Festival Dates
| Saturday, May 23 10 AM - 10 PM |
| Sunday, May 24 11 AM - 4 PM |
Festival Music
SATURDAY, MAY 23
DJ Urban Kobbb 10 a.m. Main Stage
Businessman and community leader by day, infamous DJ when the mood hits him, DJ Urban Kobbb sets the tone with down beats from his vast — and often surprising — music collection, ranging from Thievery Corporation and Stereo MCs to The Brothers Johnson and The Jackson 5. Based in Paducah, DJUK spins at the best cocktail parties, gallery openings, birthday celebrations and fundraisers. And don't miss his regular iList PlayList column on iList Paducah, where he reviews his favorite bands. His DJ Urban Kobbb handle is a tribute to Paducah humorist and writer Irvin Cobb. Because he figures if Cobb were alive today, he'd add a third "b" and throw down beats, too. Find out more at www.myspace.com/djurbankobbb.
Amy LaVere 12 Noon Main Stage
Amy LaVere is a singer, songwriter, upright bass player and actress. Her music is classified as Americana, combining a blend of classic country, gypsy jazz, and southern soul. She has released two albums on Memphis label Archer Records, has been featured on NPR’s World Café, MTV and Conan O’Brian and has multiple acting credits in major motion pictures.
Amy LaVere gets antsy when she's been off the road awhile. Born in Shreveport, LA, and a native of Bethany, TX, she's really more a child of America - a self-described "General Motors brat" whose father's jobs kept her small family frequently on the move. Her life as a touring musician seems tailor-made for a woman who is seemingly one part upright bassist and another part gypsy.
Extensive tours are planned throughout the U.S. Europe and, specifically, Scandinavia - enough that Amy now has another frame-dwarfing upright bass on standby overseas. Propped against her living room chair, an artist's drawing pad displays handwritten lyrics of a new song Amy has written. It's one among many that she, drummer Paul Taylor and guitarist Steve Selvidge expect to record for a new album later this year.
In MTV’s upcoming $5 Cover, Amy portrays a striving musician with a bruised and wayward heart. Her songs "Killing Him" (from "Anchors and Anvils") and "Never Been Sadder" (from "This World Is Not My Home") power two episodes of the show.
Making her home in Memphis, you can check out all the latest on Amy at www.amylavere.com or on her MySpace page: www.myspace.com/amylavere.
Salt of the Earth 1 p.m. Stage 2
Salt of the Earth is an Americana roots group with a straightforward and unassuming style. They carry a sound that is stripped down to its core, with songs that come straight from within. Salt of the Earth formed early in the spring of 2003. The members are Lynne Reif on lead vocals, rhythm guitar, and occasional harmonica; Mike Schrand on bass, baritone guitar and vocals; Jake Brookman on cello; and Jim Hieger on lead acoustic guitar, banjo, and vocals.
Both Lynne and Mike have played with the St. Louis-based Roots-Rock band Belle Starr (1996-2002). Jake is a classically trained cellist who has played in groups ranging from symphony orchestras to punk bands, and Jim is a self-taught all-natural lead player with performance roots in the "jam band" circle.
The group’s songs chew on life in a heartfelt way and span the genres of pop, folk and blues. The band puts down rhythmic instrumental accompaniment complemented by rich melody and harmony lines. Check them out on MySpace at www.myspace.com/sotestl.
Squeeze-bot 2 p.m. Main Stage
Before the electric guitar ruined rock and roll, accordions, banjos and tubas had their rightful place in music. Driven underground by their oppressors, the great accordion/banjo/tuba bands have kept largely quiet, playing late night, speakeasy style concerts in underground clubs deep in the country, far from the ever vigilant ears of oppressive electric guitarist. In the year 2006, one such underground band would run no more and has emerged from the underground with bold new stylings, not afraid to show how music should have been played all along. This band is Squeeze-bot.
Offering a wide variety of covers, the eclectic nature of the band serves to make something wilder and more satisfying than “just a cover band”. Squeeze-bot consists of drums, tuba, banjo and accordion (yeah, sort of crazy) and plays everything from jazz/blues to rock ‘n roll. Most of the songs manage to leap a bit further from the realm of “just rock covers by a bizarre polka band” into something subtler and more profound, at times flirting with the same sort of creative reinvention seen in some of the jazz works of rock-influenced groups.
For more info on Squeeze-bot, check out the rave reviews on their MySpace page: www.facebook.com/pages/Squeeze-bot.
Solid Rock’it Boosters 3 p.m. Stage 2
Born of a mix of barbeque and diesel fuel, Solid Rock'it Boosters rock out with an eclectic mix of Hillbilly boogie, Rockabilly and Honky Tonk music. The group features almost legendary musicians Hott Rodd Todd Anderson, Brian Bird Dog Berryman, Col. JD Wilkes and LowDown Nathan Brown.
This homegrown crew brings the energy level at this year’s festival to an all-time high. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch Solid Rock’it Boosters playing music at one of downtown Paducah’s local night spots now and again, but if you haven’t had the pleasure of rockin’ with these guys, now is your chance!
Sojourn 4 p.m. Main Stage
This musical combination is comprised of five accomplished, independent musicians from Louisville, KY. Each brings a unique flavor to the stage, combining indie, folk and rock sounds in the original songs they perform.
According to the All Music Guide, Jamie Barnes’ ”warm, softly yearning voice is instantly calming, an instrument in its own right that suggests lazy hours on a porch during a warm spring evening." Jamie signed with Silber Records in 2003 and then with Sonablast in 2007. He has recorded three full-length albums, one EP and has numerous compilation appearances. His third full length album is scheduled to be re-released in the spring of 2007 on SonaBlast! Records. Jamie has shared the stage with acts like Over the Rhine, The Decembrists, LoveDrug, Erin McKeown, Head Automatica, Rivulets, Half-Handed Cloud, Gregor Samsa and Mark Geary. You can check out his complete discography and more at www.jamiebarnes.net.
Mike Cosper plays acoustic and electric guitar, as well as lap steel and dobro. He has performed with artists including Bill Mallonee, Peter Searcy, Bryan Fox, and a slew of others. Mike tours, produces and records music regularly and can be seen playing with a variety of musicians around Louisville. He also works with a non-profit art and music venue in Louisville called The 930. He even serves as the Worship Arts Pastor for a church there, called Sojourn Community Church. More information on his music can be found at www.myspace.com/mikecospermusic.
Kate and Neil DeGraide of Dirt Poor Robins were born with music in their blood and seemed made for a life of performing music together. The duo, still strangers to one another at the time, were cast opposite one another as leads in an off-Broadway musical. Eight years later the two recorded their first album, The Cage. Recently nominated for the Independent Music Awards, their music combines elements of indie rock, acoustic, and folk sounds. Kate and Neil’s focus is not to be the stereotypical rock stars, looking to be lifted up by their fans, but rather to lift up their fans instead. More information on Dirt Poor Robins can be found at www.dirtpoorrobins.com.
The artistry of Brooks Ritter is a seamless garment. A blend of voice, musicianship and songwriting that is capable of communicating the wide range of human emotion and illuminating our hopeful, fallen, love-sick, grasping condition. His lyrics are insightful and honest; his music displays the rare kind of versatility that makes you think and makes you move; his voice is an instrument capable of subtle nuance and supple power that glides effortlessly through the realms of rock, folk and soul. According to Subvergent.com, "... Brooks Ritter offers one of the most intense and purposeful vocal performances I've heard in a long time." For more information on Brooks you can check out www.virb.com/brooksritter.
Bawn in the Mash 6 p.m. Main Stage
Bawn in the Mash released their third independent album Confluence early this year. The album once again features all new original material written by Bawn in the Mash. A confluence is defined as the flowing together of two or more streams. With producer Chris Henry at the helm, Confluence takes listeners on a trip down distributary into uncharted waters, channeling wavelengths and frequencies previously unrecorded. With the release of Confluence, Bawn in the Mash has published over 60 original compositions with Wes Kaintuck Music (BMI), their independently owned publishing company.
Living in downtown Paducah, the group spent much time absorbing the energies of the Ohio, Tennessee, and Clarks Rivers. Songs like Land Between the Rivers, Paducah, Past the Painted Wall, The Nuclear Waltz and At the Hotel Irvin Cobb pay tribute to a land faded and forgotten in favor of the notion of progress in America.
Bawn in the Mash has performed with The Greencards, Kenny Malone, Al Goll, Billy Constable, Paleface, Pokey LaFarge, Chicago Farmer, Woody Pines, Chris Black, Chris Volpe, Jamie Pigg, and the Emmitt Nershi Band. In June of 2008, the song Little Piece of Paper was featured in Global Rhythm Magazine. In addition, Josh Coffey's name made its big screen debut in the Mike Myers movie 'The Love Guru'. If you listen closely, you can hear his fiddle on Foggy Mountain Breakdown during the bar fight scene.
Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band 8 p.m. Main Stage
“These guys are the new generation of Funk music” exclaims Bernie Worrell (Parliament/Funkadelic, Talking Heads, etc) from the stage,….and you know he wasn’t sitting in with the latest Kenny G tribute band!!!
Welcome to the world of “Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band.” I’m sure you will find yourself right at home in “Booty Band Land.” As you “Bounce” down our rhythmical hallways, you may notice bouquets of exotic horn arrangements around every corner and guitar licks that will lead you in almost any direction-don’t get lost!!! As we get into downtown, you’ll notice a heavy presence of bass and thunderous rhythms with occasional synth sounds floating through the atmosphere. Don’t be scared, these sonic vibrations are unique formulations of musical compositions created for the sole purpose of musical enlightment-For The People! Consider it an experiment in dance and all things associated with “getting down ‘n’ cuttin’ up,” because here in “Booty Band Land” we believe that “you can lead a horse to water,…but you can only make it drink if the waters got something in it!” Speaking of drinking, let’s head on down to the bar; I’d like to introduce you to the band.
The members of “Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band” all traveled from different parts of the country, eventually meeting in the little town of Boone, NC in 2003. The band re-located in 2006 and is currently based out of the beautiful mountain gem of Asheville, NC. Gregbob “Rescue in the Night” Hollowell, from Connecticut and Michigan, is in charge of melodical explosions on the saxophones. When his hands are free, you may see Greg slappin’ some bongos or summoning up voices of various “guest” characters that he channels through his vocal chords. His partner in crime, the other half of the “Asheville Horns,” Derek “Legs” Johnson, blows furious funk and cool jazz tones from the bell of his trombone. You can always expect to see Derrick crackin’ up with somebody in the crowd, exchanging jokes with members of the audience, accompanied by the occasional strumming of the electric guitar. Speaking of electric things, J.P. Miller AKA “Smoke Machine”, a re-located Florida beach freak, takes control of most guitar associated sounds, while hopping on the mic or blazing trails through the ether with nasty synth and keyboard sounds. Al Al Ingram, AKA “Sweet Nasty,” originally from North Carolina, is in charge of funky threads and all frequencies below the waist. Al Al will not respond to “Hey Bootsy,” but he will sing his heart out-right into yours, while communicating directly with your hips via thick bass lines. If you find yourself tapping your feet while waiting for a drink at the bar, chances are that it’s because of this guy: Dave “Woodchippa” Partin. Also from North Carolina, Dave is the newest (and youngest) member of the band. Don’t let his age fool you, this skin thumpa brings back the ol’ school and holds together the foundation for the mighty funk empire of “Booty Band Land.” Behold the glory!
SUNDAY, MAY 24
On the One 11 a.m. Main Stage
2007 San Diego Music Award Winners for Best Jazz Album, On the One walk alongside live acts such as Karl Denson Trio and the Greyboy All-Stars when it comes to export music from America's finest city. The name On the One comes from both Prince and James Brown. Both singers have been known to say, “On the One” meaning “everyone in the band drop in on the first beat…on the ONE.”
Their debut album “Love Addiction” was recently picked up by the Japanese label, P-Vine, through a licensing deal with Velour (Soulive / Kaki King). 2008 will see On the One touring North America and the Far East in support of their record.
Drum King John Staten (Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe) teamed up with long time friend and sax aficionado Jesse Molloy (Giant People) to create On the One in the summer of 2006. Bassist Andy Irvine (Giant People) and the addition of guitarist Pete Lombardo square this funky soul rock quartet. The band was handpicked to support Earth Wind & Fire, summer 2008.
While touring with Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, OTO drummer John Staten opened for an entire tour supporting the Allman Brothers. He was invited on stage nightly culminating with John playing their encore at Red Rocks in Golden, CO. With music industry heavy hitters calling him one of the best drummers in the business, Staten’s hard hitting hip-hop beats drive OTO’S sound. Sax, groove bass, and effortless guitar team up to bring generations of music lovers to the dance floor. Don’t miss the funkdown!
Squeeze-bot 1 p.m. Main Stage
Lew Jetton and 61 South 3 p.m. Main Stage
Lew Jetton along with the band, 61 South have been festival and club favorites throughout the Midwest and Mid South since the early 1990s with their critically acclaimed "Southern-Fried" Chicago Blues sound. Along the way, they've received worldwide critical acclaim and won over numerous fans with their mix of mostly original blues presented in an upbeat, enthusiastic and at times, humorous way.
"State Line Blues" the re-released debut CD from Lew Jetton and 61 South is a "Pick to Click" on XM Satellite Radio, after being picked as the 4th best Independent Blues Release in the United State by Real Blues Magazine for the year 2000.
"Tales From A 2 Lane", the latest release from Lew Jetton and 61 South, also a "Pick to Click" by Bluesville, channel 74 on XM Radio (Channel 854 on DirecTV), was named BLUES ALBUM OF THE YEAR from Kentucky by the Kentucky Blues Society.
Adam & the H Bombs Noon Stage 2
Adam Horbovetz, Keith Culp, and Erik Eicholtz are three of Paducah’s finest veteran musicians. Each of them is heavily involved in other local bands. Influenced by a variety of musicians the group has a lifelong love of music, particularly rock, blues, and soul. Horbovetz plays guitar and performs lead vocals. Culp plays bass guitar and sings lead and backing vocals. The band provides a healthy outlet for Culp to express himself through music. Erik Eicholtz slams the Ludwigs. There's no doubt when watching Erik on the drums, he's doing what he loves.
This band features three of Paducah’s most experienced and respected players doing what they love - playing some of the greatest music ever written for a crowd.
Nathan Blake Lynn 2 p.m. Stage 2
Nathan Blake Lynn brings together the deep traditions of bluegrass and country music. His songs define his childhood days running through the backwaters of Western Kentucky, his days as an 1850s historical farmer, his long nights hauling cars across the nation, and his love for honky-tonk night life.
Born and raised in the West Kentucky river town of Paducah, Lynn cut his teeth performing at an early age. He began his musical career singing in church and the high school choir and began writing his unique brand of southern-rock and country music. Most Friday nights he could be found playing to small crowds in a friend's garage or at a campfire party or wherever else he could find an audience.
Nathan still performs as the front man for Bawn in the Mash, but he is focused on his solo career now as well. In August 2008, Nathan released his first solo album titled 'Two Catfish and a Bluegill'.
Travel Information
Preferred Hotels
2930 James-Sanders Blvd
Paducah, Kentucky, 42001
(270) 441-0024
3901 Hinkleville Rd.
Paducah, KY 42001
(270) 442-7500