Re: Alice Gerrard, Brad Leftwich and Tom Sauber House Concert
Hi Steve, Subject: Alice Gerrard, Brad Leftwich and Tom Sauber House Concert I don't know who any of these people are. They must be losers. If you ever book someone kewl like the Goo Goo Dolls (they ROCK!!) or Megadeth it would be cooler than these old fogeys. Let me know when this happens. Your best friend, Dave *** Dave Purcell, [EMAIL PROTECTED] Northern Ky Roots Music: http://w3.one.net/~newport Twangfest: http://www.twangfest.com
Re: house concert
Dave said: I don't know who any of these people are. They must be losers. If you ever book someone kewl like the Goo Goo Dolls (they ROCK!!) or Megadeth it would be cooler than these old fogeys. Let me know when this happens. I'm trying to get in on that newly announced tour with Ted Nugent, Slaughter, Quiet Riot and Night Ranger. I'm also going to try to coax a Damn Yankees reunion into that show. What a bonus that'd be. YOU AM I is better than Oasis AND Men at Work! steve -- == Steve Gardner * Sugar Hill Records Radio Promotion [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.sugarhillrecords.com WXDU "Topsoil" * A Century of Country Music [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.topsoil.net ==
Alice Gerrard, Brad Leftwich and Tom Sauber House Concert
Hi everyone, The reservations for the Tom, Brad and Alice house concert go on sale at 8am on Tuesday the 20th (that's today for most of you getting this email in the morning). These shows have been selling out in less than *two* hours, so if you want to go you'll need to respond as soon after 8am as you can. Please do not email me before 8am, or your reservation will not count. Here's the info if you missed it the first time: Who: Tom, Brad and Alice When: 5/8/99 8pm Where: Pine Hill Farm (see http://www.topsoil.net/pinehill.htm for directions) How much: $10 each I'll email you letting you know where you got a space on the reservation list or not. You must have an advanced reservation to attend. more info: Alice Gerrard, Brad Leftwich and Tom Sauber - Oldtime Music Trio at Pine Hill Farm. Reservations on Sale 4/20 at 8am for $10 each. Here I have three of my favorite artists who play oldtime music. They have a CD out now on Copper Creek which I've been playing on my show since last summer. Check out the second half of this webpage http://milesofmusic.com/bluegrass3.html from Miles of Music to find out more about this group. If you don't know, or don't remember how these things work, let me refresh your memory. I ask a band to play in a friend's living room. The room holds about 70 people. There is no sound system and so the band plays acoustic. We do two sets, with an intermission where you can meet the artist, or just get something to eat or drink. The shows start at 8pm and end by 11pm. There's no smoking, everyone hoots and hollers, and everyone (including the artist(s)) go home happy. See www.topsoil.net for even more info. Listen to Topsoil to hear more from these and other twangy artists. Cheers. Steve -- Steve Gardner - Topsoil: A Century of Twang - Sun. 12-3pm WXDU 88.7FM Durham NC and on the Net at www.wxdu.duke.edu * [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.topsoil.net *
House Concert clarification
I realise from the number of emails I got today that I wasn't clear on my last email announcing the house concerts. Sorry. Let me try again. I was just letting you know about some shows that will be coming up at Pine Hill Farm. The tickets are *not yet* on sale. In the email I told you the days the tickets would be on sale. Perhaps, I buried it in too much other information. So, to get tickets email me on that day, not now. If you emailed me and asked to reserve a ticket, please email again with the shows go on sale. I'm going to disregard those emails. Sorry about all that. Cheers. Steve -- Steve Gardner - Topsoil: A Century of Twang - Sun. 12-3pm WXDU 88.7FM Durham NC and on the Net at www.wxdu.duke.edu * [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.topsoil.net *
Pine Hill Farm House Concert Announcements
Hi everyone! Here is a list of the upcoming shows to Pine Hill Farm and the dates that you can start reserving spots. Remember that these shows have been selling out in about two hours, and I'm suspecting that these two will go even faster (judging from the amount of email I've received about them.) So, once again, please don't try to reserve tickets before the date and time listed. And in order to hear about these things immediately send me and email and get on my mailing list. If you aren't on my list I won't be able to notify you if there are any last minute changes. Oh, and thanks for coming to these and making them such a success! My website has more indepth information about these shows if you are curious. See www.topsoil.net. Upcoming Pine Hill Farm House Concerts: *5/8/99 - Alice Gerrard, Brad Leftwich and Tom Sauber - Oldtime Music Trio at Pine Hill Farm. Tickets on Sale 4/13 at 8am for $10 each. Here I have three of my favorite artists who play oldtime music. They have a CD out now on Copper Creek which I've been playing on my show since last summer. Check out the second half of this webpage http://milesofmusic.com/bluegrass3.html from Miles of Music to find out more about this group. *6/18/99 - Fred Eaglesmith at Pine Hill Farm (alt.country). Tickets on sale 6/2 at 8am for $10 each. Just so ya know, Fred will be bringing his band. Don't miss this opportunity to see one of Americana's best artists. Check out this homepage for information on Fred: http://www.panix.com/~tneff/eaglesmith/ If you don't know, or don't remember how these things work, let me refresh your memory. I ask a band to play in a friend's living room. The room holds about 70 people. There is no sound system and so the band plays acoustic. We do two sets, with an intermission where you can meet the artist, or just get something to eat or drink. The shows start at 8pm and end by 11pm. There's no smoking, everyone hoots and hollers, and everyone (including the artist(s)) go home happy. Email me to get on my mailing list. When I announce the show, email me back (quickly!) and I'll put your name on a list that will be at the door. No physical tickets are mailed. I'll tell you more about the money part when I email you the confirmation that you got in. Listen to Topsoil to hear more from these and other twangy artists. Cheers. Steve -- Steve Gardner - Topsoil: A Century of Twang - Sun. 12-3pm WXDU 88.7FM Durham NC and on the Net at www.wxdu.duke.edu * [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.topsoil.net *
3/6 Greg Trooper House Concert Now On Sale
WXDU's radio show, Topsoil, is presenting another intimate house concert at Pine Hill Farm in Durham with country singer-songwriter and Koch recording artist, Greg Trooper on Saturday, March 6 at 8pm. These concerts are organized so that we all chip in to pay the artist for the performance. We will be asking for a donation of $10 per person and you can save a spot in advance by writing Steve Gardner at [EMAIL PROTECTED], or by calling 919-304-2693. I will then let you know how to complete the reservation. This concert will probably sell out in a matter of hours, not days. The emails will be time-marked and I will offer the spots on a first-come first-serve basis. Reservations are NOW on sale for this show. == Part One: Who is Greg Trooper? Part Two: What is Pine Hill Farm? Part Three: Where is Pine Hill Farm? Part Four: What is Topsoil? == Part One: Who is Greg Trooper? First a personal note. Greg Trooper's latest CD "Popular Demons" was my #3 CD of the year last year, and that was with very tough competition. The sheer power of this CD, and my love for the songs on it, plus some encouragement from a friend at work, caused me to seek Greg out. Luckily I called just as he was planning a tour through the area. I know this is short notice, but really, you've got to go to this show. I saw Greg recently in Lake Tahoe, CA and he was awesome. If you liked the country singer-songwriters I've had in the past like Slaid Cleaves, Kevin Gordon and Robbie Fulks you'll definitely want to get a spot at this show. And now a short overview taken from the official Greg Trooper website: http://earth.vol.com/~jessi11/index.htm His first three albums, We Won't Dance, Everywhere, and Noises In The Hallway (produced by E-Street Band member Garry Tallent) intrigued such artists as Steve Earle, Vince Gill, and Billy Bragg, all of whom have covered Trooper's songs. Touring extensively with performers such as Joe Ely and Roseanne Cash,Trooper also established a reputation as an exuberant performer whose wit and vigor charmed audiences across the country and throughout Europe. Trooper has built a strong following with fans and other musicians. when it came time to record Popular Demons, Trooper tapped his old friend, alt-country mainstay Buddy Miller to produce. "He's my secret weapon," Trooper says, "not only are his aesthetics in line with mine, he's also a great guy." Trooper mentions Miller's focus, which may explain the overall feel of economy on the record: every guitar riff, every drum fill serves a purpose. Silence is an important part of the aural landscape and each instrument has room to breathe. Recorded at Miller's Dogtown Studio, Popular Demons is a record Greg Trooper always knew he had in him: "the treatment and the elements are something I've always wanted to do, I had no inhibitions - and nobody breathing down my neck asking ,"Who's going to buy this album?" In addition to the core of Trooper's band- guitarist Duane Jarvis, drummer Rick Schell, and bassist Greg Shirley-Popular Demons features appearances by Tammy Rogers on violin, al Perkins on dobro, and Emmylou Harris and Julie Miller on background vocals. Miller contributed lots of guitar work and some backing vocals himself, Steve Earle joins Trooper for a duet on the bonus track, a cover of Dylan's " I'll Keep It With Mine." Part Two: What is Pine Hill Farm? Pine Hill Farm is the name of a ranch house in Durham a few miles north of Chapel Hill. (directions below) I started up these house concerts with one of the members of that household, Bill Tolbert. Together we try to bring the music that we want to see to town. Pine Hill Farm presents shows in a totally acoustic setting, meaning no amplification. The shows are held in the living room and the acoustics are wonderful. There is no better way to see a show. Part Three: Where is Pine Hill Farm? Directions: To get to Pine Hill Farm, take Exit 266 from I-40 onto 86N (a.k.a. Airport Rd). Go right on Mt. Sinai Rd. and after 2.5 miles, take a left onto Murphy School Rd. The house is down the second driveway on the right - park on Murphy School Rd. past the driveway and enjoy. Part Four: What is Topsoil? Topsoil is my radio show on every Sunday from noon to 3pm on WXDU, 88.7FM. I play a century of twang. For more information on the show or my house concerts check out my website, www.topsoil.net. Cheers!! Steve -- Steve Gardner - Topsoil: A Century of Twang - Sun. 12-3pm WXDU 88.7FM Durham NC and on the Net at www.wxdu.duke.edu * [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.topsoil.net *
Greg Trooper House Concert Sold Out
The Greg Trooper house concert sold out in about three hours. Sorry if you didn't get a ticket. If you'd like on or off my mailing list let me know. If I already emailed and said you were "in", ignore this email. If you'd like on my waiting list also let me know. Cheers. Steve -- Steve Gardner - Topsoil: A Century of Twang - Sun. 12-3pm WXDU 88.7FM Durham NC and on the Net at www.wxdu.duke.edu * [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.topsoil.net *
January '99 Topsoil Playlist Plus House Concert Info
I never sent out a playlist last month due to the holidays, so this one is compiled from the previous two months on Topsoil. If you want off this list, let me know. The sold out Alejandro Escovedo house concert happens this Wednesday (2/3) at 8pm. Stay tuned because I will be putting the tickets for the Saturday March 6 Greg Trooper house concert on sale on Monday 2/8. Please don't email asking for tickets until I send out the announcement that day. After that it will be first come, first serve. These shows have become immensely popular and I'm trying to give everyone a fair shot at tickets. Tickets will be $10, and you can find out more about Greg Trooper at http://earth.vol.com/~jessi11/index.htm. If you'd like on my house concert mailing list, let me know. Now, on to the January playlist for Topsoil. Cheers. Steve Gardner [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.topsoil.net === WXDU-Fm 88.7 Durham, NC Steve Gardner, "Topsoil" E: [EMAIL PROTECTED] January Roots Report 1. Greg Trooper - Popular Demons - Koch [This is Greg Trooper's 3rd album and it is his best yet. It's produced by Buddy Miller (aka the King Midas of music). Greg has some fine guests on here including Buddy and Julie Miller, Steve Earle, Emmylou Harris and Duane Jarvis.] 2. Paul Burch - Wire to Wire - Checkered Past [I've been following Paul for a few years now. I'm not sure if he just got better, or if it just clicked with me (probably the latter) but I really really really like this new CD. I would consider it one of the best country records of the year.] 3. Gerald Collier - Gerald Collier - Revolution [Probably my second favorite release from '98 although many of the songs don't fit into a show about twangy music. Great pop singing and songwriting from this former lead singer for the Best Kissers in the World. Everyone should have this CD in their collection.] 4. Clodhopper - Red's Recovery Room - ? [Wilco-ish alt.country. Great songs and a great sound.] 5. Hazel Dickens, Carol Elizabeth Jones and Ginny Hawker - Heart of a Singer - Rounder [The female three tenors of bluegrass.] 6. Richard Buckner - Live at Schuba's Tavern - MCA [A promo only live EP with Richard and Eric Heywood.] 7. Various - My Rough and Rowdy Ways - Yazoo [Another fine Yazoo comp. This time they mine music from the 20s and 30s that deals with raising hell.] 8. Marah - Let's Cut the Crap and Hook Up Later On Tonight - Black Dog [Ragged but right. Marah may not be for everyone, but they are certainly someone I can enjoy. The only way I can think to describe this band is by spouting out the general term alt.country. However, this stuff is pretty darn unique. Listen and see if you like it. I sure do.] 9. Pine Valley Cosmonauts - Salute the Majesty of Bob Wills - Bloodshot [This is the best Bloodshot compilation yet. There's lots of good playing and singing on this disc from the likes of Robbie Fulks, Alejandro Escovedo, Kelly Hogan, Neko Case and many others. Get it!] 10. Hank Williams - The Complete Hank Williams Box Set - Mercury [The question I get asked most often with regards to this set is "Isn't 10 CDs a little extreme? Don't you ever get sick of it?" Answer: NO. I love everything on this set which means I love pretty much everything Hank ever did. If the set was 20 CDs and it was all this quality I'd buy it too. Of course, it'd take me twice as long to save up the money. Put this on your Xmas list this year. It's much more fun than a new pair of shoes...and it'll last longer too.] 11. Lyle Lovett - Step Inside This House - Curb/MCA [A magnificent 2 CD set of Lyle's favorite songwriters. Lyle takes the lead vocal duties for Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, Steve Fromholz, Willis Alan Ramsey and others. His version of Townes' "Lungs" is probably my favorite cut on the disc, but there are lots of good ones to choose from.] 12. Rock n' Roll Summer Camp 98 - Rock n' Roll Summer Camp 98 - Black Dog [Members of Marah, Blue Mountain, the Neckbones and a few others get together for a summer retreat and walk away with an album under their belts. This CD is a ton of fun. It just goes to show what great things can happen when musicians who are friends first get together for fun and music.] 13. Alejandro Escovedo - More Miles Than Money - Bloodshot [This live record hopped back up the chart due to his appearance at Pine Hill Farm on 2/3. If you still haven't heard this CD you need toit's fabulous.] 14. JD Crowe and the New South - Come On Down to My World - Rounder [Another great bluegrass CD from JD Crowe. Once again he's put together a stellar new band.] 15. Various - Mississippi River of Song - Smithsonian Folkways [Soundtrack to the PBS miniseries documenting music along the Mississippi River.] 16. Howard Armstrong - Louie Bluie Film Soundtrack - Arhoolie [My search of stringband versions of ragtime music led me to Howard Armstron
Alejandro Escovedo House Concert SOLD OUT
Hi everyone, The Alejandro Escovedo House Concert for 2/3 is sold out. They went extremely fast. Sorry if you didn't get in. Stay tuned for more house concerts in the future. Feel free to check my webpage to see the ones that are coming that aren't on sale yet. And if anyone knows a good venue where I could get more people in, yet maintain the small unamplified setting let me know. Cheers. Steve -- == Steve Gardner * [EMAIL PROTECTED] * www.topsoil.net Topsoil - A Century of Country Music - Sundays 12-3pm WXDU 88.7FM Durham NC Upcoming House Concerts: 1/15-Joe Thompson
ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO House Concert at Pine Hill Farm on Feb 3
ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO HOUSE CONCERT AT PINE HILL FARM ON WEDNESDAY FEB 3 AT 8PM WXDU's country radio show, Topsoil, is presenting another intimate house concert at Pine Hill Farm in Durham with country singer-songwriter and Bloodshot recording artist, Alejandro Escovedo on WEDNESDAY, February 3 at 8pm. Yes, THE Alejandro Escovedo. (If you don't know him, read below.) I'm *very* excited. Alejandro will probably be performing with a small acoustic group of just a fiddle, and possibly another guitar or a cello. That's still up in the air at this point. Tickets are now on sale. Email me quickly if you'd like to reserve a space. I usually don't do house concerts on Wednesday, but this one was just too special to pass up. The show will be out by 11:00pm at the latest, as usual, and will consist of two sets with a brief intermission to meet and greet. These concerts are organized so that we all chip in to pay the artist for the performance. We will be asking for a donation of $10 per person and you can save a spot in advance by writing Steve Gardner at [EMAIL PROTECTED], or by calling 919-304-2693. Note that the last two house concerts have sold out in a matter of a day or two, so you should respond as soon as possible if you'd like a seat. Considering the artist we are dealing with here I believe this show will sell out amazingly fast. I also have a website at http://www.topsoil.net/ that will give you information on my radio show and upcoming house concerts. ** Who is Alejandro Escovedo? Alejandro Escovedo is a lot of things rolled into one. His musical life has spanned from loud punk to a quiet acoustic intensity. Unlike many musicians though, this was not a linear transformation from loud at the beginning of his career to quiet at the end. Rather, Alejandro's strength is that he has always retained the best of any given moment of his life and continued to roll it back into his works, with amazing results. It would not be unusual for him to cover the Stooges classic punk blast of "I Wanna Be Your Dog" in a live show, and then on the next night (or possibly on the same night) play a mournful original song such as his "Last to Know" backed by cello and acoustic guitar. His diversity combined with his amazing writing, performance and energy (whether it be a "loud" song or a "quiet" one) is what made the leading alternative country magazine No Depression bestow upon him the controversial honor of "Artist of the Decade." His show at Pine Hill Farm will concentrate on the acoustic side of his material in the usual non-amplified, smoke free, setting of a living room. It is extremely rare that Alejandro will perform in this fashion for anyone in North Carolina. In fact, it may be his first. I'm happy as a politician in the arms of a page to be able to present this show to the area. Following is Alejandro Escovedo's bio in the All Music Guide at http://allmusic.com. Alejandro Escovedo's family tree includes former Santana percussionist Pete Escovedo and Pete's daughter, Sheila E (also Prince's former drummer and later a pop star). He began his music career with the Nuns, a mid-'70s punk band based in San Francisco. He co-founded the cowpunk band Rank and File in 1979, which moved to Austin, TX, in 1981 after a stint in New York City. The band released Sundown on Slash Records; shortly after, Escovedo left to form the True Believers with brother Javier. The band recorded two albums for EMI (the second was never released, a fact that eventually caused the band to break up in 1988) and toured the country, often as an opening act for Los Lobos. Escovedo released a solo album in 1992 on Watermelon Records, Gravity, uniting his wide variety of styles; the album was produced by Stephen Bruton of Bonnie Raitt's band. After 1996's With These Hands, he also began recording with the group Buick MacKane. -- John Bush, All-Music Guide Note: Since that review was written Alejandro released a record on Bloodshot Records that was a compilation of some of his live material from the mid 90s. This record "More Miles Than Money: Live 1994-1996" made my list of the top 20 records of the year. ** What and where is Pine Hill Farm? Pine Hill Farm is the name of a ranch house in Durham a few miles north of Chapel Hill. (directions below) I started up these house concerts with one of the members of that household, Bill Tolbert. Together we try to bring the music that we want to see to town. Pine Hill Farm presents shows in a totally acoustic setting, meaning no amplification. The shows are held in the living room and the acoustics are wonderful. There is no better way to see a show. Directions: To get to Pine Hill Farm, take Exit 266 from I-40 onto 86N (a.k.a. Airport Rd). Go right on Mt. Sinai Rd. and after 2.5 miles, take a left onto Murphy School Rd. The house is down the second driveway on the right - park on Murphy School Rd. past the driv
