Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers - Influenced by singer/songwriters like Jim Croce and Cat Stevens, as well as pop-metal bands like Bon Jovi, Stephen Kellogg crosses many stylistic boundaries. He issued solo releases in 2000 and 2002 but it was 2004's “Bulletproof Heart” that landed him a deal with Universal Records. The band’s 2007 release “Glassjaw Boxer” made it to the ‘Top Five of the year’ list by “USA Today” critic Brian Mansfield. “Gift Horse” is the band’s fifth studio effort and “brings the rich legacy of American rock & roll into the present tense.”

Fitz & the Tantrums - Since Fitz & the Tantrums’ first show at Hollywood’s Hotel Café in December 2008 and the release of its five-song “Songs for a Breakup, Vol. 1.,” this soul-rocking outfit has toured with Maroon 5, played to thousands at Colorado’s world famous Red Rocks Amphitheater and shared the stage New Year’s Eve with Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings. Prior to the Tantrums, Fitz spent years in L.A.’s music industry writing and working in a studio with Beck producer Mickey Petralia. In addition to Fitz, the six-piece group includes former keyboardist and musical director for Macy Gray Jeremy Ruzumna, former De La Soul sax man James King, and dynamic singer/stage persona Noelle Scaggs. The band’s full-length debut, “Pickin’ Up the Pieces,” received a three and a half star review in “Rolling Stone.” 

Bearfoot - Winners of the fiercely competitive Telluride Bluegrass Festival Band Competition in 2001, Bearfoot came to Nasvhille by way of its native Alaska. Following the success of Bearfoot's 2009 debut, “Doors And Windows” which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard Magazine’s Bluegrass chart, the band had an abrupt changing of the guard. Original members Angela Oudean and Jason Norris recruited Todd Grebe, another Alaskan transplant, singer/songwriter Nora Jane Struthers and bassist P.J. George - both former members of the band Bootleggers which took bluegrass honors at Telluride in 2011. Bearfoot’s new release, “American Story,” adds percussion, electric bass and accordion to the mix to weave together styles ranging from string band and bluegrass to acoustic pop.

The Sweetback Sisters - Based around the harmony vocals of Zara Bode and Emily Miller, The six-piece, Brooklyn-based Sweetback Sisters specialize in rollicking retro-country swing. While Bode and Miller were both raised in musical families, their musical backgrounds are completely different, Miller picking up her parents’ country roots and Bode the diversity of Hispanic, Cuban and big band. The lineup also includes guitarist Ross Bellenoit; WV native, guitarist/fiddler Jesse Milnes; drummer Stefan Amidon; and upright bassist Peter Bitenc. The group mines influences ranging from Roger Miller to Patsy Cline on their latest, “Looking for a Fight.”

Katie Costello - Hailing from Hermosa Beach, CA, Katie Costello’s full-length debut, “Kaleidoscope Machine” was released in 2008 when she was just 17. One writer noted that Costello “emerges as a unique and timeless example of an authentic artisan shining amidst the frequently clouded backdrop of modernity.” Her songs have been featured on the “90210,” “One Tree Hill” and “Private Practice,” while “Isn’t It Lovely” was the grand-prize winner of Sennheiser’s “My Song Contest.” Her current release, “Lamplight,” was produced by Los Angeles-based music guru Tony Berg (Jesca Hoop, Aimee Mann, Michael Penn) and was featured in Paste Magazine’s “Best Of What’s Next” piece. Costello’s music has also been featured in both “Teen Vogue” and “Marie Claire.”  

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This episode is scheduled for NPR Distribution in March 2012. For more information, including hi-res photos, please contact Adam Harris at 304.556.4900.