Border Bash August 2009
Sam Quinn & Japan Ten and
Brian McGee & The Hollow Speed
Date: Friday, August 28th
Time: 6 - 10 pm
LOCATION: 600 Block State Street, Bristol VA |
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Sam Quinn & the Japan Ten
Brian McGee & the Hollow Speed
Border Bash, a monthly concert series in historic downtown Bristol, ends its 10th Year concert series on August 28th in the 500 block of State Street with a "bang". The evening's events will start with children's activities, crafters, and concessions at 6PM. Live music begins at 7:00PM with Brian McGee & the Hollow Speed followed by Sam Quinn & Japan Ten at 8:30PM. Border Bash is free to the public! "We are thrilled that this is Border Bash's 10th Anniversary!" commented Christina Blevins, Executive Director of Believe in Bristol. Blevins added "With the continual growth of Border Bash and downtown, we want to showcase our beautiful State Street, so this year we will be moving from block to block, this is a huge change since we have been on the 500 Block for the past 9 years. This will give the opportunity for all the stores and restaurants downtown to play an active part in our celebration. Come and enjoy this milestone with us. We hope to see you on State Street!"
The event is hosted by Believe in Bristol, Birthplace of Country Music Alliance, and Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion. Sponsors for 2009 are: Gold Sponsors - Wachovia, PennStuart, Dent K. Burk & Associates, Nash & Powers Insurance, Greg Fahn, Rita Mercier, and Rob Simis- Edward Jones, Merrill Lynch, Cherokee Distributing-Coors Light, Waste Management, and Blakley-Mitchell. Silver Sponsors- Campbell Printing, Curcio & Stout, Kerr-Boswell, Inc. and Coca-Cola. Media Sponsors are- Citadel Broadcasting CW4 and Fox, and Bristol Herald Courier.
Brian McGee & the Hollow Speed is comprised of band members Brian McGee- guitar, harmonica, vocals; Darin Gentry - fiddle & vocals; Chad Hildebran - drums & vocals; and Zack Plemmons - bass & vocals. Having spent his musical adolescence in Pennsylvanian punk rock trio Plow United, Brian McGee is not the most natural figurehead for a movement of new Americana. However, having spent the last ten years in Western North Carolina and immersing himself in the rich roots sound of the area, the musician has altered his songwriting palette and taken to fusing his punk rock heritage to some raw country sounds. The result is a blue-collar line in melodic country rock that sounds like the bastard love child of Guthrie and Springsteen.
His self-titled 2008 release, "BRIAN MCGEE & THE HOLLOW SPEED," blends old-school country romps (Keep On Going) and doses of country-pop (Clouded Glass) with more hooks than a fisherman's hat. The album maintains the same gritty, rockabilly speed across its entire first half, with the help of Transylvania County Fiddler, Darin Gentry. Further into the album and McGee's punk root's become more prevalent. It's evident in the music's unrelenting thrust and is equal parts rabble-rousing and poignant. This is music for beer-drinking, hard-living, American everymen and it's a joyful thrill ride from beginning to end.
With the everybodyfields taking a break in early 2009, Sam Quinn is stepping out in front with some new tunes, fresh faces and maybe even a new pair of brown pants. In an effort to keep the good times rolling in a gleefully depressing way, Sam Quinn brings you his latest incarnation of Honest American Music, The Japan Ten.
Toe-tapping and cheek-salting songs of liberation and release to quell the longings of the soul, quiet the whispers of your fears, and quench the spirit that is this great country. Sam Quinn and Japan Ten is a brand new outfit, featuring the likes of Josh Oliver (of the everybodyfields), Megan Gregory (of Meridian fame), and Bristol's Brandon Story (borrowed from Catbird Seat, CBS & The Clique and Ed Snodderly). The band plays some of the high points from the everybodyfields records, but also a lot of new stuff and, well, just some things that make them feel good. Cause if it feels good you should do it. Right? Music: let it be fun again, and with a Q.
Border Bash features live music on the third Friday of every month from May through August, showcasing musicians who will perform later this year at the 9th th Annual Rhythm and Roots Reunion. "We hope that individuals, families, and visitors will come downtown to experience Bristol's unique music" commented Bill Hartley, Executive Director of the Birthplace of Country Music Alliance. Hartley added that between the youth activities, artist's exhibits, and musical fare offered that there should be something for everyone.
For more information, visit www.believeinbristol.org, www.birthplaceofcountrymusic.org, www.bristolrhythm.com or call (276) 645-0111 or (423) 423-573-2200
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