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Just when you thought things couldn't get any hotter, we have news that is sure to make you melt on the spot. That's right Jack Grace Band will be performing at Las Tortugas: Dance of the Dead V in time for that most hallowed of holidays, Halloween (actual dates are October 29 - November 1, so you have some before-and-after trick or treat action as well). If that weren't enticing enough, the festival takes place in Yosemite, CA, home of one of our most storied National Parks. Las Tortugas isn't your run of the mill music fest either. Last year's had costume contests, theme nights like Voodoo Circus (Yeah!), Boogie Nights (Oh Yeah!) and the Enchantment Under the Sea Dance (Wait, what? I missed that??) and this year's will have that kind of groovy stuff plus a whole lotta great artists. If you haven't seen it yet, or haven't seen it yet today, it's time to watch the Eric King animated opus, the animated video for Worst Truck Driver. But first, bone up on the terms that make this song so dang funny here. Don? Ok, now yer ready.
Was it good for you? You got the CD already, right? NO. Well damn. Do it friend. Buy it from the General Store today!
June 2010
Jack Grace and Luther Wright are continuing their trek across North America with their Drinking Songs for the Man of Your Dreams Tour. Dates in the midwest and Canada were a great time, and now the band heads southward across the border down the west coast and over to Colorado where they wrap it up at Bar SS in Laporte. A highlight for those old-timers in Boulder who still reminisce about the old days with Steak, a reunion, of sorts, is on tap with Jack and Luther Wright teaming up with Erik Lieblein. Jack's recent dispatch from the road regales those clever fans who've signed up for the mailing list with details of fine dining in his old stomping ground of San Francisco.
More excitement awaits when the gang rolls back into town, including the video debut of "The Worst Truck Driver" and dates in NYC.
May 2010 Drinking Songs for Lovers is out just in time for Cinco de Mayo! The album that Jack Grace was born to make is finally available to the masses. Chock full of songs of wit and woe, drinking, gambling, truck-driving, a little hooch and a whole lotta heart, Jack's latest opus celebrates the trials and tribulations of the average drinking man in a completely safe, intervention-free, non-judgemental sorta way. Get it here or here. The day that Mexico celebrates its defeat over the French army (Yeah, not what you were expecting either, huh? Oh, and my previous note about it being the Mexican Independence Day? Wrong. — Ed.) is also the day Jack made a huge splash all over the media spectrum. He started out in the early morning on Pix Morning News, moved on to Road Dog Trucking on Sirius radio in the afternoon and then continued on the margaritas at Rodeo Bar backed by his band and the Broken Mariachi Horns in the evening (Incidentally, "In the Evening" is also a fine tune by Led Zeppelin, a group greatly enjoyed by all members of the Jack Grace Band. Used to really irritate the hell outta my mom with that one — Ed.). Check out the band on Pix Morning News:
More video from Pix and other TV appearances here. Later on Sirius, the band spent part of the afternoon drinking, playing and chatting with Chris T.and Meredith Ochs, proving once again that Jack is the best banterer in the business. The hour found the gang offering history lessons, tequila talk and a brand new song called "I Lost My Perm in the Fire". Cinco de Mayhem indeed, Meredith! Listen here. Jack is fresh on the heels of his Canadian adventure with Luther Wright and is dragging the poor fellow around both the dusty and moldy parts of the Lower 48 throughout May and June, with planned excursions across the northern border just to test the resolve of customs officers who like to search Jack's goatee for contraband. Check Gigs to find out what show is within driving distance of your town!
April 2010 The EP, which can be purchased from iTunes here, also features "Morning Margaritas" and "If You're Gonna Raise a Drunk" or you can get the full length CD, Drinking Songs for Lovers, exclusively in our General Store. Speaking of that most famous of North American independence days next to our own, of course, Jack and the Mariachi Horns will be playing at the Rodeo Bar for a very especial show. It's the perfect time to see the band drink too many margaritas (you know the Rodeo Bar has muchos flavors). In the meantime, check out "Sugar Bear" and enjoy.
March 2010
Speaking of visitors, with so many up in Canada last month for the Winter Olympics, we were feeling a little lonely, so Luther Wright has offered to swing by some of our favorite spots to join Jack and the gang for a handful of very special shows this month. Ordinarily, we would make some crack about thawing out from the Great White North or some other puerile comment, but with all the white stuff around these parts, that really doesn't seem all that funny. Check out the Gigs and see which show is best for you. There is something on the calendar for you also, Texans. Our hero will brave the hordes at this year's SXSW festival, alone and unarmed except for his goatee and a guitar or two (and some stellar talent from the Austin area to back him up). Also on tap for the month, a most exciting event will take place very soon, which someday all of you will get to watch on Ye Olde You Tube, so stay tuned for more teasers about that good fun. In the meantime, we're building our You Tube Channel with some vids of live performances, interviews and the hilarious Onion News Network piece that STILL makes us laugh. If you haven't gotten your copy of Introducing the Pre-war Ponies, there are still a few copies available, so head on over to the General Store. Act now, and we might throw in a snuggie or slap chop or some pork rinds that have been sitting around a while. And always, beware the Ides of March (you know if you don't, you'll wish you had).
February 2010
In the meantime, you can take a listen on our new and improved Music section where we've added new artwork and a few different tunes for your enjoyment. The band will be back in Brooklyn mid-month if you want to check out Jack's tan. Details can be found on the Gigs page. Jack has a fresh new Facebook fan page, so become a fan and get those wryly entertaining status updates from our hero on a regular basis. If you've been hibernating and haven't gotten around to purchasing Lady Daria's Pre-war Ponies debut, now's your chance to get this incredible EP to cure your winter blues. Visit the General Store and get your copy before they run out.
December 2009
We hope your holiday season is filled with good spirits (and you know we like spirits), good cheer and good friends. We'll see ya'll in the next decade. If you can't wait that long, come see the band at the Black Swan in Tivoli for New Year's Eve. Ring in the new year right, and everything else should fall into place. Cheers!
October 2009
Other secret ventures are in the works. All will be revealed when the time is right. In the meantime, the band has busied itself with gigs with Luther Wright and the Wrongs, margarita-fueled stints at the Rodeo Bar with the Broken Mariachi Horns, nights by the fire pit back in Bearsville or cooking up a delicious sauce for dinner. Lady Daria has finished up her Pre-War Ponies recording and will unleash her opus on the public in the coming weeks. It's full of great ditties from the old days, with our lovely chanteuse playing uke with Walter, Mike, Tom and Russ too. Catch 'em live if you want an extraordinary experience. With Halloween right around the corner, you should order yourself some booty from the Store and dress up like a Jack Grace fan for the night.
September 2009 On this last day of summer we celebrate successful trips across both the Atlantic Ocean and the East River for our heroes. The band had a mighty fine time the second go 'round at the Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival in Ireland and headlined a great show at the Brooklyn Country Music Festival at Southpaw this past weekend. It's always nice to make new friends then come home and see some familiar faces too. Check out "True Tonight" from the show. Now that fall is nearly here, Jack and the crew are going to lay off the travel for a spell and get some writing done so we can all look forward to some great new tunes when we need 'em the most. That doesn't mean he's just sitting around plucking strings while driving the missus crazy. A double bill kinda deal with Luther Wright and the Wrongs is something you can look forward to, in Manhattan, Tivoli and Troy (and you Canadians, don't worry, they're coming back to you, but y'all have to wait it out til December). Staying close to home, Jack is playing every Friday night in October at the Black Swan in Tivoli, except for the 9th when they perform at the Andes Hotel. They have nice rooms, wi-fi access and an impressive beer list (seriously), so why not check out the band then sleep it off upstairs? You city folk who are allergic to fall colors, head over to the Rodeo Bar on the 22nd to herald the re-releases of two Martini Country classics, I Like It Wrong and Stayin' Out All Night. Have a couple of margaritas and handfuls of peanuts while you're at. You know peanuts are good for you (unless you're allergic to those too). Last but not least, Lady Daria's uke-ing it up on her first Pre-War Ponies CD, due out October 26. Finally!
August 2009
Meanwhile, Jack has caved to the special interest shills that have been heckling him during shows while they hold up signs comparing him to Hitler. Heeding their cries, he has decided to re-release two classics from his catalog, Stayin' Out All Night and I Like It Wrong. Fans in Ireland can get the first second editions. If you missed recent NYC shows and are keeping it local, you'll just have to be patient until September 18 when he and many others perform at the 6th Annual Brooklyn Country Music Festival. It's always a good time, and you Manhattanites can always take a cab out there if you're freaked out by riding the subway over or under the river (but honestly, if you live in that kind of fear, how can you live in New York at all?). Then on September 20, you can ferry over to Governor's Island to hear Martini Country renditions of children's songs at the Shel Silverstein Birthday Celebration. It will still be kid-friendly, in spite of the fact that Jack makes albums called Drinking Songs for Lovers, which, incidentally, will officially be released in 2010. So with all that going on, you should get a tank top from the General Store before they sell out like the jerseys have. You'll never forgive yourself if you wait til it's too late.
July 2009
The Ireland Bluegrass Blog, which keeps tabs on such events, had this to say about our hero:
Sounds about right. If you missed the Kilkenny Rhythm and Roots Festival, you should book your tickets now and make your way to Dunmore. Jack's playing four nights from August 27 - 30th. It's always a good idea to stock up on some merch before you head out to a big festival to show your support and be stylish all at the same time, so visit the store, then Aer Lingus to see if there are any good deals. If you can't make it across the pond, check Gigs for more local dates, including the Brooklyn Country Music Festival on September 18. We'll see you there.
June 2009 
Jack and the gang have a busy summer ahead. Trips to Massachusetts, Block Island and Ireland are planned, along with stops at the Ear Inn, Barbes and the Rodeo Bar as well as a slew of dates in Canada in late July. A trip to the Great White North is a good way to beat the heat, so head on up there and check out a gig north of the border for a change. The band is also spending some quality time on the road with Luther Wright and the Wrongs. You'd think that with all the hustle and bustle in the spring, performing with Junior Brown, making the first journey to Ireland, the Steak reunion benefit concert and a guest spot on WKZE, Jack would take it easy. No chance. Though he'll probably take some time to do some grillin' in the backyard in Bearsville or take off on his motorcycle from time to time, Jack is doing his part for our sagging economy by providing quality entertaiment to those in need. If you're house-bound and can't make it out to one of the gigs, you can at least buy yourself a t-shirt from the General Store and wear it proudly. In a new article from the Wayne Independent, Jack has some sound advice for you youngsters out there thinking of starting a band:
May 2009
Guinness was the official sponsor of the Kilkenny Rhythm and Roots Festival. Jack and crew played to throngs of dancing ladies, bongo-playing hippies and regular folk who just like to have a pint and hear some good music. At five different pubs all over town throughout the Bank Holiday weekend, the crowds were grooving on Jack's witty stage banter, seductive gesturing eyebrows, J-Bird's drum solos, Tom Hanway's pickin', and the scarab tattoos sported by the lovely bass-playing chanteuse, Lady Daria. The group then trekked across the Emerald Isle in search of ring forts and platefuls of sausage and mash, through Tullamore, Sligo and Longford, among others. Fresh on the heels of this latest breakthrough across the pond, Jack performed at Joe's Pub with the Broken Mariachi horns to preview "Drinking Songs for Lovers." Quite a busy month for our crew. What's next? Enjoying the thrills of summer in Bearsville while venturing out for the occasional gig in Massachusettes, Pennsylvania, Canada and finally back to Ireland for the Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival in late August. And take a listen to Sirius Radio's Road Dog Trucking show with Meredith Ochs and Chris T. Jack and Daria will be on the show June 19 for some improvisational fun. And now for the obligatory plug for our merchandise in the General Store. Music, clothing, books -- why not spend your unemployment check right here!
April 2009
We'll miss opening weekend, however, as we jet off to the Emerald Isle for the Kilkenny Rhythm and Roots festival and several other dates in Ireland. Jack performed at Cleere's in Kilkenny last summer, and he's ready for more. He's going to debut Drinking Songs for Lovers to a Guinness loving crowd, and we're sure to have a great time. For those who must remain stateside, check him out at the Ear Inn afterward for some fresh Blarney. Even though it doesn't feel like spring yet, warm weather is just around the corner, so be sure to get yourself a Jack Grace T-shirt from the General Store. You'll think it's summer if you drink enough while you wear it. And don't miss the New York debut of Drinking Songs for Lovers at Joe's Pub on May 16. It will be a very special night, probably with special guests, and maybe drink specials too. You won't know unless you go.
March 2009
We begin with the Kilkenny Rhythm and Roots Festival, May 1st - 4th, where Jack shares the spotlight with acts from across Ireland, the States, Scotland, Sweden and even Greece. Who knew Americana was big in Greece? The gang will also hit Carraig-On-Bannow with full-on Martini Country on May 9, so why not make a week of it? Drink plenty of Guinness too (it tastes great, and it's low on carbs). Then, in August Jack will gear up for his second trip to the Dunmore East Festival. In Dunmore, you can enjoy archery and windsurfing by day and the thrills of drinking songs and drink with the Jack Grace Band at night. They also have something they call orienteering, which sounds like a bad idea if you have a hangover. Nonetheless, you really can't go wrong with this kind of family friendly excursion, so book your tickets now! In case you're curious about how it all went down the last time, you can check out our special Ireland section and see some pics, videos and other stuff OR wander over to Flickr to see some exclusives. Oh yes, Jack's got all that going on now. You can Become a Fan on Facebook or Twitter away the hours in an offhand way and waste even more time inside than ever before. And don't forget about MySpace, where Jack posts some new tunes from time to time and writes some interesting tidbits just for you fans. With spring only weeks away, it might be time to get yourself a new T-shirt at the General Store, so why not spend some cash while you've got it?
January 2009
Come in here, dear friends, and have a cigar. We at Jack Graceland are celebrating this historic week that saw Jack opening for Dale Watson, the Pre-War Ponies at the Rodeo Bar, and Lady Daria's well-timed birthday (imagine getting a new president for YOUR birthday!). Also check Jack out BB Kings in the Gotham Ole Opry, doing his uncanniest Johnny Cash (with Alex Battles as Hank Williams, Jack reminds us:
So, Happy New Year, and while we're at it,, we should remind you that you might want a new t-shirt to wear so why not visit the store and get yourself something nice? Oh, and check out Morning Margaritas. It's to your right. Down. Down. Yes. You've got it... (As this becomes older and older news, expect NOT to see it, sorry).
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Buy Drinking Songs for Lovers, full length CD here! Drinking Songs for Lovers on the Radio... Jack Grace in Ireland: Tour Press & Video Jack Grace Is Contributor for Nationally Syndicated Public Radio Show, The Takeaway. Jack Gets Satirical on the Onion News Network. Surprises, Flotsam and Jetsam in Extras! Jack Grace Quote of the Day: |
Jack returned safely from Austin with plenty of Texas BBQ in his belly, his EP It Was a Really Bad Year (featuring the Broken Mariachi Horns) for sale at the iTunes music store and a great video to boot! Check out "Sugar Bear" live at Music Fog. What a way to end the month!
In order to stave off his February darkness, Jack is heading down to Mexico with the wife (seen here working on her hangover) to enjoy some Morning Margaritas, catch some rays and get caught up on songwriting while his minions plot World Domination. Drinking Songs for Lovers is on its way to radio stations across our fair nation, so in the coming weeks listen for the first single "It Was a Really Bad Year" to take over the airwaves. The full album is set for release in May, and we anticipate a really good year for 2010. 
Jack and the gang are very busy with holiday preparations while gearing up for a very exciting 2010. We look back on this topsy turvy year that saw shameful shenanigans from the media and our elected officials, a pathetic Climate Change conference and lots of name calling. We prefer to concentrate on personal highlights including good times touring with Luther Wright and the Wrongs in Canada, two trips to Ireland, Jack's first reissues, days in the swimming hole and nights by the fire pit and Daria's release of the Pre-War Ponies EP extraordinaire. Next year we hope to repeat many of these activities and look forward to the official release of Drinking Songs for Lovers. 
Jack is holed up at Brand Royal offices in Portland, ME, working on CD art for Drinking Songs for Lovers. Early previews are laugh out loud hilarious, and you're sure to love it when you see it. Truly inspired.
The band is gearing up for a return trip to the Dunmore East Bluegrass Festival on the southeastern coast of Ireland, kicking off August 27th. While the dog days of summer are a little cooler over there, they offer plenty of delights with over a dozen bands playing indoor and outdoor venues in the seaside village their tourism board calls "a bluegrass picker's paradise". Catch Jack on "
Jack is off to Canada once again to bring his special brand of fun to our northern neighbor and keeping out of NYC as much as possible during the sticky summer months. The band will also share some dates with Luther Wright and the Wrongs before heading back to Ireland for the Dunmore East International Bluegrass Festival, naturally sponsored by Guinness.
Still drying out from the journey to Ireland earlier this month. We missed the Derby, alas, but we made some new friends, heard some great music and helped to celebrate the 250th year of Guinness' first brewing of that sweetest of nectars, stout.
Jack and company have just returned from a successful swing through Canada while this Editor stayed home to watch the Kentucky Derby prep races. First, Musket Man had a great run at the Illinois Derby, then I Want Revenge took the Wood Memorial. Last but not least was the Santa Anita (made famous in the Jack Grace tune "Put On Your Shoes Moonshine") with Pioneerof the Nile coming in first. There are some great three-year-olds competing this year, and we're excited to watch the Run for the Roses in Kilkenny, Ireland (crossing fingers one of the pubs has a TV tuned to it). The Kentucky Derby is a very special day in Jack Graceland. Not only are we big fans of playing the ponies at the track whenever possible, but Jack proposed to Lady Daria on that auspicious day some 6 years ago. Mint Julep memories...And remember, Belmont Park opens at the end of this month.
As March rolls in like a lion, Jack and Daria are slipping away to an undisclosed location for a little R&R. Don't worry, they'll be back in action in time for St. Patty's Day, soaking up some good Irish American vibes before heading back to the Emerald Isle for the real deal at the first of two festivals this year. 
