classic rock

Firebaugh and Dickson recorded in Andrew Dickson’s garage, lovingly known as ‘Studio D’. Each CD blends elements of honkytonk, rockabilly, psychobilly, and straight up rock and roll. Every member of the Hillbilly Casino brings their own special flavor to the band, from Nic’s background in hip hop and rockabilly, to Geoff’s love of old school punk rock and ska, and you’ll find elements of all of this in every Hillbilly Casino record and show. 

While you’ll see a lot of bands sitting around waiting to get ‘signed’, the Hillbilly Casino took a cue from bands like Black Flag, Fugazi, and Youth Brigade, booking their own tours, and producing and releasing their own CD’s and T-shirts, and spending hundreds of hours in their old grey Econoline van getting the rock ‘n’ roll out to the people. 

The Hillbilly Casino has performed along with the following national acts… Brian Setzer Orchestra, Rev. Horton Heat, Rancid, Los Straightjackets, Southern Culture on the Skids, Th’ Legendary Shack Shakers, The Horrorpops, The Blasters, The Supersuckers, Doyle Bramhall, 7 Shot Screamers, Koffin Kats, Flatfoot 56, Lonesome Spurs, Three Blue Teardrops.

http://hillbillycasino.net/

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rock

Jazz rocker (SFWeekly) singer/songwriter/instrumentalist, Ben Graves, represents an eclectic history of musical experience; in high school in rural Tennessee he was a neo-folk/classical guitarist, a jazz saxophonist, and the lead singer in a band that would become the platinum-selling hard rock outfit Fuel. He attended Wesleyan University and Berklee College of Music (where he was awarded scholarships for both saxophone and voice) studying with avante-garde maverick Anthony Braxton, Ghanaian master-drummer Abraham Adzinyah and pop icon Billy Joel. After Berklee, Ben won an assistantship at Washington State University, where he earned a master’s degree in music and was recognized as an outstanding alto saxophonist at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival. After grad school, Graves found his way to San Francisco. From 1996 to 2003, he honed his craft, recording 2 original Cds and performing his original music in many of the Bay Area’s hippest venues: the Fillmore, Great American Music Hall, Cafe du Nord, the Hotel Utah, Freight and Salvage, Sweetwater, and many others. In 2003, he moved to Nashville, where he worked as a sideman with country artists Rebecca Lynn Howard, James Otto, Amy Dalley, and others. He spent most of 2005 doing administrative work for the New York Philharmonic in Manhattan and taking part in the New York scene before returning to Nashville, where he remains active as a session musician, performing songwriter, sideman, and educator.

Ben is a true multi-instrumentalist; he’s jammed on guitar and harmonica with Lyle Lovett and Nanci Griffith, played electric bass with Kid Rock and at the Grand Ole Opry, and has blown saxophone with Modern Jazz Quartet bassist Percy Heath, Late Show drummer Anton Fig, and tons of people you’ve never heard of. Ben embraces the jazz ethic of keeping the performance loose enough so that almost anything can happen, and nothing sounds stale. Solo, or in the company of other fine musicians, Ben Graves weaves his unique harmony and soulful voice into a truly original tapestry that is at once innovative, informed, and inspired. 

http://www.bengraves.com/

pop | r&b

blues

Steve also developed an interest in playing piano. He learned to play by ear and at the age of thirteen, he became the musician for the Youth Choir at his church. He is currently the Minister of Music for all choirs at his church. Throughout the years, Steve has continued to play the guitar, and has played with B.B. King, Percy Sledge, Solomon Burke, Johnny Jones and many others. His band has opened up and played for famous jazz and blues artists like Najee, B.B. King, Bobby Bland, Phil Perry, The Manhattans, Nick Colionne and other numerous bands that have come through Nashville to perform. He is consistently included in the line up for Nashville’s annual Jazz Blues and Heritage Festival, where he and his band provided the music for Lori Jenaire, Jackiem Joyner, Joey Somerfield, Andre Ward, Alex Bugnon The Drifters, Glenn Jones, Alexander O’Neal, Howard Hewitt, Kindred The Family, Jessica Reedy, Pamela Williams, After 7, Paula Atherton, Freddie Jackson, Rashaad Patterson, Mike Farris, Vivian Green and Marion Meadows. He was the band leader and music director for the Steven Roper and the B.B. King Allstars at the B.B. King Club in Nashville for over three years. Steve’s first love is jazz and blues, this is the genre he’s famous for in the Nashville area; however, his talent is not limited to jazz and blues, he is equally talented in R&B and even country. That is the reason he still enjoys playing classics like, Betcha By Golly Wow, Fantasy, That’s The Way of the World, and The World Is A Ghetto and music from his CD’s, Colors of my Journey and Colors.

http://muscleshoalstheriverthatsings.com/steve-roper.html

70s rock

Comprised of Nashville veteran recording/touring artists, The Mood Ring is a “passion project” for the members of the band. Musically centered around the hit songs of the 70s, the band’s set includes classic tunes from Fleetwood Mac, Heart, Tom Petty, Three Dog Night, The Eagles and tons more. With this group of players, the choice of material was an easy call. Each of the members of The Mood Ring has a long, impressive resumé with extensive touring experience. They have also toured world-wide with Little Texas, Delbert McClinton, Hal Ketchum, Big and Rich and others. Six like minded individuals whose sole aim is to bring peace, love and rock to the masses. The Mood Ring is made of Porter Howell (lead vocals, electric guitar) - founding member, lead guitar player and hit songwriter behind the multi-platinum band, Little Texas. Shareen King (lead vocals) - shared the stage with Hal Ketchum, Ty Herndon and many more; incredible vocal range with smooth, sultry tones coupled with a great stage presence and power-packed vocals. Anthony Martin (lead vocals, keyboard) - former A & R for Sony Records Nashville with production credits on albums for such superstars as Martina McBride, Pam Tillis, and Montgomery Gentry. Jon Putnam (lead vocals, bass) - veteran musician having toured all over the world with artists such as Delbert McClinton and Billy Dean. Has worked in studio with Jimmy Buffett, Dan Fogelberg, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and more. Tige Bucchino (lead vocals, drums) - recorded with multi-platinum producers Michael Wagener and Kevin Beamish, also toured with members of Loggins & Messina and has shared the stage with country stars Tracy Byrd, Mark Chestnut and Lonestar.

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multi-genres

Matt McAtee is a singer/ guitarist/entertainer based out of Nashville. He has performed with numerous high profile country music artists, and has been a fixture on the Nashville music scene for nearly a decade. His band, the Eventuals, is a collection of seasoned, highly-skilled musicians who specialize in the art of variety. The Eventuals move seamlessly from classic country, to classic rock, Funk, 80’s pop, Disco, 90’s rock, and they continue to update their show with some of the best of contemporary music across several genres. Matt has Emceed and lead bands on over 1,000 gigs, and has played for every kind of audience imaginable. The dance floor is never empty at an Eventuals show! 

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blues | jazz

Dallas Starke is a songbird living in Nashville, who loves to share her love of jazz music and the blues. Influenced by Etta James, Adele, and Aretha Franklin, Dallas respects the classics but loves to add a little contemporary flavor to her sets.

https://dallasstarke.wordpress.com/

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blues

Stacy Mitchhart’s Live My Life stakes out bold new territory for the veteran entertainer. The 12-song album mixes down-home blues with a splash of soul to serve as a springboard for his canny storytelling and meanly elegant guitar. Live My Life is a departure from his mostly soul-blues flavored catalog, reflecting Mitchhart’s deepening connection with the genre’s primal Mississippi roots.

Powered by strong, original songwriting and surprises like raw-boned cigar box guitar, Live My Life opens with the grinding blues howler “I Drink Whiskey,” showcasing his dirty licks ‘n’ tricks. The title track, which is also the album’s first video, shines a beacon on the rollicking artist’s newly stripped down approach. The song is among the three tracks that showcase Mitchhart’s cigar boxes, while another side of his playing fuels the instrumental “Soul Stoll,” which teams an elegant, funky soul-blues groove with flashes of jazz and a sinuous melody. The disc’s biggest surprise, besides its unfiltered hard-core blues sound, is Mitchhart’s interpretation of the Beatles’ “Come Together,” which he reinvents as a killer Delta blues.

Live My Life was co-producer by Mitchhart and Scott McEwen at Nashville’s all-analog Fry Pharmacy studio and features the touring band that accompanies Mitchhart for an impressive 275 shows a year, including his famed ongoing residency at Nashville’s Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar.

http://www.stacymitchhart.com/