music notes

“ m mm m mm m mm m mm”—Cat C h ’90s a lternative r o C kers Crash t est Dummies in m ur F reesboro July 21

CRASh TEST duMMiES, the band that had 1990s radio rock fans humming along to its smash single “Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm” (Once there was this kid who . . .), will come to Murfreesboro this summer, 30 years after the release of its God Shuffled His Feet album, which contained the group’s signature hit.

Brad Roberts, the deep-voiced philosophy and English lit double major, leads the group to Hop Springs in Murfreesboro on Friday, July 21.

“Surprisingly, at least to me, there are lots of people who, years later, still want to come and hear us,” Roberts said in advance of the 2023 Crash Test Dummies tour. “It’s very humbling . . . and it has inspired us to continue to tour and make music.”

Accordionist and keyboardist Ellen Reid, Dan Roberts (Brad’s brother) on bass and drummer Mitch Dorge will be joined onstage by Stuart Cameron and Marc Arnould for the tour.

A product of the Winnipeg, Manitoba, rock scene, the Crash Test Dummies saw its 1993 album go eight times platinum. The band released the single “Sacred Alphabet” earlier this year.

Doors for the July 21 show at Hop Springs Beer Park open at 7 p.m.; Willie Stratton opens. Tickets are available for $37 on Ticketweb.

papa D osio Grooves i nto mur F reesboro’s hop sprin G s July 29

PAPAdOSiO’S legendary live performances have earned a loyal following on the jam band circuit over recent years, taking its crowds on journeys from trippy atmospheric prog-rock jams to jazz-influenced improvisational guitar and keyboard noodling to bassheavy dance sections.

The dynamic jam-rock band with a dash of electronic elements, currently based in Asheville, North Carolina, has performed numerous times in Nashville, at The Caverns and in Knoxville, but a slated Saturday, July 29, show at Hop Springs marks the first Murfreesboro Papadosio show on record.

Though lyrics are sparse in the group’s lengthy jams, they often delve into spirituality and consciousness, encouraging introspection while still reminding listeners to “have a good time.” Dream out loud and make no sound. Find your cloud and ride it ’round.

The group, whose sounds put a modern twist on the jam-band tradition, has set up a concert tape-sharing method for the digital age. Papadosio offers its fans a subscription service to a massive catalogue of live show recordings on Bandcamp—over 500 recordings dating back to 2013—as well as access to new releases, all for $10 per month. There’s also a wealth of free content at papadosio.bandcamp.com. Jam away.

Papadosio appears at Hop Springs (6790 John Bragg Hwy.) on July 29. Find tickets, starting at $32, on Ticketweb. The band returns to The Caverns on Sept. 22.

Dew D rop Jamboree p resents n ext s how at s easons July 15, Fans Can e at, Drink an D Dan C e

ORgANizERS OF ThE dEwdROP JAMbOREE have chosen to remain at Seasons of Murfreesboro for the series’ July 15 installment.

Presented by the American Musical Arts Group, the ongoing series of Dewdrop Jamboree productions aims to showcase, preserve and promote a variety of American styles of music—classic country, bluegrass, gospel, rock and blues, just to name a few. It gives many different area artists the opportunity to perform alongside the Fabulous Dewdrops, the house band for the series comprised of seasoned music industry veterans.

Attendance and feedback at the May Dewdrop Jamboree at Seasons of Murfreesboro went well, according to promoter Lynn Wallace, citing the establishment’s full food and drink menu and large dance floor—a different atmosphere from the theater setting of previous variety shows.

“[The crowd] started dancing on the first song played,” Wallace said. “It’s a dinner and a stage show; they can eat, drink and dance.”

Performers scheduled to appear at the Saturday, July 15, Dewdrop Jamboree include Larry Martin, Lissa Hanner, Dean Holmen, Mark Thomas, Donna Cunningham, Asa Wise, Judy Taylor Sides, Russell Carter, Rhonda Tenpenny, Teresa Camp and Chris Sanders.

Seasons of Murfreesboro is located at 2227 Old Fort Pkwy., Murfreesboro, inside the Clarion Inn.

The July 15 show kicks off at 6 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door. For more information, visit amagroup.org or find Dewdrop Jamboree on Facebook.

HAPPY HOUR DAILY, 3–6 P.M.