Todd Sheaffer of Railroad Earth on The Cosmic American Jamboree

Thursday, October 6, 2011 ● 12 pm (edt)
WTJU 91.1 FM/Streaming at WTJU.net

Don't miss the first hour of The Cosmic American Jamboree this Thursday, when we air an interview with Todd Sheaffer, lead singer, guitarist and co-founder of Railroad Earth.  The entire band will be making its second consecutive main stage appearance at this year's Festy Experience in Roseland, Virginia.

Railroad Earth’s music is driven by the remarkable songs of front-man, Todd Sheaffer, and is delivered with seamless arrangements and superb musicianship courtesy of all six band members. They can jam with the best of them, but they’re not a jam band. They’re bluegrass influenced, but they use drums and amplifiers (somewhat taboo in the bluegrass world). RRE bristles about being lumped into any one “scene.” Not out of animosity for any other artists: it’s just that they don’t find the labels very useful. According to fiddle player Tim Carbone, “We use unique acoustic instrumentation, but we’re definitely not a bluegrass band – so that doesn’t fit. And I think the term ‘jam band’ probably refers more to the fans than to the band. I think these fans just like live music.” When the band does elect to “comment” on a song via an extended improvisation, they really cook – and have received the approval of no less than Grateful Dead bass player Phil Lesh, who knows a thing or two about jamming.

The Infamous Stringdusters present The Festy Experience, a 3-day camping festival over Columbus Day weekend (Oct 7 - 9) at The Concert Grounds at Devils Backbone in Nelson County, Virginia (45 mi. from Charlottesville). Hosted and curated by The Infamous Stringdusters, The Festy Experience will celebrate and combine the best in live music, outdoor sports and lifestyle, craft beer culture and raging good times.

Submitted by Peter Jones, WTJU Folk