Dave Alvin

JUNE 2013

Ghost Brothers of Darkland County musical, featuring Dave Alvin, available now

An all-star recording of the southern gothic supernatural musical from co-conspirators Stephen King (libretto), John Mellencamp (music & lyrics) and T Bone Burnett (musical direction). This extraordinary collaboration features original music and key dialog excerpts performed by a stellar cast of guest artists including Dave Alvin and his brother Phil, Elvis Costello, Roseanne Cash, Sheryl Crow, Neko Case and Kris Kristofferson, along with actors Matthew McConaughey, Samantha Mathis and Meg Ryan. Check out the tracklisting below, with the five songs featuring Dave in bold.

The deluxe CD/DVD version of the musical is now available at the Yep Roc Store and digitally at iTunes.

The musical’s superb blues ‘n roots songs, performed by a stellar collection of guest artists, drives this haunting tale of fraternal love, lust, jealousy and revenge, 13 years in the making.

This special deluxe 2-disc edition also contains a bonus DVD featuring the short film "A Look Behind Ghost Brothers of Darkland County" as well as the in-studio video recording of the song "Truth" with John Mellencamp.

Track listing:

1. That’s Me - Elvis Costello

2. That’s Who I Am - Neko Case

3. So Goddamn Smart - Dave Alvin, Phil Alvin, Sheryl Crow

4. Wrong, Wrong, Wrong About Me - Elvis Costello

5. Brotherly Love - Ryan Bingham, Will Dailey

6. How Many Days - Kris Kristofferson

7. You Are Blind - Ryan Bingham

8. Home Again - Sheryl Crow, Dave Alvin, Phil Alvin, Taj Mahal

9. You Don’t Know Me – Rosanne Cash

10. My Name Is Joe - Clyde Mulroney

11. Tear This Cabin Down - Taj Mahal

12. And Your Days Are Gone - Sheryl Crow, Dave Alvin, Phil Alvin

13. Jukin’ – Sheryl Crow

14. What Kind Of Man Am I - Kris Kristofferson, Phil Alvin, Sheryl Crow, Dave Alvin, Taj Mahal

15. So Goddamn Good - Phil Alvin, Dave Alvin, Sheryl Crow

16. Away From This World – Sheryl Crow

17. Truth – John Mellencamp

JUNE 5, 2013 - An excerpt from today's LA Times article - What happens when John Mellencamp is crossed with Stephen King:

The recording's cast also includes Elvis Costello — gleefully inhabiting his role as the Beelzebub-like provocateur known only as "The Shape" — Neko Case, Rosanne Cash and, as the titular ghost brothers, Dave and Phil Alvin, co-founders of the L.A. roots-rock group the Blasters.

"That was my idea!" said King, who also takes to the stage now and then to play charity events with Dave Barry and several other writers in the ad hoc band the Rock Bottom Remainders. "I'm a huge fan — of both of them. I've still got all my old Blasters records, and I made a 60-mile trek to see Phil play in Florida last year. I'd still like to see one of Dave's shows."

Click here for the full story. What happens when John Mellencamp is crossed with Stephen King Los Angeles Times

“Ghost Brothers of Darkland County” is a collaboration between John Mellencamp and Stephen King that features an all-star cast of singers on the soundtrack album, including Dave Alvin. The musical is now available to stream via The Wall Street Journal. Dave Alvin is featured on five tracks as one of the Ghost Brothers with brother Phil Alvin and Sheryl Crow including "So Goddam Smart" and "And Your Days Are Gone" Click on the song title to listen here.

You can find the Ghost Brothers Soundtrack for sale on the merch table at Dave's upcoming shows.

MAY 2013

Listen to Dave Alvin on "Home Again," from Ghost Brothers of Darkland County

RollingStone.com premiered "Home Again," the first track off the upcoming Ghost Brothers of Darkland County, where Dave joins Sheryl Crow, Phil Alvin and Taj Mahal.

From RollingStone.com:

June 4th will see the release of the long-in-the-works Ghost Brothers of Darkland County, the Southern gothic musical borne out of an unlikely collaboration between John Mellencamp and Stephen King. King wrote the play after Mellencamp told him about two brothers who had gotten into a fight over a girl at a cabin on the musician's property; one brother was killed accidentally in the scuffle, and the surviving one and the girl died in a car crash soon after.

The roots and blues-heavy soundtrack was assembled with the help of T Bone Burnett and features array of artists like Elvis Costello, Kris Kristofferson and Neko Case. Now you can take an exclusive first listen to "Home Again," a sparse acoustic number tinged with simple percussion and deep, chilling harmonies from Sheryl Crow, Dave Alvin, Phil Alvin and Taj Mahal.

APRIL 2013

Dave Alvin’s version of the Darrell Scott song “You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive” was featured in the closing moments on the 4th season's finale of the FX hit TV show Justified, (air date 4/2) marking the fourth time Dave and his music have been featured on this show. The song is now available HERE on iTunes and at the Yep Roc Store.

Listen to the song

Listen to Dave talk about the song and its appearance on Justified

Dave’s music has been featured several times on Justified and its official soundtrack, including original tracks “Harlan County Line” and “Beautiful City ‘Cross the River,” and he appeared on the show as himself. Justified music supervisor, Greg Sill, has said that Dave’s voice “was that of a voice that would be playing in [main character] Raylan’s head.”

“Harlan County Line” and “Beautiful City ‘Cross the River” are both included on the Eleven Eleven expanded edition, available now at the Yep Roc Store.

MARCH 2013

Dave Alvin's Yep Roc debut, Ashgrove is now available on vinyl. With the amps on high, Dave produced one of his career's best and reminded fans that he could not be neatly placed into any particular genre. Ashgrove mixes the acoustic folk styling of his albums King of California and the Grammy Award winning Public Domain along with the raucous electric energy of his groundbreaking work with The Blasters, while always keeping his poignant songwriting at the forefront. This exclusive vinyl release also includes a uniquely bluesy version of Bob Dylan's "Highway 61 Revisited" that Dave recorded during the Ashgrove sessions. Listen to songs from Ashgrove hereelow.

JANUARY 8 2013

JUSTIFIED SOUNDTRACK ALBUM RELEASED FEATURING MUSIC BY DAVE ALVIN!

Dave was thrilled and proud to be asked to play some lead guitar on two great new releases: Australian aboriginal protest/country singer Roger Knox’s new CD, Stranger In My Land (produced by Waco Brother Jon Langford) on Bloodshot Records and an album by California rocking roots/norteno/blues band Tremoloco’s album, Salsipuedes on Casa Julia Records. See Dave as Guest Guitarist for more info.

- Dave Alvin

Along with Dave, we too at the Yep Roc Store are happy to announce the release of Eleven Eleven Expanded Edition. "But what could be better than Eleven Eleven?" you may ask. Well, try on these boots.

*A unique slip-case hardcover box containing all three CDs and the DVD

*The original Eleven Eleven album on digipak CD

*A second CD featuring 9 songs recorded live on the official Eleven Eleven US Tour at the Ark in Ann Arbor, MI on July 2, 2011 including Dave's classic songs "Fourth of July," "Out Of Control" (see full tracklisting HERE)

*A bonus CD including 3 unreleased bonus tracks from the original Eleven Eleven recording session, including "Never Trust A Woman," "Signal Hill," and "Beautiful City 'Cross the River" featured in FX's hit television show "Justified".

*A DVD [NTSC] of live performance footage featuring Dave Alvin and The Guilty Ones live at The Ark in Ann Arbor, MI including a live performance of "Abilene" (see full tracklisting HERE)

Every pre-order of the Eleven Eleven Expanded Edition will include instant digital download of the bonus song "Beautiful City 'Cross the River" and the full Eleven Eleven digital album instantly in your Stash to start enjoying right away!

watch

Click the player below to watch the live performance of "Johnny Ace Is Dead" taken from the Eleven Eleven Expanded Edtion DVD. The performance was filmed at The Ark in Ann Arbor, MI during last year's Eleven Eleven tour.

Alvin's song "Beautiful City 'Cross the River" will be featured on FX's critically-acclaimed series Justified on Tuesday February 21 at 10:00 PM EST. The song, which was recorded in late January, was written specifically for the scene, highlighting a Tex Mex feel.

This is the third time Alvin's music has been featured on Justified; his song "Harlan County Line," which was also written and recorded for the program, premiered last season and "Every Night About This Time" was featured on this season's premiere.

You can get an instant download of "Beautiful City 'Cross the River" now when you pre-order the Eleven Eleven Expanded Edition.

"Dave Alvin's music speaks to our show, both melodically and lyrically. We were fortunate enough to have him perform on the show last season, and it was a song that he felt spoke to our characters and the overall attitude of Justified," said Greg Sill, music supervisor for the show. "He was absolutely spot on. It is a rarity to find an artist who speaks the visceral 'language' of a character as well as Dave's music does with Raylan Givens. Graham Yost (creator/executive producer), Michael Dinner (director/executive producer) and myself decided that Dave's voice was that of a voice that would be playing in Raylan's head. Especially when you consider the breadth of our story lines this season. The poignancy is scary, because it's so real and kind of haunting, but amazingly good. We love you, Dave Alvin."

DAVE ALVIN FEATURED IN LA, LOS ANGELES TIMES MAGAZINE
JUNE “MUSIC ISSUE” ON STANDS THIS SUNDAY, JUNE 5th

IN-DEPTH PROFILE CHRONICLES THE ICONIC SONGWRITER
AND HIS POETIC MUSICAL TAKE ON THE GOLDEN STATE

Los Angeles, CA – June 3, 2011 – “The King of California” Dave Alvin is featured in the June 2011 “Music Issue” of LA, Los Angeles Times Magazine on stands this Sunday, June 5th, inside the Sunday edition of the Los Angeles Times newspaper.

Penned by writer Mark Barabak aboard the Coast Starlight “Roots on the Rails” steamliner train earlier this spring, Barabak provides an insightful and intimate portrait of one of the Golden State’s most revered songwriters, set along the backdrop of the California coast. Preview the in-depth profile titled “Troubadour of Troubled Times” online now:

Explore further behind-the-scenes to read the LA, Los Angeles Times Magazine online exclusive “Avenues of the Golden State,” for Alvin’s take on his iconic music and listen to the songs: http://www.latimesmagazine.com/avenues-of-the-golden-state.html

Flip through the LA, Los Angeles Times Magazine “50 Best L.A. Bands” photo feature to debate “the best groups ever to come out of the City of Angels” and cast your vote for who should be #1:http://www.latimesmagazine.com/2011/06/50-best-la-bands.html (see #39 The Blasters, also making the list at #13 X)

Dave Alvin and Yep Roc Records recently teamed up with Facebook to offer fans an exclusive, first-listen of his new studio album “Eleven Eleven” for a limited time on the official Dave Alvin Facebook page. Listen to the entire record and pre-order the album on iTunes before it hits stores on June 21st. Beginning June 11th, Alvin and his band “The Guilty Ones,” will take to the road on a 30+ date coast-to-coast U.S. summer tour in support of the album. For a complete tour schedule, please visit Dave Alvin’s tour page.

Jean Sievers                           Paki Newell                             James Bailey
CO5 Media – Los Angeles      CO5 Media – Los Angeles      Yep Roc Records
jean@co5media.com               paki@co5media.com               james@yeproc.com

Dave Alvin receives pardon from Davis mayor, Blasters no longer banned from playing there-Los Angeles Times Entertainment

Dave Alvin has been a member of two seminal bands, the Blasters and X, penned a rock anthem, "4th of July," traveled the world as an ambassador for the folk-blues-country amalgam known as roots music, and, over nearly three decades, crafted one of the great California songbooks.

But until early Wednesday, he suffered a more dubious distinction: banned in Davis.

In 1982, Alvin and the Blasters were performing at a small venue in the college town near the California capital when, out in the sardine-packed crowd, push literally came to shove. Next thing, a riot: police, helicopters and, in the days that followed, a civic ban on all things Blaster. (Which apparently extended to its members, emeritus).

"We were innocent," Alvin protested, recalling that fated night. "We were just doing our job."

Late Tuesday, Davis Mayor Joe Krovoza -- a serious Alvin afficionado -- set out to rectify the long-ago injustice. Shortly before midnight, just outside Berkeley, he boarded a Portland, Ore.-bound train and presented Alvin a formal proclamation -- calligraphy, gold seal, much "whereas" -- absolving him of any wrongdoing and welcoming (no, practically begging) him to play again in Davis.

Twenty or so beery passengers, joining Alvin on his Kings of California Roots on the Rails tour, attended the ceremony and offered all the solemnity they could muster. (A few even offered to riot, for old-time sake.)

Krovoza rode along as far as Davis, and used the 40 minutes to coax Alvin into a discussion of several of the mayor's favorite songs. ("Abilene" was about a girl, it turns out, not the Texas city.)

A bemused Alvin declined the chance to give a speech, though he thanked the mayor several times and took time to thumb through the lengthy resolution. Despite the late hour, he whipped out his cellphone and rang his brother and Blasters cofounder, Phil, suggesting he'd never guess what just happened.

"He says, 'Oh, wow, that's great,' " a grinning Alvin related to Krovoza, who smiled in turn. "Scot free!"

DAVE ALVIN TO RELEASE NEW STUDIO ALBUM "ELEVEN ELEVEN" JUNE 21 ON YEP ROC RECORDS
U.S. SUMMER TOUR DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED

Los Angeles, CA - March 28, 2011 - Yep Roc Records has announced the upcoming release of Dave Alvin's new studio album titled Eleven Eleven on June 21st. Eleven Eleven, described as the "King of California's" most driving, electric blues and rock oriented album since 2004's critically acclaimed Ashgrove, includes 11-tracks, for the first time in his career, written and recorded on the road and during breaks while on tour. The album features a host of musicians Alvin had not recorded with since his days in The Blasters, and for the first time ever, sings on record with his brother Phil, the lead singer of The Blasters.

A full U.S. summer tour in support is to be announced. While the backing cast varies with different musicians at sessions separated by weeks of time, the one constant is Alvin's assured guitar-playing. Whether it's finger-picking on an acoustic against an accordion on "No Worries Mija" or blazing riffs on electric over a Bo Diddley beat on "Run Conejo Run," Eleven Elevencasts a consistent gritty, bluesy feel from start to finish. The result is an album with songs rich in vivid stories, taking listeners on a bounty hunt in "Murrietta's Head," a tawdry scene of seduction in "Dirty Nightgown" and a true crime recollection in "Johnny Ace is Dead." Dave's guitar work punctuates each tale, reinforcing moments of urgency, remorse and reflection.

"The songs on Eleven Eleven are all about life, love, death, loss, money, justice, labor, faith, doubt, family and friendship. The usual stuff," said Alvin. "Mortality has been an issue on my mind ever since Ashgrove. Since finishing that album, I lost some great friends - Chris Gaffney, Amy Farris and Buddy Blue of the Beat Farmers. That weighed on me."

The album reunites Dave with pianist Gene Taylor, whose barrelhouse blues sound has not been heard on an Alvin project since the final Blasters album, 1985's "Hard Line," and features three duets: brother Phil Alvin and Dave on the simmering blues "What's Up With Your Brother"; Dave and Christy McWilson from the Guilty Women on the gentle country number "Manzanita" and the whimsical song, "Two Lucky Bums," the final recording of Dave and his best friend, the late Chris Gaffney. The rest of the material, rich in stories that stretch from R&B royalty to labor history to Harlan County in Kentucky, was written over the course of seven months.

Recently, Alvin released the first single from the new album set, "Harlan County Line." The song, now available on iTunes, was written and recorded specifically for the FX television seriesJustified, fictionally based in Harlan County, KY. Alvin and his band appeared in an episode earlier this season (episode 3 titled "The I of the Storm"), performing during a barroom scene. Combining elements of blues, folk, R+B, rockabilly, Bakersfield country and garage rock and roll with lyrical inspiration from local writers and poets like Raymond Chandler, Gerald Locklin and Charles Bukowski, Alvin has mixed his varied musical and literary influences into his own unique, updated version of traditional American music. "My songs are just like California," says Alvin. "A big, messy melting pot."

A fourth generation Californian, Dave Alvin, Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter and self-described "barroom guitarist," is widely considered to be one of the pivotal founders of the current Americana music scene. Since forming the highly influential roots rock/R+B band The Blasters, and throughout his long and critically acclaimed solo career, his 30 years of recordings and live performances move through loud, aggressive rock and roll to contemplative acoustic storytelling. His songs have been recorded by a who's who of contemporary roots artists from Los Lobos, Little Milton and Joe Ely to Dwight Yoakam, James McMurtry and X; while they have also been featured in many movies and television shows including The Sopranos, True Blood, The Wire, Justified, Six Feet Under, Crybaby, Miss Congeniality and From Dusk To Dawn.

The "King of California" Dave Alvin and his band have announced two new upcoming events this spring at SXSW in Austin, TX and aboard the "King and Queens of California Train." As previously announced, Dave Alvin will release his new studio album this summer on Yep Roc Records and currently has a new track from that set, "Harlan County Line," on sale at iTunes; a full summer U.S. tour in support to be announced.

On Thursday, March 17th Dave Alvin & the Guilty Ones will perform in Austin, Texas as part of the annual Bug Music SXSW showcase alongside Bobby Long, John Popper and the Duskray Troubadours, The Features and Yelawolf. Alvin will debut a slate of new songs from his forthcoming new full-length album, along side a set of favorites.

Sunday, April 3rd through Friday, April 8, the Golden State's master songwriter will host the"King & Queens of California Train," an unforgettable adventure on board vintage streamline railroad cars from Los Angeles to Portland and back. Travel along with the artists as the streamliner hugs the ocean for over 100 miles, over brawny hills, through wide, flat fields and high, lonely plains; past towering Mount Shasta and over the stunning Cascade Range on one of the most scenically spectacular rail routes on earth! Joining him will be fellow Californian Peter Case, legendary acoustic blues guitarist Chris Smither, "Guilty Man" guitar-slinger Rick Shea and, for the return Bay Area-Los Angeles leg of the trip, "Guilty Women" and instrumentalists extraordinaire Laurie Lewis and Nina Gerber. The trip is limited to 45 people total, with a few select tickets still available.

Recently, Dave Alvin and his band was featured and performed their new song "Harlan County Line"on FX's critically-acclaimed series Justified (episode 3 titled "The I of the Storm"). The "Harlan County Line" single is now available for purchase on iTunes and will be included on Dave Alvin's new studio album to be released this summer on Yep Roc Records. Alvin, appearing in the opening of the episode, wrote and recorded the new song "Harlan County Line" specifically for the show Justified, fictionally based in Harlan County, KY.

DAVE ALVIN TO PERFORM NEW SONG “HARLAN COUNTY LINE”
ON FX TELEVISION SERIES JUSTIFIED WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23

BAND CURRENTLY FINISHING NEW STUDIO ALBUM TO BE RELEASED THIS SUMMER ON YEP ROC RECORDS

Los Angeles, CA – February 22, 2011 – The “King of California” Dave Alvin and his band will perform their new song “Harlan County Line” in the opening of the new episode of FX’s critically-acclaimed series Justified on Wednesday, February 23rd at 10:00pm EST/PST (episode 3 titled “The I of the Storm”). The “Harlan County Line” single is now available for purchase on iTunes and will be included on Dave Alvin’s new studio album to be released this summer on Yep Roc Records. Click here to preview the entire track online.

Alvin, appearing in the opening of the episode, wrote and recorded the new song “Harlan County Line” specifically for the show Justified, fictionally based in Harlan County, KY. In turn, the producers wrote Alvin and the band into the script.

"I have been listening to Dave Alvin since his days with The Blasters," said Justified Executive Producer/Writer Graham Yost. "Our star, Tim Olyphant, is also a big fan, as are executive producers Sarah Timberman and Michael Dinner. Greg Sill, our music supervisor, and I discussed ways of working Dave and his music into the show. Dave wrote 'Harlan County Line' for fun, sent it along and we just flipped for it. We decided to create a scene in a roadhouse where we could have him play it. In editing we saw that it worked so well we had the song continue on into the next scene. Having Dave Alvin on our show has been one of the highlights of the season."

A fourth generation Californian, Dave Alvin, Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter and self-described "barroom guitarist," is widely considered to be one of the pivotal founders of the current Americana music scene. Since forming the highly influential roots rock/R+B band The Blasters, and throughout his long and critically acclaimed solo career, Dave Alvin has mixed his varied musical and literary influences into his own unique, updated version of traditional American music. Combining elements of blues, folk, R+B, rockabilly, Bakersfield country and garage rock and roll with lyrical inspiration from local writers and poets like Raymond Chandler, Gerald Locklin and Charles Bukowski, Alvin says that his songs are "just like California. A big, messy melting pot."

Dave Alvin's 30 years of recordings and live performances move through the loud, aggressive rock and roll of The Blasters to the contemplative acoustic storytelling of his solo albums, KING OF CALIFORNIA, BLACKJACK DAVID, DAVE ALVIN & THE GUILTY WOMEN and from the traditional folk of his Grammy winning album, PUBLIC DOMAIN, to the electric blues of ASHGROVE. Dave Alvin's songs have been recorded by a who's who of contemporary roots artists from Los Lobos, Little Milton and Joe Ely to Dwight Yoakam, James McMurtry and X. His songs have also been featured in many movies and television shows including Justified, The Sopranos, True Blood, The Wire, Six Feet Under, Crybaby, Miss Congeniality and From Dusk To Dawn.

For up-to-date information, please visit the official Dave Alvin website: www.DaveAlvin.net

The FX channel’s crime-drama series “Justified,” which just launched its second season and is airing Wednesday nights, is set in the coal-mining country of southeastern Kentucky. That gives it something of a “Coal Miner’s Godfather” vibe with its storyline of a deputy U.S. marshal who patrols the back roads of Appalachia on the lookout for dope dealers, thieves and murderers.

The rural setting makes it an ideal forum for an Americana-heavy soundtrack, but even roots-music fans might shake their heads in disbelief during the Feb. 23 episode “Harlan County Line,” when none other than singer-songwriter Dave Alvin makes a guest appearance.

Not only does Alvin appear on-camera -- as a musician in an out-of-the-way roadhouse where star Timothy Olyphant, as Dep. Raylan Givens, is having a clandestine meeting -- but he also sings an original song he wrote for the episode.

When Givens is joined at the bar by a guest who asks what he’s doing, he responds, “I’m waiting for Dave Alvin to go on.” Sure enough, there’s Alvin tuning up and then launching into the song “Harlan County Line,” backed by guitarist Rick Shea and other members of his real-life band. But even miracles have to end sometime, and after a few seconds of the song, the action shifts away from the bar and the episode moves on.

It turns out that the show’s creators are longtime Alvin fans themselves, and decided during the second season to write him into the show. We’re told at Pop & Hiss that his song will surface in its entirety on a forthcoming “Justified” soundtrack album. It’s also scheduled to be on a new Alvin solo album that's due in June.

Your host is the Golden State’s master songwriter Dave Alvin , a towering figure in American music whose 1994 album gives this trip its name. Joining him is fellow Californian Peter Case , legendary acoustic blues guitarist Chris Smither, “Guilty Man” guitar-slinger Rick Shea and, for the return Bay Area-Los Angeles leg of the trip, “Guilty Women” and instrumentalists extraordinaire Laurie Lewis and Nina Gerber.

There will be a starting and end night at the excellent Kyoto Grand Hotel in Los Angeles, a kickoff show featuring Dave, Chris and Peter, then once on board, plenty of music, laughter and camaraderie. Naturalist Elsabe Kloppers will be with us to point out the outstanding natural features of our route. Freshly-prepared meals in our own dome car with glass-enclosed 360 degree views and lovingly restored sleeping cars from the golden age of streamliners make for an unforgettable travel experience. Live on-board concerts and informal jamming in the Performance Car will go all trip long. Get ready for a non-stop musical adventure with Chris, Peter, Nina, Laurie, Rick and Dave... the Kings (and Queens) of California!

"We had the time of our lives... We met many wonderful people with whom we hope to keep in touch... Fun, fun, fun - it was the BEST!" - trip participants

"If you would like to leave this planet for a wee journey, we suggest you contact Roots on the Rails and get ready for the trip of a lifetime... The best experience we have ever had. We can hardly wait for the next one!" - trip participants

Price: $2,879.00 per person for semi-private berth accommodations (Oakland-Portland return; common space LA-Oakland return). $3,138.00 per person for one or two person private rooms Oakland-Portland return. $3,278.00 per person for private, enclosed room, sleeping car space (one or two person rooms) LA-Portland and return, includes all train activities, meal and beverage service, beer/wine enroute, shower in each car, two nights shared hotel room in Los Angeles (April 3 and 7. Single supplement for private hotel rooms in LA, $75/night additional), concerts in Los Angeles and Portland. Gratuities and transfers not included.

$300 per person non-refundable deposit to hold space. Payment plans happily accommodated. Payments outside of deposit are refundable until 60 days prior to departure. Reservations are transferrable. Liability release signature required.

Sign up today, by e-mailing Roots on the Rails at trains@sover.net, by calling 866-484-3669 (toll free in the US & Canada) or 802-258-1397.

Sunday, 3 April - Hotel check-in in afternoon. Shuttle bus to/from evening concert at McCabe’s.

Monday, 4 April - We depart from the mission-style/art-deco masterpiece Los Angeles Union Station. Lunch is served on board, we’ll have a music program and our first Open Mic, as our train runs for over 100 miles hugging the rugged California Coast. After dinner and shows from Peter Case and Dave Alvin, we add our Oakland sleeper (we are limited to just four cars from LA to Oakland; special rates apply for Oakland sleeper passengers).

Tuesday, 5 April - During the night we head east to Sacramento, then turn north through Chico and Dunsmuir, past snow-covered Mt. Shasta, and then over the Cascade Mountains, one of the most breathtaking crossings of a mountain range in the US, passing through over 20 tunnels! Breakfast and lunch on board, nature program, guitar workshop with Chris and Rick, Open Mic in Performance Car. Arrive Portland, “the City of Roses,” in afternoon. Train serves as our hotel for the night. Dinner on own, and an evening concert in town.

Wednesday, 6 April - Continental breakfast is available on board, with morning and early afternoon free to explore this fascinating city. In the afternoon, as the return trip begins, we’ll have a solo concert by Rick Shea, then dinner and an evening show from Chris Smither in the Performance Car.

Thursday, 7 April - During the night we retrace our route, with morning arrival in the Bay Area. Chris Smither departs the train here, and we add Nina Gerber and Laurie Lewis. The return journey to LA unfolds onboard with breakfast, concerts by Nina and Laurie, lunch, Open Mic, a “Kings of California” concert finale and dinner, with late-evening arrival in Los Angeles. A night at the Kyoto Grand is again provided.

RECORDING NEWS: DAVE AND PHIL ALVIN RECORD DUET

Dave Alvin and his brother Phil have recorded a vocal duet for Dave's next CD. The song, called "What's Up With Your Brother?," marks the fist time the Alvin Brothers have sang together on an Dave original song. Dave is recording a new CD of all original songs during breaks in his hectic touring schedule and tentatively plans to release the CD in the spring of next year. There's more big recording news involving Dave and Phil that we're not at liberty to announce yet but we'll let you know as soon as we can.

Besides working on his next CD, Dave has been busy recently in the studio with projects by other artists. Just released are acclaimed songwriter Stan Ridgway's latest, Neon Mirage, (that features 2 songs produced by Dave), and a CD from the unique and soulful songwriter Stanley Wycoff, Swim Into The Whirlpool, (featuring Dave on guitars as well as performances by the late Chris Gaffney). Also released is WE ARE ONLY RIDERS: THE JEFFREY LEE PIERCE SESSIONS PROJECT, a tribute CD to the legendary founder of the post-punk-blues-garage band, The Gun Club. Dave plays lead guitar on an X-rated track (Walking Down The Street Doin' My Thing which Dave originally recorded with Jeffrey in the 80s) by poetess Lydia Lunch.

Dave has been in the studio in the past months playing guitars on fellow Knitter Exene Cervenka's new solo CD. Dave was thrilled to be part of these session which also feature the renown jazz bassist Christian McBride (Wynton Marsalis, Herbie Hancock) and the killer drummer Brady Blade (Emmy Lou Harris, Dave Matthews). Speaking of great musicians, Dave also played guitar on an all Everly Brothers tribute CD recorded by Cindy Wasserman and Frank Drennan (from LA band Dead Rock West) with an all-star band that included bassist Rob Wasserman (Bob Weir), drummer DJ Bonebrake (X) and guitarist Elliot Easton (The Cars).

Dave also took part in a very different recording session, this one for his friend, Lou Beach. Besides being a renown visual artist (he’s done artwork for many magazines, newspapers and CDs including several of Dave’s), Lou is also a very interesting writer. Award winning actors Jeff Bridges and Ian McShane, along with Dave, can be heard at 420characters.com reading Lou’s intriguing short pieces of unique fiction.

DA ON TOUR:

Dave and The Guilty Women are heading out for a late summer and fall tour. Check the ON TOUR schedule to see when they'll be performing near you.

Besides touring most of this year in various acoustic and line-ups, Dave also reunited with his brother Phil and the rest of The Blasters for two nights at Fitzgerald's in Berwyn, Illinois on July 3rd and 4th. Dave explained his reason for doing these rare two shows: "Fitzgerald's is one of my favorite clubs and The Blasters are obviously one of my favorite bands, so it just sounded like fun. And it was. But I wouldn't make a big deal out of it, just a chance to make a racket with all my brothers." making the two even more special, legendary Chicago bluesman (and big Blasters influence) Billy Boy Arnold also joined Dave and the guys on stage. The original 4 man Blasters also performed an impromptu set at downtown LA's Redwood Bar.

Also in July, Dave reunited with many of The Guilty Men from various incarnations of his "dude" band for a wild show at The Echoplex in Los Angeles. Chris Miller and Rick Shea joined Dave on guitars along with bassist Gregory Boaz, harmonica wizard Jack Rudy and drummer Steve Mugalian. Dave said of this performance, "It was great to play with The Men again. The only people missing were Joe Terry and Bobby Lloyd Hicks and, sadly, my other brother Chris Gaffney."

A surprise guest at The Guilty Men reunion show was Dave brother Phil who sang 2 songs with Dave and the guys in the encore: Junior Parker's Hear Me Crying as well as a Spanish language version of Dave's classic Marie Marie.

For those of you who live on the California coast, look out for a December tour by Dave with The Gene Taylor Blues Band. This solid blues and boogie woogie outfit group features the powerhouse pianist Gene Taylor along with fellow Blasters John Bazz and Bill Bateman. These gigs are extremely rare so try to get out and catch them while you can.

Dave Alvin & The Guilty Women is the featured artist on National Public Radio’s Mountain Stage during the June 18-20 weekend. Mountain Stage will broadcast the group’s live concert featuring songs from the 2009 self-titled Yep Roc release. A complete list of stations that carry the program with the broadcast time can be found here:
http://www.mountainstage.org/mtnstageaffiliates.aspx

For more information on NPR’s Mountain Stage and for continued access the following week after initial broadcast, please visit npr.org/mountainstage where the concert will be archived.

April 4-9 – The Kings of California Train
featuring Dave Alvin – Tom Russell with special guests Steve Young and Thad Beckman
866-484-3669 toll-free US/Canada
trains@sover.net
www.rootsontherails.com
VIEW PDF

December 13, 2009 Dave Alvin & The Guilty Women named as No Depression's TOP 50 Albums of 2009! Read the article HERE>

December 6, 2009 Dave Alvin shares his down-to-earth blues and modern Americana in an exclusive performance at Disney Hall on Dec 6th as a part of their West Coast Left Coast series celebrating the unique spirit of California's creative renegades. Also performing are Brian Wilson, The Living Sisters and Harper Simon.

October 27, 2009 REMEMBERING AMY FARRIS
MEMORIAL SHOW IN LOS ANGELES, NOVEMBER 8, 2009
DAVE ALVIN, STAN RIDGWAY, PETER CASE & I SEE HAWKS ARE AMOUNG ARTISTS PERFORMING NOVEMBER 8 AT MCCABES (Santa Monica, CA) – With the sudden and tragic death of Austin native and revered musician Amy Farris, it is announced today that friends and fellow musicians will come together for a night of music and remembrance on November 8, 2009 at McCabes in Santa Monica, CA. Confirmed to perform are Dave Alvin, Stan Ridgway, Peter Case, I See Hawks and more to be announced.

Amy Farris, 40, was an accomplished musician, a beloved human of light and a giant heart with sparkling eyes, packed into a pint-sized frame. An Austin native, Amy moved to Los Angeles to expand her music career and talent for playing violin, viola, cello, mandolin and some of the sweetest vocal harmonies ever recorded. Among the artists Amy worked with through the years include Ray Price, Kelly Willis, Brian Wilson, Bruce Robinson, Charlie Robinson, Alejandro Escovedo, Stan Ridgway, Peter Case, Greg Dulli, I See Hawks and many others. Amy was seen and loved by millions having performed on Late Night with David Letterman, Conan O’Brien, The Grand Old Opry and Austin City Limits. Most-recently, Amy recorded and was touring the United States as one of Dave Alvin’s Guilty Women.

Cover for the show is a suggested donation of $10, with all proceeds going to Amy’s charity of choice, Hungry For Music. Hungry For Music is a non-profit organization whose mission is to inspire underprivileged children by bringing positive musical and creative experiences into their lives through musical instrument donations, concerts and workshops. Visit www.hungryformusic.com for more information.

We encourage you to bring a favorite photo, item or note to post on the memorial bulletin board for viewing. Items left will be put into a scrapbook for Amy’s family.

AMY FARRIS (violin, viola and harmony vocals for Dave Alvin & The Guilty Women) passed away Saturday, Sept 26th after battling a long illness.

A native of Austin, Texas, Amy started playing violin at age ten. She is a vet of the Austin music scene, playing with artists such as Ray Price, Alejandro Escovedo, Kelly Willis, Bruce Robison and Ray Wylie Hubbard.

Amy moved to Los Angeles when Dave offered to produce her first solo CD Anyway, released by Yep Roc in 2004. Along with Dave Alvin and Kelly Willis, Miss Farris has also performed and/or recorded with Brian Wilson, John Doe, Exene Cervenka, Stan Ridgway, Greg Dulli, Peter Case, and many others.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages you to send a donation in her honor to Hungry For Music, Inc, a nonprofit effort to provide musical instruments to underprivileged children with a hunger to play.

The roots rockers head out of L.A.'s Union Station with about 70 fans
in tow for a musical tour of the American Southwest.

The following week their set will be posted at www.npr.org/mountainstage and archived for continued access.

THANKS FOR PARTICIPATING IN OUR CONTEST! The Meet and Greet contest for Philadelphia and NYC are now closed. All winners have been notified. There may be last minute cancellations so come down to the shows anyway and ask if the Meet and Greet has any openings. Maybe you'll get lucky!

YOU COULD WIN !!!!
Dave Alvin Meet & Greet in New York and Philadelphia July 10-11, 2009

Dave Alvin and the Guilty Women are doing two highly anticipated concerts this weekend in Philadelphia at the World Cafe on 7/10 and in New York City at the Highline Ballroom on 7/11.

In honor of this special event, 'American Music: the Blasters Dave Alvin newsletter' will host 10 contest winners at each venue for a special after show meet and greet with Dave Alvin and the Guilty Women.

The first 10 contest entrants who have the correct answer to the following question will win the meet and greet opportunity. Note: you must purchase your own admission to the concert

Question: What song on Dave Alvin's new Guilty Women record has he recorded before with the Blasters?

Email your answer to davistb@aol.com
Your email subject header should read "Dave Alvin Meet and Greet Philadelphia" or "Dave Alvin Meet and Greet NYC." There will be 10 winners for each show.

If you are a winner, you will receive an email with instructions. Contest closes 6 PM day of each show.
Good luck

GET ONBOARD THE KACHINA EXPRESS

Join Dave, Joe Ely, Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Butch Hancock (The Flatlanders) for an amazing southwestern adventure on the Kachina Express this September 26th-30th. The good people at Roots On The Rails have put together a unique musical railroad vacation into the starkly beautiful lands of the Hopi and Navajo with side trips to the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon and other stunning natural wonders of Arizona and New Mexico. Go to www.flyingundertheradar.com/rails/kachinaexpress.htm for more information and a complete description of the trip. If you missed Dave's last musical train excursion into the Mexico's Copper Canyon (with Tom Russell, Terry Allen, Laurie Lewis and Butch Hancock), here is your chance for a one-of-a-kind experience with four of Americana's greatest songwriters and performers.

DOUG SAHM TRIBUTE CD RELEASED

Vanguard Records has released the long awaited Doug Sahm Tribute CD KEEP YOUR SOUL. Besides Dave's rocking version of Doug's DYNAMITE WOMAN, the CD features stirring performances of Sahm classics by Los Lobos, Alejandro Escovedo, Terry Allen, Little Willie G with Ry Cooder, Flaco Jimenez, Jimmie Vaughan, Charlie Sexton, Delbert McClinton, The Gourds, Greg Dulli, Joe King Carrasco and Doug's son, Shawn Sahm. This passionate memorial to one of the greatest and most influential musicians to come out of Texas should not be missed.