APRIL 4, 2013

MAGNOLIA MOUNTAIN / MARK UTLEY KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN IS UNDERWAY!

We have launched a Kickstarter campaign to help fund the pressing of two new albums - the fourth Magnolia Mountain album Beloved, and the debut solo album by bandleader Mark Utley, Four Chords and a Lie.

Watch the project video on the left, and please consider pre-ordering one or both albums, or pledging a larger amount for one of the many pledge rewards we've put together.

The campaign runs through MONDAY, APRIL 29. Please consider a donation to help us reach our goal, and please help us spread the word! THANK YOU!

 

MARCH 7, 2013

COUCH BY COUCH WEST 2013

Everyone knows about South By Southwest, the annual music festival down in Austin, TX. Well, now there's Couch By Couch West, a website featuring homemade videos from bands all around the world who AREN'T playing SXSW. This year, we're contributing a video of a new song called "Midnight Man", performed live in Mark's dining room and captured on video by Scott Preston of Cincy Groove Magazine. We've posted it here on our homepage (top video on your left), but be sure to check out the Official CXCW site for a ton of other cool videos by bands good-naturedly taking the piss out of all the SXSW hype.

 

FEBRUARY 27, 2013

NEW LINE-UP, NEW ALBUMS

We're very excited to announce the new Magnolia Mountain line-up, featuring new members Victor Strunk on bass and Dusty Bryant on keyboards. Longtime members Bob Lese and Kathy Woods are moving to an auxiliary member status, meaning that they will still join us for certain gigs and recording projects, but will no longer be considered full-time members of the band. Our friend Greg Thomas will continue to fill in on bass until Victor returns to Cincinnati from Brooklyn early this summer.

We're also happy to tell you that this summer brings TWO NEW ALBUMS from the Magnolia Mountain camp. The first is the band's fourth full-length studio release, tentatively titled Magnolia Mountain. The title signifies a new beginning for the band, as we continue to evolve toward a more alt.country / southern soul / rock style. The new record will also feature Renee Frye and Melissa English in expanded lead vocal roles. We've booked nine days at Ultrasuede Studio in May with producer John Curley(Afghan Whigs) and can't wait for you to hear what we've got up our sleeves for you.

The second album is the debut solo record from MM leader Mark Utley, a ten-song collection called Four Chords and a Lie. The album will feature a mix of stripped-down solo acoustic songs and a batch of tunes backed by Mark's old-school Country side-project Bulletville. Recording begins in April with producer Mike Ingram (Seedy Seeds) at the helm.

Both albums are scheduled to be released at a big blowout release party at the Southgate House Revival on Saturday, July 27.

 

JANUARY 22, 2013

We've added a new page to the website to feature BULLETVILLE, the exciting new straight-up Country Music offshoot of Magnolia Mountain that features MM's Mark, Renee, and Jeff, along with top-shelf local musicians Cameron Cochran (pedal steel), Ricky Nye (piano, organ), Chris Cusentino (bass, harmony vocals), and Brian Aylor (drums). CLICK HERE to find out more!

 

JANUARY 20, 2013

Mark Utley and Renee Frye of Magnolia Mountain will be performing "You've Been Lonesome, Too" (the song they recorded for the Cincinnati USA Music Heritage Foundation's 2012 "Lost Notebooks of Hank Williams" project at the former Herzog Studio site downtown) live onstage at this year's CINCINNATI ENTERTAINMENT AWARDS ceremony at the Madison Theater on Sunday, January 27.

 

JANUARY 11, 2013

RECORDING NEWS

We've just booked nine days in May with JOHN CURLEY at ULTRASUEDE STUDIO to record the fourth Magnolia Mountain record.

Also, Mark's solo album just took a quantum leap forward with the addition of MIKE INGRAM (of THE SEEDY SEEDS) signing on to record and produce the project.

 

JANUARY 1, 2013

Only two shows this month, but they're both gonna be pretty special.

On SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, Magnolia Mountain returns to MOTR PUB with special guests CHUCK CLEAVER & LISA WALKER of acclaimed indie band WUSSY.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 19 sees the return of the BULLETVILLE country side project to THE CROW'S NEST. The lineup for this show is MARK, RENEE, and JEFF from Magnolia Mountain, CAMERON COCHRAN on pedal steel, RICKY NYE on keyboards, CHRIS CUSENTINO on bass, and BRIAN AYLOR on drums. These shows won't happen very often, and with a lineup of this caliber (no pun intended), you don't wanna miss it.

See our GIGS PAGE for further info, start times, posters, etc.

 

DECEMBER 1, 2012

DECEMBER NEWS AND SHOWS:

December is full of big plans and big shows, as the groundwork is being laid for two new albums: The fourth Magnolia Mountain record and a Mark Utley solo album.

Mark will be the Artist in Residence for the month of December at THE CROW'S NEST. Every Thursday evening in December, Mark will perform a set, and will be joined by an incredible list of guest performers, including MIKE OBERST, BILLY ALLETZHAUSER & BETH HARRIS, KENTUCKY TIMBRE, TODD LIPSCOMB, ED CUNNINGHAM, AMBER NASH, RENEE FRYE, CHUCK CLEAVER and MORIAH LAWSON! These shows are free to the public, and start at 9:30 p.m. every Thursday.

Also on the calendar is MAGNOLIA MOUNTAIN TRIO (plus CAMERON COCHRAN on pedal steel) at the CROW'S NEST on SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15 with openers 10 STRING SYMPHONY (from Nashville), MAGNOLIA MOUNTAIN QUARTET (the regular Trio plus MELISSA ENGLISH) at NORTHSIDE TAVERN on SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16, and an appearance by Mark and Renee at HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS: SONGWRITERS IN THE ROUND on SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23 at the SOUTHGATE HOUSE REVIVAL.

As always, you can check out our GIGS PAGE for times and further details. Hope to see you out and about sometime this coming month!

 

NOVEMBER 1, 2012

NOVEMBER SHOWS:

On MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, Magnolia Mountain Trio joins comedians GEOFF TATE, DREW HASTINGS, and JOSH SNEED at MVP SPORTS BAR & GRILLE in Silverton for a Benefit show for TRUMPET BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CENTER (Autism). Show starts at 8:00 p.m.

On WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, bandleader MARK UTLEY performs solo while hosting Open Mic Night at GEEZ'L PETE'S in Covington, KY. This Open Mic is frequented by some of the best pickers, singers, and songwriters in the region, and is free to the public.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10 sees the full band (augmented by CAMERON COCHRAN on Pedal Steel) at the HISTORIC HOOSIER THEATER in VEVAY, INDIANA for a three-hour, two-set extravaganza.

And finally, on SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17, the full band makes our first appearance at the new SOUTHGATE HOUSE REVIVAL on a terrific bill that also features JEREMY PINNELL & THE 55's, JOSH EAGLE & THE HARVEST CITY, and comedian GEOFF TATE!

Check our GIGS PAGE for further details. Hope to see you out there!

 

OCTOBER 30. 2012

We regret to announce that, effective immediately, Magnolia Mountain and bassist Bob Donisi are parting ways. We thank Bob for his years of talent, service, and friendship. He's been with us since before our first album and will be missed.

This also means, of course, that we are now actively seeking a replacement. We have some leads and some possibilities, but are open to any suggestions or inquiries. Please contact Mark Utley for further information.

 

OCTOBER 1, 2012

ROCKTOBER GIGS AND NEWS

October is packed with good stuff, starting with our gig on SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6 on Resurrection Weekend at the SOUTHGATE HOUSE REVIVAL! We're playing in the Sanctuary in support of our friends THE NEWBEES' album release show along with tons of other bands! Our set starts at 10:10 p.m.

The next day, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 7, Mark and Renee will perform together at KELLY THOMAS' Gospel Music Extravaganza "SHALL WE GATHER AT THE RIVER" in RABBIT HASH, KY! Our performance is at @3:20 p.m., and there is a $5.00 suggested donation.

The following weekend, on SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13, the full band returns to TAQUIERA MERCADO in downtown Cincinnati for three sets between 8:30 and 11:30 p.m. Admission is free, and the food is awesome.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20 sees the Magnolia Mountain Trio playing our residency at THE CROW'S NEST. This gig is particularly exciting as, not only will the Trio once again be joined by CAMERON COCHRAN on pedal steel, but the second set will be the debut of a brand new project called BULLETVILLE. Bulletville plays original and classic honky tonk country music, and consists of MARK UTLEY (vocals, guitar), RENEE FRYE (vocals), JEFF VANOVER (guitar), CAMERON COCHRAN (pedal steel), CHRIS CUSENTINO (bass) and CHRIS ALLEY on drums.

And last but certainly not least, on FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, Mark, Renee, Jeff and MM vocalist MELISSA ENGLISH hit the road to perform at the incredible WIGGINSTOCK MUSIC FESTIVAL way down south in WIGGINS, MISSISSIPPI. Other performers include CENTRO-MATIC, GLOSSARY, BLUE MOUNTAIN, THE POLLIES, and many more! This festival is privately sponsored and INVITATION ONLY.

See our GIGS PAGE for further details on all these October shows!

 

SEPTEMBER 2, 2012

SEPTEMBER GIG SCHEDULE!

We've got a lot of exciting stuff happening this month, starting with two Magnolia Mountain Trio gigs! Join us on THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 at THE REDMOOR as we open for the amazing EILEN JEWELL! The Trio will be joined onstage by CAMERON COCHRAN on pedal steel. Showtime is 8:00 p.m., check our GIGS page for more info.

The previous night, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, the Trio + Cameron will be performing a free warm-up gig at 10:00 p.m. at FB's (on Sixth Street downtown).

On FRIDAY, SEPTMEMBER 14, the Trio has the pleasure of opening for Nashville's GRACE ADELE AND THE GRAND BAND at THE COMET in Northside! Free show, music starts at 10:00 p.m., while SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 finds us back at our monthly residency at THE CROW'S NEST with a full band show.

And last, but definitely not least, on SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, Magnolia Mountain has the incredible honor of opening up for none other than RALPH STANLEY AND HIS CLINCH MOUNTAIN BOYS at THE EMERY THEATRE as part of this year's MIDPOINT MUSIC FESTIVAL!

 

AUGUST 22, 2012

WHISPERING BEARD FOLK FESTIVAL!!!

It's Whispering Beard weekend, y'all, and we couldn't be more excited about it!!! We've got a great slot on Sunday, playing right before the legendary Ramblin' Jack Elliott. WBFF is a three-day festival in beautiful Friendship, Indiana, and it's always a great experience full of amazing music, good vibes, and wonderful people. On the bill this year are Justin Townes Earle, Langhorne Slim, Ramblin' Jack, The Tillers, and so many more. Go to the WBFF Website for information, directions, and tickets!