Artist Line Up

Tori Tollison

Born and raised in Memphis, TN, singer/songwriter and avid music lover, Tori Tollison, constantly fights with a strong determination to share her passion for music. Not only to share her music for hope of fame, but to reach people in hopes they will love music as much as she does. Though this feisty new comer with a big voice and even bigger personality, has only been on the music scene a few years, she's taking over by storm! At a young age, Tori's fire for singing and stage burst open, and she realized that God had given her this insane craving to sing and make music. It's just what she is here to do, it's who she is. Tori loves surrounding herself with musicians just as insane, creative and passionate as she is. With favorites from 70's and 80's classics, 90's grunge, today's favorites and a few unknown surprises and originals here and there, Tori puts on a show you won't soon forget! Tori is steadily working on her career and bringing music to anyone who will listen. You can catch Tori regularly playing in Memphis,TN at Lynchburg Legends, Wet Willie's on Beale downtown...and many other various venues, shows and charity benefits in the Memphis and surrounding areas.

The Hancock Co.

"As for what we 'do'... We feel obliged to do our part--at least what WE can do that others haven't, to recreate and advocate Mississippi’s music..."

Linking the heart of the hills to the sultry soul of the delta, river-city jazz to coastal funk; The Hancock Co. fuses the sounds of Mississippi into their own brand of backwoods stomp. The Hancock Co. dishes up intense performances of their own hard-driving electro-blues, mixed with fresh spin-offs of relics like Robert Petway’s Catfish Blues and Son House’s Death Letter.

Deep grooves, gritty guitars and concentrated vocals are the fixings of this sound, forged in the guts of Mississippi’s hill-country. The Hancock Co. is currently gaining momentum in the south through grass-roots networking and setting the foundation for an up-coming EP.

Collectively, The Hancock Co. has performed with: Jimbo Mathus, Garry, Cedric, and Duwayne Burnside, Luther and Cody Dickinson, Blue Mountain, Zoogma, Bret Mosley, KC Johns, Solar Porch, Kenny Brown, The Big Strung Thumb, Cary Hudson, Blind Mississippi Morris, Steve Gardner, and many others.

Andrew Hancock: Guitars/Vox
Steve McCain: Bass
Zak Tillotson: Drums/Cymbals

Losers Way Home

Founded by Randall Downs and Matt Cureton, Loser's Way Home officially formed in 2008 as they began writing several songs together and began planning to record. In early 2009 Steven Bowman joined the band adding his fiddle and writing input to the band. The band also features Rex Gorman on bass guitar/keyboards/vocals, Ryan Veach on drums and Blake Bostick on keys and vocals. The band just released their 2nd record "The Way Things Are" and will be promoting it across the southern United States.

Desoto Arts Council Stage

House Blend: Sat. 11 a.m.

Bill Shipper - Sat. 4:15-4:45pm
I was getting my MBA at Babson College in Massachusetts and the business school was planning a talent show. I had written funny songs for years in the folk/country style and thought: hmm, I like country music and I’m taking a finance class - "Tears On My Spreadsheet" jumped into my head and the song sprang from that. Later on I was in the corporate world doing data analysis. One of my team members complained about a file that someone ¬ had sent him. It didn’t have consistent format, the fields had shifted, it wasn’t clean – it was "Dirty Data". Wow! I wrote a song from the concept and it was the hit of the department staff parties. When people kept asking about the song for years afterward I thought maybe I should make something of it. Why do I combine love and relationships with business terms? Because that’s funny to me. And it helps me cope with some of the corny clichés that get repeated in the corporate world. In my day job working for a transportation company, the phrase "Bill Shipper" is used to indicate that the person who sent the goods is the one to pay for them. I thought, ‘Hey, if Samuel Clemens can take a trade’s technical term as his public name (Mark Twain), so can I.’

Marlena Jarjoura - Sat. 5:30 pm
Marlena Jarjoura’s musical journey began at a young age, as she started writing her first songs at age eight and performing in the children’s choir in her local church. Born in Memphis and raised in north Mississippi, Marlena grew up inspired by the guitar playing of her maternal grandfather and the music of singer-songwriters Jewel and Ani Difranco. After picking up a guitar at age fourteen, her songs quickly took structure as she began to explore themes of spirituality, love, and self discovery. Through the years she has honed and crafted her talent into a truly original, melodic, and sophisticated sound, earning the respect and praise of her peers. Marlena has performed live at various venues, including the Brainwash Café and Sam’s Place in San Francisco, California, Top Shelf Records in Corinth, Mississippi, and Java Cabana in Memphis. She is currently pursuing a degree in Special Education at the University of Mississippi, and spends most of her free time composing music and creating art.

Jeff Pruitt: Sat. 7:30

Jeff Pruitt is the frontman for JP & The Jackrollers, a Memphis, Tenn.-based rock power trio. Their songs range from psychedelic groove based jams to heavy, high-energy, fast-as-hell Rock N' Roll. When asked about the band's sound, one fan was noted as saying "it's like end-of-the-world shit, no doubt". The Jackrollers cut their first record "Decapitated Blues" in the Music + Arts Studio in Archer Records and are currently preparing to start on their next effort. The band is gigging heavily and constantly writing new material for their newest record which should debut by the end of summer 2011.

Taylor Bothwell - Sun. 3-3:45 pm.
At barely 16 years old Taylor Bothwell is already a 2 year veteran of the Memphis Songwriters Association and the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI). Bart Herbison, the Executive Director of NSAI recently called Taylor "the hardest working young songwriter since Shania Twain." Writing music since she was 10, Taylor has shared her unique blend of country/pop/folk on Live at Nine (when she was 14 years old), the Delta Fair and Music Festival, Shelby Farms Earth Day Festival, many music venues around Memphis, and the Commodore in Nashville to name a few. Watch for Taylor and her new band Ryzkie to be seen out and about soon! Visit her facebook page at www.facebook.com/taylorbothwell.music. Be sure the "Like" the page for updates on where Taylor is playing next!

Songkindler: Sun. 1:45

Hillhouse

Formed in early 2009, Hillhouse blends together a hybrid mixture of folk-rock, blues, and jam band into a provocative, original sound. Led by singer/songwriter Wilson Harris, Hillhouse also features Nathan Crockett and bass and Nick Williams on drums. The last year has seen the band play various clubs and events throughout the mid-south, including the 2010 Love Music Festival, Pope's Place in Nashville, and 95.3's holiday fundraiser at the Southaven Arena. In addition, a full article on the band and their music appeared in the Commercial Appeal in February 2010.

William Charles Band

William Charles released his first single "On the Way" in July 2011 on Itunes and Amazon.com. His second single "Illinois" is set to be released September 2011, and in October of 2011 William will release his first full length album. William Charles Band is a product of "Good Times Great Friends and Lots of Music". William Charles brings life to his lyrics with smooth melodies from his acoustic guitar and his distinct voice. In 2010 he contacted an old high school friend, Brett Murdock, to bring some bass guitar in keeping toes tappin' and hips shakin . Shortly after, the two began running ideas and songs by their friend Mark Seibert . After 2 weeks Mark was in, and bringing with him not just his drums but years of playing everything from rock, reggae, to jazz. In early 2011 Sean Richardson joined his three mutual friends bringing his electric guitar to sooth , heat , and the ignite any crowd. Forming William Charles Band the four have already developed a sound and song list that will force any crowd to move. From Spring Breakers to Weekend Warriors , everyone gets a chance to have a great night and that's what William Charles Band is about.

Woodstomp

Woodstomp, a blues/ rock duo from the North Mississippi hill country, has been making a name for themselves throughout the Southeast. Charlie Shearon, (drums/vocals) and Connor Alexander, (guitar) were once guitarists for the Burnside Exploration, the sons and grandsons of the legendary bluesman R.L. Burnside. In fact, Garry and Dwayne Burnside have called the pair “the new generation of the blues.” Woodstomp’s memorable performances have been compared to modern blues artists like the North Mississippi Allstars and The Black Keys.

Cadillac Funk Band

The Cadillac Funk Band was formed in 2009. A mixture of blues, jazz, and funk creates a variety of sounds. We can sound like a Beale St. Blues Band, or a Funk band in New Orleans. We include soo many instruments on stage, layering trumpet, organ, saxophone, trombone, over a dynamite rhythm section. We cover a wide variety of songs and also have many originals. Currently in negotiations with several record labels to record our first album, the crew consist of (bass) Dylan Roberts, (guitar) Eric Leslie, (keys) Jeff Doggett, (drums) Fred Dunlap III, and (lead and rhythm guitar/vocals) Andrew Yurkow. We have made a name for ourselves with our special guest list... a few names Bill Perry Sr. and Jr., Garry and Duwayne Burnside, Kenny Brown, Dr. Herman Green...

Marlee Scott

As a teenager, Bigride Entertainment artist Marlee Scott knew she was born to be a singer. The only problem, she would discover, was that young Marlee was expecting to fulfill that destiny before she was even old enough to drive!

"I remember always wanting to be a singer," says Marlee. "When I was fourteen years old, every night before I went to bed I would tell myself that I would be a recording artist by the time I turned fifteen. It didn't happen quite that fast, though!" she laughs.

Born in Richmond Hill, Ontario, the Scott family moved to St. Albert, Alberta, when Marlee was only six years old. It quickly became evident which direction her musical career would take.

"Marlee's mom had called to schedule flute lessons for her," remembers one of Marlee's childhood music teachers. "When it came time for her first lesson I asked her, 'So, you want to play the flute?' She smiled at me and pointed to a pink electric guitar that I had in the corner and said, 'No, I want to play that.'"

Marlee spent her childhood and early teenage years learning guitar and taking vocal lessons, but it turns out that it was a chance car ride with some of her friends that led her back to her affection for Country music.

"Country music has always been a part of me," Marlee says, "but around the time I was sixteen, I was listening to a lot of Pop music on the radio. I remember riding around in the car with my friends one day, and a song we didn't like came on the Pop station, so we switched it over to the Country station. Alabama's 'Mountain Music' was playing. We liked the groove, so we left the radio tuned to Country. I guess we just never changed it back!"

Alabama may have brought the teenager back to her roots, but it was songs like Rascal Flatts' "Prayin' for Daylight" and Emerson Drive's "I Should Be Sleeping" that pushed Marlee to try her hand at writing Country material. So, while most of her friends were participating in school activities, Marlee devoted all of her free time to riding her horse, Sidra, and to writing and recording her music.


Marlee's first album, Souvenir, was released in Canada in 2005. It introduced the young singer to the Country music masses, but more importantly, it generated enough buzz to showcase her songs at various festivals and fairs around the country, garnering invaluable performance experience for the rising artist.

Before recording her follow-up effort, however, Scott moved to Nashville in the summer of 2007. She spent months writing material for the project, which eventually caught the attention of veteran industry executive Gerry Leiske. Leiske was intrigued by Scott's natural ability as a singer and songwriter, and in 2008 he signed her to a management deal. Under Leiske's guidance, Marlee released her self-titled sophomore album, establishing a solid foundation for her developing career in the States.

"By the time I recorded my second album, I had grown up a lot," Marlee reveals. "I had experienced love and heartbreak; I moved to Nashville, away from my family and friends and made a new life for myself in Music City. I was so much more comfortable in the studio at that point, and I think you could hear a new maturity in my music."

The resulting album earned Marlee a coveted nomination in the Rising Star Award category at the 2010 Canadian Country Music Awards, as well as a 2010 nomination at the Canadian Radio Music Awards. Not one to stand idly by, Marlee capitalized on the momentum of her critically-acclaimed sophomore effort and quickly released the international hit, "Here To Heaven." The track went Top 20 in Australia and Canada and shot to the top of the charts in Europe. Within months, plans for her first U.S. release began to take shape, bolstered by her new label deal with Leiske's BigRide Records.

"One of the highlights of my career so far has been signing with Bigride," Marlee says. "The entire team is behind me and that is such an amazing feeling. I feel like they have invested their time and energy into helping me develop as an artist, and we are all extremely excited about this new project for 2011."

Produced by David Kalmusky and penned by accomplished songwriter Marcus Hummon, the album's first single is the shimmering "Beautiful Maybe," an up-tempo gem with a positive spirit and message that fittingly reflects Marlee's personality. With "Beautiful Maybe" due out this summer, and the album set for release later this year, Marlee is ready to hit the highways with her new songs.

"I cannot wait to get out on the road and start playing my music for everyone!" she says, beaming. "There are parts of the U.S. that I've never been before, and I'm getting ready for my first official radio tour down here. I am so pumped to meet everyone at Country radio!"

Growing up in the community of St. Albert, Alberta, the down-home, small town spirit is alive and well in Marlee Scott. Her fun-loving demeanor, coupled with her accomplished skills as a musician, songwriter and vocalist, have prepared the rising star for a long career in the States... and beyond.

"It's the storytelling and honesty of Country music that I was always drawn to," Marlee says. "I hope people hear and identify with that on this album. Lyrically, these songs represent who I am more accurately than anything I've ever written before."


For More Information:

Bigride Entertainment

3525 Harborwood Circle

Nashville, TN 37214

P: (615) 889-4451

F: (615) 885-8774

W: www.bigride.us

George McConnell

George McConnell has served as lead guitarist and singer in the bands Beanland, Kudzu Kings and Widespread Panic.
He grew up in the river town of Vicksburg, Mississippi, halfway between New Orleans and Memphis. Over the years he crossed paths with musicians from the worlds of jazz, soul, blues, country and rock 'n roll; in effect, McConnell couldn't help but become the player that he is blurring these styles of music together. This is music that can only be called rock 'n roll.

George released his first solo album titled "Singles Only" in the spring of 2009. The reviews regarding the album have been outstanding!

Honest Tune Magazine says it has a "mix of delicious mid-tempo R&B grooves, unapologetic tributes to Memphis soul, and a Deep South brand of cosmic Americana". Some of the tunes are "ferocious and full-throttle balls-to-the-wall rockers that show less interest in noodling and more insistence on swaggering purpose reminiscent of Mick and Keith".

Jamband.com raves that "McConnell proves himself to be a songwriter with a sense of humor and an ear for a hook" as well as "a vocalist who can pull off both a love song and a kiss-off tune with equal credibility. This is an album of tunes written and performed by a guy who's looking ahead, rather than over his shoulder. It sounds like George McConnell is having fun being George McConnell."

Glide Magazine states that "there is a juke-joint, honky-tonk, pool-hall, vibe coursing through these songs. McConnell's guitar playing is Memphis southern fried soul, slithering and sliding around, puncturing when need be or boogie-woogie'in' in the background. A staple of the Southern jam scene McConnell also doesn't shy away from blending genres. Straight up Rock is everywhere, but note the reggae flashes, the country twang and dash of funk.
McConnell's guitar playing has earned him the lion share of his respect in the past, but his voice here is utterly engaging and should be praised as well. A more 'every man' vocal mix of Chris Robinson and Tom Petty, McConnell can convey the blues with a slight rasp or joy with a vocal smirk.
The songs smoke!"

George is currently wrapping up the recording process for his 2nd album. George and his band, the Nonchalants, are constantly performing throughout the Southeast from Washington DC down to New Orleans and everywhere in between. They are packing out clubs and headlining outdoor festivals while also opening for Jason Mraz, Robert Randolph, and others.

www.georgemcconnell.com
www.facebook.com/georgemcconnell
www.myspace.com/georgemcconnell

Joe Ayers

Earl “Little Joe” Ayers is a blues guitarist and singer based in Holly Springs, Mississippi. For over thirty years, he was a member of the Soul Blues Boys, Junior Kimbrough’s long-time backing band.

Ayers was born in nearby Lamar and began performing at house parties in the area when he was 15. When asked what inspired him to begin playing the guitar, he replied, “It was something that other people weren’t doing.” He also saw the enjoyment that his second cousin, Lindsey Boga, and Junior Kimbrough derived from their musical pursuits, and “didn’t want to be left behind.”

Kenny Brown

Sometimes it really is all about location, location, location. Kenny Brown was not only blessed with talent, he was born in the backyard of some of Mississippi's best bluesmen. Although R.L. Burnside is fond of calling Kenny Brown his adopted son, it is really the sadly under-recorded north Mississippi bluesman Joe Callicott who was the first musician to take Kenny under his wing.

At ten, Brown was playing with Callicott after school everyday, and simultaneously absorbing the hypnotic old African sound of Otha Turner's fife and drum band, a fixture at picnics across the road from Brown's Nesbit, Mississippi, home. By eighteen, Brown had also apprenticed with local harmonica ace Johnny Woods and Mississippi Fred McDowell, soon becoming Burnside's right hand, which he remained for over thirty years.

Together they toured 5 continents, recorded 7 albums, (including the Grammy nominated Burnside on Burnside), and even appeared in the film Big Bad Love. Brown has also performed and recorded with a number of other artists, including James Burton, Cedell Davis, Dale Hawkins, Jessie Mae Hempill, Jo Jo Herman, Big Jack Johnson, Paul "Wine" Jones, The Kentucky Headhunters, Junior Kimbrough, Larry McCray, North Mississippi All-Stars, Smiling Assassins, Jon Spencer, and Othar Turner.

With his own Kenny Brown Band, he has applied the powerful cry-and-moan singing style of the hills and those relentless, droning guitars to his own distinctive sound, earning him Musician magazine's praise as "simply the best white slide player you might ever hear." Brown's unique musical talent is highlighted in his appearance in the Paramount Vantage film Black Snake Moan based on the life of R.L. Burnside, starring Hollywood famed Samuel L. Jackson. Brown's CD, Meet Ya In The Bottom, released in 2008 has enjoyed remarkable sales as reviews revealed, "If Keith Richards were born in Mississippi it would sound like this." Kenny's new CD, Can't Stay Long released June 2011 on Devil Down Records, reviews sum up the new CD, "Kenny has become increasingly recognized as an international force in his own right since R.L. Burnside's death in 2005, his abilities have never been a secret to those of us living in north Mississippi."

When not touring both nationally and internationally, Kenny Brown resides on his farm in the middle of the Holly Springs National Forest; returning to the backyard of the Blues, playing in local joints, and passing on the lessons learned from legends.


Contact:

Sara Brown, Manager

Email drsarad@gmail.com

Tele 662-801-7272

www.myspace.com/kennybrownmusic



SmallGMCpicGeorge McConnell has served as lead guitarist and singer in the bands Beanland, Kudzu Kings and Widespread Panic.
He grew up in the river town of Vicksburg, Mississippi, halfway between New Orleans and Memphis. Over the years he crossed paths with musicians from the worlds of jazz, soul, blues, country and rock 'n roll; in effect, McConnell couldn't help but become the player that he is blurring these styles of music together. This is music that can only be called rock 'n roll.

George released his first solo album titled "Singles Only" in the spring of 2009. The reviews regarding the album have been outstanding!

Honest Tune Magazine says it has a "mix of delicious mid-tempo R&B grooves, unapologetic tributes to Memphis soul, and a Deep South brand of cosmic Americana". Some of the tunes are "ferocious and full-throttle balls-to-the-wall rockers that show less interest in noodling and more insistence on swaggering purpose reminiscent of Mick and Keith".

Jamband.com raves that "McConnell proves himself to be a songwriter with a sense of humor and an ear for a hook" as well as "a vocalist who can pull off both a love song and a kiss-off tune with equal credibility. This is an album of tunes written and performed by a guy who's looking ahead, rather than over his shoulder. It sounds like George McConnell is having fun being George McConnell."

Glide Magazine states that "there is a juke-joint, honky-tonk, pool-hall, vibe coursing through these songs. McConnell's guitar playing is Memphis southern fried soul, slithering and sliding around, puncturing when need be or boogie-woogie'in' in the background. A staple of the Southern jam scene McConnell also doesn't shy away from blending genres. Straight up Rock is everywhere, but note the reggae flashes, the country twang and dash of funk.
McConnell's guitar playing has earned him the lion share of his respect in the past, but his voice here is utterly engaging and should be praised as well. A more 'every man' vocal mix of Chris Robinson and Tom Petty, McConnell can convey the blues with a slight rasp or joy with a vocal smirk.
The songs smoke!"

George is currently wrapping up the recording process for his 2nd album. George and his band, the Nonchalants, are constantly performing throughout the Southeast from Washington DC down to New Orleans and everywhere in between. They are packing out clubs and headlining outdoor festivals while also opening for Jason Mraz, Robert Randolph, and others.

www.georgemcconnell.com
www.facebook.com/georgemcconnell
www.myspace.com/georgemcconnell