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Brian Blauser Grupo Fantasma, performs live on Mountain Stage |
Mountain Stage is back this week with another premier
broadcast, featuring Latin-funk orchestra Grupo Fantasma, along with The
Greencards, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, Tracy Nelson, and Musikanto.
Based in Austin,
the 10-piece, Latin-funk band Grupo Fantasma formed in 2000. Comprised of two
guitarists, two bass players, three drummers and a three-piece horn section,
the group quickly established a reputation for high-energy live shows. It’s
earned them two appearances on Austin City Limits, and spots backing up Prince
in Las Vegas and London.
Just this year, their album El Existential
won the group a Grammy for “Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album.”
The Greencards make their fourth appearance on Mountain
Stage. This multi-national bluegrass trio, led by Australians Kym Warner and
Carol Young, has racked up serious accolades. None other than Robert Earl Keen
said of the Greencards’ music, “It’s the best bluegrass I’ve heard in 20 years,” and in 2006, the group won “New/Emerging Artist of the Year” at the Americana Music
Association Awards. With two new members, young fiddle phenom Tyler Andal and
flatpicking champion Carl Miner, the band has released The Brick Album, which
was funded by contributions from fans.
You’ll also hear from Canadian roots rock supergroup Blackie & the Rodeo Kings. You can get a taste of their Mountain Stage performance
via our Backstage at Mountain Stage video here:
Blackie & the Rodeo Kings, Backstage at Mountain Stage
Blackie & the Rodeo Kings is a collaboration between
three well-respected blues, folk and rock musicians: Colin Linden, Stephen
Fearing and Tom Wilson. The three joined forces in 1996, and under the name of
Blackie & the Rodeo Kings, released an album of songs written by Canadian
singer-songwriter Willie P. Bennett.
In 2011, The Rodeo Kings released Kings and Queens, featuring duet vocals
from Emmylou Harris, Pam Tillis, Lucinda Williams, Rosanne Cash, Cassandra
Wilson, Patti Scialfa and others.
Vocal powerhouse Tracy Nelson returns to Mountain Stage. See
her backstage interview, as well as clips from her performance here:
Tracy Nelson discusses everything from hanging out with Hendrix and Muddy Waters to saving her new album from a house fire with host Larry Groce.
During the late ‘60s, Nelson fronted the group Mother Earth,
which added a country flavor to its rock years before it was hip. At the time,
Nelson was often compared to Janis Joplin. Now based in Nashville,
she has also become known as a songwriter, seeing her tunes covered by Etta
James, Bonnie Raitt and Linda Ronstadt. The digital master of her current
release, Victim of the Blues, was
pulled by firemen from her 100-year-old farmhouse as it went down in flames.
Finally, you’ll hear from Chicago-based newcomer Musikanto. Walking
the line between indie blues and urban americana,
singer-songwriter Michael Musikanto grew up listening to his father's obscure
folk & roots records. With heartbreaking ballads and melodic melodrama,
he’s been compared to Leon Russell, Ray Lamontagne and Amos Lee. Get to know
him through our Backstage at Mountain Stage video here:
Musikanto, Backstage at Mountain Stage