{"id":84,"date":"2015-02-22T20:00:59","date_gmt":"2015-02-22T20:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/216.71.127.204\/wordpress\/?p=84"},"modified":"2015-09-25T17:39:09","modified_gmt":"2015-09-25T17:39:09","slug":"folk-alliance-international-2015-kansas-city-mo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/houstonmusicreview.com\/wordpress\/2015\/02\/22\/folk-alliance-international-2015-kansas-city-mo\/","title":{"rendered":"Folk Alliance International 2015 – Kansas City MO"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n
Written by Eddie Ferranti <\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"Image\"For the third time in our musical lives, Rose and I strapped it on and covered Folk Alliance International in frigid Kansas City.<\/p>\n

The best way to describe thee event correlates to a ride I used to love at my local amusement park when I was a kid called the Tilt-A-Whirl !\u00a0 http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Tilt-A-Whirl<\/span><\/u><\/a>\u00a0 just whirls you around sending you into a blur existence for a short time until the ride “ends”.\u00a0 Well the “ride” lasted up to ten hours a day for four days in KC and somehow we survived to tell the story to\u00a0my musical friends!<\/p>\n

The pace is non-stop and you must have a game plan in place to check out the countless number of talented musicians gathered in one place.\u00a0 The Westin and Sheraton worked together to have at least 10 major showcases a day from 6:30-10:30pm followed by in room action until the wee hours of the morning.\u00a0 Oh yeah-plus 2-4pm every day also and thats not counting the Exhibit Hall, workshops, silent auction, top notch speakers like Rita Coolidge and many panel sessions to boot!\u00a0\u00a0 It is an experience like no other where five minute conversations are priceless “get togethers” meeting people who are all constantly on the move.\u00a0 Oh, and don’t be fooled by the word “folk”.<\/p>\n

This isn’t a Pete Seeger reunion with flower power and acoustic guitar strumming. We’re rockers at heart and FAI fills that void and then some!<\/p>\n

The weather was a nightmare of cold, but the music more than made up for it indoors where it was hot and wild.\u00a0 Like HMR has done before, a sampling of a “Top Ten” seems to fit the bill to acknowledge some of\u00a0thee outstanding acts we were fortunate to see followed by Honorable Mentions.\u00a0 Here’s hoping this tickles your fancy and gets you to come in 2016……….<\/p>\n

THE RAGBIRDS (Ann Arbor,MI USA)<\/p>\n

\"Image\"I was fortunate to latch onto this lively 5 piece band per a tip from the owner of McGonigel’s Mucky Duck, Rusty Andrews, from Houston.\u00a0 There is no better front person than Erin Zindle who not only is the singer and songwriter, but plays multiple instruments including mandolin,\u00a0violin and accordian.\u00a0 She floats around like a lil bird hoppin’ & goin’ as she plays chirping away backed by her brother jammin’ on guitar T.J. Zindle, Dan Jones on bass, drummer Jon Brown and percussionist Randall Moore. To say they had energy and enthusiasm would be an understatement for sure.\u00a0 Upbeat tunes like “Looking Out My Window” bonded the band tightly with the audience and they were straight forward all business rockin’ everytime I had the pleasure to catch them!\u00a0 EZ’s quirky cuteness and smile stayed with us long after FAI was over and we’re longing to catch this act again big time………<\/p>\n

THE HONEYCUTTERS (Asheville,NC USA)<\/p>\n

\"Image\"This rootsy rocking five piece had a sound that was anything but folk for sure. Lead singer Amanda Anne Platt had a\u00a0lively Patsy Cline flavor to her voice and the slide guitar\u00a0\/ pedal steel by Matt Smith\u00a0with the\u00a0mandolin of Tai Taylor\u00a0were spell bounding good.\u00a0 Their tunes had a build up feel that crept up and got you foot stompin’ and dancin’ by the time they concluded. “Me Oh My” is their new release threaded with themes of love, loss, acceptance and regrowth\u00a0coming out in April. \u00a0It should be a winner for this hard working jammin’\u00a0band who have been.together since 2007 and seem to be carving a very nice niche across the states. \u00a0Platt is a talented songwriter and here’s wishing the best for them…………<\/p>\n

PAPER MOON SHINERS (Austin,TX. USA)<\/p>\n

\"Image\"We’ve been following the trail of this\u00a0“different” and very talented duo since we crossed paths at the Southwest Regional Folk Alliance in 2012. It is rare indeed in our fast paced music world to lock on to a band that grabs you and won’t let go like PMS did to us this trip.\u00a0 Laughing and music are two things in life that keep me sane (or insane?!) and you get plenty of both with these cut-ups for sure.\u00a0 Elena Antinelli can get down and blow out the blues or make trombone noises sometimes in the same song!\u00a0 Frank Meyer has a baritone booming voice\u00a0that he tosses out to compliment EA’s shoo-fly rasp often in comedic rhapsody that has to be seen to be believed.\u00a0 Plus Meyer is one bad ass string man who can shred on guitar or switch to ukelele and knock your proverbial socks off.\u00a0 Tunes like the “Head”, “Minnie the Moocher”, “Git”,\u00a0“Come in My Kitchen’ and “Dagnabit” are just a few gems that make you belly laugh or out and out sing-a-long to your heart’s content.\u00a0 HMR applauds the genre restoration of epic music that can still hold a room of all shapes and sizes and entertain your butt off.\u00a0 Oh yeah-if you can hold a straight face throughout a whole sitting, I’ll give ya a million buckaroos!\u00a0\u00a0 To say this act is on our list of life\u00a0is putting it mildly……….<\/p>\n

CARRIE ELKIN (Austin,TX USA)<\/p>\n

\"Image\"This Buckeye native has been a keeper for us and it was so nice to finally\u00a0track down this talented down to earth woman!\u00a0 Her amazing clarity, control and projection of her voice is spine tingling good.\u00a0 She wears her heart on her sleeve in a good way and her voice is like an instrument with lots of polish and warmth.\u00a0 Her showcase performance with Sam Baker had her prancing like a lil girl and dominating the gig like a Broadway production. \u00a0Accolades include\u00a0Texas Magazine naming her as Artist of the Year and Maverick Magazine had this to say: “On stage Elkin was simply a force of nature.”\u00a0\u00a0 Rarely do I see an artist who brings me to tears and gives me goose bumps in the same song.\u00a0 Memorable tunes were “When the Lights Are Off”, stunning “My Brother Said She’s the One” and tender “When I Did” an ode to her hubby Danny Schmidt with emotional lyric “When I die let them judge me by my company of friends”…….Honored to call this special performer one of mine…………<\/p>\n

CHUCK MEAD & HIS GRASSY KNOLL BOYS (Nashville,TN. USA)<\/p>\n

\"Image\"This Lawrence, Kansas native has been around doin’ good things since the early 80’s earning a cult like following from Alt Country BR549 to present excellent squad he’s touring the world with The Grassy Knoll Boys.\u00a0 We were catching this classic cat for the seventh time he and seems to be getting more polished-and rockin’-every time.\u00a0 Mead scored heavily with Tony Award winning Broadway musical ‘Million Dollar Quartet” as the musical director, which we’re seeing for the second time in June (Galveston, Tx.). The hoppin’ hillbilly honky tonk hussle he puts into tunes like “Devil By My Side”, “Neosho Valley Sue” where Tilt-A Whirl is mentioned and killer “Slow Train Thru Arkansas” is so smooth and enjoyable.\u00a0\u00a0 Carco Clave flat out brings it on pedal steel to compliment Mead’s guitar prowess.\u00a0 The last two times I’ve caught this gent I’ve spent some quality time “shootin’ the breeze” in a parking lot loading his van in Conroe, Texas\u00a0talking about how Bob Seeger had it right on “Turn the Page” and then in a stairwell in KC @ FAI lauding him on how he handled FAI staff member “keeping time” on his gig!\u00a0\u00a0 Priceless down to earth fellow who is always on our must see list.\u00a0 \u00a0“Free State Serenade” is his latest and strongest\u00a0album to date\u00a0and it remains in my CD player in my truck………….<\/p>\n

THE HOWLIN’ BROTHERS (Nashville,TN. USA)<\/p>\n

\"Image\"This was the second year in a row these guys killed it at a major Showcase @ FAI. One of the best descriptions I’ve seen for them is a punk blues\u00a0band being a string bluegrass\u00a0jug band !\u00a0 Burly bearded leader\u00a0Ian Craft leads the way on engaging banjo, fiddle works and even bass drum foot stompin’. \u00a0Ben Plasse nailed the bottom on stand up bass\u00a0and Jared Green jammed on guitar and mouth harp-plus did some nifty\u00a0dancing on a sawdust coated\u00a0wooden plank, too!\u00a0 They\u00a0play one way and that is in-your-face non-stop energy “rockgrass”.\u00a0 Their latest\u00a0CD, “Trouble”, is another\u00a0I cannot take out of my player.\u00a0 Each fuzzy faced dude pulls their own weight and tore it up on tunes like “Whitehouse Blues”, “Hard Times”, “Troubled Waltz’ and superb ‘Night and Day”.\u00a0\u00a0 HB avoid the repetitive sound of most bluegrass bands going all over the board on their latest album.\u00a0 To show their talent they are from NY via Nashville and Craft’s drawl belies his home roots. It is that diversity and uniqueness that makes this squad a winner for years to come…………….<\/p>\n

THE GRAHAMS (Nashville,TN USA)<\/p>\n

\"Image\"HMR caught this dynamic duo last year at FAI and were very interested to see if they’d carry the momentum over to FAI 2015.\u00a0 They did so\u00a0and then some!\u00a0 Room 638 was their “residence” and what\u00a0we witnessed was rock solid bad ass.\u00a0 This go around they featured their soundtrack tunes from stellar movie, ‘Rattle the Hocks’, which they showcased twice during the weekend.\u00a0 Alyssa and Doug Graham are joined at the hip and the results just keep on gettin’ better.\u00a0 AG’s silky soulful\u00a0growl blends well with harmonic union of laid back guitar jamming Doug producing a yeah baby feel to the room at all times. \u00a0Accompanied by Bill Dobrow on traditional Brazilian rebolo drum made the experience even better adding a consistent bottom to their jam.\u00a0 \u00a0Stud tunes were “Griggstown”, “Mama”, sexy as hell cooing on “Biscuits” and bluesy ballad “Tender Anabelle”.\u00a0 Thee song that I still cannot quit playing though was the\u00a0party anthem of FAI ,”Glorybound”, with in your face sing it out loud fitting\u00a0lyrics of :\u00a0“Sometimes I neeeeeeeeed to put the hammer down!”\u00a0 The “wow wow” train sound refrains were epic in this party filled room and when the likes of Phil Madeira on guitar and Kyle Dahlquist on trumpet chimed in\u00a0the joint was off the freakin’ chain!\u00a0 Hats off to Brian ‘Bongo’ Davis for being such a kind host, too.\u00a0 This\u00a0adventurous caring team appreciates the roots of American soul and it shows a plenty………….<\/p>\n

LINDSAY LOU & THE FLATBELLYS (Ionia,MI USA)<\/p>\n

\"Image\"This was another cool band that was anything but folk to us.\u00a0 The description of a finger pickin’, harmony singin’, tight knit conglomeration is a spot on description! Throw the old fashioned\u00a0Vickie Carr (dating myself !) style of LL leading the way and this is a happening thang.\u00a0 Bluesy and smoky pipes blend well with mandolin jams of Joshua Rilko, stand-up rock solid bass of PJ George and antics aplenty from talented dobro jammer Mark Lavengood.\u00a0 Hell, ML played three different instruments in 3 straight songs!\u00a0 Their latest album, “Ionia”, sounds great and the progessive rock undertones of this Michigan band makes you yearn to hear more than the thirty minutes we got this night.\u00a0 House was packed and it was great to see a younger audience at FAI hoppin’ and boppin’ to these cats!\u00a0 Catch a listen to their song “Smooth and Groovy” when you can. It sums up what New Folk Radio had to say about them quite well: “This is a very unique band, part of the leading edge of the revival and revolution in acoustic music…………..<\/p>\n

WILD PONIES (Nashville,TN USA)<\/p>\n

\"Image\"2015 marked the tenth appearance for this band at FAI.\u00a0 We caught them last year at FAI plus in Houston at Almost Austin House Concerts in December. Doug Williams\u00a0shreds on\u00a0acoustic and electric guitar plus vocals, his spunky wife Telisha thumps on bass and vocals plus they added swift drummer Megan Jane this year.\u00a0 WP tried something new for them and released a single “Love Is Not a Sin” without an album. \u00a0It is a goodie and so are they.\u00a0 Non-stop kick ‘n go by kinky\u00a0Telisha keeps the action going for sure.\u00a0 She reminds me in a good way of Martha Davis, the front woman from the 80’s band The Motels. They have a rare blend of being able to rock and be funny at the same time. Then\u00a0be heartfelt like on “The Truth Is”.\u00a0 \u00a0 Their tunes cover some heavy topics like sexual abuse and murder, but you’d never know it how they smile and be-bop to their heart’s content.\u00a0 A highlight of FAI for me was sitting front and center in a private showcase while they just tore the room down.\u00a0 This ain’t no folk music kids in my book and that’s a damn good compliment!\u00a0 Their 2013 release, “Things That Used to Be” , garnered widespread critical acclaim, spent 6 weeks in the Top 20 of the AMA Radio chart and over 20 weeks in Top 40.\u00a0 No accident and hope to see them at #11 in 2016 at least…………<\/p>\n

RED MOLLY (Jersey City,NJ\u00a0 USA)<\/p>\n

\"Image\"This powerhouse trio of sharp lookin’ ladies tore it up in their showcase performance. \u00a0Laurie MacAllister on bass,\u00a0 Molly Venter on acoustic\u00a0guitar and Abbie Gardner really brought it on dobro mixing with their\u00a0vibrant harmonies to create a stunning show.\u00a0 Every part of the gig was crisp and well presented from the acapella “Copper Penny” to the Jonathan Byrd penned “Allright When Its All Wrong”.\u00a0 Pepper pot Venter foot stomped her way to compliment the awesome dobro that Gardner was layin’ down slide style.\u00a0 These ladies are very\u00a0busy hitting stages from Denver to Denmark\u00a0and “The Red Album” is doing very well for them. It spent 16 weeks on the Americana Radio Top 40, reaching #10, and it was #1 on the Folk DJ Radio Chart for all of 2014.\u00a0 Hard to label these fine lasses, but gospel rock with an edge and a full on Americana stomp works for me.\u00a0 They will be our first “find” group to follow-up on when we catch them 3\/6\/15 in Houston @ McGonigel’s Mucky Duck!\u00a0\u00a0 Looking forward to a full gig from these three for sure…………..<\/p>\n

HONORABLE MENTION<\/p>\n

AMY McCARLEY (Nashville,TN\u00a0 USA)<\/p>\n

This sweet Alabama native got our attention @ SWRFA in 2014 and continued to impress us.\u00a0 Her confidence seems to be growing and her guitar playing ain’t no strummin’ son!\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Very likeable person who was rubbing elbows with cool folks all weekend and headed to SXSW 2015, too.\u00a0 “Everybody Wants To”, “Jet Engines” and “Radio On” all cool tunes on her latest CD………..<\/p>\n

MOORS AND McCUMBER (Wisconsin & Colorado, USA)<\/p>\n

These two talented gents have been on our list since SWRFA 2012.\u00a0 They “only” brought 8 instruments this go around and believe me\u00a0they use them all quite well. \u00a0“Pandemonium” is their soon to be released new album and look for the review of it soon on HMR.\u00a0 Two of the most laid back nice guys in the music biz who produce a sound that belies being a duo, especially in the setting that is FAI. “Bend Or Be Broken” and “That Ain’t No Way to Live” perfect examples of how they read each other’s body language, emotions and voices to blend like a snug fitting glove…………<\/p>\n

JOHN MORELAND (Tulsa,OK USA)<\/p>\n

This intense dude came highly recommended and he impressed.\u00a0 “High On Tulsa Heat” is his critically acclaimed CD and his influences of Neil Young, Tom Petty and Steve Earle ring true in his heartfelt lyrics.\u00a0 “Figue Out Forgiveness”\u00a0 and “Come Down From the Mountain” showed off his jammin’ skills and visual reflections major.\u00a0 Already have my ducats for his 5\/31\/15 gig in Houston 2 McGonigel’s Mucky Duck!<\/p>\n

ROD PICOTT (Nashville,TN\u00a0 USA)<\/p>\n

Had the pleasure of seeing him at Almost Austin House Concerts in December 2014 and we feel late to the party on this masterful songwriting\u00a0cool cat. “Hang Your Hopes On A Crooked Nail” is his latest release and it has done quite well , reaching #22 and 8 weeks in Top 40\u00a0on Americana Music Association most played albums of the year.\u00a0 Very engaging personality who will be\u00a0sought out from now on for sure………..<\/p>\n

STEVE DAWSON (Nashville,TN\u00a0 USA)<\/p>\n

This Canadian native multi Juno Award winning artist knows his way around a guitar and then some.\u00a0 This was our third time to see him at FAI and all ya have to witness is “Rattlesnake Cage” to get what he’s all about! “Photograph” showed off his deep vocals adn with Jeremy Holms on stand-up bass he killed it on “Won’t You Try a Little Silver” and “Somebody’s Got to Help You”. Hopefully move to the states will blossom his already good career………..<\/p>\n

JOSH HARTY (Madison,WI\u00a0 USA)<\/p>\n

Alt-country, blues and folk wrapped into one, featuring a crackejack Nashville guitar wizard like Brian Ashley Jones, and you have a dynamic combo of fun.\u00a0 Dude tours non-stop across North America and Europe.\u00a0 He has a cool sense of humor and a cool hat, too!\u00a0\u00a0 “Out of My Mind” was stellar and the good storytelling along with jammin’ = success………….<\/p>\n

MT. THELONIOUS (St.Louis,MO\u00a0 USA)<\/p>\n

Caught this trio at SWRFA and the follow-up look we caught continued the momentum.\u00a0 Their feel good down home\u00a0set with SONiA was outstanding to behold. Intense guitar and vocal\u00a0leadership of Ian Luber, cheery faced stand-up\u00a0bass deliverance by Mark Wallace and the bubbly always glowing fiddle work of\u00a0Alyssa Avery is an intoxicating experience.\u00a0 Looking forward to their H-Town date at JP Hops House 3\/12\/15………….<\/p>\n

MEGAN JEAN & THE KFB (Charleston,SC\u00a0 USA)<\/p>\n

FAI program said this: They arrange a demented blend of Americana, punk, dance, and the avant-garde described as a metal band if it was 1927.\u00a0 Could not say it better!\u00a0 The likeable strong stage presence of rubber faced MJ , who multi-tasked big time with scrub board \/ drums, had a set of lungs that blew the walls down sans mike!\u00a0\u00a0 Very good live experience………..<\/p>\n

LANEY JONES & THE LIVELY SPIRITS (Orlando,FL\u00a0 USA)<\/p>\n

Their name exudes what they lay out on the stage and that is a rock and roll blues blowout. Banjo pickin’ talent Jones leads a tight outfit that seems destined to make a mrk outside of the Sunshine state for sure.\u00a0 “Simple Truth” was a keeper of a tune and hope to sample them again soon………..<\/p>\n

TIM CHAISSON (Charlottetown,PE\u00a0 CAN)<\/p>\n

Young dude made major waves in his tight rocking set especially on songs like “Don’t Want to Lose You” and “Bad On Me”.\u00a0 Tim’s cousin Cody Chaisson did downright bad ass on banjo to keep the energy level sky high.\u00a0 If his forthcoming release in 2015, “Lost in Light”, does as well as his highly acclaimed 2012 album, “The Other Side”, he’ll be heard from a lot more…….<\/p>\n

THE SMALL GLORIES (Einnipeg, Manitoba\u00a0 CAN)<\/p>\n

Cara Luft (banjo)\u00a0and DJ Edwards (guitar)\u00a0new collaboration has people north of the border buzzin’ for good reason.\u00a0 His voice was like a grizzly bear with untamed charisma right out of the gate.\u00a0 CL promised an unique blend of two parts and delivered major league. Energetic and then some on gems “Holding On”, “Time Wanders On” and “Had I Paid” made the set zip by aching for more……………<\/p>\n

Yikes.\u00a0 Before closing got to do one last “Tip of the Hat” to the likes of Bill Kirchen, Rebecca Folsom, Brian Kalinec, Libby Koch, Matt Harlan, DC Bloom, Blackbird Revue, Brandy Zdan, Kelly Mickwee, Jess Klein and\u00a0Jenni Finlay.\u00a0 Plus a major shout out to Joelle May and all the wonderful volunteers who made it so nice for us media types throughout the hectic experience!\u00a0 If you’ve never strapped it on and dove into Folk Alliance International or any of the six regional ones, I highly recommend it.\u00a0\u00a0The love and warmth that permeates from the Westin Hotel\u00a0staff\u00a0and everybody who’s there is an experience like no other if you are a true music lover.\u00a0 February 17-21, 2016 is marked on our calendar and we’ll be there again if they’ll have us.\u00a0 www.folkalliance.org<\/span><\/u><\/a>\u00a0is the place to get on board. \u00a0God Bless and hope this was a good read for you!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Written by Eddie Ferranti For the third time in our musical lives, Rose and I strapped it on and covered Folk Alliance International in frigid Kansas City. The best way to describe thee event correlates to a ride I used to love at my local amusement park when I was a kid called the Tilt-A-Whirl… <\/p>\n

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