Rail Critters

join us for the FIRST Rail on the Road at Steinbaugh Pavilion in Louisville (the Louisville Street Faire Stage)

get directions here. 

Friday September 30, 2011!

Potluck 5ish

music 7ish.

Suggested donation – $10.

Potluck, free spaghetti while it lasts, BYOB

just like always but in a 100% inclusive community space!

Dust off your dancing shoes, real country music has returned. Bonnie & the Clydes bring a brand of swingin’ music that makes it nearly impossible to sit still. In a world overrun by alt and pop country, they conjure up the sounds of the genre’s legends. Led by Bonnie Sims, Bonnie & the Clydes feature soulful vocals, dynamic fiddle and guitar solos, and a solid country swing groove.

Bonnie Sims sings the only way she knows how, full throttle and without regret. The combination creates a wild freedom that few performers possess. Bonnie started performing at a young age and has loved being on stage since then. At twelve, Bonnie picked up the guitar and began performing with her father, Mike Cruciger, all over Texas. She’s played venues such as Silver Dollar City (Branson, MO), Six Flags Over Texas, and was included on the Texas Commission on The Arts Touring Artists Rooster for the 2005-2007 season. Most recently Bonnie performed with KC Groves & the Blue Maddies at Rockygrass (2009), Fox Theatre, Boulder Theatre, Wildflower Pavillion and other local venues.

Bonnie’s powerful singing and fiery personality are the driving force behind Bonnie & the Clydes. The authenticity of her voice lends itself to old time favorites, but her youthful take on them make the songs anything but dated. She breathes new life into old tunes and is so genuine, you can’t help but believe her.

The band Bonnie & the Clydes was a long time coming.After a pickup gig with guitar player Aaron McCloskey (Steve Smith and Hard Road), that dream became a reality. Mixing old honky-tonk with a little Texas swing and a splash of blues, Bonnie & the Clydes deliver an authentic country music experience. Joined by Christie Schneider on the fiddle, Michael Schenkelberg on bass, and Jason Pawlina (Honky-Tonk All Stars) on drums, they create a sound that you won’t soon forget.

(THIS EVENT IS OVER, FROM 2010)

potluck 6:30ish, music 8:30ish.

rsvp required.

email info@coloradograss.org if you’d like to be invited for the first time.

Invitations have been sent, and seats are filling up! There are a few left but don’t wait! We will post it as sold out on this page when the time comes.

Wild Earl is an overnight success thirteen years in the making.

The musical, vocal duo of K.C. Groves and Betse Ellis met at a late-night old-time jam in West Virginia in 1998.

In 2010, they shared a stage at Oskar Blues in Lyons, Colorado where their audience happily sang and danced to the “traditional” sound of a brand-new band.

In between these musical meetings, K.C. and Betse founded Uncle Earl and The Wilders, two of the New Acoustic music scene’s most successful bands. Both bands continue to tour internationally. But there’s something about a duet that makes Wild Earl irresistible to both its busy members.

“You can really hear a fiddle melody when it’s accompanied by a guitar or a mandolin,” Betse says.

“We’re both fans of old-time duets,” says K.C. “Two voices singing together actually opens up more possibilities than traditional three-part harmonies.”

These technical elements, combined with the duo’s personal excitement to be playing together at last – makes a Wild Earl unique for artists and audience alike.

“Betse is a fireball,” says K.C. “She plays with the joy and spirit of someone who just discovered this music – and the tonality and precision of someone who’s been playing her whole life.”

“When K.C. and I first played together, I thought: ‘This is a dream collaboration,’” says Betse. “Her instrumental style is so spot-on and spontaneous. Her vocal style is so natural, yet precise.

“We’re thrilled to be touring. Actually, it’s a double-thrill. It’s so satisfying to play neo-traditional music for folks who love it already – and it’s really exciting to introduce new audiences to old-time music as well.”

Wild Earl’s set list combines originals and traditional songs. K.C. and Betse sing lead and vocal harmonies. K.C. plays mandolin, guitar and ukulele. Betse plays fiddle and tenor guitar.

Tim Eriksen is “widely regarded as the best traditional American ballad singer of his generation” (BBC Radio). He combines hair-raising vocals with savvy arrangements for fiddle, banjo, guitar and bajo sexto, transforming American tradition with a “northern roots” Americana sound that embraces old New England murder ballads, shape-note gospel and haunted originals alongside Southern Appalachian and Irish songs. His new solo CD Soul of the January Hills (Appleseed 2010) is hardcore Americana at its most elemental.

Considered “among the world’s finest folk practitioners” (Toronto Star) for his expertise in traditional song, Tim is also known for his own compositions that have been included in films like the Billy Bob Thornton vehicle Chrystal and the upcoming feature documentary Behold the Earth. Eriksen’s other notable work has included extensive contributions to Anthony Minghella’s 2004 Oscar-winning film Cold Mountain as well as collaborations ranging from hardcore punk to symphony orchestra and the 2010 Grammy-nominated album Across the Divide with Afro-Cuban jazz pianist Omar Sosa.

The former frontman of the prophetic groups Cordelia’s Dad (“folk-noise”), Northampton Harmony (shape-note quartet) and Zabe i Babe (Bosnian folk and pop), Tim Eriksen is the only musician to have shared the stage with both Kurt Cobain and Doc Watson, and his media appearances have ranged from the Prairie Home Companion to the Academy Awards. Having graduated from early shows at punk mecca CBGB, Tim’s recent performances have included his Carnegie Hall debut as a soloist in Evan Chambers’ symphonic work The Old Burying Ground (Dorian 2010) and shows at the Blue Note Jazz Club with Omar Sosa. In the studio, he has worked with producers including Joe Boyd, T-Bone Burnett and Steve Albini.

May 15, 2010

Honey Don’t Returns!

potluck 6:30ish, music 8:30ish.

rsvp required.

email info@coloradograss.org if you’d like to be invited.

Audiences may recognize the core of Honey Don’t –Bill Powers and Shelley Gray as one-half of Colorado favorites Sweet Sunny South. Like SSS, Honey Don’t is an acoustic quartet that plays music inspired by and tied to the roots of traditional bluegrass and old time, but stretches the limits of those genres. The overall sound revolves around Bill’s songs, Bill and Shelley’s vocals and the exceptional instrumental talents of Greg Schochet on mandolin (Expedition Quartet, Halden Wofford and the Hi Beams) and Ryan Drickey on Fiddle (Expedition Quartet). Shelley handles the bass and Bill plays guitar, mandolin and some banjo. Honey Don’t has just recorded a full-length debut CD that will be available in May. The disc is packed with everything from rock and roll, swing, folk, bluegrass, and old time, to classic country all done the Honey Don’t way. If you’ve enjoyed Sweet Sunny South over the years you are sure to enjoy this fine new off-shoot.

don’t know the deal? introduce yourself! info@coloradograss.org

.

Join us for a Summers End Rail Party with

Town Mountain!

Saturday August 22nd – Potluck at 6:30 pm, music around 8:30/9:00

TO RSVP:
This is a private event. You must be invited and RSVP in order to attend. Email info@coloradograss.org for more information/to be invited. If you’ve never been before, be sure to introduce yourself. Tell us who you are with an address and a phone number & how you found us or who sent you here.

Join us for the last Rail Potluck until Fall!

Saturday May 30th – Potluck at 7pm, music around 9:00

TO RSVP:
This is a private event. You must be invited and RSVP in order to attend. Email info@coloradograss.org for more information/to be invited. If you’ve never been before, be sure to introduce yourself. Tell us who you are with an address and a phone number & how you found us or who sent you here.

Potluck Saturday May 2nd at 6:30, music around 8:30

preview of some of their new material (you really want to check this out!)
Juke Box – Ellia Jewell – 60 Years

Read a recent interview with Bill

TO RSVP:
You must be invited and RSVP in order to attend. Email info@coloradograss.org for more information/to be invited. If you’ve never been before, be sure to introduce yourself. Tell us who you are with an address and a phone number & how you found us or who sent you here.

Audiences may recognize the core of Honey Don’t –Bill Powers and Shelley Gray as one-half of Colorado favorites Sweet Sunny South. Like SSS, Honey Don’t is an acoustic quartet that plays music inspired by and tied to the roots of traditional bluegrass and old time, but stretches the limits of those genres. The overall sound revolves around Bill’s songs, Bill and Shelley’s vocals and the exceptional instrumental talents of Greg Schochet on mandolin (Expedition Quartet, Halden Wofford and the Hi Beams) and Ryan Drickey on Fiddle (The Gabrielle Louise Show, Expedition Quartet). Shelley handles the bass and Bill plays guitar, mandolin and some banjo. Honey Don’t has just recorded a full-length debut CD that will be available in May. The disc is packed with everything from rock and roll, swing, folk, bluegrass, and old time, to classic country all done the Honey Don’t way. If you’ve enjoyed Sweet Sunny South over the years you are sure to enjoy this fine new off-shoot.

Bill Powers – Guitar

As the main songwriter in the group, Bill draws from his Mississippi upbringing.  Although he grew up around a variety of music, he didn’t start playing the guitar until college.  He was originally inspired by Jerry Garcia and playing Grateful Dead songs with his friends at UT, Austin.  After moving to Colorado, music became a bigger part of Bill’s life and resulted in a variety of bands including rock-n-roll, world-beat and finally, bluegrass.  It was around this time that Bill picked up a mandolin and Sweet Sunny South was born.  Bill’s unique style of songwriting helped shape the band and the addition of his plectrum banjo adds to the bands unique sound. 2009 finds Bill busy with yet more musical projects.  His prolific songwriting has spurred him to start up “Honey Don’t” Bill teams up with his wife, Shelley (Gray) and other great Colorado musicians to perform as an acoustic duo, trio or quartet.

Shelley Gray – Bass

With tap dancing as her main musical background, and only a few months of bass playing under her belt, Shelley was invited to join Sweet Sunny South in 2003.  Born in Minnesota, she grew up dancing and listening to Latin Jazz and the loungy sounds of Antonio Carlos Jobim, Henri Mancini and Sergio Mendez.  It wasn’t until she moved to Colorado in 1994 that she was introduced to bluegrass music and was instantly attracted to the bass.  Partners together for 15 years, Shelley & Bill (Powers) also have two sons, Jobim & Rowan.  Most recently this musical team has been putting their talents together on a variety of projects ranging from performing as an acoustic duo, recording jingles for businesses, bringing music to kids in schools and starting up an electrified country inspired rock band.

Greg Schochet – Mandolin and Guitar

Greg Schochet is an integral part of Colorado’s thriving music community, in demand as a performer, producer and teacher. Equally adept on guitar and mandolin, Greg is fluent in a number of acoustic and electric styles, including bluegrass, swing, country, folk, blues, and more. Since the fall of 2003, Greg has been the full-time lead guitarist and mandolin player for the Hi-Beams, one of Denver’s most acclaimed honky-tonk and western swing bands. From raucous Bob Wills swing to Telecaster driven Merle Haggard and Johnny Cash, as well as many unique originals, the Hi-Beams are an ideal showcase for Greg’s talents. They make appearances throughout Colorado and the Rocky Mountain West, and are currently at work on their second CD of original music.

Ryan Drickey – Fiddle

Ryan is a versatile and accomplished musician living in beautiful Boulder, CO. Rooted in the rich violin tradition, he currently spends his time performing, studying and teaching both violin and fiddle, as well as singing and playing cello. Ryan has a master’s degree in violin from the University of Colorado at Boulder, and recently won the fiddle contest at Rockygrass bluegrass festival. At home in a wide spectrum of genres, he has performed professionally with the Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra, Boulder Acoustic Society, Jayme Stone, Grant Gordy, The Tango Camerata, Slipstream, Opera Colorado, The Denver Philharmonic, Strings of Tao, and in many other settings. He is presently playing and singing with the Expedition Quartet, the Steamboat Springs Orchestra, and various other enembles.

Jeff and Vida Band with Greg Schochet and Jake Schepps &
the Expedition Quartet  – Saturday April 11

listen to Jeff and Vida at the Rail

Vida’s powerful vocals and driving 1942 Gibson J-45 guitar with Jeff’s rock-n-roll approach to mandolin and guitar gets crowds feet stomping, and “is about as perfect a combination as you’re likely to find.”  Performing original songs spanning from Appalachian bluegrass to alternative country, New Orleans’s well-known acoustic roots act Jeff & Vida have recently relocated to Nashville. After three studio recordings and years of rigorous touring nationally and internationally, Jeff & Vida have found a creative musical setting with their newest band.  Jeff and Vida’s past performances include the Ryman Auditorium, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and the Johnny Keenan Banjo Festival in Ireland, and they were featured in a New York Times article titled Nashville’s Band of Outsiders in September 2007.

Listen to Expedition at the Rail

While rooted in the stringband tradition, the Expedition Quartet is not bound by any one tradition. Their set is as likely to include bluegrass stomps, traditional fiddle tunes and swing standards, as an Argentine tango, Brazilian choro, or an original modern stringband composition. The Expedition Quartet didn’t form like an ordinary group, and it follows that their music is far from ordinary. In 2006, after hearing banjoist Jake Schepps’ solo CD, the Durango Bluegrass Meltdown insisted Jake put together a band to perform. Seizing the opportunity to showcase Jake’s unique vision of adventurous stringband music, he recruited some of the most accomplished acoustic musicians from Colorado’s thriving acoustic music scene. Despite being the most adventurous group at a fairly traditional festival, The Expedition Quartet’s sets were an unqualified success, and it was clear that the expedition had just begun.

In 2007, the band released the all-instrumental album Ten Thousand Leaves, which was produced by Nashville’s Matt Flinner. It was called “One of the top 10 releases of 2007” by JazzReview.com, and “Highly Recommended” by Dirty Linen. Music from the CD received an International Acoustic Music Award, in addition to being selected for Global Rhythm Magazine’s November 2007 CD Sampler.

TO RSVP:
You must be invited and RSVP in order to attend. Email info@coloradograss.org for more information/to be invited. If you’ve never been before, be sure to introduce yourself. Tell us who you are with an address and a phone number & how you found us or who sent you here.

The potluck is 6:30 and start music somewhere 8-9:00

Be sure to join us for the last potluck of the season:

May 2 – Honey Don’t – featuring Bill Powers and Shelly Gray of Sweet Sunny South along with favorites Greg Schochet and Ryan Drickey.  Bill passed along a preview of some of their new material (you really want to check this out!) *We’ll be sending invitations and accepting rsvp’s after 4/12

the Kailin Yong Peace Project on Saturday 2/28

You know him from Boulder Acoustic Society – Listen to this one – check out track 3, if not the whole show from the Little School House in Salina. You know him from Strings of TAO, and as the one who interpreted Abigale Washburn’s Chinese version of Streak O’ Lean at the Rail (BACON!) when Uncle Earl played (see #16 for Streak O’ Lean – Rock On!) and as one of the purveyors of the late night insanity at Four Corners Folk Fest (sorry, we were drinking beer, not taping – too much rain!)

swallow hill – denver, co

If you’ve never joined us before and would like to come, shoot us an email, tell us who you are and how you heard about us, and we’ll let you know the scoop.

save

…these

……dates

………too!

March 20 – Matt Flinner Trio (yes sir-ree – it sure is with Ross Martin and Eric Thorin! – Du Jour 3?)
remember this?

April 11 – Jeff and Vida Band (with Greg and Jake) and Expedition
Jeff and Vida and Expedition These folks all play well together and always do some really cool stuff. It’s a pairing that will be a ton of fun!

May 2 – Honey Don’t – featuring Bill Powers and Shelly Gray of Sweet Sunny South along with favorites Greg Schochet and Ryan Drickey.  Bill passed along a preview of some of their new material (you really want to check this out!)