THURSDAY JAMS BRING FREE CONCERTS TO DOWNTOWN ABINGDON THIS SUMMER

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

THURSDAY JAMS BRING FREE CONCERTS TO DOWNTOWN ABINGDON THIS SUMMER

Abingdon, VA -- The Town of Abingdon has big plans for its summer concert series, now in its fifth year.  The Thursday Jams summer concert series showcases a wide range of nationally recognized bands at the Abingdon Market Pavilion each Thursday evening, May 18 through July 20.  Presented by Blue Ridge Beverages and the Abingdon Music Experience, the concerts are free and open to the public; a beer garden will be provided by Abingdon Main Street, and local food vendors will be on hand.

Beginning May 18^th with the diverse jazz sound of Polyrhytmics, the series includes well-known musical acts such as Aaron Lee Tasjan, The Marcus King Band and many others.  For a full listing of musical acts and dates, visit www.abingdonmusicexperience.com.

This summer will mark the 5^th annual Thursday Jams series, which drew thousands of locals and visitors last year. The series is sponsored in part by Virginia is for Lovers Eastman Credit Union,  Universal Fibers and First Community Bank.

Music will begin 7:00 pm each Thursday at the Abingdon Market Pavilion, with a beer garden benefitting Abingdon Main Street opening at 6:30 pm. A variety of food truck and local vendors will be on hand offering concessions.  The events are family-friendly, and attendees are encouraged to bring their chairs and or blankets to enjoy the shows. No outside alcohol is allowed. In case of inclement weather, updates will be posted to social media, and Wolf Hills Brewery will serve as the alternate venue, located at 350 Park Street SE in Abingdon.

The series will host a variety of musical genres including Americana, southern rock, bluegrass, indie folk, soul and roots.  Bands performing during Thursday Jams have also appeared at internationally-recognized festivals like Rhythm and Roots Reunion, Floyd Fest, and Bonnaroo as well as Conan, The Late Show and Music City Roots. Local talent will open each Thursday for the headliners, who will start their sets at 8pm.

Abingdon Music Experience is now in its fifth year of presenting live music in Abingdon.  Other programs include January Jams at Barter Theatre, Virginia Creeper Fest, Thursday Jams, Summer Lovin’ Concert June 10^th, Independence Day Extravaganza July 1^st and the 3^rd Annual Main Street Busker Fest September 2nd, a one-day festival that will fill downtown Abingdon with street performers.

For a full listing of musical acts and dates, visit www.abingdonmusicexperience.com. For more information, call 276-676-2282 or email ssaavedra@abingdon-va.gov.

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Thursday Jams 2017 Lineup

May 18^th: Polyrhythmics

For fans of: TAUK, Pimps of Joytime, The New Mastersounds

Creating vivid instrumental imagery with complex rhythms and a unique precision that redefines the term “funk” for 21st Century audiences, the 8-piece Polyrhythmics are proving to be one of Seattle’s finest exports.

Founded from a collective desire to make classic vinyl recordings, Polyrhythmics have been a defining musical force and west coast institution for the better part of a decade.  With four studio albums under their belt as well as a growing pile of limited-release 7-inch 45's, the boys are back at it in 2017 working on a new full length that is scheduled for release later in the year.

2016’s LP release ‘Octagon’, as well as last summer’s blockbuster single collaboration with NW Deep Funk Pioneer Lucky Brown entitled I Believe in Love, is evidence of the band’s ever evolving studio prowess, but it is the seemingly non-stop live performance schedule that has helped make the band quickly known universally for their high energy and dance floor igniting performances.  Fusing elements of afrobeat, funk, psych rock, and world music, the unparalleled musicianship and undeniable chemistry that Polyrhythmics exudes has earned the band nation-wide recognition, and their stellar original songwriting and impeccable analog album production has earned the dedication of music aficionados and vinyl collectors the world over.

Joined by opening act: Devon GilfillianThis concert is part of the 5th annual Thursday Jams series, presented by Blue Ridge Beverage. Music will begin 7:00 pm each Thursday at the Abingdon Market Pavilion, with a beer garden benefitting Abingdon Main Street opening at 6:30 pm. A variety of food truck and local vendors will be on hand offering concessions. The events are free, family-friendly, and attendees are encouraged to bring their chairs and or blankets to enjoy the shows. No outside alcohol is allowed. Get more info atThis concert is part of the 5th annual Thursday Jams series, presented by Blue Ridge Beverage. Music will begin 7:00 pm each Thursday at the Abingdon Market Pavilion, with a beer garden benefitting Abingdon Main Street opening at 6:30 pm. A variety of food truck and local vendors will be on hand offering concessions. The events are free, family-friendly, and attendees are encouraged to bring their chairs and or blankets to enjoy the shows. No outside alcohol is allowed.

 May 25^th:  Aaron Lee Tasjan

For fans of: Tom Petty, Todd Snider, Drive By Truckers

East Nashville-based musician Aaron Lee Tasjan has always considered himself a songwriter first and foremost, writing his own off-kilter folk-inflected songs since he picked up his first acoustic as a teen guitar prodigy. “A lot of the stuff I did previously was never the main focal point,” Tasjan explains. “It’s all just been pieces along the way.”  His most recently released Silver Tears offers a glimpse through the eyes of one gifted songwriter and versatile musician. Whether playing guitar in the late incarnation of riotous glam-rock innovators the New York Dolls, the gender-bending, envelope-pushing sleaze n’ tease arena rock band Semi Precious Weapons, the Neil Young-signed alt-country act Everest, British roots rock band Alberta Cross, Southern rock stalwarts Drivin’ N’ Cryin’ or even as frontman of the devilishly cleverly-named Heartbreakers meets Replacements rockers Madison Square Gardeners,  offer a glimpse through the eyes of one gifted songwriter and versatile musician.

While those stints may have never been his main destination, each one has been a stepping stone that has uniquely informed his songwriting and made him a compelling, singular artist. Tasjan’s songs, as first heard on his debut solo EP, 2014’s Crooked River Burning, are indebted to great American storytellers like John Prine, Tom Petty, Guy Clark, Steve Goodman, Arlo Guthrie and Todd Snider. They are imbued with wry wit, a sharp tongue and a lot of heart.

Last year’s self-released LP, In The Blazes, received accolades from American Songwriter, Rolling Stone, Nashville Scene and NPR and suggested Tasjan was an artist to keep an eye on. While that album hinted at Tasjan’s enormous potential, it’s his sophomore effort, his New West Records debut, Silver Tears, that best realizes his artistic ambitions and solidifies him as one of the most intriguing singer/songwriters to emerge in sometime. An inspired and confident set of songs, the 12-track album, which features a cover with Tasjan decked out in a reflective suit and Stetson, careens from woozy pot paeans to brooding, cinematic observations to laid back ‘70s country-rock and galloping anthems to introspective folk and rollicking honky-tonk. “I might have made something that will surprise people,” Tasjan admits. “I didn’t completely abandon the recipe, but I really stretched myself and pushed beyond what people might expect from me. Being true as a musician, I’m not just one thing – and a variety of styles is a way to accomplish that. “

Joined by opening act: Amythyst Kiah

June 1^st:  Jakubi

For fans of: Bruno Mars, Arrested Development, Leon Bridges, The Suffers

Jakubi is a Melbourne-based band composed of two brothers, two cousins and one friend whose love for producing music brought them together and whose pure talent propelled them forward. Jakubi’s unique flavor stems from an irresistible combination of jangly guitars, hip-hop beats and sailing synth rhythms. Flawlessly melding the sounds of a talk box one minute and reggae-inspired guitar the next, the band’s infectious experimental songs are guaranteed to get everyone dancing.

2014 saw the band touring two continents and three countries including Australia, the US, and Canada. Since the release of their first single in 2013, the band’s music has been streamed on SoundCloud almost 5 million times and has amassed over 4 million views across YouTube.

The band’s latest single, “Couch Potato,” earned the praise of the king of pop culture commentary himself, Perez Hilton, who says, "It's so dope! They've got a real laid-back, positive vibe that's infectious.” The playful video for the track features a couch coasting down the street and was filmed by dragging the couch behind a car, a stunt that accidentally got the band featured on "Highway Patrol," a national television show in Australia.

After a whirlwind 18 months the band is excited to announce their second tour of the US and will be celebrating with the release of their debut EP.

Joined by opening act: Leeda “Lyric” Jones

June 8^th: The Broadcast

For fans of: Grace Potter, Led Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac

Three decades from now, a documentary filmmaker in search of his next rockumentary will come across The Broadcast and realize he’s hit gold. The story of the rock and soul outfit not only comes with its own high-octane soundtrack, it hits on all the key points: Challenges are overcome, miles are logged, performances are slain and an oft-jaded music industry is enticed. There’s dancing. There’s a love story.

Over 50 years ago, Bob Dylan traveled—as many would after him—from the American heartland to New York City, singing his way to the stage at The Bitter End in Greenwich Village. For Caitlin Krisko and her band The Broadcast, the story began at The Bitter End and wound up in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Like Dylan in reverse, lead singer Krisko grew restless in the city that never sleeps and dropped everything to move to Asheville, N.C., in 2010. It was there Krisko met guitarist Aaron Austin spending the next couple of years working as a songwriting duo releasing their debut LP, Dodge the Arrow, in 2013 (recorded at famed Echo Mountain Studios with LA producer, Eric “Mixerman” Sarafin). The record was an exploration of “bombastic, larger-than-life” sounds which went on to sell over 10,000 copies independently and ranked #4 on the college radio charts.

In 2015, The Broadcast got “the call” from producer Jim Scott (Tedeschi Trucks Band, Tom Petty), and the band began recording their sophomore effort, From the Horizon, which was released in June to rave reviews from Relix Magazine, Paste, and Live for Live Music. From The Horizon embodies a new sense of home, comfortably seating The Broadcast in the company of their Americana contemporaries. With a mix of soul, blues and classic rock arrangements, The Broadcast has shared stages with Mavis Staples, John Prine, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, The Wood Brothers, Brandi Carlisle, Keller Williams, Nicki Bluhm & The Gramblers, George Porter Jr. (Funky Meters), Betty LaVette, Charles Bradley and Holly Williams, among others.

Joined by opening act: David Earl

June 15^th: Forlorn Strangers

For fans of: Pokey LaFarge, Mipso, Gillian Welch, Old Crow Medicine Show

Forlorn Strangers is a Nashville, TN based Americana quintet, with members hailing from the great states of Florida, Maryland, Pennsylvania & Minnesota. The band is comprised of five songwriters, each having their own distinct sounds & styles that blend into one cohesive voice. Their music is rooted in family harmonies & flavored with guitars, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, dobro, & foot stomping percussion. The band is comprised of sisters Abigail Dempsey (fiddle, percussion, vocals) and Hannah Dempsey Lusk (mandolin, percussion, vocals); along with Chris Banke (guitar, mandolin, vocals), Benjamin Lusk (banjo, guitar, vocals), and Jesse Thompson (upright bass, dobro, guitar, vocals). Since 2013, Forlorn Strangers has released two EPs (While the Grass Grows and American Magic Tricks) and has toured continuously across the United States, playing for an ever­increasing group of appreciative fans. Forlorn Strangers recently wrapped up production on their first full­ length release, which was recorded at John Prine’s Nashville studio, The Butcher Shoppe and produced by Grammy winner Phil Madeira. In 2015, Forlorn Strangers played over 180 shows, including dates with Anti­ Records’ Sean Rowe.

Joined by opening act: Missy Raines & The New Hip

June 22^nd  The Marcus King Band

For fans of: Tedeschi Trucks Band, Chris Robinson Brotherhood

Songwriter. Guitarist. Singer. Bandleader.  At only 20 years of age, Marcus King’s dazzling musical ability is evident throughout The Marcus King Band, the young phenom’s 2^nd full-length LP and first for Fantasy Records.  Operating within the fiery brand of American roots music that King calls "soul-influenced psychedelic southern rock," the album highlights King’s gorgeous, rough-hewn vocals, soaring guitar work and heartfelt songwriting all amidst a group of masterful musicians who, together, are quickly becoming one of the country’s most sought after live acts.

Raised in Greenville, South Carolina, King was brought up on the blues, playing shows as a pre-teen sideman with his father—bluesman Marvin King, who himself was the son of a regionally-known guitarist—before striking out on his own. Going beyond the sonic textures of his acclaimed 2015 debut album, Soul Insight; The Marcus King Band broadens his sound, touching upon everything from funky R&B to Southern soul and Americana in the process. His band gets in on the action too, stacking the songs with blasts of swampy brass, a lock-step rhythm section and swirling organ. Ever the multi-tasker, King bounces between several instruments, handling electric and acoustic guitar — as well as pedal and lap steel — while driving each track home with his soulful, incendiary voice.

Having spent the past year tirelessly playing ever-larger venues and festivals to a burgeoning fan base, The Marcus King Band was written on the road and recorded during a series of live takes at Carriage House Studios in Stamford, CT. The album captures the energy of the band's blazing live show, as well as the talent of a rising young songwriter reaching well beyond his years.

Joined by opening act: The Get Right Band

June 29^th:  Lindsay Lou & The Flatbellys

For fans of: Lake Street Dive, Jill Andrews

In 2009 The Flatbellys recorded Get ‘Round in a house on Foster Ave in Lansing, MI. Flatbelly mandolinist, Josh and Spencer, Flatbelly bassist, joined a local bluegrass band, and Lindsay left the country for my last semester of college. When Lindsay returned she had an album’s worth of material and convinced the two remaining Flatbellys, and a handful of other Michigan musicians, to help me record it. We called it Lindsay Lou - A Different Tune.

In October of 2013 they solidified the current lineup with PJ George on bass. His knack for harmony singing and playing soulful music on just about any instrument he choses has undoubtably had an effect on their music. PJ’s musical background spans from being a bluegrass bassist [Barefoot, Nora Jane Struthers] to a drum major to a jazz pianist to co-founder of an alt rock outfit [The Cheap Seats]. He’s toured extensively and has played a major role in recording a good number of albums.

 The group has all up and moved south of their home state in the Great Lakes to make Nashville their home base. They tour so much that home is usually on their backs like the old bluegrass standard declares and the road is feeling more like home than ever.

Joined by opening act: Jenni Lyn

July 6^th:  Eric Gales

For fans of: Jarekus Singleton, Buddy Guy, Gary Clark Jr.

Blues guitar phenom Eric Gales was born and raised in Memphis, learning to play at age four from older brothers Eugene and Manuel in imitation of their upside-down, left-handed style (a tradition actually passed down from their grandfather, Dempsey Garrett Sr., who was known to jam with the likes of Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf). Winning his first blues contest at 11, four years later Eric signed to Elektra to issue his 1991 debut LP, recorded with Eugene on bass; Picture of a Thousand Faces followed in 1993. Manuel (who previously performed under the alias Little Jimmy King) reunited with his siblings for 1995's Left Hand Band, credited to the Gales Brothers.

A newly matured Gales returned in spring 2001 to release his debut for MCA, That's What I Am. Often billed as the second coming of Jimi Hendrix, Gales, an adequate singer at best but a dynamite guitarist, suffered for the comparison. With Gales always influenced by Hendrix and the power trio format, his next albums, 2006's Crystal Vision and 2007's Psychedelic Underground, both released by Blues Bureau Records, seemed like facsimile Hendrix albums, right down to the album art. His next two releases from Blues Bureau, 2008's The Story of My Life and 2009's Layin' Down the Blues, found the Hendrix influence muted somewhat, but Gales, a breathtaking guitarist at times, still seemed to be looking for a way out of the Hendrix shadow and into his own voice. Gales returned in 2010 with Relentless, a collection of 13 originals, and followed it with the passionate Transformation a year later in 2011.

Eric Gales is a very talented Blues-Rock guitarist and vocalist from Memphis, Tennessee, USA. His music is a fusion of Hard-Rock, Blues and Funk. Eric Gales has released nine studio albums so far, his latest being "Relentless".

Joined by opening act: Austin Aaron Band

July 13^th: Brent Cobb

For fans of: Chris Stapleton, Sturgill Simpson, Jason Eady

Just off of his tour in support of Chris Stapleton, Brent Cobb and his band join us in Abingdon, VA for a free show downtown at the Abingdon Market Pavilion. Brent Cobb didn’t set out to write an album that feels and sounds like the place he grew up. But now that the grooves have been cut in his debut LP, Shine on Rainy Day, there’s no denying the people, the places and the vibe of his southcentral Georgia home infuse almost every song.

“It just is Georgia,” Brent says in his musical drawl. “It's just that rural, easy-going way it feels down there on a nice spring evening when the wind’s blowing warm and you smell wisteria, you know?”

It’s quiet down there where he’s from in Ellaville – “population 1,609” - laid back and forgotten in the shadow of Atlanta and Savannah. The people have blue-collar values and believe in treating your neighbor like you want to be treated. They believe in curses and the dark finger of Fate and wield a sharp, dark sense of humor that sustains them through the hardest of times. Distant radio stations, roadside honkytonks made of cinderblock and back-porch picking sessions heavy on the backbeat predominate under Spanish moss-strewn live oaks and loblolly pines.  It was the perfect place to grow up.

Cousin, Dave Cobb, began building a reputation as one of music’s most exciting producers for his work with Chris Stapleton, Jamey Johnson, Sturgill Simpson and Jason Isbell. As part of his deal with Elektra, he conceived of a concept album called Southern Family and thought it only right his “little cousin” have a part. “So I was like, ‘I’ll be there,’” Brent said. He contributed “Down Home” to the album and also mentioned the project to Lambert, who wanted in and sang the Brent-written “Sweet By & By,” a standout on an album full of them.

It was during these sessions that the Cobbs began to notice a real connection in the way they would approach songs during the recording process. “It just felt like home, you know?” Brent said. “I made the comment, ‘Dude, let's just do it.’ So we did.”

From the Nashville slice-of-life narrative of “Solving Problems” to the delicate and powerful interplay of acoustic and electric guitars on the stunning closer “Black Crow,” the album feels like the people, places and sounds of Brent’s life.

Joined by opening act: Logan Fritz

July 20^th:  Look Homeward

For fans of: Avett Brothers, Ballroom Thieves, Humming House

Look Homeward is a band of brackish brethren hailing from the piedmont of North Carolina. Lee Anderson (guitar, vocals), Alex Bingham (upright bass), Evan Ringel (trombone, fiddle) and Wilson Greene IV (banjo) pair the Appalachian drawls and passionate picking of venerated field recordings with the soul tones of Atlantic beaches and boggy bayous. Marrying banjos with brass, the quartet celebrates the American South in a mingling of old and new, traditional yet surprising. Add honest folk songwriting and the result is music that just might sound like home, wherever you’re from.

Look Homeward’s first EP ‘The Hunger and the Ghost’ was released in Fall 2013 and met with unexpected success. Their first full length, studio album was released in May 2015 and is available on iTunes, Amazon, and Spotify.

Joined by opening act: The Lords of Liechtenstein

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