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June 1
CARELESS HEARTS + WHISKEY CHIMP
Careless Hearts (San Jose) are four dudes who play country, rock,
pop and folk. West Coast Performer magazine calls Careless Hearts
"a country band disguised as a rock outfit" capable
of "scratching out rowdy dance floor
busters and just as easily swinging a ballad." Performing
Songwriter says their songs have "more hooks than a convention
of pirates at a bait-and-tackle shop." Grab a copy of their
new CD at this show!
Within the scope of an evening concert, Whiskey Chimp (Ventura
CA) is bound to take its audience on a genre bending roller coaster
of musical emotions. Starting from very traditional bluegrass,
they may venture deep
into punk rock roots or tangent off into a rousing mariachi ballad.
Whiskey Chimp's repertoire of refreshing original material and
choice cover songs delightfully violate all rules of engagement.
Their simian stage antics and electrifying performance keep audiences
entertained throughout the night. From their first song to their
encore, it is very
apparent that these boys are having a blast!
www.carelesshearts.com
www.whiskeychimpband.com |
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July 6
THE EARL BROTHERS + TIPPY CANOE & THE PADDLEMEN
It's always a big event when The Earl Brothers (SF) appear, let
alone release a brand-spankin' new CD (Moonshine). "These
guys are on to something that's so primeval, insistent, dark,
old-time and thrilling that it just about defies description.
I find myself completely mesmerized by their gothic Stanley Brothers
sound. It just doesn't get anymore tough-edged and raw than the
Earls". Dave Higgs - Nashville Public Radio
Songbird and uke-slinger, Tippy Canoe (SF), aka Michele Kappel's
voice is a mixture of the 60's girl group sound, classic country,
and 20s and 30s early jazz-pop era with her own quirky nature
shining through. You can call it old-timey, you can call it retro,
you can even make up a word and call it 20sjazzcountrydoowoppop,
but whatever the moniker just let yourself go and enjoy it.
www.earlbrothers.com
www.tippycanoe.net
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Sunday March 2nd, 2008 - doors 7pm music 7:30pm - $10
Epic Arts
1923 Ashby Ave Berkeley CA (across from Ashby BART)
www.twangcafe.com
www.epicarts.org
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The Twang Cafe is going to be the place to be on Sunday March 2nd as we present an evening not for the weak of heart. Join us for what is sure to be the best gosh darn honky-tonky the Cowlicks have ever played. As well as the most deep-down, mournful, somber, murder-ballad, hard-driving, bluegrass sounds you ever heard. You ain't never seen nothing like the Pine Box Boys at the Twang Cafe before. These guys might make your ears bleed. Yikes!
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The Cowlicks have been a fixture on the local alt-country/bluegrass scene since 2001. Their first CD garnered rave reviews and radio play and resulted in the band receiving a California Music Award for Outstanding Country/Alt-Country Album of the year, beating out none other than Merle Haggard and Buck Owens. In 2006 they released their second CD "Psychedelic Service Station" and ended the year with an 11-day, 15 gig tour of Belgium and Holland, culminating in a rousing performance at Antwerp State Prison that they will not soon forget. The current Cowlicks line-up is Todd Novak (vocals, guitars), Dan Newitt (guitar, vocals, dobro), and Mike Anderson (bass, vocals).
http://www.thecowlicks.com
http://www.myspace.com/thecowlicks
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With no regard to decency, the Pine Box Boys have exhumed the ghosts of various Pollies, Sallies, Maggies and Eleanors and dragged them once more through new songs of unforgivable deeds, guilt and loathing. The poor victims are repeatedly shot, stabbed, cut and ground into powder as the Pine Box Boys sing songs of murder and misery, with a whimsical backwoods-y style. Although the songs have clearly been dragged, like a bloody sack, through some very tall bluegrass, they are unmistakably original. The Pine Box Boys are Lester T. Raw (guitar, vocals) Alex "Possum" Carvidi (banjo, vocals), Col. Timothy Leather (Bass) and "Your Uncle" Dodds (drums).
http://www.trashfish.com/pbb
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doors
7pm music 7:30pm - $10
Epic Arts
1923 Ashby Ave Berkeley CA (across from Ashby BART)
www.twangcafe.com
www.epicarts.org
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On Sunday, February 3rd, Twang Cafe is proud to co-host this event as part of the San Francisco Bluegrass and Old Time Festival
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The Atlas String Band is a Seattle-based group of friends bound together by a common love of old-time music. The rocking tunes, hard driving rhythms and sweet song harmonies that they play trace their roots to the 1920s, '30s and '40s - the golden era of old-time and early bluegrass music. While the music has evolved stylistically since then, the fundamental reasons for playing old-time music have remained unchanged - to foster community, to celebrate dance, and for personal enjoyment. The music of The Atlas String Band honors the spirit of that tradition. The band members are Paul Tolo on fiddle, David Parker on mandolin, Morgan John on banjo and vocals, Tom Collicott on guitar and vocals, and Carmen Ficarra on bass.
http://www.atlasstringband.com
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Hailing from the hayseed neighborhood of Bernal Heights in San Francisco, the Knuckle Knockers can't wait to play you their favorite old-time vintage songs and fiddle tunes. They stoke the fires of the vintage American music tradition, to give you a glimpse of the past through the eyes of the present, with songs and tunes on fiddles, mandolin, guitar, and five-string banjo. Bill Foss's nimble and masterful playing, Stairwell Sisters stalwart Martha Hawthorne's crisp guitar work and voice that's the envy of all the trailer park, and Karen Celia Heil's emotive playing that's a confluence of the past and the playful, all go neck and neck, knuckle to knuckle on lightning dance tunes, fire and brimstone, and magical harmonies.
http://www.myspace.com/theknuckleknockers
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Sunday February 3rd, 2008 - doors 7pm music 7:30pm - $10
Epic Arts
1923 Ashby Ave Berkeley CA (across from Ashby BART)
www.twangcafe.com
www.epicarts.org
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On Sunday, December 2nd, break out the big hats and spurs then join us for a foot-stompin', hell-raising, night of cowboy music and good times. These three bands know how to pack the house and get the joint jumpin' you won't want to miss this party.
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Doug Blumer and the Beer Hunters - play "California Country" mixing Blumer's originals with their own take on some classic country gems. Their sound combines honky-tonk, folk, bluegrass, and country-rock. Blumer has toured and played with all the greats including Hightone recording artist and honky-tonk hero, Dallas Wayne, the award winning Cowlicks as well as the Westerleys
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Pam Brandon & Maurice Tani - are both long time veterans of the Bay Area music scene, though from opposite ends of the spectrum. Brandon is a singer and multi-instrumentalist who has spent many years in the jazz, western swing and bluegrass world fronting bands such as the Chazz Cats, Lost Weekend and her own Belle Monroe and her Brewglass Boys. Singer/songwriter/guitarist Tani comes from a background of electric honky tonk and Americana fronting his own bands Calamity & Main and his current, 77 El Deora
At this special show they play Dirty Duets a collection of some of Pam and Maurice's favorite songs by other artists. In spite of the label, the songs are really more sexy than dirty. ("Dirty" alliterates with "duets" better than "sexy"). But while they may not be truly "dirty", the songs are indeed arranged as duets. The range covers tunes from Buck Owens, Steve Earle, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Waylon Jennings and others. Some are serious. Some are just silly. They may not really be "dirty" but they're all sexy.
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CHICKWAGON - began kicking up some glittery trail dust with their unique brand of high-spirited entertainment starting in 2004. Along with luscious four-part harmonies, an ever-growing variety of instruments and a sparkling stage show of song and dance, they share an affection for tales of heartaches, heroines and flirtatious hell-raising. Started as four friends who got together to sing country, swing and pop tunes and enjoy one another’s company, they decided to let the rest of the world in on the party. Jasmine Novak (bass, guitar), Erika Bauer (banjo, guitar), Nancy Irish (guitar, mandolin) and Barbee Corff (percussion, banjolele) sport real cowgirl flair; boots, buckles and fringe when they perform.
http://www.CHICKWAGONjunction.com
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On Sunday, November 4th, the Twang Cafe is pleased to present an evening of world class Americana music. This pair of award winning duos may simply be the most talented group of seasoned professionals to ever grace the Twang Cafe stage. Come enjoy an eveing of top notch entertainment in a warm intimate setting.
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Keith Little and Jim Nunally are best known to bluegrass music audiences from their tenure in top national bands (Ricky Skaggs, David Grisman Bluegrass Experience, Country Gentlemen, John Reischman & The Jaybirds), and performances on award winning recordings (Dolly Parton, Chieftains, "True Life Blues: The Songs of Bill Monroe"). Composers as well as mulit-instrumentalists, their distinctive sound enjoys an enthusiastic following in Northern California .
Jim Nunally - acoustic guitar and vocal. A San Francisco Bay Area-native, Jim is a nationally acclaimed bluegrass musician, composer, record producer, and teacher. He performed on the GRAMMY award winning recording "True Life Blues: The Songs of Bill Monroe", and was the guitarist on the theme song of "The Beverly Hillbilly’s" movie. Jim is a two-time Western Open Flatpicking and Master Guitar Picking Champion, whose distinctive playing delights audiences wherever he performs.
Keith Little - acoustic guitar, banjo and vocal. A Sierra Nevada Foothill-native, Keith is a nationally acclaimed bluegrass musician, recording artist, and composer. He performed on the GRAMMY award winning recordings"The Grass Is Blue" and "Little Sparrow" by Dolly Parton ,"Another Country" by the Chieftains, and his compositions have been recorded by Crystal Gayle, Tim O’Brien, and the Whites. Keith is an amazing vocalist, and honorary lifetime member of the California Bluegrass Association.
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Wil Maring and Robert Bowlin
Wil Maring and guitarist/fiddler Robert Bowlin combine talents to create beautiful and fresh original acoustic music which straddles the fence between bluegrass, folk, and country music. Wil's stunning vocal style and heartfelt lyrics have raised the eyebrows of the acoustic music world in recent years.Their music leaves audiences spellbound long after the show is over. Nashville DJ Dave Higgs says, "Absolutely, hands-down some of the most mesmerizing, exciting, interesting and enjoyable acoustic music I have ever heard. Wil's songs are just in a league of their own."
Wil Maring has won the prestigious Chris Austin songwriting contest at Merlefest and was a finalist this year at the Kerrville Folk Festival.Robert Bowlin is simply one of the best acoustic guitar and fiddle players on the planet; has toured with Maura O'Connell, Kathy Mattea, Tom T. Hall, Farron Young, Richard Greene, The Osborne Brothers, Bill Monroe, and others.
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Sunday November 7th, 2007 - doors 7pm music 7:30pm - $10
Epic Arts
1923 Ashby Ave Berkeley CA (across from Ashby BART)
www.twangcafe.com
www.epicarts.org
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On Sunday, October 7th, please join us for a night of unique originals as we gather together two bands destined to put a tap to your toe and a drink in your hand. These bands are gonna make your head spin, you won't know where they dreamed up such original arrangements or why they are not a hell of a lot more famous. Come se 'em before they sell out the Fillmore.
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The Billy Boys - have dubbed their music "AmeriCowboy"—good for dancing, drinking, loving and swearing to never love again. (Think Hank Williams and Mick Jagger on a bender in Barstow .) They purvey their hard-driving blend of originals, traditional country tunes and Billy-fied rock classics to gin joints and seamy saloons throughout the Bay Area. The Billys were destined to play music together, if only because they are all named Billy.
http://www.thebillyboys.com
http://www.myspace.com/thebillyboys
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Misisipi Rider - play music in a rustic choogaloo sort of way with honky tonk harmonies and swinging tempos in the tradition of the Band and John Hartford. Typically a five piece stringband; on this special Twang-riffic occasion Mississippi 's Mike Wolf and Missouri 's Cree Rider hit the hurricane deck all alone. Come down, sit a spell and go home whistling a sweet country song.
http://www.myspace.com/misisipiriders
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Sunday October 7th, 2007 - doors 7pm music 7:30pm - $10
Epic Arts
1923 Ashby Ave Berkeley CA (across from Ashby BART)
www.twangcafe.com
www.epicarts.org
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The Twang Cafe is pleased to announce another exciting evening of Americana music. On Sunday, Sept. 2nd, we'll hear a little bluegrass, a bit of old-timey country and oh yeah some spunky dueling ukulele too!
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The Sweet n' Lo's - two spunky gals and their ukuleles serve up pipin’ hot licks and buttery two-part harmonies for your listening pleasure. Along with a growing list of originals, they bring back classic tunes from artists such as Patsy Cline, Hank Williams, The Carter Family and Kitty Wells. Band includes Anne Arnhym and Loraine Belmonte, teamed up with guitarist Pierre Laik (from the Frisky Frolics and The Hillbilly Jazzbos) and upright bassist Brendan Glueck (from Texas Steve and the Git Gone Trio)
http://www.myspace.com/thesweetnlos
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The Black-Eyed Susans - are Nell Robinson, Cary Sheldon & Christina Nypaver. Join these three gals for an evening of bluegrass, gospel, and country music - the harmonies will give you the shivers. Nell's bluegrass and country band Nell Robinson & Red Level debuts at the Freight and Salvage on August 17th. Cary made her mark singing with Zazu Pitts in its heyday and currently sings with the Richard Olsen Orchestra. Christina is a rock-solid guitarist and talented singer who grew up immersed in the country and hillbilly sounds of her Southwestern Pennsylvania home.
http://www.myspace.com/nellrobinsonmusic
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Sunday Sept 2nd, 2007 - doors 7pm music 7:30pm - $10
Epic Arts
1923 Ashby Ave Berkeley CA (across from Ashby BART)
www.twangcafe.com
www.epicarts.org
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on Sunday August 5th Twang Cafe features some down-right, back-woods redneck-inspired music
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The Cowlicks are more than an urban cowboy band. Hailing from Berkeley and together just three years; the alt-country rockers made true on their slogan ("Merle's going down") to beat out Haggard, Buck Owens and other country veterans to win a California Music Award in ‘04 The award was a surprise but not really an accident. The group's leader, Todd Novak doesn't seem the type to leave much to chance. Maybe it's the influence of Novak's tattooed ex-Marine truck-driving music-loving dad, who taught his boy not to be late for work. Whatever it is its working fine and sounding good, in fact the boys just released a new album, Psychedelic Service Station.
http://www.thecowlicks.com
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Brad Rogers has been writing and performing what he calls "Un Homogenized" country music, for close to 20 years. You'll hear honest tales of hardship, battles lost and won, and a few tales of love too. Having been influenced by the likes of Johnny Cash and Gram Parsons, you’ll hear Country, Folk, Western, Tex-Mex, Rock-N-Roll and Blues in his songs. It's a true Y'Alternative mix of American roots music.
http://www.dudeboyblues.com
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Sunday Augst 5th, 2007 - doors 7pm music 7:30pm - $10
Epic Arts
1923 Ashby Ave Berkeley CA (across from Ashby BART)
www.twangcafe.com
www.epicarts.org
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on Sunday July 1st Twang Cafe has rounded up a cavelcade of unique Bay Area musicians for your listening pleasure
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Tom Brigham and the Grade - Tom was strongly affected by the sounds of Doc Watson, Reno and Smiley and Jimmy Rogers, from a young age Tom played ukulele and sang but an early fascination with Earl Scruggs led him to switch to five string banjo. At the age of twelve, he was the youngest person to be allowed into the famous Paul’s Saloon in San Francisco , one of the centerpieces of the Bay Area Bluegrass scene in the 1970s and 80s. After playing in a number of roots music bands, Tom spent six months traveling around Europe with his banjo, busking in the train stations. Having also spent a lot of time in Mexico and South America growing up, Tom also has a strong affection for Latin folk, and brings a number of songs from these sources into his varied repertoire. His recent album Amadora County was chosen as a Featured Artist on Indie-music.com.Tom’s pervious bands include Hillary and Craddock Brothers, The Mobile Homeboys, and Big Twang Theory.
http://www.myspace.com/tombrigham
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Naomi Adiv and The Parker Project play acoustic music in the folk tradition laced with clever lyricism. Her breathy sound and honest words combined with the talent of her friendly band make for a very warm live performance, drawing the audience into stories that inspired and delight.
http://www.myspace.com/naomiadivmusic
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The Good Sams’ emerged from the toxic waste bins of Moss Landing Power Plant. The mutant trio, too weird to hang out with other kids, was taken in by the pirates and sea monsters of Moss Landing Harbor . Their days were spent surfing and drinking beer around the fire pit with salty old men. At night using a stand up bass, snare drum, and finger pickin' guitar they played old time country music with the attitude of a land locked sailor. Years later the power plant blew up! With their birthplace in ashes, The Good Sams’ had no choice but to hit the road and share their freakish old time sound with the rest of the world.
http://www.myspace.com/thegoodsams
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on Sunday June 3rd Twang Cafe is pleased to present some of the finest and most beautiful-est country music your ears will ever hear
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Val Esway & El Mirage is the twang inspired stylings of Val Esway and her rambling bunch of cowboy buddies. After years spent winning folks over with the ethereal soundscapes of Ramona the Pest and Loretta Lynch, Val continues her explorations of love, liquor & loss with this new project. Whether she's singing sweet sounding tales of liquor and despair or toe tapping ditties of revenge and loss, she will surely disarm you with her soulful siren sounds. El Mirage is certified Ameri…kinda.
http://www.staggeringsiren.com
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The Blushin’ Roulettes hail from Mendocino county, CA. This folksy and tiny twang gang delivers old-timey tunes with a modern twist deeply rooted in feminine perspective. Songwriter/guitarist Angela Rose stands 5 feet tall, belting her sweet and sultry tunes of damsels in their bliss and distress in a warbling vibrato often compared to Iris Dement and Dolly Parton. Kissin’ Cowgirl Kate Stone keeps the boys drooling with her smooth vocal harmonies as she holds down the low end plucking and bowing her cello.
http://www.blushinroulettes.com
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Sunday June 3rd, 2007 - doors 7pm music 7:30pm - $10
Epic Arts
1923 Ashby Ave Berkeley CA (across from Ashby BART)
www.twangcafe.com
www.epicarts.org
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on Sunday May 6th Twang Cafe is pleased to present the finest in California Honky Tonk
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Rancho Deluxe is a critically acclaimed honky tonk country band based in Los Angeles . Their sound is driven by Americana roots songwriting and world-class musicianship. Songwriter Mark Adams and Guitarist Jesse Jay Harris have a natural chemistry born of years of friendship and musical collaboration. The duo recruited Jesse's brother Graham to play bass and released their debut in November of 2005. It has since been hailed as a superb first effort by No Depression & Dirty Linen magazines
www.ranchodeluxe.org
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High Diving Horses is Danny Allen playing guitar, singing and writing songs & his wife Laura Allen on keyboards and singing. Together they create a sound that only two people in love could make, at times sappy and other times rocking but always a whole heap of fun.
Danny’s been in a bunch of bands and been writing songs forever. Laura hasn't. After moving from L.A. to Oakland , California , Danny built a small 8-track reel-to-reel studio in their house. Laura would hang out and tell him what he was doing wrong. Danny said, "you do it." She said, "what do I play?" Remembering Laura's stunning version of Kool Kaboose, Danny pointed to the toy piano in the corner. After a few beers and a few songs, Danny asked Laura if she wanted to start a band. Laura said no. Danny asked pretty please? Laura said no. Danny said I’ll get you another beer. Laura said ok. They are High Diving Horses. They recorded an EP in their home studio. Laura has added a Wurlitzer electric piano to her "rig." Danny used that leverage to buy himself yet another Silvertone guitar. Sometimes electric, sometimes acoustic, sometimes hand claps.
www.highdivinghorses.com
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Sunday May 6th, 2007 - doors 7pm music 7:30pm - $10
Epic Arts
1923 Ashby Ave Berkeley CA (across from Ashby BART)
www.twangcafe.com
www.epicarts.org
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On Sunday April 1st, 2007 - Twang Café is pleased to present a night of solid bluegrass music, join us for a night of pickin' and grinnin'.
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The Mountain Boys are a hot new acoustic trio featuring guitar, mandolin, bass and tight harmony vocals. The band interprets a wide range of material from old-time fiddle tunes to classic bluegrass standards in a contemporary way.
http://www.myspace.com/mountainboysmusic
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Five Dollar Suit combines an array of carefully chosen traditional bluegrass and country material with powerful original compositions, featuring various combinations of mandolin, acoustic guitar, fiddle, standup bass and dobro.
http://www.myspace.com/fivedollarsuit
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Wagon is a blend of two parts old time, one part bluegrass, one part Irish fiddle tunes and a part and a half of interesting originals.
http://www.myspace.com/wagonmusic
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On Sunday March 4th, 2007 - Twang Cafe is proud to feature some of the finest singer-songwriter talent the Bay Area has to offer with this group of uniquely talented musicians.
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Kit & Tanya - have been musically blurring the lines between Americana and Folk for the past 10 years. Their passionate and heart-felt songs, rich in harmonies, strike a chord with audiences everywhere. They have recently won numerous awards including "Best Performance" and "Best Song" from West Coast Songwriters. Their new album is titled "Central Connection".
www.myspace.com/kitandtanya
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JJ Schultz - hailing from the Wisconsin Northwoods, JJ Schultz captures the lonesome middle-America landscape with the wry clarity of Nebraska era Springsteen. Schultz's wavering vibrato captures the snap shots of everyday people surviving the life of rural America. The dusty barrooms, the front porch steps and farmer's fields are images delivered with a subtle passion that's balanced between sparse guitar picking and a poignant vocal delivery that is as distinctive as Jay Farrar and Townes Van Zandt.
www.jjschultz.com
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Chris Hanson - has the sweet tender voice of Cat Stevens and a guitar playing style unlike any other. Chris has been writing and performing for over half his life. He has been awarded 'Best Song' in Berkeley by the West Coast Songwriters Association and winner of multiple other songwriting awards.
www.myspace.com/chrisguitarhanson
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Twang Wear Twang Wear - This show will also feature some of JJ Schultz's favorite kinds of t-shirts; brought to you by the creative folks at Twang Wear. Remember these shirts are only available at the Twang Cafe.
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Sunday March 4th, 2007 - doors 7pm music 7:30pm - $5 - $10
Epic Arts
1923 Ashby Ave Berkeley CA (across from Ashby BART)
www.twangcafe.com
www.epicarts.org
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Sunday, February 4thTwang Cafe is pleased to present an evening of fine old time and bluegrass music featuring a local legend and some boys all the way from North Carolina. Co-produced with the San Francisco Bluegrass and Old-Time Festival 2007.
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Town Mountain is "a straight ahead traditional bluegrass band" based in Asheville, North Carolina. This young quintet is just what bluegrass and roots country need to bridge the gap between the two styles What really defines Town Mountain's sound is their repertoire of original music that seamlessly fuses the two styles of music such as Bill Monroe, Jimmy Martin and the Stanley Brothers, as well as that of early country legends like George Jones and Merle Haggard. - www.townmountain.net
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Jimbo Trout has been a banjo picker and kazoo blower in the Bay Area for decades known for his hard, fast picking, raw vocals, and wry wit. He is the leader of the hillbilly-bebop band Jimbo Trout and the Fishpeople, as well as host of the ongoing Atlas jam sessions. Tonight is a special solo show celebrating the release of his first solo album "Catch of the Day" a collection of hobo songs, old time banjo tunes, and Carter Family and Uncle Dave Macon numbers. - www.jimbotrout.com
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Twang Wear will be featuring a complete new line of the most original one-of-a-kind T-shirts and accessories known to man. Come see the tees so uniquely hand crafted you'll want to buy them for the whole family. No two are alike. Available only at Twang Cafe.
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Tasty Food For this show and this show only we have expanded our menu to offer gourmet sandwiches and baked goods from DeLessio Market and Bakery. While supplies last.
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Sunday Feburary 4th, 2007 - doors 7pm music 8pm - $5 - $10
Epic Arts
1923 Ashby Ave Berkeley CA (across from Ashby BART)
www.twangcafe.com
www.sfbluegrass.org
www.epicarts.org
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On Saturday, January 13th, come and join us for our annual house party fundraiser to benefit the San Francisco Bluegrass and Old -Time Festival. This event has garnered a legendary reputation for a down home good time, ya won't want to miss it. We've got 3 bands, a batch of tasty vittles and a whole heap of prizes including CDs, T-Shirts, gift certificates, guitar straps and wine we'll be raffling off.
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Sunday, December 3rdHey ya'll this here show is gonna be a real hum-dinger,
we even gots some drums in the house, come watch as we stretch
the very bounds of "twang" music
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Brian Joseph is tall and bizarre and brilliant. He is known for not only his "exquisite tenderness and laugh-out-loud lyrics," but also for his outrageous live show, which teeters between mayhem and poignancy, hilarity and depth, great taste and less filling. He plays every musical instrument you've ever heard of, and gives a damn good shiatsu massage to boot.
Brian's fourth CD is called "If I Never Sleep Again," and is widely known to be the greatest thing in the history of recorded music. Kenny Edwards, who has been called "...one of the brilliant architects of the American Folk-Rock movement," co-produced the record, and he's a freaking genius. Listening to it is guaranteed to make you more sexually attractive, and will increase your odds of winning the lottery. Same goes for the other three awesome Brian Joseph records.
Brian's show is a guaranteed good time. Everywhere he's performed has invited him to come back and do it again. Ingenious, fun and taller than most, Brian Joseph is guaranteed to freak you out and leave you smiling.
www.brianjosephmusic.com
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Lila Nelson delivers catharsis is spades, diamonds...and especially hearts." Her songs move from traditional folk to contemporary folk/Americana, to jazz, blues and ballad always finding a home inside of the rich stories that they tell.
Her love of performance and her irrepressible sense of humor are reflected in the intimacy she creates with audiences big and small. Her work has been featured in theater, film, and dance productions world wide.
When Lila's not touring she find her home in Arcata , CA and she is a DJ on KHUM radio.
www.lilanelson.org
myspace.com/lilanelson
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Sunday, November 5thHey ya'll this here show is gonna be a real hum-dinger,
we even gots some drums in the house, come watch as we stretch
the very bounds of "twang" music
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Three Mile Grade is a Bay Area roots band that stands with its feet in traditional bluegrass, its heart in country gospel, and an eye on folk music from around the world. The 'Grade's repertoire spans three centuries of music from the old time of the 1800's to their own homespun ruminations on contemporary life.
Band members comprise an eclectic mix of individuals from the west coast, the deep south, and rural Appalachia: Tom Brigham (banjo, guitar), Mark Jeffery (dobro, mandolin, accordion) and Steve Lanza (fiddle)are Bay Area natives, Sam Price (bass) is a New Orleans transplant who brings a rich Cajun and jazz flavor to the band and Jace Aaron (washboard, percussion) was born and raised in Tennessee.
http://www.threemilegrade.com
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Wee has a creative blend of three part harmonies overlaying a musical mix of blues, folk and rock. WEE writes songs that create up beat vibes that lend themselves to crowd participation and fun times. Members include: Sean McAllister: vocals, guitar; Jamie Fox: vocals, guitar; Ashante Perkins: vocals; Rachelle Axel: vocals; Daniel Fleischer: percussionist, vocals
http://www.weetheband.com
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On Sunday October 1st
Twang Cafe brings you a lively bunch of music
with a return visit by the boys who know how to dance and sing,
join us for a foot stompin' good time
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The Backyard Party Boys - The Backyard Party Boys play an eclectic mix of old-time and other American roots music — from the Appalachian Mountains to the Mississippi Delta — whatever sounds great and gets toes tappin’ and bodies dancin’. You just may find yourself experiencing Doc Watson, if he were living along Waikiki . Each band member has been playing or performing since the 1970s, so the strumming, flatpicking, fiddling, and clawhammering give the music authenticity in their hands.
For more info see, http://home.comcast.net/~ukecat/PartyBoys/partyboys.htm
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Holler Town Holler Town is CorryDodson and Dave Strahan; they do their best to sound their prettiest. Singers, songwriters and multi-instrumentalists, the two members make joyful, sorrowful and downright beautiful music together. They offer up stunning harmonies, guitar, mandolin and banjo. "Like a California Dolly Patron and Porter Wagoner, Corry and Dave sing their harmony lovin' hearts out, only in less sequins."
For more info see, http://www.myspace.com/myhollertown
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On Sunday Sept. 3rd the Twang Cafe stage is proud to feature
Crooked Raods and David Morreale
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Crooked Roads - Crooked Roads' leader Chris Dingman has been a screen writer, a poet, a guitar player and a singer; he's been a small town boy and a big city dweller. Through trials and tribulations he has wondered the crooked path of the music. It's from this place that he leads his full band down that same path. Asked to describe the sound of Crooked Roads Chris answers with a question, "What if Hank Williams grew up listening to the Beatles?"
For more info see, http://www.heartbreaksampler.com/Live-Shows.htm
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David Morreale (A mellifluous blend of sawdust and King Syrup) - David left home at 16 and hitched Europe for ten years. David's warm voice and unique outlook tell stories of the road, heartbreak, loneliness, and felony. His "Two-Wheeled Tour" in 2006 will showcase this Americana singer/songwriter as he takes his Harley, his guitar, and his songs to the whole of America.
His new CD "From the Dirt,"on Mud Luscious Records can be found at
www.mudsongs.com
www.myspace.com/2wheeltour
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Saturday August 19th, Pyramid Brewery in partnership with Epic Arts and Twang Cafe Presents: |
Pyramid Alehouse Outdoor Cinema Series
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Featuring:
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The JJ Schultz Band ( Western Roots ) - Hailing from the Wisconsin Northwoods, JJ Schultz captures the lonesome middle-America landscape with the wry clarity of Nebraska era Springsteen. Schultz’s wavering vibrato captures the snap shots of everyday people surviving the life of rural America. The dusty barrooms, the front porch steps and farmer's fields are images delivered with a subtle passion that's balanced between sparse guitar picking and a poignant vocal delivery that is as distinctive as Jay Farrar and Townes Van Zandt.
http://jjschultz.com
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Jewgrass Boys ( Jewgrass )- Fusing two traditions as old as the Kentucky hillside–bluegrass music, and the semitic assimiliation into/appropriation of America's cultural heritage—the Jewgrass Boys interpret classic and neo–classic fiddle tunes, songs of Christian worship, murder ballads, coalmining laments, and other standard Appalachian fare with the undeniable authenticity of a Memphis–rooted Santa–Cruz–transplant and a flatpicker from New England.
http://www.jewgrassboys.com
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Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid ( Movie! ) - Legendary outlaws Butch Cassidy (Paul Newman) and the Sundance Kid (Robert Redford) display perfect comedic timing and charisma as they pull off heist after heist in this Oscar-winning film from director George Roy Hill. To evade a relentless posse, the boys flee to Bolivia, thinking they'll find easier pickings there. But trouble finds the fugitives wherever they go, and soon, the charming desperadoes are on the run again.
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About the series:
The Pyramid Alehouse in Berkeley (located at the corner of Gilman and 8th Street, Berkeley - map) welcomes back a popular summer tradition with the return of the annual Pyramid Alehouse Outdoor Cinema Series, this year partnering with Epic Arts to bring even more fun, live music, and new people to the festivities. The Pyramid Outdoor Cinema features favorite cult classics projected on a large screen in the giant open-air brewery parking lot. The movies will show every Saturday beginning Aug 19th through September 30th, no show September 2nd. Pyramid beers and Thomas Kemper root beer on tap and a full menu available all night. $5 suggested donation and beer sales help benefit Epic Arts' ongoing community arts programming. No one turned away for lack of funds.
Audience participants are asked to bring their own seating for the showings. Chairs are easiest, but rolling sofas, four poster beds, recliners, patio furniture, or even a comfortable canoe are seating possibilities that have shown up in the past.
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Pyramid Brewery
901 Gilman St. Berkeley, CA
http://www.epicarts.org/cinema
Doors 7:00, Show 7:30, all ages welcome
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On Sunday August 6th the Twang Cafe stage is proud to feature
a return performance by Bay Area legend Dave Gleason;
opening the show will be the side splitting satire of the trio Pickin' Trix
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Dave Gleason's Wasted Days ( Califrnia country) - encompasses the grittier end of the roots music landscape, sculpting rough-hewn moments of grace alongside good-time jamming -- the perfect counterpoint to the slick countrypolitan and sloppy twangcore that dominates hick music today.
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Pickin’ Trix ( funny folk trio)- is an acoustic trio offers a triple dose of guitar strummin’ and lyrics that will have you rolling in the isles, they’re a belly laugh of a good time and heapin’ help of harmony all delivered with the satire only a bunch of leftists could deliver.
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Sunday July 2nd
Award winning duo, Kit and Tanya
and the eclectic sounds of 3 Mile Grade
3 Mile Grade (bluegrass roots)- is a Bay Area roots band that stands with its feet in traditional bluegrass, its heart in country gospel, and an eye on folk music from around the world. The 'Grade's repertoire spans three centuries of music from the old time of the 1800's to their own homespun ruminations on contemporary life.
Band members comprise an eclectic mix of individuals from the west coast, the deep south, and rural Appalachia: Tom Brigham (banjo, guitar) and Mark Jeffery (dobro, mandolin, accordion) are both Bay Area natives, Michelle Lambert (fiddle) hails from beautiful Mendocino County, Sam Price (bass) is a New Orleans transplant who brings a rich Cajun and jazz flavor to the band and Jace Aaron (washboard, percussion) was born and raised in Tennessee.
Kit Smith & Tanya Livingstone ( harmony rich duo) - have been musically blurring the lines between Americana, Folk and Pop for the past 10 years. Their passionate and heart-felt songs, rich in harmonies, strike a chord with audiences everywhere. They have recently won numerous awards including "Best Performance" and "Best Song" from West Coast Songwriters. Their brand new album is titled "Central Connection".
Sunday June 4th, 2005
The Whoreshoes - early honky tonk country and
Kemo Sabe - modern camp fire songs
 Fresh from their show at the Great American Music Hall The Whoreshoes - celebrate the roots of country and western with elements of bluegrass, evoking the best of a bygone era and bringing that boot-stomping, hollering spirit direct to you.
Their contagious brand of traditional-with-a-twist country, their love for American old-time music and early honky-tonk, and their varied musical backgrounds (punk, folk, R & B and rock). Sweet harmonies and multi-instrumentalism and trademarks of the band-banjo, fiddle, guitar, lap steel, mandolin, ukulele, honky-tonk piano, accordion, washboard and spoons are all featured.
 Kemo Sabe - is an acoustic trio consisting of mandolin, stand-up bass, and guitar, playing modern-day campfire songs with a bare-wire energy at times fast and furious, other times soft and sweet, their sound kicks around a variety of genres from bluegrass to klezmer.
Sunday May 7th - Bluegrass Cowboy Jug Music with Jimbo Trout, Toshio Hirano, Jacob & Harry
 JimBo Trout and the Fishpeople are one of San Francisco's hottest acoustic bands! Their music is a product of bluegrass, ragtime, western-swing, New Orleans, honky-tonk, and more. These multi-tasking musicians perform on a variety of instruments including guitar, banjo, kazoo, washboard, harmonica, bass fiddle, clarinet and are known for their energetic and entertaining live shows.
 Toshio Hirano has that perfect old-timey waver, and his yodel could bring tears to your eyes. His faithful, respectful renditions of heartbreaking country tunes is something to behold."
Jacob & Harry is the collaborative efforts of a guy named Harry and a guy named Jacob who met in music school, practiced often, became amazingly talented and lead the country's great jug band movement. Together they are a sure fired hoot of a good time.
| Oct 2nd, 2005 |
| Stephen Yerkey |
| ALT-blues |
| Jack Stuber |
| Traditional Blues |
| Dale Miller |
| Guitarist |
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| Sept 4th, 2005 |
| Porch Flies |
| Country Lounge |
| Axton Kincade |
| Chick-grass duo |
| Brindl |
| Folk singer |
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| Aug 7th, 2005 |
| Danny Allen |
| Garage folk |
| Bob Harp |
| Alt-folk troubadour |
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| July 3rd, 2005 |
| Brunette & the Hi-Lites |
| Country |
| Ben Urwand |
| Singer-songwriter |
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| June 5th, 2005 |
| “Singer-songwriter night” |
| With |
| Kirk Keeler |
| Ilene Adar |
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| May 1st, 2005 |
| Superhoss |
| Bluegrass |
| JewGrass Boys |
| Neo-Bluegrass |
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| April 3rd, 2005 |
| James Lee Stanley |
| Songwriter |
| Green & Root |
| Female folk duo |
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| March 6th, 2005 |
| The Barn Owls |
| Hot Bluegrass |
| Charlie & Thomas |
| Friendly Country |
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