The Avett Brothers News

The Gasparilla Music Festival presented by Cigar City Brewing has unveiled the first wave of artists that will be performing at their 9th annual festival taking place March 7-8, 2020, in downtown Tampa. Brandi Carlile will be headling the festival on Saturday, March 7 and Portugal. The Man will close out the festival on Sunday, March 8.

In the spirit of Christmas, last night Drew & Ellie Holcomb launched their First Annual Christmas Auction Benefitting International Justice Mission (IJM). The couple, who have been longtime friends and partners with the organization over their careers, announced the initiative on their socials via a live video last night and have put up incredible experiences and prizes up for grabs. The auction is now open and runs all this week before it wraps up on December 15th. Visit the auction and place bids here.

Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for theatre, has announced the recipients of the third round of the 2019 Edgerton Foundation New Play Awards. The awards, totaling $415,000, allow 9 productions extra time for the development and rehearsal of new plays with the entire creative team, hoping to extend the life of the world premiere play after its first run. 

The 2019 Hollywood Music in Media Awards were held just last week at The Avalon, in Hollywood, honoring some of the industry's finest talent, including Broadway veteran and Harriet star, Cynthia Erivo.

GRAMMY Award-winning singer, songwriter and performer Brandi Carlile is nominated for three awards at the 62nd Annual GRAMMY Awards: Song of the Year (“Bring My Flowers Now” performed by Tanya Tucker), Best Country Song (“Bring My Flowers Now” performed by Tanya Tucker) and Best Country Duo/Group Performance (“Common” performed with Maren Morris). “Bring My Flowers Now” was written by Carlile, Tucker and Carlile's longtime collaborators and bandmates Tim and Phil Hanseroth and is from Tucker's acclaimed new album While I'm Livin'—co-produced by Carlile and Shooter Jennings—which is also nominated for Best Country Album.

GRAMMY Award-winning singer, songwriter and performer Brandi Carlile will make her triumphant return to The Gorge next year on Saturday, June 6, 2020 for “Echoes Through The Canyon” with special guests Sheryl Crow and Yola. The special performance comes a year after Carlile's headline debut at the venue, of which The Seattle Times praised, “a jubilant success-toasting birthday set…Carlile ripped off vibrato-soaked runs that could go toe to toe with any of this decade's Top 40 bombshell vocalists.” Tickets for the event go on-sale this Friday, November 22 at 10:00am PT.

Aaron Burdett's music tells stories about life as reflected in the mind and felt in the soul of a southern Appalachian. Stories that are authentic, intense, wise - and occasionally, at least a bit humorous.

Diana DeMuth shares her first single, 'Hotel Song,' today. The single will be out everywhere, tomorrow November 16, via Thirty Tigers, where DeMuth was recently signed, and the video is streaming now. American Songwriter, who debuted the single and video, says, 'With the unique sound, obvious talent, and a potential door-opener set to release there is much expected for DeMuth in 2020 and beyond.'

Montana-based rising stars, The Lil Smokies, have just announced the release of their third studio album, Tornillo, on January 24, 2020. Recorded at Sonic Ranch in Tornillo, TX, with producer-engineer Bill Reynolds (The Avett Brothers, Band of Horses, Midland) Tornillo is a focused and refined representation of the sound The Lil Smokies have become known for. Their dynamic musicianship, anthemic songs, and packed tour schedule have launched The Lil Smokies' career, checking off goals many musicians dream of; Telluride Bluegrass, Red Rocks, and millions of streams on Spotify, to name a few. Comprised of Matt Cornette (banjo), Andy Dunnigan (vocals, dobro), Scott Parker (bass), Matt “Rev” Rieger (guitar, vocals) and Jake Simpson (fiddle, vocals), The Lil Smokies' camaraderie on stage is every bit a reflection of their bond off stage. “We're all best friends, and I really do mean that with sincerity,” Dunnigan says. In addition to the new release, The Lil Smokies have also just announced a lengthy Winter/Spring tour throughout the US and Canada. A full list of dates can be found below.

Bette Davis and John Wayne to Bo Diddley and Bob Dylan, the State Theatre in Portland has seen its share of stars since it first opened its doors on November 8, 1929. On Friday, November 8, 2019, the theatre will kick off a celebration of its 90th birthday with a week-long scavenger hunt around Portland with ticket and merchandise giveaways to mark the historic occasion. Details will be available via the State Theatre pages on Facebook and Instagram. Additional special events will be planned for November and December.

Today Ringo Starr announced details for a North American tour with his current All Starr Band featuring Steve Lukather, Colin Hay, Gregg Rolie, Warren Ham, Gregg Bissonette, and Hamish Stuart. The tour will begin at Casino Rama in Rama Ontario, where Starr has performed many times, and launched several previous tours (2001, 2003, 2006 and 2014). It will include a mini residency at New York's Beacon Theater and three tour dates with multi-Grammy Award nominated Americana legends The Avett Brothers - at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor Maine, at Boston's Boch Center Wang Theatre and at the Bank of NH Pavilion in Gilford, New Hampshire. Former All Starr Edgar Winter will be the support act for two shows in Florida, St. Augustine and Clearwater.

Berkeley Repertory Theatre today announced the five award-winning artists who will lead the creative team for the world premiere of Swept Away.

Comedy Central announced today a collaboration with All Things Comedy to produce a documentary about Patrice O'Neal. Set to begin filming this fall, the untitled documentary is a deep-dive portrait of O'Neal who passed away at 41 in 2011. The film, directed by Bonfiglio (Gary Gulman: The Great Depresh) will recount O'Neal's life story and explore the hilarious and controversial material he left behind. Utilizing a vast archive including never-before-seen personal materials and featuring O'Neal's family and friends, the film will include a who's who of comedy — the comics who knew, were influenced and were affected by O'Neal —  placing his work into the context of the time as well as today.

As of Feb. 17, 2014, 'The Tonight Show' returned to its New York origins as 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon' made its broadcast debut from Studio 6B in Rockefeller Center. Emmy Award- and Grammy Award-winning comedian Jimmy Fallon brings a high-tempo energy to the storied NBC franchise with his welcoming interview style, love of audience participation, spot-on impersonations and innovative sketches.

The Avett Brothers performed 'Tell the Truth' on the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Tuesday. 

The Gasparilla Music Festival (GMF) has released a limited number of discounted 'early bird' tickets on sale for its 9thinstallment taking place March 7-8, 2020, in Tampa. Two day general admission tickets are available for only $40 and two day VIP tickets for $175. The tickets are available on-line (www.gmftickets.com) on Thursday, September 26 at 9:00am.

On October 18, The Magpie Salute will unveil their new full-length LP High Water II on CD, 2LP, and Digital Formats via Eagle Rock Entertainment (U.S.), Mascot Label Group (Europe/Australia/New Zealand), and Sony (Japan).

James Levy's new album Somebody is out today on Innit Recordings/The Orchard. The album was produced by Paul Defiglia (The Avett Brothers) and recorded in Nashville. Levy and his band will perform songs from the new album at a record release party at The Basement in Nashville on Oct 3.

GRAMMY Award-winning singer, songwriter and performer Brandi Carlile won Artist of the Year at last night's Americana Music Association Honors & Awards. Carlile also performed “The Mother” at the awards ceremony, which will be broadcast on PBS on Saturday, November 23.

Berkeley Repertory Theatre announced today that 15 young professionals have been awarded fellowships for the 2019-20 season. Theatre graduates from universities across the nation apply for this program that provides a year-long deep dive into the operations of the award-winning theatre. Fellowships cover a variety of artistic and administrative disciplines and provide specialized training that assists fellows with embarking on a professional career in the arts. Additionally, fellows participate in career development seminars, build professional contacts, and even serve as mentors themselves for Berkeley Rep's annual Teen One-Acts Festival.