Support Sin City artists

CARLENE CARTER “STRONGER”CD RELEASE SHOW
FRIDAY, APRIL 25th
9pm
THE MINT

Last night she played with Elvis Costello at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville and tomorrow she’s playing for her friends and family in LA ... In a RARE club appearance! This is a show you don’t want to miss from true country rock royalty! She’s got an all star band featuring John McFee, Guy Allison and from what we hear... lots of surprises in the audience!

"I couldn't let a day go by without writing a note about C.C.'s record. It is astounding." - Elvis Costello

“A staggering achievement by one of the great voices and fearless hearts of country rock." - Bernie Taupin

"It may well stand as one of the best albums of this year." - Country Standard Time

RESERVED seating is sold out it’s not to late to get advance tickets but they’re going quick! $20
www.themintla.com

And if that weren’t enough to get you out of the house! For your listening pleasure ...
7:45 - The incomparable TOM FREUND (with new album under his belt produced by BEN HARPER)
10:45 – Come get your heart dirty with TRAVIS HOWARD! Tickets are $10 after 10 pm
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35th Annual TOPANGA DAYS LINE UP ANNOUNCED!

The 35th Annual Topanga Days Country Fair proudly announces their initial artist lineup for the three day event to be held Memorial Day Weekend - May 24 - 26, 2008.

Celebrated for its family friendly atmosphere with an eye on preserving the Earth for generations to enjoy, the country fair organically blends cutting edge musical acts, eclectic side stage attractions and booths peddling great food and award-winning contemporary crafts, all handmade in the U.S. and selected in competition by a jury panel. Situated in an idyllic canyon within the beautiful Santa Monica Mountains, just 6 miles north of Pacific Coast Highway and 6 miles south of Ventura Blvd., Topanga Days is a short journey and welcome respite from the daily grind of life in a sprawling metropolis. The festival has an ethereal way of transporting even the most blackberry/ pinkberry-addicted urbanite to another time and place with great music in a feel-good community environment.

As Topanga Days 2008 celebrates its 35th anniversary, the festival promises to be better than ever. Confirmed musical acts performing on the two stages include Chevy Metal (Foo Fighters’ Taylor Hawkins), Jim Lauderdale & The Dream Players (feat. James Burton & Al Perkins), Jonathan Rice, Shurman, Gary Louris The Living Sisters (feat. Inara George, Eleni Mandell and Becky Stark), Tim Easton and many others. A complete list of confirmed artists follows. Other featured mainstays of the festival include the legendary annual Memorial Day Parade, holistic therapists, environmentally-friendly products from local artists and producers, and the staples of any great fair - distinctive food and cold beer!

LINE UP SORTED BY DAY can be found at www.sincitysocialclub.com

Topanga Days 2008 current list of confirmed artists is as follows:
Outdoor Stage ** in alphabetical order **
Annmarie Solo
Chevy Metal (Foo Fighters’ Taylor Hawkins)
Chris Laterzo & Buffalo Robe
Eliza Jane & The Barnyard Gypsies
Everest
Gary Louris (The Jayhawks)
Jim Lauderdale & The Dream Players (feat. James Burton & Al Perkins)
Johnathan Rice
Jonathan Wilson
Killing Cassanova
Old Bull
Shurman
Spindrift
Studebaker
The Inclined
The Living Sisters (Feat. Inara George, Eleni Mandell and Becky Stark)
Tim Easton
Tom FreundVenice

Indoor Stage:
29 Mules
City Fritter
Humdinger
Jamie Sol Black
Los Duggans
Making Love to Life
Merle Jagger
Psychedelic Cowboys
Sandara Bacal
The Roger Len Smith Band
Train Wreck
Welldiggers Banquet
And more to be added.

Come visit the regal countryside in your own backyard and enjoy the spectacular view and vibe that is Topanga Days. Fun for the entire family!
Memorial Day Weekend May 24 – 26, 2008
Adults $18.00 Kids 6-12 (5 and under free) & Seniors $10.00
Doors open at 10:00am - 1440 N. Topanga Canyon Boulevard, Topanga, CA 90290 For more information please visit http://www.myspace.com/topangadays
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For those that haven’t already heard the sad news... We lost another good one last week. CHRIS GAFFNEY October 3, 1950 –April 17, 2008

Chris Gaffney, a beloved husband, revered entertainer, precious father, dear uncle, trusted friend, cherished brother has succumbed to liver cancer. Chris Gaffney passed away April 17, 2008 in the Orange County hospital in California with his wife Julie at his side. He suffered a fall at home and died in his sleep after being admitted to the hospital.

"Chris Gaffney grew up in Arizona, where he learned to play the accordion as a young child. The instrument would later influence the performer's mix of norteño with country and rock & roll. Gaffney eventually mastered guitar as well and spent his teen years gigging in cover and house bands. In 1977, he formed a partnership with keyboardist Wyman Reese, who also produced Gaffney's initial solo efforts. Road to Indio appeared in 1986; it featured 1950s rock, soul, and dusty Bakersfield honky tonk. Chris Gaffney & the Cold Hard Facts followed in 1990, and delved into Gaffney's Hispanic heritage. His third solo effort, Mi Vida Loca, was issued in 1992. Loser's Paradise appeared in 2003. The album was produced by blue-collar stalwart Dave Alvin and featured contributions from Lucinda Williams and Jim Lauderdale." – Johnny Loftus, AMG.

Gaffney also recorded and toured extensively as a member of Dave Alvin & the Guilty Men. Gaffney & Alvin formed a bond of brotherhood that has been a cornerstone in each of their lives. Gaff's most current project, The Hacienda Brothers is a collaboration between singer and songwriter Gaffney and Dave Gonzalez, best known as the guitarist, singer, and songwriter with the veteran blues-rockabilly combo the Paladins.

"Longtime friends Gaffney and Gonzalez first performed together when they played an informal set for a mutual friend's birthday party in 2002; Gonzalez was impressed with the results, and as he was looking for an outlet for the country-style songs he was unable to perform with the Paladins, he proposed a more formal collaboration. Teaming up with David Berzansky on pedal steel, Hank Maninger on bass, and Dale Daniel on drums, the duo adopted the name the Hacienda Brothers, and set up a base of operations in Tucson, Ariz. Gonzalez, who has a passionate interest in vintage cars, struck up a friendship with fellow gearhead Dan Penn, the legendary producer and songwriter who was a key figure in the Muscle Shoals sound, and he persuaded Penn to produce the debut Hacienda Brothers album, the eponymous Hacienda Brothers. Penn also contributed two songs to the sessions, which appeared on the group's self-titled 2005 release. What's Wrong with Right was released the following year." –Mark Deming, AMG.

A live CD, Music For Ranch & Town, was released unofficially in August of 2007. Their sound, dubbed "Western Soul," culminated in the 2007 nomination for the Americana Music Association Duo/Group of the Year. In January of 2008 The Hacienda Brothers recorded their 4th CD, Arizona Motel, that will be released nationally on June 24th. Plans are in the works for the band to tour in support of the CD in tribute to Chris Gaffney.

Chris Gaffney lived his life as a dedicated musician with little fanfare or ego. The industry recognition that had so long eluded him finally came with sincere praise & genuine respect for the quality of his work in The Hacienda Brothers. His fans worldwide have overwhelmingly shown their loved & appreciation.

The HelpGaff.com <http://www.helpgaff.com> website has raised tens of thousands of dollars before a single benefit show has even been played.

Gaff was universally loved for his quick smile, even temperament, keen observations and dry wit. He will be missed as much for those qualities as for his incomparable talent as a singer, songwriter and musician. And we will surely miss hearing the girls scream, "Gaffney! Gaffney! Gaffney!" Gaff's favorite month of the year? "April, because it always brings hope."–Dianne Scott

There are many benefits and tributes in the works. As we have more details we will share them with our friends.

MANY BLESSINGS TO YOU WHEREVER YOU ARE
Shilah Morrow
Sin City Social Club
LA * Austin * Nashville
7800 Indian Ridge Dr.
Austin, TX 78737
213.840.3865 – mobile
512.215.2748 – land line
For more info. on events & projects please visit:
www.sincitysocialclub.com
www.myspace.com/sincityshilah
www.myspace.com/topangadays
www.ink-n-iron.com
www.jessedayton.com
www.justicerecords.com
www.americanamusic.org

The Sin City Social Club is a renegade collective of musicians, fans, artists and industry executives brought together by shared appreciation of the art and culture that blur the lines between classic, outlaw & alt. country, punk rock, americana and indie singer songwriters. We turn fans around the globe onto the music and art we love thru our Sin City Social Club cd Samplers, live events, In flight audio programming and thru our home away from home on the internet.

** Wherever you are, Sin City is a state of mind! **