Bringing Some 'Twang' To Echo Park

If you've been jonesing for the Grand Ole Echo, the summertime Americana extravaganza at , you'll be in luck when Feb. 15 comes.

Grand Ole Echo promoter Kim Grant and her new partner Julie Richmond will brighten up winter and bring a little GOE goodness with the release party of singer/songwriter Susan James’ new psychedelia/country/folk album Highways, Ghosts, Hearts & Home at The Echo.

James recently previewed songs from the upcoming concept album while opening for Neal Casal.  Acclaimed Americana artist Ryan Adams, Casal’s former Cardinals band mate, tweeted James “…your set was so fantastic. And what a band. Guitar wizard, bass magician, Bonebrake drums… And your great songs.”

James, who’s been likened to Joni Mitchell and hand-selected to tour with Bob Weir’s Ratdog and Lindsay Buckingham, will debut those songs of “life, love hope, apparitions and eccentricities” from her fourth album backed by “guitar wizard” Paul Lacques, his I See Hawks in L.A. band mate Paul Marshall on bass, and DJ Bonebrake  once again pounding it out on drums.   

“Bass magician” Jason Chesney and Old Californio will perform a condensed set  that evening as will Tony Gilkyson and Kip Boardman, Anny Celsi, Double Naught Spy Car, Evie Sands, Cosmo Topper and The Quarter After.  Grant and Richmond hint at a few surprise guests as well.

The new booking duo consists of passionate promoters of the Americana scene in Los Angeles, so the pairing is natural. 

“Americana is so many different kinds of music,” says music publicist Grant, who also keeps scenesters tuned in via her weekly newsletter. "It's blues, country, honky tonk.”

“Rock, Bakersfield.... “ adds Richmond.

“Western Swing, Psychedelic,  alt,” adds Grant.

“Anything with a little bit of twang,” finishes Richmond.

Grant has touted that twang for five years with her Grand Ole Echo Sunday shows, which attract widely diverse crowds. 

“There’s everything from people with canes and walkers in their 80s to teens, to kids to babies toddling around,” Grant said.  The former event planner from Chicago first started booking the acoustic backporch acts with Pam Moore when the Echo’s Liz Garo got too busy; Grant laughs that she was “flying by the seat of my pants.”

The Grand Ole Echo certainly took flight; Grant celebrated the Americana institution’s five-year anniversary last July with the jump-up Roots Roadhouse Festival, packing the Echo, the Echoplex, and the back porch with a masterfully chosen mix of all genres Americana.

Grant is as much hostess as booker, making every Grand Ole Echo event feel like a party. 

"I walk around, ask everyone if they're having a good time," she said.

Her partner agrees. “Kim is the 'Queen of Americana' in Los Angeles,” Richmond said.  “She’s outgoing, has a great memory, and knows everyone’s name." 

Grant is equally enthusiastic about Richmond, who will be booking acoustic artists for the Grand Ole Echo’s back porch. “Julie is here for the music.  She’s entrepreneurial and she doesn’t stop working.”

Proving Grant’s point, Richmond not only presents Americana Wednesdays and the Melody in the Round songwriters showcase (her pet project) at the 321 Lounge at  in Echo Park, but has co-founded Southland Serenade, a site for all L.A. Americana, all the time, with Jerry Zinn, David Serby and Grant Langston. 

Grant and Richmond are already booking the Grand Ole Echo, which runs from the beginning of April to mid-October.   

“It has such a summer vibe that it just doesn’t work in the winter,” Grant said.