Today, we have a Cayamo artist spotlight that is very near and dear to Sixthman’s heart.
David Ryan Harris
David Ryan Harris is a longtime friend of Sixthman and we are privileged to have him aboard Cayamo for the second time. If you missed him last year, make it a point to see him this time around and experience his soulful voice and guitar melodies. Based in Atlanta, he has had the opportunity to work with such talent as John Mayer, Dave Matthews, Cassandra Wilson, Santana and Dionne Farris.
He has played the drums and piano, and currently has a “love/hate” relationship with his guitar. His passion shines through in his performance, making it impossible to take your eyes or ears off him. Take a look at his performance of “For You” Hotel Café in Hollywood, CA, and you’ll see why we ask him back, year after year.
I am a lucky girl to have a job that introduces me to new music every day. Girlyman caught my attention with their left-of-center name, and I have been curious… I did a little research, and this is what I found on their website. From band member Doris Murmatsu, “It’s great for us, provocative and playful, it makes people laugh. But it also hints at how we’ve never quite fit in. Nate wears make-up onstage, I’m a Japanese-American playing to mostly white audiences. Ty is a grown-up tomboy. The name Girlyman lets us acknowledge that we’re out of the mainstream, but without taking ourselves too seriously.”
I never take anything seriously, except maybe their melodies. They have an eclectic sound, incorporating many instruments, including banjos, guitars, mandolins, and djembes, but they truly shine when making three part melodies. We’re excited to have this Atlanta based band onboard for the first time and look forward to the Girly-magic!
Head over to their website to take a listen to those famous melodies.
http://www.girlyman.com/
Emerson Hart
Emerson Hart may be most well known as the frontman for Tonic, but Emerson sets himself apart with his solo work. His honest lyrics provide a cathartic journey in his solo debut, Cigarettes and Gasoline. Emerson has been a member of the Sixthman family for several years, and we are so happy to welcome him to Cayamo this year.
Emerson took part in the Sixthman sessions in 2008, where several artists got together at the Bluffs in Augusta, GA and wrote songs for three days. You can see the fruit of these labors in this video, taken on the Rock Boat earlier this year.
Buddy Miller
Buddy Miller is a legend among the Americana genre and the two have almost become synonymous. His career spans two decades and has included collaborations with such artists as Emmylou Harris, Trisha Yearwood, Lucinda Williams and Steve Earle. He continues to make music with his wife Julie, and tours with the 3 Girls- Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin and Shawn Colvin.
As most of you may have heard, Buddy will not be joining us for Cayamo this year. Let’s all wish him well and make sure to check out his new album, Written in Chalk, in stores March 3, 2009.