Levitt AMP Berea 2018
Who is playing this summer in Berea? Check it out!
JULY 6: BRETT RATLIFF & JOHN HAYWOOD
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Brett Ratliff grew up in the historic coal camps of Van Lear, Kentucky. Brett has toured extensively with groups such as the Clack Mountain String Band, the Dirk Powell Band, and Rich & the Po’ Folk, and as a solo artist released “Cold Icy Mountain” in 2008 and “Gone Boy” in 2017. He has also taught mountain music at numerous workshops and music camps including the Swannanoa Gathering in North Carolina, Augusta Heritage’s Early Country Music Week, Sore Fingers Week in Oxfordshire, England and the Festival of American Fiddle Tunes in Port Townsend, Washington.
John Haywood is an award-winning artist and banjo player from Floyd County, Kentucky. He attended the Old Regular Baptist Church with his papaw, where he heard him sing the old |
unaccompanied songs of Zion. He was a Kentucky Folklife apprentice to George Gibson, a banjo player from Knott County and this year’s master in residence. John performs with Rich & the Po’ Folk and can be heard on their recording “When the Whistle Blew”. He is also a visual artist whose work represents the history and music of East Kentucky.
Together, they draw from East Kentucky’s unique traditions to speak to a new generation.
Supporting Artist: Jack Herranen and the Little Red Band
Together, they draw from East Kentucky’s unique traditions to speak to a new generation.
Supporting Artist: Jack Herranen and the Little Red Band
JULY 13: HUDSON K
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Innovative synths and upbeat rhythms are the signature sounds that drive Hudson K, Knoxville’s premier electro-rock duo, featuring Christina Horn (vocals/synths) and Nate Barrett (drums). For the past decade, Hudson K has explored the intersection of electronica and classical music, composing sonic tapestries that have entertained dedicated audiences from Georgia to Connecticut and everywhere in between. Voted “Best Electronic Band” by Blank News, Hudson K regularly appears as a top performing band in the region, and their popularity has led them to a main stage performance at Rhythm and Blooms, a performance on the “Who” stage at Bonnaroo, as well as performances at the Slingshot Music Festival in Athens, GA and the CMJ Music Marathon in New York City, among many others. Hudson K recently finished recording their fourth studio album
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at Top Hat Studios in March, and will launch their 2017 tour of the Eastern US in July.
Supporting Artist: Grits & Soul
Supporting Artist: Grits & Soul
JULY 20: JOHNNY CONQUEROO
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Formed when its members – Grant Curless, Wils Quinn, and Shawn Reynolds – were in their freshman year, Johnny Conqueroo’s early EP’s saw them writing long, grungy blues jams, spiraling in and out of swampy dirges as the band played what they felt, acting on instinct in a fervent rock’n’roll endeavor. The trio naturally shied from prototypical indie or hipster leanings, focusing instead on downtrodden street stories inspired by Southern surroundings.
The forthcoming Haint Blue EP sees the band maturing and expanding without abandoning their roots. Challenged by producer Duane Lundy (Ringo Starr, Vandaveer) to pursue a collection of thematically similar material, Haint Blue tells an Appalachian tragedy of sorts, twining together stories of men |
and women in downward spirals , becoming homeless, being falsely accused of crimes and knocking on the door of purgatory like a ball of barbed wire.
Named for the shade of blue color believed to repel trapped house spirits (“haints”), the EP was recorded in a Kentucky house from the 1800's in a series of fast and simple takes to capture the band's raucous live sound in a way that’s sure to help them carve a new niche within the Lexington music scene – one that sets them apart from their peers and girds them for a national breakout. “It’s a new chapter,” says Curless. “The last album was us kind of feeling out different sounds, and this new one is a real cohesive album. It’s a settling-in.”
Supporting Artists: Clint Roberts, Sour Cream Band
Named for the shade of blue color believed to repel trapped house spirits (“haints”), the EP was recorded in a Kentucky house from the 1800's in a series of fast and simple takes to capture the band's raucous live sound in a way that’s sure to help them carve a new niche within the Lexington music scene – one that sets them apart from their peers and girds them for a national breakout. “It’s a new chapter,” says Curless. “The last album was us kind of feeling out different sounds, and this new one is a real cohesive album. It’s a settling-in.”
Supporting Artists: Clint Roberts, Sour Cream Band
JULY 27: KALETA & SUPER YAMBA BAND
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Brooklyn afro-funksters Kaleta & Super Yamba Band are fronted by legendary Afrobeat veteran Leon Ligan-Majek a.k.a. Kaleta. The composer, singer, guitarist, percussionist and producer from the West African country of Benin Republic lived his adolescent life in Lagos, Nigeria where Afrobeat was born. Kaleta performed and toured the world with the two most popular musicians from Nigeria, Fela Kuti and King Sunny Ade, along with Majek Fashek and recently Lauryn Hill.
Now based in New York City, Kaleta was overjoyed to find Super Yamba Band and hear their take on the vintage, psychedelic sounds of his native country Benin in the 70s and 80s. Super Yamba takes it's cues from artists like Orchestre Poly-Rythmo, El Rego and Gnonnas Pedro, all legends in their own right for |
pioneering the classic styles of Afro-Funk in Benin. Touching on rare grooves such as "Vodoun" and "Sato," Super Yamba Band have dialed in the nuances of a timeless sound that will move everyone in the room to dance! Kaleta sings in several different languages native to West Africa including Fon, Goun, Yoruba and Ewe, along with French and Pidgin English, "the official language of Afrobeat" he says with a grin.
Kaleta got his start in the late 70s performing in church and was soon after picked up by iconic Juju master and world music pioneer King Sunny Ade. A few years later Fela Kuti came calling. Kaleta would go on to tour the world playing guitar for the King of Afrobeat in his band Egypt 80 through the 1980s and into the 90s.
Super Yamba Band's live performances with Kaleta are absolutely explosive. Afropop Worldwide said "their ace-up-the-sleeve: the singer Kaleta, whose James Brown grunts have got to be some of the best in the business."
Supporting Artist: Donovan Howard
Kaleta got his start in the late 70s performing in church and was soon after picked up by iconic Juju master and world music pioneer King Sunny Ade. A few years later Fela Kuti came calling. Kaleta would go on to tour the world playing guitar for the King of Afrobeat in his band Egypt 80 through the 1980s and into the 90s.
Super Yamba Band's live performances with Kaleta are absolutely explosive. Afropop Worldwide said "their ace-up-the-sleeve: the singer Kaleta, whose James Brown grunts have got to be some of the best in the business."
Supporting Artist: Donovan Howard
AUGUST 3: MCLAIN FAMILY BAND
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Direct from the hills of Kentucky, The McLain Family Band has become internationally known as one of the most spontaneous, creative and spirited groups performing contemporary Appalachian Bluegrass music.
During the years 1968 – 1990 they performed in all 50 states – and 62 countries during 14 international concert tours, some as musical ambassadors of the U.S. Department of State. The McLain Family Band played at the Grand Ole Opry, Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Lincoln Center and the Carter Fold. They were featured at thousands of festivals and |
concerts and performed as soloists in more than 230 appearances with orchestras. For eleven years, The McLain Family Band hosted The McLain Family Band Festival which was featured on NPR’s Folk Festival USA and produced by Kentucky Educational TV for national distribution.
The McLain Family Band has consisted, through the years, of various combinations of family members. The core touring band for 2017 & 2018 includes: Raymond McLain, Ruth McLain, Alice and Al White and Daxson Lewis, with occasional guest appearances from Nancy Ann Wartman and Michael & Jennifer McLain.
Supporting Artists: Singing Bird Music School Students and Teaching Artists
The McLain Family Band has consisted, through the years, of various combinations of family members. The core touring band for 2017 & 2018 includes: Raymond McLain, Ruth McLain, Alice and Al White and Daxson Lewis, with occasional guest appearances from Nancy Ann Wartman and Michael & Jennifer McLain.
Supporting Artists: Singing Bird Music School Students and Teaching Artists
AUGUST 10: BELLA’S BARTOK
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All little children grow up, one day --- all except the bedazzled and glittered boys of Bella’s Bartok. Inspired by elements of Vaudeville, centuries of street performance, and an unyielding drive to promote camaraderie, Northampton, MA-based Bella’s Bartok delivers a passionate kaleidoscope of sound. The songs are born of Americana and folk music of their immigrant grandparents, blended with the joy of a particular brand of pop sensibility. Their performances are at once a primal stand against oppression and a declaration of joy in the face of adversity. From quiet reflections on loss, to the howl of justice in four-part harmony, Bella’s Bartok sonically and lyrically delivers a sweaty, soulful dance-party that is sure to leave the audience happily breathless.
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Started in the dimly lit alleyways of Great Barrington, MA, Bella’s Bartok gradually evolved from street-punk performers to an electric, brass-filled, accordion-based spectacle that has continued to entertain audiences for nearly a decade. Find Bella’s Bartok on a variety of stages, at a myriad of festivals, or on the street across the continental United States. Audiences often pick up on the band’s main influences such as Frank Zappa, System of a Down, Tom Waits and Oingo Boingo.
If you’ve never listened to Bella’s Bartok, stop what you’re doing right now. Run to the nearest computer and listen to their uproarious, joyful, eclectic sound. The band plays a mesmerizing mix of Eastern European, Americana, punk, and pop music. Their live shows are theatrical, “a mix of The Nightmare Before Christmas and the Rocky Horror Picture Show” says frontman Asher Putnam. “We are the night and you are bound to boogie.” So, do yourself a favor, practice a little self care, throw your societal inhibitions to the wayside and let yourself get lost to the tune of Bella’s Bartok --- before the tumult of daily life rears its ugly head once more.
Supporting Artist: Handshake Deals
If you’ve never listened to Bella’s Bartok, stop what you’re doing right now. Run to the nearest computer and listen to their uproarious, joyful, eclectic sound. The band plays a mesmerizing mix of Eastern European, Americana, punk, and pop music. Their live shows are theatrical, “a mix of The Nightmare Before Christmas and the Rocky Horror Picture Show” says frontman Asher Putnam. “We are the night and you are bound to boogie.” So, do yourself a favor, practice a little self care, throw your societal inhibitions to the wayside and let yourself get lost to the tune of Bella’s Bartok --- before the tumult of daily life rears its ugly head once more.
Supporting Artist: Handshake Deals
AUGUST 17: CLOIGHEANN
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For over 25 years it seems Cloigheann (pronounced klog-in) has had as many member configurations as it does possible ways to misspell the band's name. The band's unique blend of "Bluegrass/Greengrass" makes them a one-of-a-kind traditional Irish and bluegrass roots ensemble - generating a solid mix of original composition and traditional Irish reels, jigs, aires, songs and more.
The band members are Larry Green (fiddle, backing vocals), Cathy Wilde (flute, whistle), Donald Caffrey (bodhran, bones), Mike Schroeder (mandolin), Steve Cooley (banjo, dobro, backing vocals) and Mark Rosenthal (guitar, vocals). Founded in 1991 by Mark Rosenthal and Roy Livingston, |
Cloigheann has been playing in, around, on, and in some cases under the regional Irish music scene ever since. From festivals to pubs to concerts to house parties and weddings, it's all the same - great music, and great craic wherever they make it.
Supporting Artist: Davey Mathias & Turlach Boylan
Supporting Artist: Davey Mathias & Turlach Boylan
AUGUST 24: THE THEORIZT
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The Theorizt is a hip hop band from Knoxville, Tennessee. The band was formed in September 2009 when J-Bush and Mike Miller met. Both Miller and Bush had been recording music as a pastime for many years, most of it in their own home studios, using whatever equipment they had available to them - usually a PC desktop and basic microphones and mixers. Both had spent much time working on production and recording, and keeping those two elements in-house has played a huge part in sculpting The Theorizt's distinctive sound.
Black Atticus joined the group after helping record some songs for the debut album 'Samurai Love Songs', and soon The Theorizt was created. Jason Wells was added as the drummer, and Jon Augustus followed to play the bass. Nick joined after answering a |
help-wanted ad online.
“Knoxville’s answer to The Roots” (Metro Pulse- Knoxville), The Theorizt is a live band that has quickly climbed to the top in Knoxville; getting radio time on 90.3 The Rock (WUTK) for their singles “Me & My Girlfriend” & "Call Me", playing the best local venues, and being crowned as Metro Pulse’s Best Hip Hop Band of 2011.
Supporting Artist: RYVOLI
“Knoxville’s answer to The Roots” (Metro Pulse- Knoxville), The Theorizt is a live band that has quickly climbed to the top in Knoxville; getting radio time on 90.3 The Rock (WUTK) for their singles “Me & My Girlfriend” & "Call Me", playing the best local venues, and being crowned as Metro Pulse’s Best Hip Hop Band of 2011.
Supporting Artist: RYVOLI
AUGUST 31: THE HOOTEN HALLERS
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Columbia, Missouri trio, The Hooten Hallers, are known for hard-traveling and wild, energetic live shows, criss-crossing their way through North America and Europe with their seemingly endless tour schedule. They continue their decade-long search for their roots, drawing from the surrounding agricultural lifestyles, the river communities, the college kids and the tweakers that roam Columbia, all in the looming foothills of the Ozark Mountains.
The myriad of influences in their music range from pre-war blues to punk rock to dark Americana, with a thematic penchant for the strange and the unexplained. In the same vein, the Hooten Hallers’ music isn’t quite Americana and it’s not quite punk, but a bit of both, fused together in a drunken tangle. |
The Hooten Hallers’ new self-titled album, out April 21, 2017 on Big Muddy Records, is the culmination of their experiences from 10 years of performing and travelling together.
John Randall’s demonically-tinged vocals and blues-inspired, manic guitar, and Andy Rehm's screaming falsetto vocals and steady, pounding drum beat keep the band focused on their unique blend of deep blues and country punk. Kellie Everett brings the power with the deep rumble of her baritone and bass saxophones. When The Hooten Hallers come to town, you know it’s gonna be a party!
Supporting Artist: Buck the Taxidermist
John Randall’s demonically-tinged vocals and blues-inspired, manic guitar, and Andy Rehm's screaming falsetto vocals and steady, pounding drum beat keep the band focused on their unique blend of deep blues and country punk. Kellie Everett brings the power with the deep rumble of her baritone and bass saxophones. When The Hooten Hallers come to town, you know it’s gonna be a party!
Supporting Artist: Buck the Taxidermist
SEPTEMBER 7: APPALATIN
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Appalatin’s foot-stomping, hip-swinging sounds organically unite Appalachian folk and high-energy Latin music. The name, Appalatin, reflects the unexpected meeting in Louisville, KY of Kentucky-raised musicians and masterful Latin émigrés from Ecuador, Nicaragua, and Guatemala. Their all-acoustic performances of traditional stings of guitar, mandolin, upright bass, and charango, indigenous Andean flutes, hand percussion, harmonica and vocal harmonies have brought joy and happiness to listeners of all ages.
Since the release of their first album in 2011, the band has shared |
the stage with Red Baraat, Sam Bush, Claire Lynch, The Black Lilies, La Santa Cecilia, and Ben Sollee. They have performed at the RiverRoots Music and Folk Arts Festival (IN), CityFolk Festival (OH), Worldfest (KY), Culturefest (WV), and in May of 2013, they had the honor of performing before 10,000+ people in Louisville’s Yum! Center at the Dalai Lama’s Public Talk.
In 2014, the band was awarded the Americana Award by the Louisville Music Awards Academy. In addition they are the feature of a Emmy-nominated PBS-affiliate documentary in the Kentucky Muse series, now distributed nationwide on public stations. The band has been in the studio recording its 3rd studio album and will be announcing details of its release in the spring of 2018.
Supporting Artist: Big Maracas
In 2014, the band was awarded the Americana Award by the Louisville Music Awards Academy. In addition they are the feature of a Emmy-nominated PBS-affiliate documentary in the Kentucky Muse series, now distributed nationwide on public stations. The band has been in the studio recording its 3rd studio album and will be announcing details of its release in the spring of 2018.
Supporting Artist: Big Maracas
The Levitt AMP Berea Music Series is supported in part by the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation, a private foundation that empowers towns and cities across America to transform underused public spaces into thriving destinations through the power of free, live music. In 2018, nearly 500 free Levitt concerts will take place in 26 towns and cities, all featuring a rich array of music genres and high caliber talent. Learn more at levitt.org.
