pieces," already certified platinum in their family households and local friends, Heritage can count on an abundance of future success.

Formed in 2007, starting with three guys in a backyard with a ukulele and a set of bongos, they played just for fun with family and friends. Before they knew it, they were performing locally. With the addition of Hunter Dawson, a guitarist with a rock/alternative style, hip-hop drummer, RJ Hernandez, reggae-influenced bassist, Matt Moore, latin/pop percussionist, Dave Posey, and the smooth soulful vocals of Eric Yra, they bring both a flavor and appeal to the masses. They eventually started recording their original masterpieces, producing an authentic sound, which is now HERITAGE. Today, HERITAGE is sharing their passion and love for music on the Gulf Coast gaining ground quickly throughout the US and beyond.

Although HERITAGE is comprised of seven very different ethnic backgrounds and personalities, the synergy between them is extraordinary and comes together on stage, creating a dynamic visual/musical experience. They cited influences like Bob Marley, Incubus, 311, Sublime, Ben Harper, Michael Jackson and even the Cure. Their fans would say that their music would be considered as eclectic island pop, giving HERITAGE widespread appeal and bridging the gap between an array of musical influences.