Listen Up! Alice Gerrard – “Boll Weevil”

Alice-Gerrard-

Alice Gerrard is a legend in roots music. Her 40-plus year music career began at Antioch College where her exposure to folk music and, after graduating, she moved to Washington D.C. She then pivoted her piano training into mastering the banjo and guitar and became part of the thriving folk and bluegrass scene.

Her careers includes collaborations with Hazel Dickens, her former husband Mike Seeger, The Harmony Sisters, filmmaker Les Blank, traditional fiddler and banjo player Tommy Jarrell, banjo player Matokie Slaughter, and others.

On Sept. 30th, 2014 on Tompkins Square will release Gerrard’s new album ‘Follow The Music.” The album is produced by M.C. Taylor (Hiss Golden Messenger) and features members of Hiss Golden Messenger and Megafaun. ‘Follow The Music ” is the follow-up to 2013’s Kickstarter-funded “Bittersweet.”

On this, the occasion of her 80th birthday, please enjoy “Boll Weevil” from ‘Follow The Music. ”

Mavis Staples Added to Pickathon Line-Up

The Annual Pickathon (Aug 5-7) is one of the best festivals going. The low-key event is held on a the forested Mt Scott 80 acres of Pendarvis Farm  near Portland, OR. featuring multiples stages generally focusing on Americana and roots music but, like the definition of Americaana itself,  blurs the boundaries in order to deliver great music which also includes Indy rock, Cajun music and some living legends.

Americana Album of the Year Grammy winner Mavis Staples will be joined by and more than 40 artists like the cool Cajun band I met at the Grammys,  the Pine Leaf Boys, and the hot Oregon-based country rockers Truckstop Darlin’. So pack the tent and bring the family (kids under 12 are free!) enjoy the fresh air and go hear some great music!

The Pickathon lineup so far:

Mavis Staples
Bill Callahan
Lee Fields & The Expressions
Califone
Damien Jurado
Thao
Fruit Bats
Ray Wylie Hubbard
Vetiver
Laura Veirs
Brownout
The Wilders
The Sadies
Richard Swift
Pine Leaf Boys
The Builders and The Butchers
Danny Barnes
Sonny & The Sunsets
Whitey Morgan & The 78’s
Mike + Ruthy
Black Lillies
Strand of Oaks
Elliott Brood
Bruce Molsky
Ages and Ages
Joy Kills Sorrow
Charlie Parr
Old Light
Ted Jones and The Tarheel Boys
Buffalo Killers
Pokey LaFarge
Rock Plaza Central
Truckstop Darlin’
Cahalen Morrison & Eli West
Diane Ferlatte

Check the official Pichathin site for more additions to the lineup