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SSS NEWS:
Yes, it's true, we are taking a break this summer and we are all looking forward to that, but do not fear, we have booked some shows already for January of 09'. So the bands not done or anything like that, we’re just taking a rest to do other things for a while. We really appreciate all the support and well wishes from folks for our upcoming time off. You can keep track of our schedule on the SSS website for 2009 dates or visit us on myspace at www.myspace.com/sweetsunnysouth
SSS will be playing our last sets of 08' down at the Durango Bluegrass Meltdown. We are so happy to be at the Meltdown once again--all of our sets will happen on Saturday march 12th including a dance at the Elks Club Saturday night. We'd love to see you down there. The Meltdown is one of Colorado's premier festivals. This years stellar line up includes Grammy winner Jim Lauderdale, the Infamous Stringdusters and the young and hot Spring Creek Bluegrass Band. Hope to see you there!
Our final spring shows before our break have been great fun. Both the Eckert Crane Days and the concert at the Paradise Theater were sell outs. It felt great to get out and play after a long winter off and we have been very happy with the responses we've received. We want to send a special thanks to The Surface Creek Winery and Paul Hardwick and his Grand Mesa Distillery for putting on the Crane Days show. We’d also like to thank our fine sponsors for the Paradise Show…. Paonia Farm and Home, Sundragon Services Plumbing and Heating, Dependable Lumber, Paonia State Bank, Revolution Brewing and Tuin Glass. With their help and many others our last sets in Paonia this year were a huge success. Thanks everybody!
As for the members of the band…
Rob has been keeping busy booking a bunch of great bands including Spring Creek Bluegrass Band and The Billy Pilgrims. He and his wife Rebecca, have also been promoting some great concerts here in Paonia including The Wilders, Steepcanyon Rangers and Mollie O’Brien & Rich Moore. Right now they're making the final arrangements for a free concert series on the new stage in the Paonia Town Park in August. You can get all the details by visiting the website at www.pickinproductions.com
Bill has been playing solo here and there as well as working on a "Honey Don't" recording with Shelley. This winter, he teamed up with Russ Chapman and the Delta County Public Library for some performances of songs inspired by the book "To Kill a Mockingbird" as part of "The Big Read" in Delta County. He’s also been teaching guitar and mandolin to kids and is currently up to 22 lucky students. He’s making plans for a solo project and gearing up to record with some of Colorado’s finest musicians. For more info and a schedule of shows visit www.myspace.com/billpowerssongs
Shelley has spent the winter substitute teaching and tutoring kids in reading. After a crash landing on New Years Day where the neck of her bass broke off, the old Kaye is back and in better shape than ever thanks to Robert Ross. She’s been playing music with Bill and was recently invited to take part in the second annual "More Pretty Girls Than One" concert at the Planet Bluegrass Wildflower Tent on May 2nd.
Cory has spent the winter working in a high-end cabinet shop where he gets afternoon breaks for bike rides with the boss. He’s been playing music with his wife, Andrea and enjoying some down time from traveling.
We look forward to seeing you in 2009!
 New Reviews
Bluegrass Unlimited
December 2007 Issue
By Les McIntyre
Since they were first reviewed in these pages a few years ago
(BU, Jan. '05), Colorado's Sweet Sunny South has enjoyed several notable milestones including showcasing at both IBMA and The Folk Alliance. Attempting to neatly pigeonhole this band into one musical genre is nearly impossible, because of their diverse musical style and incredible variety of material. "Showtime" is their latest production featuring a dozen performances blending both original and familiar material. Bill Powers (mandolin and banjo) and Rob Miller (guitar) are the band's prolific composers contributing the bulk of the original numbers. One particular track, "Farm & Home Jingle" features pedal steel guitar, but except for that one departure, the proceedings are completely acoustic. Some of the more notable performances include the title song, "Pretty When She's Sleeping," "Cowboy Stomp," and "Two Shot Glasses." The tune "Two Dolla Pistols" is a fusion of bluegrass, old-time, and rock'n'roll styles and best typifies the music of Sweet Sunny South. "Showtime" is new old-time music at its finest and a total delight from every aspect.
Dirty Linen
Feb/March 2008 Issue
By Dan Willging
Through the course of four albums now, Sweet Sunny South still proves to be one of bluegrass’ most unusual ensembles. It’s not hardcore bluegrass, which works in its favor and is the most refreshing thing about it. The band’s collective musical personality is really an amalgamation of sorts: bluegrass/Americana originals, old-time instrumental dance tunes, and even a touch of Cajun. Mandolinist/banjoist Bill Powers wrote the lion’s share of tunes, ranging from the subtly charming “I’m Satisfied” to grooving “Two Dolla Pistols” to what pre-show prep is like through the eyes of every member in “Showtime”. He’s quite a distinctive vocalist, worthy instrumentalist, and songwriter, but this is not a case of Bill Powers the hotdog star and his friends. Rather, it’s the band’s most balanced, collaborative affair yet. Guitarist Rob Miller tosses in two of his own, including one about his Scotch-sipping grandfather titled “Two Shot Glasses” that’s delivered with a vintage country swagger. Fiddler Cory Obert manages to recall some of the haunting attributes of Canray Fontenot’s “Les Barres de la Prison” that are interestingly melded into a bluegrass backdrop. Additionally, bassist Shelley Gray has a dreamy quality about her slow crooning “Empty Blues”. Though the last song about a local business was originally a commercial radio jingle, the tune’s tail-end portion really captures the flavor of a small town with all its friendly chatter.
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