News
Seldovia Solstice
1 Jul, 08 10:52 AM
Captain Midnight (aka Drew Howard) and myself had the privilege of hanging out and playing music in Seldovia, Alaska. We had a great time with the great people listed below and a wonderful audience who showed their appreciation on so many levels. Salute to you Seldovia. We hope to make it back to your shores sometime. Have a wonderful 4th of July.
Beluga Stars
Greg Davis
Seldovia Dental Clinic
Mike & Mary Webber
Megastars
Seldovia Saltwater Studios
Tobben & Tania Spurkland
Tidepool Cafe
Superstars
Crabpot Grocery
Andy Criscuolo
Lewis & Jacqueline Dickinson
Nancy Hillstrand
Hopkins Bros. Construction
F/V Independence
Mad Fish Restaurant
Main Street Market
Robert D. Maurer, DDS
Cleo & Shirley Pulis
Gary Sawdy, DDS
Seldovia Native Assoc., Inc.
Geo & Trina Smallwood
Winter Watch
Stars
Benefits Consulting Service
Happy Schneider
Housing providers
Dancing Eagles/Kris and Judith Lethin
Seldovia Rowing Club/Susan Mumma
Andy Criscuolo
Kirby Corwin
Fritz and Jackie Graese
Bill and Linda Greene
Tom and Mary Glover
Steve and Savannah Lewis
Jerry and Suzie Stranik
Mike and Mary Webber
Volunteers
Festival staff
Director: Susan Mumma
Stage Manager: Susan Zerwick
Assistant Stage Manager: Joy Smith
Sound: Dan McElrath
Lights: Jerry Stranik
MC: Joe Craven, Susan Mumma
Gofer: Savannah Lewis
Housing: Mary Webber
Sponsorships: Mary Glover, Suzie Stranik
Publicity: Susan Zerwick with help from Susan Mumma, Mary Webber
Venue setup/cleanup:
Program: Savannah Lewis with help from Darlene Crawford, Barbara Carlough
Travel: Mary Webber with help from Greg Davis, Susan Zerwick, Bob Mosher
Performer food: Suzie Stranik with help from Happy Schneider
Green room: Mary Glover with help from Felicia Rowland
Performer packets: Mary Webber
Gate: Darlene Crawford with help from Felicia Rowland, Happy Schneider
T-Shirts and schwag: Greg Davis
Crew
Tania & Tobben Spurkland, Susan Mumma, Susan Zerwick, Mary Webber, Steve Lewis, Jaqueline Brown, Paula Elvsaas, Willie Brun, Rob Rurka, Eric Rurka, Jerry Stranik, Laurel Hilts, Rod Hilts, Greg Davis, Mike Webber
London Calling
14 Mar, 08 10:20 AM
What does a laptop being lifted, a debit card disappearing, a black cab concert and a bedroom broadcast have in common? They all were part of the UK experience in London. Carwreck Conversations has been released into the UK and Europe by Rykodisc and what has followed is a series of music marketing ventures from "House of Mercy" Radio Show hosted by Barry Marshall-Everitt (former Borderlne impresario)all around great radio host and soon to be road manager for Joan Armatrading. Barry invited us (us being Amy Speace and I) out to his bedroom studio for a taping of his syndicated radio show "House of Mercy". We each did a segment and then joined each other on the title cut of Amy's forth coming album on Wildflower Records. On my second night in London I met up with the guys from Hidden Fruit/Just So Films (Will Evans & Jonny Madderson - special thanks to to Gen who set it up) who produce The Black Cab Sessions. We hailed a cab and hopped in for a swing around downtown London while I played a number of songs as they rolled film. I also had my computer lifted off my lap by a biking burglar who sacrificed his his bike for his freedom and now I have a bike in London if anyone needs transportation when they are there. We can work something out. I'm losing conciousness here from jet lag so I am going to hopefully get back and finish some thoughts later, for now Thanks to Sam, James, Kari, Chris, Amy, Zoe, Brian, Graham, Morris, Will, Jonny, Gem, Barry, Bex, SteveO and the British Rail System. Cheers
Ralston
Canadian Music Week
6 Mar, 08 10:14 AM
MusicDish - Wildflower Records Showcase presented at Lula Lounge
1585 Dundas St.W, Toronto 416 588 0307
RALSTON BOWLES 8 : 30 PM
KARLEX 9 : 30 PM
PORKBELLY FUTURES 10 : 30 PM
KOBO TOWN 11 : 30 PM
CHECK OUT SONGRAMP
13 Aug, 07 10:05 AM
New Americana Site
31 May, 07 09:15 AM
Gregg Geil from Americana Roots is setting up a social network website of AmericanaRoots.com focusing on co-branding the two sites.
Emugga.com will spread the music via an interactive experience. Below is a link the site. Take a sneak peek at it before it officially launches.
+ { Comments (0) }In Memory of Robert Busby 1946-2007
5 Mar, 07 08:59 AM
In Memory of Robert Busby Jr 1946-2007
Robert Perry Busby, respected and beloved community leader and businessman, died tragically on February 27.
Robert was an invigorating presence in North Lansing starting in the mid-1970s, when he bought and rehabilitated the first of five buildings on Turner Street. He met many kindred spirits, including Barb Morris, Dave Kleis and Ed Hall, through the art program at Lansing Community College. He started an art and performance gallery called Two Doors Down, a vibrant place for poets, musicians and artists. The gallery was the precursor to the Old Town Business and Art Development Association. Robert presided over the association for many years as it grew to develop Old Town JazzFest and other events. His persistence led to the neighborhood's revitalization and earned him the title of "The Mayor of Old Town."
Robert was born Sept. 9, 1946, in Lansing. His family moved to Martin, Tenn., and Robert left to join the U.S. Air Force from 1964 to 1968. He returned to Lansing to work at General Motors, retiring as a model maker. In 1998, he opened his second art and performance venue, Creole Gallery, which has grown into a place where the community gathers to see art, live music, theater and poetry. It hosted an art show by Tyree Guyton of the Heidelberg Project, concerts with jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and many more talented artists.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Vercie and Louise Busby, and a brother, Thomas. He leaves behind his loving daughter, Ena Marie Busby; three devoted granddaughters, Monet Alexandria Robinson, Destiny Williams and Gabrielle Symone Busby; and Ena's mother, Paula Busby. Also surviving are four brothers, Vercie of Martin, Tenn.; William (Rebecca) of Portage; Michael (and daughter Michelle) of Lansing, and Jerry, of Memphis; and three sisters, Amy of Martin, Tenn., and Paula (Tommy) and Deborah of Memphis; many other nieces and nephews; and his beloved companion and business partner, Meegan Holland.
Robert served on the city's Historic District Commission and most recently, was appointed by Mayor Virg Bernero to head up his transition committee on arts, culture, entertainment and tourism. The family is honored that Mayor Bernero and the city will rename the Grand River bridge in Old Town to honor Robert's memory.
Robert's infectious smile and genuine warmth made people of all walks of life feel embraced. He was a visionary who approached life with great dignity and integrity.
Burial arrangements are being made by the Estes-Leadley Funeral Home, 325 W. Washtenaw in downtown Lansing. Visitation is Sunday 2-4 p.m. and Monday 4-8 p.m. A community memorial service will be held on Tuesday, March 6, at 3 p.m. in Dart Auditorium on LCC's campus.
Robert loved jazz and Old Town. Memorials can be made either to the Old Town Commercial Association in his memory (1232 Turner St., Lansing, MI 48906) or to The Robert P. Busby Jazz Scholarship Fund, School of Music, MSU, East Lansing, MI 48824
Italian Townes Van Zandt Tribute
20 Nov, 06 03:13 PM
Milan, Italy was the location for a Townes Van Zandt Tribute Concert at Casa 139. Artists on the evening included Gurf Morlix, Sam Baker, Andy White, Rad Lorcovic and Ralston Bowles.
+ { Comments (0) }MySpace for Music
4 Oct, 06 02:36 PM
Check out a Tune from the Austin Sessions.
http://www.myspace.com/ralstonbowles
+ { Comments (0) }Americana Music Conference - Nashville, TN
18 Sep, 06 02:23 PM
AMERICANA MUSIC CONFERENCE SHOWCASE & PARTY SCHEDULE
Your 2006 evening showcases are sponsored by NO DEPRESSION and CMT
Wednesday, September 20: 7.30pm to 2.00am
Thursday, September 21: 6.00pm to 2.00am
Friday, September 22: 9.00pm to 2.00am
Your Conference laminate is also your personal invitation to many parties. We strongly recommend you bring it with you for admission.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2006
DAYTIME SHOWCASES
11.00-Noon Sarah Siskind
2.00-3.00pm Jammin' Around With Jamie-Sue Radio Show with Bonnie Bishop and Jen Cass
3.30-4.30pm ASCAP Songwriters Showcase with Spady Brannan, Arthur Godfrey, Diana Jones and Mando Saenz
4.45-5.30pm Takes The Biscuit Showcase with Jeff Austin Black and Jody Raffoul
OPEN TO CONFERENCE DELEGATES
EVENING PARTIES & SHOWCASES
6PM: OPENING KICKOFF PARTY, Sponsored by NO DEPRESSION
THE MERCY LOUNGE: 1 Cannery Row, Nashville; 615.251.3020 (upstairs)
Enjoy some terrific barbecue and cold beer while it lasts!
7pm Tom Gillam's Tractor Pull
8pm Chatham County Line
9pm Charlie Louvin
10pm Hem
11pm Mindy Smith
Midnight Dave Alvin
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
THE STATION INN: 402 12th Avenue South, Nashville; 615.255.3307
8pm Kieran Goss (Ireland)
9pm Elizabeth Cook
10pm Pinmonkey
11pm Jeffrey Foucault
Midnight The Lucky Tomblin Band
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2006
DAYTIME SHOWCASES
11.00-11.45am The Cherryholmes - IBMA Entertainer Of The Year!
2.00-3.00pm Jammin' Around With Jamie-Sue Radio Show with Ron Block and Jill Jack
3.15-4.15pm SESAC Songwriters Showcase with Hayes Carll, Dana Cooper, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Jim Lauderdale and Kevin Welch
OPEN TO CONFERENCE DELEGATES
EVENING PARTIES & SHOWCASES
STATION INN: 402 12th Avenue South, Nashville; 615.255.3307
WILDFLOWER RECORDS & NAVARRE ENTERTAINMENT PRESENT AN EARLY EVENING OF SONG
6.00-7.30pm Amy Speace, Eileen Rose and Ralston Bowles
OPEN TO CONFERENCE DELEGATES & INVITED GUESTS
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2006
THE HISTORIC RYMAN AUDITORIUM: 116 5th Avenue North, Nashville
7.00pm 5th ANNUAL AMERICANA HONORS & AWARDS
Hosted by Jim Lauderdale
Featuring an all-star house band led by Buddy Miller
With special guests:
Ronee Blakley
Sam Bush
Elvis Costello
Rodney Crowell
The Dynamites featuring Charles "Wigg" Walker
Tim Easton
Alejandro Escovedo
Vince Gill
James Hunter
Kieran Kane, Kevin Welch and Fats Kaplin
Delbert McClinton
James McMurtry
Tim O'Brien
Barry Poss
RobinElla
Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives
Bryan Sutton
Allen Toussaint
Uncle Earl
Kenny Vaughan
and more!
EVENING SHOWCASES:
THE STATION INN: 402 12th Avenue South, Nashville; 615.255.3307
10pm Bryan Sutton
11pm Claire Lynch
Midnight Nathan
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
THE MERCY LOUNGE: 1 Cannery Row, Nashville; 615.251.3020 (upstairs)
10pm Anne McCue (Australia)
11pm Tony Joe White
Midnight Paul Thorn Band
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
THE CANNERY BALLROOM: 1 Cannery Row, Nashville; 615.251.3020 (downstairs)
10.30pm Jim Lauderdale
11.30pm The Derailers
12.30am Alejandro Escovedo
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Homepage
http://www.americanamusic.org/
Boston, Labor Day and Club Passim
31 Aug, 06 02:52 PM
Ralston will be in Boston this weekend at Club Passims' Cutting Edge of the Campfire Festival which has been a Club Passim tradition for several years. Each Memorial Day and Labor Day weekend, Passim stages a performance marathon from Friday to Monday. The majority of the sets feature 3 or 4 songwriters performing in the round and the rounds keep comin'. The action starts around noon each day and goes until the wee hours of the morning. This is a great opportunity to see a lot of great music in a small period of time. Songwriters from all over the country come to Boston for this classic event. Folks generally buy a weekend ticket and hang out for the long haul. The money goes to support the Club which is a non profit haven for presenting some of the more notable performers throughout the rest of year as well offering newer and upcoming artist a showcase as well.
You can Vote in Unisong Peoples Choice Award
30 Aug, 06 03:54 PM
Velvet Elvis has placed third out of 20,000 entries in the critic’s portion of the competition. There’s a second “peoples choice” competition also and it’s very simple and easy to vote. The link below leads you to the site. There’s an MP3 of the song available to play that was recorded last August with Ralston playing guitar and vocals, Daisy May on vocals and Seth Bernard on lap steel. Please tell anyone else you think would be interested.
There's less than 2 weeks left to vote in the Unisong "People's Choice Award"! Now that the judging is complete by our various panels of professional experts for our 2005-2006 "Unisong" International Song Contest, and the winners have already been announced , we have kicked off our final new feature for this round of the competition, the "People's Choice Award"! This award is designed to let everyone have their own say in selecting one final worthy winner out of the top four winners in all 17 categories, or a total pool of 68 songs in consideration for this extra online prize.
The writer selected for this final award will receive a bonus $500 USD in addition to any other prizes they have already won!
You be the judge! Since any song in the pool can win if it gets the most votes, it's a great chance for the public to add their own opinion, and vote for what they think is the best song, whether it's the same one the judges picked or not.
There's still time to vote! The "People's Choice Award" voting ends on September 10th, with the winner announced on September 15th.
Anyone can vote up to 3 times per day! Vote for one particular song 3 times or vote for 2 or 3 different songs. And you can vote up to three times every day until September 10th if you wish. The choice is yours!
www.unisong.com
Falcon Ridge Folk Fest Select Ralston & Drew Nelson
14 Jul, 06 03:12 PM
The FALCON RIDGE EMERGING ARTIST SHOWCASE is the opportunity to play at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival (FRFF)– a four-day community of folk music and dance at the foot of the Berkshires in east-central New York State. This year’s festival will be held July 20, 21, 22 & 23, 2006 on the Dodds Farm in Hillsdale, NY near the MA/CT/NY border.
The SHOWCASE and MW SONG SWAP are an opportunity to be seen and heard in a large amphitheatre setting with hundreds of avid folk fans, presenters, agents, record labels and media in attendance.
Performers who have played on the different FRFF stages in the past includes GRAMMY winners Shawn Colvin and Alison Krauss, also Ani DiFranco, Greg Brown, Dar Williams, John Gorka, Richard Shindell, Bill Morrissey, The Nields, Moxy Früvous, The Flirtations, George Marshall with Wild Asparagus, Odetta, Chris Smither, Cheryl Wheeler, Tom Paxton, Richard Thompson, Roger McGuinn, Catie Curtis, Patty Larkin, The Horseflies, Sloan Wainwright, Martin Sexton, The Kennedys, Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys, Andes Manta, Hoopoe the Clowne, Kim & Reggie Harris, Magpie, Dan Bern, disappear fear, Viva Quetzal, The Bobs, Ulali, Vance Gilbert, Ferron, Bob Malone, Ellis Paul, Susan Werner, Karen Savoca, Mustard's Retreat, The Ivy Vine Players, Eddie From Ohio and many, many others.
Congratulations to the Sonicbids artists who were selected this year:
Rob Lutes (Montreal QC)
Ellis (Minneapolis MN)
Cletus Kennelly & Lori Kelley (Washington DC)
Mary Coppin (Keauhou HI)
Kate Gaffney (Montgomeryville PA)
Open Book (Yorktown Heights NY)
Craig Carothers (Nashville TN)
Nadine Goellner (Brooklyn NY)
Drew Nelson (Grand Rapids MI)
Red Molly (Jersey City NJ)
Dan McKinnon (Halifax NS)
Amilia K Spicer (Los Angeles CA)
Gregory Alan Isakov (Boulder CO)
Dorian Spencer (New York City)
Rachel Harrington (Eugene OR)
Nels Andrews (Albuquerque NM)
Ralston (Grand Rapids MI)
Bar Scott (Woodstock NY
Jud Caswell (Brunswick ME)
Liz Carlisle (Missoula MT)
Pat Wictor (Brooklyn NY)
Russell Wolff (Somerville MA)
July Fourth with Governor of Michigan and Mayor of Grand Rapids
4 Jul, 06 03:09 PM
The crowd gathered in the park on the River front in anticpation of the fireworks display for the evening. Leading up to that a number of political dignitaries and local bands including Ralston Bowles and band would be making stage appearances. Close to 8,000 people gathered for the evening including Mayor Heartwell and Govenor Granholm.
+ { Comments (0) } NYC CD Release for Amy Speace
28 Jun, 06 03:03 PM
Ralston flew out and opened for Amy Speace at NYC music hot spot Mo' Pitkins. Recently signed to Judy Collin's Wildflower Records, the release party was for a number of close friends and family and some industry people (the Wildflower staff including Judy Collins) who had gathered for a rocking evening of music from Amy Speace and the Tearjerks. Amy had requested asked Ralston open the show much to the delight of those in attendance.
+ { Comments (0) }Myspace Preview " Austin, Texas Sessions"
5 Apr, 06 12:32 PM
Back from Austin where we just completed in record time 10 songs in 3 days and a second trip with one day for two more to consider for the follow up CD to "Carwreck Conversations".
By visiting Myspace you can hear a rough mix of the Austin Recording sessions which featured the work of Gurf Morlix (Lucinda Williams, Ray Wylie Hubbard); Radaslov Lorcovic ( Greg Brown, Jimmy Lafave); Jagoda ( Amy Speace, Swamp Cabbages) and Marvin Etzioni (producer and all around great guy). Cuts include vocals from Gurf and Marvin as well as Charlie Sexton. Next up mastering and artwork.
You can still pick up "Carwreck Conversations" from Paste Music Keep your eyes open for latest on the new disc updates here.
Austin Recording Session
24 Mar, 06 10:14 AM
Have just returned with 12 songs on tape from Austin. Spent three days in Wire Recording working on the new CD with Gurf Morlix, Marvin Etzioni, Radaslov Lorcivic and Jagoda. Engineered by Stu Sullivan and Assisted by Brad Bell. Hoping to get it mastered in the near future. PasteMusic.com still has some of "Carwreck Conversations" so feel free to snap those up. It would help to get this one nearer completion. Will post more as we get things sorted out a bit more.
+ { Comments (0) }ISC Finals Update -Velvet Elvis
1 Feb, 06 08:25 PM
Please note: Since entrants in the Lyrics Only category are not
required to submit recorded music, they are not eligible for
The Peoples' Voice. However, ISC would like to recognize
their achievements and finalist status:
A Good Old Song – Gaylon Embrey (Quitman, TX, USA)
Coffee With Emily – Alessandra Young (Brooklyn, NY, USA)
Heart Hangin' On A Hook – George Torosian Jr. (Cape Coral, FL, USA)
Love And Learn – Heather Murk (St. Charles, IL, USA)
Only One Me – Eli-Rose Sanford (London, England)
The Tender – Mick Flannery (Blarney, Co. Cork, Ireland)
Velvet Elvis – Ralston Bowles (Grand Rapids, MI, USA)
ISC Semi-finals for Velvet Elvis
26 Jan, 06 10:27 PM
Dear Ralston,
As mentioned in our previous email to you last week, the song "Velvet Elvis", entered into the Lyrics Only category, had advanced onto the semi-finals of judging for the 2005 International Songwriting Competition.
We are pleased to let you know that the above-mentioned song has now advanced onto the third round of judging. Congratulations on this achievement. With nearly 15,000 songs from 40 different countries entered into ISC 2005, making it this far along in the competition is a great accomplishment and a testament to your songwriting talent.
The 2005 finalists will officially be announced on February 1, 2006, and winners will be announced in March, 2006. All entrants will be informed of the results via email; finalists will also be posted on our website.
Best wishes for a healthy and successful New Year.
Regards,
ISC
For a complete list of semi-finalists, please visit:
http://www.songwritingcompetition.com/winners.htm.
Kerrville Disc Showcases "Fragile"
23 Nov, 05 02:42 PM
Caroline Aiken Live at Kerrville Wine & Music Festival 2004
+ { Comments (0) }Recipient of So Musical's Top Site Award!
4 Nov, 05 05:05 PM
Top Site 2004
In the Running for a Grammy
26 Oct, 05 09:26 AM
Caroline Aiken's new CD, "Are We There Yet Mama?" is being processed for a Grammy nomination! She has made it through the first round of voting. November 9th is when the voting has to be in so time will tell. A wonderful songwriter herself with little need to cover other artists, she has been very gracious to include "Fragile" on the disc.
Get the disc at CDbaby.
Carwreck Conversations Available Digitally
26 Oct, 05 09:20 AM
You can now get "Carwreck Conversations"
from a number of digital distribution centers
on line, entire album or individual songs.
MSN Music
BuyMusic
Bitmunk
Apple iTunes
Sony Connect
Napster
MusicNow
PassAlong
Chondo
WrapFactory
MP3tunes
AudioLunchbox
MusicMatch
TreeTunes
QTRnote
Arvato
MusicNet
PlayIndies
Liquid Digital Media
Next Radio Solutions
Getting Covered
10 Oct, 05 04:32 PM
A number of artists have requested covering songs this past year. Those to have completed the project are:
Rachael Davis(Boston, MA)"Fragile" on LIVE FROM BREMEN GERMANY www.rachaeldavis.com.
Caroline Aiken(Atlanta, GA)"Fragile" on ARE WE THERE YET MAMMA? www.caroline aiken.com.
Tina Lie(LEE)(Losna, Norway)"Son of Mine" on HE TICKLES MY FANCY www.tinalie.com. She requested the song be her feature track for showcasing at SXSW this spring. Tina is sharing the bill with POCO at the Lillehammer Rhythm & Roots Festival in Ocotber.
Fragile has also been heard being played out by Christopher Williams(Nashville, TN)and Drew Nelson(Grand Rapids, MI).
Michael Crittenden(Rockford, MI)has been known to cover "What About Me?".
And a request came from Dave Hardin(Tampa ,FL)to cover it on his next CD.
+ { Comments (0) }Song Selected as Finalist for CMT - NSAI Songwriter Contest
8 Mar, 05 05:26 PM
Son of Mine has made it to the second tier of judging in the CMT-NSAI Song Contest
Participating publishers in this year's competition include such heavy-hitters as BMG, Sony, EMI, Curb, Cal IV and Warner Chappell. Winners have the final say on which company they will sign their songs to.
The 2004 contest drew about 6,000 entries, according to NSAI marketing director Virginia Davis. The publishing prize, she says, "allows them to get their foot in the door [on Music Row] and allows their publisher to work their winning song for a year."
Davis stresses that the judges take into account only the quality of the song, not the recording. The NSAI hires professional singers and musicians to record the winning entries for the compilation CD that's circulated to publishers and record labels.
The NSAI will use all proceeds from the contest to lobby for laws to protect songwriters' rights
+ { Comments (0) }PRINT Mag Recognizes CD Artwork
10 Dec, 04 09:31 AM
PRINT, America's Graphic Design Magazine, has featured the CD artwork of Carwreck Conversations in the Nov/Dec Regional Design Annual 2004 Issue. PRINT features award-winning work from across the country, organized by region. Recognizing the Grand Rapid firm Grey Matter Group & Rick Devon's award winning design for the CD as a Midwest frontrunner of design packaging. The album artwork received a Silver Addy for pacakging from 2004 with more than 600 members of the West Michigan creative community at the 2004 ADDY® Awards on March 4. Sponsored by the Ad Club of West Michigan (ACWM), the ADDY Awards were held at the new DeVos Place Convention Center in downtown Grand Rapids
+ { Comments (0) }Sonic Bids Helps the Indie
1 Dec, 04 03:54 PM
Arlo Guthrie and theTappet Brothers
30 Nov, 04 09:08 AM
Ralston was recently invited to open for Arlo Guthrie for the opening night in a week of sold-out benefit concerts at the storied cellar music venue Club Passim in Boston. Among those in attendance for the Monday Night show were Click and Clack the Tappet Brothers from NPR's Car Talk as well as friends and staff. Boston Globe's Correspondent Scott Alarik wrote a very favorable review of the evening and a record number of memberships were received for support of this historic concert venue.
+ { Comments (0) }American Songwriter Magazine & Radio Crystal Blue
13 Oct, 04 02:05 PM
American Songwriter Magazine has announced the winners for bi-monthly Lyrics Contest for Nov/Dec Issue. Ralston's unrecorded lyrics for "Son of Mine" took top honors placing the song in the final 6 selected for the Lyrics of the Year. Winning that could mean a trip to Nashville for a demo session of the song at Music Row Productions.
"Carwreck Conversations" will also be featured on www.radiocrystalblue.com the Future Star segment.
2 songs from the CD..plus a link to the website.
Tune in Sunday October 17 from 7PM till 1AM EDT.
+ { Comments (0) }Boston Globe Review
14 Sep, 04 11:35 AM
"Carwreck Conversations," has all the trappings of a wise sage in storytelling mode without resorting to bitterness or preachy choruses. Lyrically clever and musically catchy, music hasn't addressed mid-life with this much dignity since Neil Young's "Freedom." Boston Globe
+ { Comments (0) }Promoting the Indie Spirit
21 Jun, 04 12:06 PM
There is a website devoted to sharing links to help cross promote the indie artists. Visit it and check out some of the "unsigned" talent that is creating music without boundaries.
The Indie Bible Promote your music to the world!
also check out indiemusicgroup.com
"he (Ralston) writes poetry that makes you think, and makes you feel" - Doug Morris, Webmaster Indie Music Group Review on Carwreck Conversations
+ { Comments (0) }Boston's Club Passim Important Nurturing Grounds for Songwriters
1 Jun, 04 11:54 AM
This past weekend Club Passim was the host to a bevy of singer/songwriters who are more than just the dernier cri of singer/songwriters. It would be difficult to single out any of the names without doing disservice to those not cited - May the reader here check this years line up at the Passim's website and explore the names who happen to be the creme'dela creme writing and performing in their various corners of the world. The biannual four day Boston Marathon of Music ( some 45 hours ) was best summarized of by storyteller Brother Blue (a.k.a. Dr. Hugh Morgan Hill) who recapped it as one of "the best experiences for preparing him as a participant in the human race." A point well taken when you consider his many decades of touring experience throughout the world. "If you, as poets and songwriters, do your job - you can change the world." Special thanks to Matt ( Can you get me more caffeine? ) Smith and his most competant staff for the excellent treatment and the smooth transitions between sets.
+ { Comments (0) }Singer Songwriter Website
10 May, 04 10:12 AM
You can find Ralston in the Singer/Songwriter directory. Although the site seems a bit out-of-date it's an interesting visit.
+ { Comments (1) }The Folk Alliance Fire
5 May, 04 08:43 AM
David slipped his key in the door, opened it slightly, then shut it immediately because he was hit in the face with a wall of smoke. He is Welsh, and comes from a family of coal miners. His father's cousin had once saved his family by doing a similar thing: by immediately shutting a door whose draft would have incinerated the building, he was able to evacuate his family first from the adjoining room where they were sleeping.
But as soon as David shut the door, knowing what was about to happen, he felt sick. Was Ralston Bowles in there? ...
Free Rarity MP3s
20 Apr, 04 07:01 AM
In the music section we've added a new feature (look for it in the right bar). You can now download a rare MP3 from our back catalog of demos, unreleased mixes, and live recordings. The first track, and this month's rarity, is If I Ever Get Tired of You which was recored by Rick Devon for use as a demo. The demo included twenty-four tracks which were pared down to the ten found on Car Wreck Conversations by Ralston & Marvin Etzioni.
+Fire destroys musician's belongings
17 Mar, 04 01:14 PM
Songwriter, musician and WYCE's Hat Trick Jammie Award Winner Ralston Bowles literally saw his music go up in smoke recently in San Diego. He was in town Feb 24-29 to take part in The National Folk Alliance Music Conference when an electrical problem resulted in his room catching fire destroying everything except his 31 year old Martin D-28 on Wednesday night.
"I lost my clothes and my handmade Bozouki instrument and firefighters carried out my Martin guitar in a cloud of steam and smoke. I feel very lucky my guitar was saved!"
A number of noted musicians which included among others Tracy Grammer, Lowen & Navarro and Rachael Davis organized a last minute fund-raiser towards the bouzouki's replacement under the direction of Pat Power, talent co-ordinator for Ten Pound Fiddle in East Lansing. National folk artist Tom Paxton even offered Ralston some of his clothes if he needed them.
"Losing an instrument and all of my belongings is rough," Ralston said. "But I'm glad I went to hear Chuck Brodsky instead of going to sleep. I guess you could say Chuck Brodsky saved my life."
Fortunately neither Ralston or his roommate Nashville songwriter David Llewyeln were in the room at the time. David was showcasing and Ralston was
listening to Chuck Brodsky's showcase in another room at the time of the fire.
Fire inspectors ruled it as accidental as no one had been smoking and no electrical appliances other than lights had been left on in the room.
New Website
26 Feb, 04 07:46 PM
As we gear up for the national release of Ralston's debut album Carwreck Conversations we are reworking his website to allow even more interaction. Today we launch the new design and over the next few weeks we will be adding new features regularly. Until then comments have been disabled (your comments haven't been lost they will return soon). We will also be adding the ability to buy Ralston's album digitally, a full archive of press coverage, high-resolution photo downloads and much more.
+ { Comments (1) }Benefit Concert a Success
3 Oct, 03 10:36 AM
The Standing Together Benefit Concert for Grand Rapids Public Schools Student Advancement Foundation held Tues. Sept 30th was a huge success. Over $4,000 was generated that night. Kudos to all those who made it a fantastic night. The CD, "Standing Together", is available at Schuler Books & Music (28th & Alpine locations), Barnes & Noble(Kentwood and Grandville locations) and Aris' Disc shop (Knapp Corners) or charge by phone at (800)528-7688 (visa/mastercard). It is a wonderful showcase of the talent we have here in our own backyard. And a great cause.
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