This Saturday the 2000 and 2100 blocks of Atwood Avenue (in front of the Barrymore Theatre) will be rockin’ with great live music on two stages…that’s right, it’s Atwood Summerfest time again.

It’s one of the city’s best neighborhood festivals..with yummy ethnic food, icy cold beer..and fun for the kids too with face painting, arts and crafts, and those inflatable jump-around thingies!

The festival raises money for the Goodman Community Center (formerly known as the Atwood Community Center), so you can get a little wild, and feel good about yourself at the same time.

Here’s the line-up: 

Harmony Bar/Capital Brewery Blues Stage

12:00-12:50 pm Kristy Larson Honky Tonk Band: A little country music never hurt you! The Kristy Larson Trio won a couple of Madison Area Music Awards in 2009..and it looks like she’ll bring a few more musicians this time around!

1:10-2:00 pm  Piper Road Spring Band: How about some bluegrass? The Piper Road Spring Band has been playing together for more than 35 years, with bluegrass that’s far from traditional. They’ve been known to weave in some Grateful Dead inspired jams!

2:20-3:10 pm  The Alex Wilson Band: Alex grew up immersed in the Milwaukee/Chicago blues scene and picked up the guitar at the age of 5. He’s a little older now and ready to impress you with everything from Beale Street blues to Chicago swing.

3:30-4:20 pm  The Midwesterners: At the border of classic rock and country–that’s where you’ll find the Midwesterners. Led by veteran Madison musician Richard Weigel, it also features the highly charged guitar of Ernie Connor from the Rousers.

4:40-5:30 pm Altered 5: This Milwaukee based blues band takes pop and rock songs and “bluesifies” them! This is one of Gabby Parsons’ favorite area bands.

5:50-7:00 pm  Jim Schwall/Andy Ewen Band: What a combo! Jim Schwall was half of the famed Siegel-Schwall Band that played places like the Fillmore..sharing the bill with folks like Janis Joplin and the Doors. And Andy is the seemingly ageless guitar player and singer for the band Honor Among Thieves. Sparks have got to fly when these guys get together.

Maximum Ink / Ale Asylum Rock Stage
times not listed, but this is the schedule in order

The Shtetlblasters: Madison’s very own electronic klezmer band.

The Kingtown Rockers : Madison band described as reggae with a touch of metal.

VO5 : They want you to party like it’s 1978! A funk/disco/dance band from Madison.

Soul Shaker: Blues band from Madison. ..self-described as “dirty blues rock for yo dirty minds.” Influences include  Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac, Humble Pie, and Muddy Waters.

Beatallica:  Beatles meet Metallica. ‘Nuff said.

As Mr. Willie Nelson’s website explains, there has been a “Willie-leak.”  Earlier today Willie Nelson had a slip of the tongue while on The Bill Mack Show on XM radio (Willie’s Place is Willie’s XM channel) when he revealed that the location for Farm Aid 25 will be Milwaukee, WI.  The date of Farm Aid is reportedly October 2, 2010, but few details beside a date have been revealed.  More details will be officially released Monday August 2, 2010.

Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp organized the original Farm Aid concert in 1985 to raise awareness about the decline of family farms.  Farm Aid was established to prevent family farms from losing their land while providing financial aid to local farmers.  Last year Farm Aid was held in St. Louis, Missouri and featured a great lineup of artists including Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young, Dave Matthews Band, Wilco and many more.  For more information about Farm Aid musicians and other general inquiries, head over to the Farm Aid site and check it out.

As more details about this amazing event are released, Triple M will make sure you are informed.  Until then, check out Willie and Neil rocking Farm Aid 2009!

John Eddie with The Rowdy Prairie Dogs

Saturday July 31, 9pm, 21+

High Noon Saloon, more info

American folk-rock singer John Eddie will be taking the stage Saturday night at the High Noon Saloon in Madison, WI.  Eddie is a skilled guitarist and songwriter who has plays rock ‘n’ roll with folk country influences.  Originally from Virginia, Eddie moved to New Jersey to progress his music career in the 1970s where he became friends with Bruce Springsteen and signed with a major record label.  Many critics compared the young John Eddie to Bruce Springsteen, but the comparisons fell short due to Eddie’s country music inspired sound.

John Eddie is a wonderful songwriter and musician who has released a handful of records both studio and live throughout the last two decades.  This skilled musician’s first album, self-titled John Eddie, reached number 83 on the Billboard album charts in 1986.

Joining John Eddie at the High Noon Saloon are Madison’s own The Rowdy Prairie Dogs.  The band focuses on Americana and southern rock music and have won 6 Madison Area Music Awards, including Best Country Album and Best Americana Song.

So, if you are free Saturday and looking for a fun night filled with great Americana-Folk music, head to the High Noon Saloon for John Eddie and The Rowdy Prairie Dogs!  For more information and ticket information, head over to True Endeavors.

In preparation for the show, check out the official video from John Eddie’s 1986 hit “Jungle Boy”

Greg Laswell w/ Cary Brothers and Harper Blynn

Wednesday July 28, 8:30pm, 18+

High Noon Saloon, More Info, Tickets

Another fantastic singer-songwriter will be arriving in Madison on July 28.  Greg Laswell is an alternative pop rock musician who has been writing and recording music since the late 90’s.  Greg Laswell’s early music career started in his native San Diego with a band called Shillglen.  Shillglen gained slight popularity before the band “took a break” in 2001 and never got back together.

Greg Laswell has released 4 solo studio albums beginning with 2003’s Good Movie, his 2006 release Through Toledo, 2008’s Three Flights from Alto Nido, and most recently his May 4, 2010 release Take a Bow.  Laswell has had music included in films and televisions shows including “Grey’s Anatomy,” “True Blood,” “One Tree Hill,” and My Sister’s Keeper.  Specifically for the season 5 finale of “Grey’s Anatomy,” Laswell specifically wrote his single ‘Off I Go.”

Joining Greg Laswell at the High Noon Saloon will be Cary Brothers as well as Harper Blynn.  Cary Brothers is a Nashville based indie rock singer songwriter.  Brothers scored success with his track “Blue Eyes” after it was included on the widely popular Garden State soundtrack.  Cary Brothers released a new album titled Under Control on April 6 of this year.  Harper Blynn is an indie rock band from New York and will be joining Cary Brothers and Greg Laswell on the bill.

Be sure to check out these 3 outstanding musical acts on July 28 at the High Noon Saloon.  Head over to True Endeavors for tickets!

By: Michael Mahnke

Seeing Jack Johnson in concert is a joy, seeing him from reserved seats, as I was fortunate enough to do 2 years ago, is fantastic, but seeing him perform while standing on the stage is incredible.  Thanks to 105.5 Triple M, Live Nation and Jack Johnson I was able to experience this on Saturday July 24th at Alpine Valley as winner of the Jack Johnson- Best Seats in the House contest.
A Jack Johnson concert quickly turns into one big sing along and Saturday night was no exception.  The only thing missing was a big fire for everyone to sit around or hearing the waves hit the beach.  The Wisconsin humidty provided some of the heat and everyone singing along made up for the lack of the sound of the ocean.
After an opening set by ALO (Animal Libertation Orchestra) and an acoustic set by G-Love, and a quick glimpse of Jack himself backstage, we were led to the stage for an amazing view and an amazing time.  Seeing a great artist perform up close and seeing a concert from their vantage point, especially at a venue such as Alpine Valley, was tremendous.
Jack started off his part of the night with his current hit from his latest album To The Sea, “You and Your Heart.”  The joy of the crowd, the singing, the dancing were only getting started.

The evenings set list, 29 songs in total, included many of his hits and fan favorites.  The first half of the set list included many well loved songs from years and albums ago with songs from his newest effort mixed in.  Older songs included The Horizon Has Been Defeated, Inaudible Melodies, Upside Down (for the kids in the audience as Jack commented), the big hit from his last album If I Had Eyes and Breakdown.  As an introduction to his popular Bubble Toes, Jack gave a small glimpse into his catalogue when he said “The love songs are for my wife, the break-up songs are about my friends.”
There were also some great live versions of new songs like To The Sea, My Little Girl (for his new daughter) and Red Wine, Mistakes, Mythology.
The second half of the set list was heavier with past songs like Flake, Banana Pancakes and Sitting, Waiting, Wishing.  There were sit-ins from Dan Lebowitz of ALO, Paula Fuga and G-Love as well.  A real treat was Jack and his band covering the Steve Miller Band classic Joker.

The encore started with Jack alone doing acoustic versions of Do You Remember, Angel and Times Like These.  To finish the evening Jack was rejoined on stage by his band, G-Love, Paula Fuga and the members of ALO for a wonderful version of Better Together.
An amazing night, an amazing opportunity and and amazing view.  Jack’s feel good music, the talent of the musicians and the energy of the crowd made everyone go home happy.  It would have been a great concert either way but I was truly honored to have been selected to watch a concert in this way.
Again, I have to thank 105.5 Triple M, Live Nation for having the contest and Jack Johnson himself for allowing fans on the stage to experience a concert in a truly memorable way.

Saturday night John Hiatt came back to the Barrymore Theater. He always puts on a great show, whether he’s solo like last time, or with a 3 piece combo like the one he had on Saturday. If you’ve ever seen Hiatt in person, you how much fun it is.

This week you would have had even MORE fun if you were lucky enough to pay attention to the opening act, John Sieger from Milwaukee.

I got a chance to meet this songwriter before his set and was totally charmed by his dry wit and self deprecating humor. When he strummed a few chords backstage, I was taken by the pure sound of the guitar and was stoked to hear his short set.  But from my seat at the rear of the theater, I couldn’t hardly hear him due to all the talking around me. Well, I thought, this IS the next to last row and at least there are tons of people pushed up against the stage that were listening to John Sieger and HAD to be enjoying themselves.

Much to my dismay, I spoke with him after his set and he said people up against the stage were chattering away with their friends and not listening to him at all. This really bugs me. I wish people would show respect to the opening acts. Many times they have been personally invited by the headliner. Sometimes, it’s a band’s first appearance in Madison and we should welcome them warmly.I have been to many shows where the opening act was so good, I didn’t care if the headliners even came out!  Remember, at one time John Hiatt was someone’s opening act.

So, for those of you who were there and missed him, this is John Sieger, a very good friend of Public radio’s Michael Feldman, with whom he’s written an album of songs together.

Enjoy:

Todd Snider w/ Samantha Crain

Friday July 16, 9:30pm, 21+

High Noon Saloon, More Info, Tickets

Todd Snider is an Americana/alternative country singer-songwriter originally from beautiful  Portland, Oregon.  Too Snider has been recording and releasing music since 1994 when he released his first album Songs for the Daily Planet.  Snider has released more than ten albums over the past 16 years including his highly regarded 2006 release The Devil You Know.  The Devil You Know was included in many best of 2006 lists, ranking as high as 14 by Blender Magazine.

Todd Snider blends a “folky” acoustic guitar with a sometimes sang and other times talked lyric delivery.  Songs such as “Talkin’ Seattle Grunge Rock Blues” and “Alright Guy” are lyrically simple to understand while delightfully entertaining.  Snider intermixes hilarious stories into his sets as if he is part musician and part stand up comic.  His sound as well as his comedic style make Todd Snider resemble a young Loudon Wainwright.

Opening for Todd Snider is young singer-songwriter Samantha Crain.  Originally from Shawnee, Oklahoma, Crain is an alternative/indie guitar player and singer.  She has released two studio recordings, The Confiscation EP in 2007, and more recently her first album Songs in the Night in April of 2009.

So, if you are already a fan or looking to become one, head to the High Noon Saloon this Friday night and check out Todd Snider and Samantha Crain!

In the spirit of the midsummer classic, here is a video of Todd Snider performing his track “America’s Favorite Pastime.”

-Sam Ryan

Cory Chisel and the Wandering Sons with Daniel and the Lion

Friday, July 16, 9pm

Wisconsin Memorial Union Terrace, more info

One of the greatest things about summer evenings in Madison is live music at the Memorial Union Terrace.  Now pair this spectacular outdoor venue with some great homegrown Wisconsin music (and some cold delicious Wisconsin brews) and you have the makings of one fun night out in Madison, WI.

This Friday evening, Cory Chisel and the Wandering Sons will be rocking the stage overlooking Lake Mendota with Project M’s very own Jimmie Linville and his band Daniel and the Lion.

You may remember Cory Chisel and the Wandering Sons from the 2009 Madison Roots Festival.  They are an Americana/folk rock band led by the one and only Cory Chisel.  Cory Chisel grew up in Appleton, WI and developed his musical taste and abilities while playing music with family members from a young age along with an exposure to church gospel music.  His large family is filled with guitar players who over time taught him the tricks of the trade as well as expose the young musician to artists such as Sam Cooke, Sonny Boy Williamson, Howlin’ Wolf, Bob Dylan and others.  Chisel and the Wandering Sons have released a few discs including their 2009 album Death Won’t Send A Letter.  Head over to Chisel’s site for all the information and streaming tracks you could ask for!

Opening for Cory Chisel and the Wandering Sons is Baraboo based Daniel and the Lion.  Daniel and the Lion is a folk/rock/pop band that features Project M’s most recent champion Jimmie Linville! If you are a Project M follower you already know how talented Jimmie Linville is.  Jimmie’s band Daniel and the Lion fully showcases his singing and songwriting skill as well as the rest of the band’s great musical talent.  Daniel and the Lion list their influences as including Counting Crows, Ray LaMontagne, Ryan Adams, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, and Wisconsin’s own Bon Iver.  If you tossed all these artists and the state of Wisconsin in a blender, the amalgamation would be the graceful yet powerful sound of Daniel and the Lion.  Check out a couple of streaming tracks as well as snag yourself a copy of their This is Homemade EP and/or other goodies by heading to Daniel and the Lion’s website.

This is an evening of music you really should not miss.  Whether you are a Project M fan who can’t get enough Jimmie Linville, a Wisconsin homegrown music junkie, or just a fan of fantastic music, Saturday night at the Terrace is for you!  Head to the Terrace and show some love for some of Wisconsin’s most promising musicians this Saturday!

Here are videos showcasing Cory Chisel and the Wandering Sons as well as Daniel and the Lion’s Jimmie Linville!

-Sam Ryan