		Newsletter 15^th March 2009		Contact details Tel. 01342 716975 or email: info_at_acousticsussex_dot_org_dot_uk
*A reminder of our next show…*	US singer-songwriter MARK ERELLI + Brighton’s Cate Ferris at The Ravenswood, Sharpthorne			“A masterclass in simple, effective writing” Netrhythms “Striding defiantly outside an industry laden with contrived and formulaic music” Madmission
Monday 23 March MARK ERELLI at The Ravenswood Sharpthorne www.theravenswood.co.uk Support: Cate Ferris £10 (£12 door) 8.00pm Tickets 01342 714810 or buy online via Acoustic Sussex website Tickets are also available at Hobgoblin in Crawley and Bullfrog in East Grinstead BACK TO TOP Click here for News Release and full biography (PDF file)			Over the past 9 years, New-Englander Mark Erelli has been steadily gaining the reputation of one of the most talented writers and gifted musicians on the American folk scene, settling into a timeless, classic folk singer-songwriter groove where gritty, honest songs reflect the world around us. His lyrical and musical intelligence marks him out as one of the finest storytellers in contemporary folk and he deservedly won the International Songwriting Contest in 2006. Mark released his self-titled debut at 24, exhibiting an uncommon musical maturity. Now 34, with an assured and varied back-catalogue, multiple awards and growing notoriety as an accompanist, he has one of the most impressive and varied reputations in modern roots music. Beyond his solo career, Mark has also fashioned himself into one of the most in-demand instrumental sidemen, touring with Lori McKenna and gaining strong attention as a writer, performing in Nashville song circles and backstage pickin’ parties with the likes of Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Trisha Yearwood, Lyle Lovett, John Hiatt and others. Mark Erelli’s songwriting talent is the reason he’s been chosen to join 7 other top international songwriters in the Darwin Song Project, taking place this week in Shrewsbury (Darwin’s birthplace). The project is one of a number of events taking place in 2009 to mark the bi-centennial of the birth of Charles Darwin. (With a Masters Degree in Evolutionary Biology, he’s uniquely qualified to take part.) The 8 musicians aim to write songs that have a resonance and relevance to the life of Darwin. The artists are Mark Erelli, Karine Polwart, Rachael McShane, Jez Lowe, Chris Wood, Stu Hanna, Krista Detor and Emily Smith. The songs will be performed in a special concert in Shrewsbury this Thursday (19^th) to be recorded for CD release. BBC 4 has commissioned a documentary on the project that is planned for broadcast on 27 March. Mark is doing just two UK shows during this UK visit to coincide with the Shrewsbury project, so don’t miss this Sussex date! “(Delivered is) darkly magnificent...Mark Erelli (has) something to say and a unique, poetic, compelling way of saying it.” Vintage Guitar “When it comes to providing thoughtful, compelling folk-rock and Americana, Erelli is a masterful expert” AllMusic.com “Erelli addresses tough issues (war, development, love, post-9/11) with the grit of John Hiatt and the melancholy beauty of Ron Sexsmith.” Washington Post	For the next few days only, click here to listen to 6 full tracks on the ‘new-look’ Acoustic Sussex MySpace jukebox Click here for the Darwin Song Project website Cate Ferris
Don’t forget that as well as our own shows, the Acoustic Sussex website has a Regional Gig Guide and links to venues and clubs in the South East that offer folk, roots and acoustic music – and our MySpace site contains over 500 links to a variety of other MySpace ‘friends’ sites, including musicians, venues, magazines and lots more.				Regional Gig Guide
*For* *your future diaries...* BACK TO TOP			Future 2009 dates in the Acoustic Sussex programme include: Ø 1 April – Eliza Carthy + Robert Brown Ø 13 April – Bridget St John + Michael Chapman Ø 4 May – Karine Polwart + Dan Reed Ø 21 May – Cara Dillon + Horses Brawl Ø 8 June – Dick Gaughan + Mary Hampton Ø 19 June – Show of Hands with Miranda Sykes – SOLD OUT Ø 26-28 June – Crawley Folk Festival Ø 6 July – Christine Collister Ø 20 July – Iain Matthews + Mary Leay Ø 7 September – Sam Baker (band) + The Haley Sisters More information on all up-and-coming artists can be found on our website: www.acousticsussex.org.uk. You can also find us on MySpace (with samples from some of the artists appearing) at: www.myspace.com/acoustic_sussex. If you know anyone who you think may enjoy our events, please forward this email to them.	*UNSUBSCRIBE* If you do not wish to be on this mailing list, please reply to this email, ensuring you include your name in the email and the word 'unsubscribe' in the heading. (Please note the list has recently been re-built so please accept our apologies if you have received this newsletter in error.) Thank you.