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Seasick Steve heads a posse of top acts just announced for this summer's Southern Fried Festival of American Roots Music in Perth Concert Hall and Perth Theatre.
Tickets go on sale on Monday 17 May for the third annual Southern Fried Festival which takes place from Friday 30 July to Sunday 1 August in Perth Concert Hall, Perth Theatre and other venues within easy strolling distance.
Joining the celebrated US ‘song and dance man' is an impressive line-up of musicians from home and abroad. All the roots music bases from blues and country to rock 'n' roll, gospel, soul and R&B will be covered in this packed weekend of song, dance, food, workshops, kid's events and warm Scottish hospitality with a Southern flavour!
Saddling up for the opening concert in Perth Concert Hall on Friday 30 July are Carolina Chocolate Drops and The Holmes Brothers. Still basking in the success of their much acclaimed 2010 release Genuine Negro Jig, Carolina Chocolate Drops' thrilling banjo-driven and string-band sound have made them a sure fire hit on the festival circuit. Blues, gospel, soul, R&B, rock 'n' roll and country blend in perfect harmony to create the special sound of The Holmes Brothers. US bluegrassers Craig Duncan and Friends, country singing sensation Elizabeth Cook and Bristol-based Phantom Limb play late night music club Late and Southern Fried on Friday night in Perth Theatre.
Justin Currie combines with Southern Fried regular Rachel Harrington plus Holly Williams, Yolanda Quartey and others for The Roots of Elvis on Saturday 31 July in Perth Concert Hall. This festival exclusive will see the unique line up put their own voices to Elvis songs in appreciation of the blues, country and gospel influences that led the king of rock 'n' roll to be an almost unwitting pioneer of Americana. Holly Williams, granddaughter of Hank, makes a night of it by performing Late and Southern Fried in Perth Theatre on Saturday along with celebrated ballad singer Tim Eriksen and country rockers The New Madrids featuring former Revivals front man Ian Hutchison.
With gritty and honest songs about his days living rough and doing casual work, Seasick Steve has struck a note with a worldwide fanbase achieving awards and acclaim on a global scale, at the ripe old age of 65. He closes this year's Southern Fried Festival on Sunday 1 August in what is sure to be a climactic conclusion to the weekend.
Aside from the main gigs, the weekend is liberally sprinkled with workshops on songwriting, bluegrass fiddling and banjo playing and guitar playing demos. Opportunities to join in include the Shape Note Big Sing with Tim Eriksen and Bluegrass Harmony Singing Workshop. Kid's entertainment is covered with Eleanor and Julia's Big Yee Haa! And, of course, there is the best in Southern Fried cuisine - just like mama used to make!
New for 2010 is a free Festival Launch Party in the Twa Tams on Thursday 29 July with Perth's very own outlaw gang Red Pine Timber Company and, due to popular demand, stars of the future have the chance to shine in an Open Mic Session in Greyfriars on Sunday 1 August.
Since its launch in 2008, the Southern Fried Festival, which offers the widest choice of Americana of any comparable festival, has grown in reputation attracting festival goers from throughout the UK and beyond.
Beautifully situated on the bonny banks of the River Tay, but within easy striking distance of Edinburgh and Glasgow, the ‘Fair City' of Perth is making a name for itself as an exciting and innovative destination for top music acts worldwide. With a great choice of hotels, restaurants, bars and specialist shops there is plenty to keep festival goers occupied between gigs.
Festival director Andy Shearer of Horsecross Arts, the creative organisation behind Perth Concert Hall and Perth Theatre said:
"I'm really pleased with the line up we've put together for this year's Southern Fried. If anything, we've got an even wider range of music on offer this time and there genuinely is something for everyone in the festival and our three headline shows strongly reflect that,
"We've a strong blues feel this year with Seasick Steve and The Holmes Brothers and, lots of bluegrass with Craig Duncan, Goldrush and The Grass Mountain Hobos, a clutch of world-class songwriters including Elizabeth Cook, Rachel Harrington, Holly Williams, Nels Andrews, and AJ Roach, some great country rock and wonderful artists that defy categorisation like Carolina Chocolate Drops, Tim Eriksen and Phantom Limb,
"We've also expanded the daytime events programme with talks, workshops, gigs, a family show and a Bluegrass Brunch on Sunday - authentic Southern food is a big part of the festival too!
"And, with our completely unique Roots of Elvis show on Saturday night it means a lot of the visiting performers will be around for more than a day which really helps them connect to the event and our audience. We had a lot of people coming to Perth for the weekend last year from all over Scotland and the UK - and even further afield - and we hope to see these numbers grow further still this year."
Paul Bush OBE, Chief Operating Officer at EventScotland, the national events agency who support Southern Fried, said:
"Southern Fried offers a totally unique music festival experience that draws crowds of American Roots fans from across Scotland and beyond. The festival brings a welcome boost to Perthshire's tourist season and generates an impressive economic impact for the area. The line up for the Festival is fantastic year on year and 2010 is no exception and the standard of international talent attracted is representative of the event's global reputation. Southern Fried is putting Perth on the map as a destination for American Roots music which is hugely exciting for the area and for Scotland."
Southern Fried Festival 2010
Friday 30 July to Sunday 1 August
Seasick Steve
Carolina Chocolate Drops, The Holmes Brothers
Justin Currie, Paul Buchanan, Elizabeth Cook, Rachel Harrington, Holly Williams,
and many more...
"My favourite gig of the entire UK tour! I love Scotland!! " - Lucinda Williams 2009
"What a warm feeling here in Perth. The Southern Fried Festival reminds me why we're all in this music business - to find kindred spirits and soothe our souls. Many Thanks."
- Diana Jones - 2009
For tickets and event info call Horsecross Arts Box Office on 01738 621 031 or click here.