Thanksgiving is a glorious time, here in Central Virginia.  The tourist-laden leaf season is over, yet plenty of post-peak autumnal glory hangs around to be enjoyed, for a little while longer.  Days can still be quite warm, and nights are deliciously cool and refreshing. Thanksgiving, football, and the coming Christmas season beckon.  And suddenly there are also lots of indoor bluegrass shows, especially in Charlottesville.

2009 has been one helluva year, hasn’t it?

We all started out in January, with the electric energy of a pending Inauguration of Barack Obama as President of the United States.  And we also had the knowledge that Phish was gonna tour again.  I for one, recall standing outside on NYE, and holding my hands wide to embrace what was ‘next.’

For the past seven years Brendan Bayliss and Jake Cinninger have given Umphrey's McGee fans an extra holiday treat: a holiday acoustic show. This year's sold out show was held at the Park West in Chicago.  The proceeds of the show are donated to the USTORM (United So Together Our Reach Multiplies) Foundation which was co-founded by Bayliss.  USTORM is a non-profit organization which raises funds to help provide access to music and art educational programs.

Is this guy for real!  I only ask such a silly question because this talented Davy Knowles is ripping some nasty good blues that threaten to blow your head off. This sexy young Brit was at Stubb’s in Austin for his national tour with the Back Door Slam, December 6^th.  Following the release of their new album, Coming Up For Air, and sporting some brand new band members, Davy Knowles and the Back Door Slam are back.

Dubbed "one of the country's most intriguing, innovative outfits around" by XLR8R Magazine, STS9 announces the release of their brand new studio effort, Ad Explorata (December 8, 2009 /1320 Records).

Ad Explorata – the band’s third release of 2009 (following their iTunes LIVE Exclusive NYE.ATL.08 / May 2009 and Peaceblaster : The New Orleans Make It Right Remixes / June 2009) and tenth in their full discography - finds STS9 once again exploring new musical terrain never before heard.