SLEEPWALK SXSW JAM
We are very pleased to be presenting the Sleepwalk Guitar Festival SXSW Jam in Austin! We are honoured to welcome some of Austin's hottest players, including Johnny Moeller, Cindy Cashdollar, Phil Hurley, Bill Kirchen, Alan Haynes, and Brad Rice. Rounding out the bill are Canadians Alex Cuba and Gordon Grdina. The whole thing is led by Sleepwalk curator Luke Doucet. It's going to be a killer jam that will take you on a musical journey that encompasses blues, country, "beautiful noise", and everything in between. The event is Thursday, March 15 @ noon. We know this is early, so we'll be serving up some delicious breakfast tacos and Caesars.
SLEEPWALK FESTIVAL SPOTLIGHT: SLEEPWALK GUITAR TALK - INTERVIEWS & MORE
The inaugural Sleepwalk Guitar Festival is set to launch at Toronto's Great Hall on Friday, November 4, 2011. This first year brings together slingers from across genres and eras for a full weekend of all things six string.
In addition to concerts and workshops, Sleepwalk Festival programming includes a series of intimate interviews with festival performers. Sleepwalk Guitar Talk will cover vintage gear talk, tips and lessons on techniques, historical details and more. Festival curator Luke Doucet goes one-on-one with an impressive lineup of guitar masters.
Just added to the lineup is the Sleepwalk Tone Clinic, lead by Colin Cripps (Sunday, 3pm).
Sleepwalk Guitar Talks are open to the public, and will be held in the Parlour of the Great Hall. The interviews will also be webcast on www.sleepwalkguitar.com following the festival.
Click here for full festival schedule.
SCHOLARSHIP WINNER ANNOUNCED
After close scrutiny and some really inspiring listening, we have selected our Sleepwalk Emerging Guitarist for our inaugural 2011 year. Graham Young, of Newmarket Ontario will take home the 1000 dollar prize as well as the amplifier from Traynor.
Remember when you were playing hockey as a kid and the opposing team had a player so advanced and mature that your coach had to confirm that he/she was in fact 15 and not 19? Graham is that player. His touch and phrasing are extraordinary for any player but as a 15 year old, he is simply astounding. What is even more remarkable about Young is the evidence of the countless hours he has spent with the guitar in his hands. I know many seasoned 40 year old pros who clearly haven't spent the hours that this 15 year old has. As he matures, we will see where he goes as an artist. I look forward to hearing what kind of music he creates as he pulls out from under the (many) influences and establishes himself as a contributor to the greater musical landscape, both as a guitar player & a musician in general. I expect we will be hearing a great deal from him in the future.
See Graham's winning entry here
Congratulations Graham!
Luke
EMERGING ARTIST SCHOLARSHIP EXTENDED
The deadline to enter the Emerging Artist Scholarship has been extended to October 23. Visit the scholarship section for more information.
SLEEPWALK WORKSHOP SPOTLIGHT: SIDE AND CENTRE - SONGWRITERS + GUITARISTS.
Sleepwalk Guitar Festival confirms the lineup for The Side and Centre Workshop (Saturday, November 5, 5:00pm). This Saturday afternoon workshop features songwriters Andy Maize, Danny Michel, Justin Rutledge and Melissa McClelland. Guitarists are Afie Jurvanen, Christine Bougie, James Robertson and Kurt Swinghammer.
The Side and Centre Workshop will showcase the creativity and versatility of these talented six-string sidemen and women. Acoustic demos will be provided in advance by the songwriters, and the guitarists will perform different arrangements of the songs, highlighting the importance of instrumental interpretation.
Tickets are available for Saturday afternoon, all-day Saturday or full weekend passes.
SLEEPWALK GUITAR FESTIVAL: SUNDAY COUNTRY + BLUES JAMS CONFIRMED.
Sleepwalk Guitar Festival announces two impressive lineups of guitar-slinging talent for the Sunday afternoon Jam Sessions.
The Sleepwalk Country Jam features Telecaster masters Brent Mason (Nashville, TN) and Redd Volkaert (Austin, TX) alongside Hurtin' Albertan Grant Siemens.
The Blues Jam welcomes Les Paul player Duke Robillard, Stony Plain stalwart Amos Garrett, Winnipeg Perpetrator J Nowicki and Multi-Platinum Juno Award winning Colin James.
Both jams will be backed by the Sleepwalk rhythm section, John Dymond on bass and Derek Downham of The Beauties on drums. Sleepwalk's Sunday programming also includes a clinic (guitars welcome) by Amos Garett on how to play the iconic Billboard-topping "Sleep Walk" instrumental guitar composition. The tune is instantly familiar - see the original Farina Brothers performance here
Tickets are available at www.sixshooterrecords.com. Day passes for Sunday are available for $40. Full weekend passes are $75.
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