Introducing our 2010 Performers!
Jesse Winchester, Slaid Cleaves,
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Jesse Winchester 
You could stock a crowd-pleasing jukebox with the songs Jesse Winchester has written and recorded in the last four decades and with the better-known versions of his songs that have become hits and album staples for artists ranging from Joan Baez to Elvis Costello to Jimmy Buffett. Winchester’s skill in capturing vivid small town vignettes, heartfelt love and love-lost situations, and goodtime celebrations has yielded a litany of I-know-that-songs: “Yankee Lady,” “Biloxi,” “Brand New Tennessee Waltz,” “Talk Memphis,” “Rhumba Girl,” “Payday,” “I’m Gonna Miss You, Girl,” “Let’s Make a Baby King” and many more. His 2007 Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Society of Composers, Artists and Publishers (ASCAP) is one gauge of the music world’s esteem. |
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Slaid Cleaves 
Grew up in Maine. Lives in Texas. Writes songs. Makes Records. Travels around. Tries to be good. I’m glad I found Slaid Cleaves, because my life would have been poorer without him. You’ll feel the same, I think, when you listen to this beautifully crafted album “Everything you love will be taken away”. Listen, go to one of Slaid’s shows, take a friend, and pass on the news: not all the good guys wear hats. --Stephen King, 2009. A sharply observant songwriter with a deep appreciation for the ageless fundamentals of folk, country, and rock . . . one of the country's most compelling roots artists. —Peter Margasak, Chicago Reader |
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Karla Bonoff with Kenny Edwards and Nina Gerber 
For singer-songwriter Karla Bonoff, the turning point in her music career came when versatile vocalist Linda Ronstadt decided to cover some of her songs. Ronstadt featured three of Bonoff’s songs on her 1976 album, “Hasten Down the Wind” — “Lose Again,” “If He’s Ever Near” and “Someone to Lay Down Beside Me” and again on her 1989 album with Aaron Neville, “Cry Like a Rainstorm, Howl Like the Wind.” One of Karla’s songs, “All My Life,” won a Grammy Award. “It just made me really confident that I was on the right track,” Bonoff said. “It was very reassuring — like, ‘OK, you don’t have to go back and enroll in UCLA or anything.” More than three decades later, she’s one of the most respected singer-songwriters on the folk-pop scene. She will be joined by Kenny Edwards and Nina Gerber. “She and I have been singing together for a long time, so our harmonies are pretty good,” Edwards said. “We do it effortlessly.” He praised his friend’s musical clarity. “As a singer-songwriter, she’s special because her songs have uncommon directness and simplicity …beautiful melodies that strike deep at the center of people’s emotional experiences,” he said. |
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Handful of Luvin (we’re bringing them back!!) 
Voted in the Top 5 Best Local Bands by King 5 Evening Magazine Best of Western Washington 2008. These four young men will move you…literally. "…we walked outside to the Pierce Transit Park right as Handful of Luvin’ began playing. Um, wow. Just wow. Good gravy in all that’s made from butter, I am in love. I was so drawn in. The voice, the violin, the rhythm, I couldn’t help but want to dance. I was drawn to the stage, and immediately began tapping. The crowd was nuts, the dancing, the energy, and vibes of happiness. These people loved this band, and I craved more when they were done." -- Steph DeRosa (Weekly Volcano) |
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Mike Beck & the Bohemian Saints 
Mike Beck and The Bohemian Saints is an irresistible old fashioned guitar band, comprised of respected guitarist and songwriter, Mike Beck, and San Francisco Bay Area guitarist, Tom Ayres, backed up on bass by Marty Lydon, and on drums by Paul Montgomery. The band has played together since 2002, and no matter where the band performs, their large loyal fan base follows. Like a cowboy rock symphony, Mike Beck and The Bohemian Saints know how to throw down the beat with soul. |
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Anne Weiss and David Jacobs-Strain 
It's little wonder that Anne Weiss is described as "unique." She studied classical piano, joined a street gang, became a mountaineer, developed a guitar obsession, worked as a political organizer, learned to salsa dance, and became addicted to delta blues; and yes, you will hear it all in her music. Combining contemporary folk, blues, acoustic funk, gospel music, and smatterings of classical phrasing and Latin rhythms, Anne is known for her enormous bluesy voice, great guitar chops, and striking stage presence. “He is just one of these guys who is in his own class. A great singer and guitar player.” Jorma Kaukonen “His albums are slow burning wonders. . .” PopMatters “David Jacobs-Strain sings and plays slide-driven country blues with a passion and authority that few artists of any age can muster. Guitar Player |
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The California Honeydrops 
The California Honeydrops are proud to have won the 2009 SF weekly award for Best R&B/Soul band in San Francisco, and recently nominated by The Blues Foundation for a national Blues Award for Best New Artist. The California Honeydrops first performed on the streets and in the subway stations in Oakland, California. Playfully crossing genres from Roots and Blues to R&B and soul, The California Honeydrops’ sound is tied together by soulful vocal harmonies, colorful shouts from brass and horns, and a funky, good-times New Orleans rhythm section. They quickly gained a reputation as the best party in the Bay Area. |
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Walter Strauss Trio with bassist Sam Bevan (David Grisman, Joe Craven) and percussionist Kendrick Freeman (Alison Brown, Rob Ickes). 
The California-based Strauss is playing intriguing guitar-based music with an artistry that’s unparalleled. Not generic singer-songwriter fare, but something a cut above the rest. His instrumental prowess is dazzling, and an inherent spiritual quality hovers over this work. Delightfully different, do not miss Strauss, his guitar, and his music. |
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Berkley Hart 
Berkley Hart have found something that works. The combination of Kerrville New Folk Songwriter Award winner, Jeff Berkley, and stand-out wordsmith, Calman Hart, creates a pairing that has become one of the premier acoustic duos touring the country. Every Berkley Hart show is packed with entertainment as the duo combines their natural down-home humor with poignant, delicate, masterfully crafted lyrics delivered with stunning harmony and musicianship. |
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Leroy Bell and His Only Friends 
Leroy Bell and His Only Friends brings a soulful mix of folk, Americana and fine rock-n-roll. Bell’s knack for artful songwriting has a vivid history. As half of the youthful songwriting team Bell &James , Casey James and LeRoy Bell are the authors of Elton John's Grammy-nominated 1979 Top Ten hit, "Mama Can't Buy You Love," and Elton’s 2004 #1 British single “Are You Ready For Love”. Bell and James also attained top ten status with the dance hit, “Livin’ It Up Friday Night”. For LeRoy writing became the main focus over performing allowing him to collaborate with legendary songwriter/producer Thom Bell (his uncle) and Casey James penning songs for The Spinners, The Ojay’s, Rita Marley, The Temptations, Johnny Mathis, Phyllis Hyman and many more. Only recently has LeRoy surfaced as the singer/songwriter he is today. Gaining early acceptance and warm reception, he has recently performed with B.B. King, The Beach Boys, Al Green, Taj Mahal, Jackie Green, Keb Mo, LeAnn Rimes, The Temptations, The O’Jays, Mavis Staples, Colin Hay, Leon Russell, Sonny Landreth, Kenny Loggins, The Young Dubliners, among others. |
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Ma Muse 
MaMuse is One Voice Divided. Beautiful Harmonies woven into a tapestry of strings and stillness. MaMusic stirs the heart through deep soul felt lyrics and sparse supportive instrumentation. Sarah and Karisha together create original music that breathes. Tight vocal harmonies ring out a cappella or blend with upright bass, mandolin, guitar, and flute to deliver a message of living joyfully on this planet Earth. “MaMuse gives the simple gift of heart music. This merry duo provides the world with the melody it is missing.” – Aaron Yamaguchi, Poet |
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Forest Sun 
San Francisco Bay Area troubadour and award winning songwriter, Forest Sun has regaled audiences around the globe from festivals to living rooms and back yards with his wealth of songs and stories, all sung and told with back porch ease and bonhomie. "Lilting, gorgeously orchestrated hybrids of bluegrass, gospel, and folk, all in support of Sun's rich throwback croon." Portland Mercury "I'd say the future of quality folkie-acoustic-singer-songwriters-type music are in good hands. I highly recommend Forest Sun and his band!" Kevin Vance - 91.7 FM KALW San Francisco |
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Dana Hubbard 
FIRST PLACE WINNER - INDIE INTERNATIONAL SONG CONTEST - Folk/Acoustic,
Spring/Summer 2009
Dana Hubbard is a warm and engaging personality on stage, singing, telling stories, and playing both guitar and harmonica at virtuoso level! This year alone, he's been selected as a finalist in four national songwriter showcase competitions and two national acoustic blues competitions. In addition to his first place wins above, he also won 2nd place in the 2009 UTAH STATE INSTRUMENTAL CHAMPIONSHIPS for Finger-style guitar! He performed as a song competition finalist at Wildflower Festival in Texas, Mountain Music Festival in Utah and Tucson Folk Festival in Arizona, and was a finalist select at the West Virginia Appalachian Blues Competition. |
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Garrin Benefield 
At once organic and eclectic, Garrin Benefield’s shows are an experience as much as they are a musical concert! Utilizing electronic effects and a loop station, audiences find themselves grooving to atmospheric rhythms and settling back into Benfield's soothing vocal style. His material, described as "freestyle acoustic rock," is earthy, etheral and innovative, and sounds like Jeff Buckley meets Steven Stills meets Neil Young. |
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The Bungee Jumpin' Cows 
The Bungee Jumpin' Cows, described as "the Far Side of music," play fun, cool, hard-driving, funny, and original music. Their performance is a feast of visual imagery with wild characters, crazy costumes, audience participation and fun shenanigans. Their musically creative and lyrically clever songs encompass a wide variety of energetic styles, including rock, funk, pop, surf and rap. These talented musicians and vocalists have pioneered a brand of kids' music that's not just for kids.
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Bright Hope Designs,