Ragin' Randy Entertainment

Leftover Salmon Announces Boogie At The Broadmoor 2019

Leftover Salmon’s Boogie At The Broadmoor March 22-24, 2019

Leftover Salmon with Special Guests The High Country Horns Featuring: Jennifer Hartswick, Natalie Cressman, and Skerik

Full Line And More Up To Be Announced Soon!

After four great years at the Stanley Hotel, Leftover Salmon is graduating to the next level and are thrilled to bring you Leftover Salmon’s Boogie At The Broadmoor!

Please…

Marcus Rezak To Release First Studio Album

MARCUS REZAK TO RELEASE FIRST STUDIO ALBUM GATEWAY TO THE GALAXY ON NOVEMBER 9TH

Genre-defying guitarist, Marcus Rezak, will release his highly anticipated debut solo album Gateway to the Galaxy on November 9, 2018. This genre-fluid collection of songs features: Arthur Barrow (Zappa) on Bass, Kris Myers (Umphrey’s McGee) on drums, Joel Cummins (Umphrey’s McGee) on keyboards and legendary…

Carolina Chimes: Rudi Ekstein’s All Original Bluegrass Instrumental Showcase

Carolina Chimes: Rudi Ekstein’s All Original Bluegrass Instrumental Showcase OUT NOW: Released October 5, 2018 on Foxfire Recording Available Now On All Outlets→ http://smarturl.it/2pryj6

Rudi Eksteinhas been in the music business for many years as a performer, producer, and studio owner. Now, on his album Carolina Chimes: Rudi Ekstein’s All Original Bluegrass Instrumental Showcase, released…

In June of 2015, my wife and I moved halfway across the country to Baltimore, MD. There I began a partnership with Heady Entertainment, helping them promote live music events in the Mid-Atlantic. On September 8, 2015, I received a random Facebook friend request from someone I had never met before. He sent me a message asking if I was working with Heady Entertainment. He had seen my posts and said he knew Dave and John, Heady’s founders. He said he was a member of a band called The Strange Heat, and they wanted to work with Heady. Little did I know this would begin a three-year partnership that I will never forget as long as I live.

Turk was a uniquely talented musician, but more than that, he was a rare human being. He was uncommonly kind and selfless, and he strove to lift up everyone around him. His presence invoked smiles and laughter from everyone within earshot, while his own smile and laughter were infectious and unmistakable. Turk was a father, a son, a partner, a friend, a teacher, a businessman, a mentor, and a brother to all. He treated every single person he met like family unless they gave him a reason not to. Throughout his life, Turk experienced success and failure, life and loss, love and pain. He accepted every experience in life as a necessary truth and turned them into fuel for his own personal growth, and his personal growth always translated into the benefit of those around him.

Right about the time The Strange Heat was transforming into Suga Grits, I was going through a rough phase in my business. I simply could not afford to do booking work on a percentage basis, and so I dropped all of the bands I was working with. Turk, however, would not accept my resignation. He said, “Tell me what you need to stay on with us, and we’ll make it happen.” I was a bit hesitant at first, but he talked me into it. The 18 months or so that followed have been some of the most memorable of my life. We had Suga Grits running like a machine, and Turk and I talked literally every single day; sometimes business, sometimes fun. As a bandleader, Turk asked for nothing more from his members than the drive to grow and improve. He was a straight shooter. He would be the first to tell them if they were sounding crappy, but he would also be the first to tell them if they were sounding great. He did not demand perfection, but he constantly strove for it. As a business partner, he respected my opinion but was never afraid to stand up for his own if he felt strongly enough.

Simply put, Turk was one of the good ones. He was truly one-of-a-kind, and his light will shine on through all of the people he touched throughout his life. Thank you Turk, from the bottom of my heart, for allowing me to be a part of your life. I know I speak for many people when I say that you will be sorely missed. Please continue to watch over us from above as each of us strives to become whatever it was that you saw in us. Rest easy my brother.

Oregon Ridge Park, Cockeysville, MD

August 18, 2018

Another Hot August Music Festival in the books! What a great time as always! Omari Banks kicked off a beautiful day with some reggae vibes, followed by some shredding bluegrass from the Dirty Grass Players. Cris Jacobs blew the roof off of the Main Stage, while the Hall Williams Band rocked the Back To The Farm Stage. Whiskey Shivers was my surprise set of the day. Those Texas boys really know how to bring out the crazy in people! The Marcus King Band brought the heat to the Main Stage, while my second surprise set of the day, Selwyn Birchwood, destroyed the Back To The Farm Stage with a journey through the blues. Psycho Killers truly stole the show as they jammed out Talking Heads tunes to the most ecstatic audience of the day. Trampled By Turtles took over the sunset slot on the Main Stage, while Nikki Hill headlined the Back To The Farm Stage. Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe brought some serious funk to close down the Professional Vision Stage, and The Revivalists brought an epic show to close out the Main Stage and the night.

Once again, Hot August has provided a family friendly atmosphere with great music and great people. The staff was excellent; friendly, enthusiastic and efficient. I guess after 26 years, these guys have it down to a science. Thanks so much to everyone who made it one of the best days of the year in music. Check out my photos from the 26th annual Hot August Music Festival below!

All Rights Reserved © Photos by “Ragin'” Randy Harris

Opposite Box Continues Its Rock & Roll Domination

OPPOSITE BOX TAKES ON THE SOUTHEAST! Tennessee-based jazz-rock band gears up for late Summer tour dates

Opposite Box, the genre bending quartet from Chattanooga, TN, is gearing up for a trek across the Southeast that will see the band landing at two highly lauded music and arts festivals, as well as some of the most notable venues in the country.  Along the way, OB will also host two of…