Band of the Sky Podcast

First let us say how sorry we are about the lost lives and property of our WNC friends and families. The farm sustained some damage but nothing relative to the devastation in this area. Secondly, we've been excited to find these unheard live recordings from a hot, July weekend in 1994. Praying for Rain had just finished their CD, "When a Rooster Crows," and hosted a CD release party at Gatsby's, A...

Special day at the farm this past week. The band, Band of the Sky,Mke Barnes, Jeff Anders and David Bradey, sat down with Rich for a conversation about Asheville, Band of the Sky Podcast co-founder, Rocky Lindsley, the connections between Matt Sluder, Rocky, Praying for Rain and Dixie Deluxe; plus "Get on the Soul Train." This podcast is the first in a series with these guys. In the next few parts...

We wrap up our series with Plywood (David Pressley). in this episode Plywood recalls playing music in Derek and the Dominators which featured a 12 year old Derek Trucks. Plywood was there when Buddy Guy picked up young Derek, gave him a kiss and walked off stage shaking his head. A passing of the torch, so to speak; Plywood returns to Canton before heading to Buffalo, N.Y. where he plays drums in...

In part two of the Plywood series, Plywood recalls leaving Canton for Florida in the 70s and navigating gigs and life with Les Dudek and Rick Derringer, among other great players and situations. Plywood is known for his shuffle but he's a great rock drummer as well; Mike Barnes and Plywood recall a legendary Asheville jam session with "Howie," and Plywood; with Charlie Hyde, Mike Barnes, Jeff Ande...

Band of the Sky welcomes drummer and long time friend, David Pressley (Plywood). Plywood was first active on the Asheville scene (Homegrown) in the early 70s. In his career he's  played with Rick Derringer, and Les Dudek, among others.  But, it's his hometown connection and folksy personality-after all he is Andy Griffith's thrid cousin- which endears him to us. And it goes without saying he's one...

Asheville guitarist extrodinaire, Mike Barnes, (Bonzo to us) joins Jeff Anders and Rich to reflect on his time witih Geffin Records, Rock City Angels, (Young Man's Blues) opening for Jimmy Page at the L.A. Forum and how it wound down and eventually led Barnes home to Asheville and Praying for Rain. It's a classic story.  I was thrilled to have Barnes on the podcast. He is the home grown, self-risi...

Two guys, back side of 55, share what it means, to live post dream, while the dream never dies; music, silence, space; laughing at laughter in a slow moving coup. If You hear the Sound: Highly over You (intro) Richie Tipton and the First Kings (RTFK) Sonny Boy Can Beline-Drank Lonesome Too-RTFK Trailer Park-N.C. Rail Horse Tour Stops in Mars Hill-David Bradley, Billy Bowden and RT Highly over You-...

When an artist must "face the music," so to speak, it can be a big, ol' slap in the face. What, you mean I'm not gonna fill halls and sell millions of records and have famous friends? You mean Dylan won't say hello to me one day? You mean I wont show up in a limousine at Bi-Lo? Sleeping on studio floors, drinking and drugging like my heroes, driving on bald tires in the rain to deliver a song to a...

Rich and Rudy talk about seeing bassist, "fascinating," David Gay, (Freakwater, Reigning Sound, Los Gun Show) at a recent Los Gun Show performance; Sha Na Na; the rock stance;putting PFR on Spotify; Rudy's indie sensibilities; Waylon in the blood; Yo, David B. If You hear the Sound; Intro-RTFK Heaven-Praying for Rain Things Can Only Get Better-Rudy Colombo Heaven-Praying for Rain Trailer Park-N.C....

Rudy visits the farm and we're tickled to death; take note, the ability to simply pick up a phone and call someone is a superpower; ego work; Rich and Rudy go see "Los Gun Show" in Hendo and discuss "lifer" (art at all costs) Morgan Geer (The Merle, Drunken Prayer, Los Gun Show); Lifer, Dan Lewis (Johnny and the Jokers, check out his discography at www.discogs.com) wrote a book: "Growing up in Ash...

Charlie Davis calls Band of the Sky to talk about the mystery of Garage T. Rashington III and the release of "Inauthentic Slop." One thing isn't a mystery, however...the got dang genius of Charlie Davis. It's an odd, weird, and sometimes spooky talent.  If you hear the Sound: Intro-RTFK My Own Self-Garage T. Rashington III Lingering Lunch-Garage T. Rashington III The Pre-Spring Frog-Peeps Dirt Bag...

Rich plays songs from artists featured on Band of the Sky throughout its run. From acid dank to southern dank we play the dank. They're musty AND fresh; record producer and WLOS south, disc jockey, Chuck Taylor's contribution to Asheville acid rock. If you hear the Sound: Intro-RTFK Acid Raga-Sunn Cycle 32/20 Blues-Government Mule with Rocky Lindsley and John Scofield, Jamaica, 2016 Beautiful Sata...

Eighteen-year old Wyatt Hill writes breezy, 1966, Thunderbird convertible with the top-down-driving, Pacific Coast Highway, tunes. And... he's from Boone County, W.Va. His guitar playing is reminiscent of Carlos Santana, linking to the PCH vibe. Right on! If You hear the Sound: Intro-RTFK Our Love-Wyatt Hill Long Day Coming-Jay Hill with Jesco White rhythm taps Old Antepenultimate (it's time to go...

Interconnectedness: Past, recent past and present collide as Rich goes to the Christmas Jam and marvels at everything.  If You hear the Sound: Intro-RTFK Rhyming Club-Richie Tipton Ambience-Civic Center Street Drummer; Mike Barnes Band at Asheville Music Hall; Trudy-Tyler Childers and Warren Haynes Outro-RTFK www.richandrock.com www.richietipton.com instagram@bandofthesky

Seeing Paul McCartney live is a life changing experience, a religious happening, a dynamo with the power to spark the deadest dream; and other inadequate attempts to describe the inexplicable. Rich recalls seeing Paul and Molly Hatchet; Coyote gets the podcat. Rest In Peace, Jerry; Silvertone Black If You hear the Sound: Intro-RTFK Darlene-Rudy Colombo Isolation-Rich Covers John Lennon Plastic Ono...

David Bradley talks about Pinkish Floyd's upcoming show at T-Birds, Weaverville; no homecoming feeling, goodbye bicentennial Weaverville, red, white and blue streamers, parachute pants and polka dots. If you hear the Sound: Intro-RTFK Jimmy the French-Praying for Rain She's the Kinda Girl-Rudy Colombo Beautiful Satan-Richie Tipton America/Rhyming Club-Richie Tipton Outro-RTFK www.richietipton.com...

Elise Eden and Jeff Anders play live, including the title cut from their EP "Candy." They also give us peek at an upcoming song, and a Rickie Lee Jones cover. We opened the door to hear the rain. It sounds like FM Radio. But the thunder is unmistakable. "The universe likes me." If You hear the Sound: Intro-RTFK Candy (acoustic live) Closer to You (acoustic live) Chuck E's in Love (acoustic cover)...

Elise, Jeff and Rich continue their conversation, drilling deep into the artist mind, the struggle (which make great art) and the importance of a great mentor to lead, guide and direct the often hapless artist; the difference Jeff Anders makes in many artistic lives and output through his mentorship and professional work which has enriched many Asheville musicians over the past 30 years.  If You h...

Songwriter, producer and Band of the Sky alum, Jeff Anders and singer/songwriter/entertainer Elise Eden visit the farm. We talk about fate, free will, universal connectivity and their brand new EP, "Candy," featuring the title track, and "How Long I've Been Loving You," co-written by Warren Haynes, Jeff Anders and "Civil Wars," John Paul White. If You hear the Sound: Intro-RTFK Candy-Elise Eden Ho...

Old friend Rudy is a record man these days, and he and a partner have a pretty darn good outfit in Brandon Laxton and Tupelo Drive. "Ruint Without You" has over 40,000 plays on Spotify. The boys get ready to go into the studio. Rail Yeah!; Also, Rudy recalls the night N.C. Rail checked in to Forty Hells Motel in Greenville, N.C. where a thumbless guy, his hand wrapped in bloody gauze, offered drug...

Urban cowboys go to Cinjades; sons' of man look for brotherhood; knowing when to say when, when writing songs. When is a song finished?  If You hear the Sound: Intro (Highly over You) RTFK White Man on My Trail-Rudy Colombo Giving up the Ghost-Praying for Rain Even Raygene Gets the Blues/Cowboy-N.C. Rail Outro (Highly over You) RTFK www.richietipton.com www.richandrock.com Instagram@bandofthesky S...

Rudy at the farm, in the barn, on the mic., talks life, home recording and songwriting; The Rats are back! You Dirty Rats (2010) test the water with rehearsals and recording over a long, sweet, summer weekend. Rudy prepares for the first rehearsal.  If You hear the Sound: Intro-RTFK She's the Kinda Girl-Rudy Colombo World Spins-Gypsy Moths Like I Wore You-You Dirty Rats (YDR) I like the Way You Da...

Rudy Colombo (You Dirty Rats, Humbuckers, Billy the Six, N.C. Rail, Gypsy Moths) visits the farm and podcast...we talk about songwriting, inspiration, struggle, comfort, marathons and sprints, the spirit of stereo, old songs in new wineskins.  If You hear the Sound: Intro-Richie Tipton and the First Kings (RTFK) I Like the Way You Dance-You Dirty Rats (YDR) 24 Miles-Humbuckers Free as a Bird-RTFK...

it was a time of shindigs, shinaballoos, bugaballoos, hootenannys' and Beatlemania. In the shadow of the Viet-Nam draft, Asheville's teenagers, especially Lee Edwards High attendees,(Asheville High) made some wonderful rock music. And as with every other Asheville decade from the 60s to the 90s the music and performances are top notch; and but for whatever reason (some of it was the Viet Nam draft...

If you hear the sound of the bass here at the old Band of The Sky, more than likely it's David Bradley. Hailing from the north end of Buncombe County, David's had his hand in a lot of bands in which I played--Rattlesnakes, Praying for Rain, Billy the Six, RoosterTones, Richie Tipton and the First Kings. And a host of other local groups as well-- WNC Contagious, Crocodile Smile, Johnny and the Joke...