Cordelia's Dad is a band from Northampton, Massachusetts that combines folk and punk rock influences and was instrumental in the creation of the genre later to be dubbed "No Depression". The band formed in 1987 and was active until 1998, when the members relocated to different parts of the country. After releasing an album of older material in 2002 the band has reunited in 2007 for their twentieth anniversary.
Barnstormers is the long-time collaboration between singer/songwriter Ronald Moore with multi-instrumentalist Chris Wilson featuring a revolving cast of musicians and producers. Based out of the suburbs of North Alabama, Barnstormers was started in 2002 as the brainchild of singer/songwriter and then actor Ronald Moore to explore new styles of folk music through a long-time solo project. During that time he met Chris Wilson who was a music student at the same community college. In 2007, the band released their first independent release entitled "Switchblade Serenades"
Already a valid passport holder to Americana, this Australian songwriter stylistically crosses borders from folk to blues to country and beyond, her songs permeate visual imagery and emotional substance. With strong acoustic guitar work and vocals, laced with the unpretentious onstage ease of a natural storyteller, Marisa captivates audiences with her honesty and humility as she continues to forge new paths across the international Roots music terrain.
Giant Sand, originally The Giant Sandworms, is an American rock band formed in 1985, based in Tucson, Arizona, USA (although Los Angeles, California was its home for many years). Overseen by singer-songwriter-guitarist-pianist Howe Gelb, its membership has shifted over the years -- at times with each album -- though for a long while the drum and bass duties were handled by John Convertino and Joey Burns, who went on to form Calexico.
James "Blood" Ulmer (born February 2, 1942 in St. Matthews, South Carolina) is an American avant-garde jazz and blues guitarist and singer. Ulmer's distinctive guitar sound has been described as "jagged" and "stinging." His singing has been called "raggedly soulful." Ulmer began his career playing with various soul jazz ensembles, and first recorded with organist John Patton in 1969. After moving to New York in 1971, Ulmer played with Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers, Joe Henderson, Paul Bley, Rashied Ali and Larry Young.
Neal Casal (Born November 2, 1968 in Denville, New Jersey) is an american singer-songwriter.
He has released several solo albums and from 2005-2009 was a very important part of Ryan Adams & The Cardinals, with whom he was constantly touring and recording. Discography: Fade Away Diamond Time (1995)
Rain, Wind and Speed (1996)
The Sun Rises Here (1998)
Black River Sides (With Kenny Roby) (1999)
Anytime Tomorrow (2000)
Basement Dreams (2001)
Samamidon is a collaborative effort between Sam Amidon and Thomas Bartlet. Together they released one album called "But This Chicken Proved Falsehearted". Sam Amidon later released a second album under his own name ("All Is Well").
Both albums to date are modern interpretations of traditional folk songs (and one by Tears For Fears for good measure.)
Sam was born in Brattleboro, Vermont, June 3, 1981and currently lives near New York City.
www.samamidon.com
Canadian singer and songwriter Neil Young includes his personal garage band Crazy Horse ("second best backing band in the world") to make raw and unpolished rock. Their gritty style of rock has influenced countless artists and music styles. Crazy Horse is best known for its long association with Young, despite having released five albums of its own over a 19-year span. It has been co-credited with Young as Neil Young and Crazy Horse on 13 albums, "Live at the Fillmore East" from the 1970 tour (2006) being the last.
Kris Kristofferson (born June 22, 1936) is an actor as well as one of the most influential singer/songwriters in country music. He is best known for hits like 'Me and Bobby McGee' and 'Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down', and his association with the late Johnny Cash.
Kristofferson's first major hit as a singer was 'Why Me' in 1970. It was awarded 'Country Song of the Year'. Almost everybody seems to have recorded his song 'Help Me Make It Through The Night' and perhaps also his song 'Me and Bobby McGee' but the latter was particularly made famous by Janis Joplin before she died.
Anders Parker is a modest man who lives in Burlington, Vermont and works as a musician. People who are into American songwriters know him as the frontman of Varnaline. That band enjoyed the support of so many enthusiastic reviews and high-profile fans (most recently Steve Earle, who released the last Varnaline record on his own boutique label ESquared/ Artemis) that it became a widely held consensus that they were underrated. Which was impossible, though not the fault of the listening public, who actually really do have a bit of an ear, sort of.