Donna the Buffalo News & Rumors

October 2007

More Fantastic Photos From Shakori Hills
DonnaFans.com contributor Kelly Farkas has generously shared with us many outstanding photos of Donna the Buffalo over the years, including several that have gone on to be featured on the band's official site, www.DonnaTheBuffalo.com. Most recently, she's back from the Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival, and provides us with 17 photos of DtB playing from 10/11/07 to 10/14/07 in Silk Hope, NC. Kelly took several portrait-style shots, including a few beauties of Tara from Thursday, 10/11; shots of the band backing Preston Frank in the Dance Tent on Saturday, 10/13; a trio of images of Jeb from Saturday night, 10/13, and a pair from the grand finale on Sunday night, 10/14. "It a great weekend," Kelly said. "We are usually expecting rain and damp weather, but not this time. It was dry as a bone. And such good music by all." Thanks as always for the photos, Kelly! (posted 10/30/07)

Good Times In Greenville, SC
Soon after Donna the Buffalo completed their show at the Handlebar in Greenville, SC on Friday 10/26, Paul Roberge headed back to his hotel and went online to share the setlist and his impressions of the evening. "The Handlebar is one of my favorite clubs and has been a good venue for DtB. The band seemed to be in a very good space this evening," he wrote. Highlights for him were "a tighter version of Here I Am than in Shakori." Before DtB played this song at Shakori on 10/11, the tune had not seen the light of day since August 2004, so hopefully it's working its way back into the rotation. Paul also liked "a really interesting arrangement of America, and a gentle Seems to Want to Hurt This Time. Jay Sanders was on bass for this gig, and while Dave McCracken did not sit in on keys, he did spend some time on the soundboard during DtB's set. Thanks for the report, Paul! (posted 10/27/07)
First Photos From Shakori: Thursday, 10/11/07
Frequent DonnaFans.com contributor Terry Killebrew took a few photos of Donna the Buffalo and other bands at the Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival in Silk Hope, NC. A few HUNDRED photos, that is. Terry always takes the time to document the fun through his lens so those of us who weren't there can experience the event, and for starters he's shared with us 12 photos of DtB's performance on Thursday, 10/11/07 in Silk Hope, NC. During this set, the band broke out some relatively rare gems, including Here I Am, Jamestown Christmas, River of Gold, and Do It for Love. Taper Joe Champion has already uploaded his soundboard recording of this set to the Live Music Archive; it's at www.archive.org/details.php?identifier=donna2007-10-11.meadowstage.sbd. Terry's shots include some of Jay Sanders on bass (left), who will fill that role at least through the end of October, and one of Joe Thrift sitting in on keys and vocals during Seminole Wind. I'll be posting more of Terry's Shakori photos over the next week or so. Thanks, Terry!
(posted 10/20/07)

Several New Fall Dates Announced
Donna the Buffalo recently added a handful of shows to its Fall tour. In addition to the previously announced shows, the band will play in Erie, PA on 11/9, Johnson City, NY on 11/10, Rochester, NY on 11/16, Millvale, PA on 12/1, Teaneck, NJ on 12/7, and Northampton, MA on 12/8. For more details and the complete schedule, visit the Tour Dates page of the band's official site, www.donnathebuffalo.com.
(updated 10/26/07)
DtB Debuts New Jeb Tune At Shakori
On Saturday, 10/13, at the Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival in Silk Hope, NC, Donna the Buffalo performed for the first time a new song written by Jeb Puryear. The tune, which might be titled Hopes and Dreams, was described as a sweet song that's still being developed. The band's set on this night also included You're Breakin' My Heart with Joe Thrift on rubboard and Temporary Misery and Story of the Ages with Dave McCracken on organ. Just before this set, the members of DtB joined John Specker for the last two songs of his performance. Earlier in the day, DtB back Preston Frank for his set in the dance tent, with Trevor MacDonald on rhythym guitar and Jeb playing fiddle and guitar. Thanks again to Paul Roberge for getting this information out so quickly. (posted 10/14/07)

First Report From Shakori: Joe Thrift Sits In
On Thursday, 10/11, former Donna the Buffalo keyboardist Joe Thrift sat in with the band during their first of four sets this weekend at the Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival of Music and Dance in Silk Hope, NC. Joe played keys and sang Seminole Wind, which was arguably his signature song during his time with the band (1991 to 2000). DtB's set included some other very surprising gems, such as Here I Am (last played 8/20/04), Jamestown Christmas, River of Gold, and Do It for Love. Thanks to Paul Roberge for the setlist. I hope to be able to post some photos from this festival very soon. (posted 10/13/07)
New Photos: Jim Miller & Friends 10/4/07
Former Donna the Buffalo guitarist Jim Miller, whose last gig with the band was on 1/1/05, recently performed in Woodstock, NY for second time in as many months, with former DtB bassist Jed Greenberg as well as a drummer, pedal steel, and keyboardist whose names I'll post if someone can confirm who they were. In front of a small but enthusiastic crowd, Jim's band performed a set that featured many of the songs the guitar player covered with the DtB side project Buffalo Country, including Angel with a Crooked Wing, That Ain't Right, and Real Deal, as well as two Bob Dylan songs he sang with DtB--Mississippi and Senor. Both Nancsea and Mountainflower were there and share a few photos of Jim Miller & Friends playing on 10/4/07 at the Bearsville Theater in Woodstock, NY. Thanks for the photos, sisters!
(posted 10/10/07)
Jay Sanders To Fill In On Bass Through October
Jay Sanders will play bass for Donna the Buffalo when the band heads down to Silk Hope, NC later this week for the Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival of Music and Dance, which runs from from Thursday, 10/11 through Sunday, 10/14. Sanders, who also plays upright and electric bass for the Acoustic Syndicate, did an outstanding job when he last helped the band back in July, filling in for gigs at Summerfest in Milwaukee, Great Blue Heron Festival in Sherman, NY, and the beloved GrassRoots Festival in Trumansburg, NY. His familiarity with the band's repertoire is bound to make his contributions even better. Sanders will also be onboard when DtB goes back down south at the end of October, stopping for a show at the Handlebar in Greenville, SC on 10/26 en route to MagFest in Live Oak, FL for gigs on 10/27 and 10/28. Welcome back, Jay!
(posted 10/8/07)
Get Ready For Fall Shakori!
If you recognize this photo, you were there last year: Donna the Buffalo's annual appearance at the Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival of Music and Dance, better known as Fall Shakori, is less than a week away. This Fest, which takes place in Silk Hope, NC from 10/11 - 10/14, offers a ton of DtB for the buck: The band will play on Thursday afternoon, Friday afternoon backing Jim Lauderdale, Saturday afternoon with Preston Frank in the Dance Tent, Saturday night, Sunday afternoon with Preston Frank, and with all of their friends on Sunday night in a massive all-star set. The event also will feature Snake Oil Medicine Show, the Duhks, John Specket, Toubab Krewe, the Red Hots, and many, many others. For more info call 919-542-8142 or visit www.shakorihills.org.
(posted 10/4/07)
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