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Nash's band, The Waybacks, comes to Kirk Avenue Music Hall on Wednesday night to share a bill with formidable roots singer John Cowan and his band. Read story and get details.
Here, Nash talks about the band's MerleFest experiences, including the "Hillside Album Hour," which grows in reputation. And we stream songs from the band's latest CD, "Loaded" (Compass Records).
Hey, cutters and scratchers. Pollstar recently released data that shows concert business is flat -- but only because rising ticket prices covered the drop in ticket sales. Attendance is down 5.6%, prices up 5.9%. The average concert-ticket price has climbed to $62. We all say we want big-name shows in the Roanoke Valley, but can we afford them?
Check out Riffs tomorrow to see a list of the biggest shows to play here the past 10 months.
In this week's Riffs, I postulate that even in today's Web-obsessed, downloadable culture, where mp3s are devoured like potato chips at a picnic, most kids still hear new music first on the good ol' radio -- the original wireless.
Hey, everybody. Tomorrow's Riffs is about how July 4 is the one day out of the year when people can't avoid live music. I've written a lot about the struggles of live-music venues over the years and the difficulties bands have finding lucrative gigs. DJs, iPod-docking stations and satellite radio have replaced bands at social gatherings. People don't hire bands for parties and dances like they used to.
But on July 4, you can hear the breadth of American music the way it sounds best -- live and outside.
Ralph is out today, and I can't think of anything witty to write -- especially given that Ralph already opened with this killer:
Holy Hannah Montana! Miley Cyrus has ... um, shoulders. And a back.
Wow! Who knew?
Apparently, Disney didn't.
You'd think a company that's allowed a cartoon duck to waddle around pants-less for nearly 75 years wouldn't let a bare shoulder ruffle its feathers.
Read the rest of it here, and drop us some feedback.
Hey y'all, In today's Riffs, I suggest that rock 'n' roll is dead. Actually, I don't suggest it, I state it.
Wimpy indie-rockers, Madonna in the Rock Hall of Fame, Mariah Carey surpassing Elvis ... if that's not an obituary, what is?
Let me know what you think.
The site is credited with boosting the careers of independent artists that include Sufjan Stevens, Arcade Fire, Grizzly Bear, Clap Your Hands And Say Yeah, Feist and other performers either ignored by or defiant toward major record labels.
If you haven't heard of any of those folks, I sympathize. Being over 30 stinks.
Now an established brand, Pitchfork is branching out in the biz. Site traffic hasn't been growing lately, the backlash against wimpy indie-rockers who make albums in their parents' basements has crested and other media, including other 'zines and satellite radio, have usurped some of Pitchfork's authority and coolness. It's also become lampoonable, which is what happens when you become a brand.
Read the column here.
