Opelika Daily News » Live Music

Goodnight Opelika – Eighth and Rails Final Night!

Editor — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 18:23:31 +0000

It was goodbye to an old friend, if you can call a Tavern an old friend, last night. Eighth and Rail is now a pleasant memory for those that called this one of their favorite watering holes. The building is officially under new ownership and that owner is looking for a tenant. Those that attended the final night, some in Black Tie, got something to take home at the end of the night. You’ll probably see a few of us sporting our Eighth and Rail Goodnight Opelika Shirt. On the back, forming a big number eight, names of bands and individuals that have played that stage over the years and the front with an old bi-wing airplane, looking a bit like a train. Some final words from owner Richard Patton brought a tear to many eyes and the countdown to a new year with a final toast for all brought the evening to a close. Well, actually, many stayed to talk and dance a bit longer. Thanks Richard for a great night, good friends, having Miller Lite for a guy on a diet and for years of good times at The Rail! Goodnight Opelika!

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From NBC’s The Voice to Eighth & Rail This Week – Rebecca Loebe

Editor — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 23:31:40 +0000

Atlanta-based indie folk singer Rebecca Loebe, who recently made her national television debut on NBC’s new hit show “The Voice,” will be appearing in Opelika at 8th and Rail on Thursday Night, August 18th. Tickets for the 21 and up show cost $5 at the door.

For the past three years Loebe has been touring the country full-time in her station wagon, performing nearly 200 shows per year at coffeehouses, colleges and festivals in over 35 states. This summer Loebe is slated to perform at festivals and intimate acoustic listening rooms across the US.

On the premier episode of ‘The Voice’ Loebe performed Nirvana’s “Come As You Are” as the celebrity coaches listened with their backs turned to her. During her performance, Christina Aguilera and Maroon 5’s Adam Levine both turned around to show their support. She decided to join Adam’s team, saying that she feels his career more closely resembles the goals she is working towards as a singer/songwriter.

Within 24 hours of the show’s debut, Loebe’s version of “Come As You Are” climbed into the Top 10 of the iTunes Alternative chart, ultimately reaching number seven.

In 2010, Rebecca’s fan-funded independent full length release “Mystery Prize,” spent two months in the Top 40 of the Americana Charts in both the United States and Europe, and was honored by the Americana Music Association as one of the Top 100 Albums of 2010.

Loebe (27) graduated from Berklee College of Music with a degree in music production and engineering and briefly worked as an audio engineer at a Boston recording studio before she decided to pursue music full-time. In May 2009, she was honored as a winner at the Kerrville New Folk Songwriting Competition, whose previous participants include Lyle Lovett and Robert Earl Keen. Texas music critic Jeanna Goodrich said, “Her voice instantly took my breath away. I could tell right from the start: Rebecca Loebe was born for this.”

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The Compromise – Just Added Friday at The Rail

Jerry — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 02:43:24 +0000

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Woody Pines Saturday at Eighth & Rail

Editor — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 10:00:01 +0000

Saturday, August 13th at 9:30PM It’s Woody Pines! The band; comprised of Woody on guitar, banjo, harmonica and lead vocals, Zack Pozebanchuk on upright bass, and a shapeshifting band of Drums and Fiddle; epitomizes the swinging ragtime and country sound and embraces a simpler time. Pines, who comes from a musical family and has been playing music since he can remember, describes the band’s sound as a ragtime rhythm and a swinging good time, and his songs reflect that belief.Doors open at 8pm, must be 21 to attend. Tickets: $7 at the door.

Woody Pines – I Satisfy from Live & Breathing on Vimeo.

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Hookers Invade Downtown Opelika…

Editor — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 16:47:11 +0000

I hate it when someone says, “You should have heard a certain group, they were great, they played last night.” So to show I can come to the dance late, you really missed a great night of music at Eighth and Rail, if you weren’t there for Blair Crimmins and The Hookers. The Auburn Swing Club knew they were coming and filled the place with dancing like you don’t see anymore. The show on the dance floor was as entertaining as the music. I found this video on the groups website to give you a taste of their “ragtime, dirty jazz” sound. And next time they are coming, I’ll sure be talking before they arrive.

Blair Crimmins and The Hookers – State Hotel by Scott McKibben from Eye of the Crow on Vimeo.

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Traditional Music Festival this Weekend at Pioneer Park

Editor — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 13:08:11 +0000

Three action-packed days of traditional acoustic music instruction, performance, and jamming begin with registration for the third annual Lee County Gathering at 1 p.m. Thursday at Pioneer Park in Loachapoka. The Festival concludes with hymns, a devotional and closing ceremony at 9 a.m. Sunday morning.

Springtime all across the South means that musicians come down from the mountains to gather and make music; the Gathering is a growing part of that tradition. The Festival, held under the auspices of the Lee County Historical Society and the Alabama State Council on the Arts, offers old-time music, storytelling, dance, concerts, period re-enactors, and frontier food characteristic of Pioneer Park’s 1850s village reconstructed at the park.

Nationally acclaimed performers and instructors from Florida, Ohio, Tennessee, and Virginia are joined by area instructors Ashley and Joni Carr of Tallassee; Dr. Bill King of Tuskegee; Bill Hogan of Phil Campbell; Bob and Rose Taunton of Tallassee; and Marty Hoerr and Ernestine Robinson of Auburn.

Festivities begin Thursday with an ice cream social at 6 p.m., instructor introductions, a concert and a jam—all in a big tent on the park grounds. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are available throughout the festival.

The Lee County Gathering is designed for all ages and all levels of expertise, from those who simply want to observe to those who wish to take lessons on such instruments as the mountain dulcimer, the hammered dulcimer, auto harp, penny whistle, mandolin, guitar, Native American flute, fiddle, steel drums and ukulele. Once again, there will be sacred harp singing—the sacred harp being the vocal chords—and Negro spiritual singing and lessons by local legend Earnestine Robinson of the Plantation Heirs, who will also perform.

Visitors can sign up for the entire weekend, or just for the day. Free children’s classes are offered on Saturday for those who pre-register, although their parents will be asked to pay the daily gate fee of $5. The registration fee for the entire weekend–which includes two days of classes, four concerts, an ice cream social and a dance–is just $40. Registration information is available at www.leecountygathering.com.

Pioneer Park is the site of the Lee County Historical Society, a non-profit organization established in 1968. Membership is open to all interested parties. For more information, see www.leecountyhistoricalsociety.org or call Deborah McCord at 334-703-3646 or Bob Taunton at 334-283-3045.

tThree action-packed days of traditional acoustic music instruction, performance, and jamming begin with registration for the third annual Lee County Gathering at 1 p.m. Thursday at Pioneer Park in Loachapoka. The Festival concludes with hymns, a devotional and closing ceremony at 9 a.m. Sunday morning.

tured above Bob and Rose Taunton of Tallassee join nationally recognized performers and instructors at this weekend’s old time music festival, the Lee County Gathering at Pioneer Park in Loachapoka. The Tauntons teach and play mountain dulcimer and banjo. Their effectiveness as teachers stems from their desire that those who attend their classes learn not just to play, but to understand the roots of the music and love it for what it is.

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Pioneer Park Music Festival

Editor — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 03:28:25 +0000

Anne Lough Featured at Lee County Gathering – Anne Lough, one of the featured artists at Pioneer Park’s upcoming music festival in Loachapoka, brings the finest of traditional music and culture. Her beautiful clear voice thrills listeners as she brings to life the ballads and folk songs of the Appalachians, American frontier and British Isles. Folk dance, storytelling and shaped-note traditions come alive through her skillful presentations and artistry.

Registration for the festival, which runs from April 28 to May 1, is ongoing and offers something for all ages and all skills. See www.leecountygathering.com for details or contact Bob Taunton at 334-283-3045.

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Mayfield Tour Starts Friday March 25th at Eighth and Rail

Editor — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 09:00:38 +0000

Birmingham rocker Matthew Mayfield is proud to announce the release of his first full-length solo album, Now You’re Free, on April 5, 2011 on Sweet Exchange Records. A tour of the south, including residencies in Atlanta, Nashville, and Charlotte, has been confirmed to begin on March 25th in Opelika, Alabama.

Matthew Mayfield thought his musical career was off to a tremendous start after signing with Epic Records in 2005. After releasing one album on a major label with his band Moses Mayfield in the early part of 2007, he quickly realized things weren’t going to be as easy as he’d hoped. “We spent lots of their money making a big record, opening big tours, and believing big promises. The wheels eventually fell off, and we realized this isn’t about overnight success. You have to work your ass off just to get by. You have to keep paying your dues and keep paying your dues and keep paying your dues,” Mayfield says.

In 2008, Matthew Mayfield broke out on his own, recording and releasing no less than 7 EP’s in just under 3 years. He recorded the albums at home, and toured when he could in his car, but the music was pouring out of him and the EP’s kept his fans interested — and coming back for more. His latest EP, 2010’s Matthew Mayfield & The Blue Cut Robbery went to #1 on the iTunes Singer-Songwriter charts. Grey’s Anatomy even came calling on occasion, using 2 tracks from his collection of EP’s in episodes in the 2009 and 2010 seasons.

In May of 2010, Mayfield had 30 songs he still hadn’t recorded. To make his new album, Now You’re Free, Matthew raised $14,000 via Pledge Music by selling handwritten lyrics, living room demos, studio artifacts, drumheads, guitar heads, etc. – to his fans.

This is a true DIY story – and it’s just the beginning.

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