Los Lonely Boys, Robert Randolph & the Family Band, North Mississippi Allstars Headline 

www.RiverRootsLive.com

(DAVENPORT- IA) River Roots Live, the Quad Cities' premiere music festival, is celebrating its ten year anniversary with an incredible lineup featuring headliners Los Lonely Boys, Robert Randolph & the Family Band and the North Mississippi Allstars.   Additional national acts include ZZ Ward, Ben Kweller, Cracker, The Jayhawks, Foxy Shazam, The Ballroom Thieves, Mr. Baber's Neighbors, and Twins.  The Quad Cities' own talent will also be showcased by the One Night Standards and The Dawn.

As always, Ribfest BBQ vendors from across the country will be serving up delicious BBQ throughout the weekend. River Roots Live will be held on Friday, August 15 and Saturday, August 16, 2014 in Davenport's LeClaire Park on the banks of the beautiful Mississippi River. The festival is free both nights before 5 p.m. and admission is only $10 after 5 p.m.

"With 2014 being the festival's ten year anniversary, we really wanted to increase the look and feel of River Roots Live, said Jason Gilliland, Director of Events, Downtown Davenport Partnership.  "Fans can expect to find a bigger second stage that includes an improved sound system and banners rivaling many other festivals in the country.  In addition, our lineup has more nationally touring acts and we're thrilled to provide a festival of this quality for the Quad Cities."

The Bands 

Hailing from Texas, Los Lonely Boys are a Grammy Awarwd-winning sibling trio whose music draws equally from Rock, Blues, Tex-Mex, Conjunto, and Tejano. After recording their debut album at Willie Nelson's studio in 2003, the single "Heaven" started climbing the charts with the album selling double Platinum.

Robert Randolph & the Family Band is a funk and soul band led by pedal steel guitarist, Robert Randolph.  This high energy, festival staple band was described by the President of Blue Note Records as having "mastered what is, arguably, the most complex instrument in the world and developed a unique voice that is equal parts street-corner and Bonnaroo." This is a high energy band that will leave you breathless and wanting more.

The North Mississippi Allstars formed in 1996, the product of a special time for modern Mississippi country blues. Brothers Luther and Cody Dickinson soaked up the music of their father, Memphis legend Jim Dickinson, and absorbed the North Mississippi legacy while playing and shaking it down in the juke joints with their blues ancestors. Eventually, Luther and Cody formed the North Mississippi Allstars and pioneered their own brand of blues-infused rock and roll. The Allstars continually expand the tradition of the Mississippi hill country blues that has inspired them from the beginning, but as Rolling Stone aptly notes, "the Allstars may be children of tradition, but they're digging deep in undiscovered country."

On her way to River Roots Live, ZZ Ward will be showcased at Bonnaroo, Summerfest and Red Rocks this summer.  Live, ZZ Ward's smoky vocals and deliberate, varied arrangements make her one not to miss.  Last year, she toured with Fitz and the Tantrums, Grace Potter, Gary Clark, Jr. and Allen Stone and this year launched multiple near sell-out U.S. headline tours.

Ben Kweller has been called everything from balladeer to punk rocker, anti-folker to indie-popper. His ability to weave together opposites that coexist happily on the same album is something few can do.

American alternative rockers Cracker will take the stage on Saturday.  Formed in 1991 the band has released 10 studio albums including the gold-selling album, Kerosene Hat, which included the hit songs "Low" and "Get off This."

The Jayhawks have been described as forging a rootsy sound that wasn't quite rock or country - "Hank Williams on speed." That sentiment can be heard on such hits as "Save it for a Rainy Day," "Blue," and "Waiting for the Sun."

Named one of the "100 bands you need to know" by Alternative Press, Foxy Shazam has been showing off their rock chops since 2004.  Lead singer Eric Sean Nally says "When I listen to a Foxy Shazam record I think of Evel Knievel; Bruce Springsteen; my childhood; Van Morrison; my old friends from high school I don't talk to anymore; Elton John; the '50s, '60s, '70s, '80s, '90s, and beyond; Iggy Pop; and my first kiss."

Rounding out this year's lineup will be the Ballroom Thieves, Mr. Baber's Neighbors, Twins, the One Night Standards and The Dawn.

Ribs & Fest Info 

It wouldn't be River Roots Live without Ribfest BBQ!  This isn't your neighbor burning some hotdogs and calling it BBQ. Our vendors travel the nation and represent the top tier of professional BBQ cookers in the United States.  So loosen your belt, and we suggest trying every single one of 'em throughout the weekend.  Patrons will be able to vote for their favorite!  The West Music Jr. Jam Tent returns to offer fun educational workshops for kids and performances from the River Music Experience's Rock Camp bands.

With well over 20,000 attendees, River Roots Live has continued to grow every year since its inception in 2005. For complete details regarding band bios and festival activities, please visit RiverRootsLive.com.

Produced by the Downtown Davenport Partnership, a division of Quad Cities Chamber, River Roots Live is supported by partners Living Lands & Waters and the River Music Experience - all nonprofit organizations.  River Roots Live is proud to help promote music education programs at the River Music Experience, environmental clean-up efforts on the Mississippi River by Living Lands & Waters, and the growth of historic downtown Davenport.

The Quad City Symphony Orchestra is proud to announce that Michele Ottesen and Dortha DeWit will be conducting Youth String Ensemble and Prelude Strings respectively beginning in the 2014-15 season.  They will join QCSYEs Music Director Benjamin Klemme and Youth Choir Director Mary Tallitsch to round out the QCSYEs conducting staff.  This year both Prelude Strings and String Ensemble were conducted by Interim Conductor John Schultz who will be leaving to devote his time to Schultz Strings, performing as a freelance violinist and teaching privately in the Iowa City area.

Prelude Strings and String Ensemble are introductory ensembles for young string musicians with a focus on improving technique, developing ensemble skills, and acquiring performance experience. The season will kick off with the August 16/17 retreat for all QCSYEs groups and begin regular rehearsals on Thursday nights.  These two groups will appear on all three QCSYEs concerts, including the Side by Side concert on February 22. Admittance to String Ensemble (and Youth Philharmonic and Youth Symphony) is based on a live audition held in early June.  Participation in Prelude Strings requires no audition, only a completed online application form and a teacher's recommendation.  All information to be posted soon at the QCSO website.

Michele Ottesen is currently in her 6th year as the orchestra director at Davenport North and Wood Intermediate School.  A native of Davenport, Ms. Ottesen spent seven years as a member of the Quad City Youth Symphony under the direction of James Dixon and Daniel Culver.  She holds a BFA from Carnegie Mellon University, and a MM from the University of Michigan.  Her principal violin teachers include Doris Preucil, Andrés Cárdenes, and Stephen Shipps.  Prior to returning to the Quad Cities, Ms. Ottesen was a member of the Dakota String Quartet, and served as principal second violin in the South Dakota Symphony.  She has been a member of the Quad City Symphony since 1998.

Dortha DeWit was born in Anchorage, Alaska and grew up in Michigan.  Her early violin studies were with her mother, Jean Manning, also a violinist, teacher and conductor; later teachers included Romeo Tata, Roland and Almita Vamos, Richard Young, and Josef Gingold.  She

holds a Bachelor of Music degree in violin performance from Oberlin Conservatory of Music and a Master of Music from Indiana University, where she also did doctoral coursework.  She has performed with orchestras and in solo and chamber recitals throughout the Midwest.  In addition to maintaining a private violin and viola studio, Mrs. DeWit teaches at Augustana College. She has also taught at St. Ambrose University and has done lessons and workshops for public schools including the North Muskegon (MI) Public Schools and the Davenportand Bettendorf School Districts.  Her orchestral experience includes the Quad City Symphony, where she is currently assistant principle second violin, West Shore Symphony, Grand Rapids Symphony, and the Clinton Symphony, in addition to working with orchestras in Quincy IL, Galesburg IL, and Evansville IN.  Mrs. DeWit conducted the SEISTA Junior Honors Orchestra in 2014.  She helped found the Quad City Youth Symphony Youth String Ensemble and was its principal conductor for twenty-two years, and she was also instrumental in forming the Quad City Youth Prelude Strings, conducting that ensemble for five years.  Mrs. DeWit is 30-year member of the Quad City Symphony as well as playing in the Serenata String Trio and a clarinet, violin and piano trio at Augustana College.

We are all looking forward to a wonderful 2014-15 season.  Please don't forget that the final QCSYEs concert will be on May 4, 2014 at Centennial Hall, Augustana College, in Rock Island.  You can purchase tickets to this season finale here.

Tickets will go on-sale Friday, May 2nd 10am.

Tickets will be available at the iWireless Center Box Office, Ticketmaster outlets, on-line at Ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000. Tickets starting at $20.

Moline, IL (April 28, 2014) - For chart-topping vocalist Jake Owen, 2013 was filled with golden times; earning his fourth consecutive #1 with "Anywhere With You," drawing a crowd of over 20,000 for a Nashville summer block party, releasing his new album DAYS OF GOLD, crossing over one million Twitter followers and touring with Jason Aldean. This spring Jake will celebrate with his fans on his second major nationwide headline run - JAKE OWEN'S DAYS OF GOLD TOUR 2014 presented by Discover Boating - as officially announced from the ESPN tailgate party stage at the BCS National Championship January 6th.

Kicking off March 20 in Brookings, SD, the DAYS OF GOLD TOUR presented by Discover Boating will go through October and wrap in Jake's hometown of Vero Beach, FL. The 55-city plus tour features openers Eli Young Band (select dates), Parmalee (select dates), Thomas Rhett (select dates) and The Cadillac Three.

"I love throwing parties! This tour is going to be one big party and everyone is invited," shares Jake. "I've been lucky enough to be on the road and learn from incredible artists like Chesney, McGraw, and Aldean. I'm really proud of this tour and can't wait for the fans to see what's in store. The first night cannot get here fast enough!"

"Ain't no party like a Jake Owen party," raves Country Weekly on the singer's live show. To get this party vibe going, Jake will release his new single "Beachin'" to country radio in February. The song, along with the hit single "Days of Gold," is featured on his current album DAYS OF GOLD, available everywhere now.

Since releasing the chart-topping album, BAREFOOT BLUE JEAN NIGHT, Jake Owen has emerged as one of country music's leading vocalists. The gold-certified RCA Nashville project delivered four consecutive No. 1 hit singles, including the multi-week chart-toppers; the DOUBLE PLATINUM title track and PLATINUM "Alone with You," and GOLD-certified hits "The One That Got Away" and "Anywhere with You." His energetic live show and captivating songs have landed him coveted opening slots with Jason Aldean, Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw and his first headlining tour, CMT ON TOUR JAKE OWEN: THE SUMMER NEVER ENDS 2012, which made CMT history for the most sold-out shows in a row for the annual nationwide tour.

For on sale dates and more, visit www.jakeowen.net, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/jakeowen, and follow him on Twitter @jakeowen.

About Discover Boating

Discover Boating is a national boating awareness campaign developed by the North American recreational boating industry to help get people on the water. Discover Boating programs focus on the boating experience and building interest in recreational boating by providing a resource for Americans to explore the benefits, accessibility and fun of the boating lifestyle. To find out more, visit DiscoverBoating.com.

About Parmalee

Stoney Creek Records' Parmalee is a family band comprised of brothers Matt and Scott Thomas, cousin Barry Knox and life-long best friend Josh McSwain. Parmalee, named for the band's hometown in North Carolina, recently dominated the country radio charts with the two-week #1, GOLD-selling single "Carolina." Parmalee's Top 40 debut country radio single, "Musta Had A Good Time" was voted #1 by fans for four consecutive weeks on SiriusXM The Highway¹s "Hot 30 LIVE". Both songs appear on Parmalee's debut country album, FEELS LIKE CAROLINA, in stores now.   http://www.parmalee.com

About The Cadillac Three

The Cadillac Three is a high-energy trio who describes their sound as "country fuzz." Composed of three Nashville natives - Jaren Johnston (Guitar & Lead Vocals), Kelby Ray (Bass Steel Guitar, Dobro, Acoustic & Vocals) and Neil Mason (Drums, Percussion & Vocals) - all three guys have weathered wild adventures as a Country group with a rockin' edge. They have opened for acts like ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Eric Church and Eli Young Band. Johnston is known for penning two #1 smashes - Keith Urban's "You Gonna Fly" and Tim McGraw's "Southern Girl" as well as several other tunes for acts like Kenny Chesney, Sara Evans and Dierks Bentley. The band appeared on ABC's hit drama "NASHVILLE" in late 2012 and their music has been featured on CBS's "CSI Miami" and two CW shows - "Vampire Diaries" and "Heart Of Dixie." The Cadillac Three has released their gritty first single, "The South," to Country radio and has sold10,000 downloads in the first week of release.

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The Giving Tree Band will be performing at The Redstone Room on May 2, 2014. Doors open at 8:00pm!

The Giving Tree Band is a rock & roll band from Yorkville, Illinois. They all live together, travel together and perform with a wide array of instruments from acoustic & electric guitars, slide guitars & banjos to mandolin & upright bass. Though the group uses instrumentation largely associated with bluegrass and Americana, their sound often drums up comparisons to such classic rock icons as The Band, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Crosby, Stills, and Nash, and The Beatles.

www.thegivingtreeband.com

www.facebook.com/thegivingtreeband