Page Wilson With Reckless Abandon
"Reckless Abandon" is the unique, creative music ensemble gathered together by Page Wilson to present his distinctive approach to live performance. It is not only the name of the group, but also the approach to the music; to play with "reckless abandon." Rooted in the blues, folk, bluegrass, and country traditions of their native Virginia soil, the performances are spontaneous and original; yet with the professional musical expertise to go anywhere with a song, and take their audience along with them.
Brad Spivey and the Honky Tonk Experience
Yes he can sound an awful lot like Waylon; and yes he can dip that big baritone down just as low as Johnny ever could. But you need no more than the first eight measures of a Honky Tonk Experience set to be happily convinced that Brad and the boys stand on their own in their delivery of classic country, diesel-billy, locomotive honky tonk. The "Experience" includes Reverb Rockets guitar wizard Mike Lucas and veteran bluegrass stalwart Randy Cook, for a sum total of talent, authenticity, and song selection that makes it irresistable to sing along and shake your bones. If Brad's question is "Are Y'all Experienced?" the answer is "Good Gawd!"
The Slack Family
Longtime friends of Alvin Reynolds, and loyal to The Rainmaker Festival since its inception, Slack Family Bluegrass has come a long, long way..."We started playing in an alleyway in The Fan...after the bars closed down." Bandleader Joe Wharff remembers. "At first, a few people would stop and listen ... And then the word got out. By the third or fourth weekend, we had 40 or 50 people out in that alleyway jamming to our music." Today this family of "brothers from different mothers" is ever creating energetic, diverse and infectious music featuring three-part vocal harmonies and a wide variety of indigenous influences that give more than a nod to the way "it used to was." This blend of traditional, contemporary and original tunes with mass appeal for all ages renders music their fans affectionately dub "Slackgrass."
Blue Line Highway
"A true American Band with a timeless sound — a classic blend of country, blues, and old school rock and roll-that's delivered in the spirit of The Band, Janis Joplin, Arlo Guthrie and all those other performers whose music is at once both perennially fresh and old as the hills."
-- Jerry Jodice. The Great American Music Hour. WRIR FM 97.3
NRG Krysys With The Goodfellas
NRG Krysys was originally formed as a spoof of 70's funky dance music, to celebrate friend Chris Zechini's 40th birthday. But with the monster talents of the band members, including Bryan Harvey and Johnny Hott of House of Freaks, and Coby Batty of The Fugs, it was clear from the start that this was more than a joke. In the wake of Bryan's tragic death, the band has chosen to remain together, persistently supporting The Harvey Family Memorial Endowment, and now includes the talented Stephen McCarthy of Gutterball and Long Ryders fame.
And sharing the bill are Chip and Solomon of The Goodfellas duo, whose rock-n-soul vocal talents and charisma touch that deep place in us all, the place that reminds us that 'we're all in this together,' and the place that shows us just how much pent-up soul energy we all have, begging to be released. And when backed by NRG, it's all the easier for The Goodfellas to pick that lock.
Gary Gerloff Band
"These are the things that I consider part and parcel to my music: swing/bluegrass- rhythm and blues/reggae - soca and gospel - country blues and Bakersfield - Cajun and Old Time - jump and dance hall - folk and beach music - jazz and rag time - show tunes and Celtic rock. I guess I'm dealing with equal parts ethnomusicology and ancestor worship." -- Gary Gerloff
Tinker's Dam
Traditional and contemporary CeltAmericousticana. Tinker's Dam enjoys the challenge of weaving unlikely combinations of Celtic and American music in a way that is as enjoyable as it is unexpected. A mainstay at The Richmond Celtic Festival and Highland Games, Tinker's Dam will in one moment launch you with a set of juiced-up fiddle tunes, then lull you with a harmony-washed ballad, then finish you off with a bawdy pub tune. Multi-dimensional but fun, Tinker's Dam splits the difference between thoughtful arrangement and 'let 'er rip' string band jamming.
Robin Carns and The Squalor Hollow Boyz
To say that Robin Carns is a 'one of a kind' is like saying that Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris were 'quite a pair.' He's like the Jack Nicholson of country music. The Squalor Hollow sound is one that swings. Whether it's a Texas country blues number, a John Prine heart-breaker, or a Robin Carns original, there is always that element of swing that keeps your foot tapping and your heart singing. Supported by John Leedes on guitar, Joe Connor on keys, and Flyin' Brian Sulser on bass, Robin and Squalor Hollow know how to keep it jumpin.'
Big Boss Combo
The Big Boss Combo is a bluegrass band of accomplished musicians based in Richmond, Virginia. We have known each other and played together since high school - and still like each other a little! Members of the band have played on a national level for schools, businesses, weddings, private parties, sold out arenas, Leno, Letterman, Governors, and Senators. Well traveled, the band prefers to stay fairly close to home and has taken their place as weekend warriors!
The Jackie Frost Ensemble
"Songs for the soul. Music for the Mind."
The Jackie Frost "Trio" was formed in the mid 90's by founding members Jackie Frost (lead vocal, acoustic guitar), Danny Hughes (acoustic guitar, vocals), and Richard Ward (banjo, vocals). For over ten years the "Trio" performed at coffee houses, parties, and concert halls in the Richmond, VA area as well as TV, radio, and with the Richmond Symphony. Fans of all ages seem to enjoy the music of the JFE, which runs the gamut - from straight ahead delta blues, to jazz-influenced improvisational standards - from bluegrass powered arrangements of easily recognizable covers - to original material that can only be heard at a Jackie Frost Ensemble show.
The Taters
"Think 'Beatles For Sale', if Marty Robbins were a primary influence instead of Carl Perkins..."
- No Depression
The Taters play an eclectic mix of roots rock, pop, country, skiffle & Americana, a sound that's been compared favorably to a mixture of Everlys, Orbison, Beatles, and Nick Lowe.
Writing in Billboard magazine, critic Gordon Ely described the Taters as "determinedly-and gleefully-forging a path with no limits or end in sight. This is music for which you've been waiting a long, long time... Without a trace of self-consciousness or pretension, the Taters draw up a formula that can rightly be claimed as their own".
"The connection between singer-bassist Craig Evans and guitarist Brad Tucker goes back more than 20 years. That kind of knowledge and interplay is responsible for the crisp harmonies and infectious hooks of the band's old school roots-pop" - Durham Herald-Sun