Google Play Releases Merge Records Documentary

Need more Merge?  Google Play has you covered with a new documentary, 25 Years with Merge Records.  The video contains interviews with Mac, Laura, Merge musicians, and friends of the label discussing Merge through the years. 

As a bonus, US music fans have access to download 25 free Merge tracks, including five new recordings from Superchunk, The Mountain Goats, Telekinesis, Saint Rich, and Hiss Golden Messenger. 

Join the celebration and check out all of the Merge 25 festivities.  

Lee Ann Womack and Jerry Douglas to Host IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards

Grammy-winning country vocalist Lee Ann Womack and Grammy-winning musician Jerry Douglas  will host IBMA’s 25^th annual International Bluegrass Music Awards, scheduled for October 2 at Raleigh, North Carolina’s Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts. Known as bluegrass music’s biggest night of the year, the International Bluegrass Music Awards acknowledges the year’s outstanding talent and achievements, honors new Hall of Fame inductees, and waves the worldwide flag for bluegrass music. 

The International Bluegrass Music Awards is part of International Bluegrass Music Association’s World of Bluegrass 2014 event, which takes place September 30 –  October 4 in Raleigh, North Carolina. 

“Aside from the fact that each has a boatload of undeniable talent and personality, Jerry Douglas and Lee Ann Womack share a musical outlook that has plenty of room for creativity and innovation on the one hand, and for a love and mastery of tradition on the other,” said IBMA Board chair Jon Weisberger. “It’s a perfect combination, and one that exemplifies the enduring vitality of our kinds of music. To say that we’re excited about having these folks hosting our awards is an understatement." 

Womack slipped into Raleigh during last year's World of Bluegrass to enjoy a grassroots fan's perspective, catching Wide Open Bluegrass and street fair artists, listening in to some of the many jam sessions (occasionally acceding to requests to sing from pickers who recognized her), and enjoying the Awards Show that she now looks forward to hosting with Jerry Douglas.

“Last year, I came as a fan – and I loved every moment of World of Bluegrass!” Womack said. “The joy everybody has about the music, the quality of the playing, seeing old friends, discovering new artists and even meeting Tony Rice! To be a part of the IBMA Awards is such an honor, I can’t tell you... and to get to co-host with Jerry Douglas? How lucky can one girl get?!”

"It is my great pleasure to be co-hosting this year's IBMA Awards,” said Douglas. "In the forty years that I have been a professional musician, starting with the Country Gentlemen in 1973, bluegrass music has been my anchor and compass wherever I may go. If that weren't enough, I get to share duties with the beautiful Lee Ann Womack, one of the most amazing singers in the world and a very funny lady. I don't exactly see a night of sticking to the teleprompter with her around, and that is just fine with me. I'm sure it's going to be a wonderful evening for us all!"

Womack, who burst onto the scene with “Never Again Again,” has always been a purist about music. A singer’s singer, in addition to her international multiple week #1 “I Hope You Dance,” recently performed by special request at Maya Angelou’s memorial, the Jacksonville, Texan has recorded with Bryan Sutton on Divided & United, Buddy Miller on multiple projects, Willie Nelson, Alan Jackson, Don Henley, David Nail and Dan Tyminski. The Way I’m Livin’, her much anticipated roots music project on the Sugar Hill label, has already received positive notice from The Wall Street Journal, RollingStone.com and USA Today. 

Womack's connection to bluegrass goes beyond just being a fan of the music.  Ricky and Sharon White Skaggs put in appearances on her first two albums, while for her epic I Hope You Dance, Womack brought in Ronnie Bowman and a pre-O Brother Dan Tyminski to sing with her on the Don Williams classic, "Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good" - and, coincidentally, kicked off the album with Ronnie and Greg Luck's "The Healing Kind."  A few years later, she returned to the well when she tapped a group of bluegrassers that included Bowman and members of the just-forming Infamous Stringdusters to accompany her on a couple of memorable tours, and she's continued to call on Bowman and long-time friend Shawn Lane (Blue Highway) for occasional performances since.  

Internationally recognized as one of the world’s most renowned Dobro players, Douglas ranks among the top contemporary artists in American music. Douglas has garnered 13 Grammy Awards while holding the distinction of being named “Musician of the Year” by The Country Music Association (2002, 2005, 2007), The Academy of Country Music (11 times), and The Americana Music Association (2002, 2003), as well as numerous International Bluegrass Music Association awards.  In 2004, the National Endowment for The Arts honored Douglas with a National Heritage Fellowship, acknowledging his artistic excellence and contribution to the nation's traditional arts, their highest such accolade. In addition to his groundbreaking work as a member of Alison Krauss & Union Station, The Country Gentlemen, J.D. Crowe & The New South, Boone Creek, Strength in Numbers, Elvis Costello’s Sugarcanes, and others, Douglas has graced over 2,000 recordings by such distinguished artists as James Taylor, Paul Simon, Ray Charles, Lyle Lovett, Elvis Costello, Garth Brooks, Charlie Haden, Earl Scruggs, Phish, Emmylou Harris, Bill Frisell, The Chieftains, and the eight million-plus selling soundtrack to O Brother, Where Art Thou?

On September 16, 2014, Rounder Records will release two very special albums featuring Douglas: Three Bells, featuring Douglas collaborating with fellow Dobro masters Mike Auldridge and Rob Ickes, and The Earls of Leicester, a bluegrass supergroup featuring Douglas, Tim O'Brien, Shawn Camp, Barry Bales, Charlie Cushman, and Johnny Warren paying tribute to the music of Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs.

Tickets for the Award Show, as well as for the ticketed portion of Wide Open Bluegrass (which takes place at Red Hat Amphitheater and Raleigh Convention Center Ballroom Stages), Bluegrass Ramble Showcase passes, IBMA Business Conference registration and hotel reservations – along with additional details and pricing information – are available through IBMA’s website, ibma.org.

*Information Courtesy of IBMA Press Release

Bombadil to Headline Triple C Summer Folk Festival

CLTure announced ‘Triple C Summer Folk Festival’ today which features a lineup of nationally recognized musicians including Bombadil, River Whyless, Sinners & Saints and Caroline Spence. 

Headliner and Ramseur Records artist, Bombadil, is a chamber/pop/folk North Carolina-based band. The trio just released (June 24) its highly praised-album Tarpits and Canyonlands for the first time ever on high-quality vinyl, and re-released the CD to finally give the album the touring attention it deserves.  To learn more about Bombadil, check out The Triangle Beat's recent interview with drummer, James Phillips. 

Asheville-based River Whyless, local favorites Sinners & Saints, and Nashville-based Caroline Spence round out the lineup.  The festival will take place at Triple C Brewery in Charlotte on Saturday, August 2 from 4:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.  Tickets for the event are $15. Proceeds from the festival will benefit DrumsforCures.

About CLTure

Founded in 2012, CLTure is a cooperative business collaborative that utilizes the most artistic and creative minds in the area to produce superior media, print, video and web content. As a full service boutique marketing, advertising and entertainment company, Clture helps businesses market their products through creative interaction with their target market by utilizing their exclusive network of creators. The company is proud to be advocates for independent business, music, arts and culture.

About DrumsforCures

DrumsForCures events raise awareness and funds for cancer organizations globally through awareness and education. Through their DRUMSTRONG events the organization has expanded its reach to 70 cities in 25 countries to help local cancer initiatives.

*Information Courtesy of CLTure.org

Rainy Forecast Changes Cary Concert Plans

Due to the threat of inclement weather, the Town of Cary and PineCone have changed the location of tonight’s Starlight Concert Series with the Church Sisters and the Town of Cary’s & PineCone's Bluegrass Camp. 

The concert will be moved indoors to the Cary Arts Center, 101 Dry Avenue. It will still start at 6:30 p.m. and remains free and open to the public. 

For a full list of fun things to do in Cary, check out our Meetings & Events Calendar at www.townofcary.org. And for a information about upcoming bluegrass and roots music concerts and programs happening around the Triangle, visit www.pinecone.org.


*Information Courtesy of PineCone

Raleigh Celebrates America with The 'Works Event

Thousands of people from around the Triangle will gather to celebrate America with local brew, great eats, contests, music and fireworks.  Join in on the fun at City Plaza and Fayetteville Street; the party starts at noon and will last until about midnight. 

Of course for us at The Triangle Beat, music is the most important part of any celebration, so let's check out the details on the music scene. There will be three stages covering music from every genre:

Red Hat Amphitheater

      5:00 Doors Open
      5:30 – 6:30  Matt Phillips and The Philharmonic  (Blues/Folk)
      7:15 – 8:30  US Army Ground Forces Band – Loose Cannons (Bluegrass)
      9:50 – 11:00 Toubab Krewe (Headliner – World)

Morgan Street Stage

      1:00 – 1:45 Slinger Francisco (Indie Rock)
      2:15 – 3:00 Youma (Indie Hard Rock/Hip Hop)       

      3:30 – 4:15 Apples and Airplanes (High Energy Alternative)
      4:45 – 5:30 Nuclear Honey (Indie Jam)     

      6:00 – 6:45 Monika Jaymes (Female Rock)
      7:15 – 8:00 Milagro Saints (Poetic Roots Rock Americana)      

      8:30 – 9:15 Outside Soul (New Funk)
      10:00 – 11:00 Young Cardinals (Grunge Rock)

City Plaza Stage

      12:00 – 1:00 Clockwork Kids (Neo-Psychedelic Rock)
      1:30 – 2:15 Ed Stephenson (Nuevo Flamenco)      

      2:45 – 3:30 Acoustic Manner (Up Beat Bluegrass)
      4:00 – 4:45 Amanda Daughtry (Country Pop)      

      5:15 – 6:00 Archbishops of Blount St (Ska/Pop)
      6:30 – 7:15 Four Founders (Easy Listening across Multiple Genres)       

      7:45 – 8:45 Crucial Fiya (Reggae)
      9:15 – 11:00 Kaira Ba (Headliner – World)

If music isn't the highlight of your life like it is ours, no worries, there are plenty of other things to keep you entertained.  Let's talk food.  Several food trucks will be on hand, ready to serve up delicious treats from sweet,  to exotic,  to good ol' American.  Raleigh's favorite spots such as The Oxford, Busy Bee, and Raleigh Times will also be serving food, tailgating games, and live music.  

If it's competition that you crave, downtown Raleigh has you covered.  Show your talents in any of the food-eating contests; choose from watermelon seed spitting, ice cream eating from Lumpy's, and the hotdog challenge. Also, see performances by Gouge wrestlers and King's BMX bike stunt performers.

Fireworks will be presented in two different locations:  Red Hat Amphitheater will have a 9:30 display as well as the south end of Fayetteville Street in front of the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts. 

Just like the beer and wine provided in the beverage tent, the festivities flow endlessly.  Check out the full list of events and map here. 

Merge 25 Festival Update

We are edging ever so closely to the Merge 25 Fest on July 23-26, so Merge Records has just released some new information about this celebratory event.

Who doesn't like a good party?  Merge is offering you two dates to celebrate right, even if you don't have tickets to the festival; on July 24 and July 25, get your party on behind Cat's Cradle. Both events are free and open to the public (until capacity is reached) with beer and food available for purchase. According to Merge Records, "Think of these events as tasty appetizers before each evening’s six-course meal inside Cat’s Cradle:"

Thursday, July 24, 4–6pm
behind Cat’s Cradle, Carrboro, NC
(FREE & open to public)
Amor de Días
Hiss Golden Messenger

Friday, July 25, 4–6pm
behind Cat’s Cradle, Carrboro, NC
(FREE & open to public)
Radar Brothers
Saint Rich

The Thursday and Friday shows inside of Cat's Cradle are sold out, but act fast, and you still might be able to get your hands on tickets for Wednesday's show at Baldwin Auditorium in Durham and Saturday's big outdoor blowout in Carrboro.

Merge celebrates so hard, they need a separate website just to keep all of the details straight.  To help music fans keep track of the Merge 25 Fest events, Merge Records and Squarespace created this website; visit it, bookmark it, share it with all of your Merge-loving friends. 

We'll be sure to keep you posted on the updates and festivities for this Merge event.  Stay tuned!

Additional Artists Announced for the World of Bluegrass Festival

 

Additional artists have been announced for the Wide Open Bluegrass festival, which takes place October 3-4 in Raleigh, North Carolina; the list includes Yonder Mountain String Band;  Jerry Douglas presents The Earls of Leicester with Shawn Camp, Tim O'Brien, Johnny Warren, Charlie Cushman and Barry Bales;  Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn;  Balsam Range;  Lonesome River Band;  Chatham County Line;  Noam Pikelny & Stuart Duncan;  Della Mae; Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out;  The Grascals;  Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice;  Special Consensus; Town Mountain;  The Deadly Gentlemen;  James King Band;  Larry Stephenson Band;  Mustered Courage; The Roys and The Davidson Brothers. Of special note in the WOB lineup are two legendary bluegrass artists: Bluegrass Hall of Fame member Jesse McReynolds, from Virginia, and North Carolina’s own Bobby Hicks, a ten time Grammy award winning fiddler who recently received the prestigious North Carolina Heritage Award from the North Carolina Arts Council. For his set, Hicks will be joined by musicians Tony Williamson, Ron Shuffler and other special guests.

These artists will join the previously announced Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder with Bruce Hornsby, Del McCoury Band with special guests, Hot Rize (with Red Knuckles & the Trailblazers), Gibson Brothers, Steep Canyon Rangers, Sierra Hull, The Kruger Brothers with Kontras Quartet’s world premiere of new concerto “Lucid Dreamer” and the Wide Open Jam, featuring the superstar lineup of Sam Bush, Bela Fleck, Jerry Douglas, Edgar Meyer, Bryan Sutton and Stuart Duncan as the performers for the ticketed portion of the two-day music festival.

“We’re so pleased that, once again, Wide Open Bluegrass will present such a diverse, acclaimed lineup of artists at both Red Hat Amphitheater and the Raleigh Convention Center this fall,” said William Lewis, Executive Director of PineCone (the Piedmont Council of Traditional Music) and Wide Open Bluegrass producer. “And, in the weeks to come, we may have an additional guest or two to add to this esteemed roster.”

Performers for the free Street Festival portion of Wide Open Bluegrass will be announced in the coming months.

Wide Open Bluegrass is part of International Bluegrass Music Association’s World of Bluegrass 2014 event, which takes place September 30 – October 4 in Raleigh, North Carolina.

IBMA’s World of Bluegrass event, an annual bluegrass music homecoming, consists of four parts: the IBMA Business Conference, September 30 – October 2; the 25^th Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards, scheduled for Thursday evening, October 2; Wide Open Bluegrass, October 3-4 (which includes both free stages and ticketed festival performances) and the Bluegrass Ramble, an innovative series of showcases, taking place September 30 – October 2 in downtown Raleigh and at the Raleigh Convention Center.

Those wishing to obtain tickets for the ticketed portion of Wide Open Bluegrass (which takes place at Red Hat Amphitheater and Raleigh Convention Center Ballroom Stages), Bluegrass Ramble Showcase passes, IBMA Business Conference registration, IBMA Award Show tickets and hotel reservations should go to IBMA’s website, ibma.org. Single day general admission for the ticketed portion of Wide Open Bluegrass starts as low as $50, with a three-day Bluegrass Ramble pass available for $75. Additional details and pricing information are available at the website.



Press Release Courtesy of IBMA, Nashville, TN