American's Old West was tamed by rugged visionaries who crossed the fruited plains in covered wagons, carrying with them everything they owned, and rolling away in search of new horizons. These pioneers - fiercely independent and wildly creative - carved out a lifestyle still evident in American today...
....in our nations' trailer parks.
As our vast melting pot of a country evolved, so did the covered wagon. Large wagon wheels and stretched animal skins gave way to steel belted tires and aluminum siding. Many of these mobile homes eventually rolled up to their desired horizons, and communities developed, dotting the landscape. Families grew out of these communities. Until today, million of Americans count themselves amoung a proud and select group known as trailer park dwellers.
One of these proud Americans is songwriter and humorist Antsy McClain. Growing up in a small Kentucky trailer park called Pine View Heights, McClain had what he calls "a memorable and idyllic childhood," filled with colorful characters and extraordinary events. Life in Pine View Heights has given McClain a wealth of experience from which to draw - and write. Penning the lyrics and msic to seven Trailer Park Troubadour albums, as well as hi own, critically-acclaimed solo record, "Time-Sweetened Lies," McClain is fast becoming one of the most respected songwriters in Americana/Roots music today.
McClain grew up hearing all styles of music in Pine View Heights. Antsy (whose given name was Ronnie Joe - the nickname "Antsy" being pronounced upon him by a junior high school couch) devoured every kind of music he could find. He listened to everything from Bill Monroe to Aretha Franklin, from Steely Dan to George Jones, until eventually, he was more confused than most of his peers, who listened strictly to 70's commercial pop radio. This confusion formed the basis for his songwriting, and explains the almost schizophrenic nature of his recording projects. Late nights listening to diverse radio programs like The Grand Ol' Opry and Dr. Demento further cemented his unique outlook toward music and entertainment.
Anty's 5-piece band, The Trailer Park Troubadours are a skilled assortment of musicians who play in the rootsy, rock and roll tradition of their hard-working, blue collar forefathers. McClain calls the music "folkabilly," and their live shows are a unique, critically-acclaimed mix of masterful musicianship and self-deprecating humor for all ages. The Troubs, as they are called by fans, are committed to taking their unique blend of music around the globe, showing up wherever they're invited - and then some.
Their live shows are a unique critically acclaimed mix of masterful musicianship and self-deprecating humor for all ages.
Check out their video "Skinny Women Ain't Hip" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDtBjA-8AmA
American Association of University Women Benicia/Vallejo Branch in assocation with Red Dragonflly Productions presents
Antsy McClain & The Trailer Park Troubadours
in a benefit for AAUW's Tech Trek Scholarship Program
Saturday, March 31, 2007
8 pm
The Majestic Theatre
710 First Street
Benicia, CA 94510
$24 General Admission
Purchase tickets online at http://www.RedDragonflyProductions.com
Call 707.771.0140 for information
What is Tech Trek?
Tech Trek is a math and science summer camp designed to encourage young women going into the 8th grade to continue their interest in science and math. The camp features hands-on activities in core subjects in math, science and technology during the day and evening programs in fields such as astronomy, engineering, marine biology and environmental biology.
Camps are held at various locations throughout California. Campers are chosed by their local AAUW branch to attend the camp nearest them. Tech Trek has been held since 1998 and the campers from the local Benicia/Vallejo Branch of AAUW attend camp at Mills College in Oakland.
The American Association of University Women Benicia/Vallejo Branch has made a commitment ot end the maximum allowable number of campers for a local branch. The local Benicia/Vallejo branch will coordinate the selection of campers and will pay each camper's fee for room, board, and most educational materials.
What is AAUW?
AAUW has a rich history of working for the advancement of all women and girls. Founded in 1881 by 17 university alumanae, the organization has grown to represent over 100,000 college graduates across the United States. AAUW-California has 170 branches and a total membership of over 20,000 individuals.
The AAUW Educational Foundation provides funds to advance education, research and self development for women and to foster equity and positive societal change. The Foundation's Eleanor Roosevelt Fund provides cutting edge research in gender equity. Original funding for Tech Trek was provided by the Education Foundation.
Reviews of Antsy McClain and The Trailer Park Troubadours
"Antsy McClain is a hard-country troubadour with some connections. Tommy Emmanuel plays on several tracks and Lindsey Buckingham sings harmony on Time-Sweetened Lies. Creative, rootsy, and wonderful. If you like it served 100 proof, step right up." --Robert K Oermann, Music Row News, Nashville
"Antsy McClain raises the standard of trailer park culture, seeing the lifestyle as an extension of America's pioneer spirit as we conquered the Old West. His band, the Trailer Park Troubadours, takes this legacy and puts it to song, calling it folkabilly and keeping their roots solidly in rock and roll." --Aril Helmer, The Express Times, Easton, PA
"With musical influences ranging from Woodie Guthrie to Waylon Jennings to Van Halen to Cake, one can't help but be intrigued by their lively, colorful songs of life in American's most forgetten neighborhood -the trailer park. With song titles like 'It Ain't Home Til You Take the Wheels Off,' and 'She Too the Mobile Outta Mobile Home,' the band will sing about the pleasures and heartaches of American trailer park life." --The Desert Advocate, Phoenix, AZ
"Antsy McClain and The Trailer Park Troubadours combine the dueling, rustic guitars of Americana/rock with clever ballads and anthems dedicated to the values of American's simplest aspirations. A master of imagery, McClain encircles you with Pintos, mosquito bites, corn dogs smothered in Velveeta, flamingo lawn ornaments, and small town carnivals, leaving you little time to switch from recklessly doing the twist to crying in your beer." --Amanda Martinez, Good Times Weekly, Santa Cruz
"The band played a James Brown-style introduction for the men behind the madness, and when they strutted on stage from the back hallway of the Little Fox Theater it was either the immediate kazoo solo or their clothes - a menagerie of plaid and polka dots --that let you know you were in for something different." --Leah Barvels, San Mateo Daily Journal
"These self-proclaimed 'sons of hitches' are bona fide musicians, songwriters and performers. If you're not singing along by the time the reprise of 'It Ain't Home' rolls around, you'd better check your fun-o-meter." --Tucson Citizen
"Besides pulling audience members up on stage to dance, lead singer Antsy McClain spent a good portion of the show in the aisles working the crowd. With his impromptu comedian-with-guitar persona, Antsy put on a performance that seemed more like he was entertaining among his pals inside one giant trailer." --The Metro Active, Santa Cruz, CA
"When I first looked into the Trailer Park Troubadours, I was prepared for them to be funny. What I wasn't prepared for was these guys are flat-out GREAT. Their humor is obvious. When they sing songs like 'My Baby Whistles When She Walks' (it's not what you think) it's a scream. But then, a few songs in, you hear something as poignant and rich as "primer Grey Impala,' and you kinda sit up and tak Tips: Find Street Fashion Online(may be you can find what you want on the oasap.com) e notice. These guys can reallly, REALLY, play and sing." --Take County Back, http://www.takecountryback.com
"Expect to be entertained...You'll get what you came for." --Bluegrass Magazine
"Antsy McClaiin is a storyteller of the highest degree. Every song is a vivid portrait of Americana, painted with poetry so effortless and clever, you'll find yourself being pulled along happily into the world of The Trailer Park Troubadours." --James Dellasandro, Screenwriter and author
"The Trailer Park Troubadours are hysterically funny, fast-paced and fresh." --West Side Theatre, Newman, CA
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