NYS Music 202​0

Tag: Billy Strings

  • Phil Lesh, Billy Strings, Marco Benevento and More Headlining “Democracy Comes Alive”

    Live for Live Music in partnership with HeadCount have announced a one-day virtual music festival to promote voter participation. Dubbed “Democracy Comes Alive” the special event will use the influence of music to showcase how critical voter participation is. Featuring 50 artists and 10 speakers in one day, music fans are being encouraged to “get out the vote”.

    “Democracy Comes Alive” will take place on Saturday, October 3 at 1:00 PM ET and is hosted by Ari Fink of SiriusXM. To receive a link to the show, attendees are required to check the status of their voter registration or make a donation to HeadCount.

    democracy comes alive
    Democracy Comes Alive 2020 Poster

    With a star studded list of performers including members of The Grateful Dead, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Turkuaz, Trampled by Turtles, Bruce Hornsby, Dawes, Warren Haynes, Shawn Colvin and many more music fans are in for a treat while educating themselves on the importance of voting. Each artist in the lineup will also be performing all new pieces.

    “People have fought and died, and are still fighting, for the universal right to vote in this country. However, so many of our country’s eligible citizens still do not wield this awesome power bestowed upon them, which in turn leads to presidents and representatives enacting laws that aren’t in their best interest. Democracy works best when all citizens of a country participate, so we’re looking to encourage just that with Democracy Comes Alive, alongside the support of HeadCount.

    Kunj Shah, founder of Live For Live Music, Justice Comes Alive and Quaratine Comes Alive

    “Democracy Comes Alive” will feature several guest speakers whose focus will stay on the history of voting rights and examine what it took for everyone. Tips as well as information regarding best voting practices and the most effective ways to research representatives at a national, state, and local level will be provided.

    Among the guest speakers are Bob Weir, Jon Fishman, Bill Kreutzmann, Peter Shapiro, Marc Brownstein and many more.

    Head over to DemocracyComesAlive.com for more information and to heck your voter registration status today. See below for a list of all performers and guest speakers.

    Democracy Comes Alive Performers:
    ALO, Andy Frasco, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Big Something, Billy Strings, Bruce Hornsby, The California Honeydrops, Cris Jacobs, David Shaw (The Revivalists), DAWES, Dopapod, Dumpstaphunk, Fruition, G. Love, The Ghost of Paul Revere, Goose, Here Come The Mummies, Hiss Golden Messenger, Joey Porter (feat. Nigel Hall & Sonata Porter), Karina Rykman, Katie Pruitt, Kim Dawson, Kitchen Dwellers, Leslie Mendelson, Lettuce x Motet (Members), Maggie Rose, Marco Benevento, Melvin Seals & JGB, Michael Franti, Moon Taxi, Neal Francis, Nicki Bluhm, The New Mastersounds, The Nth Power, Phil Lesh And Friends, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Reed Mathis & Electric Beethoven, Robert Walter, Ryan Montbleau, Shawn Colvin, Slightly Stoopid, Southern Avenue, Spafford, The String Cheese Incident (members), The Suffers, Trampled By Turtles, Turkuaz, Umphrey’s Mcgee, and Warren Haynes

    Speakers include:
    Andy Bernstein (HeadCount), Bill Kreutzmann (Grateful Dead), Bob Crawford (The Avett Brothers), Bob Weir (Grateful Dead), Jon Fishman (Phish), Kunj Shah (Live For Live Music), Marc Brownstein (The Disco Biscuits), Oteil Burbridge (Dead and Company), Peter Shapiro (Brooklyn Bowl), and Stefan Lessard (Dave Matthews Band).

  • Bonnaroo Announces Virtual ROO-ALITY Livestream Event Sept. 24-26

    Bonnaroo releases details of Virtual ROO-ALITY, a three-night live broadcast, set for Sept.24-26 at 4:30 CT exclusively at the official Bonnaroo YouTube channel. The free virtual livestream will continue the celebration of the annual festival with a range of programming, new live performances, unique original content, and archival sets at Bonnaroo’s home at Great Stage Park in Manchester, Tennessee.

    ROO-ALITY

    The lineup of headliners for Virtual ROO-ALITY includes a diverse range of musical genres. A total of 13 performances including Dave Matthews and Friends, Metallica, The White Stripes, James Brown, My Morning Jacket, and more will headline Virtual ROO-AILITY.  Beastie Boys’ historic final concert is one highlight of the archive livestream performances. A diverse range of performances from over 35 artists will perform, including:

    • Nathaniel Rateliff
    • Chromeo
    • Big Gigantic
    • Bruce Hornsby Feat. James Mercer
    • Rob Moose & Polo G
    • Old Crow Medicine Show’s Bonnarootenanny
    • Denzel Curry
    • Lennon Stella
    • Billy Strings
    •  Action Bronson
    • CloZee
    • Moon Taxi
    • Pigeons Playing Ping Pong
    • Ingrid Andress
    • Devin Dawson and ERNEST

    and many more following the announcement of the complete schedule.

    In addition to music, Virtual ROO-ALITY will present viewers with an array of original programming, additional activities, and exclusive experiences throughout the three days. Sanctuary of Love, an event curated by Hayley Williams, will present engaging conversations about topics including digital space and mental health, diversity wellness, and the origins of gender. The panelists for these discussions include Charli XCX, Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, Laura Jane Grace, and more. Viewers can also look forward to other virtual events including the Dog Dance Party, Bonnaroo Campfire Tales, and Cheers to Live.

    Bonnaroo From Home merchandise is now available at the official Bonnaroo online store. The collection includes a “Virtual ROO-ALITY 2020” poster, a “Robe Rage” satin robe, a “Farm Fresh” 8 oz. Candle, a 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle, a tie-dye mask, and more. Virtual ROO-ALITY and the Bonnaroo Works Fund will look to raise awareness for the ALCU Foundation, an organization dedicated to protecting civil rights, and Headcount, an organization that promotes participation in democracy through music. Bonnaroo Works Fund looks to collect donations for both organizations.

  • Summer Camp Music Festival Announces 2021 Lineup

    Summer Camp Music Festival announces their 2021 Lineup for the festival’s 20th Anniversary celebration. The festival will include big names like Ween, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Billy Strings, Three Six Mafia, Rezz, STS9, and Tipper. It will take place on May 28 – 30 , 2021 at Three Sisters Park in Chillicothe, IL and will be Sticking closely to the original 2020 lineup. 

    https://www.facebook.com/summercampmusicfestival/videos/839003283173344/

    So far the 2021 line up includes: moe., Umphrey’s McGee, Ween, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Billy Strings, Three 6 Mafia, Rezz, STS9, Tipper, Snails, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Shpongle (Simon Posford DJ set), The Wood Brothers, Houndmouth, The Floozies, Lettuce, Cherub, Manic Focus, Emancipator, CloZee, Jade Cicada, Boogie T, EOTO, Twiddle, ScaryPoolParty, The Record Company, LSDream, Whipped Cream, Yonder Mountain String Band, Here Come the Mummies, Andy Frasco & The U.N., Aqueous, Badfish, Banyan featuring Stephen Perkins, Willie Waldman and more, Big Something, Boogie T.rio, BoomBox, Break Science, Cycles, Detox Unit, Doom Flamingo, Dopapod, Everyone Orchestra, GG Magree, Horseshoes & Hand Grenades, Keller Williams, Kursa, Kyle Hollingsworth Band, Lawrence, Maddy O’Neal, Marvel Years, Monophonics, Moody Good, Mungion, The New Deal, Papadosio (Microdosio), Ryan Montbleau, Southern Avenue, Spafford, Sunsquabi, The Werks, Aaron Kamm and the One Drops, Brass Against, Chicago Farmer & The Field Notes, Chomppa, Consider the Source, Dogma, Family Groove Company, Fate Nite ft. Brendan Bayliss +, Friends, Filibusta, Funk You, Gangstagrass, GoodSex, Hot Buttered Rum, The Jauntee, Joe Hertler and the Rainbow Seekers, Jon Stickley Trio, K+ Lab, Kitchen Dwellers, Lee Dewyze, LTX, Marcus Rezak’s Shred is Dead, Mike Dillon and Punkadelic, Mize, Neal Francis, Nobide, Old Shoe, Pert Near Sandstone, Porn and Chicken, Red Wanting Blue, Steady Flow, Sun Beard, Sun Stereo, Tropidelic, AHZ, Alison Hanna Band, The Althea Grace Band, APO10, Audiodacity, Backyard Tire Fire, Badman, Barefuzz, Ben Miller Band, DJ Belly, Berth, Biomassive, BluePrint Metro, Bones Jugs, Brainchild, Daniel Rodriguez, Dark Moon Hollow, The Dawn, Dizgo, EGi, Electric Orange Peel, Fall Classic, Fletcher’s Grove, Float Like a Buffalo, Funkstatik, FUX, Guerrilla Theory, The Iceman Special, Ifdakar, Jack Cloonan Band, Joslyn and the Sweet Compression, Junkyard Samurai, JUULS VERNE, Kadela, KVZ, Levity, Little Stranger, Magnolia Boulevard, Medusa, Nicholas Gerlach, The North 41, Positive Vibr8ions, Pushing Daisy’s Band, The Ries Brothers, The Rockstar DJ Tre, Since JulEYE, Still Shine, Stormy Chromer, DJ Tim Williams, Travers Brothership, The Textures, Thee Delinquents, The Tripp Brothers, Trouble Chasin’,TruFeelz, Undercover Organism, Victoria Canal, Vine, Vintage Pistol, WokeZan, Yam Yam, ZOSKA, and more to be announced. 

    Ian Goldberg who is the festival’s founder made the official call to move the 20th anniversary festivities to 2021 last week. Ticket holders will have the option to roll over this year’s pass to next year or receive a refund. People can request refunds from July 13 – 31 st at 11:59pm CST.

    For more information visit Summer Camp Music Festival website.

  • Summer Camp Music Festival Postponed to 2021

    After the recent spike in Coronavirus cases, the Summer Camp Music Festival has decided to postpone their 20th anniversary concert to Memorial Day weekend 2021. 

    For the past 19 years, the Summer Camp Music Festival in Illinois has been held on Memorial Day weekend to kick off summer with a bang. Because of the Coronavirus pandemic, this year’s festival was postponed. Although organizers and staff hoped that it could take place later this summer, the festival has been pushed back to Memorial Day weekend 2021 as Illinois will not be in Phase 5 of the reopening process this August and therefore cannot safely hold the concert. Ian Goldbreg, founder of the Summer Camp music festival, states that the staff holds “the health and safety of you, our fans, and our dedicated staff as our number one concern.”

    Despite this setback, plans for next year’s festival are already in the works. While some artists are “still working out details,” the majority of this summer’s lineup has confirmed that they will perform at the 20th anniversary festival in 2021. Additionally, all tickets for this year’s festival will roll over and be good for 2021. If you cannot make it next year, refunds will be available starting on July 13 and ending on July 30, 2020. 

    summer camp fest

    Although it has been a very difficult decision, Goldberg comments: “I felt I was acting in the best interest of the many people who dedicate their lives to this event every year, knowing all along I would never put those lives in jeopardy if the situation did not prove to allow for a safe event.” The festival is great for all music fans, with crowd favorites moe. and Umphrey’s McGee headlining. The 2020 lineup was supposed to include other artists like Ween, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Billy Strings, Rezz, STS9, Tipper, and more. 

    Fans of the festival wait for it to come back “even bigger and better” on May 28-30, 2021. Until then, check out NYSMusic’s coverage of the festival’s recent years: 2019, 2018, and 2017.

  • Billy Strings Announces Streaming Strings 2020 Tour

    Known for his flat-picking guitar technique and intense, confessional songwriting bluegrass musician Billy Strings has announced an ambitious live streaming/virtual touring project. The shows are set to kick off on July 16, 2020 in Billy’s adopted hometown of Nashville, Tennessee.

    The Streaming Strings 2020 Tour is an innovative approach to touring for post-shelter in place times. All nine shows on this livestream-only tour will be performed in crowdless venues throughout Nashville. Both audio and video will be streamed via various partners.  Digital “tickets” will go on sale June 16, 2020 at 12:00 pm EDT and can be purchased at Streamingstrings.com.

    Streaming Strings

    Nashville has long been a hub for innovation and creativity, from the earliest days of the Grand Ole Opry breaking ground by broadcasting their live show nationwide to the television era. Nashville is home to a plethora of record labels, music publishers, songwriters, and entertainment executives, all of which contribute to the ever-expanding creative community that initially established Nashville as “Music City.” And of course, Nashville is also known for its tight-knit, generous, and supportive community that places tremendous value on collaboration and shared experiences. Billy Strings aims to create a shared experience for fans around the world with the Streaming Strings 2020 Tour, and hopes that the joys of music, community, and connection will continue to thrive, even amid difficult times.

    A portion of all proceeds will be equally divided and donated to several charity partners: ACLU, Backline, and NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. Check out the dates of Billy String’s Streaming Strings 2020 Tour below.

    STREAMING STRINGS 2020 TOUR DATES

    Thu – 7/16/20 Brooklyn Bowl (Streamed live via FANS)

    Fri – 7/17/20 Brooklyn Bowl (Streamed live via FANS)

    Sat – 7/18/20 Station Inn (Streamed live via Station Inn TV)

    Sun – 7/19/20 Station Inn (Streamed live via Station Inn TV)

    Wed – 7/22/20 City Winery (Streamed live via Nugs TV)

    Thu – 7/23/20 City Winery (Streamed live via Nugs TV)

    Fri – 7/24/20 Exit/In (Streamed live via TourGigs)

    Sat – 7/25/20 Exit/In (Streamed live via TourGigs)

    Sun -7/26/20 3rd & Lindsley (Streamed live via Nugs TV)

    The dates listed may change based upon the status of the COVID-19 virus. Contingency plans (and dates) are in place three times over. For safety’s sake, all necessary precautions will be taken.

  • Walkin’ in a Colorado WinterWonderGrass

    Music scenes are riddled with a lot of traditions, a lot of staples that go hand in hand with the community and culture that is created around every genre of music . The bluegrass/jamgrass scene has grown exponentially in the last few years and, with that, the traditions have grown as well. One of these is WinterWonderGrass, held this past weekend in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. In its eighth year, the tiny, homegrown festival boasted an amazing lineup for its 2020 edition and was a blessing for bluegrass & string music fans across the nation.

    This winter wonder festival takes place in the famous mountain town of Steamboat Springs. Nestled in the upper valley of the Yampa River, the picture-perfect, post card scenery overshadowed the fact that temperatures for the weekend didn’t surpass 30 degrees. Day one included intimate sets in each of the three tents from Buffalo Commons, John Stickley Trio, and an amazing new and rising artist, Molly Tuttle, with headlining sets from Grammy-nominated Nashville band Della Mae, the incomparable Keller and The Keels, and one of the hottest acts in music right now, Billy Strings. His first headlining set of the 2020 festival season included a fitting “Steamboat Whistle Blues,” “Highway Hypnosis,” and a “Train Train” encore that concluded an amazing first day of music, and reminded fans in attendance why Billy Strings is everything they love about this great event.

    The second day on the mountain started off with a new tradition, a set entitled WinterWonderWoman. A collaborative set of covers and some bluegrass and country classics was performed by a group of amazing female musicians who performed throughout the weekend. On the main stage Nikki Lane, the extremely gifted country rock songwriter, proved to a packed audience that her blues guitar and vintage ’60s country-pop swagger fit right in with the WinterWonderGrass family. Despite all the firsts on the second day of the festival, it was a headlining set by festival veterans Greensky Bluegrass that reminded fans what WinterWonderGrass is all about. With a chilling and emotional “Wish I Didn’t Know” to start it all off, Greensky filled the rest of their set with tracks like “Worried about the Weather” and “Old Barn” and, with Jennifer Hartswick as a special guest, they rocked the mountains with a debut cover of Pat Benatar’s smash hit “Heartbreaker”. There is a special bond between Greensky Bluegrass and WinterWonderGrass that proves year after year how special the bond is between their music and its fans.   

    As a festival in its eighth year, WinterWonderGrass is very in tune with how quickly things change in the music industry, and the only way to survive and attract new and old fans year after year is to adapt. Day 3 was a look into the future of the festival and how the recent rise of the proclaimed “Outlaw Country” genre has become a perfect companion to bluegrass, this blend of new blood, veterans, country, and bluegrass was the theme of the final day of the music event. With sets from bluegrass legends The Travelin’ McCourys, and another smoking hot set from Billy Strings, the strings element to this eclectic blend was complete. It was the Sunday headliner that added a new sound to this festival and a brand new flavor to this blend of great music. Margo Price has exploded into the country music scene since her debut in 2016 and she did nothing short of that to make her WinterWonderGrass debut. She debuted a new song “Twinkle Twinkle” and even welcomed Billy Strings for a special cover of Janis Joplin’s “Move Over.” She closed out her debut set by sparking a joint, sharing it with the crowd, and encoring with Dolly Parton’s “9 To 5,” a perfect way to close out an amazing weekend of music.

    The roving cold weather music festival will continue its 2020 run with stops in Squaw Valley, California from March 27-29 and Stratton, Vermont on April 10 and 11. It still remains one of the top festivals in the country after almost ten years, bringing together multiple genres of music, community, sustainability, and family in some of the most welcoming, majestic mountain communities in the country.