At times we all need to be reminded of what is truly great in the world. And for music lovers.. For myself, that is The Outlaw Roadshow. For something that was little more than a flight of fancy; an idea between two music-minded friends almost a decade ago, is now a recurring music event with a lasting legacy. While this “little train that could” (a small fry in the global world of the Music Industry) does well everywhere it goes, no where is that more true than in New York City.
Manhattan is our home. For my partner in crime, Adam Duritz, the city is where he resides and where we get together to celebrate music and life. But for The Outlaw and our community of returning musicians, friends and family – each October is a place to be together, to breathe again and to laugh at the void.
For years now, we have gathered early and worked late together to celebrate the best new music the world has ever seen. Along the way, we are constantly reminded why music is life for us. And every single year, our group grows. New friends, new artists, new stragglers (folks looking for a place to be in this world where great bands die for the actual lack of attention) they join our fold. Every single October in New York City we meet and there are discoveries all around us. The team responsible for The Outlaw Roadshow love to guess which acts will end up being the biggest winners – the acts that win a throng of new supporters and fans. It’s almost never who we think. But really, everyone wins kind of big.
The Artists who play our stages get more out of this experience as the fans. They meet artist-brothers and -sisters who will tour with them, put them up on couches and attend their shows in distant cities while on tour. They meet producers who can help. Some get signed to (actually beneficial) indie record deals and licensing opportunities that will help sustain them financially. Everyone leaves with a full heart.
