JUST ANNOUNCED: Z$ at Lafayette's Music Room

RRE artist Zigadoo Moneyclips will make their debut at Lafayette's Music Room on March 8, 2015! Click here to RSVP to the event and stay updated on all the info, and let's get out there and support our Memphis music!

BREAKING NEWS: Perpetual Groove Announces Official Return

It seems that PGroove didn't want to make us wait and sweat it out! The band will officially return with a hometown show at the Georgia Theatre in Athens, GA on May 29! According to Relix, the band will also play a "Dinner With The Band" on the roof earlier that same day. Not a bad way to kick off their return!

And if that wasn't enough great news for the day, we'll also be seeing PGroove for 2 nights at Resonance Music and Arts Festival on September 25 & 26 for their only festival dates of 2015. Check out the creepy, but definitive videos the band released this morning to announce their return below.

The Cedric Burnside Project Returns to Young Avenue Deli

Memphis, TN – (February 14, 2015) – The Cedric Burnside Project (CBP) returns to Young Avenue Deli on Valentine’s Day for a concert that is sure to be a sweet treat for music lovers across the Mid-South. This show will be the band’s first time back in Memphis since August 2014 and as always, their progressive style of Hill Country Blues and Rock will be a crowd pleaser in the “Home of the Blues.”

After a successful year in 2014, including a performance at the Blues Music Awards where Cedric Burnside took home Best Instrumental Drummer, The Cedric Burnside Project are reaching for new heights in 2015 with a brand new album.

CBP’s Valentine’s Day show will be the official album release party for their new album, “Descendants of Hill Country.”  This album officially releases in February 2015 and was partially recorded and mixed locally at Scott Bomar’s Electraphonic Records. For CBP, “Descendants of Hill Country,” offers a sound that is a new exploration of Hill Country Blues that will thrill long-time Cedric Burnside Project fans and newcomers alike.

Doors at Young Avenue Deli open at 9pm and The Cedric Burnside Project will take the stage at 10pm for a special, two-set Valentine’s Day show. Tickets for the event are available at the door for $15.00 for couples and for $10.00 for anyone solo and looking to find love. AS Barboro and Young Avenue Deli will provide domestic and craft beer drink specials, along with a Young Avenue Deli style Valentine’s Day Hunch Punch all night long.

About Cedric Burnside Project

North Mississippi drummer Cedric Burnside has been a known musician in the Holy Springs hill country area for some time now. At the age of 13 Cedric began touring worldwide with his grandfather blues legend and Hall of Famer R.L. Burnside as his drummer. Since founding The Cedric Burnside Project he has become a household name in the blues community.

Since the bands formation in 2006 the CBP hit the ground running winning Best Debut Artist at the 30^th Blues Music Awards. In the nine year history of the CBP, Cedric has received four of the last five Best Instrumental Drummer Awards at the Blues Foundations Blues Music Awards. With the lineup now consisting of childhood friend and North Mississippi local Trenton Ayer, the CBP looks to reach new heights in not only the Blues community, but music in general. In 2013 the duo released the album “Hear Me When I Say” from which Cedric received his 4^th Blues Music Award for his drumming.  This year CBP prepares to release a follow up album titled “Descendants of Hill Country” in February of 2015 as it explores the progression of the Hill Country Blues.

About Whitney Entertainment Brokers

The Whitney Entertainment Brokers seek to debut and present headline quality music starting with the blues throughout the Mid-South. The Whitney Entertainment Brokers mission is to recognize and relish Memphis, TN as the home of the indelible Blues and Delta sound which has laid the groundwork for R&B, Rock n Roll, Soul and various popular music genres. As we embrace the history and culture of this city we seek to unify and showcase the positive aspects Memphis has to offer. 

About Young Avenue Deli

Standing tall off the corner of Cooper and Young Avenue in the heart of Memphis, TN is the Young Avenue Deli. After opening in October 1995 this restaurant, bar and music venue is seen as a local landmark to Memphians. Just a few blocks down from Overton Square, “The Deli” serves as the backbone to the Cooper Young Festival each year. With the largest selection of craft beer in the area, Young Avenue Deli looks to revive Memphis culture in the eyes of locals as they embrace the emerging beer scene and showcase live music kin to the area. 

Contact Info:

Ric Whitney and Stephen Whitney

E: stephen@whitneybrokers.com

P: 901.605.9754

RISING APPALACHIA LAUNCHES THE WIDER CIRCLES RAIL TOUR IN ADVANCE OF NEW ALBUM

WIDER CIRCLES AVAILABLE ON APRIL 21 APRIL 21ST

The soulful sisters of Rising Appalachia and their band have announced the Wider Circles Rail Tour in celebration of their forthcoming album release Wider Circles, due out on April 21st. The tour kicks off in New Orleans and winds its way by train throughout the Southwest with stops in New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas (see full schedule below).

Present day troubadours, Leah Song and Chloe Smith, drew from a melting pot of genres when compiling the 15-track Wider Circles album. With influences of folk, soul, roots, world music, and poetry, the album showcases the alchemy of sibling harmonies paired with banjo and fiddle duets. Joined by full-time band members Biko Casini (world percussion) and David Brown (stand-up bass / baritone guitar), Wider Circles was inspired by folk standards and traditional hymns, old mountain odes, and activist anthems that pull equally from the swampy sounds of the bayou, the twang of the Appalachian mountains, and the beat of a global rhythm. “The album is a deep reflection of the many influences and experiences we have intimately lived and have built our songs on,“ explains Leah. “Wider Circles is a subtle and powerful folk anthem.”

The album’s release also signifies a new chapter in Rising Appalachia’s “Slow Music Movement” approach to touring - an effort to promote sustainable touring practices and to be immersed in local communities. “It’s an effort to take the glitz and glam out of the music industry and bring performance back to its roots. A place where musicians are not just part of fast-paced entertainment, but instead influence the cultural shift as troubadours, activists, and catalysts of justice,” explains Leah. The ‘Slow Music Movement’ encourages musicians to try out ‘non-industry standard’ ways of bringing music into the world by “linking to local communities and staying with local friends; pursuing alternative venues for performances and supporting local businesses with farm-to-table hospitality; providing local non-profits at each show a platform to display information; exploring alternative methods of travel including train, bike, low impact vehicles, boat, horse, or simply focusing on regional touring; and encouraging concert goers to take in more than just the catharsis of the music.”

For more information about Rising Appalachia, visit www.RisingAppalachia.com.

For media or press inquiries, contact Crissa Requate (crissa@masonjarmedia.com) at Mason Jar Media(828-337-6002).

Full Tour Dates:

3/28/15 - New Orleans, LA - Civic Theater (with Resonant Rouges)

3/31/15 - Roswell, NM - TBA

4/2/15 - Taos, NM - Taos Mesa Brewing

4/3/15 - Santa Fe, NM - Skylight Santa Fe

4/4/15 - Albuquerque, NM - TBA

4/6/15 - Flagstaff, AZ - The Green Room

4/8/15 - Eden, AZ - Epic Eden Festival

4/10/15 - Phoenix, AZ - Crescent City Ballroom

4/11/15 - Tucson, AZ - Congress Hotel

4/18/15 - Austin, TX - Old Settler’s Music Festival

JUST ANNOUNCED: Agori Tribe Two Night Run April 3-4, 2015

Ragin' Randy Entertainment artist Agori Tribe has just confirmed a two night run in early April. The band will begin their run in Nashville, TN supporting The Aquaducks at The End on April 3, 2015. They will then head straight on to Knoxville, TN to support Opposite Box at Preservation Pub on April 4, 2015. The guys and I are very excited to play a new venue with new friends, as well as to reunite with an old venue and old friends on this quick run!

Photo Pass Approved: Umphrey's McGee Live in Oxford, MS (Jan 28, 2015)

Yes, it's true! Ragin' Randy Entertainment has been approved to photograph the best live band in the biz! Please stay tuned for my full photo album of Umphrey's McGee later this week! The event is tomorrow, January 28, 2015, at The Lyric Theatre in Oxford, MS, and it is presented by Live For Live Music. I'll also be catching UM next Friday, February 6, in Nashville. See below for a full list of Tour Dates. Can't wait to rage with my fellow UM Family! \mm/

JUST ANNOUNCED: Agori Tribe w/The Wave Function (Moon Taxi Afterparty)

We are very excited to announce that RRE artist Agori Tribe will be performing at Murphy's Pub on January 30, 2015 for a Moon Taxi afterparty! Moon Taxi plays at Minglewood Hall that night, and Murphy's is just across the street (0.1 miles according to Google Maps). The Tribe will be joined by The Wave Function who played a successful Widespread Panic afterparty in October 2014. RSVP to the event here, and pay close attention for announcements about ticket prices and special discounts for Moon Taxi ticket holders.

Agori Tribe w/Opposite Box & New Wave Rebellion RECAP

Wow! What a great night! We could not be more pleased with the way our first big event of 2015 turned out! Ragin' Randy Entertainment artist Agori Tribe headlined the Hi-Tone in Memphis, Tennessee on January 10, 2015, with two incredible openers, New Wave Rebellion and Opposite Box. We even brought in a special guest lighting designer from Chattanooga. Mr. Gable Larramore of Blue Shift Optical Productions was kind enough to bring his entire lighting rig to blow our minds.

Kicking off the evening, New Wave Rebellion took the stage around 9:45, and with a massive wave of true rock and roll energy, the power trio from Nashville got the crowd jumping right off the bat. These guys were a last minute addition to our lineup, but we were very glad they contacted us and came out to rage, and they put on an amazing show for us!

Opposite Box, who was on their way home to Chattanooga from a nice little Texas run, stepped up next, kicking off their set right at 11:00. The five-piece band was on top of their game and down for some extra fun on this particular night, since it was keyboardist, trombone player and vocalist Ryan Long's birthday. With antics such as wearing animal costumes, horns marching around the dance floor and drummer Ryan Guza challenging an audience member, these boys are well on their way to perfecting the craft of not just performing, but entertaining. They ended with an incredible cover of Edgar Winter's "Frankenstein."

Agori Tribe took up their headlining slot at just about 12:15. With the crowd well beyond warmed up (more like raging to be exact), the boys proceeded to melt faces and minds alike. As LED hoops twirled and Gable's lights reeled, Agori Tribe ran through new tunes as well as old fan favorites. When all was said and done, the birthday boy, Ryan Long, led the chant for an encore. The Tribe decided on an old favorite from their humble beginnings at The Shed, "Ride The Train," to close out an absolutely raucous night of music, friends, family and of course, debauchery.

Make sure to check out the video below of Agori Tribe performing "Buttah Knife Blooze" with Gable's incredible light show! Also, click here to check out my full photo album on our Facebook page.

2015 Summer Festival Lineup Announcements Have Begun

Yes, it is that time already! Here are a couple of Phase 1 lineups that have already been released, with many more to come in the very near future!

Floydfest, Floyd, VA

Paradise Music and Arts Festival, Hustonville, KY

Widespread Panic Orpheum Weekend Recap

While I cannot believe it is already November, I can honestly say that October saw me at some of the best shows I've seen all year! After a Lettuce funk rager and an incredible Backup Planet after party, I geared up for two nights of Widespread Panic at the Orpheum Theatre. After Saturday's show, I thought I had seen an historic WSP show, but then Sunday came, and I was mindblown! See my review of the weekend here for full details on why this two-night stand was so incredible. Also, check out the video below to see a taste of the magic from Sunday night!

Also, my good friend Nick Clark's band, The Wave Function, played a stellar after party on Saturday night at Ernestine & Hazel's on Maine Street. See photos below.

Lettuce - 1884 Lounge Recap

Although the venue made the decision to move the Lettuce show from the main room in Minglewood Hall to the more compact 1884 Lounge, the setting could not have been more perfect. The close proximity created a wild energy like none other, making for an incredibly funky Friday night in Memphis! Along with my photographer, Ellis Jones, I could not stop groovin' as the band tore up the stage. Following the show, we headed to Young Avenue Deli for an after party with Nashville funk quartet Backup Planet, and they absolutely tore it up! All in all, it was a wonderful night. Check out my review of the Lettuce show here on Live Music Daily, and be sure to check out the video I took of the first song of the encore below.

TONIGHT: Lettuce At Minglewood Hall + After Party

Tonight begins an absolutely incredible weekend of live music in Memphis, Tennessee. First, at Minglewood Hall, the funk jamband giant Lettuce will be throwing a Friday night rager, with Late Night Radio opening things up. Following the show, Whitney Production Company will be throwing an after party at Young Avenue Deli with Nashville's funk outlet Backup Planet providing the tunage til bar close. All of these acts are must-see and should account for one of the best nights of music in Memphis for the year.

Saturday and Sunday we have Widespread Panic rockin' the Orpheum Theatre, and Backup Planet will be throwing another after party on Saturday at The Brass Door.

See you guys out there, and happy ragin'!

Upcoming Ragin' Randy Schedule

Good afternoon fellow music lovers! I have had a wonderful month off from shows to spend time with my wife, but I am ready to get back out their and catch some live music. I've got some big ones coming up in October and early November! Here's what I've got so far:

Oct 01     Greensky Bluegrass - 1884 Lounge, Memphis, TN

Oct 02     Dead Winter Carpenters - Lafayette's Music Room (Grand Re-Opening), Memphis, TN

Oct 17     Lettuce - Minglewood Hall, Memphis, TN

Oct 18     Widespread Panic - Orpheum Theatre, Memphis, TN

Oct 19     Widespread Panic - Orpheum Theatre, Memphis, TN

Nov 02    STS9 - The Lyric Theatre, Oxford, MS

AURA Music & Arts Festival Adds to an Already Stellar Lineup!

AURA Music & Arts Festival has added 2 sets of moe., The Main Squeeze, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, The Mantras, The McLovins and more to their 2015 lineup! Check out the full lineup below.

Southern Brewers Festival Videos

I had an absolute blast at Southern Brewers Festival this past weekend in Chattanooga! Check out these videos I took from the weekend! Also, stay tuned for my full photo album from the weekend, as well as my review on Grateful Music!

Photo Gallery: Phish @ Oak Mountain Amphitheatre, Pelham, AL (08-02-2014)

Photo Gallery: The Groove Orient w/The Chinese Connection Dub Embassy & Agori Tribe

So, I tried out my new camera on Agori Tribe, and I still have some work to do before I can get this concert photography thing down. However, a few turned out pretty cool, plus I got some pre-show footage, as well as an interview with The Groove Orient! All of the photos of The Chinese Connection Dub Embassy and The Groove Orient were taken with my phone. Also, make sure to scroll all the way down and check out my video of The Groove Orient's cover of Frank Zappa's "I'm The Slime"!

Agori Tribe - Hi-Tone (07-31-14) Setting Up

Pre-Show Merch Table Shenanigans

Agori Tribe - Hi-Tone (07-31-14) Soundcheck

Sean Naughton, Dave Hash & Jeffrey Naylor of Agori Tribe - Soundcheck

David Collins of Agori Tribe - Soundcheck

Jeffrey Naylor of Agori Tribe - Pre-Show Shenanigans

Sean Naughton of Agori Tribe

Sean Naughton of Agori Tribe

Agori Tribe - Hi-Tone (07-31-14)

Will Nicholls & Jeffrey Naylor of Agori Tribe - Hi-Tone (07-31-14)

Will Nicholls & Jeffrey Naylor of Agori Tribe - Hi-Tone (07-31-14)

David Collins, Will Nicholls & Sean Naughton of Agori Tribe

Agori Tribe - H-Tone (07-31-14)

Will Nicholls of Agori Tribe - Hi-Tone (07-31-14)

The Chinese Connection Dub Embassy - Hi-Tone 7/31/14

The Chinese Connection Dub Embassy - Hi-Tone 7/31/14

The Groove Orient - Hi-Tone 7/31/14

The Groove Orient - Hi-Tone 7/31/14

Chuck Magid, Harry Ong and David "Drillbit" Incorvaia of The Groove Orient

Chuck Magid, Harry Ong and David "Drillbit" Incorvaia of The Groove Orient

Tommy Shugart of The Groove Orient on the Hammond B3

Tommy Shugart of The Groove Orient on the Hammond B3

Paul Terry & David Vanegas of The Groove Orient