JIL CHAMBLESS and SCOOTER MUSE

“Traditional classics revisited in a new and unique fusion of sounds and style, with both artists adding their own brand of musicality to a host of songs, some well-known and others less so. Thoroughly enjoyable throughout, the CD combines vocal excellence with outstanding, sensitive and intelligent instrumentation. For me, quite simply as good as it gets!” ~ Alex McKinven, Mull of Kintyre Music & Arts

For more than 25 years, Alabama natives Jil Chambless and Scooter Muse have been performing the music of Scotland, Ireland and America with various ensembles in a wide variety of venues, from simple house concerts to festivals and concert halls. Jil and Scooter have been fortunate to work alongside many of the finest artists in Celtic music, resulting in many spontaneous collaborations. In 2010, Chambless & Muse began performing as a duo to promote their individual solo projects. Since then they have released several CDs, The Laverock Sang (2011), Passing Tales & Glories (2014), Live @ NTIF with John Taylor (2016), and The Lang Awa’ Ships (2017).

As singer and flute and whistle player, Jil Chambless has performed across the US as well as in Canada, Scotland, and Israel with the band Henri’s Notions, Chambless & Muse, Scottish singer Ed Miller, Scottish fiddler John Taylor, the band Vulcan Eejits!, The Mairtin deCogain Project, the John Whelan Trio, the Vogt Family Contra Band, and others. In 2009, Jil released her first solo CD, The Ladies Go Dancing, produced by the legendary Brian McNeill. Jil brings to any audience a wonderful listening experience from haunting ballads to upbeat songs with a smooth delivery that never fails to bring both smiles and tears in each and every performance. See www.jilchambless.com

Although Scooter Muse has his roots in bluegrass and is quite an accomplished 5-string banjo player, in the late 1980s he moved into the world of Celtic guitar and soon after founded the Full Moon Ensemble, performing for eight years across the US and in Scotland before joining Henri’s Notions in 2003. In 2005 Scooter released his first solo recording of original guitar instrumentals, Saddell Abbey, which he is proud to say was purchased by the Scottish Tourist Board in Kintyre. The Saddell Abbey Trust of Scotland calls the recording, “…a haunting and beautiful piece of music.” See www.scootermuse.com.

Sugar Harp’s “Back Alley, Storytelling” Blues

When Charles Burroughs was 8 years old, his great-grandfather would simultaneously blow harp and strum a handmade guitar formed from an orange crate and broomsticks. Charles would say, “Grandaddy, I need to do that.”

If you witness what Charles describes as his “down in the gutter, back alley, storytelling blues” today, you’ll know he inherited his great-grandfather’s creativity and musical talent. In the decades since he first picked up the harmonica, he has more than earned his moniker, Sugar Harp.

“IF YOU LOOK AT THE OLD BLUES ARTISTS, THEM GUYS COULDN’T EVEN READ. THEY PLAYED BY EAR; THEY DIDN’T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT NO SEVENTH CHORDS, ABOUT NO WHEEL OF FIFTHS. ALL THEY HAD TO DO WAS PICK UP A GUITAR AND SING ABOUT HOW THEY FEEL.”Sugar Harp

But recently, Sugar Harp found himself sugarless and harpless. On November 26, 2019, driving his van — packed with all of his treasured belongings, including his harmonicas — through his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama, Sugar Harp noticed a driver in another vehicle motioning to him frantically. Sugar’s van was becoming engulfed in flames. Moments later, Sugar acted on instinct, jumping out of the moving vehicle, and rolling on the ground to extinguish the fire that had spread and caught onto his jacket. Sugar was completely distraught, and soon thereafter, when the pandemic hit, he worried he might be done playing the harmonica for good.

But a year and a half later, with the help of a few friends, Sugar had a new ride, a set of harmonicas, and an optimistic attitude. He joined Music Maker in Birmingham in May of 2021 to record a few songs. Upon first introductions, Sugar seemed like a wise, reserved, wordly professor. But despite his quiet demeanor, once you get Sugar started talking or singing, his passion and joy for the music is clear. Sugar has a way with words in his songs: His original lyrics are a little raunchy, full of innuendo but always clever. He guides listeners to draw their own conclusions, never saying anything X-rated outright, keeping his shows technically family-friendly but keeping the audience cracking up.

For Immediate Release
Contact: Russell Gulley
256-845-0203 home office
727-308-8156 cell
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Florence,Al.
THE SALT AND PEPPER ROOTS MUSIC CELEBRATION Presents DEEP ROOTS

As the Salt & Pepper Series moves into SEASON 7, it is honored to be one of the recipients of a grant from the Alabama State Council on the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

The music series is presented quarterly at UNA'S The Mane Room in partnership with The Music Preservation Society, the presenters of the annual W.C.Handy Festival, and The Alabama Folklife Association (AFA), a partner of the Alabama State Council on the Arts (ASCA).
Season 7 of the Salt & Pepper is continuing to focus on Traditional and Roots Music and its influence on the Muscle Shoals Music Industry's contributions to the American Soundtrack. Gospel, Soul, Blues, Country, Rock and Roll, and Folk Music are at the roots of the American Soundtrack and very much a part of the Sound of the Shoals.  Russell Gulley, a long time AFA board member and director of the series, along with associates, Dick Cooper, Bob Garfrerick and Tori Bailey are proud to announce the premier of Season 7 on Oct. 28th featuring the Deep Roots of Celtic Music and Blues.

The Oct. 28th Presentation will feature Celtic Music, one of the earliest Roots of American Country Music as performed by the internationally acclaimed CHAMBLESS AND MUSE and introduces The Blues of Music Maker Foundation artist, CHARLES "SUGAR HARP" BURROUGHS. Special Guest, MAXWELL RUSSELL, the Muscle Shoals "Blues Guru", will open the performance at The Mane Room at 7:00 pm. Doors open at 6:00 pm.

The July 22nd 2021 event featured Grammy Award Winner for Traditional Blues, the legendary Bobby Rush and marked the beginning of a new era for The Salt and Pepper. Under the direction of former mainstays at Alabama Public Television, Bob Corley and Sandra Polizos, the music series has begun to be streamed live on YouTube. The productions will be broadcast quality and will be edited for distribution to television as well as radio.

In fact March 17th 2022, marked the debut broadcast on APT. Catch it at the UNA Mane Room and enjoy what is now promoting the Shoals Music Scene World Wide.

Funding from The Alabama Folklife Association and Exe.director Emily Blejwas is making this advancement possible and the live stream of the Oct. 28th performance will be accessible on YouTube.
There will be a limited number of seats available.The event is family friendly and students are welcome.  For information contact Russell Gulley at 256-845-0203 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Tickets at the door will be $20.00. Advance tickets are available for $15.00 at Counts Brothers Music in Muscle Shoals, Ye Ole General Store in Florence, and at WZZA Radio in Tuscumbia. Online advance Tickets are available at Salt and Pepper on Eventbrite

The most popular music event in Nashville returned this Labor Day Weekend with Live on the Green. Performers this year included Sheryl Crow, COIN, Moon Taxi, Santigold, Yola, Arrested Development, Cautious Clay, Colony House, Devon Gilfillian, and Jenny Lewis, and many more.

Nashville is well known for its music and offers lots of it.  This year marked the return of the Live on the Green Music Festival, which has a very special meaning to the Nashville community.  Started in 2009 by Nashville's independent radio station Lightning 100, a locally owned and operated station, the festival has been a very popular event attracting over 700,000 fans across the United States as well as 15 other countries to Nashville.  Why is this Live on the Green and Lightning 100 so popular?  The reason is simple.  For over 30 years Lightning 100 has focused on a wider variety of music in multiple genres that most other stations do not play.  The station's dedication is backed by year after year awards for it's unique programming while focusing on new and upcoming artists.  The station and festival both have had very strong support from the community, and with their contributions the return of Live on the Green in 2022 is once again a reality!

This year Live on the Green Music Festival provided five days of music over Labor Day weekend across two stages in Nashville's Public Square Park, while continuing their tradition of keeping admission COMPLETELY FREE to all.  Patrons also had the option to support the festival by purchasing VIP tickets to gain special perks such as the VIP Plaza, Lightning Lounge, and more.

Also performing at this year’s festival are Nikki Lane, Patrick Droney, Ruby Amanfu, Stephen Day, The Wild Feathers, Danielle Ponder, Seratones, Strung Like A Horse, Susto, The 502s, Bre Kennedy, *repeat repeat, The Brummies, The Criticals, The Foxies, Daisha McBride, Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country, The Shindellas, The Watson Twins, Cecilia Castleman, LadyCouch, Los Colognes, Sweet Lizzy Project, Tayls and Phillip-Michael Scales.

September 30th through October 2nd, the Wildwood Revival Music Festival Returns bringing the best variety of artists from the Georgia area to Cloverleaf Farm!  This year's lineup includes Drive-By Truckers, Jenny Lewis, The Wood Brothers, John Moreland, Suzanne Santo, Elizabeth Cook, The Heavy Heavy, Bones of J.R. Jones, Early James, Packway Handle Band, Zach Person, Leon III, J.P. Harris, and The Pink Stones 

The pleasant fall temperatures just around the corner will set the precedence and atmosphere at the Wildwood Revival Music Festival, but this festival is so much more than just a weekend of music!  Since its inception in 2013, the organizers of the festival wanted to create a different and unique experience to separate itself from the traditional music festivals.  Libby Rose, co-founder of the festival has played an integral part over the years in making this happen.  Libby along with other organizers of the festival transformed the Cloverleaf Farm located just outside of Athens, GA into a three day getaway with the option to camp onsite.  Libby describes the festival, "From the stage nestled in a 100-year-old pecan grove to morning yoga and late night jam sessions around a campfire, Wildwood is for people who want to get out of the hustle and bustle of the city, connect with old friends and make new ones, and enjoy amazing music and artists. It's a revival of the soul."  The festival features food from local farmers, local vendors, and an artisan market with vintage clothing, antiques, handmade crafts, printmakers and more. Sponsors for this year were carefully selected to create the ultimate experience including YETI, Creature Comforts Brewing Company, Wild Basin Hard Seltzer, Four Roses Bourbon, Cathead Vodka, In Blue Handmade and The Bitter Southerner. 

This year's lineup includes a variety of genres that aligns with the music scene in the area as well as new discoveries.  Taking the stage Friday evening is Jenny Lewis, an indie-rock and indie-folk performer who has been on tour since July. Jenny is well known for her engaging performances and was cited as the "one of the best frontpeople in modern rock" by AV Club.

Based out of Athens and recently announced on this year's lineup is the Drive-By Truckers performing on Saturday.  The band got their start in 1996 have been performing at major venues for years and well known for their style of country-rock.  With over a dozen albums and numerous singles released, the band has acclaimed popularity all over the world.

"The 2022 lineup reflects our passion for live music and discovering new music," Libby explains.  "From Americana to Rock n' Roll, Soul to Bluegrass, Roots music to alternative Country, this slate of artists represents the diversity of the music scene in Athens and across Georgia.....At Wildwood, everything is about the experience!"

And indeed this year's artist lineup represents diversity at the Wildwood Revival Music Festival!  With the Folk and Folk Rock sounds of the Wood Brothers / John Moreland / Bones of J.R. Jones, to Country with Elizabeth Cook / J.P. Harris, Country Rock with The Pink Stones,  Bluegrass with the Packway Handle Band, Indie Rock/Rock and Roll with Zach Person / The Heavy Heavy / Leon III, and even Southern-Gothic Soul with Suzanne Santo....there's a style of music for anyone attending this year's festival!

Ticket options are very limited as the Wildwood Revival Music Festival limits the number of tickets sold to give those attending a VIP-like experience.  Don't wait before its too late to get your tickets!  Visit the official Wildwood Revival Music Festival Website for full details and their social media for the latest updates.

September 15-18th, the biggest Electronic Dance Festival in the Southeast will come alive in Georgia with some of the hottest artists at the Imagine Music Festival.   This year's event is guaranteed to bring an experience like no other.  Here are 5 reasons why you MUST attend!

1.  Massive Lineup of the best known Electronic Dance Artists - It's no secret that the Imagine Music Festival year after year hosts one of the largest and most popular lineups of the best artists in the industry.   This year's lineup was released in two phases including Excision, Griz, Illenium, Kaskade, Air2Earth, Ganja White Knight, Gorgon City, Liquid Stranger, Madeon, San Holo, Subtronics, and much much more!  This year's lineup also features a performance by special guest, ZHU, and record label stage takeovers by Mau5trap, Wakaan, and Ophelia.  Full lineup can be viewed at the Imagine Festival official site.

2.  Unique Aquatic Themed Experience - 

3.  New Location and Amenities - Imagine Music Festival moved this year to Kingston Downs just outside of Rome, GA.  With the new location brings an enhanced infrastructure including paved roads and a larger footprint area. This year also features workshops, yoga and meditation classes, health and wellness classes, food from over one hundred vendors, including vegan and local options, cirque, and much more.

4.  Rare and Unique B2B Sets - Having an already amazing lineup at Imagine Music Festival gets even better with back to back sets by your favorite artists.  This year offers many including Boogie T B2B Dirt Monkey, Boregore B2B Riot Ten, Ghost Ryder (Ghastly B2B Joyryde) and many more!

5.  One of the Most Reputable and Longest running Electronic Festivals - Being Voted Top 30 in the world by Fest300, and Top Ten Emerging Music Festivals by USA Today, the Imagine Music Festival has quickly grown its reputation to be a must attend festival on many people's bucket lists.  Combining the world's top electronic musicians, DJ's and bands with cirque style acts & performances along with an aquatic theme, the imagination is the limit.  Founded in 2014, Imagine has been one of the longest running electronic music festivals in the area bringing people together from around the country.  Over the years, Imagine Music Festival has been taking the user experience to the next level which featured a variety of attractions and visuals themed around an aquatic fairy tale.

As of this writing, single day tickets are still on sale but expected to sell out fast.  Don't miss your chance!  Visit the Official Imagine Music Festival website for more details.

Seeing is believing! Check out the Imagine Music Festival Official 2019 After Movie with a true testament of the experience directly from those who attended.