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Posts Tagged ‘Steve Martin’

Alec Baldwin Hospitalized After Threatening To â€œTake Pills?â€

February 11th, 2010 | No Comments

Alec Baldwin was taken to a Manhattan hospital early Thursday morning, but the actorâ€™s rep insists the 30 Rock star is doing fine.
WNBC News reports that a caller believed to be Baldwinâ€™s 14-year-old daughter with ex-wife Kim Basinger, Ireland, dialed 911 saying the 51-year-old actor was unresponsive. An official, who spoke on condition of [...]

Alec Baldwin Hospitalized

February 11th, 2010 | No Comments

Alec Baldwin was rushed to a New York City hospital overnight after his 14-year-old daughter called 911 in fear for the actor’s life.

Ireland Baldwin summoned an ambulance to the star’s Manhattan home late Wednesday by telling emergency dispatchers that her dad was “unresponsive” and needed medical attention, the Big Apple’s WNBC News reports. When [...]

Bonnaroo Lineup: DMB Jay-Z, KOL, Biscuits, Wonder

February 11th, 2010 | No Comments

BONNAROO ANNOUNCES 2010 LINEUP

FEATURING: DAVE MATTHEWS BAND, KINGS OF LEON, STEVIE WONDER, JAY-Z, WEEZER, THE DEAD WEATHER

FLAMING LIPS PERFORMING DARK SIDE OF THE MOON, PHOENIX, AVETT BROTHERS, THE BLACK KEYS

MICHAEL FRANTI, LES CLAYPOOL, THE DISCO BISCUITS, TORI AMOS, JEFF BECK, THIEVERY CORP AND MORE

The 2010 Bonnaroo lineup saw a rather interesting release on Tuesday (February 9). Pouring slowly out of the festival’s MySpace page and appearing in videos like the one The Avett Brothers debuted on JamBase, fans learned one-by-one which of their favorite artists will appear at the event. More acts will be announced in the coming weeks.

The Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival will go down June 10-13 in a huge field near Manchester, TN. Tickets are on sale now at bonnarootickets.com.

For more on Bonnaroo, check our extensive coverage of the 2009 event here.

Artists Confirmed for Bonnaroo 2010:

Bonnaroo 2009 by Snyder

Dave Matthews Band

Kings of Leon

Stevie Wonder

Jay-Z

Tenacious D

Weezer

The Flaming Lips with Stardeath and White Dwarfs perform Dark Side of the Moon

The Dead Weather

Damian Marley & Nas

Phoenix

Norah Jones

Michael Franti & Spearhead

John Fogerty

Regina Spektor

Jimmy Cliff

LCD Soundsystem

The Avett Brothers

Thievery Corporation

Rise Against

Tori Amos

The National

Zac Brown Band

Les Claypool

John Prine

The Black Keys

Steve Martin & the Steep Canyon Rangers

Jeff Beck

Dropkick Murphys

She & Him

Against Me!

The Disco Biscuits

Daryl Hall & Chromeo

Jamey Johnson

Clutch

Bassnectar

Kid Cudi

Baaba Maal

Kris Kristofferson

Medeski Martin & Wood

The xx

GWAR

Dan Deacon Ensemble

Tinariwen

Wale

Deadmau5

The Melvins

Gaslight Anthem

Miike Snow

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

Dr. Dog

They Might Be Giants

Punch Brothers

Isis

Blitzen Trapper

Blues Traveler

Miranda Lambert

Calexico

OK Go

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue

Martin Sexton

Lotus

Baroness

Dave Rawlings Machine

Mayer Hawthorne and the County

Japandroids

Jay Electronica

Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros

Ingrid Michaelson

The Dodos

Manchester Orchestra

The Temper Trap

Cross Canadian Ragweed

Big Sam’s Funky Nation

Carolina Chocolate Drops

Tokyo Police Club

The Entrance Band

Local Natives

Brandi Carlile

Mumford & Sons

Rebelution

Diane Birch

Monte Montgomery

Julia Nunes

The Postelles

Lucero

Here We Go Magic

Hot Rize

Neon Indian

B.O.B

Needtobreathe

Oscars 2010 Poster, Featuring Steve Martin Alec Baldwin

February 9th, 2010 | No Comments

For Hollywood’s elite, March 7 can’t come quickly enough: The gowns, the lights, and the comedic stylings of hosting duo Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin.
The guys will be sharing duties as Masters of Ceremonies at this year’s Academy Awards, and both Martin and Baldwin and photographed perched highly atop the shoulders of an Oscar statuette [...]

2010 Razzie Nominations â€” Which Films Will Win Big At The Golden Raspberry Awards?

February 1st, 2010 | No Comments

From G.I. Joe: The Rise Of Cobra to John Travolta’s ill-fated comedy Old Dogs, nominees for the 2010 Golden Raspberry Awards were announced on Monday and Transformers & Land Of The Lost lead Razzie Nominees for last yearâ€™s worst movies……A statement from the Golden Raspberry Award Foundation, which organizes the annual salute to the worst [...]

Anne Hathaway Will Announce 2010 Academy Award Nominees

January 26th, 2010 | No Comments

Anne Hathaway will take the early morning podium to announce the 2010 Oscar nominations next Tuesday.
The good-natured Disney-star-turned-Oscar-nominated actress will announce this year’s list of Academy Award nominees on Feb. 2. The 82nd Academy Awards, honoring the year’s best in film and hosted by Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin, will air Sunday, March 7 on [...]

Rounder To Release 40th Ann. Concert Album

January 25th, 2010 | No Comments

ROUNDER TO RELEASE ROUNDER RECORDS’ 40th ANNIVERSARY CONCERT ALBUM MARCH 2

Alison Krauss & Union Station

On March 2, Rounder will release Rounder Records’ 40th Anniversary Concert, an album of the concert that celebrated the label’s 40 years in the music industry. Recorded in October 2009 at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry, the concert will also be presented as a PBS television special that will begin airing on the network in March, 2010 and released on DVD in May.

The event is a superb exhibition of Rounder’s diverse roster, and features Grammy winning Rounder artists Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Bela Fleck, and Irma Thomas along with musical host Minnie Driver, and special guests Nathan & The Zydeco Cha Chas and jazz/R&B pianist, Henry Butler.

The CD will include performances by these artists as well as select performances from Steve Martin‘s show at The Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Krauss and Robert Plant‘s 2008 CMT Crossroads special, and Madeleine Peyroux‘s 2009 concert in Los Angeles.

The event was filmed by High Five Entertainment, and a portion of the ticket proceeds were donated to NARAS’ Grammy in the Schools Programs to cultivate the understanding, appreciation and advancement of the contribution of recorded music to American culture. The Grammy Foundation influences the lives of young people by opening the windows of opportunity that music can provide for their futures.

Rounder Records’ 40th Anniversary Concert Track Listing

1. Cold Dark River – Minnie Driver

2. Beloved – Minnie Driver

3. Outside People – Nathan & The Zydeco Cha Chas

4. Think About the Good Times – Nathan & The Zydeco Cha Chas

5. Rich Woman – Robert Plant and Alison Krauss

6. River Is Waiting – Irma Thomas

7. Don’t Mess With My Man – Irma Thomas

8. Don’t Wait Too Long – Madeleine Peyroux

9. Dance Me to the End of Love – Madeleine Peyroux

10. Restless – Alison Krauss and Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas

11. Gravity – Alison Krauss and Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas

12. Pitkin County Turn Around – Steve Martin

13. Saga of the Old West – Steve Martin

14. Keys to the Kingdom – Bela Fleck

15. Another Morning – Bela Fleck

16. Why Shouldn’t We – Mary Chapin Carpenter

17. He Thinks He’ll Keep Her – Mary Chapin Carpenter

18. Medley: Angeles Watching Over Me/ I’ll Fly Away/ Down by the Riverside

Alec Baldwin fears co-hosting Oscars with Steve Martin

December 28th, 2009 | No Comments

Actor Alec Baldwin says he has lost faith in Oscars co-host Steve Martin as he has become “fragile” under pressure.
â€˜The Departedâ€™ star was hoping Martin’’s experience as a comedian and former Academy Awards host would help him overcome his stage terror before the big night, but Martin is already very nervous.
â€œI called up Steve and [...]

Best of 2009 JamBase Staff List

December 25th, 2009 | No Comments

Kayceman’s Cuts of 2009

Kayceman

Aaron Kayce (Kayceman) – Editor-in-Chief

Albums

1. Alberta Cross – Broken Side of Time

2. Danger Mouse and Sparklehorse – Dark Night of the Soul

3. Built to Spill – There Is No Enemy

4. Mastodon – Crack The Skye

5. Elliott Brood – Mountain Meadows

Shows

1. Them Crooked Vultures | 11/19/09 | Fox Theater Oakland, CA

2. Widespread Panic | 11/13/09 | Fox Theater Oakland, CA (review)

3. The Mars Volta | 08/29/09 | Outside Lands Festival, San Francisco, CA (review)

Dennis Cook

Dennis Cook – Associate Editor

Albums (no particular order)
1. Mastodon – Crack The Skye
2. Akron/Family – Set ‘Em Wild, Set ‘Em Free
3. Todd Snider – The Excitement Plan
4. Grizzly Bear – Veckatimest
5. The Black Crowes – Before The Frost…After The Freeze

Close runners-up: Bruce Springsteen at HP Pavilion (04.01), Mastodon at San Jose Events Center (11.21), Flowmotion at Summer Meltdown (08.15), Tom Jones at Outside Lands (08.28), and Bon Iver/Megafaun at Fillmore (09.22).

Andy Gadiel

Andy Gadiel – JamBase Founder & President

Albums (no particular order)
1. Fun – Aim & Ignite
2. The Avett Brothers – I and Love and You
3. Jerry Garcia Band – Let It Rock – Keystone ’75
4. Nathan Moore – Folk Singer
5. Corinne West – The Promise

David Rosenheim

David Rosenheim – CEO

Albums
1. Polvo – In Prism
2. The Avett Brothers – I and Love and You
3. Neko Case – Middle Cyclone
4. The Mother Hips – Pacific Dust
5. Bat for Lashes – Two Suns

Tanner Wyer

Tanner Wyer – Sales Associate

Albums
1. Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
2. Grizzly Bear – Veckatimest
3. Miike Snow – self-titled
4. Mother Hips – Pacific Dust
5. Portugal. The Man – Satanic Satanist

Mason Blake

Mason Blake – Lead Engineer

Albums
1. The Mother Hips – Pacific Dust
2. Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
3. Alberta Cross – Broken Side of Time
4. Passion Pit – Manners
5. Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavillion

Patty Kaufman

Patty Kaufman – Information Coordinator

Albums
1. Alberta Cross – Broken Side of Time
2. The Avett Brothers – I and Love and You
3. Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
4. Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion
5. Iron and Wine – Around the Well

SuperDee

Deanne Herman – Web Producer & Designer

Albums
1. The Avett Brothers – I And Love And You
2. Phish – Joy
3. Wilco – Wilco (The Album)
4. The Lonely Island – Incredibad
5. Nathan Moore - Folk Singer

Runners-up: Umphrey’s McGee’s Mantis and Lily Allen’s It’s Not Me, It’s You

Geoff Harrison

Geoff Harrison – Sales Director and Biz Dev

Albums
1. Erin McKeown – Hundreds of Lions
2. Marco Benevento – Me Not Me
3. Cracker – Sunrise in the Land of Milk and Honey
4. Band of Skulls – Baby Darling Doll Face Honey
5. Brendan Benson – My Old, Familiar Friend

Leah Elton

Leah Elton – Accounting Manager

Albums
1. IAMX – Kingdom of Welcome Addiction
2. Manic Street Preachers – Journal for Plague Lovers
3. John Vanderslice – Romanian Names
4. The Horrors – Primary Colours
5. Bat for Lashes – Two Suns

Matt Tice

Matt Tice – Sales

Albums
1. Dirty Projectors – Bitte Orca
2. Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
3. Grizzly Bear – Veckatimest
4. Elbow & The BBC Concert Orchestra – The Seldom Seen Kid
5. Fever Ray – self-titled

Jennifer Zeghibe

Jennifer Zeghibe – Sales

Albums
1. Levon Helm – Electric Dirt
2. Dan Auerbach – Keep It Hid
3. J.J. Cale – Roll On

Honorable Mention:
Greensky Bluegrass | 11.05.09 | Mission Rock | San Francisco, CA

Jamie Piazza – JamBase Web Producer & Designer

Albums
1. Passion Pit – Manners
2. Grizzly Bear – Veckatimest
3. The Avett Brothers – I and Love and You
4. Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavillion
5. Dirty Projectors – Bitte Orca

Crystal Carlson – JamBase Information Coordinator

Albums (no particular order)
1. Monsters of Folk – self-titled
2. The Avett Brothers – I and Love and You
3. The Decemberists – The Hazards of Love
4. Umphrey’s McGee – Mantis
5. The XX – self-titled

Shows

1. Phish | 03.06.09 | Hampton Coliseum
2. Bon Iver | 09.22.09 | The Fillmore
3. Ween | 08.30.09 | Outside Lands

Continue reading for Best of 2009 lists from JamBase Writers, Friends and Associates…

Brian Bavosa – JamBase Contributor

Albums
1. Brock Butler – Lately Here Though
2. Jay-Z – The Blueprint 3
3. Phish – Joy
4. Monsters of Folk – self-titled
5. The Flaming Lips – Embryonic

Shows

Basically, Phish is back!!!

Sarah Hagerman – JamBase Contributor

Albums
1. Danny Barnes – Pizza Box
2. Elliott BROOD – Mountain Meadows
3. Sometymes Why – Your Heart is a Glorious Machine
4. Akron/Family – Set ‘Em Wild, Set ‘Em Free
5. The Felice Brothers – Yonder is the Clock

Jake Krolick – JamBase Contributor

Albums
1. Dan Auerbach – Keep It Hid
2. The Heavy – The House That Dirt Built
3. The Mother Hips – Pacific Dust
4. Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros – Up From Below
5. Floating Action – Floating Action

Susan J. Weiand – Photographer, JamBase Contributor

Albums
1. Phish – Joy
2. Umphrey’s McGee – Mantis
3. The Derek Trucks Band – Already Free
4. Chick Corea & John McLaughlin Five Peace Band – Five Peace Band, Live
5. Jimmy Herring Band – Lifeboat

Josh Miller – Photographer, JamBase Contributor

Albums
1. The Mother Hips – Pacific Dust
2. Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
3. The Black Crowes – Before The FrostÂ…
4. The Dead Weather – Horehound
5. The Flaming Lips – Embryonic

Ron Hart – JamBase Contributor

Albums
1. Raekwon – Only Built 4 Cuban Linx Part II
2. Elvis Costello – Secret, Profane and Sugarcane
3. Iggy Pop – Preliminaires
4. Flaming Lips – Embryonic
5. Dam-Funk – Toeachizown

Steven Walter – Photographer, JamBase Contributor

Albums
1. Grizzly Bear – Veckatimest
2. Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus
3. The Felice Brothers – Yonder is the Clock
4. Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion
5. J. Tillman – Year in the Kingdom

Andrew Bruss – JamBase Contributor

Albums
1. Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion

2. Mastodon – Crack The Skye

3. Raekwon – Only Built For Cuban Linx Pt. II

Shows
1. My Morning Jacket At Madison Square Garden on NYE 2008.

Technically the second set was this year and it was the best musical performance I saw this year.

2. Phish at Fenway Park

3. Animal Collective at the House Of Blues in Boston, MA 5/14

Wesley Hodges – JamBase Contributor

Albums
1. Passion Pit – Manners
2. Alberta Cross – Broken Side of Time
3. Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
4. Atlas Sound – Logos
5. Dinosaur Jr. – Farm

B Getz – JamBase Contributor

Albums
1. Jerry Garcia Band – Let It Rock – Keystone ’75
2. Mos Def – The Ecstatic
3. Jay-Z – The Blueprint 3
4. (tie) Raekwon – Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…Pt. II/Wu-Tang Clan – Chamber Music
5. (tie) Lil Wayne No Ceilings (official mixtape)/Clipse – Til the Casket Drops

Cal Roach – JamBase Contributor

Albums
1. Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion
2. Minsk – With Echoes In The Movement Of Stone
3. BLK JKS – After Robots
4. Themselves – CrownsDown
5. Krallice – Dimensional Bleedthrough

Casey Flanigan – Photographer, JamBase Contributor

Albums
1. Phish – Joy
2. Bassnectar – Cozza Frenzy
3. Jay-Z – Blueprint 3
4. Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
5. Green Day – 21st Century Breakdown

Court Scott – JamBase Contributor

Albums
1. Pearl Jam – Backspacer
2. The Black Crowes – Before the FrostÂ…Until the Freeze
3. N.A.S.A. – Spirit of Apollo
4. Them Crooked Vultures – self-titled

Eric Podolsky – JamBase Contributor

Albums
1. Monsters of Folk – self-titled
2. Return to Forever – Returns
3. Steve Martin – The Crow: New Songs For The 5-String Banjo
4. The Black Crowes – Before the Frost… After the Freeze
5. Vetiver – Tight Knit

JC Mcilwaine – JamBase Contributor

Albums
1. Pretty Lights – Passing By Behind Your Eyes
2. Blitzen Trapper – Black River Killer
3. White Rabbits – It’s Frightening
4. Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
5. Soulsavers – Broken

Kevin Schwartzbach – JamBase Contributor

Albums
1. Grizzly Bear – Veckatimest
2. Super Furry Animals -Dark Days/Light Years
3. Jim O’Rourke – The Visitor
4. Wilco – Wilco (the Album)
5. Rodrigo y Gabriela – 11:11

Zack Sampsel – Photographer, JamBase Contributor

Albums
Jay-Z – The Blueprint 3
DÃ¢m-Funk – Toeachizown
Pantyraid – The Sauce
Drake – So Far Gone
Neon Indian – Psychic Chasms

Ryan Dembinsky – JamBase Contributor

Albums
1. Fanfarlo – Reservoir
2. The Avett Bros – I and Love and You
3. Devendra Banhart – What We Will Be
4. Alec Ounsworth – Mo Beauty
5. Bela Fleck – Throwdown Your Heart

Norman Sands – Photographer, JamBase Contributor

Albums
1. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – Anthology
2. AC/DC – Backtracks
3. Mark Karan – Walk through fire
4. Tea Leaf Green – Coffee Bean Brown Comes Alive
5. Cornmeal – Live

Andy Tennille – BLURT & JamBase Contributor

Albums
1. Dan Auerbach – Keep It Hid
2. Dave Rawlings Machine – Friend Of A Friend
3. Heartless Bastards – The Mountain
4. Monsters of Folk – self-titled
5. Alberta Cross – The Broken Side of Time

Fred Mills – BLURT Managing Editor & JamBase Contributor

Albums
1. Flaming Lips – Embryonic
2. Reigning Sound – Love & Curses
3. Doveman – The Conformist
4. Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit – self-titled
5. The Avett Brothers – I And Love And You

Justin Gillett – JamBase contributor

Albums
1. Pretty Lights – Passing Before Your Eyes
2. Grizzly Bear – Veckatimest
3. Big Gigantic – Fire it Up
4. Eliot Lipp – Peace Love Weed 3D
5. Neon Indian – Psychic Chasms

Lindsay Colip – JamBase contributor

1. Grizzly Bear – Veckatimest
2. Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
3. Vetiver – Tight Knit
4. White Lies – To Lose My Life
5. Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion

Alex Borsody – JamBase contributor

Albums
1. Gov’t Mule – By a Thread
2. Garage a Trois – Power Patriot
3. Math Head – Stab City
4. Mastodon – Crack The Skye
5. Greensky Bluegrass – Five Interstates

Mike Bookey – JamBase contributor

Albums
1. Monsters of Folk – self-titled
2. Pearl Jam – Backspacer
3. The Avett Brothers – I and Love and You
4. Dusty Rhodes and the River Band – Palace and Stage
5. The Decemberists – Hazards of Love

Jeff Terich – JamBase Contributor, Editor at www.treblezine.com

Albums
1. Grizzly Bear – Veckatimest
2. Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion
3. The Antlers – Hospice
4. Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
5. Baroness – Blue Record

Tim Dwenger – JamBase contributor

Albums
1. Smoove, Turrell – Antique Soul
2. M Ward – Hold Time
3. Everest – Ghost Notes
4. The Decemberists – The Hazards of Love
5. Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion

J Gibson – reapandsow

Albums
1. Flaming Lips – Embryonic
2. Alberta Cross – Broken Side of Time
3. Mastodon – Crack the Skye
4. Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion
5. Big Rock Candy Mountain – self titled

Top Tracks
1. “Here to Fall” by Yo La Tengo
2. “These are my twisted words” by Radiohead
3. “Broken Side of Time” by Alberta Cross

Best Music Industry Article
“Smashing the CD… to Bits” by Paul Resnikoff (Digital Music News)

Jonathan Zwickel – Music Writer At Large

Albums
1. The Dirty Projectors – Bitte Orca
2. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs – It’s Blitz!
3. Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion
4. The Avett Brothers – I and Love and You
5. The Heliocentrics with Mulatu Astatke – Information Inspiration Vol. II

Melissa Adair – Elevation Group

Albums
1. The Mother Hips – Pacific Dust
2. Monsters of Folk – self-titled
3. The Dead Weather – Horehound
4. The Avett Brothers – I and Love and You
5. Nicki Bluhm – Toby’s Song

Jonathan Fordin – Camp Bisco Promoter, MCP Management

Albums (in no order)

1. MGMT – Oracular Spectacular

2. Jay-Z – Blueprint 3

3. Kid Cudi – Man on the Moon

4. Muse – The Resistance

5. Kings of Leon – Only by Night (Technically 2008 but tour was 2009)

Shows

1. U2

2. Muse (Opening for U2)

3. Camp Bisco – Nas and Damian Marley

Mike Greenhaus – Relix

Albums
1. Levon Helm – Electric Dirt
2. Passion Pit – Manners
3. Phish – Joy/Party Time
4. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart – self-titled
5. The Black Crowes – Before the FrostÂ…
6. The Avett Brothers – I and Love and You

Ted Kartzman – IODA, reapandsow

Albums
1. Dawes – North Hills
2. The Mother Hips – Pacific Dust
3. Built To Spill – There Is No Enemy
4. Alberta Cross – Broken Side of Time
5. The XX – self-titled

Please use the Comments Section to tell the world what your top albums and shows are from 2009.

Continue reading for 2009 Stats!

Top Searched Bands of the Year

Phish

Pretty Lights

STS9 (Sound Tribe Sector 9)

The Disco Biscuits

Widespread Panic

The Dead

Umphrey’s McGee

Yonder Mountain String Band

moe.

Keller Williams

Radiohead

Dark Star Orchestra

EOTO

Lotus

The Allman Brothers Band

Railroad Earth

Bassnectar

Gov’t Mule

The New Deal

Furthur

Bands with the Most Shows

The World Famous Platters 436

Circle B Cowboy Supper Music 352

The Platters 307

Bill Medley 292

Roy Rogers Jr. 287

The Jim Stafford Show 260

Redhead Express 255

SIX 249

Fab Four Live 237

Baldknobbers Jamboree 235

The Marvelettes 234

Stacy Mitchhart 228

Zach Deputy 216

Joanna Connor 211

Passafire 204

Shinedown 203

Celtic Woman 198

Lightnin’ Malcolm & Cedric Burnside 198

A Skylit Drive 198

The Rankin Brothers 196

Venues with the Most Shows

Kingston Mines Chicago IL 627

Circle B Theater Branson MO 422

The Starlite Theatre Branson MO 414

B.B. King Blues Club New York NY 387

Jazz Alley Seattle WA 360

Le Poisson Rouge New York NY 345

Birchmere Alexandria VA 343

Mercury Lounge New York NY 329

9:30 Club Washington DC 323

The Jazz Standard New York NY 317

Highline Ballroom New York NY 313

The Masquerade Atlanta GA 310

Bowery Ballroom New York NY 309

Beachland Ballroom/Tavern Cleveland OH 309

Jim Stafford Theatre Branson MO 304

Iridium Jazz Club New York NY 300

The Independent San Francisco CA 300

Emo’s Alternative Lounge Austin TX 288

World Cafe Live Philadelphia PA 288

The Roy Rogers Theater Branson MO 287

JamBase | San Francisco

Go See Live Music!

Jazz Fest: 2010 Lineup/Dates

December 15th, 2009 | No Comments

PEARL JAM, MMJ, CROWES, WSP, ARETHA AND MORE!

Jazz Fest ’09 by Adam McCullough

The usual dizzying assortment of musical talent will descend on New Orleans for the 41st New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. The first weekend takes place April 23-25, 2010, and the second week is April 29-May 2, 2010. The lineups thus far are clustered below.

APRIL 23 – 25 (1st WEEKEND)

Lionel Richie, Allman Brothers Band, My Morning Jacket, Anita Baker, Dr. John, Darius Rucker, The Black Crowes, Steel Pulse, Jonny Lang, Band of Horses, The Levon Helm Band, Drake, Keely Smith, Baaba Maal, George Clinton and Parliament/Funkadelic, Imagination Movers, Ledisi, King Sunny Ade & His African Beats, Better Than Ezra, Blind Boys of Alabama, Elvin Bishop, funky Meters, Sax for Stax featuring Gerald Albright, Kirk Whalum, and Jeff Lorber, Marcia Ball, Shawn Colvin, Pastor Smokie Norful, Terence Blanchard, Cowboy Mouth, The Campbell Brothers, Chocolate Milk, Sam Bush, The Voice of the Wetlands Allstars, Joe Lovano Us Five, Donald Harrison, Lena Prima, Tab Benoit, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux & the Golden Eagles, Rockin’ Dopsie Jr. & the Zydeco Twisters, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Bonerama, Irvin Mayfield & the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, Deacon John, Walter Â“WolfmanÂ” Washington & the Roadmasters, Davell Crawford and One Foot in the Blues with special guests Dr. John and Jon Cleary, The Bounce Extravaganza feat. Big Freedia, Sissy Nobby, Katie Redd, Magnolia Shorty, and DJ Poppa, Bob French & the Original Tuxedo Jazz Band 100 Year Anniversary Celebration, Jon Cleary: Piano, Bass & Drums, Irma Thomas’ Tribute to Mahalia Jackson, The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong feat. Wycliffe Gordon, James Andrews, and Victor Goines, Papa Grows Funk, Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience, Theresa Andersson, Jewel Brown with the Heritage Hall Jazz Band, Joe Krown Trio feat. Walter Washington & Russell Batiste, New Orleans Klezmer Allstars, The Radiators–Pre-War Blues, Wayne Toups & Zydecajun, Grayson Capps, Kenny Neal, Treme Brass Band, Dr. Michael White & the Original Liberty Jazz Band feat. Thais Clark, Jeremy Davenport, Maurice Brown Effect, James Andrews & the Crescent City Allstars, Storyville Stompers Brass Band, Glen David Andrews, Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas, Roddie Romero & the Hub City Allstars, Honey Island Swamp Band, OTRA, Leah Chase, Bill Summers & Jazalsa, Savoy Center of Eunice Saturday Cajun Jam, Mia X, Cheeky Blakk, and Ms. Tee, Wayne Toups & Zydecajun, Bruce Daigrepont Cajun Band, Rotary Downs, The New Orleans Bingo! Show, Little Freddie King Blues Band, Andrew Duhon & the Lonesome Crows, Rumba Buena, Spencer Bohren, Johnny Sketch & the Dirty Notes, Louisiana LeRoux with Tab Benoit, Curley Taylor & Zydeco Trouble, Red Stick Ramblers, Guitar Slim, Jr., Kipori Woods, Kim Carson Band, Ivoire Spectacle feat. Seguenon Kone, The Revealers, Shades of Praise, Lionel Ferbos & the Palm Court Jazz Band, Sammy Rimington, The Electrifying Crownseekers, Tribute to Juanita Brooks feat. Betty Shirley, Germaine Bazzle, and Leah Chase, The James Rivers Movement, Leo Jackson & the Melody Clouds, Susan Cowsill, David Egan, Panorama Jazz Band, George French & the Storyville Jazz Band, New Orleans Night Crawlers, Midnite Disturbers, Ninth Ward Navajo Mardi Gras Indians, Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers’ Tribute to Rockin’ Dopsie, Sr., Frankie Ford, Lost Bayou Ramblers, Reggie Hall & the Twilighters, Gal Holiday & the Honky Tonk Revue, Mas Mamones, Lil’ Buck Sinegal Blues Band, Jesse McBride presents the Next Generation, Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Septet, Michael Ward, Bleu Orleans, Mahogany Brass Band, Untouchables, Furious Five, and Big Steppers Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs, Creole Wild West and Golden Star Hunters Mardi Gras Indians, Mark Braud’s New Orleans Jazz Giants, Gospel Soul Children, Blessed, Watson Memorial Teaching Ministries, Louisiana Repertory Jazz Ensemble, Clive Wilson’s New Orleans Serenaders feat. Butch Thompson, N.O.C.C.A. Jazz Ensemble, Judy Spellman, Leroy Jones, Olympia Aid, New Look, and The First Division Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs, Golden Comanche, Golden Blade, and Wild Mohicans Mardi Gras Indians, Free Agents Brass Band, The Wiseguys, Jambalaya Cajun Band, Jeffery Broussard & the Creole Cowboys, D.L. Menard & the Louisiana Aces, The Revivalists, Rockie Charles, Robert Â“1 StringÂ” Gibson, Beth Patterson, Patrice Fisher & the Honduran Connection, Original Dixieland Jazz Band, Tommy Sancton Quintet, UNO Jazz Allstars, Smitty Dee’s Brass Band, Comanche Hunters, Semolian Warriors, and Black Feathers Mardi Gras Indians, Willis Prudhomme & Zydeco Express, Goldman Thibodeaux & the Lawtell Playboys, Marc Stone Band, Betsy McGovern & the Poor Clares, Alexis Marceaux, Julio y Cesar, Sonny Bourg & the Bayou Blues Band, Chris Clifton, Miss Sophie Lee, June Gardner, The Guitar Woodshed feat. Steve Masakowski, Todd Duke, and Jake Eckert, Mount Hermon BC Mass Choir, Tonia Scott & Anointed Voices, Resurrection Baptist Church Mass Choir of Schertz, TX, Brass Bass Ensemble, Jai Reed, Loyola University Jazz Ensemble, Real Untouchables Brass Band, Divine Ladies, Dumaine Gang, and Ladies of Unity Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs, Young Pinstripe Brass Band, Johnette Downing, Kat Walker Jazz Combo, Guardians of the Flame, Single Ladies, Keep N it Real, and Nine Times Men Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs, Voices of Distinction, Nineveh BC Mass Choir, Kevin Thompson & the Sensational Six, Red Hot Brass Band, Lindsay Mendez, God’s House Westbank Cathedral Choir, The Gospel Stars, Da Souljas Brass Band, Single Men, Family Ties, and Big Nine Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs, Delgado Community College Jazz Ensemble, Natasha Richard of Canada, Culu Children’s Traditional African Dance Ensemble, Jacquelyn Mayfield, Golden Voices Community Choir, John Lee & the Heralds of Christ, Greater Antioch Full Gospel Mass Choir, Black Mohawks, Seminoles, and Red, White & Blue Mardi Gras Indians, Archdiocese of New Orleans Mass Gospel Choir, The Bester Singers and the Dynamic Smooth Family Gospel Singers, New Orleans Young Traditional Brass Band with the Heel to Toe Steppers, Franklin Avenue Baptist Church Mass Choir, Carrollton Hunters Mardi Gras IndiansÂ…

APRIL 29 – May 2 (2nd WEEKEND)

Pearl Jam, Aretha Franklin, Van Morrison, Widespread Panic, The Neville Brothers, B.B. King, Jeff Beck, Irma Thomas, Gipsy Kings, The Dead Weather, Elvis Costello & the Sugarcanes, Teena Marie, Allen Toussaint, Gov’t Mule, Average White Band, Jose Feliciano, Steve Martin with the Steep Canyon Rangers, Maze feat. Frankie Beverly, Kirk Franklin, Wayne Shorter Quartet, Gil Scott Heron, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Clarence Carter, Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi Band, Tye Tribbett, Juvenile & DJ Mannie Fresh, Take Six, Sugarfoot’s Ohio Players, Galactic, Stanley Clarke Band feat. Hiromi, Old Crow Medicine Show, Richie Havens, Marcus Miller, Sierra Leone Refugee All Stars, Pete Fountain, The Radiators, Blues Traveler, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Anders Osborne, Kermit Ruffins & the Barbecue Swingers, Rebirth Brass Band, Sonny Landreth, Elvis Perkins in Dearland, Martin Sexton, Bernard Allison, Ruthie Foster, Jimmy Johnson Band, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Cyril Neville & Tribe 13, Dee Dee Bridgewater – A Celebration of Lady Day, Ellis Marsalis, Buckwheat Zydeco, Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk, Clarence Â“FrogmanÂ” Henry, Louis Prima, Jr., Henry Butler, The Roots of Music Marching Crusaders, Selvy Singers of Arkansas, Aaron Neville, Chris Thomas King, Dala, Brian Blade & the Fellowship Band, The Davell Crawford Singers, BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet, Inspirational Souls of Chicago, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, John Mooney & Bluesiana, subdudes, Iguanas, DJ Captain Charles, The Dixie Cups, Sherman Washington & the Zion Harmonizers, The Jon Batiste Band, Nicholas Payton, The Four Freshman, Amanda Shaw & the Cute Guys, Russell Batiste & Friends feat. Jason Neville, Pine Leaf Boys, Eric Lindell, C.J. Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band, Shamarr Allen & the Underdawgs, Banu Gibson with Swing Out & Tap!, Tribute to Juanita Brooks feat. Wanda Rouzan, Barbara Shorts, and Topsy Chapman, John Boutte, Delfeayo Marsalis & the Uptown Jazz Orchestra, Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys, Luther Kent, Astral Project, Germaine Bazzle, Soul Rebels, New Birth Brass Band, Big Chief Bo Dollis & the Wild Magnolias, Cedric Watson & Bijou Creole, PJ Morton, New Orleans Spiritualettes, The Johnson Extension, Orange Kellin’s New Orleans Deluxe Orchestra, Bobby Lonero’s Tribute to Louis Prima, Don Vappie & the Creole Jazz Serenaders, The Allen Toussaint Jazzity Project, Charmaine Neville, MyNamesIsJohnMichael, Kirk Joseph’s Backyard Groove, Paul Sanchez & the Rolling Road Show, Bobby Lounge, Big Al Carson, Lynn Drury, Vivaz!, Nova NOLA feat. Sasha Masakowski, Topsy Chapman & Solid Harmony, Coco Robicheaux & the Swamp Monsters, Fredy Omar con su Banda, Loose Marbles, Heavenly Melodies, Betty Winn & One A-Chord, Kent Jordan, Shannon Powell’s Organ Combo feat. David Torkanowsky and Charlie Gabriel, Forgotten Souls, Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie, TBC Brass Band, Westbank Steppers, Valley of Silent Men, and Pigeon Town Steppers Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs, Apache Hunters, Wild Red Flame, and Mohawk Hunters Mardi Gras Indians, Jockimo’s Groove feat. War Chief Juan and Billy Iuso, Elysian Fieldz, Feufollet, Creole Zydeco Farmers, The Hadley J. Castille Family & the Sharecroppers Band, GROUPA – Nordic Folk Fusion, Tin Men, R. Scully Rough 7, Creole String Beans, Ernie Vincent & the Top Notes, Margie Perez, Jumpin’ Johnny Sansone & the XL Band, Kristin Diable, Jimmy Robinson, Kenny Bill Stinson & the ARK-LA-Mystics, Mem Shannon & the Membership, Bamboula 2000, Kora Konnection feat. Morikeba Kouyate of Senegal and Thierno Dioubate of Guinea, Papa Blue Viking Jazz Band of Sweden, Onward Brass Band, Dukes of Dixieland, Tim Laughlin, Val & the Love Alive Fellowship Choir, Jo Â“CoolÂ” Davis, Zulu Male Ensemble, Phillip Manuel, Roderick Paulin, SUBR Jazzy Jags, Pinstripe Brass Band, Original Prince of Wales and Original Lady Buckjumpers Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs, New Orleans Indian Rhythm Section, Fi Yi Yi & the Mandingo Warriors, 101 Runners, Evan Christopher & Tom McDermott, New Leviathan Oriental Foxtrot Orchestra, Pfister Sisters, Walter Payton with Snapbeans and File Gumbo, Brother Tyrone, Driskill Mountain Boys, Sunpie & the Louisiana Sunspots, Thomas Â“Big HatÂ” Fields, Mark Adam Miller, Benny Grunch & the Bunch, J. Monque’D Blues Band, Mia Borders, Lars Edegran & the New Orleans Ragtime Orchestra, Classie Ballou & the Family Band, John Rankin, Jonny Frishberg & Bayou DeVille, DJ Soul Sister, Zion Trinity, AsheSon, Los Po-Boy-Citos, Kumbuka African Drum & Dance Collective, Donnie Bolden, Jr. & the Spirit of Elijah, Ebenezer Mass Choir, Keith Frank & the Soileau Zydeco Band, Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band, Voices of Peter Claver, Sean Johnson & the Wild Lotus Band, Mario Abney Quintet, Lady Rollers, Original C.T.C. Steppers, and Nine Times Ladies Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs, Baby Boyz Brass Band, Geronimo Hunters, 7th Ward Creole Hunters, and Young Magnolias Mardi Gras Indians, Lafayette Rhythm Devils, Joe Hall & the Cane Cutters, Eddie Â“ChopChopsÂ” Paris, Hot Club of New Orleans, Connie Jones & the Crescent City Jazz Band, Young Tuxedo Brass Band, Lady Jetsetters Social Aid & Pleasure Club, Ladies Sing the Blues feat. Gina Brown, Angela H. Bell, and Tereasa B., Julliard Jazz Ensemble, Craig Adams & Higher Dimensions of Praise, McDonogh #35 High School Gospel Choir, O. Perry Walker Charter High School Gospel Choir, Warren Storm, Willie Tee & Cypress, McMain High School Gospel Choir, Blodie’s Jazz Jam, Xavier University Jazz Band, Tulane University Jazz Ensemble, Pinettes Brass Band, Scene Boosters, Ole & Nu Style Fellas, and Secondline Jammers Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs, New Wave Brass Band, Red Hawk, Black Seminoles, and Black Eagles Mardi Gras Indians, Dwight & Connie Fitch with the St. Raymond/St. Leo the Great Choir, N’Fungola Sibo West African Dance Company, Marisa y Mariachi Agave, Grupo Sensacion, Dee-1, Lucky 7, Franklin IV, Mardi Gras Indian Orchestra, Ray Abshire, Bonsoir, Catin, Dillard University Jazz Ensemble, Jamil Sharif & the Jazz Professors, Rocks of Harmony, Some Like it Hot, Kid Simmons’ Local International Allstars, The Wright Brothers, Tyronne Foster & the Arc Singers, St. Joseph the Worker Music Ministry, Heritage School of Music Band, New Generation, Undefeated Divas, and VIP Ladies Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs, Highsteppers Brass Band, Trouble Nation and Wild Apaches Mardi Gras Indians, David & Roselyn, Paulin Brothers Brass Band, Morning Star BC Mass Choir, Arthur Clayton & Purposely Anointed, Gloria Bell & the Revelation Gospel Singers, First Emmanuel Baptist Church Choir, White Cloud Hunters and Wild Tchoupitoulas Mardi Gras Indians, Tornado Brass Band, Lyle Henderson & Emmanuel, Pastor Terry Gullage & the Greater Mount Calvary Voices of Redemption Choir, Gospel Inspirations of Boutte, Ayla Miller, Original Four, Original Big 7, and Bon Temps Roulez Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs, Golden Sioux and Cherokee Hunters Mardi Gras Indians, Nashville Children’s Choir, Claudia Baumgartner, Saltimbanqui Puppet Theater of Mexico, Stephen Foster’s Foster Family Program, Hazel & the Delta Ramblers, N’Kafu African Dance presented by Young Audiences, O. Perry Walker Kuumba Players, Jazz Fest Residency Showcase feat. Seva Venet and KIDSmARTÂ…

Great American Taxi To Release Reckless Habits On 03/02

December 3rd, 2009 | No Comments

GREAT AMERICAN TAXI’S SECOND ALBUM, RECKLESS HABITS

DUE OUT MARCH 2 THROUGH THIRTY TIGERS

Great American Taxi

In the past five years, Great American Taxi has become one of the best-known headliners on the jam band circuit; their uninhibited sound a swinging concoction of swampy blues, progressive bluegrass, funky New Orleans strut, Southern boogie, honky-tonk, gospel, and good old fashioned rock ‘n’ roll. That loose, anything-can-happen feel is the hallmark of Reckless Habits, the band’s second album set to be released March 2, 2010, which was recorded in Loveland, CO with producer Tim Carbone (Railroad Earth).

When banjo player Mark Vann of Leftover Salmon died of cancer in 2002, the band lost momentum. Salmon singer/guitarist/mandolinist Vince Herman had a few rough years before joining keyboardist Chad Staehly for a superstar jam to benefit the Rainforest Action Group in Boulder in March 2005. “We put together a dream band of the best local musicians for a one-off gig,” Herman recalls. “It worked so well we had to do it again, and again, and again.” Thus, Great American Taxi was born. The band’s current lineup includes Herman, Staehly, guitarists Jeff Hamer and Jim Lewin, bassist Brian Adams, and drummer Chris Sheldon.

Great American Taxi has been compared with roots rockers like New Riders of The Purple Sage, Grateful Dead, Wilco, Uncle Tupelo, The Byrds, and Little Feat. Herman finds the comparisons flattering. “We’re definitely connected to all the acts in the country/rock spectrum, as well as the spirit of Gram Parsons and Woody Guthrie,” he says. “We want to address the issues appropriate to our times, while making music that gets people up and moving.”

“The band is a true democracy,” Staehly adds. “We tinkered with the tunes on the road, with everybody having input. In the studio, Tim would suggest ideas to make them sound bigger and brighter.” Carbone brought in the Black Swan Singers Â— Sheryl Renee, CoCo Brown and Shelly Lindsey Â— to add gospel flavored backing vocals. He also brought the Peak to Freak Horns Â— Justin Jones, sax; Nathan Peoples, sax; Dan Sears, trumpet; and Dave Stamps, trombone Â— for some New Orleans-style brass accents, as well as pedal steel player Barry Sless (Dane Nelson Band, Moonalice) and banjo man Matt Flinner.

The 13 tracks on Reckless Habits gleefully stretch the boundaries of American roots music with a nod to both tradition and the future. The title track, for instance Â— Staehly’s salute to Gram Parsons Â— is as country as it is rock, a rousing honky-tonk tune with Carbone’s fiddle and Sless’ pedal steel kicking up the sawdust on a Saturday night dance floor. The titles of several other Parsons songs appear in the lyrics, and there’s a definite Cosmic Cowboy vibe to the band’s expansive playing.

Staehly’s “American Beauty” tips its hat to the Grateful Dead, and features an extended jam. Herman’s “Cold Lonely Town” is a slow R&B tune that describes life during long Colorado winters. The Black Swan Singers add smoky doo-wop asides to Herman’s poignant vocals. Carbone has described its swampy laid-back vibe as “‘A Day in the Life’ meets Gram Parsons in the high desert.”

The CD will be housed in a die-cut package designed by artist Greg Carr, who designed Steve Martin‘s The Crow. “Greg has a picture of nuns smoking on the cover, wearing Reckless Habits,” Herman explains. “We want to give people something unique, so they won’t just burn it and pass it on.”

And finally, the band’s cryptic name refers to Herman’s unique skiing style. “A friend of mine once said I came downhill looking like a great American taxi Â— a large, lumbering object that’s totally out of control and coming downhill towards you faster and faster. It seemed to fit the band’s m.o., so we adopted it.”

Great American Taxi is currently on tour; dates available here.

Alec Baldwin: â€œMy Career Has Been A Complete Failure. I Quit!â€

November 29th, 2009 | No Comments

Alec Baldwin will hang up his acting shoes after his 30 Rock contract ends, calling his career a “complete failure.”
“I don’t have any interest in acting anymore,” Baldwin revealed in an interview wih Men’s Journal this week. “Movies are part of my past. It’s been 30 years. I’m not young, but I have time to [...]

Alec Baldwin & Steve Martin: your new Oscar hosts!

November 4th, 2009 | No Comments

The Oscars are getting an injection of humor, in team form!
Legendary comedian Steve Martin and legendary (yes, we said it) comedic actor Alec Baldwin will be joining forces to host the 82nd annaual Academy Awards! Producers are hoping to boost ratings by emulating and improving on last year’s format (with Broadway like musical interludes.
Last year, [...]

Alec Baldwin Steve Martin Oscars 2010 Hosts

November 4th, 2009 | 2 Comments

Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin are teaming up to host the 82nd Academy Awards, Newsday has learned.
The duo will follow 2009 host Hugh Jackman, who announced last week that he would not return to helm next year’s ceremony. While Academy Award-nominated actor Alec is a first-time Oscar host, Steve hosted the 73rd and 75th Academy [...]

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass | 10.02-10.04 | S.F.

October 8th, 2009 | No Comments

Words by: Sam Martin | Images by: Dave Vann

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival :: 10.02 – 10.04 :: Golden Gate Park :: San Francisco, CA

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 2009

Golden Gate Park played host to the 9th Annual Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival, and the lineup, crowds and camaraderie did not disappoint.

There was a sixth stage added this year, the Towers of Gold Stage, and although Speedway Meadow was pushed to its capacity, it didn’t seem to bother the estimated 500,000 that turned out for this year’s extravaganza. The event felt well organized and with 80 top-notch bands performing for free all weekend, there was hardly anything one could really complain about.

Financed by billionaire investment banker and amateur banjoist Warren Hellman, this year was the largest by far and has already been touted as a success. Which leaves one to ask, “Where can it go from here?” Hellman, a bluegrass enthusiast and lover of music who started this Festival in 2001, made his money as the founder and chairman of San Francisco-based Hellman and Friedman LLC, a private equity investment firm. So, what makes him so far removed from his peers? With his nickname, The Hillbilly Millionaire, his band, The Wronglers, and his passion for bluegrass, he most surely stands out from his associates. This being said, it hasn’t always been such an eclectic festival. Yes, from the onset it’s been subsidized by Hellman and it has always been a bluegrass festival, but it wasn’t until 2003 that the “Hardly” was added to the name of the festival and artists from almost every genre were invited.

Friday, 10.02

Friday the meadow was filled with a variety of fans, not to mention the lucky middle school students from the local district that got to spend their afternoon in the park watching music. Speaking with a few students who seemed ecstatic to be at such a large festival, they were amazed that it was free to the public. Of course, MC Hammer playing “Can’t Touch This” probably went over their heads, and although his time as a headliner has past, that did little to diminish his performance, and the fact that he’s been included in the festival the past couple of years shows the diversity in artists that get to play.

The highlight of Friday was John Prine, who played in the afternoon as a notable chill picked up out of the West as festivalgoers dug into their packs for sweatshirts and blankets. Prine, never one to stick to just singing, interspersed songs with commentary, though he nailed hits such as “Angel From Montgomery.” The evening was dazzling, with a feel of autumn in the air as Prine and his formally dressed band exited the stage. It almost felt like the perfect note to leave on, but it was worth waiting around to hear a few songs from Lyle Lovett and His Large Band. With an ear-to-ear grin, Lovett never disappoints, and as a live artist he rocks and rolls, playing off the crowd and did so until darkness brought the day to a close.

Saturday, 10.03

Steve Martin :: Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 2009

Saturday started with a bang at the Star Stage with Great American Taxi, a bluegrass/country-rock mix featuring Vince Herman of Leftover Salmon. It was exciting to hear the way they approached their songs. They strayed from the typical bluegrass routine and jammed out a few tunes with amazing banjo and bass rhythms.

Next stop, back to the Towers of Gold Stage, as I planned my day around a tight schedule and an increasingly crowded park. With the wind now starting to shift from a mild breeze to whirlwinds and dust storms, Buddy Miller was on the agenda. As Miller made his appearance, the music was sweet and melodic but almost too much so, and then to much fanfare and surprise Buddy’s old boss Emmylou Harris came out, looking stunning as usual. She was not expected to perform until Sunday afternoon, so this came as a nice surprise. Speaking of nice surprises, an amazing appearance by Robert Plant, who played last year with Alison Krauss, came as a total shock, and they covered Hank Snow’s “I’m Moving On” – an electric moment for sure.

Another great band that some overlooked was Okkervil River, an indie rock act from Austin, Texas. Their chemistry onstage was so moving that after their set I was ready to buy a few of their albums, Black Sheep Boy and Golden Opportunities being what was recommended. They amassed a nice crowd at the Towers Stage as the wind continued to whip and wallop the meadow as the audience loosened up for a day of dancing, clapping, and cheering.

Steve Martin could fit in with almost any bluegrass outfit of his choosing. A little known secret about the well-known actor and comedian is that music and the banjo have always been his first love. He has, of course, incorporated this into his stand-up routines, but his humor takes nothing away from his raw talent as a musician, and he absolutely rocks onstage! The Steep Canyon Rangers, the band that he has played with more and more lately, are incredible. Martin was captivating and never one to shy away from humorous commentary, but the music, while slightly drowned out by the wind’s howl, still hit hard. The percussive beats that flowed from his banjo were mesmerizing and made one wish this show could have gone on forever.

As Saturday morning turned into Saturday afternoon, the crowd of 300,000 was making itself known, cramming onto hillsides, on top of portable bathrooms, and into trees. Nick Lowe performed on the Star Stage, which was less than impressive, most likely because by this time the sound was suffering due to the wind and din of a very large crowd. As I departed I could make out “Cruel To Be Kind,” but it was time head to the Banjo Stage for Gillian Welch. Happily settled in front of the stage, where the acoustics were great for this entire set, Welch displayed her beautiful voice and rhythm guitar licks. The wind seemed to die down completely as she bellowed out “Wrecking Ball.”

Sunday, 10.04

Emmylou Harris :: Hardly Strictly Bluegrass 2009

Sunday was the day I was most looking forward to. The day started windy but not bothersome, and it wasn’t too crowded as I made my way to the Rooster Stage to see Robyn Hitchcock & The Venus 3. They had me at the sound check. His Americana musical influences came through strongly on songs like “The Falling” and the rocking “Give It To The Soft Boys,” with his voice mixing well with The Venus 3. Hitchcock played many of the newer songs off of his latest album, Goodnight Oslo, and though his show was more Americana, being a British born singer-songwriter, he teamed up well with Peter Buck (R.E.M.) in his recent work to create an Americana-Indie hybrid that was lovely. An awesome start to a long wind swept day.

At this point it was off to the Star Stage to catch The Chieftains, an Irish band that has been playing their traditional Irish folk music and upbeat rhythms for over 40 years. This got me thinking about how much Irish folk music has influenced bluegrass in America. Leaving the Star Stage, it was back to the Banjo Stage to see the honorable Earl Scruggs. If it wasn’t for people like Scruggs we would not be having this festival, and for someone born in 1924 he brought it to the stage at full steam! The connection he shared with the crowd as they cheered him on was overwhelming, and I felt honored to see him perform again. I hope he returns next year. What a living legend!

Regretfully, I missed the amazing piano work of Allen Toussaint, but when there are 80 bands to choose from you can only catch so many. However, I struck up a conversation with a couple from New Orleans who had seen Toussaint and would not stop talking about how beautifully he played. You can’t see it all and if you happen to get stuck in one of those amazing moments like I did with Earl Scruggs, then you’ve gotta go with the flow. The night ended with a gorgeous set by Emmylou Harris, another Hardly Strictly Bluegrass staple, and then a long set that went past twilight from Old Crow Medicine Show.

Other great sets included Neko Case and Aimee Mann, not to mention a much talked about “White Room” cover by Robert Earl Keen.

What I came away with, besides three days of diverse and terrific music, was a feeling of community that was lacking at other festivals in Golden Gate Park this past year. People seemed happy to just be there. Maybe it was the lack of a price tag or the intimate, grassy area that was shared by so many. Whatever it was, I’m Hardly ready to see it go, this weekend in San Francisco was strictly a pleasure.

Continue reading for more pics from Hardly Strictly ’09…

Saturday, 10.03




Steve Martin with Steep Canyon Rangers
Dar Williams, Allison Moorer, Steve Earle, Tom Morello Song Circle
Steve Earle
Tom Morello
Nick Lowe
Boz Scaggs
James Cotton
Richie Havens
Gillian Welch & Emmylou Harris
Gillian Welch
David Rawlings, Gillian Welch & Emmylou Harris

Continue reading for more pics from Hardly Strictly ’09…

Sunday, 10.04


Booker T.
Booker T. & The DBTs
Mike Cooley – Booker T. & The DBTs
Del McCoury Band
Earl Scruggs
Doc Watson


Billy Bragg
Mike Farris & the Roseland Rhythm Revue
Aimee Mann
Booker T. with Galactic
Malo
Mavis Staples
Mavis Staples

Amadou & Mariam

JamBase | San Francisco

Go See Live Music!

Music on the Tube 10/05 – 10/11

October 6th, 2009 | No Comments

Late Night Music Lineups

Can’t make it to any shows this week? Check out live music on the tube…

Late Show with David Letterman

Mon, October 5 – Steve Martin
Tue, October 6 – KISS
Wed, October 7 – Rosanne Cash
Fri, October 9 – Brett Dennen and Natalie Merchant

The Jay Leno Show

Mon, October 5 – Jamie Foxx

Thu, October 8 – Ben Harper and Relentless7 and Jack Black

The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien

Mon, October 5 – Dierks Bentley
Tue, October 6 – Anvil
Wed, October 7 – Toby Keith
Thu, October 8 – Backstreet Boys
Fri, October 9 – Lady Antebellum

Jimmy Kimmel Live

Mon, October 5 – Pink (Repeat)
Tue, October 6 – The Gossip
Wed, October 7 – KISS
Thu, October 8 – Motorhead
Fri, October 9 – Backstreet Boys

Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson

Mon, October 5 – Jack Ingram
Tue, October 6 – The Avett Brothers
Fri, October 9 – Phoenix

Late Night with Jimmy Fallon

Mon, October 5 – Christopher Cross
Tue, October 6 – They Might Be Giants
Wed, October 7 – Lenny Kravitz
Fri, October 9 – Cory Chisel & The Wandering Sons

Last Call With Carson Daly

Mon, October 5 – Pete Yorn (Repeat)
Wed, October 7 – Juliette Lewis
Thu, October 8 – Joss Stone

Other Shows of Interest

Tue, October 6 – Cobert Report w/ musical guest The Mountain Goats
Wed, October 7 – Ellen DeGeneres Show w/ musical guest Michael Franti & Spearhead
Thu, October 8 – VH1′s Behind the Music: T.I.
Sat, October 10 – Saturday Night Live w/ musical guest Regina Spektor
Sat, October 3 – Austin City Limits featuring Ben Harper and Relentless7

â€œ30 Rockâ€ earned 22 Emmy nominations

July 17th, 2009 | No Comments

NEW YORK (AP) — Television comedy is Tina Fey’s world these days. Is there room for anybody else?
Fey and “30 Rock,” her series about the backstage world at a late-night network show, swept both the Emmys and Golden Globes in the past year, and she’s set up to do it again at this year’s [...]

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Hardly Strictly Bluegrass | 10.02-10.04 | S.F.

Music on the Tube 10/05 – 10/11

â€œ30 Rockâ€ earned 22 Emmy nominations

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