Scotland’s Festival of American roots music runs from Friday 19 July to Sunday 21 July in Perth.

The Southern Fried Festival line up has been finalised and Scotland’s sixth festival of American roots music is ready to roll!

The Mavericks headline the Southern Fried Festival in Perth from Friday 19 to Sunday 21 July. Other major acts include Patty Griffin, Shelby Lynne, Bettye LaVette, Darrell Scott and Danny Thompson, Tom Russell and Larkin Poe and the first ever UK visit from The McCrary Sisters.

Two sisters in soul, jazz and country open the Southern Fried Festival on Friday 19 July in Perth Concert Hall. Shelby Lynne’s confessional and eclectic classic I Am Shelby Lynne earned her a Grammy as Best New Artist. Her distinctively southern blend of soul, pop, country, blues and jazz has established her as one of the most consistently fascinating artists on the American music scene. She is joined by one of the great soul voices of our time. Now enjoying a well-deserved renaissance after 50 years in the business, Bettye LaVette’s colourful personal and professional life is expressed powerfully in her eclectic choice and emotional interpretation of songs.

Late and Southern Fried in Perth Theatre from 10.45pm on Friday 19 July features “Titan of the Telecaster”; Grammy nominated guitarist, singer and songwriter Bill Kirchen and “one of Scotland’s best kept secrets” – Roddy Hart. Bill Kirchen celebrates an American musical tradition where rock ‘n’ roll and country music draws upon its origins in blues and bluegrass, rockabilly, Western swing from Texas and California honky-tonk. Glaswegian singer/songwriter Roddy Hart invites comparisons with greats such as Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Bob Dylan and Tom Petty, and is gaining a growing reputation for his live shows with his band, The Lonesome Fire.

Festival-goers can “dance the night away” on Saturday 20 July when The Mavericks play a standing gig in Perth Concert Hall. Back on tour with a new album, the country-steeped garage band with their Cuban American lead singer brings an infectious energy and robust sound to make them one of the most exciting live acts from any musical genre. They are supported by one of the hottest new indie bands around; David Wax Museum.

Southern Fried brings Nashville’s The McCrary Sisters to the UK for the first time for Late and Southern Fried in Perth Theatre on Saturday 20 July. The daughters of the late Rev. Samuel McCrary – one of the original members of the legendary gospel quartet The Fairfield Four – The Sisters have appeared on Buddy Miller and Patty Griffin’s spiritual albums, with Mike Farris and Bob Dylan and on the new Mavericks album among many other credits. They stepped into the spotlight in their own right with their excellent debut album Our Journey two years ago, and their new record All The Way is a triumphant blend of classic gospel, funk, blues and soul, most of it written by the Sisters. They are joined by Perth’s own The New Madrids.

Playing for the first time in the UK for a number of years, Patty Griffin is joined on Sunday 21 July in Perth Concert Hall by star of Transatlantic Sessions Darrell Scott (and fellow bandmate in Robert Plant’s Band of Joy) with legendary bassist Danny Thompson. An iconic figure in the Americana music scene, Patty Griffin’s singing is as unmistakable and inimitable as her songwriting. Among the many artists who’ve recorded her songs are the Dixie Chicks, Bette Midler, and Emmylou Harris.

Darrell Scott is not only one of the finest songwriters in Nashville, but a stunning singer, a phenomenal guitar player and a gifted multi-instrumentalist to boot. A hit at last year’s Southern Fried Festival, he brings along his great friend and legendary bassist Danny Thompson of John Martyn, Richard Thompson and Nick Drake fame.

The powerful emotional punch, vast scope and sheer precision of Tom Russell’s work rank him high among the great American writers of our time irrespective of genre. He is joined for a Saturday afternoon gig at Perth Theatre by AJ Roach who showcased the breadth of his talent at the Johnny Cash: Songwriter concert at last year’s Southern Fried Festival.

Known for presenting acts whose music meets at the boundaries of indie, folk and roots, Hazy Recollections present their first show outside Glasgow in a free Twa Tams gig on Saturday afternoon where David Wax Museum, AJ Roach and Little Fire will be joined by nouveau rockers The Holy Ghosts with a specially Americanised set from Findlay Napier and the Bar Room Mountaineers.

Sunday afternoon’s Perth Theatre show features 21 and 22 year old duo Larkin Poe – Rebecca and Megan Lovell. Their tight vocal harmonies and dizzying instrumental riffs range from folk-rock to acoustic R&B and from contemporary country to delicate singer-songwriter. They are joined by Brennen Leigh who injects a mix of classic country and bluegrass with contemporary relevance.

This year’s Sunday Gospel Brunch is bigger and better than ever before and features an auditorium performance with The McCrary Sisters, Larkin Poe, The Gospel According to Mr Niz and Southern Fried Voices.

Visiting musicians can join local performers in the intimate surrounds of the Greyfriars Bar for festival fixture the Southern Fried Open Mic.

Festival director Andy Shearer said:

“2013 is a year of returning Southern Fried favourites! Raul Malo’s 2011 gig in Perth Theatre totally rocked and we are delighted to invite him back to the main stage along with souped-up Mavericks bolstered by key members of his own band. There was a huge buzz around Darrell Scott’s performances at the Johnny Cash celebration and his solo gig last year with many fans declaring this their all-time Southern Fried highlight. This led us to break with convention and ask Darrell back for an encore just one year down the line, especially as this time he’ll be joined by legendary acoustic bassist Danny Thompson!

“We are delighted, as well, to welcome some musicians who haven’t graced our shores for the longest time – Patty Griffin, whose recent album features Robert Plant, Bettye LaVette who is enjoying the most extraordinary career surge after fifty years in the business and the incredibly talented Shelby Lynne, We’re particularly pleased that Southern Fried is bringing the incredible McCrary Sisters to the UK for the very first time. They’re the go-to black gospel singers in Nashville and have sung on countless records including the new Mavericks release.

“As ever with Americana, it is all about the song, and, with the breadth and depth of artists we have lined up for Southern Fried 2013, we are looking forward, once again to sharing an unforgettable festival experience.”

BBC Radio Scotland will be on site recording highlights for broadcast on American roots show Another Country and, of course, the famous Southern Fried soul food is the icing on the cake for this annual Americana feast served up with a warm slice of Scottish hospitality.

Check out the latest as it emerges on www.southernfriedfestival.co.uk; make sure you are a Southern Fried Facebook and Twitter buddy for all the back stage chat, and tune into the Southern Fried You Tube channel for a taster of what’s in store.

For tickets and info contact Horsecross Arts box office on 01738 621031 visit www.southernfriedfestival.co.uk

Source: Horsecross