Don’t miss Crossland; Pig releases CD

Wednesday, March 05, 2008

By Aaron Davis

Jackson Hole, Wyo.-Of all the national, regional and local acts that return to a Jackson stage year after year, there are few that I would make a point to go see every time - Jalan Crossland is one of them. In a blue-collar, John Hartford,  van-down-by-the-river country-pickin’ sort of way, Crossland’s down-home style makes you wonder what’s in the water around his neck of the woods - and where you can get some.

His roots are planted in Ten Sleep, Wyo., but he spends a good deal of time on the road playing both solo and with his five-piece band. He’s been playing Jackson for more than a decade now, landing his first gig at Dornan’s and regularly performing as a soloist and with Steam Powered Airplane in the Silver Dollar Bar.

The National Fingerstyle Champion and Wyoming Flatpick Champion is more than just a flutter of virtuosic guitar and banjo melodies - he’s a showman and a dedicated songwriter. Crossland’s 2007 release “Trailer Park Fire & Other Tragedies,” (Boom Chicken Rekkerds) is an album full of good laughs, memorable melodies and a sure sign of a songwriter in his prime.

“I’ve been writing a ton this year, but it goes in cycles,” Crossland said. “It takes discipline. I don’t really practice, but I do try to spend a few hours everyday on songwriting.”

Crossland spent last November touring (for the second time) as an opener for alt-country great Robert Earl Keen. Mix that in with a sit-in performance with Darrell Scott and John Cowan, and it is easy to realize why some of the industry greats are taking notice.

Jalan Crossland Band will perform at 7 p.m. tonight in the Center for the Arts Theatre. All tickets are $15. Contact the Center at 734-8956 or www.jhcenterforthearts.org.

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There’s a big ol’ hunk of swine that’s been frequenting area watering holes for the last two years, gaining a rowdy momentum in the local music scene. One Ton Pig is Jackson’s own prison-pickin’, boot-stompin’, train beatin’ band that has carved out a successful residency on Tuesdays at the Silver Dollar Bar - and they’re prepared to celebrate their debut release, “High on the Hog.”

The quintet is comprised of vocalist-guitarist Michael Batdorf, vocalist-guitarist Justin Smith, bassist Andy Calder, drummer Jason Baggett, and the newest member, mandolin player Tim Farris, who joined the group early this winter. Fronting a backdrop of choice cover tunes from Hank Williams III, Johnny Cash, Townes Van Zandt, and the Rolling Stones, they have a solid repertoire of genuine and lighthearted songwriting from Batdorf and Smith.

“High on the Hog” was tracked live on December 22, 2007 in the Trap Bar at Grand Targhee Resort and features twelve original tracks.

One Ton Pig will host a CD Release Party 7:30-11 p.m. on Tuesday at the Silver Dollar Bar. There’s never a cover, so drop by. Discs will be available at the show for $10, and also on cdbaby.com and through www.myspace.com/onetonpig. Call 733-2190 for info.

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A search of www.Jambase.com revealed that The Neville Brothers (June 10), The Del McCoury Band (June 22), George Winston (July 28), and Leo Kottke (October 18) are scheduled to perform at the Center for the Arts.  Go to www.jhcenterforthearts.org for details.
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Don’t miss Crossland; Pig releases CD | Planet JH News Article: Music Box

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