The Kickin Grass Band - Bluegrass News

Review of 'The Kickin Grass Band'

2008-12-28T17:20:00.001-05:00

CD REVIEW: The Kickin Grass Band - The Kickin Grass Band
By Chip Withrow - 12/06/2008 - 12:27 PM EST
Artist: Band: Kickin Grass Band
Album: The Kickin Grass Band
Label: Superfan Records
Website: http://www.kickingrass.com
Genre: Bluegrass/Folk
Sounds Like: Alison Krauss, Lucinda Williams, DelMcCoury
Production/Musicianship Grade: 10/10
Commercial Value: 9/10
Overall Talent Level: 10/10
Songwriting Skills: 10/10
Performance Skill: 10/10
Best Songs: Hometown, Run Away, Cherokee Shuffle, Ghost of Nathaniel Carter
CD Review: It’s been three years since I reviewed the Kickin Grass Band’s On the Short Rows. I loved that one, and the group’s new self-titled disc arrived at a serendipitous time: I have just taken up banjo, and I’m hungry for all the bluegrass I can hear.

So I was immediately thrilled when “Hometown” blasted out of the speakers with a big dose of Ben Walters’ banjo. It’s a powerful song, driving and sing-alongable. “Cold Frosty Window” follows, and it’s a charming, loping number with bittersweet, pretty harmonies. The cover of Roger Miller’s “Chug A Lug” is fun and funny.

Then comes a beautiful highlight, “Run Away.” I pointed out in my review of Short Rows that Lynda Wittig Dawson is a fine songwriter, and “Run Away” and “Hometown” are two of her best. “Run Away” is just about perfect – a couple of guitars, maybe a trace of mandolin, and Wittig Dawson’s crystalline voice with some accompanying harmonies.

“Rambling Man” is a rollicking number, anchored by Walters’ rolling banjo and Patrick Walsh’s upright bass. Fiddler Matt Hooper and mandolinist Jamie Dawson step out for solos in true bluegrass ensemble style. Next, Hooper’s mournful fiddle is all over the old-timey folk blues of “Lay Him In The Ground.”

Even though the price of gas in down to about $1.75 here in southwest Florida as I write this, I’m sadly sure the bouncy, syncopated “Gasoline Blues” will be timely again. And the instrumental “Cherokee Shuffle” is worth mentioning because I’m always amazed by speedy picking.

Wittig Dawson’s lyrics to “The Ghost of Nathaniel Carter” read like poetic prose, stark and spare. And the song in brilliant. “Time Passes (Anniversary Waltz)” closes this fine album with a tender, personal touch.

The Kickin Grass Band is more than straight-up bluegrass, although there is plenty of that here. It’s lyrical folk music well worth seeking out.

New CD is Here!

2008-10-06T22:44:00.002-04:00

Hello fans,

There's great news coming out of Kickin Grass headquarters...the New CD is HERE! Yep, because of your help and support the new Kickin Grass Band CD is available. We are so excited and feel this third cd is our strongest project to date. You can order your copy through CD Baby and it will be shipped to your door!

To celebrate our new release, we will be playing a much anticipated show at The Cat's Cradle in Carrboro, NC this Saturday October 11th. Doors open at 8:00pm and our friends Sweet By and By will be opening the show at 8:30pm. For our dedicated fans who donated funds and 'Joined the Band' last year, we will be having an appreciation party prior to the show (if you're one of those folks & you haven't already sent us your RSVP, please respond to this email).

All of the fine folks at Superfan Records have been working diligently at getting the word out about our new release. Tomorrow at 6:45-7:30pm The Kickin Grass Band will be in the studio of WXDU in Durham, NC for a live interview on the Cosmic Hoedown. DJ Dave Tilley will be giving away tickets to our CD Release show so be sure to tune in to 88.7FM and give us your support. Also, The Independent Weekly will be reviewing our new album this Wednesday.

For those that just can't wait to have the CD shipped from CD Baby or can't make the show on Saturday, you can pick up our album at School Kids Records in Raleigh, Offbeat Music in Durham and CD Alley in Chapel Hill. Or, as always, you can shoot us an email and we will figure something out.

Thanks again to all and we hope to see you Saturday.

Sincerely,

The Kickin Grass Band
www.superfanrecords.com/kickingrass
www.myspace.com/kickingrassband
www.reverbnation.com/thekickingrassband

Press Release: CD Release Show October 11th

2008-09-18T13:27:00.001-04:00

RALEIGH, NC - The Kickin Grass Band celebrates the release of their third CD on Saturday, October 11th, 2008 at the Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro, NC. The show will feature songs from the new CD, including a guest appearance by former banjo player Ben Walters, and will be the debut Triangle performance with new banjo player Hank Smith.

The band’s most recent release, simply titled The Kickin Grass Band, has been hailed as their most innovative work to date. It will be released on Raleigh, NC-based artist/label collaborative Superfan Records October 7, 2008.

Doors open at 8:00 PM. Tickets are $12 at the door; $10 in advance and can be purchased at www.catscradle.com or by calling 919.967.9053 between the hours of 5:00 and 9:00 pm. Sweet By And By, with Kickin Grass Band alum Kyra Moore on banjo and vocals, will open the show.

The Kickin Grass Band is Lynda Wittig Dawson on guitar and lead vocals, Jamie Dawson on mandolin and vocals, Matt Hooper on fiddle, Hank Smith on banjo and harmony vocals, and Patrick Walsh on bass and vocals. The band has been performing for almost seven years up and down the east coast. Their prior release, On the Short Rows, caught the attention of the Associated Press, Bluegrass and Americana publications, as well as established and new media outlets. It received international radio airplay and placement on the Roots Music Radio Chart.

Superfan Records formed in 2007 to help artists get their music out into the world. Katrina Lamberto and her label-mates collaborate with artists to record and release records, promote their music, book shows, get investors, lug amps, sell merch… whatever it takes to give voice to the music. They previously released The Monologue Bombs, and Regina Hexaphone’s sophomore CD, Into Your Sleeping Hearts. The Kickin Grass Band will be the third release for the label.

For review copies please email kgb@superfanrecords.com, or call Katrina Lamberto at (919) 272-8309. One sheet information and high quality press photos are available at www.superfanrecords.com.

***********

The Kickin Grass Band
Superfan Records
www.superfanrecords.com

Kickn Grass Band CD Release Show!

2008-09-04T21:54:00.003-04:00

Hello fans of The Kickin Grass Band!

So many great things are happening for the band right now, it's like we have finally found our place in the musical world and it's paying off! We are very happy to announce that Superfan Records and The Kickin Grass Band have partnered to release our latest, self titled CD on October 7, 2008. Katrina, Anne and Joey with Superfan are working hard to make sure this release is a hit and are doing a spectacular job. We are looking forward to a fun and exciting relationship with Superfan Records!

In regards to the new CD, well...It's finished! We have been working with The Cat's Cradle in Chapel Hill, NC on dates for the release party/show and have it finally in ink. We will be celebrating the release of our new album on Saturday October 11th 2008 at The Cat's Cradle. Show time will be 8:30pm and you can pick up your new Kickin Grass albums at the show. You can pre-order tickets HERE and save a couple bucks. Yippee!

We would like to recognize the folks that have paid $100 or more to join the Kickin Grass Band.
The new CD would not have been possible without their financial support. They will be receiving 5 CD's of the new or previous albums (their choice), their names are in the CD liner notes and we’ll be hosting a Release Party prior to the show on October 11th in their honor. This party will be at The Cat's Cradle starting at 6:30pm the day of the show. Those of you who Joined the Band will be receiving your CD's at that time, will be fed and will be gaining free access to our show. Oh yea, you will also have a guided tour through the Kickin Grass bus! Watch out for Matt's bunk, something might bite you! If you "Joined the Band" please RSVP via e-mail or call 919-795-8776 and let us know if you can make it to the party so we know how many folks we will be feeding.

We hope you will all come out and support the band on October 11th at The Cat's Cradle and help The Kickin Grass Band have a powerful release show!

Thanks to you all! Without our fans all of this would not be possible.

See ya October 11th!

The Kickin Grass Band

2008-06-12T21:43:00.002-04:00

Thursday June 12th, 2008
Howdy guys and gals!

This Saturday, June 14th we will be playing at Saturday's in Saxapahaw for their farmers market music series. Saxapahaw is a beautiful Chatham County Community located only about an hour from Raleigh. It's a wonderful, free event so try to make it if you can! Show starts at 6:00pm.
For all you local Raleigh fans, we will be playing at The Pour House Music Hall in Raleigh on Saturday July 5th, so if you're staying in town for the Independence Day festivities, come on out and let's have a good time at one of Raleigh's favorite music venues!
You can see another video of The Kickin Grass Band playing Live on You Tube. Take a look and let us know what you think!
Well, that's about it for now, we'll be in touch with you again soon and hope to see you at one of the next few shows!
Happy Pickin' to you all!

New You Tube Video/Next Weekend

2008-05-25T00:22:00.007-04:00

Hello all you Kickin Grassers and thanks for hanging in there with us while we work out the finishing touches of our 'Live' CD/DVD. We have just uploaded 'Little Piece of Cornbread' to ">You Tube off of this project and have added a couple of new live songs to our Myspace page. Feel free to listen, download and share with all your friends! And, don't worry, a studio album is in the mix as well and we will be spending June with Jerry Brown at The Rubber Room in Chapel Hill, NC working on this with hopes of releasing in early fall.

Next weekend the 31st of May, we will be playing the 2nd Annual Festival In The Grove to benefit Victory Junction in Winston Salem, NC. We'll be playing two sets, one at 1:45 and the other at 8:15. Bring your instruments, lawn chairs and be ready for a great festival. All proceeds go to benefit Victory Junction. For more information call 336-498-9055.

Also, Jamie has been playing with a local band, No Stirngs Attached as a side project and they will be playing at The Pour House Music Hall in Raleigh this coming Wednesday for mug night. Come on out and support local, live, original bluegrass.

From The Kickin Grass Band to you and your family, have a safe and happy Memorial Day!

Happy Spring!

2008-03-22T09:01:00.003-04:00

Wow, Spring is here already! It seems like just yesterday we played our Christmas show at the Holly Springs Cultural Center, and now here we are already at the end of March. Since my last post, the band has played in Peoria, Il all the way to Arcadia, Fl and had many other shows in between. We are still working on our new CD and, because of limited availability in the studio, it's looking like the end of summer or fall before that project will be released. We are still looking for sponsors of our new project and have a few available slots left for those who would like to Join The Band. Our 'Live from Holly Springs' DVD and CD is in its final stages of production and we should be sending those off to be duplicated within a week or so. For those of you that have "joined the band" you will be receiving autographed copies of each as soon as they are available! Well, that's pretty much it for now, enjoy your Easter weekend and we hope to see you at one of our shows soon!

Here are some random pics from a couple of recent shows.

The Pour House 2/8/08
Holly Springs 12/07

2007, A Year in Review

2008-01-01T10:50:00.000-05:00

Hello all you Kickin Grassers and welcome to 2008! What a great ride 2007 was. Here's a list of last years shows and a few highlights for you, if you care to add comments about any show, don't be shy!

* 1/13/2007 UCLA Community Center- This is where The Kickin Grass Band got its start so after five years of pickin and grinnin' we felt it was an appropriate place to kick off 2007.

* 1/27/2007 Richlands, NC Bluegrass Blast
* 2/1/2007 Benson, NC The Enchanted Barn

* 2/24/2007 Raleigh, NC The Pour House Music Hall- One of our favorite venues in the Triangle area to play, The Pour House Music Hall has been host to some very memorable Kickin Grass shows. This one was no exception, with a packed house and our friends in Cadillac Stepbacks sharing the bill, a great time was had by all! (BTW: we're playing there again on 2/8/08)

* 3/2/2007 Chocowinity, NC Southside High School
* 3/3/2007 Hampton, VA Cabin Fever Pickin Party
* 3/9/2007 Pittsboro, NC Pittsboro General Store
* 3/24/2007 Burlington, NC Carolina Road Festival
* 3/30/2007 Dunnellon, FL Withlacoochee Bluegrass Jamboree

* 3/31/2007 Cochran, GA American Music Exposition- We had a great time in Georgia at this festival. Patrick and Jamie pulled their motorcycles down and after the show Patrick, Jamie and Lynda cruised down to Key West, FL for a week of crusin' in the Florida sun.

* 4/7/2007 Carrboro, NC Carrboro Arts Center- Wow! Our 5th Anniversary show, whew, time flies! This has to be one of the highlights of 2007. We had planned this show for months and had sold out the Arts Center. The show was to be filmed by Flying Flounder Productions for a live DVD release and wouldn't you know it...two hours before show time, Matt gets a horrible stomach flu! We all freaked out and called every fiddle player we knew, 30 minutes before show time, Bobby Britt of Big Fat Gap shows up to fill in for us. We rehearsed maybe 5 minutes and then performed one of our best shows of '07! Thanks to Bobby and all who were a part of this show.

* 5/4/2007 Raleigh, NC Hideaway BBQ- Can you believe who opened the show for us? None other than THE Tommy Ramone, yep, of The Ramones!

* 5/11/2007 Cairo, WV North Bend State Park- First Trip in our New Bus!
* 5/12/2007 Cairo, WV North Bend State Park

* 5/18/2007 Fountain, NC R.A. Fountain General Store

* 5/22/2007 Chapel Hill, NC 'Farm to Fork' Picnic Honoring Carlo Petrini. This was a wonderful event to benefit Slow Food Triangle. Slow Food Triangle is an organization that celebrates local food and the people who grow and make it, people like our very own Patrick Walsh! If you don't know, Patrick Walsh and partner Ristin Cooks own and operate Castle Rock Garden in Chatham County, an organic farm where goats and chickens live in a balanced society and the greens are plentiful.

* 6/8/2007 Chapel Hill, NC The Carolina Inn- A summertime favorite...the Kickin Grass Band at the Fridays on the Front Porch series.

* 6/9/2007 Cary, NC Sertoma Amphitheatre at Bond Park
* 6/28/2007 Benton, PA Oats Bluegrass Festival

* 6/29/2007 Benton, PA Oats Bluegrass Festival- This was one of the finest festivals of 2007 for The Kickin Grass Band. Thanks to the Grillbillies for the good food and hospitality.

* 7/7/2007 Roxboro, NC Liberty Jam at Mayo Park
* 7/12/2007 Asheville, NC Biltmore Estate
* 7/13/2007 Raleigh, NC Exploris Museum
* 7/21/2007 Raleigh, NC 2nd Annual Raleigh Wide Open
* 7/28/2007 Gore, VA 2nd Annual Camp Barefoot
* 7/29/2007 Frederick, MD Cactus Flats
* 8/3/2007 Greenville, NY Bluegrass In Greenville

* 8/5/2007 New York City, NY Banjo Jim's- KGB spent the day walking, shopping, eating and drinking then played a show with Hogzilla at Banjo Jim's. It was a good way to break into NYC.

* 8/10/2007 Henderson, KY Bluegrass In The Park
* 8/11/2007 Henderson, KY Bluegrass In The Park
* 8/23/2007 Raleigh, NC North Hills Mall
* 8/24/2007 Chapel Hill, NC The Carolina Inn

* 8/25/2007 Saxapahaw, NC Saxapahaw Music Series. Part of the Saxapahaw Rivermill Farmer's Market and Music Series. We had beautiful weather and the show was packed with local KGB fans, it was great!

* 8/31/2007 Bluetop, WV Bluetop Bluegrass
* 9/1/2007 Kendallville, IN Tri-State Bluegrass Festival
* 9/2/2007 Kendallville, IN Tri-State Bluegrass Festival
* 9/14/2007 Cochran, GA Hillside Bluegrass Festival
* 9/15/2007 Cochran, GA Hillside Bluegrass Festival
* 9/26/2007 Baltimore, MD Organic Harvest Festival
* 9/27/2007 Dewey Beach, DE Dewey Beach Music Conference
* 9/29/2007 Raleigh, NC Marbles
* 10/1/2007 Nashville, TN IBMA World of Bluegrass
* 10/5/2007 Thomas, WV The Purple Fiddle
* 10/6/2007 Newport News, VA Fall Festival of Folklife

* 10/7/2007 Newport News, VA Fall Festival of Folklife- A great town festival, complete with The Kickin Grass Band, lumberjacks and a log rolling dog.

* 10/13/2007 Dallas, NC Cotton Ginning Days Festival
* 10/20/2007 Wilmot, OH Grandma's Alpine Homestead
* 10/21/2007 Coshocton, OH Apple Butter Festival- Roscoe Village
* 10/25/2007 Greensboro, NC Eastern Music Festival Fringe Series. A fall presentation of the Eastern Music Festival's Fringe Series.

* 11/8-11/2007 Waldo , FL Don't Get Above Your Grazin- Hosted by Valerie Smith and Liberty Pike, this is a top notch festival with workshops and great after hours pickin. We hope to be back many times!

* 12/2/2007 Rock Hill, SC ChristmasVille at Rockhill

* 12/9/2007 Holly Springs, NC Christmas Show - Holly Springs Cultural Center- Our last blow out of '07. This was our second try at a live DVD and CD and I have to say, it came out great! Matt wasn't even sick this time! Thanks to the audience for packing the house and bringing the energy. We played a one hour KGB set and then a one hour Christmas show. We should have the CD's and DVD's available in the next few weeks.

* 12/16/2007 Raleigh, NC 3rd Annual Christmas Band Jam and Food Drive- Last show of '07! See previous blog for more on this one.

Well, that's pretty much it, we're looking forward to 2008 and know that it will be the best yet for the KGB. New album, Live CD and DVD, tons of shows already booked, I mean, what could possibly go wrong?!?

Karmafest, The Lincoln Theatre

2007-12-17T15:20:00.000-05:00

Last night, The Kickin Grass Band played the Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh, NC for the 3rd Annual Christmas Band Jam and Food Drive. Bob Meyer of The Progressive Music Center in Raleigh called me a few weeks back and asked if the KGB would be willing to play. Basically, the Progressive Music Center is a music instruction school for all ages and levels. They also offer a Band Jam program that matches students together to form and learn to play in a band atmosphere. The PMC sponsors a Christmas Jam each year to raise money and food for Raleigh's Interfaith Food Shuttle. This year Bob and his students raised more than 4,000 lbs. of food! Go Bob! The students were great! There were some 12-14 year old's that were Rockin'! Needless to say, the place was packed with parents of the students and all their friends from middle and high school. Not the atmosphere KGB is used to playing in! By the time we took the stage, the faithful KGB fans had shown up, most notably, The Lesko's from Pittsboro, Chadwick from Old Habits (sorry about the bad joke), Jen Bug and Hanky Panky, Ward and the rest of you I couldn't see...The set went good and I thank the sound crew at The Lincoln Theatre for doing such a good job after 5 hours of High School Rock. Oh yeah, we were fortunate to have Hank Smith from Barefoot Manner play a few songs with us. Thanks a bunch man! Well, until we meet again...from The KGB, Peace.

Sponsor the New Kickin Grass Band CD

2007-12-10T15:49:00.000-05:00

Want to be a part of The Kickin Grass Band, but don’t want to deal with Jamie’s diva attitude? We’ve got a deal for you! We’re half way through recording our new album, and we need your help to finish it. Buy our new CD today and save BIG! You’ll get:

5 copies of our new CD – BEFORE it goes on sale (a $75 value)
A special “thank you” listing to YOU in the liner notes of the CD
Two invitations to a private CD release party and pig-pickin’ (Includes a free tour of the Kickin Grass bus. See where Matt sleeps!)
Insider news, photos, and song samples from the studio recordings
The warm feeling of knowing you helped bring more great music into the World

You’ll get this all for only $100!

We accept cash, checks, or credit cards. Make checks payable to “The Kickin Grass Band” and mail to: PO Box 37039 Raleigh, NC 27627

Hand cash to Patrick (but check to make sure he’s sober first). Pay with a credit card securely through Google Checkout:

Tell your friends, and/or give this as a gift to someone who loves bluegrass!