Welcome to Black Potatoe

A New Jersey native, organist John Ginty has toured and recorded with artists such as JEWEL, SANTANA, MATTHEW SWEET, SHERYL CROW, RYAN ADAMS, BAD RELIGION, and was an original member of ROBERT RANDOLPH and the FAMILY BAND, in which John received two Grammy Nominations, as well as a Gospel Music Award for Urban Album of the year, 2003. In that same year, John also appeared on the Blind Boys of Alabama's Grammy Award winner "Higher Ground". His discography spans over a decade, and demonstrates his eclectic influences and unique sounds on the keys.

John has spent most of the last four years touring with CITIZEN COPE, in support of "the Clarence Greenwood Recordings", and "Every Waking Moment", two amazing records, where John not only played the piano and organ parts, but also did the string section arrangements. Cope and band plan to record and tour through the summer of '08.

This year, John is proud to bring to the Black Potatoe Festival the JOHN GINTY HIP HOP TRIO! Featuring multi instrumentalist KIM WILLIAMS, and longtime Ginty collaborator MIKE BUCKMAN, the trio uses hip hop loops and samples all created in the studio as the foundation for improvisation. Instruments played during the show are piano, flute, guitar, melodica, violin, vibraphone, synths, and of course, features John on Hammond B3 organ.

" I wanted to do something really different, something hypnotic, where I'm free to experiment and improvise, but where the groove never really let's up. I wanted to make something you could dance to for over an hour without stopping... just kick the shoes off, and let go. I promise you this, it will be something you've never seen from me before, and something entirely unique for the Black Potatoe festival."

Christine Havrilla's latest album, "In My Chair," demonstrates her ever-evolving musicianship. In a very personal and solo endeavor, Christine sings and plays all instruments in her most ambitious effort to date. Writing and producing "In My Chair" from her home studio, listeners hear raw authenticity as Christine’s gritty vocals and overall musicality breathe life into fifteen engaging songs. Christine’s strength on guitar is ever-present. She delivers “In My Chair” in the unabashed style which has garnered her critical praise.

With special guests including the Harlem Renaissance Choir. A special evening tribute to our friend and Gospel singer Lawrence Davis.

A lively folk pop duo from Australia. Currently touring the USA, Canada and Australia. Latest US album release 'Under A Different Sky' featured in the Top 40 of the US Folk and Roots Charts, reaching a respectible '15'. If you like The Waifs, Bluehouse, Fruit or Paul Kelly... you'll love the down-to-earth humour, soaring harmonies and catchy songs of women

Frontman Billy Hector has twice received the Best Guitarist Award from music critic Bob Makin of the East Coast Rocker who states, "Billy plays with guts and displays some of the best chops you'll see anywhere."

Last September, Billy and his band shared billing with Bonnie Raitt at The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's "Tribute to Muddy Waters". Raitt afterwards said the beauty of Hector's sound brought tears to her eyes. Billy recently took home 3 Asbury Park Music Awards for "Best Guitarist", "Best Blues Band" and the "Living Legend Award".

Billy is truly a New Jersey treasure and we are happy to have him returning for a second trip to The Black Potatoe Music Festival.

2006 Memphis Blues Challenge Finalist, Berkshire-based, Robin O¹Herin plays
both original and traditional American music using bottleneck and
fingerstyle. Her music is distinguished by her pounding rhythm and authentic
style. Robin specializes in historically rich, often interactive concerts
that include original and traditional American music. Her concerts are warm,
affirming experiences she shares with the audience.

"I closed my eyes and thought I was in the Mississippi Delta" -fan at recent
concert

The Organiks are a new collaboration between four well established and very talented musicians who have played with many of the legends of blues and rock music, and who are bandleaders in their own right!


"Bruce Katz is as good as it gets. One of the greatest keyboard artists I've ever heard!"
- John Hammond

"Jay Collins has killer tone! Anybody who's into a good smokin' tenor sax - ya'll in for a treat!"
- Gregg Allman (Allman Brothers Band)

"Guitarist Chris Vitarello is impeccable"
- Tom Hyslop, Blues Revue

"... without a doubt, Randy Ciarlante is a great singer!"
- Rick Danko, The Band

So, the more I surf the Myspace music pages, the more I see that this bio thing is necessary. Everyone's got a little something to say about themselves, only a few pioneers let the music speak solely for itself. And although I like to deem myself worthy of pioneer status at times, I'm not one who likes to be left out of things; i'm the baby of the family. So... my biography begins and ends in New York, Manhattan if we're being specific. And it consists of music, lot's of music, music from every angle of my life. Listening to my father play Chopin while I watched cartoons, or my Memom play Rhapsody in Blue while I lay on her fuzzy green rug. Hearing my mother make up a 7th harmony while singing along to Take6. Checking my sisters' tower of CD's for the next best thing and stealing They Might Be Giants "Flood" or anything by the Pixies or Tribe Called Quest. Then I picked up the Guitar...my outlet for the ecstacies of life. And thus far it's been a pretty illuminating life, full of highs and deep with lows; but the music always emparts it's justice on everything I think I already know about, leaving me with countless 3-5 minute windows into the life of yours truly, and fingers that are all cut up and somtimes bleed, if it's been a long hard jam

Singer/Songwriter Avi Wisnia combines the classic sounds of the Brazilian Bossa Nova with pangs of soul, folk, jazz and pop to create a unique sound that is at once engagingly familiar and refreshingly new. With a versatile repertoire of well-crafted original songs, Wisnia and his talented ensemble take the Brazilian influence and make it explode in a million different directions. A wordsmith as well, Wisnia's clever lyrics pay a knowing nod to his contemporaries and offer a fresh perspective on issues facing his generation.

The Billy Bauer Band is a Bethlehem, Pennsylvania based acoustic rock group that leaves crowds feeling energized. Available either acoustic or full band, their crisp sound and engaging melodies offer a great listening experience to music fans of all ages.

In just 2 years, the band has landed spots at some of the most prestigious independent music festivals on the East Coast, including the 2006 CMJ Music Marathon (New York City), Dewey Beach Popfest 07 (Dewey Beach, Delaware), Dewey Beach Americana Fest '07, 2006 FMFB Festival (New York City), Black Potato Festival 07 (Clinton, NJ), and the 2006 Original Sessions National Band Search (New York City).

The Atlanta Café Band is an eclectic mix of musicians from diverse backgrounds and musical tastes. Our varied roots are reflected in the music that we play . The Atlanta Cafe Band plays distinctive interpretations of everything from Blues to jazz inspired jams with plenty of boogie thrown in. Our original music is a spicy jambalaya of Delta and Chicago blues mixed with country rock and some incredible jamming! Bob Vnencak on Drums,Congas,and any other Percussionn ,Wallace Wrede on Bass,Vocals and Guitar , Charlie Ohlweiler on Vocals Guitars,harmonicas , Dangerous Dave Emmons on Guitar,and Mandolin .. With our Swamp style traditional music as an added flavor,we can reflect with family members about Great musicians and Family members that have passed on,or those who we believe hold certain Mojo for us individually..... Its a plain and simple Philosophy....Family and Friends Matter... The musical community that we are all involved in,from the tiniest of garage bands,to the biggest headliners....This is a community where all should be welcome !!!

A B O U T DC
I've been playing and studying music most of my life. I grew up listening to family playing in concert bands and living rooms. As a young man I played lead guitar in a jam bands, studied jazz performance, and played hundreds gigs.

For the past ten years I have had the opportunity to play American roots music, bluegrass and old-time with a variety of seasoned pickers and enthusiasts from clubs, to camp sites.

I love playing and frequenting festivals, clubs, and coffee shops! - DC

Since the early nineties, Loretta Hagen has been writing, recording and performing music that has earned rave reviews for her rich vocals and gifted songwriting. Her latest CD, Something More, recorded in Nashville and co- produced by Pat McInerney (Nanci Griffith), is filled with poignant lyrics that are accompanied by heart tugging melodies. Her songs about life, family, love, hopes, dreams, even one about her beloved dogs, makes this CD something that everyone can relate to.

With a voice as smooth as chocolate mousse, songs that burrow into the hearts of her listeners, and a live performance that’s as real and personable as the artist herself, Loretta Hagen is sure to capture you from show start to finish and beyond.

"Singer/songwriter Jessica Koppinger, whose recently released album, “When the Monster Comes Out,” has been getting airtime on several radio stations. Koppinger, a Blairstown resident, describes her music as “raw and real” and who wants her music to reach audiences “who really appreciate the art of music.” At an early age, the 23-year old says, she was captivated by female artists such as Jewel, Fiona Apple and Tracy Chapman, igniting her interest in performing live and recording. “My ambition in life is solely based on bringing people together through music,” said Koppinger." -Dan Hirschberg.