reverbnation.com/rebelkingmusic

In the past Duquette Johnston was a founding member of such influential bands as Verbena and Cutgrass. Along the way sharing the stage with bands such as Superchunk, Pavement, Foo Fighters, Jesus Lizard, The Strokes, Ryan Adams, Bonnie Prince Billy and so many more. For several years Duquette slipped into a dark place and found himself locked up in the Etowah County Detention center facing a very long prison sentence. By the grace of God he was given a second chance and released his first solo album Etowah, on Superphonic Records. In the present Duquette is making a new record with The Rebel Kings to be released sometime in 2010 and working on two records for charity.

joelmadisonblount.com
myspace.com/joelmadisonblount
facebook music page – joel madison blount

Birmingham based Joel Madison Blount is a songwriter, recording artist, guitarist, and singer. Blount is consumed in a struggle – a struggle lasting more than half the term of his natural life – a struggle for the sake of his identity. Blount is keenly aware of who he is, where he came from, and where he wants to go, but – he remains bound – fighting for an escape from the cultural norms, (perceived and genuine) familial expectations and “comfortable” lifestyle that binds him. Some call it cowardice; some say he lacks faith; others say he has chosen to live “wisely”. Blount’s story represents that of a generation – a generation of people who genuinely want to live passionately, following their hearts to the brink of disaster if necessary, but…but…it’s always the “but” and the “what if” that holds us back – isn’t it? In an act of defiance against the steady life, Blount now makes a conscious, daily effort to actively pursue and create his very own true life story – the story that he wants to tell – and he wants to encourage you to do the same. What will your story say about you?
Please contact Joel if you are interested in sharing your own story, songwriting, recording audio, or performing music. You can also contact Joel if you are interested in spending time outdoors. If you contact Joel about any topic other than those mentioned above – he might not have much to say, but, he is a good (objective) listener.

http://www.whoisjonblack.com

Jon Black is easily one of the south’s best kept secrets… until now. Over the past two years he has shared the stage with Alejandro Escovedo, Ani DiFranco, Mark Kozolek, and many more; won a songwriting award for My Days Are Numbered and travelled by plane, train, and automobile to share his music with anyone willing to listen and engage.

Goodbye Golden Age, releasing on Rebuilt Records, is the much-anticipated follow-up to his 2006 release, The October Sky. Recorded over the span of a year in Oxford, Mississippi at Tweed Recordings with Andrew Ratcliffe (Will Hoge, Blue Mountain, The Damnwells) and DOMUS Studios in Cumming, Georgia with Paul Reeves, the arsenal of players on the record is stunning. Mixed by Andy Hunt (Glen Philips, Derek Webb) and Mastered by Matt Odmark from Jars of Clay, Goodbye Golden Age shows that Jon is growing in his artistry and that his comparisons to Jackson Browne, Ryan Adams, and Jay Farrarr are not in vain.

With the sonic backdrop of Americana music, Black’s latest album dives deep into capturing the loneliness of the road, the hope of things to come, and the inspiration found at the end of your rope. Goodbye Golden Age is both an album of searching and finding, an honest display of fears in an uncertain world and a joyful reaction to following dreams, a friendly greeting and a quick punch to the gut. He says, “There’s music you listen to at the moment and there’s music you listen to forever. I really wanted to dig deep and give people something they could listen to when they need a reminder that most doubts, fears, joys, and triumphs are shared between all humans. Existence is hard but I’ve made it through with the help from some great artists. Hopefully this will inspire others to keep going.”

If you want to know what a growing artist looks like and what happens when an artist is honest then look no further. This artist in Birmingham, Alabama is truly on the verge of becoming an important songwriter in the south and in modern Americana music.

“Jon is an amazing story teller. His words paint a picture as his melodies give pure heartfelt emotion. Each song took me to a new place and I loved every minute of it.” – Andy Hunt

“…Black elevates his music to another level.” – Mike Trobiano from The University of Tampa Minaret

“The eclectic nature of this collection, as well as the solid songwriting and Black’s clear, strong singing voice, is reminiscent of Lyle Lovett’s style…not a small feat. And, boy can Black hold a note – check out ‘Mouth Of The Moon’ as evidence. Don’t let this guy pass you by.” – WayCoolMusic.net

“Black is a skilled songwriter and performer and here he shows off his talent across a range of styles.” – Americana UK

www.myspace.com/justincrossmusic

Justin Cross is a jack-of-all-trades: an Elvis impersonator at the age of two (an amazing aunt and a VHS copy of Elvis- Live In Hawaii was his inspiration), a professional surfer (or at least he nearly died trying to surf; according to Jack Johnson, this makes you a professional), and once, the world-record holder for most M&M’s eaten in a single sitting (okay, that part is untrue, but dreams are born daily). Among these accomplishments, he also writes and sings his own songs, which, apart from the Elvis impersonator thing, is the only true statement in this bio.

He sings, plays guitar and piano, and would love to help on sets if any one needs a musician.

Kelly Amis has been a musician all of his life.  From singing in church to jamming with friends, music is what he does and music is what he lives.  It won’t take you long to realize Kelly is on stage.  His presence lets you know he feels at home in the spotlight and his music has a sound of its own.

Kelly’s love of music has taken him across the country and it is what has brought him home.  He finds inspiration through his experience with love, relationships, heartbreak, and pain.  Everyone can relate to something about his music, one thing is for sure: When Kelly is on stage, it is going to be FUN.

myspace.com/theartofgivingin

Matt Carroll has played music in Alabama for the past eleven years. His work can be heard in the bands Nixon Cheesewheel, The Art of Giving In, Little Pieces of Me, and Sheep 4 Wheat. In 2007, Carroll received a music technology degree from UAB which he puts to use in his Birmingham-based recording studio. His musical scores can also be heard in local short films and sketches produced by Maladjusted Productions where he also writes scripts, acts, directs, and edits. Last year, he went on a cross-country tour to promote his solo project, The Art of Giving In, which will release its first full-length album in the summer of 2010.

Micah started playing guitar at the age of 11 and recently realized that he should be better at it than he is. He does okay, though. He plays and sings at Branch Life Church in Birmingham and is a student at UAB. Feel free to contact him about playing electric, acoustic, or kazoo.

Stephen grew up near Birmingham and comes home from Flagstaff, AZ for nice stretches of time. Stephen is a whiny middle class kid who, when left to himself feels he is really cool and somehow thinks differently than the rest of his culture; however, he assimilates perfectly. He loves music but is constantly in the way of what the Lord is trying to get him to play.He likes songs in the form of hymn concerning war, murder, betrayal, and Hell.

Tim (The Tin Cans) is from Birmingham, AL. He loves playing music and Japanese food.