Thursday, July 10

River Stage

The Blind Boys of Alabama
Listen

Performing for almost 70 years, southern gospel group and four-time Grammy Winners, The Blind Boys of Alabama, practically constitute an institution in their own right. Formed at an Alabama institute for the blind in 1939, the group has continued to share its distinctive, rare, and authentic traditional soul and gospel sound with its large audience through welcoming fresh talent into the group dynamic. Led by the soulful Jimmy Lee Carter, the group's last original member, The Blind Boys have won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album every year between 2002 to 20

Set List:
Down By The Riverside / God Said It / People Get Ready
Spirit In The Sky / Down In The Hole / Uncloudy Day
There Will Be A Light / I Shall Not Walk Alone
Free At Last / Amazing Grace / Look Where You Brought Me From / I'm A Soldier

Website: blindboys.com | MySpace: myspace.com/blindboysofalabama
Recent Release: Down In New Orleans | Release Date: January 29, 2008
Label: Time Life Entertainment
Origin: Talladega, Alabama
Listen: Blind Boys of Alabama 2007 Christmas Show on Npr.org/music
Song Clip: You Got To Move
Purchase Blind Boys of Alabama from Amazon.com

Salvador Santana Band

Integrating hip-hop, rock, R&B, Latin and funk, the Salvador Santana Band is no stranger to collaboration. Flourishing on innovation, the SSB mixes their favorite music and influences to create their sound. With music in his blood, bandleader and head keyboardist Salvador is an accomplished composer and lyricist working with artists including his father Carlos Santana. Other band members consist of Emerson Cardenas, Tony Austin, Quincy McCaray, Woody Aplanalp and former Ozomatli player Jose "Crunchy" Espinosa. Released in February, their debut album, SSB features collaborations with DJ Nu-Mark of Jurassic 5, Ryan Tedder of One Republic, Ozomatli's Asdru Sierra and 10 time Grammy Award winner Carlos Santana.

Set List:
Why Oh! / Summer's Day / I'Ma Call Ya / Funky Thang / Lo Que Digas Tu

Website: salvadorsantanaband.com
MySpace: myspace.com/salvadorsantana
Recent Release: SSB | Release Date: February 26, 2008
Label: Tsunami Label Group
Origin: Los Angeles, California
Song Clip: Funky Thang
Purchase the Salvador Santana Band from Amazon.com

Toby Lightman
Listen

Toby Lightman first made waves in the music industry in 2004 with her hit single, "Devils and Angels," but though she caught the attention of many then, the true breadth of her talent wasn't fully realized until her 2006 album, Bird on a Wire. Two years later, the singer/songstress and native of Cherry Hill, NJ has performed with OAR, Train, Carbon Leaf, Rob Thomas, Jewel, Gavin DeGraw, and Prince, and her smooth yet powerful vocals stand out amongst a sea of female voices in music. Her country-inspired and Sheryl Crow-like sound makes for an inspiring performance.

Set List:
You're No Good / Don't Wake Me / Round & Round / Let Go / So Natural To Love
Love Is All Around / Devils & Angels / My Sweet Song

Website: tobylightman.com | MySpace: myspace.com/tobylightman
Recent Release: Bird on a Wire | Label: Lava-Atlantic
Origin: Cherry Hill, NJ
Notes: Lightman's "Let's Go Racing Boys" is featured as NASCAR on Fox's
2008 opening theme.
Listen: Live in Concert XPN Free at Noon
Song Clip: Don't Wake Me
Purchase Toby Lightman from Amazon.com

Jim Boggia
Listen

XPN Artist To Watch Jim Boggia would spend hours in his room, as a child, listening to records like The Kinks and Stevie Wonder, trying to emulate the sounds on his guitar. Born legally blind in his left eye and the sight in his right eye receding over the years, his ears have become a powerful tool. Jim started making a dent in the local music scene after his stint in Philadelphia as a customer service representative for a studio equipment company. After meeting at an open mic and regrouping in 2001, the Michigan native recorded a CD with fellow Philly stars Scott Bricklin, Joseph Parsons and Ben Arnold as the group 4 Way Street. Other collaborations include Aimee Mann, Juliana Hatfield and Bernadette Peters. Jim's most recent CD Safe in Sound was released in 2005.

Set List:
To and Fro / Johnny's goin' down / Listening to NRBQ / No Way Out / Three Weeks Shy
Hot Fun In The Summertime

Website: jimboggia.com | MySpace: myspace.com/jimboggia
Recent Release: Safe in Sound | Release Date: May 2005 | Label: Bluhammock
Origin: Philadelphia
XPN Artist To Watch, May 2005
Song Clip: Once
Purchase Jim Boggia on Amazon.com