Playful yet angsty, soulful but light; the dual essence of California’s golden coast filled an almost sold out Bluebird Theater Monday night.  If you’ve ever been to the beaches of Los Angeles at night, you know the warm, hazy magic that happens once the sun sets.  The vibe is free, open - but underneath the surface people can be just as broken as they are elsewhere.

Music’s favorite pin up girl Heather Ballentine has released her debut album, The Cat’s Meow on Cool Cat Records and was produced by U.S. roots music legend and Grammy winner Pete Anderson (Dwight Yoakam, Roy Orbison, Lucinda Williams).  The video for the current single “Kiss Me” showcases her 10 piece band including horns and her endearing performance style.  https://youtu.be/TFWrSbqHKIY

ON THE BLUE--a leader in music cruise charter innovation--has officially announced their new craft beer and music cruise, titled THE LEBREWSKI CRUISE, the first cruise to marry craft beers and music from around the country, sailing out of Miami aboard the Norwegian Pearl from March 1-5, 2016.

Banjo player extraordinaire Danny Barnes is the 2015 recipient of the 6th annual Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass. Described as "one of a kind" and widely acknowledged as "one of the best banjo players in America," Barnes is recognized for his experimental sound. The raw and unpolished musical breadth of his compositions has propelled him across the industry today.

Leftover Salmon doesn’t have a lot of troubles. They’re a strong, long-lasting band that knows what it is to be professional, traveling musicians. Playing in Eureka Springs, Ark. during Hillberry 2, Leftover Salmon will surely bring the bluegrass…and the funk, and the Cajun, and the vast talent that’s been building over the last 26 years, including banjo player Andy Thorn.