Celebrating our move to Austin, we are proudly sponsoring two days of lunchtime family music showcases during SXSW week. The Family Music Meltdown (Austin Incarnation) will take place on Thursday and Friday, March 14 and 15 at Tamale House East, 1701 E. 6th St., Austin.  And it’s free to all — we don’t need no stinkin’ badges!

Thursday’s line up features local Austin family musicians Joe McDermott and Laura Freeman, along with Brooklyn’s Deedle Deedle Dees and New England’s Lake Street Dive (doing a rare family performance) 11am to 2pm.

Friday’s show kicks off with the legendary Jad Fair, and also will feature Austin favorite Mr. Leebot, Minneapolis singer Haley Bonar, Oklahoma City funk duo Sugar Free Allstars, and a reprise from the Deedle Deedle Dees 11am to 1pm.

More acts may be added, including some potential very special surprises.  Keep an eye on sparetherock.com for information and to learn more about the radio show and label. The showcases are presented in cooperation with Spirithouse Records and WRSI-FM (Northampton, MA).

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Yes, that is the riff from “Sabotage” during the “how to be a train” lesson at the start. Camera by Liam:

Some folks couldn’t get into the sold-out show, including this very sweet four-year-old who came all the way from Albany (if I heard right). So Liz & Daniel sang some songs at the merch table, including this one. It’s a lovely moment and worth your time:

That’s what music for families can be, folks.  Do that.

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We’ll be back at the Green River Festival again this year — July 14-15 — with the best in family music.  We’ll be joining in the celebration of Woody Guthrie’s 100th birthday (we’ll have some special surprises to announce between now and then), along with a generally amazing lineup.  Check out who we’ve confirmed so far:

• Sarah Lee & Guthrie & Johnny Irion
• Mister G
• Flannery Brothers
• Sweetback Sisters
• Deedle Deedle Dees
• Alastair Moock & Friends
• Eloise the Great
• Uncle Rock
• Dog on Fleas
• Royal Order of Chords and Keys

And, as in past years, we’ll have the Meltdown Stay Up Late Stage (or something like that), with other acts into the evening, including:

• Session Americana
• Sun Parade
• Peter Mulvey
• Lake Street Dive
• Frost Heaves (CD release show)
• Alchemystics

Details, including the schedules, soon…

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Holy smokes, the Meltdown was fun.

Wanna do it again next year?  Saturday, March 30.

(And yes, even though we’re moving away, the Meltdown will continue, I’m pretty certain.)

Thanks to all of the artists, authors, illustrators, vendors, bouncing people, librarians, fencers, gymnasts, circus arts people, radio sales people…everyone.  You all rock.

Pictures to come.

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All the details are at RiverMeltdown.com.  Short version: you wanna be there.  Amazing music, authors, activities, vendors, fun!  Download the whole program here (PDF)

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Here’s the promo for this year’s Meltdown:

[audio:https://sparetherock.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Meltdown-promo.mp3|titles=Meltdown Promo]

The lineup is crazy good.  Deedle Deedle Dees, Robbi K & Friends, Ratboy Jr., Planet Z, Aric Bieganek, Alastair Moock & Friends, Brendan Taaffe, Nields, Anna Sobel Puppets, Tom Knight Puppets, Josh Gannon-Salomon Stories & Songs, Shiprock & Anchordog, Beethoven’s Wig, School for the Dead, Hey Dango.  Plus authors John Marciano, Lisa Yee, Eric Wight, Jeff Mack, and Heidi Stemple & Jane Yolen!

Saturday, March 31, 2012.  10-4.  JFK Middle School.  Rock.

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