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Overton Music artist: Russ Green - Stone Cold - New Release Review

By Bman -
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 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Stone Cold , from Russ Green , and it's a driving blues rocker. Opening with Lint Redux , you are immediately in the middle of a swampy blues with modern effects. With a firm foot stomp by Felix Pollard on drums and Vic Jackson on bass Russ Green on harmonica and vocals really has the earthy feel. Giles Corey on slide gives the track great grease and Green's harp work is strong. Excellent opener. 12 Feet of Water opens with a terrific harmonica aria before grinding into a super drum driven romp. With the feel that I can only describe as Hill Country , Green delivers such soulful vocals, comforted by Joe Monroe on keys, this track just grabs you. Green's harmonica is like a shuddering wind blowing through you with the thumping bass of Vic Jackson and Vince Agwada on guitar. Excellent! Easy going shuffle, Nobody Knows has a smooth, supple melody with backing acoustic guitar, minimal drum work and melodic ha...
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I started a quest to find terrific blues music and incredible musicianship when I was just a little kid. I also have a tremendous appreciation of fine musical instruments and equipment. One of my greatest joys all of my life was sharing my finds with my friends. I'm now publishing my journey. I hope that you come along!


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Aiken & Friends Music Fest Brings Three Days of Music & Workshops to Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg, New Jersey, on September 20-22

By Bman -










Aiken & Friends Music Fest Brings Three Days of Music & Workshops to Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg, New Jersey, on September 20-22



Proceeds Go to Scholarships for Students and

Music Education



BRANCHBURG, NJ – Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Mike Aiken, whose new CD, Wayward Troubadour, is generating rave reviews and solid radio airplay, will once again present his “Aiken & Friends Music Fest – North Branch,” a three-day program of music and workshops, at Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg on September 20-22. Proceeds go toward scholarships and programs for the students, in keeping with Aiken’s mission to support music education.



“It started with my desire to start an original music festival that would feature mostly Americana and acoustic music … from bluegrass, blues to singer/songwriter,” Mike Aiken says about the festival’s origin. “Geographically, the location needed to have a good vibe of its own. As I’ve traveled and toured, I’ve kept my eyes and ears open for the right locale.

“The first twelve years, the Fest had a home in Smithfield, Virginia. In 2017, we added a new Fest location in Branchburg, New Jersey. Aiken & Friends Music Fest – North Branch is rooted on the Community College campus of RVCC – Branchburg, New Jersey. Under the guidance of Arts Director, Alan Liddell, we look forward to many years continuing to support and promote original music.”

The three-day event will feature a number of different musical shows by Mike Aiken, as well as other solo artists and groups, starting with a residency at 1:00pm on Thursday, September 20, with the M.S.G. Acoustic Blues Trio, discussing the evolution of the Piedmont Blues style, how it reflected life at that time and how it has influenced music styles since. MSG will perform a few songs along with a Q&A session.   

Workshops on Friday, September 21, include techniques of guitar, songwriting and indie music promotion, followed by a Songwriter In-the-Round concert at the RVCC Arts Nash Theatre at 7:30pm.

On Saturday, September 22, Raritan Valley Community College will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a day-long schedule of events. Several college departments will showcase their programs around campus with the music festival continuing on the quad during the afternoon, and in the Nash Theatre that evening.  In addition to the music and special events, there will be local artisans, food, and new this year, a children’s area.

Events Schedule:

Thursday, Sept.20

Residency at 1 pm with M.S.G. Acoustic Blues Trio: Evolution of Piedmont Blues, Q&A and music.



Friday, Sept. 21

Workshops 12 pm – 1pm - Open to the public, students from RVCC, as well as local high schools. Pre-registration required.



Guitar Workshop - Brian Ashley Jones, Nashville session player http://www.brianashleyjones.com

Songwriting Workshop - Mike Aiken www.mikeaikenmusic.com

Indie Music Promotion Workshop - Amy Aiken, President, Northwind Records

7:30 pm Songwriter In-The-Round Concert in the RVCC Nash Theatre

Mike Aiken, Brian Ashley Jones, Sally Jaye (http://www.sallyjaye.com)



Saturday, Sept. 22 

RVCC is celebrating their 50th anniversary and the day will be built around the festival.



Outdoor Stage - art vendors, food, kids area

2:00 pm Last year’s open mic winner, local artist Phil Swanson (https://www.philswanson.com)

2:30 pm Last year’s open mic winner, local artist Jo Stones (https://jostonesmusic.bandcamp.com)

3:00 pm MSG Acoustic Blues Trio (from Hampton, VA http://www.acousticbluesmsg.com )

4:00 pm Banjo Nickaru and Western Scooches (from NYC http://banjonickaru.com)

5:00 pm Session Americana (from Boston http://www.sessionamericana.com)

7:30 pm Mike Aiken Band - Tall Tales & Troubadours Show closes the festival in the Nash Theater



Tickets:

Tickets are available for each individual day or as a Weekend Pass. To purchase tickets, go to

http://www.aikenandfriendsfest.com/tickets/. Or call the box office Monday-Friday, 11am-4 pm at 908-725-3420.
About Mike Aiken



If anybody has earned the title of “Wayward Troubadour,” Mike Aiken has. He ran away as a kid to play music. He became a licensed USCG Captain, has sailed over 30,000 Bluewater miles on his own sailboat and logged countless miles on the road performing in North America and Europe.



“Mike Aiken’s new release, Wayward Troubadour (Northwind Records), is one of those summertime Americana ‘kick back and hang out’ collections perfect to pop in the stereo and launch into the season.” – Americana Highways

“With so much fake country music hogging the airwaves, it’s downright refreshing -- like a cool mountain breeze -- to hear such a Wayward Troubadour as Mike Aiken.” – Aquarian Weekly

“Mike Aiken delivers an album rooted in traditional country, with moments of Western Swing that will fit very nicely in your summer playlist… These are songs that will have you smiling and head-bobbing and generally feeling carefree. Sounds good, doesn’t it? Just wait until you hear this album.”
- Parcbench.Live – New York City

“Mike is something of a John Prine crossed with Ry Cooder.” - Sail Magazine

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