Root Down in the Shadow

Through the wonders of Twitter and living in a city with one of the worlds best radio stations and record stores, the stars aligned for Root Down In The Shadow' s Dan McGurk to sit down with Gabe Simon of the Kopecky Family Band between XPoNential Festiva l and an in-store session at Main Street Music ! Now, just in time for Kopecky Family Band's return to Philly on November 23rd, at the TLA , the interview is ready to be watched.  Eight segments take fans along for the ride, that has been the musical journey of the Kopecky Family Band ! We're nearly through the series.. The first six segments can be found on YouTube:  "Mile Marker 1"        Mile Marker 3 "We're THE Kopecky FAMILY" Mile Marker 2 "Making It At Home In Nashville"   "When did you know" "This Is What It's All About"  Advice for Up & comers Now.. 7 of 8....  "More Advice" Check back Thursday for th...

This week, Christopher Davis-Shannon played a version of Brad Hinton's 'Mourning Dove' for the inaugural release of Cover Club.  With hindsight it was clearly a perfect pick, but it took a certain amount of serendipity to make it happen! Photo by Jeff Coon I was first introduced to Christopher Davis-Shannon by mistake!?!  The quick version of the story goes like this:  A friend tagged a picture on Instagram of Davis Howley of Commonwealth Choir .  Turns out the "wrong" Davis was tagged, but a response of "I'm not the right Davis, but I like your pic" was gained! I first saw "Topher" playing with Dani Mari at the Brandywine Folk Festival.    I made sure I had the "right" Davis that time when I met him in person! Christopher Davis-Shannon again popped into the peripheral when playing with Chelsea Mitchell recently at Johnny Brenda's!   Peter Joseph, who was also playing that night, is the audio engineer of Break N...

Through the wonders of Twitter and living in a city with one of the worlds best radio stations and record stores, the stars aligned for Root Down In The Shadow' s Dan McGurk to sit down with Gabe Simon of the Kopecky Family Band between XPoNential Festiva l and an in-store session at Main Street Music ! Now, just in time for Kopecky Family Band's return to Philly on November 23rd, at the TLA , the interview is ready to be watched.  Eight segments take fans along for the ride, that has been the musical journey of the Kopecky Family Band ! The first five segments can be found on YouTube: "Mile Marker 1":                                                   Mile Marker 3 "We're THE Kopecky FAMILY" Mile Marker 2 "Making It At Home In Nashville"   "When did you know" "Th...

Kwesi K Kwesi K is ______!  Kwesi K is a songwriter.  Kwesi K is a football player turned singer.  Kwesi K is a mild-mannered Mid-westerner finding his way in the North East.  Kwesi K is an old soul with Ghanaian heritage.  Kwesi K is comfort!  He soothes with 'Whiskey Wit', he picks you up with 'By My Side' and 'Fold'.  He fits in at a big festival, he fits in at a house concert, he's whatever you need him to be.  On Tuesday, he was a Philly local premiering his new tunes, at the Tin Ange l, for his Pronouns EP release! Kwesi K is humility!  Before taking the stage, front and center with band mates, Alma Cook (vocals), Jon Colman (upright) and Greg Matthews (electric guitar), he gladly stood aside and gave fellow tour mate Alma center stage performing her original song, 'For A Poet'.  Wow!  Think Mariah Carey meets Ingrid Michaelson . Alma Cook, Kwesi K, Jon Colman (rear), Greg Matthews Kwesi K is seasoned pro!...

Through the wonders of Twitter and living in a city with one of the worlds best radio stations and record stores, the stars aligned for Root Down In The Shadow' s Dan McGurk to sit down with Gabe Simon of the Kopecky Family Band between XPoNential Festiva l and an in-store session at Main Street Music ! Now, just in time for Kopecky Family Band's return to Philly on November 23rd, at the TLA , the interview is ready to be watched.  Eight segments take fans along for the ride, that has been the musical journey of the Kopecky Family Band ! The first four segments can be found on YouTube : "Mile Marker 1":                                                                          Mile Marker 3 "We're THE Kopecky FAMILY"  ...

Christopher Davis-Shannon , a preeminent upright bass player in the Philadelphia scene, is into two things: Simplicity and honoring the eras past.  Mostly this manifests with folk music. "I have a love for real traditional, dirty, authentic music," says Christopher Davis Shannon. Christopher is a magnet for these types of bands and projects.  Whether it's solo with his guitar, or playing upright with Lover's League , Dani Mari , April Mae & the June Bugs or Bill Haley Jr. & the Comets ; Davis-Shannon is likely to be involved if harkens back to the earlier traditional music. It's only natural that when selecting an artist for Cover Club, that Christopher Davis-Shannon would select Brad Hinton.  Christopher was hooked after listening to the Brad Hinton On The Hill session!  It was exactly what Davis-Shannon loves, "short, to the point, no bull-shit, well crafted, no showing off!"  Ironically Brad Hinton is somewhat of a kindred...

Through the wonders of Twitter and living in a city with one of the worlds best radio stations and record stores, the stars aligned for Root Down In The Shadow' s Dan McGurk to sit down with Gabe Simon of the Kopecky Family Band between XPoNential Festiva l and an in-store session at Main Street Music ! Now, just in time for Kopecky Family Band's return to Philly on November 23rd, at the TLA , the interview is ready to be watched.  Eight segments take fans along for the ride, that has been the musical journey of the Kopecky Family Band ! Here are the first three segments:            "Mile Marker 1":                                        Mile Marker 3 "we're THE Kopecky FAMILY"   Mile Marker 2 "Making It At Home" AND NOW.... Part ...