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Fayetteville is home to a great artistic community, proof of that was the Peace From The Hills CD release party at Arsaga's on Wednesday, January 26.

Peace From The Hills is a compilation of music and poetry by local Fayetteville artists intended to help support A Ride Till The End. Continue reading and see more photos after the jump.

Words and Photos by B "Café con Leche" Gutierrez.

With fresh new material, a lot of energy, and a growing fan base, Michael Franti & Spearhead are making the most of the moment. On Friday, Oct. 1, Franti & Spearhead had their first show in Little Rock, AR at The Village.

Franti & Spearhead really know how to put on a show. The venue wasn't completely full, but it felt like it after the show started out with "Love Don't Wait," from the band's latest studio production, The Sound of Sunshine. Continue reading after the jump.

Words and Photos by B "Café con Leche" Gutierrez.

On Sunday, Sept. 26, Umphrey's McGee played a sold out show at George's Majestic Lounge. An hour into the show, and there were still some people outside hoping to get tickets to get in.

I got great photos that night. Continue after the jump for the rest of the write-up, photos and info on their new material.

Words and Photos by B "Café con Leche" Gutierrez.

The First Annual Fayetteville Roots Festival on August 29th was set to take place at Greenhouse Grille, but after a water main broke at Greenhouse Grille the festival was moved to George's Majestic Lounge. Hats off to the festival organizers and to George's management and staff, because the evening ran smoothly, as if everything that happened was part of the plan.

The music-filled evening went better than I expected. I left George's that night with a couple of new albums for my collection, after being blown away by some of the performances. I know I'm not alone when I say that this festival definitely has all the right components to become a Fayetteville classic; from the award-winning artists, to the welcoming audience, and a community coming together in case there's a water main that breaks at the very last minute.

Read on for more thoughts and photos about the festival after the jump.

Words and Photos by B "Café con Leche" Gutierrez.

The Ben Miller Band from Joplin, MO is a Fayetteville fave. They play in town often and were fresh back from tour when they came to Gulley Park on July 29th. Their show was part of the Gulley Park Summer Concert Series, put together by Fayetteville Parks and Recreation. Keep reading and see photos after the jump.

A couple of weeks ago I learned about the first Fayetteville Roots Festival. Put together by 3 Penny Acre's Bryan Hembree, this one day event on August 29th is already on its way to become a beloved Fayetteville tradition.

The line-up includes emerging acoustic roots, Americana, and folk music artists from around the country.

The festival will feature two shows on Sunday, August 29th at Greenhouse Grille: a special free preview show from 10:30am to 2pm during Greenhouse Grille's brunch service and a ticketed event on Sunday evening show featuring five headline artists.
For tickets and more info, visit Fayetteville Roots Festival. Check out the line-up and schedule after the jump.

Words and Photos by B "Café con Leche" Gutierrez.

The day I got to talk to Joseph Israel, he had a show at George's Majestic Lounge along with The Jerusalem Band. I couldn't resist going back for more, after a great experience a couple of days earlier. I got to hear again some of the new material that will be released in the new album, possibly next Spring. Songs like "Soulution" and "Better Way" will most likely be on repeat on my player for a while once the new album's out.

It was a great show and while enjoying it, I got a lot of photos for you. Check them out after the jump.

Has it ever happened to you that you find a band that is the perfect fit for your taste in music and personality, but you go years before the realization hits you in the face and makes you wonder why you have never been to one of its concerts and don't have the full discography in your music library? I ask you, because I really hope I'm not alone in this. It's exactly what happened to me with State Radio at Wakarusa.

Continue reading and see the photos after the jump.

Words and photos by B "Cafe Con Leche" Gutierrez

Fayetteville adores Andy Frasco. And as he told me right before he rocked the lounge at George's Majestic, the feeling is mutual. Andy has been busy traveling around the nation, playing relentlessly and working on his new album. Gathering inspiration along the way, he's learned to give his all in every show he plays. That night at George's was no exception.

He was only traveling with R Bizzy (drums) this time, but he was supported by three Fayetteville musicians. If you didn't know they had never played together, you wouldn't know it. They did a great job that night and the music came together so naturally, that the mood was easy and fun. Everything started with one of Andy's favorite covers, "Hit The Road Jack." And from there, it went into a super jam party Frasco-style. His "Ramble Baby Ramble" brought the room alive and got him a lot of love from the crowd.

The party went on until a little before 2 A.M. when the lights at George's came on. He sure left everyone ready for the week ahead. And him? He was ready to do it all over again the following night at another bar in town.

Check out the photos from that night after the jump.

Fayetteville native, Joseph Israel, made his way back home as part of the awesomeness known as the Gulley Park Summer Concert Series. Fayetteville Parks and Recreation puts together free concerts in the Summer, and this is the 14th year of this great tradition. The concerts are usually on Thursdays at 7pm at the park, but on July 8th there were a few storms over the area that moved the show to the Town Center. The change of location didn't stop music lovers from coming out, though. There was a great turnout for Joseph Israel & The Jerusalem Band.

The rest of the review and photos after the jump.