Posts Tagged ‘keller williams’

Keller Williams Announces Fall Tour, End of the World Party, and More

Keller WilliamsKeller Williams has unveiled an upcoming season jam-packed with shows – performing both solo and with his myriad of collaborations – and several dates loaded with very special guests. In late December, Keller & Friends host an “End of the World Party” in Keystone, CO on the 21st and – yes – the 22nd of December. For New Year’s Eve, Keller joins with Del McCoury and the The Travelin’ McCourys in their hometown of Nashville, TN for an end of year bash.

Earlier in the season, Keller is all over the Eastern half of the country, hitting more than 30 cities in more than 20 states. The complete list of Keller’s confirmed dates is included below.

With the Mayan calendar coming to an ominous halt on 12/21, 2012 — many are preparing for the End of Days. Keller Williams & Friends plan to celebrate with an “End of the World Party” in Keystone, CO on 12/21 and 12/22 (fret not, Keller is promising full refunds for the second show should the world, in fact, end). Longtime musical friends – The String Cheese Incident’s Keith Moseley,Bill Nershi, and Kyle Hollingsworth. The Motet’s Dave Watts, and others – will join Keller for the special occasion.

Following the “End of the World Party,” Keller hosts a massive five-night run to ring in the New Year. Performing a solo set and a second set with his brand new R&B collaboration dubbed “Keller Williams with More than a Little,” and joined by That 1 Guy to open each show, the run makes four stops along the mid-Atlantic coast — Wilmington, NC; Charlotte, NC; Norfolk, VA; and Richmond, VA. The year culminates with a New Year’s Eve extravaganza in Nashville, TN with Keller solo, Del McCoury Band, and Keller Williams with The Travelin’ McCourys.

Fans still have time to enter Keller’s Pick Me! contest. Those who order Pick, the debut collaboration of Keller Williams with The Travelin’ McCourys, by 10/1 through Keller’s online merch store automatically get an entry to the contest. One lucky winner will win VIP tickets and an all-expenses-paid trip for two to Nashville to hang with Keller and the McCoury clan at their 2012 New Year’s Eve event. Details are available at http://www.kellerwilliams.net.

The critically lauded album, Pick, from Keller Williams with The Travelin’ McCourys was released in July 2012. Pick is a classic case of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts—although the parts are rather massive on their own, to be sure. Recorded at Nashville’s famed Butcher Shoppe studios, the album’s dozen songs (both originals and covers) fully realize Americana music’s long storytelling tradition, and the impeccable musicianship displayed on Pick captures all of the heart and heartache of the bluegrass genre—and then some: Williams’ unconventional songwriting takes on even greater weight when backed by The Travelin’ McCourys’ emotive tones. Inspired by Keller’s fearless creativity, The Travelin’ McCourys’ flawless playing gains new depth.

Keller Williams Tour Dates
9/14 Jomeokee Arts and Music Festival Pinnacle, NC
9/15 Gypsy Pow Wow Music and Arts Festival Lubbock, TX
9/20 World Cafe Live at The Queen Wilmington, DE
9/21 Upstate Concert Hall Clifton, NY
9/22 Papermill Island Baldwinsville, NY
9/27 The Chameleon Lancaster, PA
9/28 Sherman Theater Stroudsburg, PA
10/5 The Festy Experience at Devil’s Backbone Roseland, VA
10/6 Three Sisters Festival Chattanooga, TN
10/11 The Cabooze Minneapolis, MN
10/12 Majestic Live Madison, WI
10/13 Park West Chicago, IL
10/18 20th Century Theatre Cincinnati, OH
10/19 Blind Pig Ann Arbor, MI
10/20 Headliner’s Music Hall Louisville, KY
10/25 Bluebird Nightclub Bloomington, IN
10/26 The Intersection Grand Rapids, MI
10/27 Beachland Ballroom Cleveland, OH
10/28 Hangtown Halloween Ball Placerville, CA
11/1 Sam’s Burger Joint San Antonio, TX
11/2 Granada Theater Dallas, TX
11/3 Antone’s Austin, TX
11/8 Varsity Theatre Baton Rouge, LA
11/10 Variety Playhouse Atlanta, GA
11/15 The Social Orlando, FL
11/16 State Theatre St. Petersburg, FL
11/17 Revolution Hall Fort Lauderdale, FL
11/23 – 11/24 Green Parrot Key West, FL
11/29 George’s Majestic Lounge Fayetteville, AR
11/30 Cain’s Ballroom Tulsa, OK
12/1 Granada Theatre Lawrence, KS
12/6 The Handlebar Greenville, SC
12/7 – 12/8 The Pour House Charleston, SC
12/21 – 12/22 Warren Station Center for the Arts Keystone, CO End of the World Party!
12/27 Brooklyn Performing Arts Center Wilmington, NC
12/28 Neighborhood Theatre Charlotte, NC
12/29 The NorVa Norfolk, VA
12/30 The National Richmond, VA
12/31 Marathon Music Works Nashville, TN
3/1 – 3/5 Dark Star’s Jamaican Jam in the Sand Negril, Jamaica

Additional dates to be confirmed.

Keller Williams to Release 17th Album, Bass, on December 13th

Keller Williams

On December 13, 2011, Keller Williams delivers Bass, his 17th album. Starting with 1994’s Freek, Keller has done solo albums, live albums, one with The String Cheese Incident, another with Bob Weir, Michael Franti, Bela Fleck and a bunch of other personal heroes, a bluegrass covers album with Keller & The Keels, a children’s album, a remix album, and more. Here Keller shows off, you guessed it, his bass skills with his first record that finds the multi-instrumentalist only on bass guitar.

Bass is also the first album to be recorded with Keller’s live reggae-funk band Kdubalicious. Formed in late 2010, in addition to Keller on bass and vocals, the group features Jay Starling on keyboards and Mark D on drums. Though Keller’s music, both what he listens to and what he puts out, may always be changing and evolving, there’s always one constant: his unique, playful songwriting. Bass is no different in that regard. This may be reggae music—with heavy doses of dub, funk, jazz and even bits of pop and psychedelia—but at the core, it’s a Keller Williams record, his warm voice and equally inviting attitude driving the positive vibrations.

Since Keller Williams first appeared on the scene in the early ’90s, he has helped define the term independent artist. Looking at the diversity of his fall plans, you can certainly ascertain why. Look for Keller on tour through the end of the year in several of his various incarnations, including his newest collaboration – The Travelin’ McCourys Featuring Keller Williams – which debuted this fall at Magnolia Fest, Voodoo Music Festival, and others. Also recently announced, a New Year’s run: beginning December 28 at The Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh, North Carolina. Then on December 29 and 30 the show rolls to The National in Richmond, VA and Norfolk’s NorVa respectively, with Keller Williams on stage for one set solo and one set with his project Kdubalicious, plus very special guests The Pimps of Joytime. For New Year’s Eve, Keller & The Keels ring in 2012 at Brooklyn Performing Arts Center in Wilmington North Carolina. All four venues will also host a Keller Plays for Kids matinee performance earlier that day.

Keller Williams Tour Dates
11/30—12/1 The Abbey Theatre Durango, CO
12/2 El Rey Theatre Albuquerque, NM
12/3 Orpheum Theater Flagstaff, AZ
12/4 Hard Rock Cafe Las Vegas, NV
12/8 Infinity Hall Norfolk, CT
12/9 Pearl Street Northampton, MA
12/10 Historic Blairstown Theatre Blairstown, NJ
12/11 Sellersville Theater Sellersville, PA
12/28 Lincoln Theatre Raleigh, NC (KIDS Show)
12/28 Lincoln Theatre Raleigh, NC
12/29 The National Richmond, VA (KIDS show)
12/29 The National Richmond, VA with The Pimps of Joytime
12/30 The Norva Norfolk, VA (KIDS show)
12/30 The Norva Norfolk, VA with The Pimps of Joytime
12/31 Brooklyn Performing Arts Center Wilmington, NC (KIDS show)
12/31 Brooklyn Performing Arts Center Wilmington, NC Keller and the Keels
1/9—1/14 Jam Cruise 10 Fort Lauderdale FL Keller and The Keels
1/13 The Abbey Bar at ABC Harrisburg, PA
1/14 Mr. Smalls Theatre Millvale, PA
1/17 New York Guitar Festival New York, NY
1/19 Harlow’s Sacramento, CA
1/20 Arcata Theatre Arcata, CA
1/21 Great American Music Hall San Francisco, CA Keller Williams (KIDS Matinee)
1/21 Great American Music Hall San Francisco, CA
1/22 Mystic Theatre Petaluma, CA
2/2 Coach House San Juan Capistrano, CA
2/3 Belly Up Tavern Solana Beach, CA
2/4 Club Nokia @ LA Live Los Angeles, CA
2/17 Ziggy’s Winston Salem, NC
3/14—3/17 Jam in the ‘Dam, The Melkweg, Amsterdam, NL

Electric Forest Releases 2-Day Ticket, Schedule and Map

Electric Forest

Electric Forest unveils a 2-Day Ticket, a reduced rate ticket that allows access to the show on Saturday, July 2 and Sunday, July 3. Also just released, the festival map and full performance schedule for Electric Forest 2011 — including slot times for Main Stage performers The String Cheese Incident (on Friday, July 1 and Saturday, July 2 and Sunday, July 3,) Tiësto (on Friday July 1), Bassnectar (on Saturday, July 2), and Keller Williams (on Saturday, July 2), and others. Visit www.electricforestfestival.com to purchase tickets, and to view the complete stage schedule and festival map.

The inaugural Electric Forest festival at the Double JJ Ranch in Michigan promises four days and nights of music by some of today’s hottest emerging and established genre-bending live acts. But for those who can’t swing four full days this year, the 2-Day Ticket is a worthy option. 2-Day Ticket-holders (allowed into the campsites beginning at 10:00 am on Saturday, July 2) will catch live music pioneers The String Cheese Incident (2 nights), freeform electronic music artist Bassnectar, one-man-band Keller Williams, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, Railroad Earth, Pretty Lights, Kaskade, Eliot Lipp, Zach Deputy, and many more fantastic acts. The ticket, which includes on-site camping and parking for Saturday and Sunday, costs $125.00 (plus ticket fees and shipping). Availability for Electric Forest’s 2-Day Ticket is limited and can be purchased, while supplies last, at www.electricforestfestival.com.

About Electric Forest
For Electric Forest’s 2011 inaugural event, Madison House Presents partners with Insomniac Events to introduce a new breed of U.S. music and camping festival. Hosted at the one-of-a-kind Double JJ Resort in Rothbury, Michigan on June 30 through July 3, the musical lineup includes headliners The String Cheese Incident (3 performances) and Tiësto, plus Bassnectar, Pretty Lights, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, Stephen Marley, Kaskade, Shpongle Presents The Shpongletron Experience, Galactic, Railroad Earth, JJ Grey & Mofro, Skrillex, Excision, The New Deal, EOTO, Emmitt-Nershi Band, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe and many more.


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Keller Williams Auction to Benefit U.S. Tornado Victims

Keller WilliamsVirginia native, Keller Williams, launched an online auction May 11th at www.mimifishman.org/auctions to benefit his southern neighbors who were impacted by the recent tornados that tore through the region. Hosted by the Mimi Fishman Foundation, the public can bid on a Godin Guitar cherished by Keller, a Golf Cart Ride and VIP Ticket upgrade at the upcoming Summer Camp Festival, and a Keller Williams “Season Pass.” 100% of the money raised will go directly to tornado victims, with Keller and each winner deciding together the specific recipient organization. For additional details and to bid, visit www.mimifishman.org.

A word from Keller about the auction (April 20, 2011):

As I watched the dreamy royal wedding, I couldn’t help thinking of the nightmare that was happening in the southeast. The devastation from the tornadoes left me wanting to help in any way possible.

So, in addition to a couple other items, I’m auctioning off my Godin Multiac fretless guitar with synthe access. Her name is “lil’ sexy.” Please check out “Lil’ Sexy Blues” from the Dream record featuring Sanjay Mishra on guitar, Samir Chatterjee on tablas, and me playing this guitar. It has nylon strings and sounds like a warm classical that’s being played with a slide except your fingers are doing the sliding as there are no frets. The fret lines are in place so it plays easily. With a fretless, you simply press the string on the fretline for the proper note to be in tune.

It’s a guitar player’s guitar. It’s not a cowboy chord guitar you sit back and strum tunes around the campfire. It’s a thin body guitar, but slightly thicker than an electric. It’s super sexy. The pick up system is very elaborate with many options. Each string sits in its own cradle. The signal is split two ways and has two separate out puts. One is a regular quarter inch guitar cable that controls the acoustic sounds with volume, treble, mid, and bass control faders. The other is a 13 pin gk cable that goes to the Roland guitar synthesizer. This unit is not included. But it’s bad ass. Hours of entertainment can be had with a plethora of different sounds. My favorites were the trumpet and fiddle. I would tune the guitar to chord and slide around the low notes on the trumpet patch and would sound like a sexy trombone with no spit. The fiddle is way more realistic sounding with the fretless aspect. Although it’s a thin body, there is a small acoustic port up by the controls that allows you to play and hear her in all her sexiness with out any amplification.

I’m letting her go because she was a one song a show guitar. Then when I started flying so much and had to choose who goes and who stays, I obviously chose the guitars I play the most. She is a luxury, specialty that deserves to be played.

For more from Keller and to bid in the auction, visit www.mimifishman.org.


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