What a long strange trip it has been! Well, OK, we’re not at the end of it yet, BUT you know we’re getting closer because we can finally say: Sundilla has returned, with LIVE music! Put it on your calendar now: on Friday, April 23, Sundilla returns when we present Barry Waldrep and Kelli Johnson at Pioneer Park in Loachapoka. This will be an outdoor show (but under a roof) and will start at 7:30. Admission is $20, and we strongly suggest getting those tickets online at THIS LINK.
Barry Waldrep is an American Bluegrass, Jam Band, Americana instrumentalist, songwriter and composer. He co-founded the Alabama-based bluegrass/jam band Rollin’ in the Hay in July 1993. Waldrep was also a full-time member of the Birmingham band Telluride. Rollin’ In The Hay soon became a full-time band touring the Jam Band circuit of festivals and college campuses across the country until May 2009. Rollin’ in the Hay produced 7 CDs and performed over 300 dates per year for 16 years.
During this time, Waldrep recorded 21 bluegrass tribute albums for CMH Records in Los Angeles for Eric Clapton, The Black Crowes, Widespread Panic, Phish, R.E.M., Tim McGraw, The Allman Brothers, Neil Diamond and others. He was also featured on the CD Masterworks of American Bluegrass also produced by CMH Records. At this point, Waldrep started recording solo records and doing studio sessions with other artists.
In September 2009, Zac Brown invited Waldrep to join him on his Breaking Southern Ground Tour. Waldrep is featured on the Zac Brown Band Pass The Jar CD/DVD, along with Kid Rock, and Little Big Town. During this time he met the husband and wife country duo Joey + Rory. He did a tour with them during the Zac Brown Tour, and in some cases, they all toured together. In addition, Waldrep performed at the Grand Ole’ Opry several times and the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee, which was the previous home of the Grand Ole’ Opry.
In January 2013, after landing a record deal with Singular Records in San Francisco, California, Waldrep began the “Smoke From the Kitchen” sessions, which is a bluegrass banjo/southern rock project. This project includes artists Chuck Leavell (Rolling Stones), Paul T. Riddle (Marshall Tucker Band), Oteil Burbridge (Allman Brothers), Charlie Starr (Blackberry Smoke), Coy Bowles (Zac Brown Band), Benji Shanks and Jazz Grass Mandolin player David “Dawg” Grisman.
In January 2016 Barry first teamed up with singer songwriter Kelli Johnson to spend the year touring as a duo. During this year they released one CD titled “Hey Country.” Kelli Johnson was steeped in the rich musical heritage of Country, Bluegrass, Gospel, and Motown. With her Rootsy twang, Powerhouse vocals and Award-Winning songwriting, Kelli has an innate ability to create music that defies genre boundaries.
Waldrep and Johnson have continued to tour together, and venue owners have come to expect sell-outs when booking them. They will be appearing at Pioneer Park in Loachapoka on Friday, April 23, at 7:30. It will be an outdoor show, though much of the available seating is under a roof; there is also room beside the covered area for those who prefer to space out a bit (or to enjoy the almost-full moon.)
We’re hoping things will be back to normal before too long, but if things can’t be normal, then this is a great way for them to be. Join us for Barry Waldrep and Kelli Johnson in Loachapoka on Friday, April 23, and you won’t regret it. Admission is just $20 (Folk Heroes and Season Pass holders: you’re in!) and you can get those tickets in advance right here.