ARL Roots Review 62

John Powers must be a long-ago drifter reincarnated into a young man with a special gift; the ability to communicate age-old human experience through music.

Whether you call it alternative country, Americana or just rockin' emotion with a hook and a beat - John Powers writes and performs songs that get stuck in your head, your heart and your soul. There is no escape from them playing over and over again in your mind.

Once you've heard them, they're in you.

The audience at American Roots Live 61 was treated to an extended set by this talented song smith who previewed several melodic, message laden gems for us from his forthcoming John Powers CD, "Highway Lines". Infectious.

And another great night of roots music celebration was underway.

Again they came from near and far - New Jersey and Pennsylvania, Los Angeles and Florida. This week; Phoenix, Arizona and San Francisco, California. Last week and the week before; North Carolina and Kentucky as word of all the fun we're having at ARL spreads.

And last week, we started collecting ARL All Star's autographs on a new guitar (soon to be completely covered with artist's names) and raffled off - a means to pay for our new drum kit. Tickets are $3 a piece, two for $5 and five for $10 - and you won't even have to be present on the night of the drawing to win.

Come to American Roots Live for your chance at the collectible and playable autographed guitar, and soak up the sweat sounds that are the heartbeat of our culture - American roots music.

ARL 61's play list read: John Powers, JR Bradfield, Len DePiano, Ed Pampani, Carl Bittman, Jamo Flynn, Roy Macnamara, Garry Hodgson, Bob DelRosso, Chris O'Sullivan, Chet Smith, Robert Zee, Ed Avilia and Arne Englund.

Thanks go to Orphan Annie's, Rick, Karin and Annie, Elmore Magazine, Stevie, Cynthia, Kenny and Joe, Honky Tonkin' Tracey Stones for her spirit, Win for these photos and Len DePiano for the extra mile.

We're having way too much fun for just one night so this Thursday we're kicking-off our first week of "two big ARL nights per week" with a 5th of July party. This will be one for the books. That's right, American Roots Live will now play every Thursday at 9 and every Sunday at 8 starting July 5th.

And this party will be lights-out-over-the-top as our Arizona blues brother, HoneyBoy Dupree joins Lee Fink and friends, on stage and many, many more... and there is a distinct possibility we'll be joined by a very special surprise guest as well. Watch your email and circle your calendar.

Happy Birthday America! We'll see you on the 5th of July.

Keeping it real,

Ned