As far back as most people can remember, Greensboro has been a cover band town, so for the past 16 months, we at DMP have been trying to expose great original acts from our town and the surrounding area.

But when you have a showman like Matt Hill fronting a band with the likes of Max Drake on guitar/mandolin, Chuck Cotton on the drums and FJ Ventre on upright bass, playing a style of music — Rhythm and Blues — that is dying a bit more each year as the legends fade away, well, sometimes you have to make an exception to the rule.

MUSIC VIDEO CREDITS
Editor: Blake Faucette
Camera: Blake Faucette
Camera: Micah Moore
Camera: David Bradley
Sound: Danny Bayer
Sound: Don Ravon

Once we clear the covers, look for the album to drop on Last.fm and Amie Street.

The way it was told to Cyril Neville, “funk” comes from the West African word “fonk.” It refers to a person who breaks a “positive sweat,” who works hard and takes care of the family. Someone who is a credit to the village is a “fonky” person.

“Playing funky dance music is doing the same thing,” Neville said.

Expect that kind of performance from Neville this weekend, Saturday May 9 at the Piedmont Blues Festival. A member of the legendary funk/R&B band The Neville Brothers, Cyril and his family were among the vocal advocates for Hurricane Katrina victims and their New Orleans hometown. The percussionist and vocalist shows a deep affection for the origins of blues and funk, breaking a “positive sweat” for his music and family.

Saturday, May 9, 2009 at 2pm
Festival Park
200 North Davie St., Greensboro
23rd Annual Carolina Blues Festival
presented by YES! Weekly
$18 in advance; $30 at the gate

Produced by the Piedmont Blues Preservation Society, this is the anchor event for the Sixth Annual EMFjazz&blues. Headlining the festival will be Cyril Neville of the legendary New Orleans funk/blues group The Neville Brothers, with special guest Big Chief Monk Boudreaux. Also appearing will be Diunna Greenleaf and the Blue Mercy Band with special guest Steady Rollin’ Bob Margolin, the Nighthawks, Adrian Duke, as well as the two winners of the PBPS Blues Challenge: The Landon Spradlin Blues Band (electric band contest winners) and Greensboro’s Bump & Logie (acoustic solo/duo contest winners).

Hot damn, them boys can rock!

Save. The. Monkeywhale.

It’s never a dull night with Matt jamming blues riffs and gyrating through the crowd. Add Chuck on drums and it’ll be one to remember.

This Thursday night, 9pm at Grey’s Tavern, right next door to The Green Bean on South Elm.

Matt Hill channeling Elvis.

Check out more of Elizabeth’s work at Elizabeth Lemon Photography.

Why, there’s a Lemon Squeezing Daddy on top of the bar.

Matt Hill, folks.

Check out more of Jessi’s work at Jessi Hagood Photography.

Oh yeeeeaaahhhh! Matt Hill bringing it, baby.

Check out more of Mark’s shots at his flickr spot.

Classic.

See more of Kevin’s work at his flickr spot.

The Buzzkillz first song of the evening. They killed their set.

Check out more of Alex’s work at Alex Maness Photography.

MUSIC VIDEO CREDITS
Editor: Andy Coon
Camera: David Bradley
Camera: Takele Woldu
Camera: Jason Pierce
Sound: Danny Bayer, Don Ravon

The Amie Street album is currently available for $1.93. If you’re new to the AS process, be sure to use our promo entrance page to sign up for an account and receive free money to support our local artists by putting coin directly in their pockets.

Remember, you can always listen to the entire show over at Last.fm for free.

Enjoy!