In this episode, I catch up with Kyle Travers, one of the twin brothers that leads the Asheville based band Travers Brothership.  

This is a band you're almost guaranteed to love from the moment you hear the first song. A funky, soulful, southern inspired groove that uses horn lines and 4-part harmonies with ease and playfulness. 

We talk about how their dad inspired them to dive headfirst into music and how removing the ego is the best way to create great moments in the studio.  

We listen to 5 songs from their new album "A Way To Survive"  

1. Hold My Name -- 14:38

2. Time Will Slip Away -- 37:37

3. Be Here Now -- 57:03

4. The Road Interlude -- 1:22:34

5. Clothes On My Back -- 1:24:25

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This is our last week of partnering with Front Porch Fest for 2016. The festival is Sept 2-4 and my band, Big Daddy Love, will be playing Saturday evening from 7:00-8:30pm.  
We want to thank them for everything and look forward to seeing everyone there this weekend!  

Check out Lonesome Banjo Chronicles for past episodes and music reviews.  

In this episode we talk with Senator Jeff Jackson of NC Senate District 37. Jeff talks about the realities of being a Democratic Senator in a state government that's beholden to far right interests, and how he's fighting for an independent commission to redraw district lines to better reflect the bipartisan realities of the state.   

Jeff talks about how a master's degree in philosophy and his experience as a state prosecutor make him a better senator. He also breaks down the North Carolina gubernatorial election and gives tips on finding the humanity in local politics. 

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We want to thank our two sponsors this week:

The Photobooth: by Andy Cox Photography

This is a full-service mobile portrait studio. Unlike those other "touch-screen" boxes they offer a professional studio photography experience with a professionally trained photographer. Prints are produced within minutes of a portrait session so that guests can leave after a session with a souvenir.

Front Porch Fest:  Sept 2-4 near Stuart, VA.

Headliners include Zach Deputy, The Hip Abduction, Laura Reed, Trongone Band and Big Daddy Love.

--Brian Paul Swenk

In this episode we talk to Lee Crumpton, the owner of Home Grown Music Network. Lee has been one of the most influential people in the southeastern music scene for the last 20 years. He talks about chasing down his passion for music by becoming a DJ at an early age--both the party and radio kind--and how that led him to forming a record label and working with some of the best bands in the nation. 

We also talk about what it takes for bands to expand their reach beyond just a couple of states, as well as what he sees for the future of his company.   

We listen to three songs:
"Damn!" by The Motet
"The Shadow" by The College Conservatory of Music featuring Fareed Haque and the music of Garage Mahal
"Roll River" by the first band Lee ever worked with, Purple School Bus

________________________________________________________

We want to thank our two sponsors this week:
The Photobooth: by Andy Cox Photography
This is a full-service mobile portrait studio. Unlike those other "touch-screen" boxes they offer a professional studio photography experience with a professionally trained photographer. Prints are produced within minutes of a portrait session so that guests can leave after a session with a souvenir.

Front Porch Fest:  Sept 2-4 near Stuart, VA.
Headliners include Zach Deputy, The Hip Abduction, Laura Reed, Trongone Band and Big Daddy Love.  

--Brian Paul Swenk