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The HillBenders tour dates 2024

The HillBenders is currently touring across 1 country and has 4 upcoming concerts.

Their next tour date is at City Opera House in Traverse City, after that they'll be at Bell's Beer Garden in Kalamazoo.

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Bell's Beer Garden

Grand Ole Opry House

Lander City Park

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The HillBenders

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The HillBenders

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The HillBenders

Latest release.

• SEP 29, 2023
• Take on the World (Give 'em Hell) - Single
• Pinball Wizard
• Tommy: A Bluegrass Opry · 2015
• The HillBenders · 2018
• Lost Your Way
• Go To the Mirror
• Broken Promises
• Can You Hear Me? · 2012
• Cousin Kevin
• Planes, Trains & Automobiles
• There's a Doctor

Singles & EPs

About the hillbenders.

An accomplished progressive bluegrass group from Missouri, the Hillbenders are a quintet of talented pickers who experienced a critical and commercial breakthrough with a rather unusual project -- a bluegrass remake of an iconic rock opera. Founded in the 2000s, the Hillbenders first made their name as a band with strong instrumental skills and original songs that merged rock and country melodic influences with tight, well-executed acoustic arrangements that revealed a respect for bluegrass traditions. The Hillbenders were already award-winners when they cut their first album, 2012's Down to My Last Dollar, but it was third full-length release, 2015's Tommy: A Bluegrass Opry, that won them a newer and wider audience for their respectful and imaginative interpretation of the Who's pioneering rock opera. After Tommy expanded their audience and reputation, the Hillbenders reminded their fans of their strong original material with their self-titled fourth album in 2018. The Hillbenders were formed in Springfield, Missouri in 2008. Led by lead vocalist and mandolin player Nolan Lawrence, the Hillbenders also featured Jimmy Rea on guitar, Chad Graves on Dobro, Mark Cassidy on banjo, and Gary Rea on bass. It didn't take long for the Hillbenders to earn a reputation among bluegrass followers; in 2009, they were awarded the championship in the Telluride Bluegrass Band Competition, a nationally recognized competition for up and coming artists, and in 2010 they won the National Single Microphone Competition for groups using the performing style originated by bluegrass pioneers like Bill Monroe and Flatt & Scruggs. In 2009, the group released a six-song EP in conjunction with that year's IBMA World of Bluegrass Festival. Having impressed discriminating audiences on tour, the Hillbenders landed a contract with the roots music-oriented label Compass Records, and they brought out their debut album, Down to My Last Dollar, in 2012, which included a guest appearance from Jeremy Garrett of the Infamous Stringdusters. After more touring and appearances at America's leading bluegrass festivals, the Hillbenders delivered another album in 2013, Can You Hear Me?. Louis Meyers was a musician and record producer who helped to found the South by Southwest Music Conference, and in the 2010s he struck upon the idea of having a bluegrass combo perform an acoustic version of the Who's 1969 album Tommy, often cited as the first rock opera. When Meyers heard the Hillbenders perform, he was convinced they were the group with the talent and energy to make such a project work, and after a live performance at the 2015 SXSW conference won rave reviews, they repeated the concert in the studio, and Tommy: A Bluegrass Opry was released by Compass in 2015. The album debuted at number three on the national bluegrass charts, and received plenty of press coverage in the rock music press as well as in bluegrass circles. Pete Townshend, the founder and guitarist with the Who and the principal author of Tommy, saw a video of the Hillbenders performing the opera and was pleased enough to invite the group to a Who concert in Nashville, discussing the project with them after the show. Tommy would dominate the Hillbenders' concerts over the next two years, but the group's members continued to write fresh material, and began performing new songs regularly during their show, often during the encores after Tommy. The band had become comfortable enough with their new songs that when they entered the studio with producer Eric Uglum to record their fourth album, they were able to record all the songs live in the studio, with no overdubs other than harmony vocals. Released in 2019, The Hillbenders featured nine original songs, an acoustic cover of MGMT's "Kids," and "I've Got a Mind to Move On," which matched a melody by Jim Rea with a poem written by John Hartford and published in 1971. ~ Mark Deming

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The HillBenders

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Formed in April of 2008, and still touring with the original lineup, The HillBenders have firmly established their presence as one of the most energetic and engaging progressive acoustic bands on the scene and they continue to wow audiences from stages around the country and around the world. Just over three years ago the band shifted their focus away from original music to tackle their recent critically-acclaimed “Tommy: A Bluegrass Opry” release. This was a strategic choice for a band that first made its name with a barrage of catchy, original songs. While it proved to be an extremely successful decision, vaulting the band onto the global stage, it took the band’s time and attention away from their roots and from the very music that started their career. Now The HillBenders have shifted their focus back onto their originals and have released their fourth studio album, appropriately and eponymously titled “The HillBenders”. Many of the songs have been shared in live settings over the last couple years as they band toured in support of “Tommy” but never have they been recorded until now. The new release is now available!

www.hillbenders.com

This event is supported in part by grants the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation, and the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts.

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Doors and bar open at 6:45 p.m.

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Artist dining is provided by Murphy’s on Green, and is sponsored by Sean Engebretson of Creative Contractors. “Support those that support us!”

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The Hillbenders are a highly talented and unique bluegrass band, renowned for their energetic performances and innovative musical style. ConcertFix is thrilled to feature this exceptional group, known for their fusion of traditional bluegrass with elements of rock and roll. Their musical prowess is evident in their ability to seamlessly blend different genres, creating a sound that is both familiar and refreshingly new. The Hillbenders have been captivating audiences with their high-octane live shows, showcasing their extraordinary musicianship and dynamic stage presence. Their performances are a testament to their passion for music and their commitment to delivering a memorable experience for their fans. Whether they are playing a classic bluegrass tune or a bluegrass rendition of a rock classic, The Hillbenders never fail to impress. Stay tuned to ConcertFix for updates on The Hillbenders' upcoming concerts and get ready to be enthralled by their exhilarating performances.

The Hillbenders Concert Schedule

No events =(, the hillbenders tour albums and songs.

The Hillbenders: Tommy: A Bluegrass Opry

• Captain Walker
• Amazing Journey
• Eyesight to the Blin...
• Cousin Kevin
• The Acid Queen
• Fiddle About
• Pinball Wizard
• Go To The Mirror

The Hillbenders: The HillBenders

• Don't Look At Me
• Lost Your Way
• I've Got a Mind to M...
• Wishing Well
• Planes, Trains & Aut...
• Daisy Chain

The Hillbenders: Down To My Last Dollar

• Highway Gambler
• Another Day, Another...
• Take Me Away
• Blueridge Cutoff
• Ain't No Trouble To Me
• White Lines and Head...
• Done Wrong Love Song
• Lyin' On The Edge of...
• Hard Wakin' Up
• Easier On Me

The Hillbenders: Can You Hear Me?

• Train Whistle
• Concrete Ribbon
• Talking In Your Sleep
• Spinning In Circles
• Past The Point Of Re...
• Heartache Thunderstorm
• Broken Promises

The Hillbenders: Nothing but a Banjo On

• Nothing but a Banjo On

The Hillbenders Concert Tour Questions & Comments

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The Hillbenders add a drummer, release new single ahead of Winter Tour

Jan 22, 2022 News , Previews

THE HILLBENDERS PREMIERE “EVERY TIME I GO AWAY” VIDEO AND SINGLE

The single debuts the hillbenders new look with a drummer.

The Hillbenders have been on this journey for a while.

What started in 2008 in Springfield, MO as a bluegrass band rooted in tradition, playing original tunes, morphed in 2015 into a bluegrass production of The Who’s f amous rock opera “Tommy.”   The Hillbenders toured the world with their “Tommy” show, and then tweaked it to encompass a chronological journey through The Who’s catalog, billed as WhoGrass .

Along the way, The Hillbenders teamed up with jamgrass veteran Keller Williams to perform a Tom Petty tribute show, PettyGrass. The Hillbenders have also been frequent collaborators with Keller Williams on his Grateful Grass shows at festivals around the country.

Now The Hillbenders are turning a page to a new chapter in their musical journey .

They’ve recently released a new single and video , featuring their newly added drums.   They are heavily touring , and plan to release more music in the Spring while hitting the studio to “explore the musical possibilities now within reach.”

Check out The Hillbenders video for their latest single, Every Time I Go Away , then read on for tour dates and more info on The Hillbenders:

The HillBenders’ new single “Every Time I Go Away” premiered along with a music video capturing the band’s vibrant live performance of the song. The single was recorded at New Wine Studio in Victorville, California with engineer Eric Ulgum.

The video was filmed at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheater in St. Louis, MO (formerly Riverport Amp) while supporting legendary Rock band The Who and again at the J ohn Hartford Memorial Festival in central Indiana.

Watch the video now at https://youtu.be/G99HWte3A4A

Written by banjo player Mark Cassidy and mandolin player Nolan Lawrence , “Every Time I Go Away” is a familiar tune of leaving your home and loved ones behind, much like this tune has left behind the banjo for a drum kit. The HillBenders – having recently added a drummer to the band lineup – plan to honor their string band roots while exploring new musical directions.

This acoustic rock-inspired new single and video is a strong debut of the band’s evolving sound.

HillBender guitarist Jim Rea said, “So many of our songs have longed for a drummer since the beginning but we just couldn’t pull the trigger. Now that we have, we are asking ourselves why it took so long! There’s definitely fresh inspiration and I think ‘Every Time I Go Away’ really captured that feeling.” Rea also played organ on the recording – another first for the band.

With a robust tour scheduled to kick off 2022 , The HillBenders will be performing across the country – in Missouri, Illinois, Ohio, Colorado, Arkansas, Florida, Wisconsin, and Minnesota in January and February. By early spring the band plans on releasing more music and hitting the studio to explore the musical possibilities now within reach.

Visit www.HillBenders.com for tour information.

The HillBenders are streaming on all major platforms and social media.

All Streaming Platforms: https://fanlink.to/EveryTimeIGoAway

Facebook: www.facebook.com/hillbenders Instagram: @hillbenders

The extended HillBenders story…

The HillBenders started their musical journey in 2008 in Springfield, Missouri, which already has a deep music tradition (i.e. Ozarks Jubilee, The Ozark Mountain Daredevils).

With an emphasis on original music, The HillBenders began to get invites to premiere music festivals like Telluride Bluegrass Fest, Grey Fox, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, Stagecoach, etc.

In 2015 the band was recruited by Louis Meyers (SXSW, FOLK Alliance) to record The Who’s entire “TOMMY” album as a “Bluegrass Opry” which opened the global touring door for The HillBenders to now play theatres and performing arts centers around the world.

In 2018, The HillBenders teamed up with Jam Band veteran and looping pioneer Keller Williams to pay tribute to the late Tom Petty in a bluegrass mash-up called PettyGrass; they continue to collaborate in KW’s Grateful Grass shows at festivals across the country today.

Continuing to write and release original music over the years, The HillBenders were invited by Pete Townshend to open for The Who in St. Louis, Missouri in May 2019 to showcase their new album – that night was coincidently 50 years to the day that “TOMMY” was released in 1969. With glowing reviews from Pete Townshend and coverage from Rolling Stone, Billboard, LA Times, and Apple Music – among others.

In addition to their original performances, The HillBenders have curated a show called “WhoGrass” featuring hit songs of The Who through bluegrass instrumentation.

The HillBenders pull from their unique career experiences to push musical boundaries outside of the Bluegrass realm by adding drums, organ, and in-depth production to their new single “Every Time I Go Away” – a song about leaving home, being on the road, and getting back to those you love.

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The HillBenders Concert Setlists & Tour Dates

The hillbenders at suwannee spring reunion 2024.

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The HillBenders at DelFest 2023

The hillbenders at the caribou room, nederland, co, usa, the hillbenders at shoe fest 2022, the hillbenders at river city roots festival 2022, the hillbenders at the cedar cultural center, minneapolis, mn, usa.

• My Generation
• I Can See for Miles
• Pinball Wizard
• Behind Blue Eyes
• Join Together
• Love, Reign O'er Me
• Squeeze Box
• Every Time I Go Away
• Don't Look At Me

The HillBenders at UllrGrass 2022

The hillbenders at lone tree arts center, lone tree, co, usa.

• Tommy Can You Hear Me?
• We're Not Gonna Take It
• Baba O'Riley
• Wishing Well

The HillBenders at Grey Fox 2019

The hillbenders at hollywood casino amphitheatre, maryland heights, mo, usa.

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Most played songs

• Pinball Wizard ( 8 )
• Tommy Can You Hear Me? ( 6 )
• We're Not Gonna Take It ( 6 )
• Amazing Journey ( 5 )

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32 people have seen The HillBenders live.

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Tommy: A Bluegrass Opry – The Hillbenders

For anyone over 50 years old, the original was an inevitable, ubiquitous part of your youth. If you had any connection to pop music, that is. There was the hit album from The Who in 1969, their live tour over the next two years, the blockbuster film and soundtrack in ’75, and the broadway show in ’92. Tommy was a top 5 album in both the US and Britain, and 3 different tracks cracked the top 20.

It was a legitimate sensation. The story of the deaf, dumb, and blind boy who played a mean pinball entered the cultural consciousness of the age, along with its references to child abuse, hero worship, and exploitation.

So why in 2015 is there a bluegrass retelling? The idea originated not with The Hillbenders, but with music impresario Louis Meyers, a banjo player himself, and one of the founders of the massive SXSW event held in Austin, TX each year. After stewing on the concept for many years, it came to Meyers that these were the right guys to bring his vision to life, and when he approached the band they jumped at the chance.

Meyers served as the new album’s producer, and arranged for its release on a private label licensed through Compass Records. He found The Hillbenders perfect for recreating the Who’s epic because of their two distinct lead vocalists (Jim Rea and Nolan Lawrence), both of whose voices come from outside the rural/mountain tradition, which Meyers saw as an appropriate parallel to the shared vocals of Roger Daltry and Pete Townsend on the original. Rea also has the sort of theatrical background required to sell some of the more outlandish material.

So how did they do? As a tribute to Tommy , it excels and even soars on ocassion. Meyers was dead right in imagining the rock opera as appropriate for a bluegrass version, and in his confidence in the Hillbenders to pull it off successfully. Rea and Lawrence do a fine job with the vocals, even evoking the passion and sincerity of Daltry and Townsend.

But is it bluegrass? That is a tougher question. It certainly is an accurate and authentic representation of the original using bluegrass instruments, with a slide reso-guitar in place of a fiddle. Where The Who would rock out, the ‘Benders go into a 2-beat grassy vibe, but overall they retain the classic rhythms, signatures, and vamps from the ’69 recording.

How would it sound to a bluegrass fan unfamiliar with the archetype? Since I grew up with Tommy , I can only surmise. Some things, like the background vocals in Christmas and the overall theme of Fiddle About , would seem quite odd and out of character for contemporary grass. Others, like Acid Queen , fit well with a hony-tonk, Heavy Traffic Ahead feel, mixed with bluegrass. The waltz beat of Welcome will also be familiar, and the final track,  We’re Not Gonna Take It/See Me, Feel Me,  is played with a pure bluegrass arrangement.

Perhaps because of its overwhelming popularity, Pinball Wizard may be one that everyone will like. The rolling banjo in the intro and signature is perfect, and the vocals are spot on. I’ll never be able to hear this song again without expecting the ol’ five. Mark Cassidy’s playing is just right throughout, and adds the bluegrass flavor where it suits.

There’s no escaping the fact that the story and narrative of Tommy is an ugly and unpleasant one, and not the sort of tale that bluegrass fans will be accustomed to following. That says nothing about the brilliance of the adaptation and performance of The Hillbenders here. Jim Rea in particular deserves kudos for his singing. I can’t imagine this working absent a searing rock-style vocal. He is also credited with arranging the material for a string band.

Well done, ‘Benders!

So, in the end, do you need to be a fan of Tommy  to enjoy  Tommy: A Bluegrass Opry?  No, but it helps.

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“Honoring Jimi Hendrix, the greatest guitar player of all time”: The Experience Hendrix Tour is returning for the first time in 5 years, with a mega lineup including Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Eric Johnson, Samantha Fish and Zakk Wylde

The all-star lineup will tour the US later this year, marking the 20th anniversary of the multi-artist celebration of Jimi Hendrix’s trailblazing guitar-playing

The Experience Hendrix Tour will return for 24 US dates this fall, celebrating Jimi Hendrix’s fretboard-burning work with a huge ensemble of all-star electric guitar stars. 

The tour marks the 20th anniversary of what its curators are calling a “multi-artist celebration of Jimi Hendrix’s musical genius”, and comes five years after its last tour. 

Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Eric Johnson, Zakk Wylde, and Christone 'Kingfish' Ingram will head up a “powerhouse three-hour concert experience”, which also helps shine a light on up-and-coming blues rock talent. 

“I’m excited to rejoin the Experience Hendrix tour this year,” says Shepherd. “It’s always been a great tour with exceptional artists honoring Jimi Hendrix, the greatest guitar player of all time, and his amazing and expansive catalog of songs. 

“Being able to do a tour with friends always makes for a great time and this show is not to be missed.”

Other notable artists tapped for the multi-generational line-up include Taj Mahal, Samantha Fish, and Dweezil Zappa, as well as Indigenous guitarist, Mato Nanji.  

Flag bearers for a new generation of blues players include Ally Venable – who headlined the 60-date European Blues Caravan tour at just 20 years old – and Blues Foundation’s 2023 International Blues Challenge winner, Mathias Lattin. 

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There’s even room for two-hand tapping jazz virtuoso Stanley Jordan, who is sure to offer a fresh take on some of Hendrix’s cuts.

The full list of artists confirmed reads: Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Kingfish, Eric Johnson, Zakk Wylde, Samantha Fish, Dweezil Zappa, Taj Mahal, Noah Hunt, Chuck Campbell and Calvin Cooke (The Slide Brothers), Stanley Jordan, Ally Venable, Mato Nanji (Indigenous), Dylan Triplett, Ayron Jones, Artur Menezes, Mathias Lattin and Hendri Brown. 

Some dates will also feature additional special guests, including legendary Doors guitarist Robby Krieger, with more set to be announced in the future. 

The tour’s concept dates back to 2001, when a single concert was held in San Diego. The show was repeated a year later, before hitting the road as a fully fledged tour in 2004. 

The 2024 edition stops in the Pacific Northwest, California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, before travelling through Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida. Aptly, the showcase kicks off in Hendrix’s hometown, at Seattle’s Paramount Theater. 

The tour works with a rotating line-up, meaning the guitarists performing each night will vary. For detailed information, head to the Experience Hendrix Tour website . 

2024 Experience Hendrix Tour dates:

• Sept 19: Seattle WA, Paramount Theatre
• Sept 20: Spokane WA, First Interstate Center for the Arts
• Sept 21: Forest Grove OR, Grand Lodge
• Sept 22: Reno NV, Grand Theatre/Grand Sierra Resort
• Sept 25: Santa Rosa CA, Luther Burbank Center for the Arts
• Sept 26: Saratoga, CA, The Mountain Winery
• Sept 27: Las Vegas NV, Smith Center
• Sept 28: Highland CA, Yaamaya Theater
• Sept 29: Tucson AZ, Fox Theatre
• Oct 01: Anaheim CA, City National Grove
• Oct 03: San Diego CA, Rady Shell
• Oct 04: Mesa AZ, Mesa Arts Center/Ikeda Theater
• Oct 05: Albuquerque NM, Mesa Arts Center/Ikva Auditorium
• Oct 06:Colorado Springs CO, Pikes Peak Center
• Oct 09: San Antonio TX, Majestic Theatre
• Oct 10: Houston TX, Bayou Music Center
• Oct 11: Ft. Worth TX, Will Rogers Auditorium
• Oct 12: Tulsa OK, River Spirit Casino
• Oct 13: Shreveport LA, Shreveport Municipal Auditorium
• Oct 15: Nashville TN, Ryman Auditorium
• Oct 16: Evans GA, Columbia Country Performing Arts Center
• Oct 17: Clearwater FL, Ruth Eckerd Hall
• Oct 18: Pompano Beach FL, Pompano Beach Amphitheater
• Oct 19: St. Augustine, FL, St. Augustine Amphitheater 

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A freelance writer with a penchant for music that gets weird, Phil is a regular contributor to Prog , Guitar World , and Total Guitar magazines and is especially keen on shining a light on unknown artists. Outside of the journalism realm, you can find him writing angular riffs in progressive metal band, Prognosis , in which he slings an 8-string Strandberg Boden Original, churning that low string through a variety of tunings. He's also a published author and is currently penning his debut novel which chucks fantasy, mythology and humanity into a great big melting pot.

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Best things to see and do in Moscow

Moscow is the capital of Russia and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia. It’s rich and complex history is a constant reminder of its strategic position between Europe and Asia and makes it one of the cities you should visit once in your life. In terms of the many iconic landmarks, the delicious cuisine, and the characteristic, colorful architecture it has, Moscow is full of surprises for first-timers and seasoned travelers. Apart from the main attractions, it has like the Kremlin or Red Square, Moscow has many hidden gems for you to discover on your free walking tour with your local guide. 

On any of the free guided tours we offer in Moscow , you will be able to find a selection of many tours which are available in different languages and at different times of day, like the morning, afternoon, and evening. Since Moscow is such a large metropolis, getting your bearings by doing a guruwalk with a local guide who will show you all Moscow’s hidden gems is a great idea. This way you get to learn as much as possible about the local culture and way of life. A trip to Moscow wouldn't be complete without visiting iconic places like St Basil’s Cathedral, Lenin’s Mausoleum, the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts, or the State Historical Museum, before getting some fresh air at Gorky Park, the medieval church of Kolomenskoye, or shopping at Izmailovsky Market. Don’t miss visiting the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, the Bolshoi Theater, or checking out the Tsaritsyno Museum-Reserve. 

Many travelers have left their r eviews and opinions about the local guides , gurus, and the routes they walked. If you have any questions about the routes or what is included in the tour, check out their opinions. 

Free walking tour near Moscow

Others cities to visit after moscow, where are you traveling to.