Joshua Panda and The Great Busking Tour
Eclectic contemporary folk singer Joshua Panda has come up with an innovative approach to touring the country in support of his newly released self titled CD.
The tour which began in July and extends through the fall has the singer spending several days in a city and mixing busking stops in with the concerts. Panda told one interviewer that the busking, which he has been doing for about three years, is a way for him to reach the grassroots. It gives people who don't know the band a sense of what their music is like and helps to develop an audience.
Some of these performances are streamed life on his website and to keep with the busking theme viewers are encouraged to make donations to a "Virtual Guitar Case."
His new album is a mix of styles, everything from Americana and gospel to folk rock and Cajun. Highlights include a dynamic "Masquerade" which opens the album with a wailing hook reminiscent of Bob Dylan at his best, a true country lament in "Are You Hurting at All," and a rocking "I-77." The album ends with a dynamite cover of Tom Waits' "Come on Up to the House."
Band members include accordionist Pete Weiss, Lowell Thomson on electric guitar, Brian Axford on upright piano, Ed Grasmeyer on upright bass, Jarrod Atkinson on electric bass, Bucky Wheaton, drums, Joe Grass on strings and Josh Zubot on the fiddle.
Tour stops in September include Bristol, TN, Davidson, NC and Scranton, PA. A live performance is scheduled for CBS TV in Charlotte on September 5 and at noon in Knoxville on September 8, he will appear on the WDVX Blue Plate Special. Check for a complete list of tour dates on the website.
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