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Will Shade Tribute tickets

28 November 2007

Tickets are now on sale for the benefit concert I'm organizing to purchase a gravestone for Will Shade. We've confirmed Charlie Musselwhite and the Carolina Chocolate Drops as our headliners, and it's going to be a great show!

Please visit the Old Town School of Folk Music website to purchase tickets, or visit willshadetribute.com for more info.

Will Shade Tribute

1 August 2007

A couple years ago I mentioned my blues pilgrimage to Memphis on this page. The most haunting moment of that trip was when I realized that Will Shade, a jug band musician for whom I've developed a special affinity, is buried in an unmarked grave in a pauper's cemetery.

Now, with help from my colleagues at the Old Town School, I'm planning a tribute concert and fundraiser to purchase a gravestone for Will Shade. You can learn more and make a contribution at willshadetribute.com.

Jug Band Champions

16 February 2007

In one of the proudest moments of my musical career (I'm not kidding!), my jug band class, which uses the stage name The Hump Night Thumpers, was awarded the top prize at the 25th Annual Battle of the Jug Bands last weekend. Our repertoire and showmanship impressed the judges enough to rank us above 19 other contenders in this unique event. Visit the Hump Night Thumpers site for photos and videos.