Bear Creek Extends Early Bird, Sets Daily Schedule

The magnificent cornucopia of funk and jam that is Bear Creek Music & Art Festival has extended early bird pricing  and released its daily schedule. Look at that sked and you'll agree that you better get the time off now and go Thursday to Sunday, y'all. No foolin.  This is gonna be a big time at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, Fl.

Early-bird ticket prices will stay at $125 until 11:59PM on Tuesday, September 14. They go to $145 after that, and $175 at the gate.

IMPORTANT: There are pre-fest shows on Wednesday and Thursday nights, and these require additional tickets -- Wednesday is $20 (includes camping)  and Thursday (includes camping) is $40. This is on top of your regular ticket. Your regular ticket covers camping Thurs-Sun., but you can't see the Thursday show unless you buy the $40 ticket.

The "Back From The Dread" premier

A few lucky Dread Clampitt fans got to walk the Dread Carpet last night for the premier of a new documentary, "Back from the Dread." at Seaside Repertory Theatre in gorgeous Walton County, just west of Panama City.  Filmmaker Kris Wheeler (in video above -- not sure why it's black, ust hit play) followed the four-man band from 2005 to 2007 as they hit the road and played Gulf coast bars  -- and, as their reputation for fine musicianship and kick-ass shows increased. The film - co-created by Wheeler and filmaker Wayne Franklin -- is illuminating and personal, with really strong performances by the band. Can't wait to see the full production which will  showcase Oct. 1 at the Marina Civic Center in Panama City Beach.

Here's a description of the film from the Back from the Dread Facebook page:


" From 2005 to 2007, Kris Wheeler chronicled the band Dread Clampitt as part of his first feature-length documentary project, Bayou Country. To truly do justice to the stories of those connected to this film, Kris decided to divide Bayou Country into multiple companion projects. Back From The Dread is the first of those to be released, and is a joint production with friend and fellow filmmaker Wayne Franklin.

Back From The Dread brings into focus the challenges of pursuing success on your own terms, the difficulty of classifying the band’s sound, the wear and tear of the road and the ever-present battle to avoid the record store’s “speed bin.” These early years in Dread Clampitt’s journey are captured through a series of entertaining and behind-the-scenes interviews with band members, highlighted by live performances at the Acoustic Café Music Festival (Hayden, AL.), the Funky Blues Shack (Destin, FL), The Grey Eagle (Ashville, NC), Magnolia Music Festival (Live Oak, FL), WDVX Radio (Knoxville, TN.), and Workplay Theatre (Birmingham, AL). Back From The Dread also features a special quest appearance by the band’s friend and mentor, Duke Bardwell, a former bassist for Elvis Presley.

As with most bands, the lineup and musical style of Dread Clampitt continues to evolve. This film is intended to pay tribute to the band’s history, and is dedicated to all the loyal supporters and fans of Dread Clampitt — past, present and future."

The film was followed by a raging live performance by the boys. A great time with a great band!

festgrrl: Preview "The "Back From The Dread" priemier"

festgrrl: Preview "The "Back From The Dread" priemier"

festgrrl: The Dread Carpet Saturday

festgrrl: The Dread Carpet Saturday

festgrrl: Big & Hearty Festival this Weekend

festgrrl: Big & Hearty Festival this Weekend

Big & Hearty Festival this Weekend

Now that the University of Florida is back in fiull swing, it's time for Gainesville to get down -- at the Big & Hearty Festival this weekend on 100 acres outside the city near the airport.

A ton of electronica, dubstep, reggae  and jam acts are performing. Tickets are $50 at the gate -- and that includes camping. Music starts at 6pm tonight anf goes til 2 a.m. Monday.Click here for the lineup and have fun!

The Dread Carpet Saturday

The picket-fence environs of upscale Seaside, Florida will be invaded by music freaks carrying 40-ouncers covered with paper bags (redneck coozies) Saturday night for a very special event -- the premier of a documentary about Newgrass pickers Dread Clampitt. The sneak preview of the documentary, "Back From the Dread" will be followed by a live performance by Dread Clampitt. It's $20 and all takes place at the Seaside Repertory Theatre, which is a very small and intimate venue with great sound.

Oh, and I forgot to mention -- besides the 40-ouncers, they'll have boiled peanuts.

Dread Clampitt came out with their new CD this summer, Learnin' to Live, which has Sam Bush playing on it. There are some great gems on the CD, including "Lord let these chest pains be heartburn from Saurday night," the hippie anthem, "Sisters and Brothers," and a steppy dance number by former Elvis Presley band member Duke Bardwell called "Bayou Country." These are songs Dread Clampitt has been playing at their great live shows for some time, it is lovely to have them recorded. Here's where you can get Learnin' to Love.