Bit Brigade

Bit Brigade performs rock covers of full NES game soundtracks as their gamer speedruns the game live on stage. www.bitbrigade.com www.facebook.com/bitbrigade "When was the last time you attended a live music performance with a genuine element of risk involved? And no, going to a Gwar show with a white t-shirt on doesn't count. When Bit Brigade takes the stage your mind will frantically oscillate between "Oh! Agh!! Please don't die!!" and "YES! He's doing it!!" Combining the dread and daring of a live video game speed run with the spot-on technique of a live band covering the musical accompaniment to everything you're seeing on-screen in real time, Bit Brigade will have you swinging between the two mediums. From thrashing about to live renditions of your favorite stage themes, fingers yearning to the sky in a rock 'n roll parody of sea anemones seeming to silently plead, "Please, feed us more fretboard pyrotechnics!," to being locked in stock-still rapture as the infallible maestro of the d-pad, Noah McCarthy, takes on the final boss and risks his video game life under the threat of intense peer scorn (or the reward of night-long glory and a credits score). No matter the outcome, Bit Brigade must play on until the deed is done - which it always is - on the first (and last) try. Once Noah’s NES buzzes on, there's no turning back." - Metalhead Mike of The Shizz, summer 2011

ZOSO (The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience)

Over the 28 years and over 4500 shows since ZOSO came together as a group in the mid-‘90s, the seemingly tireless quartet continues to earn its well-deserved reputation as being, in the words of The L.A. Times, “head and shoulders above all other Led Zeppelin tributes.” The reasons for that are manifest. For starters, surely no singer has ever captured the distinctive timbre, range, power, and seductive force of Robert Plant’s vocal delivery as adroitly as ZOSO’s lead vocalist and founder, Matt Jernigan, whose flowing, corkscrew blonde locks and leonine stage moves evoke the Plant persona perfectly. ZOSO co-founder Adam Sandling, the band’s multi-instrumental master of electric bass, keyboards, and mandolin, likewise echoes John Paul Jones’ myriad gifts to a tee, allowing the four-piece ZOSO to perform fully fleshed-out versions of classics like “Kashmir,” “Trampled Under Foot,” and “Stairway to Heaven” that demand up to six members or more to execute in other Zep-inspired ensembles. That’s not the ZOSO way; instead, the band draws liberally and meticulously from Led Zeppelin’s recorded live output to present a vivid performance picture of the classic live Zeppelin of 1970-1977. No wonder the St. Petersburg Times noted that, in addition to their virtuosity and spot-on visual presentation, ZOSO was also “the most exacting of all the Led Zeppelin tributes.” Meanwhile, the band’s new blood has turbo-charged the ZOSO formula even more. Drummer Bevan Davies, the band’s burly, black-haired batteur since 2015, flattens the band’s fans nightly with his Bonhamapproved triplet blasts, tympani thunder, and fat, lumbering grooves. Davies boasts an impressive pedigree that includes touring tenures with the likes of Danzig, Jerry Cantrell of Alice In Chains, Static X, and regular gigs with The Cult’s Billy Duffy. Taking on the demanding Jimmy Page chair for ZOSO in May of 2021, new lead guitarist James Volpe Rotondi (aka “Jimmy”) brings an equally high-level CV to the table, as a former member of Humble Pie, Mike Patton’s Mr. Bungle, and French superstars AIR. Decked out in Page’s iconic dragon matador jacket, two-tone shoes, and cascading black hair, Rotondi wields his Gibson Les Paul and double-neck guitars like he was born to it, with a huge, crafted tone and a stunning technique that weaves together Page’s roots in blues, country, funk, and fingerstyle. Still, while the players’ provenance, and the band’s deep history, speak for themselves, it’s that highwire musicianship combined with ZOSO’s spot-on recreation of the mythic presence of Led Zeppelin onstage that keeps their dedicated longtime fans coming back for more year after year. What’s more, new generations of ZOSO devotees in their teens and Twenties are likewise lining up to experience for themselves the power and majesty—and yes, the alluring combination of danger, spontaneity, skill, and sexuality—that define a world-class Led Zeppelin concert. “[ZOSO is] the closest to the original of any Led Zeppelin tribute,” proclaims the Chicago Sun-Times, and they are not wrong. ZOSO’s ongoing invitation to all generations, all ages, all backgrounds of Led Zeppelin fans, then, is a very simple one: Relive it . . . LIVE.

Sister Hazel

Sometimes it takes time to get back to the basics, get back to ones roots, and build up the important things. For Sister Hazel, it's always been about the music, but over the course of their decade-plus music making career, it has expanded beyond that to incorporate so much more. They've maintained their unerring focus and desire to help, to share, to include, and to grow -- be it through their music or through other means -- all the while stretching their musical umbrella to cover what has become a true community. At the basis of that umbrella is the music, and their latest, and perhaps best-realized Sister Hazel record start to finish, is aptly named Absolutely. The affirmative overtones of the title only serve to underscore the pride the band justly feels with the end result. In the most non-egotistical way possible, I feel this is the best record we've ever made, says rhythm guitarist/vocalist Drew Copeland. Concurs bassist Jett Beres: We're journeymen and we've focused on creating a cathartic experience for our fans. We want our fans to feel what were feeling, so the lyrics are really important. Equally important is capturing that elusive live show magic, and Beres feels that they've succeeded in coming closer to doing that. This record captures our live show vibe well. We've been fortunate with our success, says Block. As a band, we've always put writing songs that we believe in, putting on powerful live shows, and being passionate about our craft at the top. Trojanowski attributes their longevity to a simple concept: When you set yourself up as a band, a democracy, it lasts longer. That equal partnership is key. Over time, the band has grown a lifestyle and fan community via touring, fan interaction, and charity work, yet the all-important music provides the soundtrack for it all. Whether you call it roots rock or American rock, the music Sister Hazel makes is definitely not alternative or modern rock; they are not emo, screamo, anything-core or flavor-of-the-moment. Their music is solid and satisfying, comfortable and easy, like old friends and family. Absolutely perfect and absolutely Sister Hazel.

Rock the Ark

Pecos & The Rooftops

Pecos & The Rooftops have been perfecting a signature heavy blend of lowdown country and classic rock since their inception in a big five-bedroom house in Lubbock, Texas. Formed in 2019 by a tight-knit squad of college friends, the band outfits their soulful Americana with muscular guitar grit, yet remains tuneful and melodic. They’ve carved out a singular niche for themselves in the rich songwriting tradition of their home state, as evidenced by their debut Warner Records single “5AM.” Anchored by the heart-baring songwriting and booming voice of former Marine Pecos Hurley, the band is rounded out by top-tier players and songwriters Brandon Jones (rhythm guitar), Jessie Santos (lead guitar), Kalen Davis (bass), Garrett Peltier (drums) and Hunter Cassell (guitars & keys).   Big things have small beginnings. Pecos & The Rooftops chose their name—a nod to the part of the house they’d hang out, drink beers, and jam on—just before self-releasing their debut single, 2019’s slow-burning “This Damn Song.” It was a runaway success, earning an RIAA Platinum certification and going on to rack up more than 250 million streams globally. Deciding to ride the wave for as long as they could, the band hit the road directly after and haven’t stopped since, touring relentlessly on the club circuit and opening for the likes of rising country star Koe Wetzel. They released the Red Eye EP in 2020, expanding on their already solid sound with more guitar heroics and more complex arrangements, hinting at jazz and psychedelic influences.   Hurley has a gift for exploring the shadowy sides of life through his songwriting, offering a clear-eyed and unflinching look at heartbreak, disconnection, self-medication, and wrestling with dark times. On “5AM,” he’s stuck in a self-destructive pattern, trying to live up to the idea of being the man he wants to be, but thwarted on all sides by his own bad decisions. “Wish I could say that I saw it coming—problem is I never do,” Hurley sings over a gloomy guitar line. “It’s too late to let myself feel something, so I’ll just keep running from you.”   “It’s about having a habit of going to the bar and getting drunk and staying up all night,” Hurley says from his home outside Dallas. “You kind of know that when you go to bed it’s probably not going to end well—because you fucked up again and you can’t get out of the cycle. It’s about being by yourself in the early hours of the morning. It’s just one of those ‘You fucked up’ songs.”   Pecos & The Rooftops have earned a devoted fan base who’ve come out to support them both online and on the road, with the band garnering over 350 million global streams and more than 101 million video views. They’re currently on a nationwide headline tour with more dates to be announced soon. “5AM” is a telling preview of what’s to come, as Pecos & The Rooftops ready their major label debut LP—a bigger, bolder collection of songs set for release later this year. “At the end of the day, I just want to help people with our music, honestly,” Hurley says. Between the band’s wild road shows and their highly-anticipated upcoming full-length, Pecos & the Rooftops are set to do that and much, much more.      

United We Dance: The Ultimate Rave Experience

Gimme Hendrix

Hailing from the vibrant music scene of Athens, GA, Gimme Hendrix stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of the greatest band of the psychedelic era, The Jimi Hendrix Experience. Our band is not just a tribute; it’s a journey back in time to when music underwent a revolution, led by the unparalleled artistry of Jimi Hendrix. As a multi-award-winning tribute band, Gimme Hendrix has been honored with seven nominations and four wins for the Best Tribute/Cover at the prestigious Athens Flagpole Music Awards. Our passion for authenticity has taken us across the United States and beyond, with tours reaching as far as Bucharest, Romania. The Jimi Hendrix Experience reshaped the '60s and left an indelible mark on music history. Their sound—a mesmerizing fusion of blues, soul, R&B, jazz, rock, and more—was nothing short of revolutionary. Jimi Hendrix’s contribution was not just music; it was a cultural phenomenon. In our quest to recreate the Jimi Hendrix Experience, we pay meticulous attention to detail. From our attire to our stage presence, we embody the spirit and style of the era. But above all, our focus is on recapturing that iconic sound. As a three-piece ensemble, just like the original, we deliver electrifying live performances that resonate with the power and passion of the past.

Cosmic Charlie - High energy Grateful Dead

"Cosmic Charlie really is a great band - these guys do this music the way it should be done: having the conversation in their own voices.”            -David Gans, Grateful Dead Hour Cosmic Charlie was born in the musical Mecca of Athens, Georgia. From its summer 1999 inception, the band swiftly cemented its reputation as a band that puts a unique and personal twist on the Grateful Dead catalogue. Cosmic Charlie is a Dead cover band for folks that are ambivalent about Dead cover bands. Rather than mimicking the Dead exactly, Cosmic Charlie chooses to tap into the Dead’s energy and style as a foundation on which to build. The result is healthy balance of creativity and tradition, where both the band and its audience are taken to that familiar edge with the sense that, music is actually being MADE here tonight. Moving and shaking even the most skeptical of Deadheads, Cosmic Charlie storms into a town and plays with an energy that eludes other bands, an energy that sometimes eluded the Dead themselves. Those precious moments during Dead jams when the synchronicity is there and all is right with the world -  these are the moments that Cosmic Charlie relishes and feverishly welcomes with open arms. Clearly, Cosmic Charlie’s audiences are also eager to partake in these moments, and together with the band, they have indulged in many memorable evenings. Most nights, Cosmic Charlie walks onstage without a setlist, not even knowing what the first song will be. Any Dead tune can rear its head at any moment, and fan requests are always welcome. “INSPIRATON, MOVE ME BRIGHTLY" is Cosmic Charlie’s mantra, allowing the music to truly play the band.

An Evening with Shadowgrass

With their fast picking and fresh arrangements, ShadowGrass is moving forward in the bluegrass genre by incorporating each member’s varied influences into a fresh project that branches outside the bounds of traditional music while maintaining traditional instrumentation. Each of the band members grew up in a culturally rich area of traditional music, which heavily influences their approach to music. Feeding off of each other’s musical ideas and energy, their music proves to be a constantly evolving world that draws the audience in at every show.

ERNEST: LIVE FROM THE SOUTH TOUR

Nashville’s most unpredictable hitmaker ERNEST is “The Charmer” (MusicRow): a triple threat talent who “creates a sound all his own” (Pollstar) and one of Music City’s defining artist-writers who continues to push and challenge the artistic status quo. The GRAMMY-nominated, 4X ACM Award nominee (2024), 2X CMA Triple Play Award winner, and 2022 / 2023 Variety Hitmaker fuses influences ranging from Eminem to George Jones, crafting a twist-heavy verse style that’s become his signature, proving its mettle, and earning him twelve No. 1 hits as a songwriter and one No. 1 at country radio himself. The eccentric free spirit released his highly anticipated full-length sophomore album, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, last year, a set that “maintain(s) Nashville’s tethering to its legendary history while wholly embracing the soul of the city’s future” (The Tennessean), featuring 26 songs and collaborations with genre tastemakers Lainey Wilson, Lukas Nelson, Jelly Roll, HARDY, and more. The album was named one of the Best of the Year by Billboard, Los Angeles Times, The Tennessean, and Country Now, following in the footsteps of its critically acclaimed predecessor, FLOWER SHOPS (THE ALBUM), and its cleverly expanded deluxe edition, FLOWER SHOPS (THE ALBUM): Two Dozen Roses.