Monday, May 12, 2008

The New Orleans All-Stars
The N.O. All-Stars featuring George Porter, Cyril Neville, Henry Butler & Raymond Weber

Tickets: $30 • On sale: 4/9/2008 in the pub.

The New Orleans All-stars bring the funk to the Big Room and the dance floor is wide open. Featuring four funk monsters, this A-team of New Orleans musicians is guaranteed to rock the house. Let’s start with Cyril Neville on percussion, (yes, and a member of the legendary Neville Brothers). His request is that everyone “Funkify yo’ life.” Sounds good to me. Next, we have George Porter on bass. Few bass players in the history of modern New Orleans music are as storied as George Porter Jr. During the course of a career spanning four decades, Porter has not only made a deep impression with his work in the Meters, but he’s notched sessions with artists as diverse as Paul McCartney, Jimmy Buffett, David Byrne, Patti LaBelle, Robbie Robertson and Tori Amos. George is the premier New Orleans bass player. On piano is Henry “Wild Child” Butler. Dr. John says of Henry, “He is the pride of New Orleans and a visionistical down home cat and a hellified piano plunker to boot…He plays piano like Art Tatum, but when he starts singing he sounds like Paul Robeson.” New Music Report says, “He is arguably the greatest living proponent of the classic New Orleans piano tradition, playing an amalgam of boogie-woogie, jazz, blues and classical in the lineage of Professor Longhair.” Last but not least is Raymond Weber on drums. With George on bass and Raymond on drums, the bottom end is seriously covered. This is a one time, one of a kind show. Get your tickets early cause when they're gone, they're gone.

For additional information on The New Orleans All-Stars, please visit www.cyrilneville.com ,  www.georgeporterjr.com ,  www.henrybutler.com

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Sunday, May 25, 2008

Antsy McClain & The Trailer Park Troubadours
Critically-acclaimed mix of humor and musicianship!

Tickets: $20 • On sale: 4/23/2008 in the pub.

Antsy McClain is a songwriter, story-teller and entertainer who sings about life in an American trailer park. His band, The Trailer Park Troubadours, are a skilled assortment of musicians who play in the rootsy, rock and roll tradition of their hard-working, blue collar forefathers. Their live shows are a unique, critically-acclaimed mix of masterful musicianship and self-deprecating humor for all ages. The dance floor is open and be sure to bring your sense of humor. If you haven't seen the Troubs before, don't miss this totally one-of-a-kind musical and cultural event.

For additional information on Antsy McClain & The Trailer Park Troubadours, please visit www.unhitched.com

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Monday, June 2, 2008

Tom Rush
"One of my heroes and also one of my main influences." James Taylor

Tickets: $20 • On sale: 5/7/2008 in the pub.

"... his voice is outstandingly versatile; his guitar playing is sheer genius; his sense of humor side splitting ..." Trina E. Kingsbury MARTHA'S VINEYARD TIMES. Tom Rush is a gifted musician and performer, whose shows offer a musical celebration...a journey into the tradition and spectrum of what music has been, can be, and will become. His distinctive guitar style, wry humor and warm, expressive voice have made him both a legend and a lure to audiences around the world. His shows are filled with the rib-aching laughter of terrific story-telling, the sweet melancholy of ballads and the passion of gritty blues. For the uninitiated, Rush helped shape the folk revival of the 1960s and its renaissance in the '80s and '90s. His early recordings introduced the world to the work of Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne and James Taylor. According to Rolling Stone, Rush's album The Circle Game, released in 1968, ushered in the singer/songwriter era. "The music of Tom Rush has provided a soundtrack to my life. I'm very proud to present this founding father of American folk music." Bob Littell. Big Room Guy.

For additional information on Tom Rush, please visit www.tomrush.com

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Tuesday, June 10, 2008

The Mother Truckers
Good time bar rock & roll, Austin style.

Tickets: $20 • On sale: 5/14/2008 in the pub.

The Mother Truckers are a kick-ass rock 'n' roll band from Austin, Texas. Their music is high-octane Americana, blending hard hitting electric guitars with soaring vocals and irreverent lyrics. They take the Texas mix of Country, Blues and Rock to a higher place with their creative songwriting and high energy live performances. During the South by South West Music Conference, The Mother Truckers were named “The Best Roots Rock Band”. Also, the band was in the Top Ten in five other categories including: Band of the Year, Best New Band, Best Country Band, Best Electric Guitarist, and Best Female Vocals. Bring your dancing shoes cause the dance floor is open. Get your tickets early.

For additional information on The Mother Truckers, please visit www.themothertruckers.com

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Sunday, June 29, 2008

Todd Snider
Todd Snider is one of today's most admired and intriguing singer-songwriters.

Tickets: $20 • On sale: 5/28/2008 in the pub.

Todd Snider writes great songs and also is great performer. He totally connects with every audience. Hardest act to follow since Steve Goodman." --John Prine. Todd Snider (has) the heart and humor of John Prine, the wild unpredictability of Roger Miller, and a fresh, original spirit and freedom of imagination that's absolutely his own." --Kris Kristofferson. Snider's sharp lyrics, blend of blues, folk-rock and country-rock mixed with his stellar story- telling, personality and charisma has won him loyal legions of fans who will travel past state lines to see his remarkable live performances; where seeing is believing that Todd Snider is one of today's most admired and intriguing singer-songwriters. Described as alternately funny and sad, edgy and easy-going, troubadour Todd Snider brings his unique perspective on life to The Big Room stage. Expect such topics as diverse as love, loss, prostitution, crime and manual labor. In presenting Todd, I continue in my quest to present to you the best singer/songwriters the world has to offer.

For additional information on Todd Snider, please visit www.toddsnider.net

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Monday, July 14, 2008

The Grascals
Perhaps the most honored bluegrass band playing today!!

Tickets: $20 • On sale: 6/18/2008 in the pub.

This is week one of my special "Two Weeks of World Class Bluegrass" in the Big Room. We start with the Grascals. The Grascals are one of the most honored bands in bluegrass. The following are just a few of the accolades they’ve received in the last couple of years. 2008 SPBGMA Bluegrass Band of the Year (Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America) 2008 SPBGMA Instrumental Band of the Year 2008 SPBGMA Mandolin Performer of the Year (Danny Roberts) 2007 Grammy nomination of Best Bluegrass Album 2007 IBMA Entertainer of the Year (International Bluegrass Music Association) 2007 SPBGMA Bluegrass Band of the Year 2007 SPGGMA Instrumental Group of the Year 2006 IBMA Entertainer of the Year Well, you get the point. In all these categories the Grascals were competing against such Big Room favorites as Del McCoury, Ricky Skaggs, Rhonda Vincent, Sam Bush, The Greencards and on and on. So, if you enjoyed the groups mentioned above, you’re going to love the Grascals. This will be their only “small club” appearance of the summer. As Dolly Parton says, “They are one of the best bluegrass bands I’ve ever heard. Their new CD is one of the greatest albums I’ve ever listened to…” I mean…if you can’t trust Dolly…Please, join us.

For additional information on The Grascals, please visit www.grascals.com

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Monday, July 21, 2008

Blue Highway
"This is as close to a bluegrass super-group as there is on the road today." Billboard

Tickets: $20 • On sale: 6/25/2008 in the pub.

Week two of Bluegrass July in the Big Room. Just when you thought it couldn't get any better, I present Blue Highway. So you ask, "what makes Blue Highway a super-group?" Can you say Rob Ickes? - Seven-time winner of the IBMA Dobro Performer of the Year (over you know who), Rob has quickly established himself as the ace session Dobroist in Nashville. Next comes Tim Stafford, a singer, songwriter, arranger and guitar player extraordinaire. Tim was, early on, a key player in the Grammy-winning team of Alison Krauss & Union Station. Along with fiddler and mandolinist Shawn Lane, one of the most affecting singers in the business, Wayne Taylor, a gifted songwriter and rock-solid bassist and Jason Burleson on banjo, this line-up presents an all-star bluegrass quintet. "Blue Highway is writing their own history in bluegrass: fresh, but as old as the hills." Ricky Skaggs. "Whether they're on record or putting on a show, it's tight and it's right!" Sam Bush. The Big Room is the only club in the U.S. presenting these two super-groups on consecutive weeks. Come see both and make up your own mind.

For additional information on Blue Highway, please visit www.bluehighwayband.com

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For More Information: contact Bob Littell at the Brew Pub and Restaurant: boblittell@sierranevada.com

Tickets for all shows may be purchased in the Pub at the Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. or by phone (with use of a credit card) by calling 530-345-2739. To encourage the family participation in the enjoyment of live music, our shows are all-ages friendly.

A full dinner is available for $12.50 from the time doors open to the beginning of the evening’s entertainment.

Please, no cameras, video, or audio recording.