Road Trip! We're Wine Country Bound!

Last minute updates:

Unless someone cancels, the Marriott is SOLD OUT of rooms. But if you are still not booked anywhere, call them, it's worth a try:

Santa Ynez Marriott
555 McMurray Road
Buellton, California 93427 USA
Phone: 805.688.1000
Fax: 805.688.0380
Toll-free: 800.638.8882

There are three other hotels right at the same Buellton exit:

Quality Inn: 800-616-0246
Days Inn: 805-688-8448
Motel 6: 805-688-7797

If you are coming in on Wednesday, the 27th, don't forget our little "meet-and-greet" Wednesday night in Santa Barbara. Expo-ites will congregate at Soho Restaurant and Music Club, from around 6-8pm. SoHo is located at 1221 State St., Suite 205, Santa Barbara CA, 93101 (805-962-7776).

Yet another chance to network and even perform, time permitting!

It's not too late to Register for the Santa Barbara Expo (Feb 28-Mar 1)!

If you have last-minute questions, call Jim Attebery at 970-259-9747.

Note: There is a misprint on the event brochure Schedule for Friday, Feb. 29th. The Song Listening session at 3:15 pm with Sara Kapuchinski and Adam Swart is a Pop/Rock/Alternative session, NOT a Folk/Roots/Americana session as printed.

Important Concert Update!

We know a lot of people will be disappointed about missing the very talented Ms. Smith. In her absence we have added two great singer/songwriters, Sherri Austin and Karyn Rochelle.

Sherrie Austin has a sound uniquely her own. Her arrangements are often built around chiming acoustic guitars, sparkling mandolins, evocative fiddle lines and the occasional ripple of the steel guitar. "I'm tiny, so screaming over a wall of electric guitars isn't comfortable. I'd rather bring people in, draw them close and find a way to use the dynamics of my voice." Austin, born in Sydney, Australia has been entertaining people and singing country music practically from her birth. At the age of 14, she got her "big break" by being asked to open for Johnny Cash's 1985 Australian tour and eventually was invited to Nashville by the Australian Country Music Association. At the age of 14, her parents said she was too young and Austin herself agreed. Her second big break came not in music, but in acting, landing the role at age 17 of Pippa McKenna on one of NBC's popular shows The Facts of Life. Even while acting in Hollywood, Austin continued songwriting, performing, taking keyboard lessons and vocal lessons with Linda Ronstadt's vocal coach, Robert Edwards. Musical influences like Emmylou Harris and Dolly Parton eventually drove her from Hollywood to Nashville where she met her co-writer/co-producer Will Rambeaux with whom she collaborated on both of her albums, 1997's Words and 1999's Love in the Real World. Followin' a Feelin' was issued in early 2001. —Maria Konicki, All Music Guide

[2003's] Streets of Heaven opened a whole new path for Austin to take with her music. Her album brims over with story songs that delve into subjects beyond love and romance -(”though there’s some of that, too,” she says). She’s stopped worrying about how she’s going to make her mark, and instead just goes about making it by writing and recording her songs. She’s found her place and kept her sense of humor. “There are times when I feel that old stress come up, when I hear those voices saying, ‘What if?’ But when that happens, I just say, ‘Oh, shut up.’” —SherriAustin.com

Karyn Rochelle's songwriting credits include "Georgia Rain" (Trisha Yearwood ), as well as "Red Hight Heels" and "I Wonder" (Kellie Pickler). She's had songs recorded by George Jones, Lee Ann Womack, Terri Clark, Kenny G., Reba, LeeAnn Rimes, Ronnie Milsap and more.

PLUS

GLEN PHILLIPS - Lead singer and writer for Toad the Wet Sprocket with hits "Fallen Down," "All I Want," "Walking On the Ocean" and three solo albums including "Mr. Lemons."

TONY SCALZO and MILES ZUNIGA - Fastball co-founders and lead singers/writers of the mega hits "The Way" and "Out of My Head."

CHUCK CANNON - Award-winning singer/songwriter with #1 hits "I Love the Way You Love Me" (John Michael Montgomery and others), "How Do You Like Me Now" and "American Solidier" (Toby Keith). Great recent solo album, "God Shaped Hole."

AL ANDERSON - One of the greatest guitarists/stylists to be seen anywhere, Al spent twenty years with the highly acclaimed band NRBQ before launching a successful solo singer/songwriter career. His credits include, "Unbelievable" (LeeAnn Rimes) and the recent "Trip Around the Sun" (Jimmy Buffett and Martina McBride), among many many other hit songs and terrific solo albums.

WHEN - Saturday, March 1st, 2008 7:30 pm

WHERE - Santa Ynez (Buellton, California) Marriott Hotel

TICKETS - $25 at door - ALWAYS FREE to Expo attendees. Cash bar...coolest hang in town that night!