Inwood Coffeehouse

Fri, Jan 13, 2006. Doors open 7:30 PM

Tales Of A New American Revival

Chris Chandler

and

David Roe

Chris Chandler
www.chrischandler.org

Born in Georgia, the son of a Baptist minister, Chris Chandler found his own way of spreading "The Word." He takes the pulse of America, and then with equal parts acidic irony and utopian idealism, casts his prognosis to audiences at the rate of up to 250 shows per year. Part preacher, poet, huckster, wandering minstrel and medicine show sideman, Chandler casts a spell over an audience performing on two Lollapolooza Tours. He has recorded collaborations with Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary, The Austin Lounge Lizards, Dar Williams and many others. He has worked with Alan Ginsberg, Ani DiFranco, Pete Seeger and Mojo Nixon.

With a slight southern drawl, he conjures the profane with the profound. The historical past is mingled with the hysterical present. A gritty Americana blends with a grand oratorical style.

"He is the best performance poet I have ever seen." -- Utah Philips

David Roe has logged millions of touring miles. DR, as he is known from Singapore to Cape Cod, has played in Rock, Country, Blues, Wedding, Ethnic, Folk, Jazz and Whatever bands that could sustain a musician who really just wanted to play the joyous songs from the American South; Ragtime from the Carolina Piedmont, Memphis Jug Band, Delta Blues and Traditional Jazz from the Big Easy.

In the mid 70’s he arrived in New Orleans and began fronting The Halfway to Nowhere Band, formed at the corner of St. Peter and Royal in the French Quarter and forged in an apartment above Tipitinas. The 80’s found DR crisscrossing the country with Renaissance Faires and Irish traditional rock bands, Celtic Stone and Napper Tandy. In the 90’s you could hear him fronting The Royal Rounders traditional jazz band on Royal Street and Jackson Square, and at clubs, music festivals bars and coffeehouses in New Orleans and around the world. DR was the bandleader for The Rounders, a super group of former Fats Domino, Dr. John and Earl King sidemen and elder statesmen of New Orleans R&B. DR has written songs, and acted as music director for The Hanlon-Lees ActionTheater, Renaissance Faires, conventions, recordings, Industrials. With Patti McKenny he wrote songs and sketches for three seasons of Garrison Keillor’s Prairie Home Companion.

David "DR" Roe
www.royalrounders.com