For more than 30 years, Jerry Joseph has been strapping on a guitar and chasing down truth, understanding and soul with tenacity and resonant skill. Joseph is the archetypal musician’s musician - something that’s resoundingly clear on his sweeping new double album Happy Book, to be released March 20, 2012 on Response Records. 

Captured with muscle and blood by Joseph’s longtime trio The Jackmormons, Happy Book presents Jerry Joseph & The Jackmormons at their most diverse and confident; it’s a record with a wide swing that dexterously moves from whisper closeness to Technicolor expansiveness. Produced by Joseph’s former Little Women band mate Gregg Williams (Dandy Warhols, Blitzen Trapper), Happy Book is an emotional and sonic wallop fueled by the tightest, tastiest playing the Jackmormons have ever captured in the studio. “After 17 years, this album brings together a lot of things I’ve always wanted on a record,” explains Joseph.  “This sounds like a band that’s been together 17 years and has evolved along the way.”

Look for Joseph and his band to tour this spring in support of the album’s release.  jerryjoseph.com

Cloud 9 Adventures – the team behind music travel experiences Jam Cruise, Holy Ship!, Mayan Holidaze and Panic en la Playa – gives back to the communities they visit via their non-profit organization Positive Legacy. For Jam Cruise’s recent 10^th sailing, the MSC Poesia visited port Haiti where Positive Legacy partnered with various organizations on humanitarian and environmental outreach projects to benefit the specific needs of the local communities.  The good work of Positive Legacy enabled Jam Cruise 10 to donate 12,200+ pairs of shows, 2,000 pairs of new socks to Haitian communities as well as seeding 6,000 citrus trees to help build the growing nursery in Limonade, Haiti.  

Positive Legacy is also providing $9,000 to Haiti Village Health to improve sanitary conditions at their clinic, which up until now has been providing primary care services to 25,000 people without any running water. Construction of a well and septic system is currently under way, and the funding from Positive Legacy will provide for bathrooms with plumbing to sinks and toilets, and a new roof on the clinic.  For more information on Positive Legacy's work, check out www.positivelegacy.com.  

Electric Forest - returning June 28 - July 1 to one of the country’s most beloved music festival sites, the Double JJ Ranch in Rothbury, Michigan - today announces its Loyalty Ticket on-sale.  As a Thank You to returning fans, a limited number of discounted Electric Forest Loyalty Tickets priced at $189 are available for purchase now, only through email (ticket purchasing codes were sent directly to last year’s buyers).  The Electric Forest Loyalty Ticket offer is available until 5pm EST on Monday, January 30, or until supplies last. 

On Monday, January 30 at 12pm EST the general on sale beginning with Early Bird Tickets priced at $209 will become available. Lineup Announcement coming soon so stay tuned.... hope to see you there! www.electricforestfestival.com.

With only 8 weeks to go before the 16^th Annual Suwannee Springfest kicks off at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, FL, today festival promoters announce another round of artist additions.  Springfest is pleased to welcome to the lineup San Francisco rockers Tea Leaf Green, as well as Packway Handle Band, Bobby Miller & The Virginia Daredevils, Grant Peeples, Sanctum Sully, Red June, Taylor Martin’s Engine, Tennessee Firearms, Short Straw Pickers and Uproot Hootenanny.  They join Yonder Mountain String Band, Donna the Buffalo, Justin Townes Earle, Emmitt-Nershi Band, Hot Buttered Rum, Greensky Bluegrass and more than 30 other artists. Additionally, Springfest is proud to host two very special sets with Tony Rice, who will sit in with Larry Keel & Natural Bridge and also with Infamous Stringdusters.  Full lineup details and ticket information (on sale now!) are available on the newly re-launched website, www.suwanneespringfest.com.  Be there!