17 March 2014

Taylor Guitars has unveiled its 2014 Spring Limited Editions, offering players a fresh acoustic voice and premium appointments. This year’s collection features a sumptuous baritone Dreadnought, the 320e-Baritone SLTD, and a suite of upgraded, full-gloss 400 Series models. On the baritone Dreadnought, the rich pairing of sapele back and sides with a mahogany top makes a striking impression. The combination of the baritone’s 27-inch scale length, tonewood selection, and Dreadnought body yields low-end richness with touches of warmth in a booming voice. It’s a tone profile that Taylor Master Builder Andy Powers describes as filled with “loads of growl and midrange gnarliness.” The hardwood mahogany top adds a bit of natural compression, creating a leveling effect across the tonal spectrum. “That husky, woody warmth on the low end gets spread out more evenly as a result,” Powers explains. The guitar promises to provide a great low-end complement in a variety of playing styles and in duo or group configurations. Aesthetically, the 320e-Baritone SLTD features mother-of-pearl dot fretboard inlays, a three-ring rosette, all-satin finish and a black pickguard. The guitar is also equipped with the Expression System 2, Taylor’s new pickup, which captures the baritone’s natural tonal depth and delivers plug-and-play simplicity. In the 400 Series, players are treated to ovangkol, a wood praised by gigging musicians and hobbyists alike for its full midrange and tonal versatility, making it a match for variety of playing styles. Paired with a Sitka spruce top, these guitars are offered in five models: the 410ce-SLTD, 412ce-SLTD, 414ce-SLTD, 416ce-SLTD, and 12-string 456ce-SLTD. Premium appointments include an all-gloss body, abalone dot fretboard inlays, abalone bridge pins, Taylor Gold tuners, and the Expression System 2 pickup. The 320e-Baritone and 400 Series Spring Limiteds both ship with a deluxe hardshell case and are available at authorised Taylor dealers.

A car crashed into a crowd of people early on Thursday near the South by Southwest festival, resulting in multiple fatalities, according to the Austin Police Department. Details are scarce at this time, but Twitter reports from the scene indicated that a car drove into a crowd of people outside the Mohawk bar at East 10th Street and Red River Street around 12:30 a.m. local time, killing two and injuring as many as 23. Five the injured were in critical condition, Austin Police reported on Twitter. Images and video captured of the scene after the crash and posted to social media show victims of the crash strewn along on the street with bystanders leaning over them administering first aid. The driver of the vehicle, who was taken into custody not long after the crash, is suspected of driving under the influence, authorities said at a press conference early Thursday. More details are expected later today. Police also said the identities of the deceased would be withheld pending notification of next of kin.

As the first signs of spring make a welcome showing, the weather expects are making strong predictions for a perfect summer of sunshine and blue skies in time for the extra special Diamond Anniversary celebrations of Sidmouth FolkWeek August 1st – 8th. Organisers aim to celebrate the big event with a wealth of special events across all areas of the festival – from major concert events with headliners Ralph McTell, Aly Bain & Phil Cunningham, Oysterband, Cara Dillon, Steve Knightley, Martin Carthy & Eliza Carthy, Kathryn Tickell & The Side, Chris Wood & Andy Cutting, Yves Lambert Trio, Martin Simpson, Andy Cutting and Nancy and more, to a series of extra special commemorative activities. The festival at Sidmouth began in 1955 as an event for social dancers, and 60 years on the Connaught Gardens will once again be filled with dancers, recalling those early days, as well as a special The Way We Were dance with first festival survivor Les Barclay. A breakdown of other 60th Anniversary Celebrations across the festival includes: – An Anniversary Concert in the Ham Marquee with The Copper Family and special guests. – Ralph McTell headliner at the 50th festival returns with a Pre Festival Concert. – A special Bulverton Ceilidh with festival favourites Oysterband with former members, an appropriate dress theme and some very special guest spots. – A Grand Anniversary Ceilidh with The Old Swan Band in Blackmore Gardens on Tuesday 5th, with plenty of surprises in store. – Festival Patron and local hero Steve Knightley and Friends in Concert. – Festival Patron (and Folk Awards Lifetime Achievement Award Winner) Martin Carthy hosts a night of Traditional Music and song. – The Children’s Festival hosts its own Family Ceilidh Party as well as special events in Blackmore Gardens. – EFDSS Presents Folk Rising Plus: The founders of the festival celebrate the future with some great young acts. – An eye on the future… looking forward to the next generation of festival guests, organisers welcome Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin (BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards Best Duo winners), The Young Coppers, Salt House, The Furrow Collective Barrule, Josienne Clark and Ben Walker, The Carrivick Sisters, Will Pound, Lisa Knapp, The Willows, Gren Bartley, The Long Hill Ramblers…

Reba McEntire, Bobby Bare and Loretta Lynn will perform at this year’s Johnny Cash Music Festival, according to an announcement made by concert producer and festival founder Bill Carter. Additionally, legendary singer and comedian Mark Lowry will host the fourth annual event. The concert is set for August 15th and will once again take place at Arkansas State University’s Convocation Centre in Jonesboro, Arizona. Showtime is 7:00 pm and tickets go on sale Feb 28th (see box office info below). “If we had any one of these four individuals on the bill, we would have an extremely successful event, but having all four at once is a real coup for the Johnny Cash Music Festival,” Carter said. “The reputation of the event and generosity of the people at Arkansas State and in Jonesboro continue to grow each year. This is going to be a great show.” “I am extremely honoured to be part of such a great event and worthwhile cause,” Lowry said. “Johnny Cash is a legend and this concert pays homage to that and all of the great things he stood for. I am especially pleased to be hosting an event that stars not one, not two but three Country Music Hall of Fame members. Reba, Bobby Bare and Loretta Lynn on the same bill– that’s a lot of star power in one room.” “When I was asked to perform at the Johnny Cash Music Festival, there was absolutely no hesitation,” McEntire said. “I have always had a great deal of respect for Johnny Cash, and not just because he was one of the finest entertainers, performers and recording artists this industry has ever known. It is also because of his compassion and generosity. The fact that some of the money raised from these concerts goes into a scholarship fund to help deserving kids further their education is something I know would make him very proud. I’m also really happy that I will be playing on the campus of Arkansas State again– we had a great time when I performed there years ago. Jonesboro is a very hospitable town, and I look forward to being there again.” As in years past, proceeds from this year’s event will fund the restoration of the Johnny Cash Boyhood Home in Dyess, Arkansas, as well as support a scholarship fund established in the international superstar’s name. Tickets for the Johnny Cash Music Festival will go on sale February 28th and are available at Arkansas State’s Central Box Office and online at www.tickets.astate.edu. Tickets can also be purchased by logging onto the official website of the Johnny Cash Music Festival, www.johnnycashmusicfest.com.