Rollin’ In The Hay

If you want to get an understanding of Rollin’ in the Hay just think high-octane groove grass with a touch of down home foot stompin’ or just simply –Renegade Bluegrass. Long considered to be one of the forerunners of the “Newgrass” revolution in America, these savvy veterans have been thrilling fans coast to coast for years! Opening for everyone from Greg Allman, Moe, Charlie Daniels, The Doobie Brothers, Jerry Douglas, Alabama,(this list could get LONG) to Widespread Panic,the unique sound of the Hay keeps fans coming back for more. Rollin’ in the Hay has six self-released Cds but also has done 15 nationally released instrumental tributes called the”Pickin’ On” series.With the approval of the band, there are tons of live “bootleg” shows on the internet. Based out of Birmingham, Alabama the band uses www.rollininthehay.com as well as a very active facebook.com/rollininthehay to keep fans informed. Being listed in the Alabama Music Hall 0f Fame as “Music Achievers” is one of this bands proudest accomplishments!

Rollin’ In The Hay Wins 2012 Bonnaroo Slot!

By Lawrence F. Specker, Press-Register

Published: Wednesday, April 25, 2012, 10:19 AM

MOBILE, Alabama — Alabama-based bluegrass-jam band Rollin’ in the Hay has won a contest. Fan voting made the band one of 10 finalists, and contest judges picked the two winners. The other is Water Knot.

The Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival takes place June 7-10 in Manchester, Tenn. Top acts include Radiohead, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Phish, Bon Iver, the Beach Boys 50th Anniversary Tour, the Shins and the Avett Brothers.

For full festival information, visit www.bonnaroo.com.

3 Lanes Crossing

For talented sisters – Rachel, Jenny & Jill, it just comes natural. Born into a musical family and raised in the Muscle Shoals area of North Alabama, known for its rich, musical heritage, these girls are keeping the legend alive. As children, these girls were often gathered around a piano to “sing at the drop of a hat”. It is no surprise that they began singing together and entertaining audiences of all genres. They bring their individual talents and skills together to create a seamless blend of richness and depth as a trio. These dynamic voices resonate with a diverse mix of country, pop, bluegrass, soul and gospel, creating a true Americana sound that holds their audiences captive to their gorgeous, distinctive, sibling harmony.

3 Lanes Crossing is proud to be part of Teddy Gentry’s Best New Nashville CD, for Cracker Barrels nationwide. Mr. Gentry recently stated that “these girl are the best female trio he has ever heard.” Other projects they have recorded include Time Life “Songs 4 Worship Country” album, recorded live at The Ryman, alongside other country artists Ricky Skaggs, Collin Raye and Diamond Rio. They are also featured on the Time Life production of “America Will Always Stand” along with Randy Travis, Josh Turner & Lee Ann Womack

No strangers to the stage, it is no surprise that these three girls win the hearts of everyone they come in contact with – In the words of Muscle Shoals musician Donny Carpenter, “these girls are among the most breathtaking talents I have ever known.” Each with sincerity and energy along with natural and genuine talent – they share their passion for life and singing about it.  >> read more

Weston Burt

Weston Burt knows his story may have a familiar beginning, but the 26-year-old singer from North Alabama, hopes his career plays out more like a Great American novel when it’s all said and done. Like so many other aspiring artists that have made their way to Nashville to pursue their dreams, Weston first discovered his love for Country music through the influence of his parents, who introduced the youngster to family favorites like Alabama, Willie Nelson and the iconic Garth Brooks. Weston remembers vividly the pivotal moment when, as a child, he saw Brooks perform on the CMA Awards. “I ran to my room and put on my jeans, an American flag button-up shirt, cowboy boots, my cowboy hat and grabbed my little guitar,” recalls Weston. “I ran back to the living room and just sat there in amazement, watching him perform. I remember turning around and telling my mom, ‘I want to do THAT one day!’” It would be more than a decade later before Weston made the decision that ultimately set his Country music career in motion. In 2006, Weston left Fort Payne and headed south to attend Auburn University. It was there that the college freshman met a handful of like-minded musicians that were eager to form the aspiring singer’s first Country band.
Less than two years later, Weston had released and sold more than 5,000 copies of his debut EP, called Born To Do. He was also playing upwards of 100 high-energy shows each year. >>read more

Edgar Meyer

The Wells Fargo Classical EDGE // Thursday, February 23, 2012 | 8 p.m.

After two turns on the Masterworks stage, Edgar Meyer will cut loose in this Wells Fargo Classical EDGE concert. Maestro Brown and Mr. Meyer have planned a night to showcase their belief that when you play what you love, music no longer fits into any particular genre. Expect surprises … and a great night out with two amazing musical minds.

Justin Brown, Conductor // Edgar Meyer, Double Bass

Alys Stephens Center // Jemison Concert Hall // Map & Directions

Birmingham Museum of Art

Look of Love: Eye Miniatures from the Skier Collection

Arrington Gallery // February 7 – June 10, 2012 // Free

This stunning exhibition explores the little-known subject of “lover’s eyes,” hand-painted miniatures of single human eyes set in jewelry and given as tokens of affection or remembrance. In 1785, when the Prince of Wales secretly proposed to Mrs. Maria Fitzherbert with a miniature of his own eye, he inspired an aristocratic fad for exchanging eye portraits mounted in a wide variety of settings including brooches, rings, lockets, and toothpick cases.

With over 100 examples, the collection of Dr. and Mrs. David A. Skier of Birmingham is the largest in the world. This exhibition offers an unprecedented look at these unusual and intriguing works of art.

The exhibition is accompanied by a full color, hardbound catalogue of the same name, edited by Dr. Graham C. Boettcher, The William Cary Hulsey Curator of American Art, and published by D Giles Ltd., London. An essay by Elle Shushan sets the historical scene and examines the role of lover’s eyes in the broader context of Georgian and early Victorian portrait miniatures. Boettcher looks at the language and symbolism of these tokens and their jeweled settings. Additionally, novelist and biographer Jo Manning offers five fictional vignettes imagining the circumstances surrounding the creation of these extraordinary objects. >>more