Live Music & Entertainment - SJF 2021
A celebrated Nashville band, Whiskey Wolves of the West is excited to come back for their fourth annual Sarah James Fulcher Redfish Tournament! See photos from previous years here: 2020, 2019, 2018.
Nashville Super Band.
Marauders, Music Makers and more than just another country band.
Fronted by longtime Nashville guitar ace Leroy Powell and celebrated singer songwriter Tim Jones.
“Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah…” - Leroy Powell.
“Blah blah” - Tim Jones
The latest full-length from Cordovas, Destiny Hotel is a work of wild poetry and wide-eyed abandon, set to a glorious collision of folk and country and groove-heavy rock-and-roll. In a major creative milestone for the Tennessee-based band—vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Joe Firstman, keyboardist Sevans Henderson, guitarist/vocalist Lucca Soria and vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Toby Weaver—the album harnesses the freewheeling energy of their live show more fully than ever, all while lifting their songwriting to a whole new level of sophistication. The result is a batch of songs that ruminate and rhapsodize with equal intensity, inviting endless celebration on the way to transcendence.
Recorded in Los Angeles and produced by Rick Parker (Lord Huron, Beck, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club), Destiny Hotel expands on the harmony-soaked roots rock of Cordovas’ ATO Records debut That Santa Fe Channel, a 2018 release that earned abundant praise from outlets like Rolling Stone and NPR Music. Before heading to L.A., Cordovas spent over three months in their second homebase of Todos Santos (an artist community in Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula), sketching dozens of songs partly sparked from their voracious reading of authors like mythologist Joseph Campbell, poet/novelist Rainer Maria Rilke, and spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle. And when it came time for the recording sessions—a frenetic seven-day stretch squeezed in just before stay-at-home orders took effect in response to the global pandemic—the band methodically eliminated any lyrics they deemed inconsequential.
“We wanted to strike the term ‘want’ from our music—to get rid of all the ‘Baby, baby, baby, I want this, I want that,’ and create something more useful,” says Firstman. “We needed to make sure these were songs we’d be proud to sing forever.”
But while Destiny Hotel unfolds in untold revelations on fear and ego and self-liberation, Cordovas offer up that insight without ever slipping into didacticism. In fact, much of the album radiates utter elation, each moment echoing Cordovas’ band-of-brothers kinship and extraordinary closeness: when they’re not touring the world, taking the stage at leading festivals like Stagecoach, Newport Folk and Pickathon, or hosting their own Tropic of Cancer Concert Series down in Todos Santos, Cordovas spend much of their time practicing in the barn at their communal farm home just outside Nashville. “I can’t imagine that many bands rehearse more than we do,” says Firstman, whose wife and young child also live on the farm. “We’re all here together in this wonderful space, and we’re pretty good about never taking it for granted.”
ERik deutsch & the brooklyn allstars feat. victoria reed
Having first come to prominence as a member of the funk-jazz collective Fat Mama, pianist/composer Erik has taken his talents across the globe to play with some of the finest musicians alive. Born in Washington D.C. and currently a 13+ year resident of Brooklyn, NY, Erik exists in many musical worlds, performing and recording with jazz, pop, rock, bluegrass and country artists like Dixie Chicks, Norah Jones, Rosanne Cash, Citizen Cope, Charlie Hunter, Leftover Salmon, Shooter Jennings, Alice Smith, Shelby Lynne, Theo Bleckmann, Jessi Coulter, Joe Russo, Allison Moorer, Phillip Phillips, Dori Freeman, Joey Arias, Devotchka, Erin McKeown, Scott Amendola, Teddy Thompson, Ben Allison, The Motet, Sam Bush, Allison Moorer, Daniel Rodriguez, Steven Bernstein, Hannah Cohen, James Blood Ulmer, Jessica Lurie, Ellery Eskelin, Billy Martin, Bobby Previte, Levon Helm, John Scofield, Phil Lesh, Jim Campilongo, Bill Kreutzman, Nels Cline, Todd Clouser, Jenny Scheinman, Scott Metzger, Elvis Perkins, John Leventhal, Tony Malaby, Bob DiPiero, Autre ne Veut, Greensky Bluegrass, Trevor Dunn, Allison Miller, Frally Hines, Del McCoury, Don Byron, Jeff Coffin, Jefferson Hamer, Chris Robinson, Greg Garing, Shawn Pelton, Lee Townsend, Skerik, Brandon Seabrook, Warren Haynes, Stuart Bogie, Stanton Moore, Karl Denson, Steve Berlin, Ron Miles, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Michael Blake, Anton Fier, Fruition, Sunny Ozell, Todd Sickafoose, Alto Reed, and Art Lande.
In 2016, Erik joined forces with Colorado polyethnic-cajun-slamgrass legendary band Leftover Salmon and was a full-time member until he departed to join the Dixie Chicks touring band in 2020. In 2011 Erik teamed with Shooter Jennings to tour and record two acclaimed records, Family Man and The Other Life. From 2012-16, Erik played hundreds of shows with pop artist Citizen Cope; Deutsch's collaboration with his wife, Victoria Reed, including her albums Chariot and Aquadmadre, is ongoing and expanding. Deutsch holds the distinction of being the only keyboardist to tour regularly with 7-string guitar master Charlie Hunter, touring from 2007 to 2009 and recording Mistico (2008) and Baboon Strength (2009). 2020 marks the release of Erik's 7th album, Live at Lunatico. His previous records include Falling Flowers (2018), Creatures (2016), Outlaw Jazz (2015) Demonio Teclado (2012), Hush Money (2009), and Fingerprint (2007). Two additional 2020 releases in Erik’s catalog include Chrysanthemum (in collaboration with Spencer Zahn on Pique-nique Recordings) and a duo project with banjoist Andy Thorn: Tangled Sea by Deutsch & Thorn.
Avi Bortnick (guitar): Instagram
Guitarist Avi Bortnick is best known for his long musical association with influential jazz guitarist John Scofield, playing rhythm guitar and electronics, composing, recording and producing in the "Uberjam" band.?? In addition to playing with Scofield, he has played with his own groups and with a wide range of New York-based artists, including Jim Weider's Project Percolator, Erik Deutsch, Forro in the Dark, Shitty Shitty Jam Band, Rene Lopez, the Ghost Train Orchestra, Clark Gayton, Jihae, Betty Black, and Jason Blum. When living in the San Francisco Bay Area, he played with Bobby McFerrin, What It Is, Jeff Narell, and Kotoja.?? He is known in musician circles for his rhythm guitar playing and ability to blend in a variety of musical configurations. He has also published numerous articles in guitar magazines. In addition to his life as a guitarist, Avi is an experienced acoustical consultant, and has developed the smart-phone apps Time Guru, VoxBeat and Echo Pitch.
Tony Mason (drums)
New York City legend Tony Mason grew up in Southern Pines, North Carolina and has toured and recorded with John Scofield, Joan Osborne, Norah Jones, Charlie Hunter, Bernie Worrell, Bo Diddley, Martha Wainwright, Shooter Jennings, Ivan Neville, Cyril Neville, George Porter Jr., Leo Nocentelli, Amy Helm, Natalie Cole, Paula Cole, Doug Wimbish, Chiara Civello, The Soup Dragons, Jim Campilongo, Holly Palmer, Neil Sedaka, Connie Francis, Captain and Tennille, David Foster, Baba Olatunji, Willie Weeks, Jared Tyler, Michael McDermott, Melvin Sparks, Juliana Nash, Clark Gayton, Brooklyn Boogaloo Blowout ,Billl Sims Jr., Bloomdaddies, Gabe Gordon and many others. In the studio, Tony has worked with producers Nile Rodgers, Camu Celli, Ron St. Jermaine and the Legendary Russ Titleman. Tony has also played on many commercials and has performed on various television shows.
Mike McGinnis (reeds)
Multi-reedist and composer Mike McGinnis has worked with a dizzyingly impressive array of artists – from jazz innovators like Anthony Braxton, Alice and Ravi Coltrane, Hank Roberts, Ben Goldberg, Steve Coleman, and Lonnie Plaxico, to indie rock mainstays Yo La Tengo, to the Afro-Baroque Stew & the Negro Problem. He has performed on Broadway in the Tony-winning show Fela!, has co-led several ensembles, and has appeared as a soloist or sideman on over 60 recordings. For three consecutive years he has been listed in the Clarinet “Rising Star” category by the DownBeat magazine international critics poll.
Brian Drye (trombone)
Trombonist And Pianist Brian Drye Is An Integral Part Of NYC’s Creative Music Scene. His Debut As A Leader, Bizingas Was Hailed As “One Of The Best Introductions To A New Band” By The New York Times. Drye Has Spent The Last Two Decades Exploring And Performing The Vast Array Of Music That Is Available In The NYC Area. This Includes Jazz Of All Eras, Rock, Funk, Salsa, Gospel, Reggae, Balkan, Pakistani, Mexican, Haitian, Brazilian Forro And Klezmer. The Result Is One Of Most Distinctive And Personal Approaches To Playing The Trombone In Music Today.
As A Jazz Trombonist Brian Has Performed With Hank Roberts Sextet, Billy Martin’s Wicked Knee, Medeski Martin And Wood, Steven Bernstein (Sex Mob), Jazz Legend Clark Terry, Andrew D’Angelo’s DNA Big Band, Kirk Knuffke Quartet W/ Bill Goodwin And Mark Helias, Petr Cancura’s Down Home (Mississippi Roots), Marcus Rojas’s Brass Band, Matt Darriau's Jewish Jazz Project, Michael Formanek’s Ensemble Collossus And The Wood Brothers. Brian Has Performed With Celebrated Experimental Composer Annie Gosfield, Performance Artist Laurie Anderson And Was Featured In Andy Biskin’S Goldberg Variations At BAM As Well As Bang On A Can's 25th Anniversary Celebration At Lincoln Center With The Asphalt Orchestra. In 2016 Brian Made His Theatre Debut, Performing Trombone In The Cast Of Hadestown At The New York Theatre Workshop. He Is Currently Performing On Broadway With Hadestown At The Walter Kerr Theatre In NYC.
Freddy Cash Jr. (bass)
Legendary NYC bassist Freddy Cash Jr. is the son of Impressions founding vocalist Fred Cash and thus grew up around one of the most influential soul groups in history, inevitably picking things up along the way from his father as well as bandmate Curtis Mayfield. After growing up in Chicago, Fred came to NYC and has since worked with an amazing variety of artists.
Victoria Reed (vocals):
Born in Detroit, a 6-year resident of Brooklyn, and currently based in Mexico City, Victoria Reed spent the the past decade winning over audiences across the globe with her songbird voice and heartfelt lyrics. Following the success of her 2016 album Chariot, she headlined shows in the US as well as in Paris, Barcelona, Lucerne, Mexico City, and Guadalajara. Her sophomore release—2020’s Aqua Madre-- was a global success and led to her signing with Devil In the Woods Records. She is a frequent guest with Erik’s band and was featuring on his albums Outlaw Jazz (2014) and Falling Flowers (2018).
THORN
If you miss the glory days of rock then look no further. We are THORN. Four, Eastern North Carolina guys bringing the ROCK and letting it ROLL. Young, energetic, and taking the area by storm. We come fully equipped with a variety of the best covers from the best bands. Not to mention an albums worth of killer originals.
Rock n’ Roll Lives Through Us.
Band Members:
Lead Guitar/Vocals: Drew Guthrie
Bass Guitar: Chad Davis
Rhythm Guitar: Aaron Winn
Drums: Nathan Willis
Contact: Facebook @thornband
PB & J
Brad Hodges & Jason Talbott are two guitarists hailing from Danville, VA - childhood friends that carried a love of music into a journey that wouldn't be pigeon-holed nor would forsake the roots of the Appalachia music that was true to their hearts. Along with Jonah Citty, they christened the band Ergot that pushed musical boundaries of experimental funk, jazz and rock with a blend of originals and some tasty covers. With PB & J, they hearken back to their roots of mountain music and old fashioned pickin'.
