Cigar City Brewgrass Festival

Town Mountain The sound of the award-winning group Town Mountain can best be described as traditional bluegrass, albeit with a rough-hewn side to it that is not too slick or glossy. They are a band of the here-and-now, yet they have a groove that is based on the bluesy and swinging sounds explored by the firstgeneration of bluegrass pioneers of the last century. With the success of their latest album, Leave The Bottle, the word is out with some of their best reviews yet.TOWN MOUNTAIN RELEASES BRAND NEW LIVE ALBUM:LIVE AT THE ISISRecorded live March 2014 at one of Asheville’s hottest new venues, The Isis. Town Mountain brings their brand of original bluegrass/country with high-energy and spirit. The project was mixed by Scott Vestal. Scott is a good friend of the band and all around great person. “We’ve worked with him in the past and he really knows how our band is supposed to sound”, says Jesse Langlais. All in all there’s not a dull moment in the 10 song CD. 6 of the songs are written by members of the band and have been on prior recorded Town Mountain projects. There’s a few covers as well. Town Mountain puts their brand on a Hank 3, George Jones, Jed Zimmerman and the ever popular Orange Blossom Special. townmountain.net
The Josh Daniel/Mark Schimick Project Formed in early 2014, The Josh Daniel/Mark Schimick Project is a fiery string band blending bluegrass, soul, reggae and rock n’ roll into a style uniquely their own. Respecting their Appalachian roots, these passionate multi-instrumentalists have a way of blending their harmonies and intricate string work in to something that appeals to a wide variety of listeners.
The Applebutter Express Some people may discover The Applebutter Express through their new song “Hey My Brotha,” which is featured in the upcoming Ron Howard film “The Good Lie” starring Reese Witherspoon (set for release in October), and a single from their sophomore project One For The Home Team, scheduled for release in September 2014. However, the band’s story begins in 2004, when Kyle Biss met his future wife Shannon while working at a record store in Bradenton, Florida. Still a focused bass player, Kyle picked up a ukulele in 2010 and began to write songs, with the idea of singing with Shannon (his then girlfriend) for fun on the couch. Pretty soon the duo began making a name for themselves among the open mic community; in no time, the eclectic, tuneful duo – now known as The Applebutter Express – were the talk of Tampa, Fl. Kyle and Shannon married in 2011, and in 2012 added Joe Trivette (fiddle) and Matt DeSear (bass) to the band. Since then, The Applebutter Express has performed at such prestigious festivals as Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, Hulaween..applebutterexpress.com

Bobby Lee Rogers Whether rocking out to his own compositions in the jazz or jamband scenes or presenting his unique interpretations of musical greats such as Miles Davis, John Coltrane or Wes Montgomery, guitarist Bobby Lee Rodgers is staking out a legendary path with fans and critics alike. His unique sound and stylings are garnering a growing popularity wherever he performs. Growing up with the guitar as a young boy he went on to study Classical and Jazz guitar at the University of Georgia. After college he moved to Boston and became one of the youngest instructors of Jazz Studies with the prestigious Berklee College of Music at just 23. While an accomplished teacher, it was performing that fueled Bobby’s energy and soon, along with Col. Bruce Hampton, he became one of the founding members of the Legendary Southern Band The Codetalkers. Bobby began his solo career in 2009 at the Wanee Music Festival in Florida where he performed in front of 10,000 people. He made such an impact on the audience that he was asked to come back in 2010 and again this year for the 2011 festival.
But Bobby did not forget his jazz roots. The Bobby Lee Rodgers Jazz Trio takes one back to the Golden Decade when Jazz was the soul of the city. Along with playing his Jazz originals, during performances he captures the sounds of the great artists of our time like Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk and Wes Montgomery. He visits their compositions by putting his original vocabulary and sound into the harmonic structure of the songs. Bobby brings a unique sound to his performance because he plays through a combination of Leslie cabinet and vintage guitar amp which gives him the beautiful sound of an organ and guitar together. A stellar songwriter, vocalist and guitarist he fuses rock, funk, jazz and blues into a magical musical tapestry. He has performed with such great artists as Vassar Clements, Warren Haynes, Widespread Panic, George Porter Jr. and the list goes on.Dave EasleyAmong the bands Dave Easley plays or has played in are the Brian Blade Fellowship on Blue Note Records and The Verve Label (in which he recorded for producer Daniel Lanois and played a duet with Joni Mitchell), Coco Robicheaux, Anderson/Easley Project, The Heartifacts, 3 Now 4 (Time Ebbing, Book of Spells, 3 Now 4),and Shannon McNally (Live at the New Orleans Jazz Fest, Run For Cover, North American Ghost Music.)
A few of the people Dave has had the honor of performing onstage or in the studio with are George Porter and Ike Stubblefield (Ruthie Foster’s new as yet unreleased cd produced by John Chelew)Dave Liebman, Kenny Garret, Bill Kreutzman, Howard Levy, Charlie Byrd, Seamus Blake, world renowned sarod player, Ashish Khan, sacred steelers, the Cambell Brothers, members of the String Cheese Incident, the Grey Boy Allstars and Tiny Universe, jazz violin virtuoso, George Mason, Raymond Weber, Tony Hall, Cyril Neville, Brian Stoltz and Dr. John.Ramblegrass Band A local Jamgrass band since 2007. There sound is between staight up bourbon drinking grass and Bob Marley!They have been The Ale and the Witch’s 1st Friday band since Aptil 2011, Celebrating 4yrs!! Played Riverhawk and Orange Blossom Jamboree festivals.Bobby Britt from Town Mountain and Dave Easley from Peter Rowen, Papa Mali and Bill Krueztman sitting in on there set. facebook.com/ramblegrass-band
Gypsy Wind Gypsy Wind’s style carries its listeners across borders and through time. A musical journey from the Kentucky bluegrass of Bill Monroe to the gypsy swing of Django Reinhardt. Working in a medium of acoustic instruments, Gypsy Wind embodies a new take on an old blend of jazz, swing, bluegrass and folk.facebook.com/gypsywindband
Oak Hay A folk and bluegrass string band from the Tampa Bay area. facebook.com/oakhay
Christie Lenée Christie Lenée has been capturing a wide audience across the US, touring frequently and delivering vibrant energy at every show. Her unique guitar work is often compared to visionaries like Michael Hedges, Bela Fleck, Andy McKee, and John Mayer- fusing folky/funky playfulness with pop/rock inspired songs and virtuosic guitar compositions. christielenee.com
Reina Collins Roots rock singer songwriter Reina Collins is back in Tampa Bay after 20 years in the Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountains. Her voice has been described as warm as the color of deeply polished wood and smooth and fiery at the same time – like top shelf tequila.
Este Loves She is a local songstress with some very mindful messages in her music. She will be showcased on the side stage right before Town Mountain not to be missed!!

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