WhatFest fund-raiser April 23 in Laramie

This is a fund-raiser event for WhatFest this summer! Come down Front Street Tavern (Sweet Melissa's) in Laramie for good times, good people, and good music with John Kirlin and the High Plains Drifters, J. Shogren and Guests, Jeff Duloz and Niles Mischke, Shotgun Shogun, and Patrick Harrington.

Crooked Still on stage in Jackson Feb. 23

Crooked Still performs at the Center for the Arts, Center Theater in Jackson on Wednesday, February 23.  The show begins at 7:30 pm with the Random Canyon Growlers: a high-energy, driving bluegrass that draws inspiration from the green rolling hills of Vermont to the jagged and dramatic landscape of the Tetons.
 
Founded in 2001, this unique quintet of vocalist, banjo, bassist, cellist and fiddler is known for its high energy, technical skill, unusual instrumentation and innovative acoustic style. This talented band has taken traditional American roots music and reinvented it with new life and contemporary style.

Purveyors of the nu-folk, bluegrass movement, Crooked Still are equal parts ambassador and innovators as evidenced on their newest release, Some Strange Country. The musical prowess of this defiantly non-traditional bluegrass quintet is on display as radically re-imagined traditional fare blends seamlessly alongside four original compositions and a surprising take on the Rolling Stones’ “You Got The Silver.”

On Some Strange Country, Crooked Still has honed in on their unique refraction of roots music, recording their most personal, visionary album yet. “The music is not just ‘alternative bluegrass’ or whatever people used to call it,” Brittany Haas remarks. “It’s at another level now: artful, but still grounded in that funky, string band thing.”

For tickets, call (307) 733-4900 or go to www.jhcenterforthearts.org.

Flatbed Love Truck and Sawbone Jenkins at Library Bar in Laramie Feb. 5

Pertinent Facebook facts about headliner band, Flatbed Love Truck:

Genre:
Pulp Americana
Members:
Niles Mischke- Bass
Sean Francis- Drums
Jeff Duloz- Guitar,vocals, mandolin, harp
Hometown:
Laramie, WY
Record Label:
Love Truckin' Records
About:
Blending the sounds of the broken hearts of the land, pulling from the soundscape of the American past, and commenting on the fragmentation of our evolving modernity, Flatbed Love Truck is a band having fun making new of the old.

Warren Keldsen (a.k.a. WarrenZ): "Let your light shine/In this crazy town"

Warren Keldsen (a.k.a. WarrenZ) dropped by the Wyoming Arts Council offices this afternoon. He wanted to talk about grants for individual artists -- so we did. He also said that he plays most Tuesday and Thursday at Suite 1901 in downtown Cheyenne. Suite 1901 features live music almost every night. Food and cocktails too.

Warren left Wheatland to play in the Austin and Nashville music scenes. For an Americana singer-songwriter, those are about the toughest places to ply your trade. He's now finishing up his fourth CD and living in Cheyenne and encouraging ecveryone to go out and enjoy live music.

He's at Suite 1901 on Tuesday, Nov. 9. He then takes a vacation and will be back on Nov. 23.

Wyomingarts went to Warren's Myspace site and listened to his songs. We suggest you do the same. Listen to "This Town." You'll hear Austin and Nashville in it. Wyoming too. Go to WarrenZ at Myspace Music

Renegade Americana's fiddling poet Ken Waldman travels to Wyoming in November

Great article in 10/27 Denver Post about Ken Waldman, Alaska's fiddling poet who will conduct a number of residencies and events in Wyoming in November. Read "Alaska's fiddling poet brings his renegade Americana to Lakewood" at http://www.denverpost.com/entertainment/ci_16450806

Ken leaves Colorado for a series of renegade Americana events in Wyoming (and vicinity). Here is the schedule from his web site:

Friday, November 5th, 2010 8:00 PM

ARTCORE event

Casper, WY

Two-day residency for this fabulous performing arts series. Evening concert will feature special guests.

Saturday, November 6th, 2010 7:00 PM

Teton Arts Council show

Alpine Wines

Driggs, ID

http://www.tetonartscouncil.com/

This will be sponsored by the Teton Arts Council, on the other side of the mountains from Wyoming. Beautiful spot, and we'll certainly have some fun. There will be special guests. In addition to the Saturday evening show, there will be a workshop on Sunday.

Monday, November 8-12, 2010 10:00 AM

Pinedale residency

Pinedale WY schools

Pinedale, WY

Five days in schools, and an evening event or two--more details as I have them! The residency is sponsored by the marvelous Pinedale Fine Arts Council.

Saturday, November 13th, 2010 8:00 PM

Kemmerer show with Jalan Crossland

South Lincoln Events and Training Center

Kemmerer, WY

I'll be joined by Ten Sleep guitarist and banjo player, Jalan Crossland.

Monday, November 15th, 2010 10:00 AM

Lander PALS residency at various Lander schools

Lander, WY

I'll be spending 4 or 5 days in and around Lander through PALS, an acronym for Promoting Arts in Lander Schools. More details as I have them.

FMI: http://www.kenwaldman.com/

Alibi Americana Music Festival Aug. 22 in Laramie

Alibi Americana Music Festival takes place at The Alibi Pub, 404 S. 4th, Laramie, on Sunday, Sept. 22, 1-9 p.m. Children allowed at the $12 entry fee. Music Line-up: 1 p.m. - Jeff; 2:15 p.m. - White Crow Black Crow; 3:30 p.m. - Free Range; 4:45 p.m. - Halden Wofford & The Hi Beams; 7 p.m. - The Jalan Crossland Band. Please no Dogs Allowed.

Read more: http://events.myspace.com/Event/1824287/The-Alibi-Pub#ixzz0x9vZwuJF

2010 Big West Arts Festival with Jalan Crossland Band -- "High & Lonesome" video

And a good time was had by all last weekend in Sheridan (re-posted from Facebook -- thanks Micah!)

Next outdoor concert in Pinedale features Austin's Screen Door Porch

Screen Door Porch from Austin will perform at the next outdoor concert sponsored by the Pinedale Fine Arts Council. The concert is set for American Legion Park on Friday, Aug. 20, 6 p.m. Local guitarist Jared Rogerson is the opening act. Free and open to the public.

"Chrome, chrome on the range..."

Michael Hurwitz and The Aimless Drifters with Tracy Nelson and Gary McMahan (June 2010). A new album of 12 new original songs, with covers of an old Libba Cotton song and a Gary McMahan song.

A real Mullligan Stew of American music styles: Western swing, Cajun, cowboy Ballads, folk, and honkytonk country. - Mike

Songs - Your Dancin' Shoes, He's a Rodeo, Love Song, Uncle Lucky, Roy Rogers in Japan, Out of the Fryin' Pan, Ed Trafton, Cowboys Gone Wild, Edith, Shake Sugaree, Real Live Buckeroo, Poor Cowboy, Home Town Reel, Minnie Sang the Blues.

Mike Hurwitz of Alta is on the Wyoming Arts Council artist roster. Bring him and his new CD to your community with an Arts Across Wyoming grant. Get info at http://www.wyomingartscouncil.org/

Grand Targhee Bluegrass Festival announces performers

Susan Gibson on stage in Centennial, Saratoga

Americana/folk musician Susan Gibson performs at 9 p.m. tonight (June 18) at the Friendly Store in Centennial and at "Music on the River" on Saturday, June 19, at 110 S.E. River St., Saratoga. Listen to some of Susan's songs at http://www.myspace.com/susangibson

Sound Check Music Festival in Pinedale 6/26

From the Pinedale Fine Arts Council:

The Pinedale Fine Arts Council presents the third annual Sound Check Music Festival on Saturday, June 26 beginning at 5 p.m. in the American Legion Park in Pinedale. The concert is free (donations greatly appreciated) and will feature The Lonesome Heroes from Austin, TX as headliners. Rounding out the bill this year will be Leo Rondeau also from Austin, TX and local alt-country band The Tie Hacks will open things up. Don’t forget to bring a chair, cooler, sunscreen and shades and enjoy a great summer evening listening to three great bands!

Proclaimed as "rewriting the rules of alt country" by the Austin Chronicle, The Lonesome Heroes have emerged as a singular talent out of Austin's music scene. Songwriters Rich Russell and Landry McMeans founded the Heroes in 2005, and the pair has cultivated their New York and Texan roots into a unique sound that unites Indie Rock, Folk, and Country. The Heroes' songs evoke a Western Americana landscape littered with broken hearts, abandoned shopping malls, and crooked highways. Their lyrics have been hailed as rivaling "the best in the country world" (Smother Magazine.) Yet their sound reaches beyond the Country moniker. The Lonesome Heroes will be performing as a 5-piece band for the June 26 performance.

Originally from North Dakota, Leo Rondeau now calls Austin home and pulls his languid drawl across country ballads braced by banjo and steel, the caustic crack of his voice cut with an ornery attitude. Rondeau’s impressive songwriting drifts through easy honky-tonk anthems and supple, aching, country waltzes all the while mixing traditional country and bluegrass with storytelling inspired by Rondeau’s upbringing in the Turtle Mountains. Rondeau will be joined by his traveling band for the June 26 performance.

Pinedale’s The Tie Hacks, featuring members of the Science Rockets, play a refreshing blend of alt-country and Americana music complete with harmonies and vocal trade-offs. Fronted by local singer songwriters John Fogerty, Jason Burton, Terry Hill and Michelle Humber The Tie Hacks recently took first place in initial voting for the Targhee Music Fest Battle of the Bands Contests earlier this spring.

The now annual Sound Check was first conceived two years ago by the Pinedale Fine Arts Council as a means of testing the new sound system they purchased with grant money from the Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund. The Town of Pinedale, Sublette County Recreation Board and the Sublette County Joint Tourism Promotion Board also helped support this event.

FMI: www.pinedalefinearts.com or call 307.367.7322.

Get a letter cancelled at historic Ft. Bridger

Fort Bridger State Historic Site will celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Pony Express with a special postal cancellation that will be available at the post office beginning on June 15.

Additionally, a group of ceremonial pony express riders will arrive at Fort Bridger State Historic Site at approximately 9:30 a.m., June 15 as part of the anniversary celebration. Although scheduled to arrive at 9:30 a.m., the riders, who are riding to destinations throughout Wyoming, could appear two hours earlier or later.

Admission to Fort Bridger is free on June 15 thanks to a waiver given to the Fort Bridger Historical Association by the Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources Commission.

The Historical Association will also have special stamps and envelopes available for purchase that have been created specifically for the Pony Express Anniversary. The special cancellation will be available beginning June 15 and for the next 30 days after which time the cancellation will be destroyed.

Fort Bridger State Historic Site is open 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily. For more information please call 307-782-3842.

May/June events for Screen Door Porch

05.19.10 . Fort Collins, CO . KRFC Live @ Lunch
Listen live online at krfcfm.org
12:00 pm . Note: On-Air Performance
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05.20.10 . Laramie, WY . Wyoming Public Radio
Listen live online at wyomingpublicradio.net
11:00 am . Note: On-Air Performance
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05.20.10 . Laramie, WY . Coal Creek Coffeehouse
8:00 pm . Ages: All Ages . Tickets: Free
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06.11.10 . Moose, WY . Dornan's
CD Release Party - Jackson!!
Tickets available at Valley Books & Dornan's
Portion of proceeds to benefit Habitat for Humanity
7:00 pm . Ages: All Ages . Tickets: $10
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06.17.10 . Idaho Falls, ID . Vino Rosso
7:30 pm . Ages: 21+ . Tickets: Free
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06.18.10 . Ketchum, ID . Papa Hemi's Hideaway
6:30 pm . Ages: 21+ . Tickets: Free
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06.19.10 . Missoula, MT . The Top Hat
8:00 pm . Ages: 21+ . Tickets: Free
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06.25.10 . Pinedale, WY . Rock Rabbit
8:00 pm . Ages: All Ages . Tickets: Free
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06.26.10 . Jackson, WY . Private Event
7:00 pm
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06.30.10 . Driggs, ID . Alpine Wines
7:00 pm . Ages: 21+ . Tickets: Free

FMI: http://www.screendoorporch.com/

Sound Check 3 June 26 in Pinedale

From the Pinedale Fine Arts Council:

PINEDALE FINE ARTS COUNCIL'S SOUND CHECK 3 with LONESOME HEROES, LEO RONDEAU & THE SCIENCE ROCKETS

Saturday, June 26, 5 p.m. Free. At American Legion Park in Pinedale

It's that time of the year again. The Pinedale Fine Arts Council will be presenting the third annual Sound Check outdoor music fest on June 26 in the American Legion Park (5 p.m., free) in Pinedale. Sound Check was first conceived three years ago following PFAC's purchase of a new sound system via grant monies from the Wyoming Cultural Trust. The inagural event was a hit as Jackson's Aaron Davis headlined a great show with great weather. Last year's event was headlined by the Jalan Crossland Band.

This year, PFAC has booked Austin's The Lonesome Heroes as our headliners, Austin's Leo Rondeau playing middle and local alt-country rockers The Science Rockets will open things up. This is sure to be the music event of the summer so mark the date on the calendar, dust off your cooler and camp chairs and come listen to some great music!

Watch latest vid from Lonesome Heroes at http://vimeo.com/7974902

Jared Rogerson launches new CD, "Bad Hay," Feb. 27 in Pinedale

Wyomingarts just heard a fine new song, "Straight for the Storm," by Jared Rogerson of Pinedale on KUWR's "Morning Music."

Jared's CD "Bad Hay" will be released Friday, Feb. 26. He will conduct an acoustic performance at the Wind River Brewing Company in Pinedale on Saturday, Feb. 27, to celebrate the CD release. Music starts at 8 p.m.

Here's some bio info from the musician's MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/jaredrogerson:

Jared Rogerson's music stems from his love of riding bucking broncs and exploring the great outdoors. Ironically, it was a rodeo injury in 2007 that spurred Jared into taking his music more seriously. “I’ve always wanted to make music. I remember pulling myself up off the arena dirt and thinking, it’s time.” In 2008, Jared recorded his first single, ‘Boomtown’, which received airtime on Wyoming Public Radio; he also performed it on international television. His first full-length CD, ‘Bad Hay’, features songs like ‘Glad I Took This Ride’, ‘What a Way to Go’, and ‘Above the Timberline’ reminiscent of John Denver’s ‘Rocky Mountain High’, bringing us to reflect upon our deepest roots. "We all have experiences from time to time that put the big picture back in perspective. That happens to me every time I get on a horse and ride into the mountains- I love it!"

Jared's debut release also includes tunes like ‘Ridin' Wild Ponies’ and ‘I Can Fly’ that rely on his experience traveling the rodeo circuit. Jared had his first “rodeo wreck” at the age of 3 that left him with a broken arm. “My dad pretended to be the bull and I was the cowboy, I just couldn't get him covered." Years later, Jared competed on the high school rodeo team and went on to earn a Bachelor's degree with the support of an academic and a rodeo scholarship riding bareback broncs. Afterward he competed at a professional level and continued his rodeo career while earning a Master's degree in Biology.

While on the rodeo circuit, Jared packed his guitar and wrote songs to pass the time. "I've written and sang songs ever since I was a little kid, I just didn't write them down on paper. After a while I'd forget 'em, then I'd make up new ones." Jared is now writing and recording songs with all the energy he put into rodeo by means of a certain ‘I can do it’ attitude he picked up along the way. “If I had to pick one singer/songwriter that has influenced my life the most, it would be Chris LeDoux. His music inspired me at a young age to dare to live my dreams. I try hard to make decisions based on the positive adventures I see connected with them. That’s where my music comes from."

Paper Bird performs in Jackson Dec. 7

Denver's Paper Bird, voted Westword's 2009 best music group in the Roots/Americana category, will perform at Jackson's Hole Bar & Grill in Jackson on Monday, Dec. 7, 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $8. At 6 p.m. that day, they will be do a live interview and perform live on 89.1 KHOL Radio. FMI: http://www.myspace.com/paperbirdband. Photo by Gary Isaacs, Paper Bird

No alibis for missing Alibi Americana Festival

The Alibi Americana Festival will feature four bands and will take place at the Alibi Pub, 404 S. 4th St., Laramie, from 2-10 p.m., on Sunday, Aug. 16. Tickets are $12.

The festival features these fine Americana bands, three of them from Wyoming:

• J Shogren & Friends, Centennial and Sweden, featured Friday on KUWR's "Morning Music," www.myspace.com/jshogren
  
• The 'Zarks, Laramie, www.myspace.com/thezarkses


• Halden Wofford & The Hi-Beams, Ft. Collins, Colo., www.myspace.com/hibeams


• The Jalan Crossland Band, Ten Sleep, www.myspace.com/jalancrossland

More info at 307-745-9738.

Jonny Lang, Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi headline Snowy Range Music Festival