Sunday UPDATE adds "Music-on-TV" for those too hot to go out -- June 30, 2013

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We've added "MUSIC-ON-TV" listings for today. .
We get it. You want more stay-at-home options today. It's hot. Record heat, some areas. We have noted for you that music venues and house concerts are air-conditioned. The outdoor shows are in shady green parks in the evening, when it's cooler. But many of you want to just stay indoors. Okay.
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We surrender. We won't keep secrets. You CAN enjoy live music Sunday on TV as well as in your favorite venues. Plenty of ADDED superb offerings are within.
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Here are a few TV highlights, NOT in a time chronology (all times Pacific, and details are in the "Music-on-TV" section):

•  2:40 pm WILLY NELSON "Live at Billy Bob's."

•  4:30 pm THE MAVERICKS perform live (in real time, i.e., NOW).

•  11:45 am "THREE GIRLS & THEIR BUDDY" is a passionate concert with EMMYLOU HARRIS, SHAWN COLVIN, PATTY GRIFFIN, and BUDDY MILLER.

•  8-9 pm BOBBY OSBOURNE & THE ROCKY TOP EXPRESS plus THE DEL McCOURY BAND play the 2013 Season 11 Premiere of "JUBILEE." (Repeats 5-6 am.)

•  6:45 pm "GEORGE JONES: 50 YEARS OF HITS"

•  1-2 pm NORAH JONES does a 2012 edition of "Storytellers."

•  7:30-8 pm BLUE MOTHER TUPELO perform in a new 2013 edition of "JAMMIN' AT HIPPIE JACK'S." (Repeats 4:30-5 am.)

•  PLUS, additional listings for concerts on TV today with TRISHA YEARWOOD, TRAVIS TRITT, RAY LaMONTAGNE, LUKE BRYAN, TIM McGRAW, and JASON MRAZ.


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• And, not music, but soooo wunnerful for all us history wonks, the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg is being observed all day on C-SPAN 3!
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Sunday, June 30, 2013
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Sunday's sections:
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1)  MUSIC-ON-TV today / tonight
2)  FESTIVALS this Weekend
3)  WORKSHOP for ARTISTS
4)  CONCERTS, Club Gigs, Coffee Houses, and other notable live performances and events
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1)  MUSIC-ON-TV today / tonight:
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Sun, Jun 30, on AXS TV:
11 am "SUGARLAND: Twice The Speed Of Life" live performance. Yes, we at the Guide find them insufferable. But we're holding our nose and listing this, anyway.
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Sun, Jun 30, on AXS TV:
11:45 am "THREE GIRLS & THEIR BUDDY" is a passionate concert with EMMYLOU HARRIS, SHAWN COLVIN, PATTY GRIFFIN, and BUDDY MILLER that captivates the audience, performing songs that include "Poison Love", "Gasoline and Matches", "Shelter Me", and "Hold On". Individually they're legends but together they give an epic, spellbinding performance not to be missed.
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The Guide did a ticket giveaway for this concert when it came to the Greek Theater in Los Angeles.
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Sun, Jun 30, on AXS TV:
12:45 TRISHA YEARWOOD in concert, singinh "How Do I Live", "XXX's and OOO's" and many more.
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Sun, Jun 30, on Palladia:
1-2 pm NORAH JONES does a 2012 edition of "Storytellers."
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Sun, Jun 30, on AXS TV:
1:40 pm TRAVIS TRITT in concert. He has dominated the charts for a decade performing the kind of country music that men identify with and females swoon over. He wows the audience as he performs his fan's favorites, "Bonnie and Clyde," "Great Day," and "Anymore".
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Sun, Jun 30, on Palladia:
2-3 pm RAY LaMONTAGNE does a 2011 edition of "Storytellers."
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Sun, Jun 30, on GAC:
2-3 pm "LUKE BRYAN FARM TOUR" is the country musician recorded live in concert in Atlanta in 2012. (Repeats 7-8 pm.)
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Sun, Jun 30, on AXS TV:
2:40 pm WILLY NELSON "Live at Billy Bob's," where, to see him live is to understand his greatness. Just the ol' Red-Headed Stranger and his beat-up guitar, wearing American flag bandannas and sneakers, and playing hit after hit with his Family Band.
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Sun, Jun 30, on AXS TV:
4:30 pm THE MAVERICKS perform live (in real time, i.e., NOW).
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The Mavericks perform live from The Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, NJ. Fans of these alt-country rockers long anticipated a reunion of the group. That reunion is a reality in their current tour, which already played Southern Cal.
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One of the most critically-acclaimed and commercially successful groups of the early '90s, The Mavericks are defined by their unique fusion of traditional country with rock, a style that gave rise to hits like "There Goes My Heart" and "All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down."
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Playing live tonight from the Count Basie Theatre, the group is expected to deliver a powerhouse performance for fans of traditional and contemporary music alike.
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Sun, Jun 30, on AXS TV:
6:45 pm "GEORGE JONES: 50 YEARS OF HITS" is a tribute concert that brings the music of the late country legend back to life, recorded shortly before his death, proving why he has reigned as the king of top-charted hits. George himself is featured performing solo classic hits and duets with special guests who join him on stage.
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Sun, Jun 30, on GAC:
7-8 pm "LUKE BRYAN FARM TOUR" is the country musician recorded live in concert in Atlanta in 2012.
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Sun, Jun 30, on PBS OC:
7:30-8 pm BLUE MOTHER TUPELO perform in a new 2013 edition of "JAMMIN' AT HIPPIE JACK'S." (Repeats 4:30-5 am.)
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Sun, Jun 30, on AXS TV:
8:45 pm TIM McGRAW celebrates the release of his tenth studio album, "Southern Voice," representing a new level of depth and intensity for the seasoned country artist. That's showcased in this concert. With a commanding stage presence, McGraw croons out his reflective and haunting new songs, "If I Died Today," and "I'm Only Jesus." Other show highlights include "Live Like You Were Dying," "Good Girls," and "Still."
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Sun, Jun 30, on PBS OC:
8-9 pm BOBBY OSBOURNE & THE ROCKY TOP EXPRESS plus THE DEL McCOURY BAND play the 2013 Season 11 Premiere of "JUBILEE." (Repeats 5-6 am.)
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Sun night / Mon am, Jun 30 / Jul 1, on Palladia:
Midnight-1 am JASON MRAZ does a 2012 edition of "Storytellers."
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2) FESTIVALS this Weekend:
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Sun, Jun 30,
FESTIVAL,
Daily, Jun 28-Sep 1,
in Laguna Beach:
47th Annual "SAWDUST ART FESTIVAL" at the spacious, art-filled permanent festival grounds, 935 Laguna Cyn Rd, Laguna Beach 92651; 949-494-3030; www.sawdustartfestival.org
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This is the opening weekend and there's fine music on several stages today, Sunday:
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• 11:30 am-4 pm Karin Benson, duo; jazz-folk-soul
• 11:30 am-4 pm Peter Dobson; acoustic blues
• Noon-4:30 pm Alturas; South American folk music
• 5:30-9:45 pm John Heussenstamm Blues & Jazz Trio; blues-jazz-rock fusion
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Sawdust is operated by a non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public and promoting the art created in Laguna Beach. Visitors are invited to shop along sawdust-covered paths through a handcrafted village of fine arts and superb craftsmanship.
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Full summer schedule, including who's-on-what-stage, at http://sawdustartfestival.org/entertainment-schedule/
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Sun, Jun 30; Fri-Sun, Jun 28-30,
FESTIVAL,
in Northern Cal:
Annual "KATE WOLF MEMORIAL MUSIC FESTIVAL" at Black Oak Ranch in Laytonville.
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This is one if the best of the annual festivals in all of folkdom.
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Performers include:
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• John Prine
• Greg Brown
• Iris Dement
• Marianne Faithfull
• Taj Mahal
• Angelique Kidjo
• Irma Thomas
• Madeleine Peyroux
• Dave Alvin
• Paul Thorn Band
• Rebirth Brass Band
• Perla Batalla
and many more.
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Perla Batalla will perform with her very impressive band, comprised of Karen Hammack, Michael Velasquez, David Hurst Batteau, and Debra Dobkin.
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In June of 1996, the "Kate Wolf Retrospective Concert" was held to celebrate the music of the late Kate Wolf. Her friends, family, and a sold-out crowd had such a wonderful time that they decided to make it an annual event. The "Kate Wolf Memorial Music Festival" started as a one day, one time event.
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Now in its 17th year, the festival has grown to a three day, three night, camping event at beautiful Black Oak Ranch in Laytonville, 3 hours north of San Francisco. This marks the 12th year at Black Oak Ranch for the Festival.
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Tix are still available!
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Details at
www.katewolfmusicfestival.com
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3)  WORKSHOP for ARTISTS
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Sun, Jun 30,
WORKSHOP,
in Venice:
7 pm "SONGWRITING WORKSHOP" with Marc Platt, at The Talking Stick Coffee Lounge, 1411-C Lincoln Bl, Venice 90291. $20. In the classroom upstairs; park in the back.
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4)  CONCERTS, Club Gigs, Coffee Houses, and other notable live performances and events:
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Sun, Jun 30, in Hollywood:
8-10 am FAIR MARKET BAND brings a free morning of bluegrass to the Hollywood Farmer's Market, on Ivar St between Hollywood Bl & Sunset Bl, Hollywood 90028.
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Sun, Jun 30, in San Diego:
10 am  Weekly "BLUEGRASS BRUNCH" at Urban Solace, 3823 30th St, San Diego 92104; 619-295-6464.
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Sun, Jun 30, in South Pasadena:
11 am-1 pm BARRY "BIG B" BRENNER plays his weekly "blues brunch" residency at Firefly Bistro, 1009 El Centro St, South Pasadena 91030; 626-441-2443.
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Sun, Jun 30, in Malibu:
12:30-3:30 pm THE BLIND BLAKES play Calamigos Ranch, 327 Latigo Canyon Rd, Malibu, CA 90265; 818-540-2400.
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The Blind Blakes bring "An eclectic mixture of retro style originals -- gypsy, jazz, Irish, bluegrass,world music, and much more."
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No cover, all ages.
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Sun, Jun 30, in L.A.:
1 pm THE LEASEBREAKERS bring their "If You Can't Play the Jug, Then You Can't Play with Me" show to the Los Angeles Maketspace, 1933 S Broadway #1138, Los Angeles 90007; info, contact awesome@lamakerspace.com
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LATE ADDITION:
Sun, Jun 30, above Santa Barbara:
1:30-4:30 pm KELLY'S LOT, a fine and fun folk rockin' roadhouse blues band, plays Cold Spring Tavern, 5995 Stagecoach Rd, Santa Barbara 93105.
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Sun, Jun 30, in Newport Beach:
2 pm TROOPER THORN plays "Muldoon's Courtyard Concert Series" at Muldoon's Irish Pub and Country Kitchen, 202 Newport Center Dr, Newport Beach; 949-640-4110; www.muldoonspub.com
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Sun, Jun 30, in downtown L.A.:
2 pm CAL PHIL'S "SUNDAY AFTERNOON CONCERT SERIES" brings a program of "BEATLES, BEACH BOYS, BEETHOVEN" as the orchestra is joined by THE FAB FOUR, and also performs the Beach Boys "Good Vibrations," "I Get Around,"  "California Girls," and Beethoven's Symphony No. 6, “Pastoral," at the Disney Concert Hall in downtown L.A.
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California Philharmonic, led by world class maestro Victor Vener, continues its tradition of Sunday afternoon concert "repeats" of their Saturday evening outdoor "Captivating concerts, comfortable atmosphere summer evenings filled with music and magic" at Santa Anita Race Track, where you can picnic under the stars. But here, you get the incredible acoustics of Disney Concert Hall.
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Go early for "Conversations with the Conductor" at 1 pm.
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Tix at www.calphil.org
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Sun, Jun 30, in Long Beach:
3-11 pm "BLUES BENEFIT SHOW & JAM FOR GARY STUTTS," with bunchas o' blues players, at Buster's Beach House, 168 Marina Dr, Long Beach.
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The BERNIE PEARL BLUES BAND plays  at 4:30 pm, and Bernie says, "The Long Beach area blues community is getting together to benefit one of our number, Gary Stutts. Gary recently had a heart attack, and is in need of some assistance. An array of outstanding blues artists will perform. I will be onstage at 4:30, but whenever you drop in there will be some great blues to enjoy. I hope you can make it.
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Donations at door will be gratefully accepted.
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Sun, Jun 30, in Altadena:
3 pm DAYLIGHT AGAIN, a CSN&Y tribute band, plays a matinee at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena 92675; 626-798-6236. Their evening shows here sell-out.
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Sun, Jan 30, in Echo Park:
[One of two weekend
CONCERT FEATURE STORIES]
5:30-9 pm Weekly "GRAND OLE ECHO" roots music showcase at the Echo, 1822 Sunset, Echo Park 90026; 213-413-8200.
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This FREE, all-ages, series is always fun, and often brings stars you'd pay a lot to see elsewhere. That's certainly the case this week.
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This evening's lineup:
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• Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys
• Nocona
• Single Girl/Married Girl
• Abby Posner (playing on the Back Porch)
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* Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys,  since forming in 1988, have emerged as one of the world's most respected practitioners of American roots music -- Twenty-five years, fourteen albums & hundreds of thousands of miles. What a dream it’s been.
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Sandy says, "When I first got together for a garage rehearsal with a group of musician friends in the spring of 1988 in Anaheim, California, I never dreamed that I would someday be celebrating the silver anniversary of the rocking little band that formed that afternoon.
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"Yet here I am, looking back over a wild ride that has taken us around the world countless times, that has put us in front of national television audiences, and -most importantly - that has given me the opportunity to play the music that I grew up having such a passion for Rockabilly, Rock & Roll, Honky-Tonk, Rhythm & Blues, Soul, Doo-Wop... and now with the release of our new all-acoustic album 'What A Dream It’s Been,' even a touch of Jamaican Rocksteady.
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"Putting together the new record for Cow Island Music has brought back a flood of memories; we went through our entire catalogue of LP’s, picked out some of our favorite original numbers, and gave them fresh new arrangements, rhythms, and instrumentations. In many ways , it was our way of looking back at everything that has led us to where we are now, while looking forward towards new musical horizons. Happy 25th Anniversary, Fly-Rite Boys! Here’s to 25 more!' -- Cheers!"
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More at www.bigsandy.net
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* NOCONA, before they came together in 2012 as NOCONA, were husband-and-wife team Chris and Adrienne Isom, along with charismatic Southern-native Annie Rothschild, as 3/4’s of the L.A.-based Roots-Folk-Punk band Paladino.
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That band ended their time together playing the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester, Tennessee. Longtime friend and accomplished drummer Justin Smith (Old Californio, The Seeds) joined Chris, Adrienne and Annie as NOCONA, now an energetic Americana-Rock group that delivers a free spirited attitude, up-tempo tunes and infectious hooks that are brimming with heartfelt emotion and honesty. Their originals are penned by songwriter Chris Isom.
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The band’s fine-tuned dynamics and solid technical skills raises the bar from their previous work, resulting in the 10 well-crafted, wide-ranging tracks featured on their self-titled debut, "NOCONA."
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“The project developed quickly,” says Chris. ” There were just a lot of things I was working out on my own and sometimes you just have to steamroll through this stuff. I thought it would be fun for all of us to work together.”
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A music veteran, Chris spent time playing in NYC Anti-Folk/Art-Punk bands Mooney Suzuki and The Adam Green Band. All that adds to NOCONA’S diverse sound, incorporating punk and underground into their Country-Rock.
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The name NOCONA is a nod to Chris’ Texas roots. “Nocona is the area in Texas where my Mom’s family originally lived; it comes from the Comanche word for Wanderers or Travelers.” Chris’ mom even has ties to music history, once playing the role of tutor to Joe B. Mauldin of Buddy Holly and The Crickets.
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The influence of 1950s artists like Buddy Holly are clearly heard on NOCONA’S debut album and they remind listeners that it was that marriage between early American rock ‘n’ roll along with a youthful, rebellious and socially conscious mindset that brought about the whole punk movement of the late 1970s.
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NOCONA, who does well with evolving that sound and spirit, takes things one step further by drawing on psychedelic bands like the 13th Floor Elevators and Love, along with the California twang of Buck Owens and Gram Parsons, crossed with the Outlaw Country of Johnny Cash.
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Their mix of these varied musical tastes comes together to bring a distinct style that takes risks and delivers a sound unlike any other artists today.
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“This is the first music I’ve written that’s free from a lot of the artistic hang ups that have stifled my writing in the past,” says Chris. “I’ve let go and just accepted the process, and sometimes that means exploring melodies and lyrics that used to be too personal for me to share with anyone. Other times, it means just shutting up and rocking the fu*k out,” says Chris.
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NOCONA's first full-length album was recorded at Kevin Jarvis’s Sonic Boom Room studio in Venice, California. Their first single, “Brimstone,” is one of the mellower tracks on the album, but has a steady movement that features driving acoustic blues riffs and harmonica along with an engaging boy/girl sung verse that is filled with honesty as the dialogue candidly tells the story of Chris and Adrienne’s marriage.
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Adding to the eclectic sound on NOCONA is the work of renowned pedal steel guitarist Greg Leisz (Emmylou Harris, Beck, Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton), a friend of Annie’s. “When I played the material for him, he was excited and I was overjoyed that he was willing to share his genius,” she says.
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The album "NOCONA" is a collection of songs ranging from "Whites Of Your Eyes," an evocative panoramic track reminiscent of the higher energy moments of Calexico or Canadian alt country pioneers The Sadies, but with a strong nod to the same western and surf influences. "Train Song," a contemplative chilling track echoing English folk's melodic sensibility, say, of a Bert Janch, but with a contemporary hard alt-americana rock feel. "Hated," a devil-may-care pop song recalls some of the best pop sensibilities of CCR but with a contemporary Nashville West twist. "My Oh My" is a modern plains cowboy road song rave-up with several unexpected turns. "Brimstone" is the album's first single and an homage to the great tradition where the crossroads between Americana blues, country, folk and pop, intersect.
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"NOCONA" will be released this summer and the band will continue touring in support of the album. They will be providing listeners with teaser tracks on Soundcloud and Facebook.
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More at www.noconamusic.com
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* SINGLE GIRL, MARRIED GIRL is a 5-piece band out of Orange County and Los Angeles. With female-fronted vocals and influences like Rilo Kiley, Camera Obscura, and Patsy Cline, this band has one foot in indie rock and the other in old country. Having released their debut album, "Bee China," in 2012, they are set to record an EP this summer with Pierre de Reeder of Rilo Kiley.
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More at www.singlegirlmarriedgirl.com
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* ABBY POSNER brings this comment from Yhe Ripple Effect: "One of the things I absolutely adore about Abby Posner is her musical versatility. Whether it’s the musical instruments being used or her vocal technique. It’s abundantly obvious Posner personifies what it means to appreciate world music using a diverse amount of instrumentation."
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From new-folk to bluegrass and pop, Posner twists genres to create a fresh catchy sound. Abby arranges, writes, and plays nearly all of the instruments on her albums. The sounds you hear are both pleasantly dark and playful. With banjo, and large percussive grooves paving the road for each unique composition. Abby Posner’s clever songs and vocals are both forces to be reckoned with.
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Born in Evergreen, Colorado, Abby Posner began studying music and performance as a child. Posner moved to Los Angeles in 2002 to continue her music training at California Institute of the Arts (CalArts). As a multi-focused music major, she concentrated on both world percussion and composition for songwriting during college.
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While at CalArts, Abby formed the eclectic bluegrass-rock band Fiddle and Pine (formally known as Fearmia,) which has performed for audiences at some of the most popular live music venues in L.A. Additionally, Fiddle and Pine has toured the north and southwest US to play shows and festivals that have included  the "W.C. Handy Festival" in 2009 and SXSW in 2011.
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Posner maintains a solo residency in West Hollywood and travels the Southern California performance circuit regularly as a solo artist. She has accompanied several well-known artists, including playing drums and banjo on the northwest portion of Chris Pureka’s 2010/2011 tours.
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In the spring of 2008, Abby scored the music for "Through Their Eyes," a documentary on victims of Agent Orange. Posner tracked and recorded the entire film using live instrumentation, delicately weaving Vietnamese tonality with the sounds and structure of Western music. In the winter of 2011, she scored a second feature length documentary, titled "Across Land Across Sea."
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Posner was recently featured on Episodes 11 and 12 of the popular Fox TV show "GLEE" (season 4) playing banjo and guitar in the band, and two of her original compositions have been added to NPR's "THIS AMERICAN LIFE."
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In the winter of 2012, Abby began writing a new-folk record for Ear Parade, a music licensing library specifically focusing on artists and unique compositions for film and TV. She is also currently the house musician for a popular comedy show titled "Don’t Tell My Mother," where she brings guest musicians with her every month to perform for this funny, high-profile show.
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Posner’s commitment to her work as a musician is evident through her extensive experience in performance, scoring, music instruction, songwriting and recording. Abby released her debut solo EP, "The Gatherer and the Thief," in spring 2011, and more recently released two new albums in the fall of 2012 titled “For You, The Spring,” and “The Fall Sessions – EP.”
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More at www.abbyposner.com
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Thanks to Grand Ole Echo impresario Kim Grant for providing so much info on this week's acts.
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The show is no-cover, all-ages. Venue has a full bar, and there's always a basic bbq out back at these shows. No cover.
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Sun, Jun 30, in Claremont:
6:30 pm BIG WIDE ROOM plays a special "guest set" before the monthly "OPEN MIC" at the Folk Music Center, 220 Yale Av, Claremont 91711; 909-624- 2928. $1 cover.
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BIG WIDE ROOM, a globe-spanning trio with a CD that received a very positive review in the Guide, has completed their concerts for this tour. But you CAN still catch 'em tonight. There's a full write-up on them in the Guide's Saturday, June 29, 8 pm listings.
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Cover tonighy is only one buck!
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Sun, Jun 30, in Altadena;
[One of two weekend
CONCERT FEATURE STORIES]
7 pm JIM "KIMO" WEST and KEN EMERSON bring award-winning Hawai'ian Slack Key Guitar to the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena 92675; reservations a must, 626-798-6236.
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This is a rare pairing of these two Hawaiian “slack key” and steel guitar masters. Kimo and Ken brought the house down at the recent "So Cal Slack Key Festival" with their rousing “kanikapila-style” set, and this show promises to push the art of slack key and steel guitar duets to the limit.
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* JIM “KIMO” WEST is one of ki ho’alu’s most unique talents, a fact belied by his large repertoire of original slack key compositions,many in tunings of his own invention and his fluid, harp-like style. His Hawaiian “roots” are in the tiny town of Hana, Maui where he first fell in love with the enchanting sound of slack key guitar.
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In addition to his catalog of five slack key CDs,he has recently recorded a new addition with plans for a fall release. Kimo is the recipient of the Hawaii Music Award, a two-time Na Hoku Hanohano nominee and a two-time winner of the L.A. Treasures Award for his work toward perpetuating this valuable acoustic guitar tradition. He has also brought his slack key and composing talents to a number of films,documentaries and television commercials.
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Recent performances include the Southern California Slack Key Festival (his sixth consecutive year there), the legendary Douglas Corner Cafe in Nashville, and countless West Coast venues. He is also a veteran of Hawaii’s slack key festivals, having played his first one in 1999, and he returned to The Slack Key Show in Napili, Maui for the fifth time on May 22.
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On a side note, Kimo is also well-known as long-time electric guitarist for the world’s most successful musical comedy artist, "Weird Al” Yankovic, who he will be touring with much of 2013.
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“West's knowledge of slack-key guitar is vividly expressed in both his keen performances of covers as well as his own dynamite songwriting. ..... the liquid flow of West's guitar achieves that perfect balance of caressing the ears while awakening the mind to pictures of blankets of clouds hovering over a bed of blue ocean.” -- All About Jazz,12/1/2011
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Plus:
* KEN EMERSON, aka Kenton Robert Lopaka Emerson, is a San Francisco Bay Area born/Hawaiian island bred guitarist who covers many musical genres. He has played his special blend of Blues/Jazz Hawaiian guitar for 40 years and running.
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His original compositions and performances on 'Slack Key Guitar Vol 2' (Palm Records) helped bring in the first ever 2005 GRAMMY award for Hawaiian music. 'KE' most recently played on Donald Fagen's 2007 GRAMMY winning "Morph the Cat" album.
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Born into a musical family, Ken grew up with his fathers' extensive record collection of jazz,swing, Hawai'ian and world music styles. Turning up his large valve-powered Console Grande stereo, Ken's father Jack merrily spun everything from Alan Lomax field recordings to Louis Armstrong and vintage Hawaiian '78 rpm records.
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Hawaiian music runs a common thread throughout his family's roots. His mandolin playing grandfather Ray Emerson lived in the islands beginning in 1917, and his Grand Uncle Ed played jazz saxophone on the famous Matson Liner ‘Malolo' in the early to mid 1930s. His mother Alice was a featured ukulele performer along with her twin sister Agnes at the 1939 world's fair exhibition in San Francisco.
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The ukulele she played at that venue proved to be Ken's first ‘guitar' at age 7. Living in the San Francisco Bay Area, Ken began playing guitar along with his older brothers and sister. He played the folk and blues songs of the early ‘60s, learning right-hand fingerstyle techniques that led to his development as a fingerstyle picker.
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“We all played the Leadbelly, Sippie Wallace, Woody Guthrie stuff, along with Dylan, Baez.”
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With the explosion of the San Francisco sound of the mid- later ‘60s, Ken also immersed himself into rock and electric blues styles. He was particularly drawn to bottleneck and slide guitar,and used a harmonica to duplicate the sound.
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In early 1968 Ken's family moved to Hawaii. Absorbing the Hawaiian culture, Ken and his brother Phil began studying Hawaiian language and music. They learned to emulate the players of the 1920s and ‘30s era by listening to vintage Hawaiian 78 rpm records,zeroing in on the jazz and blues styles of Sol Ho'opi'i and Sol K. Bright.
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By the mid'70s, Ken and Phil were playing alongside such legendary performers as Gabby Pahinui, Genoa Keawe, Raymond Kane, Auntie Alice Namakelua, Sol K. Bright and George Ka'ainapau, and recorded and toured with Moe Keale. In between his love of traditional Hawaiian music, Ken has played and/or toured with many luminaries in the musical world beyond Hawaii including Todd Rundgren, Taj Mahal, Boz Scaggs, Jackson Browne, Donald Fagen, Dave Mason, Charlie Musselwhite, Elvin Bishop, Graham Nash, San Francisco's Grateful Dead members Bob Weir and Bill Kreutzmann, Pablo Cruise Band, and The Rowan Brothers. Dividing his time between Kaua'i and San Francisco, Ken plays many local venues and festivals and is a frequent visitor to the east coast of the United States as well as Europe and Asia.
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"Emerson writes pieces that update the classic sounds of Hawaiian Slack Key guitar. His unaccompanied songs have an open,relaxing quality to them,moving forward in a gentle rhythm.." -- Jessy Terry, Rolling Stone Magazine.
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Sun, Jun 30, in L.A.:
7-8:30 pm ORQUESTA CHARANGOA plays the free summer concert series at Levitt Pavilion in MacArthur Park , 2230 West 6th St, Los Angeles 90057; 213-384-5701. Bring a beach chair or blanket and a picnic dinner; no alcohol allowed in the park.
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Sun, Jun 30, in Santa Monica:
11 pm Weekly "ACOUSTIC CORDIALE" showcase ends the musical weekend, at 14 Below, 1348 14th St, Santa Monica 90404; 310-451-5040.
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MORE, including a fresh NEWS & REVIEWS edition, will be along soon.
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Entire contents copyright (c) 2013,
Lawrence Wines and Tied to the Tracks.
All rights reserved.
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