The Damones
Black Pistol Fire
Leo Kottke
Acoustic guitarist Leo Kottke was born in Athens, Georgia, but left town after a year and a half. Raised in 12 different states, he absorbed a variety of musical influences as a child, flirting with both violin and trombone, before abandoning Stravinsky for the guitar at age 11. After adding a love for the country-blues of Mississippi John Hurt to the music of John Phillip Sousa and Preston Epps, Kottke joined the Navy underage, to be underwater, and eventually lost some hearing shooting at lightbulbs in the Atlantic while serving on the USS Halfbeak, a diesel submarine. Kottke had previously entered college at the U of Missouri, dropping out after a year to hitchhike across the country to South Carolina, then to New London and into the Navy, with his twelve string. “The trip was not something I enjoyed,” he has said, “I was broke and met too many interesting people.” Discharged in 1964, he settled in the Twin Cities area and became a fixture at Minneapolis’ Scholar Coffeehouse, which had been home to Bob Dylan and John Koerner. He issued his 1968 recording debut LP Twelve String Blues, recorded on a Viking quarter-inch tape recorder, for the Scholar’s tiny Oblivion label. (The label released one other LP by The Langston Hughes Memorial Eclectic Jazz Band.) After sending tapes to guitarist John Fahey, Kottke was signed to Fahey’s Takoma label, releasing what has come to be called the Armadillo record. Fahey and his manager Denny Bruce soon secured a production deal for Kottke with Capitol Records. Kottke’s 1971 major-label debut, “Mudlark,” positioned him somewhat uneasily in the singer/songwriter vein, despite his own wishes to remain an instrumental performer. Still, despite arguments with label heads as well as with Bruce, Kottke flourished during his tenure on Capitol, as records like 1972’s “Greenhouse” and 1973’s live “My Feet Are Smiling” and “Ice Water” found him branching out with guest musicians and honing his guitar technique. With 1975’s Chewing Pine, Kottke reached the U.S. Top 30 for the second time; he also gained an international following thanks to his continuing tours in Europe and Australia. His collaboration with Phish bassist Mike Gordon, “Clone,” caught audiences’ attention in 2002. Kottke and Gordon followed with a recording in the Bahamas called “Sixty Six Steps,” produced by Leo’s old friend and Prince producer David Z. Kottke has been awarded two Grammy nominations; a Doctorate in Music Performance by the Peck School of Music at the U of Wisconsin, Milwaukee; and a Certificate of Significant Achievement in Not Playing the Trombone from the U of Texas at Brownsville with Texas Southmost College.
MegaBallad
The hottest new 80s all hair metal and all of the legendary ballads we grew up with and you love is coming to Omaha for their debut show at The Waiting Room Lounge. They have been packing clubs and halls all over the Midwest and are in demand for their amazing show that is quickly becoming one of the hottest tickets in the Midwest. Featuring Matt Nyberg ( Thrash of the Titans, and formerly Horror Business and Facecage), Eric Tran ( Thrash of The Titans, and formerly Horror Business and Only), Josh Brainard ( On A Pale Horse, formerly Slipknot), Jerry Noto ( Thrash of The Titans) and Greg Stravers. Put on your jean jacket and favorite stone wash jeans and use the whole can of aqua net. It’s going to be one wild party and fun night paying homage to the softer side of all the bad boys of rock from the 80s. Get your tickets fast and get ready to ROCK!
No Coast Comedy Club
Reverb Lounge in Benson will host six of the funniest comedians the Midwest has to offer, each performing a 10-minute set that will be filmed as part of a brand-new “micro special” series. These specials are being produced by Burn This Records out of Los Angeles and directed by Omaha filmmaker Tony Bonacci (The Headliner). After the show, the sets will be distributed online and on satellite radio, giving audiences everywhere a chance to hear why the middle of the country is producing some of the sharpest, most original stand-up today. This is a rare chance to see the absolute best of Midwest comedy in one night, in one room, before it reaches the world.
Truth
The Talbott Brothers
The Talbott Brothers, hailing from the heartland of Imperial, Nebraska, embody the heart and soul of Americana, Folk/Rock, Soul, Blues and Country with their blue-collar grit and unapologetic authenticity. Grounded in the character of their rural upbringing, brothers Nick and Ty Talbott have built a name for themselves with their soul-stirring lyrics, sibling blood harmonies, and rich melodies that represent the ebbs and flows of life.
Madball
Road To Beyond Existence – Xenotype & Viskus
AHEE
