Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Happy Spring!


Happy Spring Music Lovers!

Thanks to the many brave souls who joined us for the Monticello Opera House double CD release party on Saturday night through the driving rain!! Twas a festive celebration and we were appreciative of all who attended.

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Hope you'll enjoy this last bit of coolness as it descends upon us this weekend. Here's some stuff coming up on The Big Wheel...

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Friday, March 1

Photo by Mick Marino


Lon and I with Rick Kuncicky at 



The Reef
Vilano Beach

Hope you all might stop by for a tune or two. Music starts at 6:30 pm. There's happy hour fun and free snack food til 7:00 pm I think.

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Saturday, March 2nd

The Driftwoods



return to Creekside Dinery!
Yep, we're back. Eric's back from vacation and we are looking forward to playing some tunes on Saturday night. Hope you all can swing by. Music starts at 5:30 pm.

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The Will McLean Festival

March 8, 9, 10

A premiere Florida folk event!


Brooksville, Fla.

www.willmclean.com for schedules and performance times

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The news from Pretty Cool Music Productions....


PReTTy CooL MuSiC – “growing smaller proudly since 1994”



On Friday, March 8 at 7:30 PM, we will proudly present bluegrass and acoustic music upstarts, Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen. Let me say, they are so smoking hot that my keyboard is melting and my monitor is making this little fizzing noise as I type.
Dirty Kitchen has played all the major festivals and won all the major awards in bluegrass. Last year, the band was nominated for best emerging artist by the International Bluegrass Music Association. Most recently, they’ve played the Ryman Theater and been featured on the Putamayo bluegrass collection. We were told to be on the lookout for them by both Joel Savoy and Mike Marshall.
Individually, each member stands out. Frank Solivan leads the group and is considered one of the best mandolin and fiddle players in the business. Mike Munford, on banjo, moves between traditional bluegrass and modern acoustic music with ease. Think Earl Scruggs and Bela Fleck on the same stage. Bassist, Danny Booth, keeps it steady and is one of the best vocal harmonizers around. I don’t know what else to say about guitarist Chris Luquette, but that he simply shreds. He tears it up!
As a group, Dirty Kitchen is even better than the sum of its parts. Tight, tight, tight. They move like a wave. One guy plays or sings a line. Another punctuates it with a little phrase that is actually a cresting exclamation point! You won't believe them.
Potluck. BYOB. Rain or shine.
See you at the show,
Zeke Williams


Sam Pacetti in Concert!



Sandhill Stage at Prairie Creek Lodge

7204 SE CR 234, Gainesville

$20 at the door 
to benefit Alachua Conservation Trust and Conservation Burial, Inc.
Advance reservations recommended:
call Freddie 352-317-7307 or email sandhillstage@gmail.com

"This young guitarist is an enormous talent. Whether playing a reel, covering Martin Simpson or dishing out a ravishing original, Pacetti is a simply astonishing guitarist."
Eric Fidler, Associated Press

"Although the woods are full of young guitar virtuosos, few have developed the style, technique and artistic wisdom of Sam Pacetti. Solitary Travel, Pacetti's first release, portrays his influences from both sides of the Atlantic, but also finds him blazing his own formidable trails... Solitary Travel heralds the arrival of one of the most talented instrumentalists and composers to appear in acoustic music in a month of Sundays."
Michael Parrish, Dirty Linen

"It is the combination of subtleties that make Sam Pacetti one of the most intriguing and talked about acoustic guitarists today... he is truly a vivid and endearing presence."
Mark Falkner, Florida Times Union

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MORE GREAT SHOWS COMING UP!
Visit the websites below to find out more about what's coming our way
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SUN APRIL 14, 6:30 PM
SLOAN WAINWRIGHT www.sloanwainwright.com


SAT MAY 11, 7:30 PM
& THE GATORBONE BAND (Lon and Elisabeth Williamson, Gabe Valla, & Jason Thomas)

SAT JUNE 15, 8:00 PM

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The news from Joseph Saccocci of Shake Rag Productions....






Hello everyone
You may have attended or recall that I organized a benefit concert last Dec 2nd for beloved luthier Paul Berger in St Augustine that Peter Rowan headlined. The concert had 2 purposes. to help Paul with financial difficulties due to poor health and to honor Paul for his lifelong contribution to the world of musicians of whom he touched with his incredible instruments. Below is a link to channel 12 (ABC affiliate ) out of Jacksonville that Shannon Ogden aired recently of his interview with Paul. I hope you enjoy it..

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/article/297971/3/Maker-of-world-class-guitars-calls-St-Augustine-home



Also a big thank you to THE GATORBONE BAND for an evening at the Thomas Center that I can only describe by saying they transcended an evening of music to an evening that truly touched our hearts. I mean literally there were people in tears..


 UPCOMING CONCERT SCHEDULE         

FRIDAY MARCH 1st 8PM SOFIA TALVIK'  




THE CIVIC MEDIA CENTER
In November 2011 Swedish singer/songwriter Sofia Talvik left her friends, apartment and Sweden for a great American adventure. Landing in Florida she embarked on a musical tour of the US named "Drivin' & Dreaming" as she toured in an old RV that would be her home for the whole tour.  Over 15 months, 37 states, 250+ shows later she's completed the circle around the US and is now back in Florida ending the 15 month long tour with her last gig in Gainesville.

Unlike her previous US tours this time it was all about playing her way through the US, visiting small towns as well as big towns, playing everything from small venues to big theaters.

"No town is too small as long as there's people there who want to hear my music" Talvik says. "A lot of European artists only play in the big cities when they come to the US, but I'm all about the grass root approach and about meeting the real people of America."

Expect an evening of great music, captivating storytelling with great stories from the life on the road; everything from crazy situations to friendly beautiful people and places. As well as songs from her new album
Date: 03/01/2013
Venue: Civic Media Center,
 433 S Main St  Gainesville, FL
Time: 8pm
Cost: $10   or   ADVANCE TICKET DISCOUNT BELOW
Tickets: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/5309631250

                           SAT MARCH 16TH 12 TO 9 PM LAKESIDE MUSIC FESTIVAL @ SHAKERAG ART AND  CULTURE CENTER
                                                Shakerag Culture Center Inc. and Century 21 Realty present
                                                              'The Lakeside Music Festival'

This is FREE to the public and being held at the new Shakerag Art and Culture Center
882 St Rd 21 North Melrose 32666  (352 475-5551)

This is an all day outdoor festival with 5 local bands from 12 to 9 pm here's the lineup
Wreckless
Midnight- Crises and the Hot Flashes
Moondog
Bubba Can't Dance
Jake Calhoun and Soul Connection
There will be food beverages and beer available on site,
We will have a stage as well as seating, but feel free to bring your own chair or blanket if you like.
This is going to be a lot of fun
SAT JULY 13TH FLAGSHIP ROMANCE/ AND THE CURRYS @ THE HISTORIC THOMAS CENTER

Shakerag Culture Center Inc. and The City of Gainesville, Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs

Are thrilled to announce a double treat of harmonies and upbeat music that  truly will be a night to remember.

FLAGSHIP ROMANCE  will be opening the show. here's a review and a link to check them out

“I felt like I was watching something honest and special; very similar to a modern day Johnny and June,”
"One thing is for certain, if the rest of the world can experience the chemistry that these two lovers share on and off the stage,
a crush on this Flagship Romance is inevitable  (Jacksonville, FL, news anchor Tracy “Dot-Com” Collins.)
(click on this link)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fH0jkiotfuM&list=PL0A3179978FD745F8&index=15

And of course          ' THE CURRYS '
who I've had so many requests to bring back since the amazing show they did for us last year at Shakerag.
Here's a little blog from them and a link to a u-tube....

"During a relatively recent From the Heart show, we were lucky enough to meet country legend Billy Dean and for reasons that are beyond us, he seemed to like the sounds we were making. Billy was gracious enough to invite us to play a few tunes during his headlining set at the Florida Folk Festival. The response was overwhelming and we had a blast and we really can't thank Billy enough. And on top of that rush of adrenaline, we had the pleasure of playing as the back-up band to Billy's ultra-talented daughter, Hannah Dean. It was a good weekend."
(click on this link)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWqpuiKjjX0

Doors open 6:30 pm, tickets 15.00 at the door
The Historic Thomas Center
302 Northeast 6th Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32601

                                OUR "COFFEE TALK" SCHEDULE

'Coffee talk' is held at Shakerag Art and Culture Center every Wed from 10 am until noon  It is free and open to the public
882 St Rd 21 North Melrose Fl 32666   352) 475- 5551

FEB 20TH DAN KASE

Lonesome Dan Kase acoustic blues musician from St. Paul, MN, has been playing professionally about 18 years, plays regularly in the Midwest.  He plays 1920-1940's style blues and originals on guitar and vocals.
Check out his website            www.lonesomedan.com


FEB 27TH AL POINDEXTER AND RIVER RISE
Al Poindexter, Eric Wendorf, and Ron Spencer, always thrill us at coffee talk
Al sings and plays Americana, Folk Songs, Original Songs, Songs about  Florida and Traditional and Original Children’s music. He plays Bottleneck slide guitar, finger style guitar, and clawhammer banjo. Eric Wendorf  sings, plays the harmonica and didgeridoo (oldest musical instrument from Wind Family that exists, native to Australian Aborigines.  Ron Spencer plays bass.
Al Poindexter and Eric Wendorf competed against 12 other highly electric blues bands at the St Johns River Blues Festival in Palatka on November 12,  2011 and won First Place



 MARCH 6th    GATORBONE RECORDS ARTIST PAUL GARFINKEL...





MARCH 6TH 
10:00 am - 12:00 noon
The Shake Rag



For the last 20 years Paul has been one of Florida’s best, and most elusive, singer-songwriters.  With five awards from the Will McLean Foundation, including first place in 2000 for his tune “The Creek” and selection as a finalist in the South Florida Folk Festival’s national songwriting competition, Paul has earned a reputation as a Florida original.  His music includes pure contemporary folk and Americana with a hint of bluegrass thrown in just for kicks.

  SHAKERAG "GALLERY" EVENTS

These events all take place at 882 St Rd 2
1 North  Melrose Fl 32666,  352)  475 5551 

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As always, thanks for supporting the arts in general and live music in particular.




Friday, February 22, 2013

Will McLean Festival Honor


Hello y'all. An article by Ron Johnson of the Times Union. Thanks Ron! What a thrill to win this honor again! 


Winners of Will McLean Best New Florida Song Announced

rocker419's Blog
Elisabeth Williamson, winner of the 2013 Will McLean Florida Song of the Year  Reverb Nation
Reverb Nation
Elisabeth Williamson, winner of the 2013 Will McLean Florida Song of the Year
     The three winners of the Will McLean Song Contest have been announced today by Margaret Longhill, head of the Will McLean Foundation. 
     The first place and Florida song of the year goes to Elisabeth Williamson for her song, "F-L-O-R-I-D-A."
     Elisabeth Williamson is no stranger to the winners circle, having won a few years ago for her song "Florida Cracker Girl." Besides being an excellent songwriter and musician, she is best known as owner and co-producer at Gatorbone Studios, which she runs with husband Lon, who happens to be an top rated bass man. Together they are producing some outstanding new artists and great music from their studios in Keystone Heights.
     The second place/runner-up song is Susan Brown's "My Florida." Susan is a veteran performer from St. Augustine and is usually seen with her musical partner Jamie Defrates at various gigs and festivals. Together they play and sing some beautiful acoustic music and harmonies.  
     The third place position is also not a stranger to the song writers winners circle and he is Mr. Rog Lee with his new song, "Florida No Appointments & a Full Tank of Gas." Rog won in 2008 with the song "City of Jacksonville" and he has a fun, easy going, laid back style of performing, usually at local watering holes in and around central Florida. His songwriting is some of the best and he is a favorite at the festivals where he performs.
     All three winners are well known, well respected folk artists and have been performing for years; Its nice to see all three of these great Florida songwriters get the recognition they deserve. Nothing against out of staters occassionaly winning but this year all the winners actually live in Florida and we like it when that happens.
     The 2012 song contest was open September 1,  2012 and the winners will be featured at the annual Will McLean Festival in March on the weekend of the 8th and 9th at the Sertoma Boys Ranch. The top three winners will receive cash prizes as well as extensive media coverage. This year, the process included Florida folk Heritage Award winner Frank Thomas and Nashville songwriter Billy Dean, a bit of an award winning songwriter himself.
     Information about the contest, as well as this years Will McLean Festival and the Will McLean Foundation is available at www.willmclean.com  
     Again, congratulations to this years winners of the Will McLean Song Contest and indeed, all who participated. We are all richer for the new music we now have about our home, Florida, the land we share and love. 
     That was Will McLean's intent and his accomplishment, still alive and well, long after his passing away in 1990.
     I think Will McLean would be very proud of this years winners.

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Special Double CD Release Party Saturday Night!



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Hello dear people.

Here is a little reminder that Gatorbone Records is featuring two artists 
that we've had the pleasure of recording recently in a special double CD release party this Saturday night, February 23rd.
Dinner is at 6:30 and the show starts at 8:00 pm. 
Please note that you do not have to buy the dinner and may just attend the concert but please read on down about dinner. 

It's a big night for us for several reasons. 
First of all we believe you are going to love the music of these two songwriters. 
"Rise" by Elaine Mahon and "Coastal Musings - For The Girls" by Ed McFarland. 

Elaine Mahon
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Elaine is a new friend in our lives. From the very first song of hers that I heard, I felt I had a kindred spirit. Her songs carry you on journeys of the heart along with soulful contemplations. From childhood memories to mystic love, "Rise" is a great ride. 


Ed McFarland
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Ed McFarland is a longtime musical hero of ours and I know to many of you as well. 
Lon and I were honored to be a part of capturing his music for you all to enjoy. 
Coastal Musings - For The Girls
 is an introspective retrospective, if you will, filled with heartfelt lyrics and powerful melodies.  
You'll feel like you're right there with him in the stories of his songs. 


Lon and I will be appearing with 
the one and only Gabe Valla
 as 
The Gatorbone Trio 

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Photo by Robert Alan

as well as accompanying our friends. 

We sure hope you can join us for this evening of celebration.  

Here's that important update...

If you think you'd like eat dinner, now is the time to make the reservation ... Thursday is the deadline.. like today.... so sorry about that. I was not aware of that until this late Wednesday evening. Here's the lowdown....

For Dinner Reservations, call 850-997-4242 for your table. It's quite enjoyable, family style and a lovely Monticello community event. They have vegetarian entrees. There is also a full bar. Dinner is $20.00 per person
For a Concert reservation or ticket call the same number and let them know or just buy them at the door. $15.00

If you have a friend or friends you think might be interested, we'd appreciate you passing this on.