Coldshot Blues Band
Join us for an evening of get-up-and-dance blues with the Coldshot Blues Band! Featuring:
Ralph Edwards – bass; Dave Buffmire – guitar; Ernest Gunaratnam – keyboard, guitar; Vern Fowler – drums and vocals
Ralph Edwards has played bass for over 35 years. Along the way he has played in blues, rock, jazz, country, and bluegrass bands in Virginia and Tennessee. He grew up and developed his playing style in Roanoke, Virginia, both playing the bar scene and recording. He believes deeply in music as an expression of the individual spirit, but he knows it all starts with the groove. He also believes in the long standing superiority of the Fender P-Bass.
Dave Buffmire plays lead and rhythm guitar and has been playing for over 40 years. He took college courses in music theory early in his playing career to add to his knowledge of reading and writing music. He has played professionally for many years in various bands in the Maryland, Virginia, Colorado, Wisconsin and the Washington DC area. He has played rock, but mostly blues, since moving to Central Virginia.
Ernest Gunaratnam is the band’s “worldly influence”; he was born in Sri Lanka. He started playing piano at age 4 and gave his first piano recital when he was six. He eventually received several diplomas from the Royal School of Music in London. While still in Sri Lanka, Ernest played guitar and keyboard in a band. He moved to the US in 1986; he played in several bands in Tulsa, OK, Boston, MA, and Albany, NY. He fell in love with the blues after meeting Albany blues legend Ernie Williams.
In 1968, Vern Fowler got his first set of drums and started playing in small bands in Washington state. The Northwest was a great melting pot of musical genres. Vern grew up in the same neighborhood with people like Bobby Murray and Robert Cray and the rockin’ blues has always been a part of his life. He moved to Juneau, Alaska and played for 23 years and then moved to Virginia. Here, he hooked up with three guys with similar backgrounds and love of the groove!
The show starts at 8pm/$5.
Listen and learn more at http://coldshottheband.weebly.com
Sarah White & the Pearls and Sally Rose
Sarah White & The Pearls
Born and raised in the two Virginias, Sarah White grew up with a love for rock and roll radio, dusty LP records, and the country music her father played on guitar. Her strong roots rock and country music influences are grounded in punk instincts, inviting comparisons to a wide spectrum of artists from Hazel Dickens and Chan Marshall to Kathleen Edwards and Jeff Tweedy.
the music
Sarah’s music kills me; beautifully from the ground up, no plastic.
— Dave Matthews
Performing as a solo artist and as a duo with guitarist Ted Pitney, Sarah has supported a variety of luminaries from Earl Scruggs and Justin Townes Earle to Merle Haggard and Bonnie Prince Billy (Will Oldham).
While White’s choked-up, wistful vocals pack more of an emotional punch than that of most songwriters—Case included—White distinguishes herself by serving a heap of good humor along with everything you could want from the singer-songwriter persona, usually a far more somber business.
– Andrew Cedermark, Cville
Her band the Pearls features Ted Pitney formerly of bluegrass stalwarts King Wilkie on guitar, punk rock legend Michael Bishop of GWAR and Kepone on bass, and Stuart Gunter of roots rock faves Wrinkle Neck Mules on drums. Together this unlikely lineup helps draw out the force of rock and soul of country in Sarah’s “gorgeous, catchy and ultimately moving songs (Richmond Times-Dispatch).”
Listen and learn more at http://www.sarah-white.com/
Sally Rose
Sally Rose, a Nelson County native, was accredited by The News & Advance as a “true artist”. Her original style of song-writing is a combination of indie-folk, soul, rock, and a little heart break.
At the age of 17, she released her first full-length album, “Home”. Some years later on New Year’s (2011) at The Southern, she released her second, “heat lightning.” Accredited by the C-VILLE, as “Nelson County’s sweet voiced singer-songwriter”-Sally Rose has shared the stage with nationally known Devon Sproule, Sarah White and the Pearls, Teddy and the Roosevelts, Eli Cook, Critter Fuqua, formerly of “Old Crow Medicine Show” & Bobby St. Ours formerly of the “Hackensaws”. She performed live on Richmond’s CBS-6 with an interview and story. “Virginia This Morning” asked Sally Rose back the following winter to promote her newest album. She’s played live in-studio on WNRN’s Acoustic Sunrise with Anne Williams as well as Harrisonburg’s WXJM Live. Miss Rose plays with regionally rising, “Mister Baby” and currently writes with Jen Stuart, of “The Design”. “Sally Rose is a name you’re going to see a lot more of…” (Nelson County Life).
Although this down-home girl’s got a moon house in her backyard, don’t mistake her for small. As Nelson County Life Magazine wrote, “…watch this girl, she’s quietly, but aggressively, climbing the ladder in the music scene. And making quite the name for herself…”
Listen at http://www.reverbnation.com/sallyrose
The show starts at 8pm/$7.
Pete Stallings Band with Sarah Lynna & The Misfit Toys
Pete Stallings is a garage folk musician from Staunton, Virginia. He primarily plays guitar, with a mix of eccentric, bluesy originals and more straight ahead classic rock tunes. A secret love of Appalachian old-time music shines through the entire mess.
He says, “I love simplicity, so my music is simple and utilitarian: just bluesy folk with creative melodies and awesome chord changes.”
He played loud Rock ‘n’ Roll music with many bands, but recently has drifted towards the acoustic side of things, explorin Appalachian sting band music. He enjoys listening Jeff Buckley, Josh Ritter, the Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart, Bowie, Beck, Love as Laughter, Blitzen Trapper, etc. He loves learning new trade skills and working on his Ma’s permaculture farm. He love engines and old ugly cars.
Listen at http://www.reverbnation.com/petestallings
With special guest Sarah Lynna & The Misfit Toys.
Listen to Sarah Lynna at http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=UVKlxg7feZs
The show starts at 8pm/$5.
Bluzonia
Bluzonia has a unique take on American Roots music, combining elements of Chicago and Delta blues, smokey jazz standards, revved up swing, country classics and guitarist Doug Hedstrum’s one-of-a-kind originals. Call it redneck blues, hillbilly jazz- it all goes down well with a fine Blue Mountain brew!
Doug Hedstrum- guitar and vocals
John Stubblefield- drums and percussion (ask him about his custom Stub Drums!)
Arin Bennett- bass
“Blind Dave” Connolly- harmonica and vocals
http://www.outliermusic.com/jokes_rulesoftheblues.htm
The show starts at 8pm/$5.
The Design–live recording session #2
Original founding members of Naughty Dynamic and The Design, Jennifer Stuart, Jimmy Spitler and Jacob Tal drove the band by playing Charlottesville and locally surrounding venues for the past three years, including The Downtown Pavilion for Fridays After Five, The Southern, Outback Lodge, Fellini’s, Alley Katz, Saxx Jazz Lounge, The Rock & Roll Hotel, The Edgar Allen Poe Museum, among numerous others. Constant gigging and a fat, unique sound set them apart from other local acts and their fanbase grew. The other members were taking different directions, so Jennifer, Jimmy and Jacob continued writing and playing with Ryan Manegold Mark Medlin, and Jason Viglietta. With a new approach to playing and writing, they have been working tirelessly to write richly original new music that has one simple goal: To make you feel good.
The Design is recording a live CD–come cheer, dance, make some joyful noise and be part of the recording!
The show starts at 8pm/$5.
Listen at www.reverbnation.com/wearethedesign
Open Mic Night
If you’ve got a talent, we’ve got a stage! Whether you sing, write poetry, tapdance, play bagpipes, swallow swords, dance the mamushka, or just need to rant about something…Rapunzel’s is the place to be this Friday night.
Signup begins at 7:30pm, show starts at 8pm. Free for performers. Spectators $2.
The Maplewaves–live recording!
 It all started one lonely indian summer with two songs written by Logan…. Lying and Gravity. Six months later, December 2010, Nathan Ritz and Logan Stamm restored thier friendship and started playing around central Va as a duo. Thus The Maplewaves were born.They played regularly for thier friends in thier favorite places, Baines in Appomatix, Whitehart Cafe and Muse 8:30 Club in Lyn…chburg. Playing so many live shows as a duo revealed the limitations of the songs played by a duo and the potential of the songs played by a band. So they started recruiting fellow bandmates
Adam Knapp (bassist of Get Up Soldier, former bandmate of Nathan) joined the band August of 2011. One month later, Panya (drummer of Get Up Soldier) and Thomas Morris (violinist of Virgineola, Harvey & Morrison and old friend of Logan and Nathan) joined. In two months The Maplewaves became a 5 piece. The show starts at 8pm/$5.
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Big Foot County
Big Foot County
Big Foot County shows are built off the extensive catalog of the Grateful
Dead. On any given night the band will perform a show based on a set list from
the Grateful Dead’s 30 years of extensive touring or use the catalog of original
songs and often played covers to create a unique set list for the show. This
allows music fans both young and old to share in the experience. Big Foot County
presents its critically acclaimed live show at esteemed venues in Virginia and
North Carolina including the Ellington, the Sedalia Center, and even on the set
of WDBJ7. Grateful Dead classics are performed in the same way that an orchestra
interprets music of classical composers. The composer spirit is derived and
channeled as the players capture the excitement and innovation of the original
performances and compositions.
Touring for the past year to the tune of over
30 shows since forming, the band’s determined commitment to “raising the Dead”
has drawn a spirited following in the Mid Atlantic.
http://www.reverbnation.com/bigfootcounty
James River Cutups
A Bluegrass band that not only performs some of the old songs that you may have forgotten, but they also acquaint you with some new Bluegrass sound. Their songs will take you back to the original classics, but you won’t just hear the traditional sound of Bluegrass. You’ll hear a wonderful blend of the old time with a modern undertone. With good old fashioned family harmony, the James River Cut-Ups promise to please.
The show starts at 8pm/$5.
Listen/learn more at www.jamesrivercutups.com
Our 1000th show! With Trees On Fire, Chamomile & Whiskey, and Bobby St Ours
Rapunzel’s celebrates the culmination of our Season of Ten Years and One Thousand Shows with a very special event! Join Trees On Fire, Chamomile & Whiskey, and Bobby St Ours in celebrating our 1000th show.
The show starts at 8pm/$12.
About Trees On Fire:
Trees on Fire first sprouted its roots in 2005 amidst the hills and woodlands of Charlottesville, Virginia. The quintet, lauded by many as “hybrid-rock geniuses,” has been scorching the music scene since its inception. Daily rehearsals, frequent live performances, and collective ecosystem platforms cultivate the band’s undeniable chemistry. The mix of two former opera singers turned prolific songwriters, two symphonic virtuosos turned rock ‘n’ rollers, and one irrefutably tasteful percussionist creates a dynamic blend of sounds.
Known for its ear-catching fusion of reggae, hip hop, rock, electronica, classical, klezmer, funk, and beyond, Buzz News Reporter Ken Payne hails Trees on Fire’s “razor-sharp four-part harmonies and organic world rhythms… original, innovative grooves [with] inspirational messages…” It’s no surprise the band’s high-energy and multi-cultural melodies lure and stir the senses of wide audiences, while Dave Matthews Band’s Boyd Tinsley attests “[Trees on Fire is] a band to watch for sure.”
Organica (2010), Trees on Fire’s debut full-length album delivers “chill funk to rockin’ funk mingled with organic soul,” says Helen Brown, Director, Vice President and Correspondent of Magazine 33. Produced by Trees on Fire, alongside mastermind producers Rob Evans (Dave Matthews Band, Tim Reynolds Trio) and Eric Heigle, Organica, as Brown describes, “takes listeners from the heights of the ancient Blue Ridge Mountains to the buzzing swamps and bayous of the bottom-land.” Recorded in the woods of central Virginia and at Louisiana’s hidden gem, Dockside Studios, where such artists as BB King, Taj Mahal, Mark Knopfler, and Sonny Landreth have recorded, Organica is the first of what is sure to be many Trees on Fire albums.
Listen and learn more at www.treesonfire.com.
About Chamomile & Whiskey:
Chamomile met Whiskey in the winter. The soft blue of the cold sky was melding into the Blue Ridge mountains, and a crescent moon was on the rise. Marie Borgman and Koda Kerl had recently finished a cross country tour which had taken them across steep mountain ranges…to rocky coastlines, and lead them to the Redwood forest…it was there, underneath the towering trees that they realized they needed to start a band.
Upon returning home they embarked on an experimental journey, playing many shows with many talented musicians. But on an early spring night in Nelson County, on the stage of Rapunzel’s they realized they had found the members of Chamomile and Whiskey. The ever-so-smooth Tim Diebler on the upright bass, the ebullient and percussive genius of Brenning Greenfield, and the wily and capricious banjo playing of Ryan Lavin.
Chamomile & Whiskey’s music is passionate and eclectic. In minutes they take can take you from swinging your partner and stomping your boots to a soft and beautiful tear gently rolling down your face. Koda’s voice and lyrics seem to be equally soaked in whiskey. His songwriting has been described as “a mix of Dylan and Prince,” with shades of folk, funk, and rock. Marie Borgman’s accompaniment with the fiddle elevates the songs. Deft in the old-time and Irish traditions, she can have the crowd moving with each swing of her bow. The slower songs allow her to display her powerful poignancy with touches of gypsy and classical. Adding yet another dimension to the sound, Ryan Lavin’s versatility is a driving force in the diversity of the music. With his prowess with both banjo and guitar, as well as singing and songwriting, he seems to play a different role with every tune. Although he has spent most of his life in Ireland, his music is strongly rooted in blues and country…with perhaps a touch of pirate. All of this is held together with ease by the wonderful rhythm section. Whether he is behind the kit, or holding a washboard or djembe, Brenning drives each song with his mastering of so many different styles. Tim is in a similar vein. Whether bowing beautifully or pulling out a jazz solo, he shows depth in his understanding of music. On stage the five light up the crowd with their infectious energy and obvious affection for each other. The autumn of 2011 will see the bands first released recording, as well as many vibrant shows as they move forward they continue to create and evolve, feeding on their joy and friendship and the beauty of their home…the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Listen at http://www.wnrn.org/2011/04/chamomile-and-whiskey-stops-by-nrn/ or www.reverbnation.com/chamomileandwhiskey
About Bobby St Ours:
Bobby is an original founding member of Charlottesville’s Hackensaw Boys, a wily, rotating collective of raucous players, and acoustic rippers. The Hackensaw’s tore up the American highways for years in a 1964 diesel bus, eventually finding themselves on massive tours with bands such as the Flaming Lips, Modest Mouse, De La Soul and Cake, just doing their thing, playing the same mountain music they played in hometown divebars. They also have achieved much success in Europe and beyond. Bobby ducked out of the limelight somewhere in the midst of this chaotic shuffle and has settled into the creation of more contemplative and somber sounds. His songs have a classic lyrical quality which is found with few song writers. The world has seen millions come and go but few are remembered. Bobby deserves a space in our cultural memory alongside Hank Williams, A.P. Carter, John Lennon and Elliot Smith. The songs really are that good.
Listen at www.myspace.com/robertstours