Get Lon Eldridge and The Snake Doctors to Europe

On the last Freedom Friday on Matt D & Mullins in the Morning we enjoyed a visit from Lon Eldridge. Lon is a ragtime blues and jazz guitarist from Soddy Daisy, TN that plays music from the Civil War era to the 1940’s and 50’s. The guy is a super talented young man and we have no doubt that it won’t be long until he is recognized the world over for his talent.

As a matter of fact, he’s already got a head start. Last year Lon went to Belgium to participate in Ethno Flanders, a week long international music conference that draws young musicians from all over the world. He was one of a few artists there to represent the United States. To Eldridge, the experience was “indescribably wonderful and it creates a bond between people and cultures in a way that only music can.”

The Snake Doctors (Lon Eldridge and Chris Ryan)

In only a few weeks he plans to head back for this year’s conference with his new duo, The Snake Doctors, which was founded after Lon met Chris Ryan, a fiddler from Hiawassee, GA who excels in that old time style that the duo strives to preserve.

They’ve already got their plans made and hotel rooms booked. The only thing they still have to pay for is a plane ticket, which isn’t cheap, and other transportation funds. So, we told Lon we’d help him spread the word about his quest and recommend that anyone interested in donating to the cause can easily do so at his kickstarter page.

Snake Doctors on Kickstarter.com

Lon’s a cool guy who is out there doing what he loves and people are loving what he’s doing, so regardless if you can help or not, check out these links and give his music a listen. You won’t be disappointed.

Lon Eldridge on ReverbNation.com

The Snake Doctors on ReverNation.com

Lon opened up for Jerry on the Moon this past Friday at Schroeder’s. Here’s a video from that evening. Thanks a lot to Jedd Lovel for setting up the interview, the show, and shooting this video for us!

Matt D & Mulligan! LOL!

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The Northwest Georgia Music Hour

There’s no question that the musical talent runs rich in this area. It’s been that way for longer than I can imagine. That’s why we at 95.7 The Ridge thought that there needs to be a radio show that showcases the musical talent of Northwest Georgia. So we decided to go ahead and run with it. We just needed a sponsor and a name.

Finding a sponsor was pretty much a no-brainer. Stephen’s Music Company has been serving musicians in Northwest Georgia for years at their Calhoun location. Now that they have opened up a second location in Rome, there was no question that we should start there. Shane West of SMC was not only willing, but was excited and eager to get it started.

Next up, we needed a name for the show. After many clever ideas tossed around, we decided to just keep it straightforward and to the point. Therefore, Stephen’s Music Company presents The Northwest Georgia Music Hour was born.

 

We already had plenty of music to get started with but within weeks we received lots of CD’s in the mail from artists we knew and loved as well as some we’ve never heard of.

Now every Wednesday at noon on 95.7 The Ridge Matt D & I enjoy listening to music by artists from all over Northwest Georgia, as well as the occasional Northeast Alabama and South Tennessee artist. It’s been a blast and we’ve gotten a great response. Of course you can tune in at 95.7 on your FM dial, but you can also stream The Ridge live 24/7 at http://theridge957.com.

Georgia String Band Festival + live music out the wazoo!

It’s another super full weekend around Rome and Northwest Georgia with plenty of live music to choose from. One can get out and stroll around at RACA’s Art Walk, they can sample some BBQ at the Roman Roast on the River, or watch the Rome Rollergirls in their Maidens of MAYhem.

Some of the music this weekend includes great local acts like Thunderbolt Patterson, the Booze Mountaineers, and Backswing. There are also a slew of out-of-town acts heading to the enchanted land including Shotgun Scooter, Lon Eldridge, Matthew Perry Williams, Glenn Phillips Band, and After the Crash.

One thing that I’m really excited about this weekend is the Georgia String Band Festival. It kicks off tonight at the Harris Arts Center in Calhoun with a performance by Frank Lee, banjo wizard with The Freight Hoppers, and Mick Kinney, multi-instrumental genius and fiddling machine from the Georgia Crackers. There will also be a presentation and conversation about how what is now called country music had its roots right here in Northwest Georgia.

Then on Saturday its The Gordon County Fiddler’s Convention. This event started way back in 1924 until 1940. Calhoun was ground zero in this very popular music, and known far and wide as home to top talent of national importance.

The Convention was given a rebirth in 2006, which featured the now Grammy Award winning Carolina Chocolate Drops, and continues to this day based in the traditional competitions in fiddling, banjo, string band, and buck dancing. Players from four states will compete for generous cash prizes and medals. There will be string band performances all day long and there will be pickup jams all over the place. It’s one of those great times where the whole family can enjoy some educational entertainment and check out some serious talent.

Here are some images of some of the great founders of American country music, Gid Tanner & Riley Puckett, and The Baxter Brothers.

Gid Tanner & Riley Puckett

The Baxter Brothers (Andrew & Jim)

This is the link to the Festival facebook page.

AllRoads Music Festival. More than just AllRight.

Well, there’s no question that this year is flying by fast. For example, it’s hard to believe that the AllRoads Music Festival has already come and gone. And what an amazing day it was at Heritage Park. Twenty-two bands performed seamlessly in twelve hours. What could have easily been a logistical nightmare was pulled off with no sweat (well, actually, there was tons of sweat). Lee Shealy and Ready or Not Entertainment, excellent preparation by Erica Simpson McGinnis, and her crew of diligent stage managers pulled it off without a hitch.

The festival was put on by the Rome Area Council for the Arts (RACA) and I’ll have to say it was one of the greatest things I’ve ever seen or have been a part of in Rome. Although the attendance wasn’t all that is should have been, it is being looked at by RACA and everyone who participated as a complete success. Not only did Tinsley Ellis return to Rome to blast out his dirty raw blues, but twenty local bands brought everything they had and really stepped it up. Not only did all of those bands enjoy radio play on 95.7 The Ridge on The Northwest Georgia Music Hour, but also earned the thrill and honor of being part of the very first AllRoads Music Festival.

So, if it’s the first that must mean there’s a second right? No doubt about it and it’s already scheduled for April 20th, 2013. So, music lovers go ahead and mark your calendars. I am so glad that this festival happened, without a hitch, without any drama, and without a minute of disappointment from any of the bands or audience members. Thanks RACA!