January Shows

Blending equal parts folk, soul & rock, platinum-selling singer/songwriter Edwin McCain has signed with Vanguard Records and will release a new studio album next spring. Since his 1993 debut, McCain has garnered the attention of millions with the top 10 smash "I'll Be," and the Diane Warren-penned top 40 hit "I Could Not Ask For More," and as a tireless troubadour whose rapturous live performances regularly sell-out. In 1993, he formed the Edwin McCain Band and released Solitude. A quartet of albums on Lava/Atlantic Records followed, starting with Honor Among Thieves (1995), the breakthrough album Misguided Roses (1997), which featured "I'll Be," and Messenger (1999), which included "I Could Not Ask for More," also featured in the film Message in a Bottle, that drove Messenger to RIAA Gold Certification. www.edwin.com

In 1989, Scotty Morris, jaded by life as a young studio guitarist, decided to launch a three-piece jazz, blues and swing combo. The trio included drummer Kurt Sodergren and was named Big Bad Voodoo Daddy after a fateful meeting with blues guitar legend Albert Collins at one of his concerts. "He signed my poster 'To Scotty, the big bad voodoo daddy'", Morris explains. "I thought it was the coolest name I ever heard on one of the coolest musical nights I ever had. So when it came time to name this band, I didnt really have a choice. I felt like it was handed down to me." In the years that followed, Morris and Sodergren formed the rest of the band which includes Dirk Shumaker on string bass, Andy Rowley on saxophone, Glen Marhevka on trumpet, Karl Hunter on saxophones and clarinet, and Joshua Levy on piano. bbvd.com

Originating in Austin, Texas during the 1970s, The Fabulous Thunderbirds developed a distinctive and powerful sound, influenced by a diversity of musical styles. Their blend of Texas style blues and power rock led to such barnburners as "Tuff Enuff" and "Wrap It Up." Co-founder Kim Wilson, the sole original member; still spearheads the group as it evolves into its newest incarnation. fabulousthunderbirds.com

Singer/songwriter Dwele (pronounced dweh-lay) has carved out a niche for himself in the contemporary soul game as a smooth jazz-minded crooner of introspective and innovative groove. The Detroit-based artist first made a name for himself with a demo he made in his bedroom which led to one of the hippest hip hop soul collaborations of all-time (Slum Village's "Tainted"), a major label deal. Subsequent work followed with artists that stretch from Roy Ayers (in concert), Boney James (on record) and Earth Wind & Fire (on the Grammy-nominated remake for "That's The Way of the World"), to rappers Common's Grammy nominated "The People," and Kanye West's Grammy-winning single "Flashing Lights." On his own, he contributed the single gems "Find a Way" and "I Think I Luv U" to the canon of neo soul classics, but is best loved as that rare maker of fine albums. www.dwele.net

These popular and fun loving guys are from Long Island, NY but have been touring nationally for well over a decade. They mix their own originals with classics from the Dead and Dylan, the Stones, the Beatles and others. This band has recently played numerous festivals across the country including the Oregon Country Fair, Smilefest (NC), The Gathering of the Vibes (NY), Aurorafest (MT), the South Street Seaport Labor Day festival (NYC), Riverbend (TN) and others. These guys have played more festivals than most bands have played gigs! The Tricksters have received a lot of attention recently by celebrating their 25th anniversary, winning the Relix Jamoff Competition, touring with Grateful Dead alums Donna Jean Godchaux-MacKay, having some members play with the Grateful Dead's Phil Lesh and Friends, and other national press. The ambassadors of the psychedelic sound are always on the road and are ready to spin their mischievous magic. www.zentricksters.com

"They call us a Southern rock band, but we have always played everything from country to blues and all things in-between. We're still playing all of the classic songs, but we are moving ahead into other styles as well. We're also playing for a younger audience than we have in the past, perhaps to the kids of the fans we played in front of in the 70's and 80's." says founding member Doug Gray. Gray also notes that people have gotten "married and buried" to classic MTB songs like "Desert Skies" and "Can't You See". After nearly 30 years, The Marshall Tucker Band continues to be played on classic rock and country radio, and they have never stopped touring. marshalltuckerband.com/

The Roots are an American hip-hop band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are famed for a having a jazzy, eclectic approach to hip-hop which includes live instrumentals. Their debut album was released in 1993 and they have collaborated with a wide range of artists from different genres, including Roy Ayers and Cody Chesnutt. The Roots have generated a lot of critical acclaim and influenced many rap and R&B acts.www.theroots.com