Rams Head The Blog

Friday, July 1

Trace Adkins w/ Brett Eldredge

Trace Adkins has long been country music’s alpha male, a man whose commanding presence and once-in-a-generation baritone have made him a pillar of the contemporary Nashville sound.

He is the man who gave us one of modern-day country’s rowdiest classics, “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk,” and one of its most touching, “You’re Gonna Miss This,” which earned two of his four Grammy nominations, became his third chart-topping hit, and was named the ACM’s Single of the Year. He is equally convincing across a musical spectrum that stretches from “Hot Mama” to “Songs About Me,” from “(This Ain’t No) Thinkin’ Thing” to “Then They Do.”

WPOC presents what will surely be one of the biggest country concert events of the summer.

Saturday, July 9

Frankie Beverly & MAZE

w/ Rachelle Ferrell

Combining a Philadelphia soul sound with a strong appreciation of Marvin Gaye, Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly was among the top R&B acts of the late ’70s and ’80s. The distinctive Maze and its charismatic lead singer, founder, producer, and songwriter Beverly didn’t have many pop hits, but they were extremely popular among soul and urban contemporary audiences and enjoyed at least six or seven gold albums. 

Friday, July 15
Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo and
Dennis DeYoung:The Music of Styx
“The Elements of Five Tour”

“Hit me with your best shot!” Who does not love belting out the lyrics to this classic Pat Benatar tune? And while we are at it, you can rest assured that love was a battlefield well before our girl Jordin Sparks said so. In the heat of this July night you are gonna be living the dream all over again with a certified 80′s Queen ready to pump out hit after hit of timeless musical glory. From the reviews so far, we hear this tour is ready to show you what the good old days were all about and more importantly what we’ve been missing.

Sunday, July 17

Grammy Winner Peter Frampton

Known for his electric performances on stage, rock sensation Peter Frampton celebrates the 35th anniversary of Frampton Comes Alive!, one of the top-selling live albums of all time.

The album features some of rock radio’s most enduring classics, including “Baby, I Love Your Way”, “Do You Feel Like We Do” and “Show Me the Way,” and held on to the top spot on Billboard’s Top 200 charts for ten weeks, unprecedented for a live album.

In 2006 Frampton’s all-instrumental record, Fingerprints, earned a GRAMMY Award for Best Pop Instrumental Album. We are excited to celebrate the anniversary of rock’s greatest live album!

Tuesday, July 19

Michael McDonald & Boz Scaggs

For the first time ever, two great blues-rock artists share a band for a night of their best-known hits, from the smash hits “Lido Shuffle” and “Lowdown” to “I Keep Forgettin’” and “Yah Mo B There.

Michael McDonald first made a name for himself as a guest vocalist for Steely Dan and then as a member of the Doobie Brothers. He’s penned songs for artists such as Aretha Franklin, Millie Jackson and Carly Simon and he’s had several of his own successes over the years including: “I Keep Forgettin’ (Every Time You’re Near),” “Yah Mo B There” with James Ingram and “On My Own” with Patti LaBelle.

Boz Scaggs has an equally impressive resume having worked with everyone from Steve Miller to Donald Fagan to Duane Allman and many others. The song “Lowdown” off of the 1976 release “Silk Degrees” won Boz a Grammy Award and propelled the album to more than 4 million records sold.

Thursday, July 21
Dierks Bentley

Remember, heating up the pier this summer will not be just about the weather. Dierks Bentley, a hot commodity himself, has once again landed a chart topping single with his song “Am I The Only One“. Now lets combine the forces of foot stompin’, barnyard rompin’ tunes with what has come to be known as one of the greatest party shows on the road. Leave your bashful date at home and make it a night for the crew that can throw down on the town. Party responsibly my friends. The pier is in fact surrounded by water.

Tuesday, July 26
Emmylou Harris w. Todd Snider

As a featured artist at this year SXSW Music Festival in Austin Texas, Emmylou Harris is set to have a big year entirely and we have fixed Baltimore right in the center of it. In the heart of the summer she will bring her tour with Todd Snider coming along as support. With a new album out, dynamic instrumentation and the classic, purely soulful vocals we’ve come to love from Emmylou, the Pier will be set for a night made in music history.

 
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Saturday August 27, 2011  Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds www.silopannafest.com

The 4th of July means time with friends and family, the red white and the blue, music, crabs, giving thanks to our troops… it all goes hand-in-hand.  So in case you need some 4th of July music inspiration, we suggest checking out some of the bands of Silopanna Fest 2011.

Here is the 4th of July round-up as to the what, when & where’s of the Silopanna 2011 bands:

The Grilled Lincolns & PASADENA:
7/1 8×10 in Baltimore

Sweet Leda:
7/1 Nick’s Fish House Baltimore

Pressing Strings:
7/1 The Bridges in Grasonville
7/2 Sly Fox Annapolis

Sam Grow:
7/1 Popes Creek Waterfront Newburg, MD

Bond & Bentley:
6/30 Shuckers Baltimore

And in case you are a jet-setter and looking for some travel for your 4th of July weekend, you can join up with these guys:

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings:
6/30 with Prince in Paris

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue:
7/2 London Bluesfest

Fitz & the Tantrums:
7/4 Louisville, KY

Matt & Kim:
6/30 Boston House of Blues

Harper Blynn, Jimmie’s Chicken Shack, All Mighty Senators, Deep River, Jarflys, Mike McHenry Tribe, Cris Jacobs of the Bridge, Tobias Russell and LAZERlibby are resting their vocal chords in celebration of the 4th of July (or they have secretly encrypted their tour schedule on the world wide web).

Speaking of the 4th – be sure to sign up for our email blast to get an extra FREEdom special next week. Click here to join the Silopanna email blast.

Happy 4th of July to you and yours. Give thanks for the red, white & blue.
Erin

twitter: @silopannafest
facebook: @silopannafest

This week is the week for guitar aficionados! If you haven’t seen Andy McKee’s YouTube videos than it’s really time you joined the other 39 MILLION people who can say they’ve seen it, and he’s only one of the “Guitar Masters” coming to Annapolis in the near future. It’s also worth pointing out that Kenny Wayne Shepherd is making his Rams Head On Stage debut, and tickets for the show are almost gone, so take now that your work day is over, it’s time to give the box office a call and get your seat. Here’s this week’s bright and beautiful which went on sale today!

Tuesday, September 6 | Kenny Wayne Shepherd finally in Annapolis!

Kenny Wayne Shepherd started teaching himself guitar at an age when most kids are still focused on recess and lunch boxes. Shepherd released his first in a string of platinum albums while still in high school, but the Shreveport, Louisiana born guitarist/singer/songwriter has never forgotten his roots nor his influences. Placed behind only B.B. King and Eric Clapton in a Guitar World list of blues guitarists, and a guy who also specializes in rock, Shepherd has graciously utilized his own stature, acting as a gateway for younger fans, to shine a spotlight on the great bluesmen of the past.

Thursday, September 15 | Monte Montgomery (Solo) A Concert to benefit Garrett’s Light

Singer, Songwriter, Guitarist Monte Montgomery is best described by one word: Musical. Having grown up immersed in music, he has been playing professionally since his early teens and is currently one of the hottest draws on the talent-packed Austin, Texas music scene and is well known throughout the U.S. for his electrifying live performances. As Terry Lickona, producer of the PBS-TV show Austin City Limits said it best, “Monte Montgomery blows people away. There’s no other way to describe it.”

Tuesday, September 27 | Séan McCann & The Committed of Great Big Sea

Raised in Newfoundland and having spent nearly 18 years touring with the celtic band Great Big Sea, it’s not difficult to hear the musical and maritime influences in Séan McCann’s solo material as well. Drawing inspiration from the road, family, home, love and longing, Séan engages his audience with his collection of first person narratives; whether it’s told from a barstool or a battlefield, each song invites the listener to briefly live in the life of another.

Tuesday, October 18 | Blind Boys Of Alabama

From the invention of television to the invention of the internet, through world wars and cold wars, from FDR to Barack Obama, and now well into their eighth decade of touring, writing and recording, the four-time Grammy award winning Blind Boys of Alabama have not only faithfully remained, endured and persevered, they have evolved, thrived, and flourished as the premier purveyors of gospel music the world over. When you hear the Blind Boys singing it is as instantly recognizable as it is original, inhabiting a place in the soul no others can.

Saturday, November 5 | Guitar Masters feat. Andy McKee, Stephen Bennett & Antoine DuFort *all ages*

The celebrated and successful “Guitar Masters” tour hits the road again this Fall! Headliner Andy McKee is joined by Stephen Bennett and Antoine Dufour giving fans another chance to see three of the most popular, talented, innovative and musically rich acoustic guitar players and composers in contemporary music. Creative sparks, one-time only stunning improvisations and mutual inspiration are sure to abound as they come together at the end of every show to offer a value-added concert bill that appeals to fans of many musical styles as well as guitar aficionados.

Tuesday, November 15 | Acoustic Alchemy

Acoustic Alchemy is a Grammy-nominated contemporary jazz band that has the distinction of forging the way for the genre of smooth-jazz. Hailing from London, Acoustic Alchemy delights jazz loving audiences with a uniquely distinctive sound generated from a finely balanced blend of steel- and nylon-string guitars.

They say a dog is mans best friend. And, Rams Head Tavern loves doggies! You can even bring your special friend and sit outside on our café during the summer while enjoying lunch / dinner or even a cold brew. The Rams Head Tavern Annapolis location is running a Doggie Dining contest.  Send a picture of your dog enjoying summer to nparsons@ramsheadtavern.com no later than Thursday, June 30th by 2pm.  All the dogs that enter the contest will have their picture on the Rams Head Tavern Annapolis facebook page. Have all your friends and family “like” your pups picture! The pup with the most “likes” will win a $25 Rams Head gift certificate. Winner will be chosen Friday afternoon.

Send picture of your dog to nparsons@ramsheadtavern.com no later than Thursday, June 30th by 2pm. Please title email: Doggie Dining Contest. Provide 1 picture ,Dog & Owners name

 Rams Head Tavern Annapolis Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/ramsheadtavernannapolis

The boogie-lovin’ Australia’s electro-pop band ,Cut Copy is heading to Rams Head Live on July 6th.Indeed, the world’s press has been collectively breathless in their praise of the band .  I was able to catch them for the first time in 2008 with the Black Kids. I didn’t know who they were, what they sang, or anything about them. But, the whole time i couldn’t stop dancing.

 They have toured with international acts Franz Ferdinard, Bloc Party, Junior Senior and Daft Punk. And,with their new release of their third studio album, Zonoscope . They will be touring this summer, and hitting Baltimore. Spin Magazine picked Cut Copy as one of the year’s 25 best concert tours, saying “This Aussie electro-pop quartet makes dance music for people who don’t like dance music. Their new album, Zonoscope, “reveals Cut Copy’s eagerness to graduate from dance-rock cult act to something more universally admired “.

So, grab a ticket ,check out Cut Copy at Rams Head Live on Wednesday, July 6th. But, don’t forget to wear your dancing shoes!

Remember the first year of the Silopanna Music Festival?  When it was at Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds?  When it was only a one day festival?  When they only had 20 bands?  Remember that first year and the eclectic mix of headliners that rocked the stage with their infectious energy?

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings have come a long way since their humble beginnings nearly a decade ago. Steeped within the gilded and gritty sounds of gospel, soul and funk, this nine-piece Brooklyn collective has continued to electrify fans, disc jockeys, critics, record collectors, and bloggers the world-over with their authentic, heart-felt sound. As distinguished as their recordings may be, however, Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings have truly become renowned thanks to their incredible live show, not to mention their relentless touring.The band has appeared on CNN, MTV News, VH1, Conan OBrien, Craig Ferguson, David Letterman and Jimmy Fallon.   website Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue   Troy ‘Trombone Shorty’ Andrews’ new album, Backatown (Verve Forecast April 20), is the work of a rare artist who can draw both the unqualified respect of jazz legends and deliver a high-energy rock show capable of mesmerizing international rock stars and audiences alike. With such an unprecedented mix of rock, funk, jazz, hip-hop and soul, he had to create his own name to describe his signature sound: Supafunkrock! Andrews is the kind of player who comes along maybe once in a generation, and Backatown is the latest, clearest proof that his artistry is as singular as his raw talent. Shorty’s dream is now a musical reality of potentially game-changing significance, as he and his band prepare to shift the musical landscape in a thrilling new direction website Matt & Kim Matt & Kim are a two-piece: Matt plays keys and Kim plays drums. The two met at Pratt Institute. Despite Kim having never played drums before and Matt having never played keyboard, they started the band in 2004. Cameras, was released August 31, 2010 and jumped to the number 14 spot on the iTunes Alternative Chart within the first hour its release. The new album is the follow up to Grand, released in early 2009 via FADER Label. Grand achieved iTunes Top 10 single and album placements, as well as spots on both the Billboard Single and Album Charts. To date, Matt and Kim have been on the Billboard New Artist chart for 78 weeks and the single Daylight is certified gold, having sold over 500K. Their video for Lessons Learned, won an MTV VMA for Breakthrough Video and an mtvU Woodie award for Best Video.  website Fitz and The Tantrums Fitz and the Tantrums may be the breakout act of 2011. Their monster hit Moneygrabber may very well be the song of the year, and their live show is among the best going. Dont take our word for it, heres what the press is saying:  “Fitz and the Tantrums comes around with the chops to back up an L.A. swaggerboth a familiar yet rousing soul-pop sound that transports you back to nostaligic heartache and a live performance which involves the audiencesinging, dancing, clapping, screamingfrom start to finish.” Paste Magazine website Harper Blynn   Harper Blynn is classic pop reimagined. The band’s instantly hummable music is remarkable not only for its breadth but also its intimacy, ranging from four-on-the-floor dance stompers to near-whispered pleas for understanding. As inspiring as their recordings are, Harper Blynn effortlessly transcends them in concert, delivering three-part harmonies over a smartly-arranged blend of guitar, keyboards, bass and drums that is at once minimalistically modern and timelessly organic. In fact, the bands musical proficiency and on-stage chemistry raise an uncomfortable question: Where did all the real bands go? We may never know for sure, but at least theres one still standing: Harper Blynn. website

Do you remember the first time you heard the word Silopanna?  Did you stumble over how to say it [sill-o-pan-uh]?  Did you wonder where it came from or what it meant?

Remember when you actual wondered who would come to the event?  And how far they would be willing to drive?

Do you remember hearing your favorite band for the first time at Silopanna?

Jimmie’s Chicken Shack website	All Mighty Senators website	The Grilled Lincolns website
Pasadena website	Deep River website	jarflys
Sweet Leda website	LAZERlibby featuring Navid from the Data Frogs website	Bond & Bentley website
Mike McHenry Tribe website	Cris Jacobs (of The Bridge) website	Tobias Russell website
Pressing Strings website Sam Grow Band website

Do you remember Silopanna 2011?

http://tickets.silopannafest.com

Okay, get out your highlighter and that paper calendar you still carry around so you can write down important events, because you’ll want to get these ones down. We had a lot of shows go on sale because we were pretty much just bursting with great shows and couldn’t put off the opportunity for join our excitement any longer. So here they are… and now’s the time to reserve your seats because tickets for these shows are on sale now!

Celebrated songstress Regina Belle is back with her thrilling, soul-satisfying collection of beloved rhythm & blues staples, swinging jazz standards, moody torch songs and golden classics. Always bringing a strong jazz sensibility and sultry, precise phrasing to her R&B/pop recordings, Belle burst onto the scene with the jazzy single “So Many Tears” in 1987. Topping the charts with hits like “Baby Come To Me” and “Make It Like It Was,” she earned a Grammy for her 1993 duet with Peabo Bryson, “A Whole New World,” from the Disney film “Aladdin.” With her down-to-earth personality grounded by faith, family, and fellowship, Belle hopes that fans will relate to the very personal vibe of her music.

After years of refining her craft behind the scenes, Mindy arrived fully-formed with her 2004 critically acclaimed debut, One Moment More, and its hit single “Come to Jesus.” “Smith’s best songs sound like little miracles,” crowed USA Today, and the New York Times hailed a later release as, a “…thoughtful collection from a great singer-songwriter who knows how to evoke the feeling of warm rooms on cold nights.” Few singers are better prepared than Smith to sing convincingly about such a wide range of emotions. Her pure, unaffected soprano illuminates her words and sentiments–even when it seems as if she is singing for just herself. Each performance is rendered with exquisite care.

WRNR & Rams Head Present Silopanna Music Festival featuring:
Fitz & The Tantrums | August 27
at the Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds

Fitz and the Tantrums may be the breakout act of 2011. Their monster hit Moneygrabber may very well be the song of the year, and their live show is among the best going. Dont take our word for it, here’s what the press is saying: “Fitz and the Tantrums comes around with the chops to back up an L.A. swaggerboth a familiar yet rousing soul-pop sound that transports you back to nostaligic heartache and a live performance which involves the audiencesinging, dancing, clapping, screamingfrom start to finish.” Paste Magazine

So Jimmy Buffett walks into a bar — in this case Cape Verde — to look for food, liquor and music. But even in this player’s paradise, one young man stood out and knocked the world-weariness out of the music veteran. Jimmy said to his friends, “I’d really love to bring this fella to America and give him a shot. He’s just great.” Stardom is a mysterious thing — some people who deserve it never get it and some who don’t seem to become famous anyway. You can never say for sure that someone is going to become a star. But talent, that’s something different. Talent makes itself known. Thanks to the guy who walked into the bar, Ilo Ferreira’s talent was about to make itself undeniable.

Peter realized a real love affair with the blues sometime during the 1990′s. The result of that love is called Shoe Suede Blues. Defining Peter Tork and Shoe Suede Blues is akin to describing the history of popular music. Band mates Richard Mikuls, David Bronson, and Arnold Jacks have shared the stage with some of the most influential recording artists of the last 50 years: Ray Charles, BB King and Chaka Kahn, The Righteous Brothers – just to mention a few. Though Peter’s band of seasoned pros, Shoe Suede Blues delivers a heartfelt soulful, uplifting and quite unforgettable mixture, divined from their vision of what music is all about. Peter Tork and Shoe Suede Blues…witness that the heart and soul of music lives.

Ty Herndon is a household name to country music fans due to his impressive string of hits that began in 1995 when Herndon’s debut single, “What Mattered Most,” rocketed to number one. With 17 singles that have landed him on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, numerous industry awards, and more than 4 million albums sold, one might think Herndon would be content to sit back and reflect on his career achievements. Instead, Herndon recently signed a new recording deal with FUNL Music. The Nashville label has announced Ty Herndon as its flagship artist, and released to radio “Journey On,” the title single from his upcoming album.

Soul vocalist and songwriter Rahsaan Patterson is another in the line of new-school R&B singers (Maxwell, Erykah Badu) with a bit more integrity than most of the chart-toppers during the 1990s. Along the way, Patterson shared his artistry on soundtracks “Love & Basketball”, “Dr. Doolittle”, “Two Can Play That Game”, “Hoodlum”, “Brown Sugar”, as well as the renowned comedian Steve Harvey’s compilation Sign Of Things To Come. He has also consistently worked with a range of instrumental artists, including guitarist Jonathan Butler, saxophonists Boney James and Jimmy Sommers, and keyboardist Brian Culbertson.

Thursday, September 22 | Adrian Belew Power Trio & Stick Men feat. Tony Levin & Pat Mastellotto

Adrian Belew has played with some of rock’s biggest names over the years (Frank Zappa, David Bowie, the Talking Heads, King Crimson, etc.). Like all great guitarists, Belew has his own recognizable style/sound, and is an incredibly versatile player, as he’s always found a way to make his signature style fit into a wide variety of musical genres: hard rock, funk, new wave, experimental, Beatlesque pop, and more.

Red Horse is folk’s newest supergroup, featuring Eliza Gilkyson (Austin, TX), John Gorka (Stillwater, MN) and Lucy Kaplansky (New York, NY). Together these three veteran songwriters team up to cover each other’s songs and breathe new life into old favorites. Awash in gorgeous harmonies and simple acoustic production, their debut album became an instant folk classic and a big hit with fans. It charted on Billboard and becoming one of the most played folk albums of 2010.

Dubbed by Rolling Stone as the “Number One Beatles Tribute Show on Earth!” 1964 has won thousands of fans who enjoy a “A Hard Days Night” every time the band hits town! Twenty years of research and performing have made “1964″ masters of their craft. They have been featured on Entertainment Tonight, PM Magazine, CNN, the USA Network, and the Nashville Network. In 2003, “1964″ performed to a sold out crowd at Carnegie Hall…. a dream come true for both themselves and their fans who came to New York from all over the country for the show. They have since performed at Carnegie Hall every year to enthusiastic response.

Friday, July 15  | Tim Meadows & Friends Part of the Annapolis Comedy Fest

One of the longest-running cast members in the 33-year history of Saturday Night Live, versatile comedian Tim Meadows crafted some of the series’ most memorable characters during his 10 years on the popular late night show. Such characters included Leon Phelps, The Ladies’ Man and Lionel Osbourne, host of the fictional public affairs show, Perspectives, as well as uncanny impressions of OJ Simpson, Ike Turner and Sammy Davis Jr. Meadows played a school principal in the hit comedy Mean Girls and most recently co-starred in the Revolution comedy Benchwarmers.

Saturday, July 16 | Joseph Arthur All Ages Matinee

If there’s such a thing as the opposite of writer’s block, Joseph Arthur has it. Indeed, the Akron, Ohio-bred/Brooklyn, N.Y.-residing singer/songwriter, who once released four EPs in the span of as many months, was deep into work on two distinct albums when the music that became The Graduation Ceremony suddenly bubbled to the forefront. Discovered and mentored by Peter Gabriel, the Grammy nominated musician and painter has awed critics with his poetic lyrics and classic alt/pop sound.

Tuesday, July 19 | Courtlyn Carr and Band

Courtlyn Carr’s stunning vocals and refreshing songwriting have attracted eyes, ears and wordsmiths in and outside of the United States. London’s top Country Music publication, Maverick Music Magazine rates Carr’s Turn Blue EP with four out of five stars and places the recording as “of the very highest quality.” Washington, DC’s On Tap Magazine calls Carr “one of the top four artists to keep on your radar.” Courtlyn’s genuine, heartfelt writing is reminiscent of modern country stars like Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood as well as genre transcending favorites like Bonnie Raitt, Mary Chapin Carpenter and Van Morrison.

Wednesday, July 20
Janiva Magness

Award-winning vocalist Janiva Magness is among the premier blues and R&B singers in the world today. Her voice possesses an earthy, raw honesty and beauty born from her life experience. A charismatic performer known for her electrifying live shows, Magness is a gutsy and dynamic musical powerhouse. She received the coveted 2009 Blues Music Awards for B.B. King Entertainer Of The Year (she is only the second woman to ever win this award, Koko Taylor being the first) and for Contemporary Blues Female Artist Of The Year, an honor she also received in 2006 and 2007. She has received eleven previous Blues Music Award nominations. USA Today declared, “Magness is a blues star,” and The Philadelphia Inquirer said, “Magness sings superb, potent soul-blues with a scorching intensity.”

Friday, August 26 | Larry Graham & Graham Central Station

One of the founding fathers of modern funk, Larry Graham is perhaps best known as the bass player for Sly & The Family Stone, and his innovative development of the pop-and-slap bass guitar groove. A frequent collaboration with the legends of Funk, Graham recently prepared a segment on Bootsy Collins’ Funk University showcasing the rhythmic progressive funk sound he has been producing alongside Graham Central Station since the mid ’70s.

Monday, September 26 | X – ‘The Unheard Music and Los Angeles’

X were far from the first punk rock band in Los Angeles, but in a very real way, they were the ones who put the L.A. punk scene on the map. X were the first L.A. punk band to be taken seriously by the rock press on both coasts, and at a time when many wondered how punk could thrive in the land of all that was mellow, X played music that was as raw, passionate, and powerful as anything coming out of New York, London, or any other major city. X’s melding of punk’s speed and ferocity with the sounds of rockabilly, blues, country, and other roots music styles would prove to be wildly influential in the years that followed, as were the off-kilter harmonies of John Doe and Exene Cervenka.

November 5 & 6 | Martin Sexton – An Intimate Acoustic Solo Performance

“Martin Sexton is ripe with raw, expansive talent. His voice comes in a hundred impossible shades. His songs are sweet and spirited and soulful. His repertoire is like a cross-country tour of the American musical vernacular.” –Boston Globe
The New York Times wrote that this artist “jumps beyond standard fare on the strength of his voice, a blue-eyed soul man’s supple instrument,” adding that “his unpretentious heartiness helps him focus on every soul singer’s goal: to amplify the sound of the ordinary heart.”

Calling all country music enthusiasts! Summer concert season is finally almost in full swing and there are some awesome shows coming to Pier 6. To kick off July we have Trace Adkins rocking the docks on the 1^st. Trace is a main staple in the contemporary country music scene and we can’t wait to welcome him to Baltimore.. Who’s with us?! Trace Adkins can do it all – aside from being a multi-platinum singer and performer he has also been a contestant on Celebrity Apprentice and even voiced a character on King of the Hill.  Check out his most recent video for “Just Fishin” which features his youngest daughter Trinity:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IheODRwalEw

Along with all his musical accomplishments, Trace is an all-around great guy. As many of you probably heard, in an unfortunate turn of events, the Adkins family home in Tennessee burned down last week. Instead of dwelling on this incident Trace is keeping all of his commitments as scheduled and is continuing his tour. He is urging his fans who want to help him and his family to instead donate directly to the Red Cross. In true gentlemanly form Trace released a statement saying, “I have been blessed. My kids are ok, my wife is ok. I have my guitar and my songs. Everything else can be replaced. Unfortunately, there are families out there who need help if they’re to rebuild after these recent storms. The American Red Cross was one of the first on the scene to help my family and, through their work, others will receive the assistance they need to get back on their feet.” We commend Trace for handling this situation in all the right ways and his commitment to helping others. Check out the full extent of the fire in the gallery posted on Trace Adkins website.

Now back to the fun stuff! We want some feedback from you guys and of course the winner will be rewarded. Besides Trace, who is your favorite country artist and why do they hold that top position? We’ll review the answers and the best one will recieve a pair of VIP tickets to see Trace Adkins at Pier Six Pavilion on July 1!