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First Friday with Dirk Quinn Band live at The Hummingbird
Dirk Quinn ...is the guitarist for a high energy funk/jazz band based out of Philadelphia that travels extensively throughout the US and Canada. Utilizing over a decade of steady performing, Quinn has developed a unique and progressive style - one that appeals to a wide variety of music listeners with fans ranging from the jam band hippies to the jazz snobs. Initially attracted to the guitar as a teenager after being introduced to classic rock giants such as Led Zeppelin and The Beatles, Quinn’s thirst for the unique and bizarre soon had him jamming along to the more radical and daring Mahavishnu Orchestra and the humorous, bass-laden noise of Primus. Playing virtually non-stop with countless musical projects afforded him ample opportunity to hone his chops. It wouldn’t be long before the refining of his own artistic message coupled with a fresh, new outlook and a deeper musical/life philosophy opened up to him the world of jazz. Miles, Coltrane, Monk and Brubeck along with the more contemporary sounds of Bela Fleck, John Scofield, Ahmad Jamal and Jaco Pastorius began heavily influencing his musical direction. Liberated by the idea of free improvisation, he was finally able to realize and focus his musical vision. In 2007 Quinn made his long-awaited recording debut releasing his self-titled CD - "Dirk Quinn". Working the club and coffee house circuit, Quinn became increasingly in demand, playing as many as three gigs a day while getting the occasional call to share the stage with musical legends such as Steve Kimock, Bernie Worell, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Alan Evans (Soulive), Keller Williams, Garaj Mahal, Booker T, Jimmy Bruno, Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk, Kofi Burbridge (Derek Trucks Band), Marco Benevento, Zach Deputy, Jim Weider (The Band), Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, Rodney Holmes (Santana), "DreamWeaver" Gary Wright, and Sam Kininger (Soulive) - each performance steadily garnering more recognition for Quinn, who believes in winning fans one by one on the merit of the music. "QuinnTet", his sophomore CD release, features “thoughtful, original melodies flowing seamlessly over groove-heavy rhythms; intricate song structures giving way to strongly expressive, organic improvisations.” Drawing inspiration from every musical genre, his solo acoustic sound has been compared to the guitar “pyrotechnics” of Keller Williams and Michael Hedges, while his full band compositions bear resemblances that range from the honest, urban funk of Soulive to the brave experimentation of Medeski, Martin and Wood. Surrounding himself with a group of extremely talented and like-minded musicians, Quinn has been playing shows across North America while receiving an ever increasing amount of media attention. His music has now been featured on over 100+ radio stations worldwide and gets regular airplay in his hometown of Philadelphia. Notable spins include the "Pick of the Day" on WXPN in Philadelphia as well as on the nationally syndicated "Keller's Cellar" broadcast hosted by Keller Williams. The Dirk Quinn Band released "Live at Home" in January of 2012. Featuring tracks recorded over 5 different shows in and around their hometown of Philadelphia, the new CD runs the gamut from beautiful and delicate movements to evil dissonance; from intricate and thought provoking melodies to hard driving funk and is a fantastic representation of the group's live show experience. The band’s infectious energy and musical interplay routinely attract listeners that are admittedly more accustomed to lyric-based music. With great melodic sensibilities, rhythmic experimentation and an accessible modern edge, the Dirk Quinn Band is jazz/funk improvisation at its most excitingSee More
Cinco de Mayo with Villanova live at The Hummingbird in Downtown Macon
Villa*Nova turns rock 'n' roll upside down. Hailing from Columbia, SC, the band distills elements of funky pop and rock into a hypnotic hybrid. Villa*Nova prides itself on making music with solid grooves and soulful, dynamic lyrics provided by lead vocalist/guitarist/song writer BC Villa*Nova, fluid and funky bass lines by Bobby Dredd bombastic fantastic, rock solid drummer (and backing vocals) Young Sean, amazing harmony vocals and rhythm guitar by Brandon Hooker, and turntable wizadry and keyboards by DJ Able One. Their infectious sound has earned them thousands of fans nationwide. Villa*Nova, currently independent, was previously signed to Universal Republic (now Republic) and recorded their 2012 debut "WTF the EP" in LA with super producer Howard Benson (Papa Roach, Daughtry, Hoobastank, Seether) under the band name Weaving The Fate. They have shared the stage with everyone from Korn, Shinedown, Evanescence, Slash, AWOLNATION, Staind, Chevelle, Filter, Crossfade, Dirty Heads, Nappy Roots, REHAB, and the list goes on. They’ve been called contemporaries of break out bands such as AWOLNATION, Imagine Dragons, and Arctic Monkeys where heavy rebellion meets pop sensibilities. Noteworthy performances and accolades: - Toured the Southeast and Midwest on a 30+ city Jagermeister-sponsored tour as direct support for Crossfade, and performed two sold-out shows with Evanescence in Kansas City. - Played at Carolina Rebellion 2012 with Slash, Staind, KORN, 5 Finger Death Punch. - Were named best Local Band of 2014 by the Free Times Weekly in Columbia, SC. - Their singles "Str8 to the Bottom" and "Rack City" charted nationwide and were featured on such prominent stations as Sirius XM Octane and KROCK LA, among many others. - Performed at Famously Hot New Year 2013/14 with ZZ Ward and Kool n The Gang. - Sponsored by ColdCock Whiskey, Jägermeister , Tempur Surf Productions, Artists We Also Like Prince, RHCP, Janes AddictionSee More
Greco live at The Hummingbird in Downtown Macon
Who is Greco? Greco: Four Brothers + One Sound. Greco's musical hope is summed up in four words: Sing. Dance. Sweat. Sex. Do these things while listening to the music and it will make for such a better experience for everyone. Their hooks, rock & roll lyrics, and on stage antics will make you understand why your mama warned you about boys like these. Greco connects to the audience through common experiences, sung out over blistering riffs, while giving the crowd a chance to jump in a wild and morally ambiguous party. Their latest stage show reflects their breaking out of the stereotypical pop rock genre, and touching the dirty bits of life that happens to everyone and relating to how we all can keep pushing on.
The Bitteroots w/ Last Chance Riders live at The Hummingbird in Downtown Macon
The Bitteroots are an Atlanta-based original jam-rock band founded in 2008. Their groove-oriented approach to rock ‘n’ roll has drawn comparisons to the Tedeschi-Trucks Band, Melissa Etheridge and Janis Joplin. Driven by the powerful, soulful lead vocals of Laura Dees, who joined the band in 2010, The Bitteroots also include founding members Bill Taylor on bass and Mike Davis on drums. Saxophonist Derron Nuhfer joined the group in 2014. In early 2017, The Bitteroots added the dual-guitar team of Greg Sims and Mark Evers. The Bitteroots have released four albums of original music and a live album (“Live at The 120 Music Hall”) recorded and released in 2014. Original albums include “French Fries” released in 2010, “Central of Georgia” released in 2012, “After The Rain” released in 2013 and “Under The Big Sky” released in 2014. In addition to a long list of club and music hall shows, The Bitteroots have played the main stages at some of the most prestigious festivals in Southeast including the Atlanta Dogwood Festival, the Sweetwater 420 Festival, the Summer Shade Festival, the Inman Park Festival and Stone Mountain Park’s Yellow Daisy Festival. The Bitteroots have shared the stage with: Butch Trucks (The Allman Brothers Band), Everclear, Drivin’ n’ Cryin’, The Freddy Jones Band, Allgood Music Company, Col. Bruce Hampton, Arrested Development, 7 Walkers (Bill Kreutzmann of The Grateful Dead), Elephant Revival, The Milk Carton Kids, George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, Anders Osborne, Coy Bowles (Zac Brown Band), The Ries Brothers, Dead Confederate, Michelle Malone, Cigar Store Indians, Adron, The Shadowboxers, Ruby Velle & The Soulphonics, Delta Moon, Eliott Bronson, Sydney Rhame, Tedo Stone, honeyhoney, and many other great bands and artists. Additional information on The Bitteroots can be found on the band’s website at www.thebitteroots.com.
Vintage Pistol live at The Hummingbird in Downtown Macon
Imagine if The Allman Brothers Band went on a trippy magic carpet ride with The Black Keys and all of it was being narrated by Van "The Man" Morrison. That is pretty much Vintage Pistol, a 5 Piece rock band out of Fayetteville, AR. Influenced by the sounds of psychedelic, roots, rock music Vintage Pistol is doing just as its name states and is staying vintage and true to the sounds that were laid down by the Giants before them. The band released its 2nd EP "The Second Amendment" in August 2016 and plan to have their first LP out in the Spring of 18’. Vintage Pistol has played along side the likes of Doyle Bramhall ii, Devon Allman, Andy Frasco and The UN, Consider The Source, Marc Broussard, Ben Miller Band, Eric Lindell, Wild Adriatic, Quaker City Nighthawks, Charlie Crockett, Aaron Kamm & The One Drops, Kalu and The Electric Joint, Big Something, Kris Lager Band, Groovement, Calliope Musicals, and more. The band has played festival scenes including Wakarusa (15’) SXSW Showcases (16’), Homegrown on The River Festival (17’) and more festival lineups to be announced in early 2018.
Morning Fatty live at The Hummingbird in Downtown Macon
Morning Fatty, an ever-evolving punk/ska turned reggae-funk band, has transformed their sound yet again. The group combines individual musical prowess to create a strong collective chemistry. Based out of Gainesville Florida, Morning Fatty continues to evolve and transform their sound since coming together in 2004. The group’s original dynamic shifted incredibly with the addition of experienced drummer Tim Mulberry. Previous to joining the band, Tim had accomplished a world tour drumming for The Black Eyed Peas. The new sound can only be described as Funk Rock Electro Dub, or simply FRED. By melding electronic bass drops, dueling guitar licks, heavy rock melodies and a fat reggae groove, Morning Fatty discovered a distinctive sound that pays homage to each member’s unique style.
B.B. Palmer with Dallas Dorsey and The Rails live at The Hummingbird in Downtown Macon
Born from the plains of southeast Alabama, amongst the fertile ground in Lee County, BB Palmer & Kudzu are one of the few current old school honky-tonk outfits that stay true to the genre of country music. Simple yet intricate, humble yet proud, the band combines early traditional influences of country music (Lefty Frizzell & Hank Williams Sr.) with the likes of modern singer/songwriter influences (Jason Isbell, Sturgill Simpson). The band has shared the stage with the likes of Alan Jackson, Earth Wind & Fire, Old Crow Medicine Show, and St. Paul & The Broken Bones. Known as Lee County’s finest, BB & crew aim to raise the bar at each venue, whether it be downtown at your local bar, the festival scene, or at the frat house. The band’s set combines the old with the new; original material with the classics that everyone loves.
Choir of Babble and One Horse Parade live at The Hummingbird in Downtown Macon
CHOIR OF BABBLE formed in the late winter of 2016. Choir of Babble has created a unique sound that offers infectious and haunting melodies with honest lyrics while delivering a highly energetic and intimate live show that will leave you wanting more. One Horse Parade is a four piece band that creates boundless, luminescent soundscapes populated by resonant, psychedelic guitar riffs, spiraling bass lines, and danceable beats, both live and electronic.
Sunny South Blues Band live at The Hummingbird in Downtown Macon
The idea behind SSBB began with a family band that goes back to the early 1900's, the Sunny South Orchestra, a brass band that played with army issued instruments. The project went dormant for the remainder of the 20th century until the brothers McIntire, Ross and Cliff, began playing with friends around Clermont, GA, including the monstrous drummer, Matt Hulsey, a close cousin of the McIntire brothers. The group bonded early over their mutual love of the blues revival of the 1960s thus giving the “Blues Band” moniker at the end of the Sunny South family band name. The final lineup came together with the addition of Aaron “Beans” Metzdorf in 2014 and Nate Perdue taking over on the drums in 2017. With the indubitable family ties and Metzdorf’s Southern soul and surf rock sensibilities, SSBB became what we know them as today: a thunderous adaptation of blues-based garage rock with a tinge of 60’s popular music. With a portfolio of fresh, original music, SSBB made for Nashville and Bomb Shelter Studios to record their debut album. With guidance from Bootin’ Billy Bennett (The Whigs, MGMT), the resulting 9 song LP is a Velcro-fuzzed, reverb-soaked rock n’ roll exploratory expedition. With songs ranging from riff-rock perfection in album opener "DBL," to the Muscle Shoals-inspired "Something ‘bout a Woman," and the soaring cover of the 1975 Bob Dylan deep cut "Meet Me in the Morning," SSBB has crafted an album that is both introspective in its subject matter and unyielding in its execution. SSBB began by delivering electric live shows to its small, yet devoted fan base. Their presence in their hometown started spreading across the region. This led to a resounding win in the 2016 Athens Unsigned competition. They haven't let off the gas since. With an array of crowd-pleasing rock n’ roll that satisfies even the harshest of music fans, SSBB serves heaping helpings of dirty guitars, mumble-sang vocals, and a rhythm section that rivals even the finest Swiss watchmakers. SSBB is playing music that harkens back to the days of old, when music meant something other than a paycheck or self-righteous self pity, days when musicians were forging the names that we still speak of today. Much like these unforgettable effigies, SSBB is here to stay. The band currently resides in the foothills of the North Georgia mountains, playing shows all across the state. They hold tight to a road ready attitude and a solid sleep schedule.
Virginia Ground live at The Hummingbird in Downtown Macon
Virginia Ground plays such a unique style of music that they created their own genre just to describe it: That is the Appalachiaphonic. Around Jamen Denton and his fountain-esque vocals and songwriting is an ensemble of inventive musicians who create a sound at once electrically novel, and yet hauntingly familiar. With Justin Denton on drums, Logan Fritz on bass, Will Outlaw on trombone, Ben Smith on harmonica, Jon McGlocklin singing lead harmony and Jamen Denton on guitar and lead vocals, this group marries sounds from blues and funk to country, rock, and reggae, and then tempers their forceful and fluid sounds with elements of Dixieland and swing to craft the Appalachiaphonic. "When ole Bobby gave me y'alls album I listened to it and realized real quick that you fellers needed to come up here(Woodstock, NY) and play a Midnight Ramble!" -Levon Helm, The Band "With a unique sound, this six member band plays their original songs ranging from drivin' rock to sultry ballads with more sound from a six-string, trombone, and harmonica than seems legal! -Dave McCartney "LA Times"