Keller Williams

Website : Keller Williams' Website

About the Band : Williams is considered by some but not by himself, to be a master of the acoustic guitar, known for his ability to solo over layers of spontaneously created loops. He is a generous performer who plays down to earth acoustic music that defies any effort to find a convenient pigeonhole. If pressed for a definition, Williams, as adept with language as he is with a guitar pick, calls it solo, acoustic jazzfunk reggae technograss - or simply - solo acoustic dance music. - JamBase

The Boatmen

Website : The Boatmen's Website

About the Band : The Boatmen are a recently formed acoustic 4 part harmony group at their base of long friendships. But after attending one of their shows you'll experience something totally different, a sound of music vets who have been playing for years. Drawing on a mix of influences, a vast original catalog, clever takes on covers is a sure shot to keep audiences entertained.

"Feels like going to a funk church."
- Larry Keel
(2-time national flat picker champion)

Band Members

Randy Gilkey : Acoustic Guitar/Keys/Harmonica/Vocals

Nick Durm : Bass Guitar/Vocals

Matt Mullins :Acoustic Guitar/Vocals

Robert Gross : Djembe/Vocals

Toubab Krewe

Website : Toubab Krewe's Website

About the Band : Blending American and West African influences into a sound all its own, Toubab Krewe has set "a new standard for fusions of rock 'n' roll and West African music" (Afropop Worldwide).

Since forming in 2005, the magnetic instrumental quintet has won a diverse and devoted following at performances everywhere from Bonnaroo to the legendary Festival of the Desert in Essakane, Mali, the most remote festival in the world. The band developed their unique sound over the course of numerous extended trips to Mali, Guinea, and Ivory Coast, where they immersed themselves in the local culture and studied and performed with luminaries.

Band Members

Teal Brown : Drumset

Drew Heller : Electric Guitar, Soku

Justin Perkins : Kamel Ngoni, Kora, Electric Guitar

David Pransky : Electric Bass

Luke Quaranta : Percussion

DJ Williams Projekt

Website : DJ Williams Projekt's Website

About the Band : NO, I AM NOT A "DJ" but I am addicted to music and feel VERY lucky to play and create music for a living. I am from Plainfield, NJ but grew up in Richmond, VA. Music helps keep me sane, cleanses my soul, and has allowed me to travel all over the place. I currently play and tour with my band (DJ Williams Projekt) with some of the most talented players in Richmond: Gordon Jones, Dusty Simmons, Brian Mahne, Mark Ingraham, and Todd Herrington. These guys keep me inspired and are like a family to me. I have gotten the pleasure to share the stage with such great musicians as John Legend, Karl Denson, Soulive, Dave Matthews, Michael Franti, Keller Williams, Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra, Benevento/Russo Duo, Citizen Cope, Marc Broussard, Dickey Betts, and many others. I hope to be able to create music for the rest of my life and spread MY music to as many people as possible.

Band Members

DJ Williams : Guitars, Vocals

Gordon Jones : Sax, Vocals

Dusty Simmons : Drums

Joey Ciucci : Keys

Todd Herrington : Bass

Mark Ingraham : Trumpet

Larry Keel & Natural Bridge

Website : Larry Keel & Natural Bridge's Website

About the Band : Connecting traditional songs of yesterday with their own original and inventive sounds of today, Larry Keel & Natural Bridge create astonishingly powerful acoustic music rich in heritage, heart and hot licks! With a style that evokes both atomic rock energy and dynamic tonal purity, Keel and his ensemble are intent upon taking their instruments and their voices to their fullest potential for emotion and amazement. While paying respect to the legacy left by the forefathers of bluegrass, Keel bridges the gap between traditional and contemporary American Mountain Music. & Natural Bridge includes flatpicking guitar master Larry Keel, Jenny Keel, Mark Schimick, and, Jason Flournoy.

Band Members

Larry Keel : Guitars, Vocals

Jenny Keel : Bass Fiddle, Vocals

Mark Schimick : Mandolin, Vocals

Jason Flournoy : Banjo, Vocals

Farm Vegas

Website : Farm Vegas' Website

About the Band :Farm Vegas is an up-and-coming rock and roll quintet from the music-rich riverbeds of Richmond Virginia. Formed in 2005 while the guys were still in college, the band cut its teeth playing beer-soaked fraternity parties in basements and living rooms across Virginia.

Band Members

JL Hodges : Guitar

Justic Paciocco : Keyboard

Philip Agee: Guitar

Brian Hill : Bass

Austin Peters : Drums

Furnace Mountain

Website : Furnace Mountain's Website

About the Band :The band has graced stages near and far, from the Yangtzee River in China to the banks of the Shenandoah River, where they host the famous Watermelon Park Fest each year. The music of Furnace Mountain is at times lively and raucous, with spirited fiddle melodies weaving in and around the powerful rhythms of the bass and bouzouki. It is at other times poignant and poetic, with sublime vocal harmonies beautifully interpreting some of the oldest songs ever written.

Band Members

Dave Van Deventer : Fiddle, Vocals

Morgan Morrison : Bouzouki, Vocals

Aimee Curl: Bass, Vocals

Danny Knicely : Mandolin

Zach Lester : Bodhran

John Flower : Washtub

Gary Ruley & Mule Train

Website : Gary Ruley & Mule Train's Website

About the Band : Gary Ruley and Mule Train are an acoustic ensemble headed by veteran flat picking guitarist/vocalist Gary Ruley. Mule Train includes a vast network of talented musicians who support and share Gary's drive to present the powerful acoustic sounds of Bluegrass, New Grass, and Jazz.

Band Members

Gary Ruley : Guitar

Will Lee : Banjo

David Knicely : Bass

Danny Knicely : Mandolin

Golden Butter Band

Website : Golden Butter Band's Website

About the Band : Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back! The Golden Butter Band is getting closer and closer each day to the release of the ever-long awaited five (5) song E.P. entitled, 'Aren't we all?'. The CDs are being printed as we speak, and should be available the first week of February.

Band Members

Rick : Lead/Rhythm Guitar

Alex : Lead/Rhythm Guitar, Vocals

Riley : Drums, Vocals

Cameron : Mandolin

Willy : Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar

Stump Hole Water

Website : Stump Hole Water's Website

About the Band : Stump Hole Water channels vintage Americana with great instrumentation and spirited vocals. Swapping instruments and vocal duties, the brothers Lovelady and Mr. Malik weave an entertaining blend of lively tunes that evoke props to many styles and genres, but remains refreshingly original and new. The songs never take back seat, as Stump Hole Water sells each one with such enthusiasm and celebration. In an age of labels and carefully prepared descriptions, it's a pleasure to "not" be able to pidgeon-hole this band of young talent, paying homage to musical inspirations of days gone by." - Bill LeCato- Host "Shore Made Music Hour" WESR-FM Accomac Virginia.

Band Members

Clark Lovelady : Guitar, Banjo, Kazoogle, Vocals

Luke Lovelady : Dobro, Guitar, Banjo, Washboard, Vocals

Andy Malik : Mandolin, Guitar, Vocals

Ryan Davis : Upright Bass, Vocals

Ben Butterworth

Website : Ben Butterworth's Website

About the Band : When Ben gets there the party starts. He is the Ken Kesey of the Elysian Fields family and his repitoure of Folk, Jam, and Americana will impress even the most knowledgable old timer. Ben will kick the weekend off with some funkified classics and squirly originals

Ben Butterworth : Guitar, Bass, Vocals

People's Blues of Richmond

Website : People's Blues of Richmond's Website

About the Band : The People's Blues of Richmond renders their audiences speechless in a pile of Rock and Roll ash. Direct to you from, you guessed it, Richmond, Virginia, this young band is taking blues rock to scorching new heights. Tim Beavers, guitar and lead vocals, is both Page and Plant. Matt Volkes, bass guitar, tears down buildings for a living. And Raphael Katchinoff, on the drum kit and percussion, is the fiery skeleton behind the wheel. PBR, as they are referred to in short, are playing shows all across the east coast and picking up new fans in each town they visit. Their sound is a cross between The Doors and Zeppelin or maybe an atomic blast and a crashing tsunami; either way, it's big and it's going to knock you down. Prepare yourself because here comes PBR.

Band Members

Tim Beavers : Guitar, Lead Vocals

Matt Volkes : Bass Guitar

Raphael Katchinoff : Drumkit, Percussion

Skydog

Website : Skydog's Website

About the Band : Skydog was the nick name given to Duane Allman during his years as a Muscle Shoals session musician. In the wake of the 40th anniversary of The Allman Brothers Band, Skydog returns. This Richmond, VA powerhouse is quickly becoming one of the most sought after ABB tributes in the nation. These six seasoned musicians rekindle the spirit of the original ABB line up. Driven by their passion to pay homage to Duane and Berry, Skydog revisits the early years with classic Fillmore East arrangements and unbridled grit. The members of Skydog share a long history performing together in other ensembles and after several years of talking about how much fun this would be, it was high time for Skydog to be unleashed.

Band Members

Jon Barnes : Lead/Rhythm/Slide

Keith Cable : Drums/Percussion

Joey Ciucci: Organ/Piano, Vocals

Brian Fones : Lead/Rhythm .Vocals

Dusty Ray Simmons : Drums

Jeremy Simmons : Bass, Vocals

The Former Champions

Website : The Former Champions' Website

About the Band : They Play. You Listen. Dance If Compelled, Freak Out When Necessary. Contemporary jazz; original, experimental and progressive instrumentals - varied styles, capturing rhythms and deep-setting hooks. Bass, drums, guitar and sax.

Band Members

Walton: Guitar and Vocals

Geoff : Drums, Sampler, Drum Machine

Ben "Wolf": Keys and Vocals

Ashby: Bass