Skinny Legs and All

Spring 2012 Lake Eden Arts Festival

2012-02-08T06:28:00.000-08:00

We are super thrilled to be invited to participate in celebrating the Blues with so many amazing and talented musicians at the spring 2012 Lake Eden Arts Festival! The line up has been posted and is simply amazing; you definitely won’t want to miss this event. Tickets for LEAF tend to sell out early so don’t wait to purchase tickets.

SKA sends a BIG shout out to our friends, “Homemade Jamz Blues Band”; also be playin the festival this spring. We can’t wait to see you guys again and are really excited to hang out and spend some quality time together. Ryan, Kyle and Taya are incredible musicians and beautiful people. Words just can’t express our excitement adequately. Maybe some guest appearances on the bill?? Wouldn’t that be a blast!!

“Above all enjoy the music”

SKLA

Fan comments:

2011-09-05T15:33:00.001-07:00

"Your CD arrived today and i love it! I have a friend who books shows at Knoxville Museum of Art (alive after five) blues and jazz. I can't watt for hem to here the band. Maybe you would consider a gig in Knoxville.
On Sep 1, 2011, at 6:13 PM, <fans@skinnylegsandall.com>

So glad you enjoy the cd. We would definitely play Knoxville!
Skinny Legs And All

FAN COMMENTS:

2011-09-05T15:26:00.001-07:00

"We saw you guys at the Straightaway Cafe in Black Mountain. The show was AWESOME! I wanted to know if you guys have ever performed "House of the Rising Sun"? I think that it would be a great song for your group. Also, have you ever heard "Amazing Grace" sung to the tune of "House of the Rising Sun"? It's very cool as well. Just a suggestion.....Hope you guys will come back to the Straightaway Cafe again! You really rocked the house! Thanks so much!
Dena"

Thanks for the kind words Dena. We sure had a blast playing the Staightaway and would love to book it again.
Skinny Legs And All

Friday night at the Biltmore Park Summer Concert Series

2011-05-30T11:30:00.000-07:00

Thanks go out to all the great, fun people that came out to the show Friday evening. Be sure to let the event promoters know how much fun you had. See ya next time.
SKLA

Lets get together this weekend!!!

2010-12-16T20:00:00.000-08:00

Hello all, we have a very exciting weekend coming up!

We are honored to be working with Peter Himmelman on Sunday Dec 19th at the Orange Peel in Asheville; OH YEAH. This gig is in support of the Western North Carolina Jewish Federation Community Campaign (WNCJFCC); an annual fund raising event to help support the needs of the Jewish community in 24 counties. It's also a great opportunity to come out and get your dancin shoes on and have some fun with SKLA one more time in 2010. Doors open at 7:00pm we will get the party started at 8:00 so don't be late. Get your tickets early online at TheOrangePeel.net. Go ahead and treat yourself to a VIP ticket before they run out! Bring some spending cash, we'll have plenty of merch available for holiday gifts for your family and friends.We will donate a percentage of all merchandise sales to the WNCJFCC on behalf of their efforts. This is an all ages show so bring the whole family. Rumor is this concert may be broadcast via U Stream so if you are absolutely not able to attend you might still be able to join the party. We'll update on this prior to the show.

On December 18th we will also be back at our favorite Downtown Asheville venues, Tressa's Downtown Jazz and Blues on Saturday night. Tressa's is always a great time, with some of Asheville's finest Blues fans and supporters. Can't think of a better way to end an awesome year than with our great friends at tressa's. some special deals on all SKLA merch to help you with your holiday shopping so including something unique; autographed 8x11 of the band. COOOOOL.

It has been a stupendous year for us and we are very thankful for all the support of our fans, community, friends and families... See you all this weekend!!!!

Above All Enjoy the Music
SKLA
visit us at: www.SkinnyLegsAndAll.com
tweet with us: @SkinnyLegsAll
visit our facebook fans page

Fwd: SKLA lite

2010-07-28T16:12:00.001-07:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Asheville Happens" <ashevillehappens@gmail.com>
Date: Jul 28, 2010 7:07 PM
Subject: SKLA lite
To: "Skla blog Epost" <skinnylegsandallsm.skla@blogger.com>

Had a great little jam for the kind folks at David's church. Video to follow.

Fwd: SKLA lite

2010-07-28T16:08:00.001-07:00

Here's that photo!

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Asheville Happens" <ashevillehappens@gmail.com>
Date: Jul 28, 2010 7:07 PM
Subject: SKLA lite
To: "Skla blog Epost" <skinnylegsandallsm.skla@blogger.com>

Had a great little jam for the kind folks at David's church. Video to follow.

SKLA lite

2010-07-28T16:07:00.001-07:00

Had a great little jam for the kind folks at David's church. Video to follow.

White Horse in Black Mountain

2010-06-07T07:17:00.001-07:00

We had a great time Saturday night at the White Horse. Thanks Bob, Kim & Burt; as always a fun place to play. Thanks Jonas for sitting in for David; you rocked it!

Next gig in Asheville is this weekend at Tressa's.

The Laurel of Asheville story about Skinny Legs And All

2010-05-17T14:55:00.001-07:00

Here is a link to a wonderful article by Bill Kopp in The Laurel of Asheville. We are very greatful for your kind words. Thank you for attending the release party for our first cd of original music

As always we had a blast playing at the Grey Eagle.

Also thanks to the photographer, Paul M Howey; you got some great shots and we hardly new you were there, awesome job!

http://blog.billkopp.com/?p=219

COOL PLACE

2010-05-11T11:09:00.001-07:00

Thanks to Rick of Smoking Blues for the invite to play at Carolina Theater in Charlotte NC, it was a great gig. The place is very cool we'd love to do it again!
Skla

Avi does art

2010-05-03T18:01:00.001-07:00

One thing that may not be well known about Avi Goldstein is that he also loves to do artwork.
Here's a piece he did in his free time after the jam at Mac Arnold's Cornbread & Collard Greens Festival in Greenville.

Corn Bread & Collard Greens with Mack Arnold!

2010-04-29T16:29:00.001-07:00

What a thrill to be invited to take part in Mack Arnold's benefit fundraiser at the Grey Eagle in Asheville NC. What a lesson in blues history; Mack Arnold, Bob Margolin, Willy Smith & Kim Wilson all on stage for a Muddy Waters band member reunion! Such an honor to experience their generosity in person and up close.

We are looking forward to doing it again in Greenville on May 1st with Mack.

Can things get any better than this? Hard to imagine.

Did this really happen?

2010-04-12T13:43:00.001-07:00

Words can not describe how amazing an experience we had at the 2010 Springing The Blues Festival in Jacksonville Beach this past weekend. Such an honor to have been invited to participate in the 20th Anniversary of this event. Thanks Sam and George and everyone that made this experience of a lifetime happen for us. We are so honored and so very very greatful to you all. WOW doesn't even come close!!! Can't wait to see some video to prove it wasn't just a dream; because it sure felt like one.

Live concert broadcast via ustream tonight starts at 10pm ish

2010-04-10T17:10:00.001-07:00

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/mello-mushroom-jacksonville-beach

SKLA plays Mellow Mushroom, live from Jacksonville FL via ustream, tonight at 10:00pm

2010-04-10T15:36:00.001-07:00

Springing the blues festival in Jacksonville beech is hopping on Friday night.

2010-04-09T17:29:00.001-07:00

Great show at the grey eagle. Thanks to everyone that came out tonight in support of our new CD. We had a blast!

2010-04-03T19:08:00.001-07:00

Final revisions cram session

2010-02-28T17:01:00.001-08:00

Well it's down to the wire. Hangin at Colin's working on last minute details for song order and cover art. Man this is gonna be an amazing production. Tracks are in the hands of The amazing Chris Rosser at Hollow Reed Studio for final mixdown and mastering. Tracks sound absolutely amazing!!! Mail out tomorrow for burning disks. CD release party is booked for April 3, at the awesome Grey Eagle in Asheville, NC. Hope to see you all there
R

Memphis 2010

2010-02-14T12:40:00.000-08:00

We had time to visit some of the most famous Blues clubs in the world. The talent that has played the stages of Beale St is unfathomable. We watched our dear friends Peggy Ratuz & The Daddy Longlegs play the stage for two awesome shows at Alfreds on Beale St as contestants in the 2010 International Blues Competition. They were both great sets. They are an inspiration to us and we are blessed with their support and mentoring. Thanks so much for the opportunity to share these experiences with you all. Blues musicians are the kindest most supportive musicians in the world.

R
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Memphis IBC 2010

2010-02-12T07:15:00.000-08:00

It's often the simplest of moments that can have the most lasting effect. One of those moments for me was catching David just taking it in. This young man has brought so much to the band and is always gracious. It was such a joy to share this experience with David and his family.
R
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

More Memphis

2010-02-12T07:08:00.000-08:00

Here is a photo of the band on stage at the New Daisy Theater in memphis. It was very exciting to see the band play this stage. It was made even more special when David's brother joined the jam. Seeing the Cate brothers together on stage was an amazing treat to say the least.
R
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Great memories from the IBC

2010-02-10T13:58:00.000-08:00

We had a great time in Memphis. Saw some incredible musicians and heard some of the best Blues in the world. Talk about inspiration! I'll upload some photos and videos to share. Sorry if the quality isn't that great.
R
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Jesse Barry sparkles, center stage closing @ Help Haiti Heal benefit.jpg

2010-02-08T16:11:00.000-08:00

Well the Help Haiti Heal benefit concert was a great success. Thanks to everyone that came out in support of this event. This photo is of the closing song; Lean On Me. The stage packed with some very special talents including skinny legs. Jesse Barry sparkles at center stage.

r
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Fw: skinny legs plays the Help Haiti Heal benefit.jpg

2010-02-08T11:26:00.000-08:00

------Original Message------
To: Skla blog Epost
Subject: skinny legs plays the Help Haiti Heal benefit.jpg
Sent: Feb 7, 2010 6:15 PM

skinny legs at the Help Haiti Heal benefit

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

skinny legs plays the Help Haiti Heal benefit.jpg

2010-02-07T15:15:00.000-08:00

skinny legs at the Help Haiti Heal benefit
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Memphis International Blues Competition Was Awsome!Whats next?

2010-02-03T12:49:00.000-08:00

Hello!

We went to Memphis 2 weeks ago for the International Blues Challenge- and we had the time of our life! We met so many blues musicians from around the world and supported our local Southern Fried Blues Society IBC winners Peggy Ratusz and the Daddy LongLegs band and also Levi Douglas - they were fantastic!!

For more info on this and other Blues Foundation events - visit Blues.org
AND The Southern Fried Blues Society - www.southernfriedblues.org
(psssst....become a member!)

Skinny Legs and All has been busy recording our original album and is now moving on to mixing! Be sure to mark your calendar for Saturday April 3rd - our Original CD release party is happening at the Grey Eagle in Asheville, NC. This is an ALL AGES show and we hope everyone will come out to party with us - we will have giveaways and door prizes too!!

Our upcoming gigs include:

Sunday February 7 at the White Horse in Black Mountain, NC - Help Haiti Heal 2-day benefit concert. This is a really important event so please come and bring family & friends!
SKLA goes on at 5pm on Sunday
Friday February 12th at the White Horse - Headliners!! - show starts at 8pm.
March dates TBA!
Saturday April 3 at the Grey Eagle in Asheville, NC - CD Release party!
Sunday April 11 at Springing the Blues Festival in Jacksonville Beach, FL
SKLA plays at Noon and 3pm

Thanks for all your support!
We hope to see you soon!
Above all...enjoy the music
SKLA

SkinnyLegsAndAll.com
find us on Facebook and ReverbNation too!

Asheville's Skinny Legs And All - Taking it to Memphis

2010-01-18T17:54:00.000-08:00

Asheville's Skinny Legs And All Hits The Road For The International Blues Challenge.
Come Thursday Sunrise we are leavin town, Memphis bound! This is the trip we have been waiting for all year. The experience in Memphis last year was so amazing and inspiring we have a song on our upcoming CD that tells a story of that journey. OMG we're doing it again!!! This time out we are so much more prepared; we are going to let it all out, no holds barred, Skinny Legs And All will blow the house down.

Peggy Ratuz and The Daddy Long Legs, Levi Douglas; such an amazing group of talent. We are so thankful for all their support. Southern Fried Blues Society... we are gonna make you proud. Asheville... thank you for all of your continued support!

Skinny Legs And All is scheduled to perform on Friday evening at BB Kings Club on Beale St. Just saying it makes a musician feel special; heck of course it does, BB KINGS ON BEALE STREET Y'ALL. Another really exciting part of this years event is they have scheduled two youth jam sessions. These jams are where some real fun is gonna happen. They will take place in The Old Daisy Theater. Talk about history, it's mind boggling to think of all the talents that has graced that stage! Musicians from all over the world just doing what they love for the love of doing it. Man last was incredible; We jammed with Trampled Under Foot, who by the way was the WINNER of the IBC from the previous year. So cool. if blessed is the word to use, we are certainly that. Memphis International Blues Challenge here we come.

Paul Chelmis - Skinny Legs & All

2009-11-24T20:04:00.000-08:00

EVER since I knew how to make armpit farts, I’ve been messing around on the keys. When I was only 5 years old, we got a brand spankin’ new Yamaha keyboard – with top-of-the-line 61-key polyphonic note action, and the ability to record onto an A-drive floppy diskette! Naturally I was floored. I played with everything from the MIDI sound effects to the funky 80’s drum loops. I liked to play back the demo songs, and then try to learn them by ear (which, anyone who owns a mainstream keyboard with a demo song knows, is impossible).

However, that is what sparked my musical ability – my ear – and when my mother caught wind of this, descending from a very musical family, she recognized it instantly and dropped me into the Suzuki piano school.

I hated it. Everything about it, from the rows of identical, boring, non-demo-brandishing Rhodes pianos to the monotonous droning of my teacher’s Japanese accented voice, to the dreaded Hannon exercises. I was miserable – and from that point on, I continued to be miserable, after switching to various private teachers and even taking classes at school. The worst part was practicing. It was a constant battle between me and my mother, and I hated doing it. I even remember crying sometimes when I realized it was Monday (lessons day).

I don’t really remember the point at which playing the piano actually became enjoyable. It may have been when we moved from my hometown Charlotte, NC to here in Asheville. It may have been when my grandmother bought me a brand new keyboard, with a full 88 keys and beautiful sounds – or it may have been when I started leaning away from classical training and discovered more fun genres like, dare I say, the blues. But at that point, when I could sit down at a random piano and impress my friends by playing “Clocks” by Coldplay, I started to realize that I may have, if you’ll excuse the pun, stricken a right note here.

After I had been away at boarding school for a few years and hadn’t had any lessons in even longer, I began training again with local musician Chuck Lichtenberger, whom with his wife is the essence of the sensational band “Stephanie’s Id”. He recognized my unusual talent of having an ear and a feel for music (but not very many technical skills), and instead of trying to correct me, really worked to bring it out of me. I truly owe a lot of what I do today to him, and he is a huge role model for me.

Then came the day Jesse Barry came up to me after school and asked if I would like to audition for the band. I was flabbergasted – I had only been in one non-classical “band” before, and…well… in 6 months we had learned one good song. Naturally, it was a lot of pressure, but I can safely say now that it was incredibly worth it. And that goes for everything else I’ve been through – the kicking and screaming, the relentless daily scales – the one thing I can say is that I was so glad I stuck with it, and am even more grateful for people like my mother who “helped” me stay focused. Because it’s true what they say, though we all hate to hear it – practice really does make perfect. And though of course I am not perfect, and I have a long way to go, the hard work has certainly paid off so far… and I look forward to the arpeggios, the steps up and down, and the crazy intervals that my musical career has notated out for me and my future.

David Cate - Skinny Legs & All

2009-11-24T08:39:00.000-08:00

I picked up a guitar for the first time around age eleven and haven’t been able to put it down since then. My dad had an old acoustic Guild that he had bought at a yard sale back when he was in high school I jammed on that for the most part but I eventually bought a used Epiphone SG off of ebay to serve as my first electric guitar. I was self taught for 4 or so years of my playing and was heavily influenced by bands like Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Jimi Hendrix, Van Halen, Aerosmith, Guns N Roses and the likes of many other hard or classic rock groups. My taste in music has gone a lot of different directions but about a year ago I became fascinated with blues music. My greatest influences now are Stevie Ray Vaughn, Buddy Guy, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Robert Dimaio, Jonathan Cate, B.B. King and the John Mayer Trio. I am extremely excited to be a part of Skinny Legs and All and have a love and passion for music that is undying.

Avi Goldstein - Skinny Legs & All

2009-11-24T08:34:00.000-08:00

I started taking piano when I was about eight, and it was then that I started to see how much music was really out there, and it got me exploring. Piano gave me a good sense of music technique, taught me to sight read treble and bass clef, as well as all of the notes and their relationships. I first picked up a bass guitar in February 2007 because the jam band at my school needed a bassist. I knew how to play Smoke on the Water, but with the help of my dad, I was able to learn two James Brown tunes. From there I essentially taught myself different techniques and started to learn the fret board just by playing with the band. Learning songs helped train my ears. Playing bass helped me discovered what notes sounded good together, and being with a band helped realize that overplaying does not sound good.

Based on my music background you would’ve never guessed I was in a blues band. Although my music taste has expanded to almost any genre, it used to only be hard rock and metal. Only until I actually started playing blues, funk, and soul, did I see how they were truly the foundations of music today.

I would say that my main influence on the bass would be Victor Wooten. My dad really wanted me getting started on either guitar or bass around the beginning of 6th grade. I was kind of leaning towards guitar, but then my dad showed me some videos of Victor and I was just floored. I thought that it was so out-of-this-world that I just couldn’t resist.

I love playing and being with Skinny Legs and All. I’m great friends with all of the members, and sharing that feeling of being on stage with my band mates is just priceless-especially when I’m playing the kind of music that I love. Playing music with my band mates is also a way of letting go of any problems or worries I may be having . Skinny Legs and All is such an absolutely great opportunity - I love it, and am very thankful for it.

Jessy Barry - Skinny Legs & All

2009-11-16T06:58:00.000-08:00

Ever since I was born, on October 10, 1992, I have been singing. I began as any other young kid would, singing along to my favorite musicians. When I moved to Asheville in kindergarten, my mom Tami-Lu, brother Jade, and I would listen to Aretha Franklin, Carole King, James Taylor, and a huge variety of different genres. My elementary school music teacher Deborah Sizemore would tell my mother how much potential I had when I sang with the other students. Sure enough, my mom recognized this too. One day, my family was riding in the car listening to Aretha Franklin and, of course, we were all singing at the top of our lungs. My mom turned the music down and “swore she heard Aretha Franklin in her backseat”. That night she took us to karaoke and I sang “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor, and “Respect” by Aretha Franklin. I remember feeling completely comfortable on stage-I wasn’t even nervous! I ended up winning $50 first prize that night and walking away with a new feeling-I had the music in me. The next day, my mom was looking through the newspaper and a local writer had written a column about me! Ever since, I have had opportunities of a lifetime and many chances to share my voice with the town.

The first few couple of years of my singing career were mostly karaoke nights and school fundraising events. When I was about 10 years old, I was asked to sing at the Crest Center-a gorgeous event-holding building with waterfalls and all-to sing for the North Carolina Senators and Congressman! It was my first official paying “gig” and I only sang one song. I was blessed to have this opportunity, not only because I was singing for the people that represent my hometown, but also because that show brought more opportunities into my life. A generous member of the Asheville community gave us tickets to see Gladys Knight sing at her local church in Fairview. It was a beautiful experience and when she was finished, she walked through the aisles of the church. I ran to the edge, handed her a demo of me singing “Midnight Train to Georgia”, and she gave me a huge hug! It was one of the most amazing moments of my life. When my mom was the “Asheville Idol”, I got to sing during intermission. I was unknowingly recorded and put on the radio the next morning with calls being placed at the station asking about me. I have gotten to sing all around Asheville for various occasions.

When I was in 8th grade, the middle school kids were offered a new elective called Jam Band. I auditioned and we immediately began making music. Our first song was “Get Back” by The Beatles. Rick Praytor, our jam band leader and manager, loved blues music as much as I did. When he asked us to suggest songs to play together, he realized that I was influenced by Motown performers and old blues musicians. He was the one who introduced me to Susan Tedeschi. We began to play blues, funk, and soul music and perform for students and parents at school. When we graduated from middle school, we all realized that we had something going for us, and decided to stay together. After a few switches in band names, band members, and studio practice areas, we established a fun little teenaged blues band. Our first gig was at a local coffee shop, and we have just kept on building our repertoire throughout the couples years that we have been playing together. We played the Springing the Blues festival in Jacksonville Florida, the International Blues Challenge in Memphis Tennessee, and tons of other gigs. Our accomplishments have been more than rewarding. I have gotten to meet Colonel Bruce Hampton, Susan Tedeschi, and Warren Haynes among others. Throughout my singing career, I have been blessed with countless opportunities and am so thankful to have such a supportive mother. Without her, I would not have had so many accomplishments at such a young age. I cannot wait to further my music career and to continue to have fun doing so!

Colin Hanson - Skinny Legs & All

2009-11-16T06:54:00.000-08:00

Colin Hanson has been playing music for as long as he can remember. His earliest memories are banging on a collection of hand drums his parents kept in the house. He has had formal training in percussion, marimba, hammered dulcimer, piano, guitar, sitar, and voice but when he sat down at the drum set he knew he had found the instrument that would take him to a new level of musicianship. His teachers have always boasted that he has a natural talent that allows him to play with maturity well beyond his age.

Colin has been performing at clubs, festivals, and private events since he was 13 years old starting with the teen rock band Rightful Intentions. Artimus Pyle, former drummer for Lynyrd Skynyrd, mentored Colin during that time and invited him to assist in workshops and play onstage with him.

Colin eventually met local teen vocalist Jesse Barry and heard about a blues band she was in. Colin was asked to try out for the drummer vacancy and he was a natural fit. Since his start with Skinny Legs and All, Colin has performed regularly from stages in formal concert halls to those at outdoor festivals. Some of his favorite performance venues are The International Blues Challenge Youth Showcase in Memphis, Tennessee, Springing the Blues in Jacksonville, Florida, The Orange Peel in Asheville, North Carolina and The Lake Eden Arts Festival in Black Mountain, North Carolina.

Colin plays drums on Skinny Legs and All’s premier CD – Get The Skinny – which has received airtime on award winning radio station WNCW. He has also performed live with the band in WNCW’s Studio B.

When Colin is not performing with the band or attending rehearsals or recording sessions, he practices playing different instruments and writes original music.

Colin’s own words……

All my life, (thanks to my parents), music has had a positive effect on me - whether it was playing it, listening to it, watching it, or feeling it. I fell in love with how the drums make you feel, the rhythm moving your body, the groove moving your soul. It is just so much fun to play and I love to play the blues!