Root Down in the Shadow

Hot August Music Festival, just celebrated it's 22nd year of music at Oregon Ridge Park in Cockeysville, MD. on August 16, 2014.  With three stages, t he family-friendly event will included three stages of live music and performance artists including Old Crow Medicine Show, Dr. Dog and Nickle Creek. Photo by Jeff Coon Recap by contributors: Marye Isaacs & Jeff Coon The Solicitors The Solicitors - Photo by Marye Isaacs The Solicitors started off the festival, playing the PayPal Stage welcoming fans to Hot August Music Festival with their grit ty, rock and roll based songs combined with some fiddle for instant country cred. The lead singer, Jim Hickey , had a growly but melodic voice - I could see him fronting almost any style of band.  The crowd was calm, since it was early, but they got livelier and more appreciative getting to know The Solicitors.  Some were excited to hear "Incommunicado", which has been played on WTMD (89.7 Towson, MD) lately...

Tutlie is a Philly buzz-worthy band that has been catching attention all year.  From performances at Communion , a WXPN Key Session , Philly Caravan , and the City Rain album release show; many people are left wondering where this hot band came from.  Before seeing them tonight at Bourbon and Branch and a few exciting unannounced shows coming up, it's time to learn about this exciting group.  Who is Tutlie? Based on a quick view of bio’s, Tutlie was “Formed by Jessie Radlow in 2010 while attending college in West Chester, Pennsylvania, the band has seen many lineup shifts on the path to refining the vision Radlow first set forth.” Tutlie personnel: Jessie Radlow - keys & vocals, Rebecca Way - vocals & guitar Greg Diehl - bass guitar, Greg O'Neill - electric guitar Mark Cruttenden - drums, Asher Brooks - multi-instrumentalist/producer Root Down In The Shadow sat down with Tutlie to get the details on this refining vision and to see who Tutl...

The 21st Edition of WXPN's Summer Music Festival was quite the success!  Just a little lightning Sunday night was the only scare as the entire weekend went off without a hitch. No storm, no sick artists, great crowds, happy crowds , and incredible performances.   There was so much to see, it's near impossible to recap it all.   So, for our best attempt to hit all the high points, here are The 2014 XPoNential Music Festival Presented by Subaru  AWARDS: Photo by Dan McGurk Best Performance :  Hands down this was Man Man .  The JerseyArts.com Marina Stage was overrun by fans to eager to see Man Man, many of whom skipped the entire Lake Street Dive set, even cheering on the band's sound check.  Honus , Pow , Shono , and Brown Sugar put on an inspired show geared toward blowing minds.  Taking all the hits from On Oni Pond and mixing in more of their ongoing collection, the hometown Philly band had the intensity and moves of...

"The stages are set for this year’s  Hot August Music Festival (formerly Hot August Blues & Roots Festival ) scheduled for Saturday, August 16, 2014 at the picturesque Oregon Ridge Park. The family-friendly event will include three stages of live music and performance artists; an array of local artisans and crafters; food and beverage vendors; plus activities for the kids. Now in its 22nd year, the Hot August Music Festival continues to benefit Common Ground On the Hill, a non- profit organization committed to the unifying power of music, as well as the Baltimore Blues Society, a 501(c)3  corporation dedicated to preserving blues music in our region." To get ready for the fest, Root Down In The Shadow sat down with Event Founder and Producer Brad Selko to find out how it all started. Root Down In The Shadow : How did Hot August Music Festival get its start?  Brad Selko: While I was doing a benefit in downtown Baltimore it was suggested that I do a p...