Ed Roland

How many of you have heard of Ed Roland?  For those of you who haven’t, how many of you have heard of the band, “Collective Soul?”  Ed is the lead singer, founder, and creator of that amazing band, and he’ll be showcasing his solo skills on Cayamo this year.  Personally, I’m a huge Collective Soul fan so I couldn’t be happier to have Ed on the ship.  Some bands lose their talent in moving from studio to stage, but Ed and company manage to turn it up a notch for each performance that will certainly leave you wanting more.  Afterwords is the latest studio album from the band.

Speaking of live performances, here is a video of their song, “The World I Know,” performed alongside the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra.  How cool is that!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boJ2BT50kFs

Here is another song from that performance, “Compliment,” a personal favorite of mine:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kX-b2SyDAo8

Over the Rhine

Read this quote from Over the Rhine, married couple Linford Detweiler and Karin Bergquist: “Believe me, we don’t want to waste anybody’s time,” elaborates Detweiler. “When we stop believing we’re doing our best work, we’re done. Every song has to be good, every record has to be great, every concert has to have some spiritual significance—something that we can’t quantify, something bigger than all of us.”

Wow.

If that doesn’t send chills down your spine, you’re on the wrong cruise.

Check out these lyrics from their latest album The Trumpet Child, and its opening track, “I Don’t Wanna Waste Your Time,” a manifesto of sorts for the artists recently named to Paste magazine’s list of 100 Best Living Songwriters: “I hope this night puts down deep roots / I hope we plant a seed / ‘Cause I don’t wanna waste your time / With music you don’t need.”

Here is their song: “Drunkard’s Prayer.”  Any song with a cello in it as beautiful as this is okay with me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9JHlWAlarA

Katie Herzig

PASTE Magazine recently included Katie Herzig in their “Best of What’s Next – 25 Artists to Ignore at Your Own Peril” roundup, and said that Apple Tree (her album set for release on April 21st), “pushes her now-signature style – brightly textured acoustic pop that’s clever yet sincere, sunny but grounded – to exquisite new heights.  Paste Magazine will be on Cayamo, so it would be to your benefit to heed their advice and check out this Nashville artist.  Speaking of Apple Tree, it’s Herzig’s most accomplished work to date.” Performing Songwriter magazine adds, “Katie Herzig is quickly becoming a treasured female artist. This album boasts beautifully and thoughtfully crafted songs and, most strikingly, Herzig’s endearing vocals.”

Here is the audio from her song, “Hologram.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myYQWWBCXI0