Abby Hamilton
Ric Robertson
Ric Robertson is a generational songwriter, singer, and multi-instrumentalist cut from the fabric of great American music of all kinds. He has the rare ability to deliver his authentic self on stage each night, and his personality and wisdom shine through both in his songs and any music he chooses to deliver. Ric is equally at home on Piano, Guitar, Mandolin, Drums, and Bass, and his musicianship and singing transcend the confines of any specific genre – as a part of Sam Grisman Project he has spent the last year delivering unique and inspired versions of some of his favorite songs from the musical universe of Jerry Garcia and David Grisman as well as his own originals.
Royal Cab Co
Thomas Royal’s 25-year endeavor of creating experimental lo-fi pop noir, producing various EPs and albums like “The Age of the Average” in 2023, evolved into Royal Cab Co. This transformation happened in 2023 through regular music sessions with friends, leading to the establishment of a six-member band. Royal Cab Co’s music is eclectic, blending influences across genres and periods. Imagine The Heartbreakers performing Replacements tracks, Wilco abandoning Country for Yacht Rock, The Jayhawks covering The Cure, Bill Callahan and Bill Frisell, Glenn Campbell and Glenn Tipton. You get the gist. Royal Cab Co, Thomas Royal, Rhett McAllister, and Jason Blalock on guitar and vocals, Hank Royal on keys, Todd Sizer on bass, and Tony Perez on drums, amalgamates nearly a century of musical experience. These folks have amassed thousands of performances across various bands, contributing to their rich, eclectic sound. Their collaboration results in a diverse musical tapestry, characterized by its uniqueness and influences that are left of the dial, finding normalcy in the unconventional and indie side of music. Their collective journey in music spans different genres and eras, resulting in a sound that is both seasoned and exploratory. An all-new Neo Dad Rock movement is here; defiantly maximalist and nostalgic – not a genre, but a catch-all term for anything you can get away with in the car that might offend but won’t annoy the wife and kids.
Amy Martin And Bonnie & The Mere Mortals w/ Matt Elias
Originally from Harrisonburg, Virginia, Amy Martin spent the majority of her adult life in her beloved hometown. In 2021, Martin relocated to Denver, Colorado. On her latest album, “Travelin’ On”, Martin explores the breaking point between investing in a problematic, yet beloved hometown, and moving on to fully realize one’s self and one’s dreams. She was first inspired by female powerhouse singers like Martina McBride and Janis Joplin, but after finishing high school she found herself fronting a bluegrass band. For ten years the band toured regionally and built a loyal local following, and Martin’s own musical voice began merging the line between string band and soul. On her album, Martin displays compassionate confidence, born from years of developing not only a musical voice but a certain outlook on life. “I feel like every song is saying something”, she says, “And within that, there is a message that I’ve found my stride as an artist and as a person. I am sitting in the pocket of myself. I’m finding out what it is to love, and to be true to myself.” Amy Martin’s latest album is produced by Grammy Award Winning Artist, Chance McCoy.Bonnie & the Mere Mortals are a Southern Gothic outfit that sound like what would happen if Dolly Parton ever met the Cure. Their signature blend of Appalachian Americana with Synthwave and Shoegaze has brought them all around the surrounding regions with a fast growing audience of everyone from cowboys to goth rockers, from Nashville to New York. Matt Elias grew up in one of many small coal towns in southwestern Pennsylvania, helping out on his grandfather’s farm and making his own fun, which mostly meant playing the guitar and using whatever substances he could get his hands on. He has honed his craft starting at age 9: playing lead guitar and being a side man in bands ranging from rock n’ roll to death metal, from tribute bands to Americana. He currently plays guitar in both Feralcat and the Wild and Bonnie & the Mere Mortals, as well as several cover and tribute acts. He has played thousands of shows in over a dozen states, all the while preparing to step to center stage in his own way.Elias has never been a fan of celebrity, stardom, or big personalities, but the music is a different story. To Elias, the song is the hero, not the person who wrote it, and his songs have plenty to say. Elias writes songs as a conduit, stepping out of the way so the stories can take the limelight. “Soil,” Matt Elias’s upcoming first album, is the culmination of years of stories–stories of dedication, love and loss, personal battles with addiction, and life and growth in a crumbling Appalachian coal town. “Soil” drops on February 29, 2024, and we’re guaranteed more stories from a man worth listening to. Follow him on Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube, and keep an eye out for his debut tour in 2024.
Joe Kaplow
A person is made from their moments, like their music is made. I know this is a bio but I shouldn’t have to say much. Listen to the record. If I’ve done my job well, you will know me by the end. Posh, Poodle, Krystal and Toe is the third full length album from Santa Cruz based songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Joe Kaplow. Appropriately named after his bandmates’ nicknames, this record is a more cohesive ‘band’ statement than his previous self-recorded work. Most tracks were cut over a five day span, performed live at the OK Theater in Enterprise, OR with engineer Bart Budwig. They were learned and workshopped on the spot, thus capturing very honest, energetic, and ‘fly by the seat of your pants’ moments. The record was mixed underground at Vin Christopher’s studio, Heavy Meadow in Portland, Oregon. Posh, Poodle, Krystal and Toe takes Kaplow’s singularly unique, honest and raw songwriting style and propels it forward with spontaneous collaboration, undeniable rhythm, and sound imagery. The record will be released on 5.17.24 on Fluff and Gravy Records.
Max Gomez
Singer and songwriter Max Gomez grew up in Taos, New Mexico, the son of a Portuguese-Spanish father and an Irish-Scottish mother. He fell under the influence of country blues early on, and then moved to classic modern singer/songwriters like Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, and John Prine, as well as folk-based rockers like Tom Petty and Neil Young, honing his songwriting skills and developing a style that melded all of his influences but was still uniquely his. Gomez released a debut album, the Jeff Trott-produced Rule the World, on New West Records in 2013. After touring steadily following the release of his debut, Gomez paired with producer Jim Scott for the 2017 EP Me & Joe. ~ Steve Leggett, Rovi
Farewell Friend (Album Release Show) with Minor Gold
Hailing from the cornfields of Indiana and now residing in the heart of North Carolina,front man and singer/songwriter Tom Troyer’s eclectic style traverses folk, rock, andblues. Farewell Friend’s music resonates with authenticity, vulnerability, and anunwavering commitment to the power of poetic storytelling. Their sound is a delicateavalanche of sonic texture, blending recognizable and distorted folk and Americanaforms to create a truly unique musical experience.Tom’s exceptional talent extends beyond his role as a frontman and songwriter. He cuthis teeth musically by performing with The Collection and contributing multipleinstruments and vocals to the recording of their album “Ars Moriendi.” In 2018, Troyerbegan honing his music engineering skills and founded Black Rabbit Audio, a musicproduction studio in Greensboro, NC. Since then, he has produced over 18 albums,showcasing his technical expertise and ability to bring out the best in his own musicand that of other artists.Troyer’s dedication to both his craft and making a positive impact is evident in hisinvolvement with We Carry Kevan, a non-profit organization focused on raisingawareness about disabilities and promoting creative solutions for accessibility. Throughtheir travels, Troyer has personally carried Kevan Chandler, the organization’sadvocate, to iconic destinations worldwide, breaking barriers and fostering inclusivity.With his multifaceted background, Tom Troyer brings a unique perspective to music andstorytelling. His introspective lyrics and soul-stirring melodies create a powerfulconnection with audiences, exploring themes of identity, resilience, and the humancondition. Farewell Friend’s discography showcases Troyer’s musical journey, from theconceptual exploration of generational stories in his debut album “Lineage” to theautobiographical introspection of “[SAMSON]” and the contemplation of gentrificationin the EP “Glenwood and Gomorrah.”With enchanting soundscapes and thought-provoking narratives, Farewell Friend inviteslisteners on a transcendent musical journey. Tom Troyer’s dedication to his craft as botha musician and a producer shines through in every note, leaving a lasting impact on audiences and fellow artists alike.Minor Gold are the new Australian based, Americana duofeaturing ARIA nominated artists Tracy McNeil & Dan Parsons.Their debut, self-titled album Minor Gold (Out AUG 11, 2023)captures the duo at their finest, weaving masterful harmoniesaround stripped-back, organic arrangements that draw oneverything from 70’s west-coast pop and Bleecker St.steeped folk to the ballad-power and polaroid romance of the80’s. Through this superb collection of songs, Minor Golddisplay a spellbinding musical connection, reflecting thecomfort and ease experienced as the album washes over you.With all three of their debut singles added to national highrotation on ABC Radio’s ‘Double J’ – a 20+ date debut NorthAmerican album tour, with four shows supporting the TeskeyBrothers in the US and Canada, an ‘official showcase’ atAmericanaFEST in September, it is fair to say Minor Goldhave hit the ground running.
Ronnie And The Redwoods and Clay Johnson and The Hard Promises
Ronnie and The Redwoods is a West Texas Americana/Rock band that has broughtdeep and emotional lyrics together with music rooted in the blues, folk, and countryof the high plains. Honest and earthy, with influences from The White Stripes, Tyler Childers, John Prine, and the Red Dirt scenethat surrounds them, they’ve formed their own interpretation of what happens when you combine Folk, Country, Rock n Roll and Grunge. A little bit of country, a little bit of folk; a little bit of Americana, a little bit of rock; a little bit of all good things southern, but a whole lot heart all around. Much can be said about the over all collage of sounds and influences that Clay Johnson & the Hard Promises have meshed together, but at the end of the day it’s just earnest songs about life, love, and the experiences of growing up and living in Upstate Carolina. The kind of music you put on while cruising the back roads, windows down at golden hour, taking in the sights and sounds of rolling hills and the Piedmont landscape; all wrapped up with their uniquely southern flavor.
Tommy Scifres + Tim Easton
After touring with North Carolina artists Caleb Caudle, House of Fools and Roseland, Tommy Scifres moved to Nashville in 2014. He got his feet wet in the Nashville music scene spending countless hours on the honkytonk stages of lower Broadway. Tommy has toured and recorded with the likes of Aaron Lee Tasjan, Tim Easton and Brian Wright. In 2021 Scifres completed and released his first solo album “Last Legs”. Since 2022 he has been touring, full-time with recent Grammy winner, Lainey Wilson and has appeared on several late night talk shows, award shows and hit series Yellowstone.Raised in Akron, OH, singer/songwriter Tim Easton was influenced by a combination of pop icons (Beatles, Stones) and bluegrass/folk legends (Doc Watson, John Prine). After college, Easton found himself busking in the streets of Paris, London, Dublin, Amsterdam, Madrid, and Prague, on and off for seven years, at one time alongside Anti-Folk hero Beck Hansen. His folk-based songwriting brought an earthy sound to the Haynes Boys (an existing rock band that recruited Easton in the mid-’90s) and they recorded one album, Guardian Angel, for New York-based Slab Records. Easton pursued his solo career, recording his first solo album, Special 20, with friends and session musicians in Nashville. He signed with EMI Publishing in 1999, relocated to Los Angeles, performed at songwriter hubs like Largo, and signed a recording contract with New West Records. His first release for the label was 2001’s The Truth About Us, featuring members of WILCO as the backing band. 2003 brought his solid follow-up for the label, Break Your Mother’s Heart, which received 4 stars in the print version of Rolling Stone, heralding his songwriting as having a “novelist’s sense of humanity.” This was followed by “Ammunition” in 2006. Support slot tours with mentors Lucinda Williams and John Hiatt crossed North America and Europe. A concert set, “Live at Water Canyon,” appeared in 2008, followed by “Porcupine” in 2009 and a pair of self-released albums, “Beat the Band” and “Since 1966, Volume 1,” both in 2011. After moving to Nashville and starting his own label, CAMPFIRE PROPAGANDA, Easton teamed with THIRTY TIGERS to release roots & blues-based “Not Cool,” which was included in the Top 50 Albums of American Songwriter’s year end list for 2013. “American Fork” came out with LAST CHANCE RECORDS in 2015, rising to #11 on the Americana Radio charts, and the solo acoustic, direct to lacquer recording, “PACO & THE MELODIC POLAROIDS” was released on Campfire Propaganda in 2018, followed by tours of North America, Japan, Alaska, and Europe. Easton also toured the entirety of Russia in 2019, representing American folk music, as part of the Forum For Cultural Exchange. His experiences were documented in a weekly column for No Depression Magazine. Easton performs annually at SALMONFEST in Ninilchik, Alaska and WOODYFEST in Okemah, Oklahoma. June of 2019 brought the “EXPOSITION” LP, a field recording partly recorded at the Gunter Hotel in San Antonio, Texas where Robert Johnson cut his tracks, and partly in Okemah, Oklahoma. Up next for worldwide release will be “YOU DON’T REALLY KNOW ME,” a return to the full backing band sound, produced by Brad Jones & Robin Eaton in Nashville, to be released on BLACK MESA RECORDS in August of 2021.
Taylor Hunnicutt w/ Ben Sutton
Taylor Hunnicutt makes old-school southern music for the modern world. She’s a proud daughter of Alabama, writing songs that nod to the state’s tradition of country storytelling, rock ‘n’ roll rebellion, and guitar-driven grit. Sharpened by a touring schedule that’s kept her on the road for roughly 200 days a year, she makes her full-length debut with Alabama Sound — an album that unfolds like a love letter to the American South, written by a road warrior who’s spent most of the decade far away from home. “It’s a little country, a little singer/songwriter, a little Americana, and a lot of soulful southern rock,” says Hunnicutt, an opera-trained vocalist who began writing songs after dropping out of music school, landing a waitressing job at a blues juke joint, and sitting in with the bands that came through town. She’s no longer the guest artist, though — she’s the main act, and Alabama Sound showcases her high-energy, hellraising brand of southern stomp, country-rock twang, and amplified attitude.
