Music The Back Room
Please scroll down to see and hear the bands that are coming up in the next few weeks.

 Restaurant menu.

We serve "from scratch" soups, salads, sandwiches, pasta, seafood, steaks, and of course homemade desserts.

 New Nightly Drink Specials!
$1.00, $2.00, and $3.00 Beers!

Friday September 3 9:00pm
Pink Floyd Led Zeppelin Night
Back by popular demand:
Eric Congdon and Steven Whiteside perform and accoustic set of your favorite Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd tunes as only Eric and Steve can do. If you haven't see them do tis before. Do not miss this show!

Saturday September 4, 9:00pm
Anon Dixon Day, Tom Rogers and Friends
Anon is so old school he doesn't even own a computer. But let him go, and watch him spin his tales of life, love, and the pursuit of truth.

BlueBilly Grit’s definition of bluegrass is anything but ordinary.

A North Georgia based band, BlueBilly Grit draws its inspiration

and drive from all genres of music. You’ll hear lots of original tunes

with their own unique style and sound, along with some traditional songs

from artist like Bill Monroe or the Dillards, Johnny Cash, The Beatles,

Janis Joplin, and even some Alanis Morissette, all done BlueBilly style of course.

This past year was spent playing venues in the Southeast, gaining momentum,

and getting some studio work done. Their new CD, “Mill Grinder’s Blues,” was released in November of 2009.  Mark Garrison plays banjo, guitar, mandolin, and if you can talk him into it, some fiddle. Adam “Doc” Garrison keeps the beat on Doghouse bass, Matt Garrison plays the flattop like you’ve never heard it before, and Amber Garrison has a voice that...well, you just have to hear it. This high-energy band also has that three part family harmony that makes

bluegrass what it is and will leave you with a new and fresh appreciation for a style of music

that’s as old as the hills from which it came.
http://www.bluebillygrit.com/

Saturday September 11, 9:00pm
The Cheeksters
What you should know:
Founded in the 1990s by husband-and-wife duo Mark Casson (guitar, vocals, allsorts) and Shannon Hines Casson (vocals, bass), The Cheeksters combine the best of what made music great in the 1960s with a winning, fresh pop approach that delights audiences. In the studio, the group has produced five albums of "timeless, tuneful, terrific" pop that has real staying power. Onstage, the versatile five-piece band turns out its straightforward, catchy pop confections, bringing to mind a swirling variety of influences: Memphis soul (Shannon’s from Memphis), Carnaby Street pop (Mark is British), swampy rhythm & blues, and more. And in the process they create something exciting, new and accessible.

Imagine a world where late 60s/early 70s AM radio pop — with its succinct, infectious vibe and vital immediacy — still reigns supreme. Imagine for a moment the Small Faces fronted by David Bowie and Dusty Springfield. Now forget all of that, and listen to The Cheeksters. The group's onstage repertoire draws from the timeless melodies on their five critically-acclaimed studio albums; the group's most recent release, Movers and Shakers, has received the best notices yet. As much at home onstage in front of a festival crowd as in a small, intimate pub, The Cheeksters bring their engaging live act to audiences in the US and UK. Their catchy, rousing songs -- especially numbers like the anthemic "Thrill of a Lifetime" and perennial favorite "The Neighbourhood Kids" lend themselves to audience involvement, and the Cassons' compositions are the sort that will pleasantly stick in the head for days afterwards. You need to see this band.

What the critics say:
“Unfettered poppishness...you need to see this band.”
— Ashvegas blog
“Inspired by rock and soul [but]
very much of the moment.”
— Mountain Xpress
“Unabashedly groovy…strands of
R&B, glam, Britpop and bubblegum.”
— Nashville Scene
“Natural British pop sensibility…
over a winning indie pop beat.”
— Absolute Powerpop
“Beautiful music!”
— DJ Islas de Robinson,
     Spanish National Radio (RNE) 3
“Soul influenced stylings...pure,
upbeat pop; a sought-after live act.”
— Musoscribe.com
“They were just really f**king good.”
— The Opening Acts blog

www.cheeksters.com

Thursday September 16, 8:30pm
Johanna Jacobson W/ Ralph Roddenbery
Johanna Jacobsen was born in Saratoga Springs, NY. At an early age, she began training on classical violin. By the eighth grade, Johanna became a member of the Empire State Youth Orchestra, and got the opportunity to tour with them to Austria and Hungary, where they played for the Hungarian Army.  Once in high school, Johanna joined band, playing bassoon, and was chosen to be part of the Choraliers, the elite chorus in her high school.

After high school, Johanna went on to college and a career completely separate from music...that was, until she moved to Nashville...

During her second year in Nashville, Johanna got a part-time job at a well-known restaurant/bar, called the Broken Spoke. Here is where she was introduced to the songwriting aspect of music.  By the end of that year, Johanna had decided to make a major career move - she would leave her stable job, go to Massage Therapy school, and begin learning guitar and songwriting.  Over the next few years, she slowly progressed her skills - playing guitar, songwriting, and singing.  In 2005, Johanna met Tim LaRoche, and soon became part of the band, Shed. Johanna was the harmony singer, and got her first glimpse at being in a band.  Over the next few years, they progressed to showcasing for major labels and opening for Gretchen Wilson and Charlie Daniels.

During her time with Shed, Johanna continued her own songwriting.  She came out with her first album in 2008 - "What It's Like To Fly".  Johanna was now ready to find her own....And since then, her songwriting, singing, and performing has progressed to where she now has songs being pitched to major-label country artists in Nashville.  She is gaining a name for herself and beginning to find, and create, her own sound.  You can find Johanna playing at writer's nights, acoustic and full-band shows, festivals, coffeeshops, and more...

Her sound is influenced by so many different types of music (rock, pop, R&B, country) but mainly, artists, such as Alison Krauss, Sarah McLachlan, Patty Griffin, Sheryl Crow, Norah Jones, Carole King, and Natalie Merchant. have helped shaped Johanna's sound.  And it's still being shaped...everyday....

"You only live once, so you might as well have fun while living it!!" 
http://www.myspace.com/johannajacobsen

Friday September 17 9:00pm
Kassie Miller
"Kassie Miller intimate acoustic set"

Kassie Miller is a mix of a little bit of country and a little bit of soul.
"Her raspy voice, reminiscent of Tanya Tucker, combined with her
lively southern-country personality on stage create an artist that will capture you heart,
leaving you wanting more."

Kassie sings several original tunes, as well as the cover songs you love to hear. Her soulful, southern style is something you don't want to miss.  Kassie has been featured as one of Nashville's Top 10 Unsigned Artists by the Nashville Music Guide.  You may also have seen her on this past season of "Can You Duet?" singing reality competition on CMT, and also as the WINNER of the 1st season of "Search for the Ultimate Coyote" reality show (CMT).

Make a night of it, come on out for drinks and great live music in an intimate atmosphere!
www.KassieMiller.com

Thursday September 23 8:30pm
O Mello Cello
Born from the sounds of The Coffee Underground, O Mello Cello Tree emerged in 2005 as an acoustic folk duo who's songs touch the soul. This singer/songwriter duo will capture your heart with their smoky vocal and cello stylings and lyrical songwriting. Their classical upbringing in a variety of instrumentation brings a unique songwriting sound you wont hear anywhere else.

Darby and Sarah began playing in 2005 and have produced a full length EP at Hummingbird Productions in Nashville, TN. After its release OMCT was chosen as 1st runner up in the Flat Rock Music Festival Singer/Songwriter Competition.

The girls are grateful for all their local support! Thanks to folks like the Acoustic Seen, Dryridge Productions, and local radio stations such as WNCW.org and Rock 101.1 FM WROQ out of Greenville SC. Thank you to you all!

The band's cellist, Sarah Schaffer, also produces and directs the summer long, completely solar-powered music festival Music in the Woods at Paris Mountain State Park. This festival supports other local artists and provides free sustainable entertainement for the community.
http://www.omellocellotree.com
http://www.cellotreearts.com
http://www.myspace.com/omellocellotree

Saturday September 25 9:00pm
Hudson K
“...Hudson K is the real deal, a band with influences galore but a sound that is their own, a rare quality in this day of the doppelgangers haunting the charts and airwaves..” Jim Sells, Enigma Magazine (Chattanooga, TN)
Hudson K weaves a kaleidoscope of sound using colors that range from exciting wall of sound rock to simple voice and piano: saloon hall whimsy, lyrical honesty, vocal harmony, strings, banjos, a Hammond organ, vintage pianos and trash-cans.
Songwriter and pianist, Christina Horn, earned a master’s degree in piano from the University of Tennessee. She cancelled her wedding, sold her house and left behind conservatory-style teaching and security to pursue her dream of being a songwriter and performer. Drummer Nate Barrett is a stand-out player in the southeast and regularly sits in with regional touring acts. Jeff Christmas, also classically trained, switches seamlessly between vocals, electric guitar leads and bass lines.
http://www.myspace.com/hudsonktoday

Tuesday October 5 6:30pm
Paul Cataldo
Come hear singer/songwriter Paul Cataldo (Black Mountain, NC) perform songs from his new LP River's, Roads & Mountains Thursday February 11th at The Back Room.  The record was recorded in '09 at Quad Studios in the same exact room Neil Young recorded his breakthrough record "Harvest." 
www.paulcataldo.com 

Thursday October 7 8:30pm
Jonathan Sexton
It’s amazing what can happen in a year. Jonathan Sexton went from a solo artist to a
frontman, from a man alone on a journey to the leader of a team. “Big Love (2008)”
not only allowed Sexton to reclaim his place on the map in the music world, but more
importantly it put in place the series of events that led to the creation and solidification
of “The Big Love Choir” -at least the core members that as, because the band
maintains “if you have a voice you can sing, and if you wanna sing along, then your in
the choir” says drummer Dave Campbell. Sexton adds, “that’s right, its open invite, as
long is its about love and respect, its all family.” It truly is all about family, nothing makes
this more evident than the addition of Andrew Sexton, Elodie Lafont, and J. Niles Haury
to the choir. Drummer Dave “the animal” Campbell has been in since jumpstreet.

What was not even a band a year ago is already getting nods from major concert
promoters and sharing the stage with some of the biggest acts from around the region
such as DMB collaborator Tim Reynolds and singer songwriter Dave Barnes. This
incredible momentum is further evidenced by being added to the Sundown in the City
concert series line up for 2009. They are also beginning to make waves regionally
swapping gigs with some of the best independent musicians the south has to offer.

Committed to integrity and hard work, great things lie ahead for Jonathan Sexton and
the Big Love Choir
~~Rose Cortez www.myspace.com/jonnysexmusic 

Singer-songwriter Mac Comer has come a long way from his days as Knoxville’s “local hippie dude” who played a mean set of bongos and kicked up a dust storm on the acoustic guitar.  For the past eight years, Mac Comer’s lifting Southern twang has packed out crowds in and around the Southeast.  But it’s his persistent “do it yourself” approach to promoting himself that has earned him recognition by fans all over the world. 

Saturday October 9 9:00pm
Dan Farmer, Molly McCabe, Dottie Rager
Nashville Singer In The Round
Farmer grew up in the mountains of South Carolina, but has called Alabama home for years. His music is a narrative of life in the south… a roadside stand with something for everybody. The songs are unique and have something to say worth listening to. Recently, Dan has released his second solo cd "Black Crow".  It features 12 new songs written by Dan, as well as tunes co-written with Dolly Rager, Molly McCabe, and Kent Peterson.

Farmer appears regularly with the popular band Crooked Road, and has performed with Nashville songwriters Dottie Rager, Molly Slone McCabe, and Georgia Thomas at the famed Bluebird Café and Douglas Corner Cafe. Farmer continues doing acoustic shows with friends and co-writers at venues and events around Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky and North Carolina.

Dan has two solo CD's available:
Lotto, Liquor, and Souvenir… and the recent release, Black Crow.
These are available at live shows or by contacting him at: danfarmersongs@bellsouth.net.  

The show at the Back Room will be an outstanding evening of original material presented in the round by Dan, Molly McCabe, and Dottie Rager.

For more information regarding Dan or upcoming shows, go to Myspace/danfarmersongs.com
www.danfarmersongs.com

Molly McCabe is a singer, a songwriter, a mother, a wife, a daughter, a sister and a
friend. She comes from an extremely talented musical family in Kentucky. She now
lives outside of Raleigh, NC. Molly performs some in and around North Carolina and
makes frequent trips back to Nashville, TN, which she called home for several years, to
play at the Bluebird Cafe. She continues to write with her friends and fellow tunesmiths
in Nashville. Molly has received songwriting awards from the Chris Austin Songwriting
Competition at Merlefest in Wilkesboro, NC, the Kerrville Music Festival in Kerrville, TX
and the North Carolina Songwriters Co-Op. She is working on a new CD which will be
entitled Molly McCabe and Friends and will be out sometime in 2009, Lord willing and
the creek don't rise.
Dan appears regularly with the popular band Crooked Road, and has performed
www.myspace.com/mollymccabe

Dottie Rager has a distinctive sound and classic style that brings new life to that old
feeling of country music. Her sultry voice resonates with hints of country classics and
a pure pleasure of music from days gone by. 泥ottie has a distinctive voice, setting her
apart from the rest of the pack.�Julie Goddey/KZKX 96 KTX. Dottie has worked for
several successful writers, music publishers, and renowned industry veterans as the
late Sam Phillips and Buddy Killen. Dottie痴 recent CD, 敵one But Not Forgotten�
features the legendary Jordanaires and chosen songs from Harlan Howard, Billy
Walker, and Dickey Lee. Rager produced this project and has written four of the eleven
tracks. Dottie Rager puts a unique style into her writing, and her soaked in emotion
performances give a refreshing signature to country music.
www.dottierager.com

Tuesday October 12 6:30pm
Steve Whiteside

Tuesday October 19 6:30pm
Jeff Miller
Before his freshman year of high school, Jeff Miller decided to sell all of his video games and buy his first guitar. Soon after, songwriting became a passion. He formed a band with two other friends in the Pittsburgh suburb where he grew up. They recorded an album and played numerous shows together.

To mark 10 years of looping, Miller decided that his next album should be a live one. So his 197th show of 2008 was recorded in his hometown of Pittsburgh, PA. The result is Miller's brand new full-length album, "Can You Hear the Music?". Currently based out of Nashville, he's touring to promote this 77-minute Live CD.
http://www.jeffmilleronline.com

Thursday October 28 8:30pm
Katie Toupin and Matt Myers
Katie Toupin grew up around two things: music and horses. Her father played guitar and loved learning new music. When Katie would sing to the Beatles or Bonnie Raitt on the radio, he’d tell Katie, “Don’t be shy. Sing loud.”

But Katie’s first love was riding horses, and she was good at it – becoming an instructor in her teens. But it was not to last.

A snowboarding accident broke her arm and ended her equestrian career. Feeling lost, she made a mission trip to the Dominican Republic, where, on a beach one night, as she played and sang to herself, a group of tourists gathered around and wanted to hear more. “It felt like God was calling me to sing,” she said.

After the trip, Katie sang and played countless hours with her father, honing her skills, preparing for what was to replace her lost career as a horsewoman.

Matt Myers started playing guitar when he was thirteen “to appeal to women.” At first fascinated by neoclassical rock, he later became interested in blues, listening to old recordings of Albert King and Albert Collins.

That blues influence blossomed into a blues band with his cousins during high school. After the band broke up (members moved away to college) Matt enrolled in a university music program. He preferred applying music theory to his guitar work rather than his homework, so eventually left the program to pursue music full time.

Now, both the formal training and blues influences are evident in Matt’s thoughtful approach to acoustic guitar.

Katie & Matt

As soon as Katie heard Matt, she wanted to introduce him to her father. The three met, started rehearsing, and soon were playing local venues. When Katie’s father felt Matt and Katie could go it alone, they did, playing their first gig with a whopping three-song repertoire.

Katie and Matt now write their own songs, combining their varied talents in a unique style influenced by Stevie Ray Vaughan, Dave Rawlings, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, the Felice Brothers, Gillian Welch, and Neil Young.

With Katie’s powerful vocals, Matt’s appealing guitar work, and their earthy, lyrical songs, Katie Toupin and Matt Myers are poised on the cusp of a compelling career.

Read more: http://www.myspace.com/katietoupin

Saturday October 30 7:00pm
5th annual Halloween Party
Ten Toe Turbo
Put on your best face and let's have the time of our lives!!!
Cash Prizes for best costume!!!

Thursday November 11 8:30pm
Brian Pepper
Brian Pepper was born and raised in Lexington, Kentucky.  At age 14, he began playing guitar and was soon writing his own music.  His earliest musical influences were oldies and classic rock radio stations, the blues of Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters and Lightning Hopkins, and later, classical guitar, which he studied for a year.  In high school, Brian's faves were The Replacements, The Cure, Nick Drake, Townes Van Zandt, Bob Dylan, and the alt-country / Americana music that was buzzing just below the radar. 

In college, he studied classical piano, and played guitar and piano as a member of the school jazz ensemble, majoring in piano performance.  He taught piano after college, but soon turned his attention to songwriting, playing coffee houses and clubs in downtown Lexington.

In 2004, he moved to the Nashville area. His debut LP on Ten O Nine Records, Lost Days, contains all original songs bringing together his diverse musical influences. The sessions took place at the legendary Delmark Records' Riverside Studios in Chicago, IL, America's oldest independent jazz and blues label, and home of luminaries such as Junior Wells, Magic Sam and Jimmy Dawkins. Brian was accompanied in the studio with a cast of all-star players including Jon Hiller (Chuck Berry, Big Shoulders, Tad Robinson, Eddie Clearwater) on drums, Steve Dvorak (Buddy Guy, Bo Diddley, Junior Wells) on guitar, Mike Keefe (Wicked) on keyboards, Gary Krolak (Sunnyland Slim, Kat Eggleston, Otters, Big Shoulders) on bass and Braden Land on bass and lap steel.
"Brian pens tunes straight from the heart, recalling some of Bruce's more reflective motivational ballad moments. All tunes here are originals, which argues further for artistic regard. Brian's vocals are both poignant and ground-level expressive. And when the sweeping guitars, declarative keys and decisive rhythms are joined by violin and cello, "singer/songwriter" -- though eminently apt -- fails to convey the sheer force". -DC Larson blogspot (I'm not sure how I feel about evoking Bruce's "motivational ballad moments")
 
"...keep an eye on Pepper.  He has the ability and talent... that could possibly propel him beyond the greatness of Guitar Town-era Steve Earle." -Gary Sheppard, Fig&Mint.com (In all honesty, Mr. Sheppard panned Lost Days and I don't even know if he likes Steve Earle, but this sounded pretty good)
http://www.tenonine.com/artists/pepper/index.html

Friday November 12 9:00pm
Rebecca Williams & Adrea LaRoche
www.rebeccawilliamsmusic.com 

Rebecca is a Louisville, Kentucky-native. She has been performing since 2005 when she bought a guitar, taught herself to play, and gave her poetry melody. She recorded her first demo, a set of 8 original songs, in the summer of 2005 on a BR-1600. In the summer of 2009, she recorded her debut EP, The Lion and The Unicorn, at Shangri-la Productions in Lexington, Kentucky with producer Duane Lundy and musicians Justin Craig and Robby Cosenza from the band These United States. The EP will be released this summer.

Rebecca has been touring since October 2009 and has not stopped. Her first tour was in the Midwest and Northeast. Her second tour, in December 2009, was with songwriter Ryan Conroy; from Hampton Roads, Virginia; Rebecca and Ryan toured throughout the Midwest. In February 2010, she traveled regionally in Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio with rock musician and songwriter Pete Dressman from Cincinnati, Ohio for their Three Seas Tour. Rebecca toured solo with guitarist Sam Tyner from Indianapolis, Indiana for a month and then with songwriter and worship leader Adrea LaRoche from Lexington, Kentucky for the Rubber Band Tour for six weeks in the United States, Mexico, and Canada
 

www.adrealaroche.com