...More RJS NEWS BULLETINS
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4/4/08
HEY, WHO ARE THOSE GUYS?!?
The Stompin Jug Ramblers will be playing at
"Songs of 1969",
a special benefit concert for
Caffe Lena,
at the Skidmore College Dance Theater in Saratoga Springs, NY at 7PM Sunday, April 13.
The Stompin Jug Ramblers? Yeah, it's a bit confusing, but that's just the way it goes when you're playing jug band music in a Britney Spears world.
The Stompin Jug Ramblers is the pseudonym that Ramblin Jug Stompers use whenever we perform without our full complement -we decided to go ahead and perform as a jug band trio since Caffe Lena is such a special place to us, and we wanted to help out. After all, it's where we recorded our debut live CD, "Crooked Songs".
The "Songs of 1969" benefit concert will feature a bunch of fine Capital Region musicians performing some of their favorite songs from that landmark musical year. I don't know about you, but I can't wait to hear Bowtie sing his breathtaking rendition of Donovan's "Atlantis".
The Stompin Jug Ramblers will be joined by such local favorites as:
Sirsy
, 28N
, Mallory O'Donnell and Friends
, Simple Theory, Addie & Olin Unleashed!, and
Rick Bolton and the Dwyer Sisters with Arlin Greene and Tim Wechgelaer.
Tickets are $19.69 in advance ($20 at the door) and are available online,
or by phone toll-free at (800) 838-3006.
The complete cast of Ramblin Jug Stompers will be back from any of their hobo rambles in time for our monthly musical merriment at
Tess' Lark Tavern in Albany at 7 p.m. Monday, April 21. Special thanks to all of you who braved the even-more-crowded-than-usual festivities (if that's possible) last month on St. Patrick's Day. If you missed it, we were joined by several special guests, including Miss
Music Mobile
Ruth Pelham (offering an all too rare non-children's music performance) and the lovely Lonesome Val Haynes, who has become a regular with us at Tess' this year (her duet with Cousin Clyde on George Jones and Tammy Wynette's "Golden Ring" was especially purty, we thought). Admission at Tess' is, of course, free. (And... we'll be celebrating Mr. Eck's birthday, too, so feel free to buy him a drink. We'll make sure he gets home safely.)
Ramblin Jug Stompers will also be playing a handful of tunes with our singer-songwriter pal
Terri Roben
at Caffe Lena,
7PM Sunday, April 27, as she celebrates the release of her brand new CD, "The Path We Make". Terri was one of the very first recipients of the RJS
Jugtopia Medal of Valor sitting in with us at the
Moon & River Café
many moons ago. And she was kind enough (and foolhardy enough) to invite RJS into the studio last year to record with her on some tunes for the album -including a cover of Holly Near's "Santa Monica Pier" -and we can't wait to get together with her again to play 'em live in front of an audience to see what you think.
You may have noticed that RJS haven't been playing quite as many gigs lately, but that's only because we've been busy in the studio. Yes, boys and girls, we've been hard at work recording a batch of tunes at
Bender Studio
for our upcoming sophomore CD. We can't reveal any of the closely guarded secrets just yet, but rest assured that the disc will feature some of your fave RJS tunes, as well as a few special surprises. Stay tuned, and we'll fill you in as we ramble along through the recording process.
And finally, if you happen to be in the vicinity of the
Upstate Artists Guild Gallery
in Albany during the next month, stop in and take a peak at the artwork of RJS jug player extraordinaire
Mr. Eck,
who is the featured artist in "WTF?: What the Folk", the third annual national exhibition of contemporary folk art, which is on display at the gallery from April 4th-25th. There will be an opening reception at the gallery from 5:30-9:00PM Friday April 4th. One of those paintings sure would look good hanging on your living room wall, wouldn't it?
*
1/06/08
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Ramblin Jug Stompers (RJS) are kicking off 2008 in high gear as we celebrate the second anniversary of the band (as well as our monthly residency at Tess') with what is sure to be an all-star, no-holds-barred, kick-out-the-jugs gathering at Tess’ Lark Tavern at 7pm Monday, Jan. 21.
We're hoping that maybe we can coax Jug Stompers alum Moanin Ed Atkeson and Ryder Cooley up to bang out a few of the old classics that we played two years ago at our very first gig.
And hopefully, a few other fine folks -fab fiddler Mat Kane (of the Doc Marshalls, who just released their excellent new CD), mad saxman Luke McNamee (of Blue Hand Luke, who sadly will be leaving us next month for the sunnier climate of California) and maybe even Lonesome Val Haynes (of the Units/Fear of Strangers, who has been promising to make a RJS appearance) - will be joining in the festivities, too. Maybe we can even coax lovely waitress Nicole up for a Janis Joplin blues.
As always, we'll get started promptly at 7PM, and admission is free, thanks to Tess Collins and the rest of the fine folks at the Lark.
Ramblin Jug Stompers have plenty more excitement planned for 2008, including a performance at the
Old Songs Sampler Concert,
at 8PM Saturday, Jan. 26 -and our first-ever performance at the
Dance Flurry Festival,
at 5PM Saturday, Feb. 16 at the Saratoga Hotel in Saratoga Springs. And we're pleased as punch to be invited to perform for the 30th anniversary gala reception for Ruth Pelham and
the Music Mobile,
at the First Unitarian-Universalist Society of Albany on Thursday, Feb. 7.
RJS are also planning to head into the recording studio in the very near future to record the follow-up to our debut CD, "Crooked Songs". And we could use your help deciding just which of our many, many magnificent tunes we should include on the album.
So shoot us a note and tell us what your fave Jug Stompin songs are (click "Contact" tab at top of page).
Have a great '08!
*
11/02/07
CHRONOGRAM INTERVIEWS THE STOMPERS!
News Flash!! Check out the hot new article in Chronogram magazine on the Jug Stompers, entitled "Washboard Charisma":
Chronogram Magazine November issue,
written by David Malachowski with photography by Avalon Peacock.
*
10/21/07
STUDIO TAN
Members of the Ramblin Jug Stompers have been busy in the recording studio over the past several months - just don't expect a new album from us just yet.
Actually, we've been so busy on projects for other recording artists that we haven't been able to find the time to slip in and start working on our own new album -hang on, though -it's coming!
RJS went into Bender Studios in Delmar back in June to record three songs with singer-songwriter Terri Roben (described a bit more fully in an earlier post). Since then, Cousin Clyde slipped back in to do some bass tracks as well, and now it looks like Roben will be releasing her new CD with a celebration at the fabulous
Caffe Lena in February. Stay tuned for details.
Kevin McKrell - bandleader of some of our all-time fave Capital Regions bands like Donnybrook Fair, the Fabulous Newports, Hard Times, and The McKrells - has launched a new combo,
Kevin McKrell and the Hard Road Ceilidh Band,
featuring his very lovely and talented daughter Katie McKrell. The new band will be doing some live recording for their debut CD at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 24 at
The Parting Glass,
and they've invited the Ramblin Jug Stompers to chime in. We have absolutely no idea what we're going to be doing yet, but if we're doing it with Kevin and Katie, we know it's gonna be fun. Come on up and be part of the recording. (You'll cheer extra loud for the RJS songs, right?)
Meanwhile, Mr. Eck has been spending every spare moment sitting in the producer's chair at Bender Studios with engineer
Sten Isachsen,
where he's helming the eagerly awaited comeback CD by singer-songwriter Jim Gaudet. Wild Bill got the call in September to step in and play some harmonica on three tracks, as well as washboard on one of them. Jim's upcoming concert at
the WAMC Performing Arts Studio,
on Saturday, Nov. 17 will be the CD release celebration for the album, "Re-Calling It Quits". Jim and his very cool combo, The Railroad Boys, also perform at 7 p.m. on the first Monday of each month at our fave watering hole,
Tess' Lark Tavern,
and you can often find one or two or more members of RJS sittin' in.
Wild Bill and Mr. Eck also got the call from singer-songwriter
Frank Jaklitsch,
to come into
Cotton Hill Recording Studios,
to help him out with his upcoming CD, "Good Things". Wild Bill contributed his harmonica playing to three tracks and Mr. Eck fired up his mandolin on a couple of tracks. The album, which is being produced by Ted Malia, will officially be released at Saint Blaze Church in Bellingham, Mass. on Saturday, Nov. 17, as well as with a party and performance by Frank and his many musical friends at
The Irish Mist,
in Troy at 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 18. Admission is free.
Of course, all of this studio stuff comes with the caveat that none of the RJS tracks might
actually make it onto the CD. Yes, I know, but as incredible as it might seem, it's possible
that we could get left on the "cutting room floor", as they say in The Biz.
AND as a late bulletin, The Gospel Train, Mr. Eck's gospel duo with Tom Lindsay (who engineered "Crooked Songs" for RJS), also released their debut disc, a limited edition live album called "Sow Good Seeds!", on Oct. 19 at Samuel's Coffeehouse in Alplaus. Note that "Sow Good Seeds" will only be available at GT performances.
For more info, visit "www.gospeltrainmusic.com".
*
7/19/07
METROLAND - BEST OF 2007
A great big "thank you" to the folks at Metroland magazine, who obviously appreciate the fine and delicate art of jug band music. In their "Best Of the Capital Region 2007" issue (July 19), Metroland named Ramblin Jug Stompers as the best jug band around.
Here's the entry:
Best Jug Band
RAMBLIN JUG STOMPERS
"With all of the jug bands in the area, this was a close one to call (ha ha). But one jug band stood head and shoulders (and jug) above the rest. For the members of Blotto who are in this band, this is a return to roots, as Blotto's origins are in '70s jug band The Star
Spangled Washboard Band. RJS take their old-time DIY ethos seriously though, taking a cue from Dave Van Ronk's early '60s jug band the Ragtime Jug Stompers. So many jug bands, so little time . . ."
Metroland also bestowed a bunch of other RJS shout-outs, including:
"Performance Place" (hosted by RJS' Mr. Eck on WAMC-FM weekdays at 11:23AM) earned the nod as Best New Performance Radio Show.
Tess' Lark Tavern in Albany (which hosts RJS on the third Monday of each month) was named Best Variety Club.
C. Ryder Cooley (who can be heard playing accordion and musical saw on RJS' "Crooked Songs") was selected as Best Performance Artist.
The Ale House (RJS' home in Troy) garnered the Best Pub Food honors.
The Agnes MacDonald Music Haven in Schenectady's Central (where RJS will play a free show at 7PM Sunday, July 29) was cited as Best Outdoor Venue.
Thanks, Metroland. You rock.
*
7/17/07
RJS FYI
Here are a few things from the world of Ramblin Jug Stompers that you might want to be aware of:
1. Our old buddy Eddie Angel (also known to some of the Jug Stompers as "Kid Curry") not
only graced us with his presence, but also with his fretboard wizardy at Tess' Lark Tavern on
July 16. A former bandmate of Bowtie, Wild Bill, and Cousin Clyde (although not all at the same
time or even in the same bands), Eddie is currently wowing guitar fans with his long-running,
Mexican wrestling masked surf 'n' twang band,
Los Straitjackets.
Being as how Los Straitjackets are an instrumental band, it was a real treat to get Eddie up to the microphone
to sing "That's Alright, Mama" with RJS. And Capital Region fans will have a chance to catch
Eddie in action again at 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug 9 at Albany's Riverfront Park for the biggest
Alive at Five concert of the summer. Los Straitjackets will be opening for the fabulous Los
Lobos. What a show! And it's free!
2. Thanks to all of you Jug Heads out there who voted for Ramblin Jug Stompers in the
annual Times Union Readers' Poll last month. Although we didn't win, we did earn enough votes
to garner an honorable mention in the Best Country Music Band category, and as they say, it's
an honor just to be nominated. (By the way, just what category do the Jug Stompers fit into?)
Anyway, we'll give you a heads-up, the next time we need your votes, and maybe we'll climb up
the ladder of success.
3. Ramblin Jug Stompers are headed back to the wonderful
Caffe Lena
in Saratoga Springs at
8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 24, and we heartily recommend that you make your reservations soon, if
you're planning on coming. The fabulous coffeehouse is as small as it is famous (and yes, Bob
Dylan did indeed play there), so it's certain to be our most intimate show of the year. Also,
it's the night before the Travers at the Saratoga Racetrack, which is the biggest day of the
year in the Spa City. Call the Caffe at 518.583.0022 for reservations.
4. And to get you ready for Ramblin Jug Stompers' triumphant return to Lena's, tune in to
WVCR-FM (88.3 on yer dial)
at 9 am on Friday, Aug. 24 to hear RJS playing live on the fabled "Kaleidoscope" radio show co-hosted by Jimmy Barrett and Anne
Shaughnessey. Expect things to gets a little crazy. (Don't they always?)
5. Fab Albany photographer Joe Putrock ... who snapped several of the RJS photos on our
website ... currently has a photography exhibit at the
Albany Center Gallery
(Albany).
The opening reception is 6-9 pm Friday, July 20, and we urge you to go. (Unfortunately
we won't be able to make it because Blotto is playing out in Cortland that evening).
6. Another fab Albany photographer whose work is featured on the RJS website is Timothy
Cahill, who has been named the editor of the Capital Region edition of
Chronogram,
a big, real good looking alt-arts and news monthly magazine. (And it's free, too.) Rumor has it that a
photo of Ramblin Jug Stompers will be appearing in the pages of the second issue, due for
distribution the last week of July. Or you can check it out online at http://www.chronogram.com.
*
6/17/07
BACK IN THE STUDIO
Yes, Ramblin Jug Stompers (RJS) headed back into the recording studio on June 13,
adding their unique ramblin style to a couple of tunes for an upcoming CD by
Ballston Lake singer-songwriter Terri Roben. Terri was looking for a jug band
sound for two of her songs - "Shiny Brand New" and "Teaching Recovery" - and
having sat in with RJS at a couple of our shows at the Moon and River Cafe in
Schenectady, she knew we were up to the task.
So Terri and RJS gathered at Sten Isachsen's Bender Studio in Delmar, where
we arranged, rehearsed, and recorded the tracks in about four hours. In fact,
with Sten engineering, the recording process went so smoothly (and quickly)
that Terri surprised us all by pulling out another song, "Santa Monica Pier,"
which we also recorded with her. Bowtie played banjo, and Cuz Clyde fired up
his guitar. Mr. Eck chimed in with some mandolin, ukulele, jug, and jaw harp,
while Wild Bill spiced up the tracks with washboard, tambourine, tangerine, and
kazoo.
We all had a great time over at Bender Studio, and we're looking forward to
teaming up with Terri sometime again soon - this time, onstage!
Terri and Sten are continuing to work on the CD, but we'll be sure to let you
know when it's released.
Please visit Terri's website:
click here.
*
3/7/07
JUG STOMPERS CD REVIEWED IN KINGSTON PAPER
The review has been posted on our "Hear Us" page -
click here to check it out!
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2/18/07
CROOKED SONGS NOW ON iTUNES
To download tracks on RJS CD "Live at Caffe Lena: Crooked Songs" from Apple iTunes,
click here!
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1/31/07
HEAR US, SEE US...
You can now order your copy of Ramblin Jug Stompers' debut CD, "Crooked Songs: Live at Caffe Lena," without leaving your computer. Simply head over to
Jug Stompers on CD-Baby
(the address is "http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/jugstompers/" if you wanna copy and paste)
where you'll be able to listen to samples of all of the songs, as well as order a copy or two for your friends, family, and -of course, yourself! If you've got an extra moment, we'd also like to encourage you to post a short review of "Crooked Songs" on our CD-Baby page to help spread the word.
With a copy of our CD "Crooked Songs," you can listen to Ramblin Jug Stompers (RJS) whenever you like. But what if you want to watch RJS, too? Well, of course, we love it when you come out and see us in concert.
But now you can watch RJS on your computer whenever you like!
Just log onto YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/)
and search for Ramblin Jug Stompers. There are currently eight full songs by RJS posted on the site, all of which were recorded live, in concert, by Jughead Kevin Bouquot at Tess' Lark Tavern in January, 2007.
For example, here we are performing "Jug Band Music".
And once again, we'd like to invite you post a comment or two and give us a good rating -be a Jughead!
1/16/07
THANK YOU!!!
You guys are the best.
With short notice and little publicity, Ramblin Jug Stompers (RJS) decided to turn our Monday, Jan. 15 show at Tess' Lark Tavern into a benefit for our friend and fellow musician David Malachowski, who is facing enormous medical bills after a life-threatening health scare last month. (If you want to know more about David and his music, go to http://www.davidmalachowski.com.)
On Monday ... in the middle of an ice storm, while weather forecasters were telling people not to travel unless absolutely necessary ... RJS fans packed Tess' for our monthly gig. And they opened their wallets, too. I know this is the worst time of the year for charity giving, as the warm, fuzzy holiday season is over and folks are facing their biggest credit card bills of the year. So it's even more impressive that you, the fans, were so generous.
We donated all of our money, as well as all of the money from sales of our "Crooked Songs" CDs and t-shirts. Elmore Magazine donated single copies and subscriptions to the cause. And fans just dropped money in our tip bucket ... lots of money.
The total funds raised amounted to more than $1,400 ... all of which was sent directly to the Malachowski Medical Fund.
Thank you guys so very much for all of your help, and David sends along his appreciation for your generosity, as well.
Facing nearly $40,000 in medical bills, David still needs more help, and Ramblin Jug Stompers are at the ready. We'll be playing another benefit concert for him at
The Bearsville Theater just outside of Woodstock at 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26. We'll be sharing the stage with Mechanical Bull, Bret Mosley, and Liana Turner. Admission is $10.
If you can't make it to the show, or simply wish to donate directly, please send checks, cards and get-well-wishes to:
Malachowski Medical Fund, P.O. Box 286, Cohoes, NY 12047.
Please make checks out to Malachowski Medical Fund. Thanks for all of your help.
*
1/12/07
JUG STOMPIN IN METROLAND
RJS was featured in a story by journalist Erik Hage
in the Albany press this week! Check it out by clicking on this:
Metroland Magazine
or picking up a copy of this week's mag in venues and newsstands in the Capital Region.
*
12/22/06
WHAT ARE YOU DOING NEW YEAR'S EVE?
RJS will be stompin at the First Night Saratoga show in the Broadway Room of the Saratoga Hotel (534 Broadway, Saratoga Springs) at 7, 9, and 11PM this Sunday, Dec. 31. The Stompers will be alternating performances with Rumdummies throughout the New Year's Eve celebration. The First Night Saratoga festivities also include shows of many other fine performers: The McKrells, Jim Gaudet, Kate Taylor, Tom Raider's Imagining Lennon, Hair of the Dog, Professor Louie and the Crowmatix, The Zucchini Brothers, Aged in the Hills, Kate McKrell, the Lee Shaw Trio, Hector on Stilts, Addie and Olin Unleashed, and Fear of Flying. It's a real bargain, as a $12 buttons gets you admission to any and all events and performances. (Children under 5 are admitted free.)
And if we don't get a chance to see you on New Year's Eve, Bowtie, Cousin Clyde, Mr. Eck, Wild Bill, and the whole RJS family would like to wish you health and happiness in 2007. Stomp on!
*
12/21/06
DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR?
"Crooked Songs" has arrived! Ramblin Jug Stompers' debut CD ... recorded live at Caffe Lena back in March ... has escaped from our clutches and is currently at large. Just in case you missed our big CD release party at Caffe Lena on Friday, Dec. 15, you can find it in several retail stores throughout the Capital Region including the Last Vestige Music Shops (173 Quail St., Albany and 437 Broadway, Saratoga Springs), the River Street Beat Shop (197 River St., Troy), Borders Books & Music (395 Broadway, Saratoga Springs), Parkway Music (1604 Route 9, Clifton Park) and Saratoga Guitar (438 Broadway, Saratoga Springs).
We would, of course, be remiss if we didn't hint that "Crooked Songs" makes a great gift for all of the Jugheads on your list...
...as well as the official "Crooked Songs" t-shirts, which are available at each and every one of Ramblin Jug Stompers live performances.
*
12/5/06
STOMPER RADIO INTERVIEW ON "THE EDGE"
Tune in to 104.9 FM to hear a Ramblin Jug Stomper radio interview on The Edge's
Kaleidoscope show
this Saturday (12/9) at 9:00am, or Sunday (12/10) at 7:00pm.
You'll be able to listen to a sneak preview of our upcoming CD release "Crooked Songs: Live at Caffe Lena". You can also catch the stream online by visiting:
The Edge - Albany Radio.
The Kaleidoscope show is hosted by our good friend Jimmy Barrett. For nearly forty years, Jimmy's show has been the premier outlet for local music
in Capitaland. Jimmy also owns that way-cool CD and record store on River Street in Troy, The River Street Beat Shop.
*
10/25/06
JUGSTOMPERS LAUNCH THEIR WEB LOG
Just what the world needs now -another "blog" ...hey, we're entitled to ramble on in cyberspace as much as any other jug band, right? Well, check it out!
The Ramblin On blog site:
Our Blog
We want your comments! And note that the permanent spot for our blog link will be on our About Us page, just above the link to the RJS Medal of Valor, as well as on our Links page.
10/21/06
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, STOMPERS!
Yes, I know it's difficult to believe, but RJS are about to celebrate their very first anniversary with a no-holds-barred bash at the Ale House at 680 River St. in Troy at 9 p.m. Saturday, November 4.
In typical Stomper fashion, the party has a twist. Yes, it's our birthday, but you'll be getting the presents. Everyone who signs up on our e-mail list will receive a special present.
Come on over for a fine evening of funky, pre-election night, Stompers-style acoustic music, and get a free gift, too. Oh, and don't be surprised if some special guests drop by to sit in and jam with us, either.
Yep, it's a night so big, so bad, so beautiful that it could only be held on a Saturday. You're definitely gonna need a Sunday day of rest to recover from this before you head back to work or school on Monday. You have been warned, so rest up and get ready to STOMP.
10/11/06
IS IT ROLLIN', CHRIS?
No time to kick back and recover. On Saturday, Oct. 14, RJS
head into the recording studio with Chris Fisher (from Conehead Buddha) at the production helm. We're goin' in to do a studio track for the upcoming Rock Lite benefit CD, which should prove to be a mighty, mighty interesting -as well as historic -day, as we four have never been in a recording studio together. We're kickin' around a number of song ideas, but we haven't nailed down anything yet. Maybe "Old Plank Road", "Workin' On a Building", or "Keep on the Sunny Side". Got any suggestions? Stay tuned for further developments...
10/08/06
WHEEEEOH!
RJS just finished up our first ever twin-state doubleheader -stompin' the Berkshire Harvest Festival at the Berkshire Botanical Gardens in Stockbridge, Mass. at 10 a.m. Saturday... 10 a.m.? Are you kidding me? -and then making a mad dash across the entire Capital Region to the Altamont Orchards for an apple harvest fest from 2-5 p.m. Anybody know any gas stations offering frequent fill-up miles? On the other hand, we've never played a doubleheader where we've been wrapped up and done by 5 p.m.
It was a stone cold gas.
9/30/06
A BANNED BAND?
RJS were back among the stacks again on Saturday, Sept. 30, performing at the Albany Public Library as the featured musical guest at a special Banned Book Week Observance, co-sponsored by the New York Civil Liberties Union. RJS learned a bunch of new songs for the event, including Webb Pierce's "There Stands the Glass", Loretta Lynn's "The Pill", Woody Guthrie's "This Land Is Your Land" (with the "lost" verses), and Pete Seeger's classic "Waist Deep in the Big Muddy". RJS opened and closed the two-hour performance, which also included readings from banned books, by such fine folks as A.C. Everson, Bob Resnick, Dan Wilcox, and many others.
9/29/06
RAMBLIN RADIO
Ramblin Jug Stompers hijacked the airwaves of WBCR (97.7 FM) in Great Barrington, Mass., for two hours on Friday, Sept. 29. Of course, RJS are certainly no strangers to the radio, having already logged airplay on WEQX-FM, WAMC-FM and WSPN-FM, to name just a few of the adventurous stations with the wisdom and foresight to program jug band music. But RJS haven't really had a show of their own until fearless radio pioneer
Paul Rapp, invited them to take over his weekly "The Splatto Festival"
on WBCR-FM.
Plenty of jug band music, mayhem, and magic ensued as RJS promoted their Mass. performance debut at the Berkshire Harvest Festival at the
Berkshire Botanical Gardens
at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 7. Mr. Eck (a former DJ on WCDB-FM in Albany) and Wild Bill (a former DJ on WCVR-FM in Loudonville and a current music commentator on WAMC-FM) represented RJS, broadcasting a big batch of the songs featured on RJS's upcoming debut disc, "Crooked Songs: Live at Caffe Lena". In addition, Rapp and the Stompers spun some of their favorite tunes by other artists including Jerry Lee Lewis, Junior Brown, Marley's Ghost, Johnny Paycheck, Farmer Jason, The Lovin' Spoonful, Jim Gaudet and others. For a complete playlist,
visit The Splatto Festival.
9/12/06
TURN TO THE LEFT! LET ME SEE THOSE CHEEKBONES, HONEY!
We thought that it was about time that a jug band got into the fashion business,
and... Great Googaly-Moogaly! -Ramblin Jug Stompers (RJS) were not afraid to
meet the challenge and make that fearless leap...
On Monday, Sept. 18, RJS unveils its new, can't-live-without-it,
gotta-have-it t-shirt. Designed by our ginchy graphic guru Lillie Ruby, the
bold-but-not-too-flashy fashion statement simply declares your dedication to
the band on the front, while the back features a sublime-but-subtle jug graphic.
You've GOT to have this. After all, you can't go TOPLESS, can you?
Elegant in black with orange and white print, this t-shirt belongs in the
closet of every scene-ster. (Who wrote this copy, anyway??) If you want to
put it in the closet, so be it. But any semi-smart marketer would tell you that it doesn't
belong in a moldy old closet -it needs to be outside breathing the fresh air
every day -on the street -where people can see it ...and admire your good
taste in fashion, as well as music.
Pick up your RJS t-shirt on Monday night (7-9 p.m.) at Tess' Lark
Tavern. Simple, elegant and always in fashion -it's not just another black
rock 'n' roll t-shirt, it's a Stomper shirt. Wear it with pride. Wear it with mercy.
Wear it with grace. But please, just don't wear it with attitude.
After all, we're a jug band. Get it?
8/24/06
WON'T YOU BE OUR FRIEND? PLEASE? PRETTY PLEASE? WITH SUGAR ON TOP?
After resisting for way too long, Ramblin Jug Stompers (RJS) have finally bowed to relentless pressure from our fans,
and we are now the proud owners of an illustrious new mySpace webpage:
Our mySpace Page!
...just like every other band in the known universe. But of course, since we've just launched the page,
we have very few friends, and we kinda look like the freaks 'n' geeks at high
school who didn't have anyone to sit with in the cafeteria at lunchtime.
(Come to think of it, that's who we are, actually.) We're not begging - it just kinda sounds that way
- but if you'll be our friend, we'll be your friend, too. Honest. 4ever and always.
We mean it, really we do.
7/10/06
CD ON THE WAY
RJS have been busy in the studio mixing their debut disc, an as-yet
untitled live collection culled from their sold-out March gig at the famed Saratoga Springs
coffeehouse Caffe Lena. The show was mixed by Caffe Lena and recorded by Tom Lindsay. RJS
are determined not to mess with the ragged-but-right music that came off the stage:
no tweaking, no polishing, and absolutely no overdubs.
Mr. Eck is currently busy at Sten Isachsen's Bender Music Studio making the final edits,
and at the moment, it looks like the disc will feature a baker's dozen tunes (that's 13, for
all you oven-phobics), including Wild Bill's camp classic "Hello, Hello", Bowtie's jug
band gem "Mornin Blues", Mr. Eck's pub sing-along "Ooh La La", and, of course, Steven's fab foray into his own unique musical hybrid of
Appalachian reggae, "The Harder They Come".
Current plans are that the disc will officially be unveiled on Friday December 15, when the
Stompers host a wild CD release party at... where else? ...Lena's! Make your reservations now to
avoid the holiday rush, and don't forget: the Stompers' debut disc will make the perfect
holiday gift for those oh-so-hard-to-shop-for folks on your list.
6/20/06
WE'RE READY FOR OUR CLOSE-UP, MR. DEMILLE
Ramblin Jug Stompers go to the movies. Yes, that's right, in addition to
a recent field trip to the Spectrum 8 Theatres, RJS have landed their first movie
soundtrack work. You can hear the Stompers playing such crowd-pleasers as "Ramblin Hobo Medley" and
"Fireball Mail" in the new short film, "How I Learned to Love Armor", a patriotic, politically
pointed, and very, very funny eight-minute film that can be found at LoveMyArmor.com, YouTube.com,
and several other sites dedicated to cutting-edge filmmaking of the short variety.
Directors Len X. Clayton and Chris Stearns are currently shopping the flick to various film
festivals, and... who knows? - RJS might just become the next Danny Elfman. A special shout-out
goes to Stompers fan Tim Livingston of Sundazed Records for recommending us to the fab
filmmakers. We'll be sure to keep you posted on the upcoming film fest activity.
6/15/06
Kudos go out to RJS home-base and favorite Guinness-soaked watering hole, Tess'
Lark Tavern, which the Times Union selected as Best Performance Art Venue.
Graphic by Lillie Ruby
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