On Saturday, August 16th we’ll all meet up at Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds for all day celebration featuring amazing musicians, homegrown talent, artisans all at the Silopanna Music Festival. But one vendor, in particular has a huge call to action. That’s right, Register to Vote!
I asked Headcount.org to write us up a little bit about their call to action and what we can expect at Silopanna 2014 from them. I know they’re rounding up some goodies to bring to the event – rumor is, diffraction glasses which will only enhance The Flaming Lips epic light show!
But in the meantime, if you check them out at Nissan Pavilion at some upcoming shows (ahem, Dave Matthews for example), you can get signed up to win some tickets to Silopanna Music Festival. You know, the festival named for Annapolis spelled backwards. So, here it is… a few words from Headcount.org. And don’t forget to register when you’re here on August 16th!
Wayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips
What happens on November 4, 2014? Hint: it involves the ENTIRE House of Representatives. If you guessed P. Diddy’s 45th birthday, you would be right, but that is definitely not what I was going for. November 4 is the date of the 2014 midterm elections. Midterms are important because all 435 seats in the House, along with a third of the Senate, are up for grabs.
Since the dawn of time, music and politics have gone hand-in-hand like hamburgers and French fries. You can insert your own simile into that last statement, but the point is, you really cannot have one without the other. HeadCount is a non-profit, non-partisan, volunteer organization that works with musicians to help harness the power of music and promote participation in the democratic process.
So how do we go about doing this? First and foremost, we stage voter registration drives at concerts and live music events. By reaching young people and music fans where they already are, at concerts and online, we make civic participation easy and fun. Over the past ten years, we have registered over 300,000 voters. Through partnering with over 100 bands and artists, we average 1,000 events a year. It is very important that young people keep in mind that many of the issues they care most about are decided on the local and state level. Over the past few years we have seen action in the realm of marriage equality, gun rights, marijuana legislation and women’s rights all decided through local elections.
In addition to voter registration and address changes, we also offer concert goers the opportunity to fill out a voter pledge. This is a postcard that will be sent back to them in November reminding them to hit the polls. To make it even more enticing, the postcards are actually designed by famous poster artists and one lucky person who pledges in 2014 is also going to win a Cloud 9 Adventure (Jam Cruise, My Morning Jacket’s One Big Holiday, etc). That’s right – write yourself a postcard and you can be on a cruise this winter.
Finally, we have partnered with iCitizen in the field this year. “What is this iCitizen you speak of?” Well let me tell you. iCitizen is an amazing app for your smartphone. When you download it, you input your zip code and it populates with all of your elected official, both national and state, along with their voting records. But wait! That’s not all! It also has opinion polls and the results are sent to your elected officials. You can also see how folks in your state and across the country feel about that specific issue. Finally, it contains a newsfeed function that you can populate with whatever issues you feel strongly about – anything from civil liberties to environment, campaign finance to international affairs. It is an awesome app. (I happen to be a skeptic who does not like to download things onto my iPhone 4 because my phone is old, slow and out of space. However, I actually really like this particular app.)
We look forward to seeing everyone at Silopanna on August 16. Make sure you swing by our table to update your registration and pledge to vote. Apart from making sure you are ready to vote, you may be headed on a cruise this winter!
Matt and Kim => Register to Vote at Silopanna!
By lprice
Just Announced and On Sale Now at Rams Head On Stage!
The Cory Seznec Band w. Swampcandy
Monday, August 4 at 8pm
A Franco-American musician/globetrotter originally from Annapolis, Cory Seznec is back in town for this special one-off concert at Rams Head. This is music that cross-pollinates the rich tapestry of old American folk music with scorching African grooves and a “terrific melodic pop sensibility.” Cory is a fingerstyle guitar and claw hammer banjo specialist, but the music goes on a wild journey with his Gallic band, featuring David Chalumeau on harmonica, Thomas Garoche on upright bass, and Renaud Ollivier on African percussion.
For Fans Of: Kris Dollimore, Mike Snowden, Armadillo Blues, and Damned and Dirty
Anthony David: Simple Man Summer
Wednesday, August 13 at 8pm
Anthony David is an R&B singer/songwriter from Atlanta! The single, “Words” featuring India Arie from his album Acey Duecy, was nominated in 2008 for a Grammy and several NAACP Image awards. You can expect to hear some of Anthony’s timeless hits as well as new unreleased material from his upcoming studio album entitled Simple Man, which will be released in spring 2015. For this tour, Anthony will be stepping away from a big production kind of show and keep the show low-key by performing an acoustic set with only him, his guitar and hopefully you!! The unplugged and intimate vibe will surely be an unforgettable experience for all passionate music lovers and listeners.
For Fans Of: Mali Music, Eric Roberson, Kindred The Family Soul, Rahsaan Patterson, Ledisi
Jason’s School Of Music Student Showcase
Sunday, August 24 at 1pm
*All Ages Matinee
Join us for some of our area’s youngest local talent in this showcase presented by the students at Jason’s School Of Music, where guitar students will perform original compositions, as well as jazz, blues and rock. As advertised from the Capital Gazette, Jason’s Music Center presents guitars and other instruments to let middle school students play and learn. The reason for the program is to help guide children to make smart decisions and avoid gangs and drug related lifestyles. Come support these spectacular students while they show us what they are learning at Jason’s School of Music!!
Julie Roberts
Monday, August 25 at 7:30
With her deep, blues-soaked country voice that poignantly captures the pain of the wronged and forgotten, Julie Roberts has quickly become a crowd favorite! Her first full-length release in almost three years, “Good Wine and Bad Decisions” marks the acclaimed singer/songwriter’s defining musical moment so far. This album represents Roberts’ debut with the legendary Sun Records, world-renowned home to such icons as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis. This first release on Sun in decades, “Good Wine and Bad Decisions” is a genuine milestone in the label’s history, as well as Roberts’ own artistic and personal journey.
For Fans Of: Deanna Carter, Jo Dee Messina, Kelly Pickler, Jennifer Nettles, SHeDAISY, Lee Ann Womack
Noam Pikelny & Stuart Duncan
Tuesday, October 7 at 8pm
Noam Pikelny:
Noam Pikelny has emerged as the greatest banjoist among a new generation of acoustic musicians! Noam is a founding member of Punch Brothers, a string ensemble known as “a virtuosic revelation” and “wide-ranging and restlessly imaginative.” In 2012, Noam’s 2nd album, Beat the Devil and Carry a Rail received a GRAMMY nomination for Best Bluegrass Album! He continues to broaden the awareness of the banjo through his work with Punch Brothers, collaborating with Wilco, Fiona Apple, Norah Jones, & Jon Brion for the soundtrack, This is 40, a feature song on The Hunger Games!! How cool!?
Stuart Duncan:
Stuart has performed on thousands of recording sessions, featuring all of Nashville finest players and singers demonstrating his ability to shift easily from the most ancient sounding Appalachian tune, to some deep jazz and funky contemporary melodies. In addition to his extensive recording and performing career as a fiddler, Stuart also sings, writes songs, and plays mandolin, guitar, and banjo! Duncan is a 4 time Grammy Award winner, 6 time Academy of Country Music award winner, and a winner of the International Bluegrass Music Association’s “Fiddle Player of the Year” award for 7 consecutive years!
For Fans Of: Punch Brothers, Mumford & Sons, Steep Canyon Rangers
Macy Gray
Saturday, October 11 at 1pm
*All Ages Matinee
A multi-award winning, multi-platinum selling R&B singer, songwriter, actress AND mother of three teens, will be here at Rams Head On Stage!! She says of her latest album titled The Way, “I wanted to create a record that reflects who I’ve become as a woman, mother and artist. This album is very personal to me. I want my fans to understand the place where I’m at in life and feel inspired by my music because it’s relatable.”
Her career includes multiple Grammy, Billboard, MTV and BRIT Awards, and record sales of over 25 million worldwide! Her music transcends genres, from experimental soul and alternative rock, to retro-disco and hip-hop and is now ready to share her journey with YOU!
For Fans Of: Jill Scott, India Arie, Mary J. Blige, Angie Stone, Corrine Bailey Rae
Gaelic Storm
Wednesday, October 15 at 8pm
Gaelic Storm’s ability to skillfully incorporate a rock sensibility into their sound makes them a rare group to come across and definitely worth while! Recently, they have performed on the same bill with acts such as Zac Brown Band and the Goo Goo Dolls and even Emmylou Harris and Lyle Lovett! They perform at events as varied as the Telluride Bluegrass Festival and Milwaukee’s Summerfest. With their signature acoustic production, Gaelic Storm blends indie-folk and world grooves with Celtic tradition to bring you twelve tales of plight and plunder, whiskey-drenched pirates, flying cannon balls and the ladies of ill repute. Ready your sea legs; you’ll need them for The Boathouse!
For Fans Of: The Young Dubliners, Enter The Haggis, Great Big Sea, Seven Nations, O’Malley’s March
Tommy Castro & The Painkillers
Friday, October 24 at 8pm
Tommy Castro is famed for his signature brand of tough, rocking rhythm and blues, thrilling fans around the world with his incendiary live performances. With his turbo-charged new Alligator Records album, “The Devil You Know”, he strips his music down to its raw essence as he rockets into the next phase of his storied career! Castro began his career by playing in local Bay Area cover bands prior to joining the nationally touring R&B party band, The Dynatones and has won the coveted 2008 and 2010 Blues Music Awards for Entertainer Of The Year.
For Fans Of: Stevie Ray Vaughan, Tinsley Ellis, Keb’ Mo’, Jonny Lang
Cheryl Wheeler & Patty Larkin
Thursday, December 11 at 8pm
Cheryl Wheeler:
You may not be familiar with Cheryl, but you have probably heard her music. She is extremely respected by her peers as a songwriter, which can be demonstrated by how many of them record her songs! Cheryl’s songs have been covered by artists as diverse as Dan Seals, Peter Paul and Mary, Kenny Loggins, Garth Brooks, Suzy Boggus, Melanie, Bette Midler, Maura O’Connell, Sylvia, Kathy Mattea, and Holly Near!
Patty:
Patty Larkin redefines the boundaries of folk-urban pop music with her guitar wizardry, vocals, and lyrics. Acoustic Guitar hails her “soundscape experiments” while Rolling Stone praises her “evocative and sonic shading.” She has been described as “riveting,” “hypnotic,” and a “drop-dead brilliant” performer!
For Fans Of: Mary Chapin Carpenter, Nancy Griffith, Patty Griffin, Rosanne Cash, Shelby Lynne