Archive for the ‘Press’ Category

While the demo tape-carrying waiters and baristas of Nashville fantasize about hitting it big as a session player, songwriter or performer, Darrell Scott has been a key figure in each of those realms for some time now.

After getting noticed for his solo albums, Scott had a fortuitous streak of Top 40 success in 2001 and 2002, when his songs went on to be covered by Travis Tritt (“It’s a Great Day To Be Alive”), Sara Evans (“Born to Fly”) and The Dixie Chicks (“Long Time Gone”), the latter of which netted a Grammy. That doesn’t include the oft-covered modern mountain classic, “You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive.”

In 2007, Scott won Song of the Year at the Americana Music Award for “Hank Williams’ Ghost.” These days, he finds himself winding down his touring duties as a member of Robert Plant’s Band of Joy and getting back on the road, ready to introduce material from his new album, Long Ride Home. (more…)

The legendary lion of rock on how to avoid becoming a cliche, that iconic hair, and keeping his freak flag flying all these years later.

There would be a dignity in Robert Plant’s refusal to take the easy, lazy road even if the restless exploration he chose instead had turned out to be little more than amiable, aimless wandering. But in the last few years his post-Zeppelin crusades have really started making sense, in consort with Alison Krauss and then his own Band Of Joy: a kind of hybrid twisted roots music laced with just enough of his ethereal mystic croon to give it a pleasing but sinister beauty. At 63, he seems blessed with the kind of endless curiosity that can’t be faked, and a determined humility, and he’s too polite to point out quite how far the interesting dusty back roads he has taken now separate him from most of the original rock aristocracy. (more…)

Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant lends support for program.

Newswise — Legendary rockers Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend of the Who say they owe much of their musical success to teenagers. In a heartfelt repayment of that debt, the two today announced the launch of the UCLA Daltrey/Townshend Teen & Young Adult Cancer Program, which will serve teens and young adult cancer patients at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. (more…)

Today’s episode of World Cafe is a celebration of Robert Plant. He’s been a major figure in rock for more than 40 years, from leading Led Zeppelin to maintaining both a successful solo career and many award-winning collaborations. Most importantly, his deep understanding of blues-rock and willingness to push his own boundaries has left a lasting impression on artists all over the world. (more…)

It was a good day to be a member of the Band of Joy tonight at the Americana Music Awards as Robert Plant and Band of Joy guitarist Buddy Miller racked up three awards between them.  The star studded awards ceremony, held at the historic Ryman Auditorium, raised the already skyrocketing profile of Americana as a distinct genre of music. (more…)

Top nominees Robert Plant and Buddy Miller were Thursday night’s big winners — and a trio of young acts earned high honors — at the 10th annual Americana Music Association Honors & Awards.

Plant’s album Band of Joy — recorded with an all-star Americana crew featuring Nashvillians Miller, Darrell Scott, Byron House, Marco Giovino and Texan Patty Griffin — was named album of year, Plant’s second win in the category and third overall. His bandmate Miller continued his reign as the Association’s most awarded artist, picking up his second win for Artist of the Year and fourth for Instrumentalist of Year. Toward the end of the Ryman Auditorium show, Emmylou Harris joked that the awards should change its name to “The Buddys.”
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Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival draws 600,000 people over three days

Despite obvious ties to non-commercial forms of music, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park has quietly become the largest music festival in the country in terms of audience – with an estimated 600,000 attendees over three days – and it’s completely free. It’s also completely free from advertising and corporate sponsors of any kind. “It’s the coolest American festival that I’ve been to,” Elbow’s Guy Garvey told Rolling Stone backstage shortly before the band’s headlining set on Sunday. “It reminds me a bit of Glastonbury – mainly the way Glastonbury used to be, actually. The vibe is really buzzing and really old school and everybody’s really happy.” (more…)

The early forecast called for rain, but perhaps the skies have enough sense not to spoil the nicest gift San Franciscans receive each year.

The 11th-annual Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival got off to a fabulous start Friday and Saturday amid perfect weather and one of the concert’s strongest lineups ever. At any one time, several worthy acts were performing on a stage somewhere in Golden Gate Park. Friday and Saturday’s lineups yielded a wealth of riches. (more…)

The 11th annual Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival opened in triumphant fashion on Friday.

Highlights from Day One included Led Zeppelin legend Robert Plant performing with his talented Band of Joy, gifted lyricist John Prine crooning from his A-plus songbook, Sonic Youth frontman Thurston Moore embracing his Americana side and Northern California harmonica hero Charlie Musselwhite delivering the blues with much pizazz. (more…)

Festival brings hundreds from around state. There were rumors for about two weeks being whispered around the Permian Basin.

Would rock legend Robert Plant really perform in Marfa? Thursday night, all rumors were put to rest.

Singer Patty Griffin appeared on stage and introduced her band, including one of the most famous lead singers in rock history.

“I’d like to introduce you to my dear, dear friend, Robert Plant,” Griffin said to an explosion of cheers. (more…)