After a number of years of close partnership, with several shows a month being booked and promoted by the legendary Minneapolis club, the owners of First Avenue have come to an agreement and the Turf Club will be under their management as of October 15th.  The long-time St. Paul music staple hosting acts of all sorts, and voted "Best Country Music Venue" by City Pages, will see upgrades but keep the club's vibe.

Let us hear your thoughts...  Is this a good thing for the Turf?  What do you think?


Here is First Avenue's official release:

First Avenue is excited to announce we have entered into a purchase agreement with the Turf Club and will take over as acting managers of the St. Paul, MN venue on October 15, 2013. 

As a venue with our own rich and distinct history, we recognize the importance of embracing and maintaining what makes the Turf Club a gem of the Twin Cities. While we plan to keep the charm of the club, we will also be investing significantly in improvements to the venue. And don't worry; we love the Clown Lounge as much as you do - it's not going anywhere. 

"I'm really excited to see the next era of the Turf Club with the team coming in from First Avenue. While I am looking forward to some new investment, I'm confident it will carry on the tradition of the Saint Paul Music Club started by Rob and Leah Rule that made it such a treasure" said St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman. 

"After eight years of owning and operating this club I wouldn't just hand it off to any buyers. I've worked closely with First Ave over the years and have seen firsthand what they're capable of," said current Turf Club owner, Tom Scanlon. "I haven't flinched in entrusting the club to First Avenue and I'm excited to see its continued success. " 

Building on our 13 years of successful booking and promoting of shows at the Turf Club, we're excited to continue to bring emerging national bands and favorite local acts to St. Paul. "Whether promoting or enjoying a show, I have spent countless nights at the Turf Club and could not be more excited about this new venture," said Nate Kranz, General Manager of First Avenue. 

To celebrate 10 years of TBT, the band booked 3 shows at First Avenue in April of this year.  All 3 sold out in a matter of hours.  To commemorate the events, TBT is releasing their first "Live" album, "Live at First Avenue" on November 12th.  Available in CD/DVD, LP/DVD or MP3 formats, and loaded with extras, this is one of those releases you simply NEED to add to your collection.  Like any good band, TBT's live shows are something altogether grander than a studio produced album.   Add to that their own love of the venue and playing in front of a hometown (ok, home state) audience, and you have a recipe for greatness.  We were at one of the 3 shows and it was arguably the best TBT show I have seen.  Plus, they are out just in time for Holiday shopping.  Nothing like a little TBT under the tree...

The synth-pop duo of Josh Carter and Sarah Barthel, better known as Phantogram, just released their second new song in as many weeks.  "Celebrate Nothing" dropped this morning, along with an announcement that a new EP is just 4 days away.  The new EP as well as a much anticipated new full length album "Voices" are the first signs of new music from this energetic duo since their 2011 EP "Nightlife".  No official news on the LP release just yet, but I wager to say it isn't all that far off.  There have been teases on their Facebook page on a number of occasions.

Any Bob Dylan fans out there???  Yeah, me too.  If your Dylan collection leaves a little something to be desired, then here is your chance to not only fill in the blanks, but to own the ultimate Bob Dylan archive.  Dubbed the "Bob Dylan Complete Album Collection Vol. 1"

If you are "Old School" and want the CD's, for $255.50 you can have all 35 studio albums, 6 live albums and a double disc called side tracks containing miscellaneous  tracks not found on any of the other 40 some odd CDs in the box set.

For me, the harmonica shaped USB drive is the ticket.  I mean really, how freaking cool is this thing.  Coming in at a measly $319.98, its a steal and will be available on November 15th.

19 Year old singer songwriter Holly Henry had all 4 judges on NBC's The Voice fighting over her on last night's second episode of the season.  Her rendition of Coldplay's "The Scientist" got Blake Shelton to turn his chair around within just seconds of hearing her angelic young voice.  She repaid his enthusiasm by choosing him to be her coach for the season.

Graduating from Hopkins High School just last year, Holly Henry (Heinrich as the world knew her before) is a self proclaimed songwriter without much singing experience.  We're looking forward to rooting for another Minnesota musician....  Good luck Holly!!!

News broke yesterday that the Furthur will be on hiatus for the bulk of 2014.  After their 4-day Paradise Waits event in Mexico this coming January, that's it for 2014...  To calm the nerves of their devoted fans, the  former members of The Grateful Dead, Phil Lesh and Bob Weir, reiterate that this is not the band "breaking up".

Furthur's official announcement... After more than four years of heavy, year-round touring, Phil Lesh and Bob Weir have decided to put their band Furthur on hiatus in 2014. After the four night Furthur run in Mexico in January, the band will take the rest of 2014 off so that Phil and Bob can focus on their countless solo projects. Furthur came together in September, 2009, and from its inception was a band Phil and Bob were completely committed to, and still are. In the 18 years since the Grateful Dead stopped being a touring entity, Furthur has proven to be the longest-tenured, and most active band featuring two or more former members of the Grateful Dead. With shows that keep the Dead vibe alive while pushing the musical envelope, well, furthur, this band has brought smiles to hundreds of thousands of fans in the past four years. Most impressive is that this has become a true band, and not just Phil and Bob plus some side players. John Kadlecik (guitar), Jeff Chimenti (keyboards), Joe Russo (drums), and Sunshine Becker and Jeff Pehrson (vocals) have joined the trip to create a band that has become one of the most exciting, honest and inspired touring acts in music today. What does 2014 hold for Phil and Bob? If their activities outside of Furthur in the past four years are any indication, plenty. Phil’s been playing virtually every night when not on tour with Furthur, whether at his Terrapin Crossroads in San Rafael, CA, or on the road with Phil Lesh & Friends. Bob’s been hosting one of the most unique web-based variety shows in history, Weir Here, every Wednesday night when he’s not touring, presented live from his TRI Studios in San Rafael. Additionally, Bob’s been having a blast playing his solo acoustic shows, as well as other gigs and tours with newer arrivals to the party. He plans to keep doing what he’s doing, and more of it. The last time the word “hiatus” was used in regards to the Grateful Dead world was in 1974, and we all know how much good that break inspired. They returned a year and a half later, stronger than ever, and for another 20 years. Furthur’s not breaking up; they’re simply taking a much-needed break. One way or another, we’ll see you around.

[Original publication at Furthur.net]