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The Infamous Stringdusters

Greensky/Dusters Photoshop Challenge!!

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Greensky/Dusters Photoshop Challenge!!

Ready, set...PHOTOSHOP!!

Greensky Bluegrass and The Infamous Stringdusters have been scaling the bluegrass/jamgrass mountain together for a number of years now, and both bands are at the top of their live music games. While no one will argue that they are distinctly different bands, I know a plethora of people who would plant their fan flag in front of both (there are 13,826 combined people who have joined both bands’ Facebook fan groups as of today). 

We have been lucky enough to witness plenty of sit-ins between members of GSBG and ISD, but as they grow in popularity, getting both full bands to share the stage at the same time is becoming an ever-increasing rarity. We got close at Strings & Sol last Sunday during Greensky Bluegrass’s set, but as Anders Beck pointed out several songs later, his friend and former Broke Mountain band mate, Travis Book, had missed his sit-in, making him the only member of either band who was not on stage.

The Lot Scene thinks it might not be too late to rectify this situation. Please Photoshop Travis Book into the picture below, so we can make everything right with the world. Use any photo of Travis that you want. Be creative, be funny, and enter as many times as you’d like.

Submit your entries to info@thelotscene.com by 8pm EST Thursday, December 29th.

In your email, please include the following:

•Name

•Address

•T-shirt size (Men’s large, Women’s medium, etc.)

We will choose our favorite entry and send one lucky winner a care package with some random goodies. Can’t wait to see what everyone comes up with!  

GOOD LUCK!!!

Where in the world is Travis Book?

Where in the world is Travis Book?

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Strings & Sol Festival 2016 - Preview

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Strings & Sol Festival 2016 - Preview

Strings and Sol Festival 2016 Preview

for The Lot Scene by Parker and Will

“Just what is Strings & Sol,” you ask?  “Why only the best little bluegrass festy north of the Equator!” comes the reply.  For the uninitiated, S&S is so often that ‘bucket list’ festival, that brass ring of bluegrass bodaciousness that eludes the grasp until that first year of attendance, until those first magical moments in Mexico with your brand new Strings and Sol Family.  Sol Family.  Exactly.  And, for those returning usual suspects, those yearning for that ‘summer camp’ feeling from youth mixed with magnificent music, pool-time paradise, liberally-supplied libations, and exquisite evenings shared with friends and fellow fans, Strings & Sol promises to be all they remember it to be.  And more.  So much more.  Three years in for us here at The Lot Scene and the upward spiral in amazing energy and overall awesomeness of this festival is visibly apparent from all angles.  Cloud 9 runs a very tight and professional ship in general and S&S is no exception.  For our money, this is one of the very best planned, best organized, and best executed festival experiences in our community today.  The overall participant experience is super positive and seems to leave returning folks hoping for more, more, more…that is, if the crazy fast sell-out situation this year is any indication.  But, the fun is just around the corner — only a week away from today, in fact, good people!  So, keep getting your pool floats, sippy cups, costumes, and smiles ready this week in preparation and take a gander below at some good info for your time down in Mexico.  Looking forward to seeing you all at the Sapphire!!  Safe travels, everyone!!

Leftover Salmon and Friends

Leftover Salmon and Friends

Strings & Sol added a new dimension this year on Saturday afternoon with an "Unplugged" session from Greensky Bluegrass. It was especially good and something I hope they continue in years to come. GSBG opened the session on 12 Dec 2015 with "Old Barns" as seen here.

Definitely Not to Be Missed for S&S 2016

1.  Greensky Bluegrass’ pool set from 2-3:30PM on Sunday — these are the types of specialty sets that really set Strings & Sol apart from other festivals you’ve been to. Anyone who caught Greensky’s early afternoon set at the Palapa last year can tell you just how unique an experience these sets can be. The pool set is even a bit later than their Palapa set was last time, so hopefully Max Berde can drag himself out of bed in time to make it this year.

2.  Getting to know the NOW Sapphire Staff — supreme friendliness, outstanding service, and a generally lovely disposition make the resort staff at S&S some of the best we’ve ever encountered.  They love the fest and the music and they’ll definitely love getting to know you.  In fact, many veterans count several friends amongst the staff.  And tipping, of course, is always appreciated.  Your good time is their good time.

3.  Railroad Earth’s Sunset Show from 4-6PM on Saturday — there is nothing quite like sending the Sol off to bed once again than with those fine fellows from New Jersey!  Seriously, a sunset spent on the beach with RRE is magical all in its own amazing way and should be on your list as well.

4.  Unplugged in the Palapa with The Infamous Stringdusters from 6:30-7:30PM on Sunday — yet another incredible and unique offering from S&S.  What a fantastic way to experience such a dynamic band as The Dusters!!  This one’s gonna be very worth it.

5.  Keller Williams’ Grateful Grass from 1-2:30AM on Monday in the Palapa - if you have never seen one of Mr. Williams’ Grateful Grass shows before, then we tell you, you are in for a treat.  Especially with this line-up to choose from.  And, if you have seen one or more before, then you know they aren’t to be missed.  How fortunate we get our very own at S&S this year!!  Really psyched to see that lineup and the setlist — should make for a fantastic closer to the festival.  And with the Dead, no doubt.  Stellar.  

6.  The Positive Legacy Silent Auction from 4-7:10PM on Monday — this auction helps to support a great cause from a fantastic organization.  Positive Legacy puts together the best in music memorabilia and art each year making for one heck of a fantastic opportunity for S&S festival goers.  So many unique pieces up for auction and to help do some good in the world.  Not bad, right?  Not bad, indeed!

7.  A couple of these we can keep nice and simple:  Don’t miss anything involving Larry Keel…

8.  …or anything involving Danny Barnes.  Pretty straightforward there, right?  

9.  Playing in the Sand from 6:15-7PM on Saturday at the Swing Bar — come out and hear your fellow Sol Sisters and Sol Brothers jamming out beach bar style.  Always a good time and you never know who might show up!!

10.  Late nights at the Swing Bar or around the adult pool…so much fun!  Community, conversation, music, merriment, and any number of things await those who brave the wee hours of the morning at Strings & Sol.  Besides, the coffee at the Sapphire is nice and strong!  And for thosewho really know how not to under do it, keep that Swing Bar party going until the sun rises. Trust us, you won't be the only one, and the photo ops can be both hilarious and breathtakingly beautiful.

And so, with that, friends, we look forward to seeing you down south in the warmer climes, drink in hand, feet in sand, head high in the skies of music and magic moments soaring above the Sapphire.  Can’t wait to see those pool floats!!

All the best and iiHASTA MEXICO, AMIGOS!!

-TLS

Greensky Bluegrass

Greensky Bluegrass

Thursday, 10 Dec 2015, was one hot opening night of music at Strings and Sol this year. So many great bands and so much incredible music from each. No exception was Leftover Salmon with sizzlin' good guests Sam Bush on fiddle and Jay Starling on dobro -- magnificent!!

Image Gallery from past Strings & Sols:

Friday's fiery sunset brought with a simmering set from Railroad Earth on 11 Dec 2015 at Strings & Sol 4. Here is the second song from their set: "Lordy, Lordy". Hope you enjoy!! Recorded on tripod. Apologies for the adverse wind effects.

iiVAMOS A STRINGS AND SOL!!

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Grateful Grass - 02 July 2015 - Chicago, IL - Set One

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Grateful Grass - 02 July 2015 - Chicago, IL - Set One

As Chicago began to fill up with the colors of tie-dye on a perfect summer day, Keller Wiiliams and the Infamous Stringdusters took the stage on July 2, 2015, at the Incredibly beautiful historic Chicago Theatre. This Grateful Grass collaboration was a heady kick-off for fans in town for The Grateful Dead's Fare Thee Well shows. The packed house was a mix of jubilant patrons, young and old, including a couple of kids under ten, who stood on their second row seats in the orchestra pit to be able to see over the heads of those standing and dancing in front of them.

Few attendees sat for the first set of the Rex benefit show, which kicked off with a private reception for VIP ticket holders. Regular patrons who were lucky or observant, got a glimpse or picture of Trixie Garcia before the show began, as she came out into the audience after the toast to the music never stopping. 

Keller's sound manager extraordinairre Lou Gosain was seen in his usual spot, the sound booth (underneath the overhanging mezzanine at the back of this theatre) lending his vocal backups and smiles, along with his technical expertise.

As taken directly from Panda's set list:

Jack Straw D
Brown Eyed D
Candyman C
Stranger G
Cold Rain E
Shakedown C
Big River A
Cumberland G
Mr Charlie G
On The Road G
He's Gone E
Samson D
Scarlet B
Bertha G

The touching set opened with a rousing "Jack Straw" and had the packed capacity crowd singing along and smiling to the first of their comfort tunes. "Brown-Eyed Woman", an all-time favorite written by Hunter and Garcia (of course) was only the second of the sing-a-long set. 

No thunder or rain (and the weather prediction for the weekend in Chicago is excellent) but an incredible amount of electricity as the theatre was filled with the energy of grateful heads whose "shakin" continued through the well loved tunes and practically exploded when the first notes of "Shakedown Street" were heard. 

As one grateful tune led to another, the energy between Keller and the Dusters and their fans seemed to grow exponentially yet turned very bittersweet when the band broke into "He's Gone". Hands were held and neighbors were hugged as the poignancy of the weekend was felt.

The lightning-like energy exploded as the collaboration then segued into "Samson and Delilah". Fortunately, the Chicago Theatre building, which opened in 1905 has been restored and no one in the right mind could ever want to "tear this building down" as the grandeur of the French Baroque venue only accelerated the incredible feel. 

A chorus of over 3500 voices merged together singing "the sky was yellow and the sun was blue" as this hearts of many gold (we love you Keller, we love you Dusters) band threw out a blistering "Scarlet Begonias". "Bertha" then brought this amazing sing along set to a poignant close.

As one fan commented that he could listen to them play these well loved Dead songs all night long, the almost two hour set ended seemingly too soon, yet set two with Greensky Bluegrass was gratefully anticipated.

At set break, the street under the magical marquee outside filled up with excited conversation and mingling, reminiscent of the pre-show just a few hours prior, as the kind venue allows attendees to leave and reenter the theatre with just reswipes of tickets.

-Rockin' Randi Starrett for The Lot Scene

Stay tuned for Set Two!!


 

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