John Primer

June 17, 2010 | Genre: Blues
Location: Shryock Steps

As the title of his critically acclaimed Atlantic Record CD suggests, Grammy Award and Handy Award Nominee, John Primer is truly “The Real Deal.” At eight years old, John borrowed his first guitar and stated to strum. With the sounds of Jimmy Reed, Muddy Waters, Little Milton, Elmore James, B.B. & Albert King reverberating through his Grandmother Laura Nell’s tube radio, John was instantly hooked. He was fascinated with Blues music and set forth on a life long path of becoming a musical force. Early inspiration came from his family steeped in spiritual, gospel, and church, and went on to play at house parties and fish fry’s in and around his hometown of Camden, Mississippi.

At the age of eighteen, feeling restless and in search of further audiences, John followed the path of his mentors and migrated to Chicago in the fall of 1963. He quickly found work in the era when modern Electric Blues and the West and South Sides sounds were first taking shape. Forming his first band The Maintainers in 1964, John and his old Harmony guitar rocked such West Side clubs as The Place, The Bow Tie, and Lover’s Lounge. By 1968 John had left The Maintainers when the opportunity arouse to front the Soul and R&B group The Brotherhood. Jamming late into the night and practicing by day, John was forming his own unique style and expanding his repertoire. John’s success would lead him in 1974 to replace John Watkins in the house band at the world famous Theresa’s Lounge on the South Side. Over the course of the next five years, John would play with such originators as Sammy Lawhorn, Junior Wells, Buddy Guy, Smokey Smothers, Lonnie Brooks, and a host of other innovators sculpting the sound of the Chicago Blues scene.

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The McClymonts

June 24, 2010 | Genre: New Country
Location: Turley Park

An Australian country music trio of sisters, the McClymonts first arrived on the Aussie new country scene in June 2006 with their self-titled debut EP. Within the year, sisters Brooke McClymont, Samantha McClymont, and Mollie McClymont found themselves on tour with Lee Kernaghan, hitting the Australian country singles charts with "Something That My Heart Does," hitting number one with "Baby's Gone Home," being nominated for Best New Talent at the 2007 Golden Guitar Awards, and winning the same award at the Jayco Country Music Awards in 2007.

2007 also found the sisters recording their debut album, Chaos and Bright Lights, with many of Nashville's leading producers. Both the EP and the album were released through Universal. They spent the remainder of 2007 touring in support of their recordings. ~ Chris True, All Music Guide

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Sleeperstar

July 1, 2010 | Genre: Pop/Rock
Location: Shryock Steps

In their song "The Journey" ("To Speak, To Love, To Listen" 2007), Chris Pearson of Sleeperstar shouts to the heavens, "If I said that I was wrong, and if I wrote you this song would it bring you back to me?" Ironically enough, it is this question that forms the statement for this alt rock band out of Dallas, TX. Their music seeks to inspire and to make the audience keenly feel the pleading vocals, the "U2-meets-Third Eye Blind" guitar-work, and sentimental arrangements of every song. Their members are as multifaceted as their music.

Chris Pearson (lead vocals) plays piano, acoustic guitar, and the occasional Les Paul if the roof needs that one, final push to fly off the building. Lead guitarist Nick Box plays with a stylish exactness from his days as a classically trained pianist while effectively contributing vocal harmonies. Pianist Jake Lester also adds his own background vocals and is quick to fill out songs with a variety of effects, organs, and orchestral patches. Shaun Menary (drums) often keeps time with an eclectic clarity but also knows when to use a good old 4-on-the-floor. Brandon Rosas (bass) brings an experienced and meticulously-fashioned low-end to their sound which serves as a versatile glue for every song.

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The Giving Tree

July 8, 2010 | Genre: Americana/Folk Rock
Location: Turley Park

If you ask Todd and Eric Fink of The Giving Tree Band how much time they spend making music, your voice will not be heard above the din of their banjo and guitar, respectively. For the Brothers Fink, there is no distinction between playing music and just plain living. No two days are ever the same, as every new moment is their most creative. Their bodies and instruments become a singularity that is just trying to get in tune, stay in tune, and add a little harmony to the grand symphony of life.

When asked to cite influences, they will rarely speak of musical figures. They will proudly recite their genealogy, and celebrate the direct bloodline flowing from Mike Fink, the legendary folk hero known for his exploits on the Mighty Mississippi River. On their mother’s side, the sol smiles down on the path that connects them with Hernando de Soto, the Spanish conquistador who first discovered the aforementioned Mississippi. And so, the Finks grew up with a sacred reverence for nature, one that often collided with a reckless passion for adventure. It is only natural that their musical vision includes a plan to canoe the entire Mississippi River while touring cities along the massive waterway.

Following their lifelong desire for a band, the Finks have extended their brotherhood into an epic collective of like-minded souls, known throughout the world as The Giving Tree Band. Further inspired by extraordinary adventurers who led impressive supporting casts, the GTB has become a modern musical version of such historical outfits as Ben Franklin and The Honest Whigs, Frank and Jesse and The James Gang, and Theodore Roosevelt and The Rough Riders.

Though the story of The Giving Tree Band is still being written, it can already be said that these musical frontiersmen are redefining “virtuosity,” which is traditionally understood as dizzying displays of technical wizardry. But what is missing from this definition is the root word--Virtue. And it is upon this foundation of Virtue that The Giving Tree Band weaves their musical tapestry--by playing every single note with integrity in order to purposefully craft each part, by playing every single part with humility in order to serve the song, by playing every single song with honesty in order to resonate with the listeners at the show, by playing every single show with gratitude in order to appreciate this special privilege in life, and by playing life with a heart full of love in order to realize that it is all music, and it is all beautiful.

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Shaggy Wonda

July 15, 2010 | Genre: Rock/Funk
Location: Shryock Steps

Shaggy Wonda is a roots rock act that is making a push up the ranks of the music industry ladder on the strength of their new self-released album, ‘Real World Shaker’. This four piece features the shredding saxophone of Teddy Jones, the passionate vocals and riffy guitar of Colby Miller, rock solid bass lines from Steve Laine, and aggressive, almost animalistic, drums from the man known as Panama. An equal blend of emotion and technique is their signature, with an emphasis on melody.

Their songs will have you dancing and singing along but offer substance both lyrically and musically for the listener to delve deeper into. Their sound is a modern twist on the rock and roll of decades past and expanded by influences of blues, jazz, bluegrass, and reggae. Shaggy Wonda’s strong song writing and high energy live shows combine to create a package that has something for every music listener.

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The Sandcarvers

July 22, 2010 | Genre: Celtic Rock
Location: Turley Park

Praised as “One of the best live Celtic Rock acts in the nation.," by John Bowles, PaddyRock Radio, The Sandcarvers deliver an unforgetable show. The Sandcarves turn traditional Celtic tunes inside-out and upside-down.

Their original songs brilliantly tell stories from real life. They combine strong solo voices and vocal harmonies with equally strong instrumental skill.

The Sandcarvers deliver some of the best Celtic rock on the planet. The Sandcarvers will leave you wanting a whole lot more of the Sandcarvers.  It's Celtic. It's Rock. 'Nuff said.

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Seefari

July 29, 2010 | Genre: Reggae
Location: Shryock Steps

One of modern reggae's most dynamic live performers, SEEFARI has been a fixture on the reggae scene for many years. He has a reputation for being a unique artist who appeals to fans of all ages and backgrounds, honing his skills through countless appearances at concerts, colleges, casinos, resorts, restaurants and clubs. SEEFARI has headlined dozens of major reggae festivals across the USA. In recent years he has performed for hundreds of thousands of enthusiastic reggae fans from Vegas to Detroit and from Chicago to Kansas City. Sojourner Tre of Clevelandreggae.com wrote of a recent SEEFARI show with Israel Vibration "SEEFARI was nothing short of a roots sound power."

SEEFARI continues to expand his fan base to an international level with rave reviews and heavy radio airplay from the USA to Europe to the Islands and beyond. Discriminating music fans around the world have enjoyed his numerous critically acclaimed recordings and his music has been on several compilations and in feature films. The continuing growth in SEEFARI's popularity is due in large part to his energetic performance style and charismatic stage presence. His reverent, soulful interpretations of Bob Marley's music earned him a headlining spot on the Bob Marley Festival Tour ('97, '98, '99, 2002).

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