We Are Proud To Announce Our Newest Release,

"South Bound Freight Train," by The Biscuit Rollers!

Last year's 2nd place winners in blues competitions by the Sedalia/James River Blues Society, the Blue Ridge Blues Society, and the West Virginia Blues Society!

Catawba Records is proud to announce the release of a great new CD, South Bound Freight Train, by The Biscuit Rollers! We are excited to have The Biscuit Rollers' and their old time blues for the soul, representing our label.

Here is what Greg Versen aka Professah Blues at WMRA said about their new CD:

"This group's initial effort reflects the successful results of music selection, skilled instrumental work, and an excellent balancing of vocals and instrumentation, which includes guitar, banjo, harp and an occasional tambourine. The 15 tracks run the gamut from slow to upbeat tunes, including an interesting interpretation of Eddie "Son" House's Preachin' the Blues. There are tracks that are new to me, like Having a Real Bad, that reflect lyrics dyed in the deep delta. There are also familiar tracks that are well done: 32-20, Kokomo, and I Can't Be Satisfied. A unique touch the release offers is the inclusion of several brief tracks (30-40 seconds) allowing for solo performances."

photo by Rusty Wilbourn

From their website - "The Biscuit Rollers is a collection of blues musicians that found each other in the early part of 2006. After trying many combinations of musicians and other instruments, finally settled down with the basic core of The Biscuit Rollers. The 3 of us have come together because we want not only to play and sing the blues, our favorite music style!!, but also preserve the blues and educate the world of what the blues is all about. The blues is one of the few American Traditions that we can call our own. It is a major part of the American history and culture and The Biscuit Rollers want to share this culture with all of our fans. Blues has many children, Delta, Piedmont, Chicago, West coast, and Texas.. all are what the Blues is about and what TBR is about!!!"

"We are true believers of the Blues as a classic art form and want to share with anyone that wants to listen. We can play soft and gentle or we can get down with the best of them. We all come from different backgrounds and lives, but we share the single bond of the blues."

"Visit the History page of our website to find out more about each one of us individually. How we came across the blues for the first time and what TBR means to each of us. We did not invent the blues, but we have taken from the best in our history.... Robert Johnson, Son House, Muddy Waters, Mississippi Fred Mcdowell, RL Burnside, Snooks Eaglin...... and we have tried to capture the emotion of these greats and added TBR styling to bring you our vision of the blues."

"We really hope you enjoy the music, images and feeling of The Biscuit Rollers and want to have more. We keep busy writing new songs, making old songs our own. We are in hopes of having the artwork completed and pressings made in February. This will be full of originals and our own spice on some obscure older blues songs of yesterday."

"So come see us live, listen to song clips from our new CD at our CDBaby page here and help us spread the blues history and feeling to everyone."- The Biscuit Rollers

(See their performance schedule further down the page.)

Visit their website: http://www.thebiscuitrollers.com/index.htm

Another Great New Project Closer To Completion by

Curt Baker and Greg Honeycutt

From the Roanoke Valley of Virginia, comes Curt Baker (left above) & Greg Honeycutt (right above), Curt and Greg, play a variety of Depression-era guitars (and other instruments). Both are seasoned musicians, having played since they were kids. They have won frequently in regional bluegrass contests.

Curt, in the last few years has made a come-back after a hiatus,, putting his guitar down for many years due to other things happening in his life. As you can hear by the song sample below, his come-back has been strong! Greg, as with his Dad, is a fine picker on several instruments and has played in numerous bands over the years on some very big stages.

Also joining Curt and Greg on what is going to be an incredible CD:

Mike Auldridge

Tony Collins

Lee Dunbar

Shannon Wheeler

Dewey Peters

Henry Boitnott

Judy Boitnott

Ted McAllister

David Austin

and others!

We will provide more news about their project as we proceed.

Click here to listen to one of the songs from their project.

Roanoke's Own, Matt Ramsey, Now A Prominent

Nashville Singer/Songwriter Plays Two Shows In The Area, April 19th and May 24th!

And Matt Has A Brand New CD!

A short time after we recorded Matt Ramsey's first CD, "Mile Zero," he and his wife, Sara, moved to Nashville to give him a chance to follow his dream and show Nashville his songwriting skills. From our work with Matt on his CD and by hearing him perform live many times in the area here, we knew Matt was good enough to have a real shot among the sea of singer/songwriters in Nashville. So, we were not surprised when Matt got hooked up with Phil Vassar and things have gotten better for him since then. Most recently Matt appeared on the CMT mini-series, Gone Country!

Matt also just completed his great new CD, "A Different Man On A Different Road."

Matts new cd is available for purchase on his MySpace page and a few other locations on the web.

Matt is very excited about the release of his new CD, so I'll let him tell you about it:

"Hey everybody! This is going to be a great week! The CD is here and we are going to party! I've got two shows to celebrate the release of the CD. The first one is for you fine folks in and around Nashville.

The Second show is in VIRGINIA! I can't tell you how excited I am to go back home and play a show. If you are planning on coming to this one, you might want to call the number and reserve your tickets because its looking like its going to be a great crowd!
Here is the info for that one!"

Matt has another show planned back home at the Buchanan Theater May 24th at 8pm!

Music Festival Season and Spring Just Around the Corner!

Don't miss these great local music festivals!

May 9th and 10th - Hootieville Bluegrass Festival, Natural Bridge, VA

contact: hootie@triplehstudios.net

June 20 and 21 - Gemini Fest II at Blue Mountain in Franklin County

“Join us for Gemini Fest II!"

Blue Mountain Productions is happy to announce its 2008 season. There are two events planned for this year. Gemini Fest II in June and Blue Mountain Bluegrass Festival II in October. Make plans to join us for some of the best music and company available.

There will be food and local artisan wares available in addition to camping and great company! Come make Blue Mountain one of your music memories and one of your annual destinations.

Friday June 20
3:00p Gates Open
6:00p Sycamore Stone
9:00p Half Moon

Saturday June 21
9:00a Gates Open
11:00a Joe Washrag
1:30p Alliens
4:00p The Seed
6:30p Sol Creech Bank
9:00p Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad

tickets@bluemtnmusic.com
Ticket Purchase Inquiry

info@bluemtnmusic.com
Vendor & General Information

media@bluemtnmusic.com
Public Relations

promotions@bluemtnmusic.com
Promotions & Marketing

volunteer@bluemtnmusic.com
Volunteer Information

booking@bluemtnmusic.com
Productions & Booking

(Sound by Dewey Peters and Wayne Weikel)

Sunday, June 22, 2008, BRBS Blues Band Competition at Blue 5, Downtown Roanoke.  Space is limited so enter today to ensure a slot! 

Win $1,000 in cash and represent the Blue Ridge Blues Society at the
2009 International Blues Challenge
held on Beale St. in Memphis, TN in February of 2009.

Open to bands, duos, or solo acts. Winner also wins a paid slot at the BRBS & BBQ Festival in July, the Big Lick Blues Festival in September, and prizes including 8 hours of studio recording time with
Catawba Sound Studio!

For more info or to download an entry form, go to www.blueridgeblues.org OR call 540-529-8502 OR e-mail: blueridgebluessociety@hotmail.com OR  write The BRBS, PO Box 1995, Roanoke, VA  24009.

Unique opportunity to travel to Memphis, TN to show off your blues skills with some great blues bands from all over the world!! For more info on the IBC, please visit www.blues.org

June 26, 27, 28 - Sedalia Bluegrass Festival, Big Island, VA

Regional Bluegrass groups make an impressive line-up of entertainment for the weekend 12th Annual Sedalia Bluegrass Festival held June 26, 27, 28, 2008. This festival attracts over 2,300 people for hands-on workshops and a family-style festival for pickers, fiddlers and bluegrass enthusiasts from a multi-state area. Fans can attend the first day for $10, second day for $10, the third day for $20 and a three day festival pass for $35. The festival is a joint presentation by the James River Bluegrass Association and the Sedalia Center for the Cultural Arts. Some of the scheduled performers for this year include: Bluegrass Brothers, Mark Templeton and Pocket Change, Johnathan Dillon and Phantom Grass, and Ken Scoggins and Miller's Creek. The times for the festival are as follows: Thursday, 6pm-11pm; Friday, 5pm-11pm; and Saturday, 9:30am-11pm.

Limited overnight camping with electrical hook-ups is available on-site for a fee, available after June 22. Festival t-shirts, artist CDs and food and beverage are for sale each day. Tickets can be purchased at the gate or in advance through the Sedalia Center office, (434) 299-5080.Credit card ticket purchases are welcomed. No coolers or pets, please.

See their website for more info: http://www.sedaliacenter.org/page/page/3285809.htm

(Sound by Hootie Hatcher and Wayne Weikel)

July 12 - JRBS of Sedalia’s Tenth Annual Blues Talent Competition

Held In Conjunction with Sedalia Blues Festival 2008

Cash Awards to the top three acts in each category!

1st Place $400 2nd Place $250 3rd Place $150

Solo/Duo Awards:

1st Place $200 2nd Place $125 3rd Place $75

The 1st place winners also go on to represent the James River Blues Society of Sedalia in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee in 2009. The winners will also receive a cash amount to be used towards the trip to Memphis. The winner of the band competition will also be awarded 8 hours of studio time at Catawba Sound Studio!

EQUIPMENT

ACTS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH DRUM KIT, BASS AMP, KEYBOARD AMP, TWO GUITAR AMPS, AND STAGE MONITORS. NO EFFECTS MAY BE USED AND NO PERSONAL AMPS MAY BE USED. HARMONICA PLAYERS MAY USE THEIR OWN AMPS AND MICS BUT NO HARMONICA EFFECTS MAY BE USED. THERE WILL BE NO INDIVIDUAL SOUND CHECKS.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

Please provide a recent photo, no smaller that a 3x5; Audible Cassette or CD recording, (No Video tape recordings), mailed to the address above, no later than 5:00 P.M. EASTERN TIME, May 31, 2008. NO FACSIMILES OR E-MAILS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

See their website for more info: http://www.sedaliacenter.org/page/page/4416052.htm

The 3rd Annual Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Festival

Sat. July 19th from 1:00 to 9:00 in beautiful
downtown Roanoke, VA

11 Blues Acts on 2 stages.

Main Headliner - Walter Trout & The Radicals

Other National Headliners include:
The Sean Carney Band
Stacy Mitchhart
Harper
Boo Hanks

plus 6 Regional & Local Artists

It will take place at the same place as last year - The Railside Stage & Plaza.

Proceeds will benefit The Blue Ridge Blues Society & The Downtown Music Lab - both 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations.

July 25th & 26th Roanoke Fiddle Fest at Hollins College

2008 Lineup

Dr. Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys

The Grasscals

Grasstowne

Jimmy Bowen & Santa Fe

Jr. Sisk & Ramblers Choice

Paul Williams & The Victory Tour

The Bluegrass Brothers

Dailey & Vincent Band

Sandy Ridge

"Just FYI, the Roanoke FiddleFest website has been updated with 2008 information regarding artists, workshops, jams, & concerts.

Of particular interest on Friday is a vocal workshop. Leading this workshop will be Paul Williams, Jamie Dailey, Darren Vincent, Steve Gulley, Jimmy Bowen, and Victor & Donald Dowdy. Just breathing the same air in the same room as these guys will help your singing :-)

Friday afternoon features both our Pro-Jam and the return of the Clinch Mountain Jam. The Pro-Jam, led by Paul Williams & Herschel Sizemore, will feature various artists "in the round" in a special informal jam, just doing what players do, in a concert type of setting. The Clinch Mountain Jam features James Allen Shelton and all the CMB's, and this is an open jam, so bring your instruments, your voices, and join in with the stoutest traditional bluegrass touring band on the road today, and pick one or twelve.

Saturday features concerts, jams, & workshops all day. Daytime events are held indoors in air conditioned comfort, and we move outside to Tinker Beach for our evening show when it begins to cool down.

Go to www.roanokefiddlefest.org for more information or tickets, and we'll see yall in July."

Mike Conner
Roanoke FiddleFest

(Sound by Dewey Peters and WayneWeikel)

August 15 -16 Vinton Old-Time Bluegrass Festival and Competition

The Vinton Farmer’s Market is the setting for this annual musical event. The festival features a competition for amateur musicians during the day‚ and bluegrass and old-time band performances are scheduled for the evening hours. The Vinton Old-Time Bluegrass Festival is organized by Donnie and Rhonda Wray‚ owners of the D.R. Music Center.

Directions: From Interstate 581 in Roanoke‚ take the Orange Avenue east exit (Route 221/460 east). Follow Orange Avenue to where it intersects with Gus Nicks Boulevard. Turn right onto Gus Nicks Boulevard. Turn right onto Pollard Avenue‚ and then‚ right again onto Lee Avenue.

For additional regional information contact
Vinton Chamber of Commerce‚ 540-343-1364 or http://www.blueridgemusic.org/SearchResultDetail.asp?EditRecord=80&Region=

(Sound by Hootie Hatcher and Wayne Weikel)

INTRODUCING THE WIRELESS eStrapTM EXPRESSION CONTROLLER by Ned Steinberger

For more information, contact: Hank Wallace, President, (540)966-4356, (540)966-4358 (fax), eStrap@aqdi.com

Fincastle, Virginia, November 28, 2007:

Conceived by innovative guitar designer Ned Steinberger, the eStrapTM uses a tension sensor on the strap to control effects like wah, distortion, flange, pitch and volume. No longer tied to a cumbersome foot pedal, the guitarist is free to roam the stage and control his effects with intuitive movement, enhancing the musical experience for the player and audience alike.

Imagine playing a phase shifter that changes depth with chording motion. Imagine playing the final note of a solo, and having a delay sweep in to repeat it. Imagine playing chords with a flange effect only on beat three of every measure. The eStrap makes this possible and playable, without foot pedals.

The eStrap includes the guitar strap with integrated sensor and wireless transmitter, and a small receiver unit with classic wah circuitry built in. The expression pedal control jack can be used to control external effects, giving the eStrap unlimited access to the latest signal processing technology. Available from Atlantic Quality Design, the eStrap is priced at $280.00.

Pre-launch units are available now. See http://www.AQDI.com/estrap.htm for specs and ordering information. A promotional picture for publishers is available at http://www.AQDI.com/eStrapPromoPhoto.jpg.

Atlantic Quality Design, Inc. is an electronics design and musical products firm that has been in business since 1989.

---------------------------------
Hank Wallace
Atlantic Quality Design, Inc.
562 Oak Hill Road, Fincastle, VA 24090
540-966-4356 (v) 540-966-4358 (f)
hwallace@aqdi.com, http://www.aqdi.com