NYS Music 2024

Category: Bluegrass/Country

  • Dierks Bentley Returns to the Road with Stops in Darien, Syracuse, and Saratoga Springs

    Dierks Bentley has announced his return to the road this summer with the “Gravel & Gold Tour.” The tour will see three dates in New York. Darien Lake Amphitheater, SPAC in Saratoga, and Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater in Syracuse will all host Bentley.

    Dierks Bentley

    Dierks Bentely is one of country music’s biggest names today. Since his first publishing deal in 2001, Bentley has consistently landed himself at the top of the country music charts. Bentley has been a mainstay of country culture, with trendy, popular sound and a lovable attitude.

    Along with this, Dierks Bentley has been a part of several other professional endeavors. He has been involved with Flag & Anthem lifestyle collection Desert Son, along with his four “Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row” locations.

    “The Gravel & Gold tour has been the best of my career, and I’m not ready to leave it behind. We are so locked in with this production that it allows me to be living right in the moment with the fans, and that’s the magic! I’m bringing along some old friends and some newer artists who are all putting their own unique spin on country, bluegrass and Americana music. I can’t wait to watch their shows and hopefully sing with them too. Those collaborations are a highlight of my summer every year.”

    Dierks Bentely

    Dierk’s music is feel-good, pop-country, with an emphasis on having a good time no matter where you are, like in his now decade-old song, “Drunk on a Plane.” It is very much summery, beer-drinking, good-time tune. His upcoming tour will certainly reflect those vibrations starting this July.

    Dierks Bentley

    GRAVEL & GOLD TOUR 2024 Dates:

    6/07 – Fort Worth, TX – Dickies Arena *

    6/08 – Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP *

    6/13 – Toledo, OH – The Huntington Center *

    6/14 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center *

    6/15 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center ^

    6/27 – Lafayette, LA – CAJUNDOME*<

    6/28 – Orange Beach, AL – The Wharf Amphitheater*

    7/18 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Broadview Stage at SPAC *

    7/19 – Scranton, PA – The Pavilion at Montage Mountain *

    7/20 – Buffalo, NY – Darien Lake Amphitheater #+

    8/04 – Bonner, MT – KettleHouse Amphitheater #

    8/08 – Columbia, MD – Merriweather Post Pavilion *’

    8/09 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center * 

    8/10 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena  * 

    8/15 – Gilford, NH – BankNH Pavilion * 

    8/16 – Syracuse, NY – Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview* 

    8/17 – Camden, NJ- Freedom Mortgage Pavilion * 

    8/22 – St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre STL* 

    8/23 – Kansas City, MO – T-Mobile Center * 

    8/24 – Omaha, NE – CHI Health Center * 

    8/29 – Albuquerque, NM – Isleta Amphitheater *

    8/30 – Colorado Springs, CO – Sunset Amphitheater *’

    8/31 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre *

    9/06 – Alpharetta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre * 

    9/07 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena * 

    9/12 – Wilmington, NC – Live Oak Bank Pavilion at Riverfront Park ^

    9/13 – Charleston, SC – Credit One Stadium ^

    9/14 – Simpsonville, SC – CCNB Amphitheatre at Heritage Park^

    9/19 – Grand Rapids, MI – Van Andel Arena * >

    9/20 – Moline, IL – Vibrant Arena *

    9/21 – Milwaukee, WI – American Family Insurance Amphitheater^ 

    * Chase Rice + Check Local Listings

    ^ Lee Brice + Check Local Listings

    + On sale to be announced

    > On sale March 1

    < On sale March 8

    ‘ Not a Live Nation Date

    For more information on Dierks Bentley and tickets for the upcoming tour, visit Dierks.com.

  • moe. Announces “Best.Summer.Ever” 2024 Tour with Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country

    moe. has announced a 12-date “Best.Summer.Ever” Tour at stages across the country, and joined by Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country, a tour that guarantees a blend of classic jams, improvisational brilliance, and a vibrant celebration of live music.

    Tour stops include shows at The Rooftop at Pier 17 in NYC, a two-night run at Wonderland Forest in Lafayette and a show at Outer Harbor in Buffalo. All but Buffalo feature two sets of moe. and one set of Daniel Donato.

    moe summer tour 2024 daniel donato best summer ever

    The “Best.Summer.Ever” Tour will kick off with a bang on the Fourth of July at the Stone Pony Summerstage in Asbury Park, NJ. This show, as well as performances on July 5th in Westport, CT, and July 6th in Jay, VT, will also feature Neighbor.

    Continuing their commitment to mental health awareness and support within the music community, moe. is proud to announce that $1 from each ticket sold will be donated to Backline and Sweet Relief’s Music’s Mental Health Fund. This vital program offers grants to subsidize mental health and wellness services for touring musicians, crew members, and their families, underscoring the band’s dedication to the well-being of their extended musical family.

    Since the addition of Nate Wilson on keys and return of Chuck Garvey on guitar, the band has been reintroducing rarities and classic rock covers back into setlists. Recent shows have featured the first-time performance of Led Zeppelin’s “Going to California,” while in San Francisco, the return of the original “Paper Dragon,” Pink Floyd cover “Interstellar Overdrive,” “CalifornIA,” and “Take the Skinheads Bowling.”

    moe. is currently gearing up for their “Ski Tour” in March, kicking off with a notable four-night run at Park City’s Egyptian Theatre, followed by stops at favorite Colorado haunts, particularly meaningful as it marks moe.’s first return to many of these venues since the early 2020 “ski tour” was abruptly halted due to the pandemic’s onset.

    Daniel Donato’s own musical frequency was tuned at a young age while growing up in Nashville. After a high school history teacher gave him a pile of Grateful Dead bootleg recordings when he was 18, the stage was set for what would eventually become Donato’s vision, Cosmic Country. Since then, the guitar virtuoso, singer, songwriter and bandleader has released two acclaimed albums, the latest being 2023’s celebrated Reflector and has been tearing it up on the road playing over 200 shows per year. Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country has played to sold-out crowds from coast to coast and garnered a passionate and rapidly expanding fanbase.

    A special artist pre-sale begins on Wednesday, February 14th @ 10am local [PW: BSE24], and the general public on-sale begins this Friday, February 16th @ 10am local time. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit moe.org.

    moe. US Tour Dates
    Saturday, February 17th – The Cabot – Beverly, MA*
    Sunday, February 18th – The Cabot – Beverly, MA~
    Friday, March 6th-Tuesday, March 10th – Egyptian Theatre – Park City, UT~
    Thursday, March 12th – Mesa Theater – Grand Junction, CO
    Saturday, March 14th-Sunday, March 15th – Sheridan Opera House – Telluride, CO
    Monday, March 16th – Vilar PAC – Beaver Creek, CO
    Tuesday, March 17th – Strings Music Pavilion – Steamboat Springs, CO*
    Thursday, March 19th – Belly Up – Aspen, CO
    Saturday, March 21st-Sunday, March 22nd – 10 Mile Music Hall – Frisco, CO
    Monday, March 23rd-Tuesday, March 24th – Washington’s FOCO – Ft. Collins, CO~
    Thursday, July 4 – Stone Pony Summerstage – Asbury Park, NJ
    Friday, July 5 – Levitt Pavilion – Westport, CT
    Saturday, July 6 – Stateside Amphitheater at Jay Peak – Jay, VT
    Wednesday, July 10 – Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks – Bethlehem, PA
    Thursday, July 11 – The Rooftop at Pier 17 – New York, NY
    Friday, July 12 – Wonderland Forest – Lafayette, NY
    Saturday, July 13 – Wonderland Forest – Lafayette, NY
    Tuesday, July 17 – Outer Harbor – Buffalo, NY
    Wednesday, July 18 – Cain Park Evans Amphitheatre – Cleveland, OH
    Thursday, July 19 – Rose Music Center – Huber Heights, OH
    Friday, July 20 – Rock the Ruins – Indianapolis, IN
    Saturday, July 21 – Bell’s Beer Garden – Kalamazoo, MI

    *Sold Out
    ~Low Ticket Warning

  • Gangstagrass Release Music Video for Latest Single, “The Only Way Out Is Through”

    Bluegrass Hip-Hop group Gangstagrass has released a music video for their latest single, “The Only Way Is Through.” The release of the new video featuring musical icon Jerry Douglas, as well as their recently dropped single is propelling the group forward and further narrowing the gap between bluegrass and hip-hop.

    The composition showcases the meshing of expert banjo artistry, dynamic production, and the unique facets of Gangstagrass music. The vocals are whisked through an inspiring chorus, complete with the Lowdown Brass Band on horns.

    Gangstagrass was birthed as a studio experiment in 2006 by Brooklyn-based producer Rench. The combination of country/bluegrass vocals, guitar, and hip-hop beats allowed for Gangstagrass to evolve. The group grew into a vibrant and improvisational band, forging unity and creative diversity from the most unexpected of origins.

    The group harmonizes an array of talents from Rench, R-SON the Voice of Reason (MC), and Dolio the Sleuth (MC, Vocals), in addition to featuring Dan “Danjo” Whitener (Banjo, Vocals), and B.E. Farrow (Fiddle, Vocals), among other brilliant instrumentalists.

    Gangstagrass has culminated various sounds from across the country. The ensemble has skillfully blended the traditional sounds of fiddles and banjos with contemporary hip-hop beats. This unseen blend and innovation have propelled the band to worldwide success.

    The music video for the recently released single, “The Only Way Out Is Through” shows the members of the group performing the song whilst facing the camera. Throughout the video, random objects like silly string, paper balls, cardboard, foodstuffs, etc. are being hurled at each person in the spotlight.

    The music video is meant to be humorous, wacky, and borderline absurd. The directors of the video, Tough Dumplin and MZ.ICAR did an excellent job at conveying the groups fun spirit and goofy nature, while also showcasing the grand musicianship with the single played throughout.

    To learn more about the group Gangstagrass, visit their website here.

  • Montauk’s Annie Trezza Performs in Manhattan at Arlene’s Grocery

    On February 2, Annie Trezza provided the tunes and ensued the grooves at Arlene’s Grocery, a Lower East Side treasure. From the most eastern point of New York State, Annie and her band descended into the city from Montauk, bringing their east coast surf-rock demeanor with them in blue suitcases, fur coats, and their soulful sound.

    Bass rattled the vintage infrastructure of Arlene’s as Annie prepped her stage. She twirled around her staple acoustic and a sky blue electric-guitar perched behind the microphone, sipping a Tecate and dancing to the pre-show tunes. Huddled on stage was the Arlene’s grocery drum set, a bass guitar, and a pedal set that her bandmates fiddled with. Friends and family members of the band milled about the tight-spaced room, and curious New Yorkers in search of live music filed down the stairs into the pit. 

    Annie and her whole crew made their way onto stage. “Hey everyone! We track from the east end, AKA Montauk – the coolest place on Earth!” She wore a memorable coat with fur trimmed cuffs, velvet cowboy boots, bell bottoms, and a cowboy hat. Her style matched her sound, as she strummed her band into play. 

    After her first couple of songs, Annie Trezza introduced her band: Jack Marshall on the steel guitar, Andrew Winthrop on the drums, and Kevin L. on the bass. Their stage presence was commanded by Annie’s charisma, and they gelled together seamlessly. After the song “Ave. A,” Annie was excited to play her song “Summer//Winter,” which can be heard in the neo-western thriller “The Last Victim” on Hulu.

    With drinkable influence from iconic artists like The Doors and Fleetwood Mac, and more modern-scale groups like Houndmouth or The Growlers, Trezza has combined classic riffs and the jam-band groove with her own poetry and life-style flair. 

    Each song threaded a narrative with unique lyrics. In the span of the mere hour long set, we were pulled from New York City, to Montauk, to Florida, to the French countryside. With strong influences from the ocean, surfing, relationships, and the seasons changing, Trezza holds an earthy and empathetic discography.

    Their set deserved more time, for the storytelling between songs had to be nipped in order for Annie to perform the entirety of her setlist. Trezza acknowledged the time passing, “ All of these songs have a story, and I do like to ramble…” The crowd replied, “Ramble on!” The collective reference to Led Zeppelin couldn’t be missed. 

    A story that seemed to resonate with the audience was that behind her song “French Countryside.” Sleeping in the room next door to the person you’re in love with. The song had a tremendous build that mirrored the feeling of emotional climax – when feelings can no longer be contained and the body becomes an emotional well.

    The bridge warranted dancing and Annie’s pal Kate grooved front and center. She bounced around the rim of the stage, and her energy encouraged others to move their feet. Annie invited the audience to fill in the dance floor. Bodies pushed towards the stage and the motion met the music.

    “Alright, that was the acoustic set. We’re gonna go surfing again!” Annie swapped her acoustic guitar for her electirc as she geared up for the last couple of surf-inspired songs “Surf Crush,” and “Pitted.” “This song is about surfing, the greatest thing in the world! We’re in New York City, let’s get pitted!”

    “Pitted” was the final song of the evening, and it ended the night on a high note. Once the show concluded, Annie hung around the Arlene’s chatting with her audience. Her artistry as well as her connective nature was genuine.

  • Down in the Hollow: Fireside Collective and Airshow Ignite in Albany

    Sooner or later, they say everything old is eventually new again. This seems particularly true when it comes to the surging revival of Americana/Bluegrass music and on Wednesday, January 24, concert fans in Albany found that out firsthand.  Sharing the stage at The Hollow for a co-headlining night of frantic finger pickin’ and foot stompin’ brilliance, Ashville, NC’s Fireside Collective and Nashville’s Airshow demonstrated beyond the shadow of a doubt why they are two of the hottest emerging forces in ‘Newgrass” music today.

    Fireside Collective brought the heat to The Hollow on 1/24/24.

    First on the docket put together by Guthrie Bell Productions was Airshow.  Originally formed in Reading, PA, it wasn’t until childhood best friends Steve Gallagher (guitar/vocal) and Cody Chelius (mandolin/vocals) met up with Bill Baker (bass/vocals) and John Rodrigue (drums/vocals) in Nashville that their high energy jams really started to soar. Two studio albums and a boatload of live recordings later, Airshow finally landed in Albany for the first time. 

    Nashville’s Airshow made their Albany debut at The Hollow on 1/24/24.

    After filling up their bellies at The Hollow’s adjoing restaurant, the guys quickly started burning off the calories by opening with “Burning the Hardwood Floor.” As tardy fans slowly filled in the room while the band worked their way through numbers like “Up Dog,” “On’ry and Mean” and “Up in the Clouds,” it wasn’t long before you could see what all the fuss was about.  More jammy and electric sounding than traditional Bluegrass, the Oysterhead shirt worn by Chelius gave the band instant street credit and signified they were students of improvisation by some of the best to ever do it.  

    Through a bevy of effects pedals, guitarist Steve Gallagher effortlessly made his acoustic sound like a raunchy electric axe, which paid huge dividends on songs like the funky “Skydiver” and “Up on the Ridge.” After showcasing their chops and technicality on the high-octane barn burner called “Spider Bite,” Airshow would ignite the crowd even further by their hilarious synchronized dance moves on their final number, “Up On The Hill.”  An excellent set that surpassed my expectations, this certainly was not your father’s bluegrass I was expecting. It was better.   

    Cody Chelius of Airshow performing at The Hollow on 1/24/24.

    As the pouring rain outside The Hollow continued, things inside were just starting to heat up. Making their return to the Capital Region after wowing fans at last year’s Eastbound Throwdown and again at Cohoes Music Hall opening for Kitchen Dwellers, Fireside Collective have quickly earned a reputation for their ferocious and infectious live shows.  Consisting of Joe Cicero (guitar); Jesse Iaquinto (mandolin); Tommy Maher (resonator guitar) and Carson White (bass), this tour also marks the latest addition to Collective by way of drummer Mike Tillis. 

    Fireside Collective
    Fireside Collective performing in Albany on 1/24/24.

    Kicking things into high gear with a “Devil’s On the Hillside” > “Choctaw Hayride” combo, the band was firing on all cylinders from the very start. Seamlessly trading vocal harmonies and instrumental leads at the drop of a hat, the band jelled together like a well-oiled machine. A tender, more, country styled vibe emerged on “Done Deal” from the bands 2020 album Elements, before a stellar re-imaged cover of “It’s All Over Now Baby Blue” endeared itself upon unsuspecting ears resulting in big time smiles both on stage and off.  

    Fireside Collective
    Fireside Collective performing at The Hollow on 1/24/24.

    Shifting focus to songs from the latest Fireside Collective album Across the Divide, “Let it Ride” threw caution to the wind, while extended jams on “Your Song Goes On” and “When You Fall” showcased some of the hottest licks and best interplay of the night between Tommy Maher and Jesse Iaquinto. After “Don’t Stop Lovin’ Me” came a special treat for those in attendance at The Hollow. Announcing a brand-new song saved for this specific night, the band would debut “Down in the Hollow” in the most appropriate and satisfying way possible.  Check out fan shot footage of that exciting moment in the clip below.

    Throwing it back to an oldie but a goodie from Larry Sparks and the Lonesome Ramblers on “These Old Blues,” Fireside Collective kept it classy while paying proper respect to the forefathers of the Americana/folk genre.  From the past to the present, the extended jam out of “And the Rain Came Down” felt like hearing a bit of the future.  This was Newgrass and the fun-loving crowd at The Hollow couldn’t get enough.  So much so that local promoter Greg Bell of Guthrie Bell Productions approached the stage and asked the boys to play one more.  Happy to oblige and perhaps pander to the obvious Deadheads in the audience, Fireside Collective spontaneously uncorked a 12-minute rendition of the Grateful Dead classic “Scarlet Begonias” to bring the already hot show to a scorching close.  Watch fan shot footage of that in the clip below.

    Guthrie Bell Productions does it again, I mean what a show! Two great young bands with musical chops and maturity far beyond their years. I suppose I walked in expecting some sort of hump day hoedown, but what I got felt more akin to a Saturday night rock ‘n roll rager. With choice cover songs, original debuts and a gorgeous commemorative poster designed Chelsea Housand, Fireside Collective and Airshow at The Hollow was an absolute barn burner.

    Fireside Collective | January 24, 2024 | The Hollow | Albany, NY

    Setlist: Devils On the Hillside > Choctaw Hayride, Done Deal, It’s All Over Now Baby Blue, Let It Ride, Your Song Goes On, When You Fail > Jam, Don’t Stop Lovin’ Me, Down in the Hollow*, These Old Blues, And the Rain Came Down > Jam

    Encore: Scarlet Begonias

    *Original debut

    Airshow | January 24, 2024 | The Hollow | Albany, NY

    Setlist: Burning the Hardwood Floor, Up Dog, Lonesome On’ry and Mean, Up in the Clouds, Skydiver, Up on the Ridge, Greenway, Spider Bite, Up on the Hill.

  • Daniel Donato to Play Shows in NYC and Syracuse in February

    Acclaimed singer/songwriter Daniel Donato has announced he will be playing two shows in NY in support of his latest album Reflector.

    The “Cosmic Country” artist plans on stopping at Syracuse’s Westcott Theater on Saturday, February 10 and NYC’s Bowery Ballroom on Tuesday, February 13, showcasing Donato’s growing appeal and sound.

    Daniel Donato shows

    Donato’s genre “cosmic country” is a meshing of southern rock, bluegrass, classic country, and honky-tonk. It encapsulates the sounds of Southern California folk and Northern California musical exploration. His show marks the release of his recent 15 track album Reflector, in which he will be performing at his shows in Syracuse on February 10 and NYC on February 13.

    Daniel Donato has a unique sound that he wants to show the world, and he’s been doing exactly that. His blended soundscape is full of energy, soul, and vibrations. His creative processes, next-level guitar skills, and dedication to his craft propel him to satisfy his goals, and then some.

    “I fell in love with the song “Jessica” on Guitar Hero, the Allman Brothers song. I remember thinking, ‘God, if I can just play this song and feel like I’m flying…’ And then here we are fifteen years later, it’s March 25th and we’re at the Beacon Theatre, it’s a sold-out night, and after we get done singing ‘Blue Sky’ in my solo, before I even think about it, I’m playing ‘Jessica’.

    As I’m playing that and the theater erupts with joy, I’m realizing, like, ‘Man, good job. That 12-year-old is alive. The part of you, that Self, that was you before the world told you what you were or what you could be or what you should be.’”

    Daniel Donato on staying true to oneself

    For more information on Daniel Donato visit his website at DanielDonato.com. To find tickets to his show at Westcott Theater in Syracuse or Bowery Ballroom in NYC, click here.

    Daniel Donato – Upcoming Shows

    February 2 – Winston-Salem, NC – The Ramkat

    February 3 – Charlotteville, VA – Jefferson Theater

    February 4 – Morristown, NJ – The Homestead

    February 6 – Portsmouth, NH – 3S Artspace

    February 7 – Portland, ME – Portland House of Music and Events

    February 8 – Amherst, MA – The Drake

    February 9 – Hartford, CT – Infinity Hall Hartford

    February 10 – Syracuse, NY – Westcott Theater

    February 13 – New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom

    February 14 – Tysons, VA – Capitol One Hall

    February 15 – Raleigh, NC – Lincoln Theatre

    February 16 – Charlotte, NC – Stage Door Theatre

    February 17 – Atlanta, GA – Sweetwater’s 27th Anniversary Party

    February 18 – Asheville, NC – Salvage Station

    March 1-3 – Steamboat Springs, CO – Winter Wondergrass Festival 2024

    March 6 – Columbus, OH – KEMBA Live!

    March 7 – Old Forester’s Paristown Hall – Louisville, KY

    March 8-9 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium

    March 21 – Peoria, IL – Revival Music Hall

    March 22 – Hobart, IN – The Hobart Art Theater

    March 23 – New Berlin, IN – Danenberger Family Vineyards

    March 28 – Athens, GA – Georgia Theater

    March 29 – Tuscaloosa, AL – Druid City Music Hall

    March 30 – Huntsville, AL – Mars Music Hall

    April 5 – Memphis, TN – Grind City Music Festival 2024

    April 6 – New Orleans, LA – Hogs for the Cause 2024

    April 13 – Augusta, GA – Major Rager

    April 14-18 – Maya Riviera, Mexico – Panic en la Playa 2024

    April 20 – Pelham, TN – Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country in The Caverns

    April 26 – New Orleans, LA – Republic New Orleans

    May 11 – Isle of Palms, SC – Windjammer

    May 23-26 – Axton, VA – Rooster Walk Reunion Music & Arts Festival

    May 24-26 – Thornville, OH – Dark Star Jubilee

    June 20-23 – Bend, OR – 4 Peaks Music Festival

    June 27-29 – Eau Claire, WI – Blue Ox Music Festival 

  • Tony Trischka Announces 75th Birthday Celebration at City Winery in NYC

    Tony Trischka, one of the most influential figures in roots music, is celebrating his 75th birthday at City Winery in NYC on Jan. 19. He has also announced the release of his new album Earl Jam: A Tribute To Earl Scruggs, out this spring.

    Tony Trischka was born in Syracuse in 1949. Raised in a home full of music, he fell in love with the banjo through the Kingston Trio’s 1959 recording of “M.T.A.” In the early ’70s, he moved to New York City, releasing his landmark solo debut Bluegrass Light, mixing bluegrass, country, psychedelic pop, free jazz, and more. Many other milestone albums followed, including 1983’s A Robot Plane Flies Over Arkansas, and 1993’s World Turning, a global history of the banjo that ignited Marc Fields’ comprehensive 2011 documentary, Give Me the Banjo. As a banjoist he set new standards for genre-bending virtuosity, inspiring legions of younger players, among them Béla Fleck.   

    Trischka’s GRAMMY-nominated album Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular, released in 2007, and Great Big World, from 2014, features a mix of veterans and up-and-comers. In addition to his GRAMMY nominations, he’s earned numerous honors, including the International Bluegrass Music Award for Banjo Player of the Year, as well as being named a United States Artists Friends Fellow. 

    One day during the COVID lockdown, he was checking his mail and was astonished to find a thumb drive full of rare recordings of his late friend Earl Scruggs jamming with John Hartford, mostly taken from private gatherings at Earl’s house during the 80s and 90s. Trischka began pouring over the more than 200 songs, transcribing the all-new solos, tones, and tricks from the man he’d been studying for over half a century, featuring a number of these pieces at Joe’s Pub. After that show, he decided there should be an album created of this unique material. “Whether or not you’re a banjo player, if you play bluegrass, you’re influenced by Earl. So it was easy to get world-class players on board,” says Trischka.

    Names like Stuart Duncan, Ronnie McCoury, and Darol Anger are featured in the album notes, next to those of Molly Tuttle, Brittany Haas, Dominick Leslie, and Bronwyn Keith-Hynes. Trischka just shared “Brown’s Ferry Blues,” the opening track of Earl Jam, and the only tune on the album to feature another banjo player: Bela Fleck. This song, produced by Fleck at Parlor Studios in Nashville, not only gets two banjo breaks, but the steady bass thump of Mark Schatz, Sam Bush’s legendary mandolin chop, show-stopper Michael Cleveland on fiddle, and Billy Strings, on lead vocals and guitar.

    This song was written by Alton and Rabon Delmore and recorded by them in 1933. I heard Earl play it backstage at a show in Missouri in 2010. He had his banjo tuned to double C— that’s g, C, D, C, D—and as far as I know, he’d never used this tuning on a studio or live recording. In the various jams with John Hartford that inspired this album, however, he always played it in standard G tuning, which is the setting you’ll hear here.

    Tony Trischka.

    Trischka’s 75th birthday will be celebrated in the company of an all-star list of friends, including Michael Cleveland, Michael Daves, Jared Engel, Jacob Jolliff, Kenny Kosek, Steve Martin, Bruce Molsky, Joyce Carol Oates, Noam Pikelny, Sean Trischka, Abigail Washburn, Danny Weiss, and more at City Winery in New York City. While the show is sold out, a link to sign up for the waiting list and more information can be found here. 

    For more information about Tony Trischka, visit here.

  • Hardy Announces “QUIT!! Tour” Stopping at SPAC and Darien Lake in June

    The Big Loud Rock Heavy-hitter Hardy announced his ‘QUIT!!’ tour that will kick off in May with shows in Saratoga Springs and Darien Center this summer.

    hardy tour

    The Philadelphia-born singer HARDY will kick off his tour on May.30 which will make a stop at the Broadview Stage at SPAC on June 7, and the Darien Lake Amphitheater on June 8. The singer/songwriter’s upcoming tour will also feature Nashville-based Multi-Platinum country singer Kip Moore, Mercury Nashville recording artist Travis Denning, and a maverick country music based in Alabama, Ella Langley.

    This will mark as a return for the artist as Hardy soared to new heights in 2023 with the release of critically acclaimed half-country, half-rock sophomore album the mockingbird & THE CROW, adding to nearly four billion career streams and a “the mockingbird & THE CROW” Tour that ended last year.

    Tickets for the ‘Quit!!’ tour go on sale on Friday, January 19 at 10 a.m., with select fan pre-sales starting on Tuesday, January 16. Buy tickets here.

    HARDY SUMMER 2024 ‘QUIT!!’ TOUR
    May 30 – Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP *◎
    May 31 – St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre *◎
    June 1 – Noblesville, IN. – Ruoff Music Center *◎
    June 6 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage *◎
    June 7 – Saratoga Springs, NY. – Broadview Stage at SPAC *◎
    June 8 – Buffalo, NY – Darien Lake Amphitheater *
    June 14 – Charlotte, NC. – PNC Music Pavilion *✭
    June 15 – Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park *✭
    June 20 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center *✭
    June 21 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center *✭
    June 22 – Gilford, NH – BankNH Pavilion *✭
    June 27 – Camden, NJ – Freedom Mortgage Pavilion *✭
    June 28 – Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live *✭
    July 25 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center *
    July 27 – Tinley Park, IL – Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre *
    * Travis Denning
    ✭ Ella Langley
    ◎ Stephen Wilson Jr.

    https://youtu.be/GHioHe3wUxA?si=Z2jfcfiy6iubA9MO

  • Greensky Bluegrass Add Dates To Extensive US Winter Tour

    Greensky Bluegrass, the Michigan-based bluegrass quintet, added additional dates for their upcoming 2024 Winter Tour. In addition to their extensive legs in November and December, the group will make their way across the country with stops in Huntington and Buffalo.

    Greensky Bluegrass

    The tour’s first leg will begin November 1 in Stateline, NV, and run through November 18 in New Orleans, LA. The group will make their way down to Mexico for the Strings & Sol festival in Puerto Morelos, followed by a series of hometown Michigan shows in Saginaw, Detroit, and Kalamazoo. Finally, they will make their way across the eastern half of the country with dates in Boston, Atlanta, Chicago, DC, and New York’s own Huntington and Buffalo.

    Greensky Bluegrass Upcoming Tour

    Greensky Bluegrass, known for their extensive touring schedules, formed in 2000 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Their newest singles, “Congratulations and Condolences” and “Get Out,” came following their newest live recording, Courage for the Road: Fall 2021 (Live). 

    Tickets for the November 1-December 31 shows are now on sale. Tickets for the January 11-March 9 shows go on sale November 3 at 10AM EDT.

    Presale tickets are available now and are allotted through a request system. Fans can submit a request for a chance to be selected for tickets to see Greensky Bluegrass. The request period will close on November 1 at 5PM EDT. 

    GREENSKY BLUEGRASS 2023-24 TOUR

    Nov 01 – Harrah’s Lake Tahoe – Stateline, NV

    Nov 02 – Fox Theater – Oakland, CA*

    Nov 03 – The Sound at Del Mar – Del Mar, CA*

    Nov 04 – The Bellwether – Los Angeles, CA*

    Nov 07 – Tower Theatre – Oklahoma City, OK^

    Nov 09 – The Heights Theater – Houston, TX^

    Nov 10 – Austin City Limits Live at The Moody Theater – Austin, TX^

    Nov 11 – Ferris Wheelers Backyard & BBQ – Dallas, TX^

    Nov 12 – The Espee – San Antonio, TX^

    Nov 15 – JJ’s Live – Fayetteville, AR^

    Nov 16 – Minglewood Hall – Memphis, TN^

    Nov 17 – Sanger Theater – Hattiesburg, MS^

    Nov 18 – The Joy Theater – New Orleans, LA^

    Dec 06-10 – Strings & Sol – Puerto Morelos, Mexico

    Dec 28 – Temple Theatre – Saginaw, MI

    Dec 29 – The Fillmore – Detroit, MI

    Dec 30 – Kalamazoo State Theatre – Kalamazoo, MI

    Dec 31 – Kalamazoo State Theatre – Kalamazoo, MI

    GREENSKY BLUEGRASS ON TOUR

    Jan 11 @ Florida Theatre | Jacksonville, FL 

    Jan 12 @ Miami Beach Bandshell | Miami Beach, FL

    Jan 13 @ Jannus Live | St. Petersburg, FL

    Jan 14 @ House of Blues | Orlando, FL

    Jan 17 @ Charleston Music Hall | Charleston, SC*

    Jan 18 @ The Ritz | Raleigh, NC*

    Jan 19 @ The Fillmore | Charlotte, NC* 

    Jan 20 @ The Eastern | Atlanta, GA* 

    Feb 1 @ College Street Music Hall | New Haven, CT^

    Feb 2 @ MGM Music Hall at Fenway | Boston, MA^

    Feb 3 @ The Fillmore | Philadelphia, PA^

    Feb 4 @ The Paramount | Huntington, NY^

    Feb 7 @ Town Ballroom | Buffalo, NY^

    Feb 8 @ Stage AE | Pittsburgh, PA^

    Feb 9 @ The Anthem | Washington, DC#

    Feb 10 @ The Anthem | Washington, DC^

    Feb 29 @ Val Air Ballroom | West Des Moines, IA%

    Mar 1 @ Palace Theatre | St. Paul, MN%

    Mar 2 @ The Salt Shed | Chicago, IL%

    Mar 3 @ The Sylvee | Madison, WI%

    Mar 6 @ KEMBA Live! | Columbus, OH@

    Mar 7 @ Old Forester’s Paristown Hall | Louisville, KY@

    Mar 8 @ The Ryman Auditorium | Nashville, TN@

    Mar 9 @ The Ryman Auditorium | Nashville, TN@

    May 23-26 @ DelFest | Cumberland, MD

    May 24-26 @ Dark Star Jubilee | Thornville, OH

    July 4-7 @ High Sierra Music Festival | Quincy, CA

    *Duane Betts & Palmetto Motel

    ^Melt

    #Molly Tuttle (solo) 

    %The High Hawks

    @Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country

  • Dirty Blanket Celebrates New Year’s Eve at Three Heads Brewing in Rochester

    With Billy Strings tearing up stadiums, bluegrass is undeniably experiencing a renaissance.  And there are few bluegrass bands in New York right now on a hotter streak than Dirty Blanket.  The Canandaigua-based act sold out their fifth-straight concert on New Years Eve, ringing in 2024 with a rowdy crowd at Three Heads Brewing in Rochester.

    The band’s seamless blend of traditional and contemporary bluegrass, coupled with high-energy picking, had the audience jumping and shouting. The intimate venue provided the perfect setting for their energy, creating an unforgettable night of music and celebration.

    Dirty Blanket is a five-piece consisting of Joel Fedkiw on banjo, Max Flansburg on lead guitar, Richie Colf on mandolin, Kevin O’Leary on guitar and Benny Bleu Haravitch on the upright bass.  The band has been selling out shows all over the state and Flansburg just finished a weekend picking with the nationally-renowned Sam Grisman Project (not for the last time). 

    On New Years the impeccable musicianship was on full display, with each member contributing to the rich tapestry of sound that defines Dirty Blanket’s signature style.  A lot of bluegrass bands have the instrumentals down but what sets Dirty Blanket apart from the pack is their vocal harmonization. The singing just sounds great.  And the instrumentation is there – the synergy between the banjo, guitar, bass, and mandolin was nothing short of magic. Whether it was the lightning-fast fingerpicking or the soulful strains of the bass, every note resonated with precision and passion, captivating the audience.

    The band started off the first set with a driving rendition of the Hot Rize song “Hard-Pressed,” before turning to crowd-favorite originals like “My Getaway,” and “Hobo Jones.”  The first set also saw covers of Bob Dylan’s “It’s All Over Now Baby Blue,” and “Jack-A-Roe” by the Grateful Dead before ending with the original “Better Days.”

    Set Two started with “New Disease,” and featured ten songs including covers of “On and On” by Bill Monroe and “The Shape I’m in by The Band.  As the clock struck midnight and the calendar turned to 2024, the venue erupted in cheers and applause. To add a festive touch to the celebration, balloons cascaded from the ceiling, creating a visually stunning moment that complemented the wild atmosphere. Dirty Blanket seamlessly transitioned into a lively rendition of “Auld Lang Syne,” inviting the crowd to sing along and embrace the camaraderie of the New Year.  The band swapped instruments to showcase Benny Bleu’s old time banjo playing for the first two songs of the encore before ending the night with a version of “Burning Love” by Elvis and sending the crowd home happy.

    Three Heads Brewing provided the ideal backdrop for Dirty Blanket’s New Year’s Eve celebration. The rustic charm of the brewery, coupled with the intimate setting, created an environment where the music could take center stage. The great sound handled by engineer Hakeem Dodley enhanced the crispness of the instruments, allowing the audience to fully appreciate the nuances of Dirty Blanket’s performance.  Everybody had a great time celebrating the new year, and this band gave just one more example of why if they play near you, you need to get a ticket.