How do you like that attention-grabbing headline up there? "December Averys Update". Really makes you want to keep reading, doesn't it? I always got good grades in Creative Writing.
Well it is Ol' Slim once again like 'most every month, here to plug the show but also with other Avery news nuggets. Drummer Ox was writing about the show on Facebook and teased a couple of "big announcements" concerning the record and the future of The Round Up. I see what he is doing here- you have to come to the show to see what these "big announcements" are, right? Well, I was going to blow his whole scheme and reveal the "big announcements" on this here blog, but who am I to meddle with Ox's carefully plotted promotional strategy? So if you miss the Round Up this Sunday you will never know the actual release schedule for "Greetings From Hangover Town" and you also will not hear about the new and improved Ranch Party Round Up that we have planned to begin in January. This crucial information will be forever unavailable to you. Unless you subsequently check this blog or Google "Slim White and The Averys".
For this month's Round Up, The Averys have secured a couple of acts that have been on our "wish list" for quite some, each being among the most accomplished and skillful practitioners to be found in our neck of the woods.
First Up!
Jake Cheshire
After much cajoling and a portion of whining from his bandmates, Averys bass player-slash-singer, Jake Cheshire, will be on hand to play a solo set of his own songs, plus maybe a cover or two. We know all y'all love what Jake does in The Averys, so you can only imagine what he is capable of when unshackled from the rest of the band. I love Jake's singing voice and I love his songs. He has a plainspoken, vernacular power in his lyrics; they convey specific moments in time that expand to suggest larger themes. Jake's sly sense of humor is also in evidence. I especially like the way Jake plays his guitar- slightly behind the beat and just loafing along, with a solid rhythmic pulse. I try to follow the chords he is playing but mostly I have to guess because his hands are so huge I can't really make out what chord he is fingering. On top of all this, Jake has quite a collectioin of groovy instruments; some of them are older than he is! So I'll be interested to see which one of his eccentric antique guitars he hauls out for this show. Jake has a lot of amazing stories of his adventures as a musician down through the years, coming from Florida and doing a hitch out in Southern California in the '70s. Oh yeah, Baby, he was there! Maybe he'll share some of these tales with us come Sunday.
Next Up!
Gipson & Fitz Trio
I remember the fist time I saw Gipson & Fitz, I was mesmerized by the precision of their arrangements and their willingness to bend and shape the standard elements of Bluegrass styles and create something that is familiar while not standing still. Most of us are partial to old Bill Monroe and other seminal Bluegrass performers, and Gipson & Fitz bring some of that flavor, but they also cite John Hartford as an influence, as well as early '70s rock. They don't bill themselves as a Bluegrass act, but I think they may be a gateway act to Bluegrass proper. If we can't label the band then that is just as well- the fact is that Brant Gipson (guitar, vox), Mark Fitzharris (mandolin, vox), and Billy Cory (upright bass) are a tight group with chops to spare and a willingness to explore the many textures and song forms that can be coaxed out of atheir instruments. Expect keen vocal harmonies, solid rhythmic foundation, and tasty solos with hints of blues and jazz dropped in. The Averys are pleased to welcome The Gipson & Fitz Trio to the Round Up family.
And As Usual!
Slim White and The Averys
Y'all know what The Averys have in store for you: our signature blend of old favorites and new originals, pure Honky Tonk and Bakersfield sounds tightly arranged with a solid drum and bass foundation and plenty of devastating guitar work on both steel and Telecaster. If you like Buck Owens singing with Don Rich; if you like Merle Haggard's songs of introspection and despair; if you like the now-with-the-benefit-of-hindsight slightly doomed vibe of the Great Gram Parsons, or "Brand New Rollerskates" by Melanie, then The Averys are the band for you!
This is a FREE SHOW that features FOUR LIVE SETS OF TRADITIONAL COUNTRY AND AMERICAN ROOTS MUSIC, plus LIVING, BREATHING DISC JOCKEY BOOTS MASSING SPINNING REAL VINYL COUNTRY RECORDS and very possibly Papa Ox's COUNTRY MUSIC TRIVIA GAME WITH LAME PRIZES, if we can be bothered to find some lame prizes.
Where Does This Amazing Show Take Place?
And Also, When?
I'm glad you asked:
Sunday, December 11th, 5-9 PM
at
The Shrunken Head
Victorian Village
251 W 5th Ave, 43201
See ya' there!
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