Been sitting here trying to think of the last time Edie Brickell & The New Bohemians played a full-on show together, and I'm just coming up empty. Surely, there haven't been too many in recent years -- not since Carter Albrecht's death in 2007, at least. Since then, both Edie and the New Bos have played their fair share of gigs -- Edie, in particular, what with her release of two separate albums already in 2011 -- but, together, well, there just haven't been very many in recent memory. If any.
And, surely, that makes this news all the more interesting: On Saturday, May 21, Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians -- as Edie Brickell & The New Bohemians, even -- will perform down in Blanco, Texas, as part of a benefit gig for the Blanco High School Band.
An odd choice for a reunion of sorts? Not really: New Bos drummer Brandon Aly works as the percussion director and assistant band director for Blanco ISD -- a part of Brickell's circle of friends, indeed. He's the one who reached out to Brickell about the show.
The press release, which you can read after the jump, goes a little bit more into detail about how this performance came to be, but, for now, let's just focus on the pertinent details. Like the fact that tickets for the event are going for $15 a pop, and $5 for those under 18. Get your tickets right here. And for more general information, you can go right here.
Edie Brickell and New Bohemians to headline Bands for Band Music FestivalHigh School band members and parents organize music festival to raise much needed funds
Blanco, Texas -- The first annual Bands for Band Music Festival will be held on May 21st, 2011 at Yett Memorial Park in Blanco, Texas. Amidst a climate of statewide budget shortfalls for education and the arts, Blanco High School Band Boosters and band members have set out to raise money to purchase new uniforms for next year's marching season.
The event begins at 2:00 pm and concludes at midnight. Tickets prices are $15.00 for adults and $5.00 for ages 6-18. Ages 5 and under admitted free. Tickets can be purchased at the gate or advance tickets are available online at http://www.prekindle.com.
Organizers are excited to announce that this year's festival will showcase headlining act Edie Brickell and New Bohemians. The group is best know for their platinum selling album entitled "Shooting Rubber Bands at the Stars," which was released in 1988 and featured the hit single "What I Am." The original drummer for the band just happens to be Blanco's own Brandon Aly. Aly acts as the Percussion Director and band assistant for Blanco ISD and over the years, has shared the triumphs of the Blanco Band with his friend Brickell. When the festival plans were underway, Aly contacted Brickell to see if there was a chance that she might be willing to bring the band together for such an event. To the delight of organizers, Brickell responded with an enthusiastic "let's do this benefit! I think it would be a blast, as I am in love with your town and the High School Band and Drum Line." In addition to performing their traditional set of familiar songs, Brickell hopes to open things up a bit, and has written a cake walk song for the occasion. As Brickell says, "It appeals to me to make it a family fun, ridiculous, audience participation night."
This year, Brickell has released two new albums, "Edie Brickell" and "The Gaddabouts." Her most recent performances at New York Radio City Music Hall and Carnegie Hall were enthusiastically embraced by sold out crowds. Additionally in May she will be performing at the Continental Club in Austin, Texas and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. ôThe fact that Edie is willing to take time out of a very busy schedule to support our band kids is an amazing giftö, says Band Booster President, Libbey Aly.
The complete line up for the festival includes a wide variety of acts from the country sounds of Alvarado Road Show and Jackie Cox, to the Cajun and Zydeco styling of Zydeco Blanco. Texas blues guitar legend Bobby Mack, who is a Blanco resident will be offering up a full helping of his traditional Texas blues sounds as well. Rounding out the bill will be Dallas-based Rock, Soul and Americana band The Electro-Magnetics. A side stage will be utilized to showcase several bands made up of current students and alumni from the Blanco Band program. The Blanco High School Band under the direction of Mr. David Shirk will also be in attendance performing songs from their award winning 2010-2011 Swing Show. To top it off, the Blanco High School drum line plans to lead a New Orleans style second line parade prior to Zydeco Blanco's performance.
Many of the bands performing in the festival have members who honed their skills in school band programs during their youth. Scientific studies consistently show that students who are involved in music programs in school perform at a higher level academically overall; achieving higher test scores on standardized tests and showing a higher number of students seeking higher education at a college or university. It is for these reasons that the members in the bands donating their time for the festival feel that it is important to do so û the hope is that events such as this one will raise awareness in all communities as to the importance of music education in our schools.
For more information and a complete schedule, visit https://sites.google.com/site/blancobandboosters/
