Johnstown Folkfest Line Up

The 15th annual Johnstown Folkfest, August 29-31 in Johnstown, PA, has released their featured line-up.

Del Castillo, Tom Russell, Webb Wilder & The Beatnecks, Dwayne Dopsie & The Zydeco Hellraisers, Shannon Whitworth (former of the Biscuit Burners), Big Sam’s Funky Nation (formerly trombonist for the Dirty Dozen Brass Band), Deke Dickerson & The Ecco-Fonics, Barrence Whitfield, Stacie Collins, Amy LaVere, Dallas Wayne, and Farmer Jason (Ringenberg, in his children’s musician mode).

Speaking of Jason Ringenberg, this years Folkfest will feature the first performance by Jason & The Scorchers outside of Nashville in five years.

Brighter Than Creation’s Dark debuts at #37 on the Billboard Top-200

No Depression reports that the new Drive By Truckers release Brighter Than Creation’s Dark, debuted this week at #37 on the Billboard Top-200 album chart. The album also enters the Billboard indie chart at #6, its internet chart at #6, and the digital chart at #12. Not too shabby for a bunch of hillbillies with a funny name.

In other dbt news the Truckers will be playing the 2008 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival along with Robert Plant and Alison Krauss Featuring T Bone Burnett, My Morning Jacket, The Allman Brothers Band, Iron and Wine and Willie Nelson.

Texas Invades New York!!! Dale Watson and Wayne “The Train” Hancock

New York City Twangers, head over the the always excellent Rodeo Bar (try the mole!) on Saturday, February 9th for the Texas troubadour himself, Dale Watson.

Dale will then be dropping in the equally delicious Hill Country Barbecue on Sunday, February 10th.

Sorry ya’ll, Dale canceled his shows with no follow up plans as of right now.

And on March, 13 at the Rodeo Bar the great honky-tonk hero Wayne “The Train” Hancock will be sharing the bill with great J.B. Beverly & the Wayward Drifters.

Both show will be great and better yet, both are FREE!!!

Bloodshot Announces – Announces 4th Annual Yard Dog Party and Official SXSW Showcase – March 14 & 15

Bloodshot Records will be holding their 4th annual Yard Dog Party and official SXSW showcase. Their artist will be performing at many other showcases and parties around Austin. A partial schedule follows:

Bloodshot Records – Annual SXSW Party at Yard Dog- Friday afternoon March 14th
Yard Dog Gallery, 1510 S. Congress

(bands NOT in order):

Firewater
Bobby Bare Jr.
The Scotland Yard Gospel Choir
The Waco Brothers
Ha Ha Tonka
Justin Townes Earle
Deadstring Brothers
Mark Pickerel & His Praying Hands
The Silos (in tribute to Drew Glackin)
Andre Williams

Bloodshot Records Official SXSW Showcase
Saturday Night, March 15th
Red Eyed Fly (715 Red River at 7th St):
1am                  The Waco Brothers
Midnight            Firewater
11pm                Deadstring Brothers
10pm                Justin Townes Earle
9pm                  Ha Ha Tonka
8pm                  Mark Pickerel & His Praying Hand

Jason Isbell Has Equipment Stolen in San Fransisco

I just got wind that just before after a gig in San Fransisco Jason Isbell and his band 400 Unit had their instruments stolen. Then his drummer abruptly quit and his label (New West) flew in Son Volt’s drummer and bought new equipment. The band are rehearsing and hope to continue on with their tour Wednesday in Portland.

From Isbell’s MySpace:

Touring Misfortunes

Dear fans and friends,

Leading up to the California shows, Jason had been under the weather with the flu. As the cold worsened, it became apparent that, in the best interest of Jason’s health, Jason and the 400 Unit would not be able to play Vault 350 in Long Beach.

Having taken a day off to recuperate, Jason and the 400 Unit regained positive momentum with great fan support in Los Angeles and San Francisco. It was after the San Francisco show that life threw its next unexpected punch.

On the morning of Monday, January 28, the guys discovered that their van had been forcibly broken into and that much of their gear had been stolen, including four guitars, a drum kit, an accordion, and a laptop computer. Considering the technical and emotional deflation that they experienced, the guys were left with no choice but to cancel the scheduled in-store performance at Dimple and evening show at Harlow’s in Sacramento.

Now, with a repaired van window, replacement gear on the way, and Portland, Oregon on the horizon, Jason and the 400 Unit continue to forage ahead.

For the canceled shows and appearances we sincerely apologize, and we greatly appreciate your understanding. As Jason and the 400 Unit roll into your hometown, greet them with cheers and energy, as your undying support will be vital to their success in this otherwise trying time.

I’ll post more as I hear it.

First U.S. Plant/Krauss tour dates revealed

Looking for something to pass the time while you wait on that Led Zeppelin reunion tour? No Depression reports that Robert Plant and Alison Krauss are taking their deliriously wonderful Raising Sand collaboration on the road beginning April 20 with a handful of dates in the mid-South.

Producer T Bone Burnett is set to lead their band, which is to include guitarist Buddy Miller. The rest of the band has not been announced. Sets will include material from their sole album together, and from their respective careers. CMT is airing a preview of sorts on February 11 as part of their “Crossroads” series.

Tickets go on sale January 25 for the four U.S. dates below. It is followed by an 11-date tour of Europe (no specifics yet), with further U.S. dates to be announced for June and July.

The tour begins here:

April 20 (Sunday) Louisville, KY (Palace Theatre)
April 22 (Tuesday) Knoxville, TN (Knoxville Civic Coliseum)
April 23 (Wednesday) Chattanooga, TN (Memorial Auditorium)
April 26 (Saturday) Birmingham, AL (BJCC Arena)

Ticket prices have not been announced.

The Deadstring Brothers Do the Streets of New York

The Village Voice and Rob Trucks feature Bloodshot Records recording artist and 70’s sleaze revivalist, the Deadstring Brothers in their feature “Possibly 4th Street” expositions. This is a piece where musicians are invited to perform live and impromptu somewhere in New York City and to experience the immeadiacy and electricity of being ignored by snooty pedistrians.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x05BOHbUR_w[/youtube]

Marc Silver & The Stonethrowers – the Baggot Inn New York City – 1/19

Do yourself a favor next Saturday (1/19) and head over the Baggot Inn and catch Marc Silver and the Stonethrowers serve up their potent brand of urban bluegrass. Get on down to the East side, hoist a pint with Marc and the boys. The show starts at 9:45.
Baggot Inn – 82 W 3rd St (bet Sullivan & Thompson), Greenwich Village, NYC 212-477-0622

Willie, Still on the Road

Willie Nelson joined his big sister and the rest of the family band on a two-night stand at the House of Blues in New Orleans as they begin their typically daunting tour schedule, playing two weeks a month from now through Thanksgiving 2008.

Bobbie Nelson just recently released her own CD “Audiobiography” (Justice Records) which traces her life back to her early years in Abbott, Texas when she and  Willie would play at thier home for family and playing solo gigs in piano bars, supper clubs and hotels.

Neko Case 2008 Tour Dates

Scarlett-maned alt.country chanteuse Neko Case is taking some time away from celebrating poetry to partake in an early 2008 road trip. Currently only 6 dates in the northeastern part of the U.S., Twang Nation will let you know if more dates are added, or when a new solo release is due, when we do.

Eric Bachmann, of Crooked Fingers and ex-Archers of Loaf fame, will open all dates.

01-25 Tarrytown, NY – Music Hall
01-26 Ithaca, NY – State Theater
01-27 Burlington, VT – Higher Ground Ballroom
01-31 Albany, NY – The Egg
02-01 Providence, RI – Lupo’s
02-02 Northampton, MA – Calvin Theater

Case’s label, Anti Records, had recently reissued her back catalog with, alas, no extras or additional goodies.