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Showing posts with label The Holmes Brothers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Holmes Brothers. Show all posts

Friday, July 14, 2017

Holmes Bros., Sherman Holmes, Streets July 21!

Sherman Holmes of The Holmes Brothers 1st Solo Record
The Richmond Sessions Streets July 21

Special Guests Include Joan Osborne, Rob Ickes & Sammy Shelor
World Cafe, Mountain Stage, Music City Roots & Song Of The Mountain Booked
Northport N.Y. - On July 21, Sherman Holmes will release his first solo recording in his 50+ year career. The Richmond Sessions by The Sherman Holmes Project carries on the spirit of the Holmes Brothers by re-imagining songs and making them their own. The record will be released by M.C. Records and maintains a bluesgrass/gospel vibe throughout that surprises and delights.

A couple of weeks ago Sherman taped a World Cafe session and this Sunday he'll be performing on Mountain Stage! You can watch him live at 7PM ET,  http://www.mountainstage.org/. Next month he heads to Nashville to record a Music City Roots session and in September a visit to the television program Songs of the Mountain. More here, https://songofthemountains.org/

If you would like to listen to The Richmond Sessions you can via Airplay Direct, click the image.

The project is flawlessly rendered, The spirit of the Holmes Brothers lives on! - Elmore Magazine

A one of a kind record that’s just going to blow your mind, killer stuff throughout! - Midwest Record

Sherman Holmes' voice contains a lifetime of soul.  We are so lucky we still have him with us! - Joan Osborne

Sherman Holmes’ solo debut The Richmond Sessions can’t help being a milestone: It’s the esteemed singer and bassist’s first recording since the passing of his brother and musical partners, Wendell Holmes and Popsy Dixon, both in 2015. But his solo debut, dedicated to the memories of Wendell and Popsy, is no somber affair. The blend of bluegrass, gritty rock & roll and joyful gospel will be familiar from Holmes Brothers days. And with some of his strongest vocals on record, the album shows Sherman is still an artist in his prime. Long time friend, Joan Osborne, duets with Holmes on the Dan Penn classic, “Dark End of the Street.” Other songs include The Band's "Don't Do It," Credence's "Green River" and Ben Harper's "Homeless Child."
Click The Photo to Watch A 5 Minute Video Bio Of The Richmond Sessions

Photo: Pat Jarrett/Virginia Humanities 

“Sounds pretty good for a 77-year-old, doesn’t it?” Holmes laughs. “I was overjoyed to do this, because I didn’t know how I was going to restart my career. We chose a good collection of songs that we wanted to do—We got some gospel in there, and some bluegrass. It’s a good mix of the Americana music, as I like to call it.”
Produced by Jon Lohman, Virginia State Folklorist and Director of the Virginia Folklife Program at the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities, The Richmond Sessions draws from Holmes’ longstanding Virginia roots. Lohman made the new album a Virginia-style family affair, bringing in guests like the Ingramettes—Richmond’s “first family of gospel” of 50 years standing—and instrumentalists like dobro master Rob Ickes, twice nominated for Grammy Awards; and Sammy Shelor, multi-time IBMA banjoist of the year.
Look for Sherman to hit the road for his first tour as a solo artist. “I’m really looking forward to getting out there,” he says. “That’s my life, man.”
Sherman Holmes Project Tour Dates
July 13 - Summer Arts Festival, Huntington NY
July 16 - Mountain Stage Taping, Charleston WV
August 2 - Music City Roots Taping, Nashville TN
Sept. 1 - Joe Wilson Memorial Festival, Galax, Virginia
Sept. 2 - Song of The Mountains Taping, Marion VA
October 14 - Richmond Folk Festival, Richmond VA
  ***

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Sherman Holmes 1st Solo Record




Sherman Holmes of The Holmes Brothers 1st Solo Record
The Richmond Sessions Mailing This Week
Street Date Is July 21

Special Guests Include Joan Osborne, Rob Ickes & Sammy Shelor
World Cafe, Mountain Stage, Music City Roots & Songs Of The Mountain Booked
Northport N.Y. - On July 21, Sherman Holmes will release his first solo recording in his 50+ year career. The Richmond Sessions by The Sherman Holmes Project carries on the spirit of the Holmes Brothers by re-imagining songs and making them their own. The record will be released by M.C. Records and maintains a bluesgrass/gospel vibe throughout that surprises and delights. We'll be mailing CDs this week to media. Scroll down for Sherman's tour dates. 
Sherman Holmes’ solo debut The Richmond Sessions can’t help being a milestone: It’s the esteemed singer and bassist’s first recording since the passing of his brother and musical partners, Wendell Holmes and Popsy Dixon, both in 2015. But his solo debut, dedicated to the memories of Wendell and Popsy, is no somber affair. The blend of bluegrass, gritty rock & roll and joyful gospel will be familiar from Holmes Brothers days. And with some of his strongest vocals on record, the album shows Sherman is still an artist in his prime. Long time friend, Joan Osborne, duets with Holmes on the Dan Penn classic, “Dark End of the Street.” Other songs include The Band's "Don't Do It," Credence's "Green River" and Ben Harper's "Homeless Child."
Click The Photo to Watch A 5 Minute Video Bio Of The Richmond Sessions

Photo: Pat Jarrett/Virginia Humanities

Sherman Holmes' voice contains a lifetime of soul.  We are so lucky we still have him with us! - Joan Osborne

“Sounds pretty good for a 77-year-old, doesn’t it?” Holmes laughs. “I was overjoyed to do this, because I didn’t know how I was going to restart my career. We chose a good collection of songs that we wanted to do—We got some gospel in there, and some bluegrass. It’s a good mix of the Americana music, as I like to call it.”

Click The Cover to Listen To The Richmond Sessions

Photo: Pat Jarrett/Virginia Humanities
Produced by Jon Lohman, Virginia State Folklorist and Director of the Virginia Folklife Program at the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities, The Richmond Sessions draws from Holmes’ longstanding Virginia roots. Lohman made the new album a Virginia-style family affair, bringing in guests like the Ingramettes—Richmond’s “first family of gospel” of 50 years standing—and instrumentalists like dobro master Rob Ickes, twice nominated for Grammy Awards; and Sammy Shelor, multi-time IBMA banjoist of the year. Another notable guest is long time friend of the Holmes Brothers, Joan Osborne, who duets with Holmes on the Dan Penn classic, “Dark End of the Street.”
Look for Sherman to hit the road for his first tour as a solo artist. “I’m really looking forward to getting out there,” he says. “That’s my life, man.”
Sherman Holmes Project Tour Dates


June 21 - Tapping World Cafe Session

June 23 - River and Roots Festival, Berryville Virginia
July 13 - Summer Arts Festival, Huntington NY
July 16 - Mountain Stage Taping, Charleston WV
August 2 - Music City Roots Taping, Nashville TN
Sept. 1 - Joe Wilson Memorial Festival, Galax, Virginia
Sept. 2 - Song of The Mountains Taping, Marion VA
October 14 - Richmond Folk Festival, Richmond VA

     
  ***

June 23 - River and Roots Festival, Berryville Virginia

July 13 - Summer Arts Festival, Huntington NY

July 16 - Mountain Stage Taping, Charleston WV

August 2  -  Music City Roots Taping, Nashville TN

Sept. 1 - Joe Wilson Memorial Festival, Galax, Virginia

Sept. 2 - Song of The Mountains Taping, Marion VA

October 14 - Richmond Folk Festival, Richmond VA



June 23 - River and Roots Festival, Berryville Virginia

July 13 - Summer Arts Festival, Huntington NY

July 16 - Mountain Stage Taping, Charleston WV

August 2  -  Music City Roots Taping, Nashville TN

Sept. 1 - Joe Wilson Memorial Festival, Galax, Virginia

Sept. 2 - Song of The Mountains Taping, Marion VA

October 14 - Richmond Folk Festival, Richmond VA



June 23 - River and Roots Festival, Berryville Virginia

July 13 - Summer Arts Festival, Huntington NY

July 16 - Mountain Stage Taping, Charleston WV

August 2  -  Music City Roots Taping, Nashville TN

Sept. 1 - Joe Wilson Memorial Festival, Galax, Virginia

Sept. 2 - Song of The Mountains Taping, Marion VA

October 14 - Richmond Folk Festival, Richmond VA

Friday, June 19, 2015

Wendell Holmes has passed - My thoughts are with his family



Trouble viewing this email? Click here.
 


WENDELL HOLMES, DECEMBER 19, 1943 - JUNE 19, 2015


Wendell Holmes, vocalist, guitarist, pianist and songwriter of the critically acclaimed soul/blues band The Holmes Brothers, died on Friday, June 19 at his home in Rosedale, Maryland of complications due to pulmonary hypertension. Earlier this week, Wendell addressed his fans and friends in an open letter as he moved into hospice care. He was 71.

Wendell retired from touring earlier this year when he was first diagnosed. Holmes Brothers drummer Willie "Popsy" Dixon died on January 9, 2015 of complications from cancer. Brother and bassist Sherman Holmes continues to carry on The Holmes Brothers legacy with The Sherman Holmes Project featuring Brooks Long and Eric Kennedy.
       
Wendell, the man Entertainment Weekly has called "a timeless original," was born in Christchurch, Virginia on December 19, 1943. He and his older brother Sherman were raised by their schoolteacher parents, who nurtured the boys’ early interest in music. As youngsters they listened to traditional Baptist hymns, anthems and spirituals as well as blues music by Jimmy Reed, Junior Parker and B.B. King. According to Wendell, “It was a small town, and my brother and I were about the only ones who could play anything. So we played around in all the area churches on Sundays.” The night before, though, they would play blues, soul, country and rock at their cousin’s local club, Herman Wate’s Juke Joint. “When he couldn’t get any good groups to come from Norfolk or Richmond, he’d call us in,” Wendell recalls. “That’s how we honed our sound. We used to say we’d rock ‘em on Saturday and save ‘em on Sunday.”

Once Wendell finished high school he joined Sherman, who had already begun playing professionally in New York. The two brothers played in a few bands before forming The Sevilles in 1963. The group lasted only three years, but they often backed up touring artists like The Impressions, John Lee Hooker and Jerry Butler, gaining a wealth of experience. Sherman and Wendell met drummer Popsy Dixon, a fellow Virginian, at a New York gig in 1967. Dixon sat in with the brothers and sang two songs. “After that second song,” recalls Wendell, “Popsy was a brother.” They continued to play in a variety of Top 40 bar bands until 1979, when the three officially joined forces and formed The Holmes Brothers band.

The band toured the world, releasing 12 albums starting with 1990's In The Spirit on Rounder. Their most recent release is 2014's Brotherhood on Alligator. The New York Times calls The Holmes Brothers "deeply soulful, uplifting and timeless."

In September 2014, The Holmes Brothers were honored with a National Endowment For The Arts National Heritage Fellowship, the highest honor the United States bestows upon its folk and traditional artists. They won two Blues Music Awards including Blues Band Of The Year in 2005. The Holmes Brothers are featured on the cover of the current issue of Living Blues magazine.

Wendell is survived by his wife, Barbara, daughters Felicia and Mia, brothers Sherman and Milton, and three grandsons.

Memorial service arrangements have not yet been announced.

###

Friday, May 9, 2014

Behold the Bender!

BEHOLD THE BENDER!

September 25–29, 2014. Riviera Hotel & Casino - Las Vegas, Nevada. The Inaugural Big Blues Bender is no ordinary music festival! Featuring a Grammy winning line-up of music superstars, including the legendary B.B. King, this event is also a complete Las Vegas vacation experience! The Big Blues Bender will feature 4 days of music, 4 nights accommodation, and multiple stages all contained in one property! More than just music, Big Blues Bender will offer activities, a custom restaurant, pro jams, pro-am jams and the Las Vegas strip at your doorstep. We’re taking over the hotel for the weekend so you and your friends can experience all the music, gaming, food & drink we have to offer all just an elevator ride away.

HAVE A FEW DRINKS ON US!

Haven’t booked your package yet? Book now (while supplies last) and receive drink tickets up to $50 to be used in our main music venue bars upon check-in. Refresh with a soda, grab a cocktail or buy a new friend a beer; you won’t have trouble using the Bender Bar tab drink tickets!


fifty dollar bar tab

EXCURSIONS UPDATE

Las Vegas has a lot of attractions to do both on and off the strip. While we plan to jam pack the 4 days with music and activities, we realize that some Benders are coming early or staying late and want to see a little more that Vegas has to offer. There are several tour operators that conduct business in Las Vegas and we are encouraging the Bender attendees to all book through our recommended partner that we will announce in the coming months.

By booking through the same operator, you can be assured that any group excursions will be with fellow Bender attendees. We’ll also do our best to negotiate the best prices with group bookings. Whether you want to see the Grand Canyon, go on a helicopter ride, Take a spin on the new High Roller or go for a round of golf, our excursion coordinator can help add that outing to make your Vegas trip a little more special!

BENDER BLENDER

Want to plan to meet up with fellow Benders before the event? Need a forum to collaborate the festivities with other Benders? Looking for a roommate? We’ve got the place for you! We want to make sure you have checked out the Big Blues Bender Blender on Facebook! Click to join today and say hello to your fellow Benders!

EXTEND YOUR STAY

Do you want to extend your Bender holiday without having to check out and then check back into your room again? Starting today, you have the ability to book extra nights around your package and we will combine your order so that you can stay in the same room. Not only will you save time and hassle by not having to pack all your belongings for a short move, but keeping the same hotel portfolio also means that you don’t have to pay for the resort fee or hotel lodging taxes as we have included it in our costs for you!

ASK BENDER SUPPORT

Our Bender support specialists have been hard at work answering your questions and enquiries. We asked our team leaders what was the most common request that came through the last month. If you have Bender questions, stop in at http://support.bigbluesbender.com and get answers!

Music Schedule

We know that you are eager to know who is performing when. We want to share that with you as soon as we know. We are still adding artists to the lineup and there are always last minute shuffles. We want to make the schedule and release it only one time. We plan to do this before the festival and will make sure we post it and email it out to everyone as soon as its finalized.

Arrival / Departure details and package inclusions

About a month before the event (after the final name change deadline) we plan to send out an email confirming the names and check-in and check-out dates. Our standard packages have check in on Thursday the 25th at 4PM and checkout is on Monday the 29th at 11AM.

Standard Packages sold include 1 room, Event wristbands for 2 people and accommodation for 4 nights! We don’t have any rooms remaining that allow for more than 2 people and there are a limited number of “Single King Bee” rooms if you want a room entirely to yourself.
The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band
Karen Lovely
* Artists playing multiple days.

PACKAGES

Ready to Attend? Big Blues Bender is sold as "Packages" that include your accommodations as well as your event pass. Please note that this is the only way to attend the Bender. We want to protect your vacation investment, and Bender security will ensure only ticketed guests will enter our venues. Do not attempt to book accommodations at another hotel nor directly via the Riviera's website, as any reservation made elsewhere is not transferable to Big Blues Bender.


All rooms are double occupancy. Prices below are PER PERSON.

Smokestack Lightning

$599.50/pp
$1199/room
VIP Upgrade $200/pp
(Limited quantities available.)

Wang Dang Doodle VIP

$949.50/pp
$1,899.00/room

Boom Boom Room

$649.50/pp
$1299/room
VIP Upgrade $200/pp
(Limited quantities available.)

Backdoor Man VIP

$1,099.50/pp
$2,199.00/room

Hoochie Coochie

$699.50/pp
$1399.00/room
VIP Upgrade $200/pp
(Limited quantities available.)

BIG DADDY BALLER

SOLD OUT
SOLD OUT

BIG DADDY BALLER PACKAGES
ARE SOLD OUT!

We are now SOLD OUT of BIG DADDY BALLER PACKAGES. There are also only limited numbers of VIP packages and upgrades. These will be gone before you know it and if you want premium seating, VIP check-in and more, grab yours today.


SINGLE TRAVELERS & KING BEES

We understand that not everyone’s friends can get out of work or swing a trip to Vegas. We also understand that sometimes friends come in odd numbers! We have begun two initiatives to help accommodate those single or odd numbered travelers.

We now have a facebook group where people can connect, make new friends, and find roommates for the event. Click here and join the group!

For those of you that want a room that can normally hold two Bendees, but you want it all to yourself - we've got a very limited quantity of rooms at a marginally reduced rate. Our "King Bee" package features a King bed in the Monaco tower complete with a VIP Bender band set for the King that you are!

$1399/1 person

LOCALS TICKETS

Good news, Clark County Residents! You can still attend the Bender without purchasing a package. (Tho honestly, it would be nice not to drive home after the shows, right?) The locals ticket is strictly for Clark County residents, and upon pickup you will be required to show an ID with a valid Clark County Address. NO EXCEPTIONS and no refunds will be available for anyone who purchases a locals ticket, but can not produce a valid Clark County ID.

$350.00/per person