WATER TOWER

Songwriters at Play! Presents:

Oldternative Americana Night

Water Tower, Old Time Fiddle and Banjo Show, Amber Cross, Blackwell – Mason

Monday, February 6th, 2012 at The SPOT
7:00pm     116 W. Branch St., Arroyo Grande, CA     93420
805-474-5711 Price: $10

After five years on the road, four albums under their belt and multiple international tours, Water Tower has been brewing up a storm in the folk music world. Their all original sound is infectious and has spread far and wide to audiences of all ages and walks of life. Based in Portland, Oregon they got their start busking on street corners playing traditional old time and bluegrass, eventually honing their sound as a solid dance band playing square dances and bluegrass festivals up and down the west coast. “They’ve adopted the intensity of rock and punk and channeled it into their songs and tunes…their far-ranging influences enable them to see the common ground between folk, rock, punk and even jazz, and they draw from this common ground to create their unique sound.”–No Depression

The Old Time Fiddle & Banjo Show will open the concert with a set of vintage “oldternative” tunes. Also performing that night will be singer-songwriter Amber Cross, who is also a member of OTFBS, and the Kenny Blackwell-Stuart Mason duo. The Spot is a 50-seat theatre located at 116 W. Branch St., in the village of Arroyo Grande (next to Doc Burnstein’s Ice Cream). Tickets are $10, available in advance at thespotag.com

Songwriters At Play! is a series of showcases hosted by Steve Key, featuring performances by top local talent from California’s Central Coast, and touring pro musicians. songwritersatplay.com/

Slow & Easy

John Weed, fiddler and Stuart Mason, DADGAD guitarist (aka my mandola teacher), have just released a CD for learning 25 ‘essential’ Irish session tunes played on fiddle and guitar, called Slow and Easy.  The CD can be ordered online, or downloaded, or you can download individual tunes, if there are just a few that you still need in your repertoire. AND,  they have free online charts with ‘dots’ and chords for DADGAD guitar.   What I love about this CD is that not only is it a good learning tool, but it makes for good listening, too. It’s challenging to play Irish tunes slow enough to hear the notes clearly and still have it be musical, and they accomplished both. No, I don’t get a commission on sales I just think this is a great CD and want to share this as a tune-learning resource. –Roz Phillips

The Old-Time Fiddle and Banjo Trio

Santa Margarita KOA

After a day enjoying the outdoors, relax around your campfire and the crickets and frogs will serenade you… along with beautiful birds singing in chorus. And maybe even some old-time fiddle and banjo!

Retreat to a nature-lover’s paradise in a rustic setting with panoramic vistas, rolling terrain, and secluded campsites. The campground is an outdoor lover’s dream, whether you enjoy hiking, fishing, boating, bird watching, horse back riding, cycling, horse shoes, swimming, or many other outdoor activities.

Amaya Rose with Little Black Train

The Coalesce Bookstore will present the old-time acoustic Americana music of Little Black Train with special guest Amaya Rose on Friday July 8 at the intimate Garden Wedding Chapel in Morro Bay.

Acoustic trio Little Black Train will perform a fun, refreshing fusion of vintage fiddle tunes, bluegrass mandolin, and songs of old-time Americana. Weed and Mason are also members of the Santa Cruz Celtic group Molly’s Revenge, and Kenny Blackwell is known for his collaborations with guitar wizard Dorian Michael.

Opening the show will be 12-year old fiddler Amaya Rose of Paso Robles. Amaya was first chair in the SLO Youth Symphony this past season, and performs regularly with country singer Monte Mills. She has won multiple awards in Irish dance; she runs her own business called Amaya’s Chicken Ranch; and she creates custom greeting cards under the moniker Hen and Ink.

The oldternative sound of Little Black Train features a virtuosic bluegrass mandolinist, a traditional Irish fiddler, and an old-timey songster. Their music is old as the hills. From Depression-era gospel and blues to Appalachian and Celtic dance tunes, they dig up the roots of bluegrass that traveled to America from Ireland and Scotland in the 19th century. They combine new words and melodies with traditional songs from sources such as the Carter Family, Doc Boggs, and Charlie Poole. On the instrumental side, they mine fiddle tunes from archival sources in West Virginia, Ireland, and Scotland.

Mandolinist Kenny Blackwell, who studied with the legendary Jethro Burns, is known for his extensive studio work, as well as his collaborations with progressive fiddler Richard Greene and his membership in the Laurel Canyon Ramblers, a legendary California bluegrass outfit. Fiddler John Weed has lived in Ireland and immersed himself in the traditional styles of Clare and Donegal.  The result is an old-time Irish fiddling style that complements his forays into bluegrass, swing, and other American music. West Virginia native Stuart Mason is known for his authentic vocals, melodic mandola, and inability to hold his whiskey.

Call 772-2880 to reserve seats.
Photo: Little Black Train with special guest Amaya Rose
Photo credit: Lisa Wieler

St. Mary’s Episcopal Church will present An Afternoon of Traditional Americana with bluegrass-roots trio Little Black Train on Sunday, May 22 at 3:00 pm.

Carmel Valley fiddler John Weed and guitarist Stuart Mason will team up with sizzling mandolinist Kenny Blackwell for this show. Their trio Little Black Train will perform a fun, refreshing fusion of vintage fiddle tunes, bluegrass mandolin, and songs of old-time Americana. Weed and Mason are also members of the well-known Santa Cruz Celtic group Molly’s Revenge.

The oldternative sound of Little Black Train features a virtuosic bluegrass mandolinist, a traditional Irish fiddler, and an old-timey songster. Their music is old as the hills. From Depression-era gospel and blues to Appalachian and Celtic dance tunes, they dig up the roots of bluegrass that traveled to America from Ireland and Scotland in the 19th century. They combine new words and melodies with traditional songs from sources such as the Carter Family, Doc Boggs, and Charlie Poole. On the instrumental side, they mine fiddle tunes from archival sources in West Virginia, Ireland, and Scotland.

Mandolinist Kenny Blackwell, who studied with the legendary Jethro Burns, is known for his extensive studio work, as well as his collaborations with progressive fiddler Richard Greene and his membership in the Laurel Canyon Ramblers, a legendary California bluegrass outfit. Fiddler John Weed has lived in Ireland and immersed himself in the traditional styles of Clare and Donegal.  The result is an old-time Irish fiddling style that complements his forays into bluegrass, swing, and other American music. Guitarist Stuart Mason is known for his authentic vocals, melodic mandola, and inability to hold his whiskey.

For reservations and directions, email realjweed@hotmail.com or call 818-831-5021.

From Depression-era gospel to Appalachian and Celtic dance tunes, Little Black Train explores the roots of bluegrass that date back to the nineteenth century and earlier.  Their repertoire includes fiddle tunes from archival sources in West Virginia, Ireland, and Scotland.

Mandolinist Kenny Blackwell, who studied with the legendary Jethro Burns, is known for his extensive studio work, as well as his collaborations with progressive fiddler Richard Greene and his membership in the Laurel Canyon Ramblers, a legendary California bluegrass outfit. Fiddler John Weed has lived in Ireland and immersed himself in the traditional styles of Clare and Donegal.  The result is an old-time Irish fiddling style that complements his forays into bluegrass, swing, and other American music. Guitarist Stuart Mason is known for his authentic vocals, melodic mandola, and inability to hold his whiskey.

For reservations and directions, e-mail rwchouseconcerts(at)gmail.com or call 510-812-5360.

Sally Loo’s Wholesome Cafe will present An Evening of Traditional Americana with bluegrass-roots trio Little Black Train on Saturday, April 9th at 7:00 pm. This will be a dinner show featuring unique and organic soups, salads, quiche, desserts and fair trade coffee and teas available for purchase. Food and beverage are not included in the ticket price.

Fresh off the road in the Rocky Mountain states, where they have been promoting their tenth record with Santa Cruz-based Celtic group Molly’s Revenge, fiddler John Weed and guitarist Stuart Mason will team up with sizzling mandolinist Kenny Blackwell for this show. Their trio Little Black Train will perform a fun, refreshing fusion of vintage fiddle tunes, bluegrass mandolin, and songs of old-time Americana.

The oldternative sound of Little Black Train features a virtuosic bluegrass mandolinist, a traditional Irish fiddler, and an old-timey songster. Their music is old as the hills. From Depression-era gospel and blues to Appalachian and Celtic dance tunes, they dig up the roots of bluegrass that traveled to America from Ireland and Scotland in the 19th century. They combine new words and melodies with traditional songs from sources such as the Carter Family, Doc Boggs, and Charlie Poole. On the instrumental side, they mine fiddle tunes from archival sources in West Virginia, Ireland, and Scotland. The band has appeared at many Central Coast venues, including Stone Soup Music Festival and the Goleta Old-Time Fiddler’s Convention.

Sally Loo’s is an eclectic cafe named after the loyal pitbull of the establishment’s owners, Jen and Brandon. The crew at the Loo thrive on serving healthy local organic coffee shop goods, including seasonal veggies and fruits. They have brought something friendly and different to the Railroad District and San Luis Obispo. Aiming for the kind of neighborhood cafe they themselves wanted to frequent, the owners created a warm, welcoming space with food ranging from baked goods to whole wheat waffles to seasonal quiches. Cozy soups and zesty salads appeal to patrons with a healthy bent. There’s wireless internet access, works by local artists on the walls, and a live music schedule that has featured Inga Swearingen, Cafe Musique, Sparrows Gate, and others.

Press Contact: Stuart Mason 805-215-0306
Sally Loo’s: (805) 545-5895

Fiddling Cricket presents An Evening of Traditional Americana with bluegrass-roots trio Little Black Train at Mission City Coffee Roasting Company on Saturday, January 8 at 8:00 pm.

Fresh from the studio in Santa Cruz, where they just finished recording their tenth record with Celtic folk group Molly’s Revenge, fiddler John Weed and guitarist Stuart Mason will team up with sizzling mandolinist Kenny Blackwell. Their trio Little Black Train will perform a fun, refreshing fusion of vintage fiddle tunes, bluegrass mandolin, and songs of old-time Americana.

The Little Black Train mash-up features a virtuosic bluegrass mandolinist, a traditional Irish fiddler, and an old-timey songster–but this is not your standard bluegrass band. Their music is old as the hills. From Depression-era gospel and blues to Appalachian and Celtic dance tunes, they dig up the roots of bluegrass that traveled to America from Ireland and Scotland in the 19th century. They combine new words and melodies with traditional songs from sources such as the Carter Family, Doc Boggs, and Charlie Poole. On the instrumental side, they mine fiddle tunes from archival sources in West Virginia, Ireland, and Scotland.

“Each of these three is amazingly accomplished, but something magical happens when they play together, their instruments swirling around one another like curls of smoke from a smoldering fire. This is old-time music at its most riveting!” –Glen Starkey, New Times SLO

Little Black Train. Photo by Roz Phillips

Bluegrass-roots trio Little Black Train will perform An Evening of Traditional Americana at Painted Sky Studios on Saturday, November 13 at 8:00 pm.

Fresh from two weeks in the studio in Santa Cruz, where they just finished recording their tenth record with Celtic folk group Molly’s Revenge, fiddler John Weed and guitarist Stuart Mason return to SLO County on Saturday for a concert with sizzling mandolinist Kenny Blackwell. Their trio Little Black Train will perform a fun, refreshing fusion of vintage fiddle tunes, bluegrass mandolin, and songs of old-time Americana.

The Little Black Train mash-up features a virtuosic bluegrass mandolinist, a traditional Irish fiddler, and an old-timey songster–but this is not your standard bluegrass band. Their music is old as the hills. From Depression-era gospel and blues to Appalachian and Celtic dance tunes, they dig up the roots of bluegrass that traveled to America from Ireland and Scotland in the 19th century. They combine new words and melodies with traditional songs from sources such as the Carter Family, Doc Boggs, and Charlie Poole. On the instrumental side, they mine fiddle tunes from archival sources in West Virginia, Ireland, and Scotland.

Painted Sky Recording Studios, located in the heart of Cambria’s historic business district, occupies the building once known as the notorious Bucket of Blood Saloon. Concert goers enjoy an intimate ambiance, where the warm voices of acoustic instruments blend with state-of-the-art sound equipment to create the ultimate folk venue.

“Each of these three is amazingly accomplished, but something magical happens when they play together, their instruments swirling around one another like curls of smoke from a smoldering fire. This is old-time music at its most riveting!” –Glen Starkey, New Times SLO