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Puss N Boots featuring Norah Jones, Sasha Dobson and Catherine Popper with Van Hayride with Van Hayride

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After playing live together since 2008, Sasha Dobson, Norah Jones and Catherine Popper have at last taken their collaboration into the studio. No Fools, No Fun – their debut album – which was released on July 15 by Blue Note Records. The trio, known as Puss n Boots after flirtations with such monikers as Fangbanger, Dixie Fried and Shitstorm, will continue to support the album with a new round of concert dates this Fall.

Led by front man Jack Grace, Van Hayride is an adventure in classic rock gone honky tonk. Grace’s twist on everything from (you guessed it) Van Halen to Black Sabbath to even a little Barry Manilow is nothing short of witty and engaging fun for your ears.

Puss N Boots

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Artist Bio

IN 2008, NORAH JONES, SASHA DOBSON, AND CATHERINE POPPER FORMED PUSS N BOOTS.  

Initially it was a vehicle for Jones and Dobson to play music together and try new things, with Popper joining on bass shortly after. The trio played various New York clubs, with a repertoire anchored in Americana, country, folk, pop and rock. The band became an outlet for Jones, Dobson and Popper to switch instruments, and allowed them to showcase a different side of themselves than in their various solo and side projects.

In 2013, some five years after the group began playing, they signed with Blue Note Records and set out to assemble their debut record. Comprised of originals and covers, studio recordings and live performances, that debut was called No Fools, No Fun.  Released in the summer of 2014, it was supported by a tour of the U.S.

In 2019, the trio took the stage at the MusiCares charity event honoring Person of the Year Award recipient Dolly Parton, and performed Parton’s “The Grass Is Blue”. Later that year Jones, Dobson, and Popper released their holiday album Dear Santa, followed by their 2^nd full length album Sister in 2020.  

Van Hayride

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Van Hayride was originally conceived in the early 21st century as a countrified David Lee Roth era only, Van Halen tribute band. The band got weirder, playing around the NYC roots music scene, occasionally with Norah Jones sharing the bill. Jack Grace, the consummate front man, strutting his belly with pride in a onesy rock outfit, once enjoyed a peanut fight with Jimmy Fallon at one show, while riding along with his changing cast of NYC's elite sidemen.

David Lee Roth was working as an EMT in NYC and not in Van Halen at the time, he had sent word that he heard good things and was planning to see the band. A few months later, David Lee Roth released the bizarre, "Strummin' With The Devil", country versions of Van Halen songs... coincidence?

David Lee returned to Van Halen sometime after and Van Hayride disbanded as David was back to singing our favorite VH songs.

Van Hayride has reformed to search for good times and to cash in on the public's obsession with classic rock. The band is working on expanding beyond the Van Halen repertoire and venture in to Black Sabbath, Metallica, AC/DC, Barry Manilow or anything else that strikes their fancy (including more original material about classic rock).

Van Hayride can sound Country or just plain strange, amusing is really the focus these days.

Jack Grace's original music can be heard in the Warner Bros, cult classics, "Super Troopers" and "Beerfest". He tours constantly and has shared the stage with Merle Haggard, Doc Watson and when he played with Jerry Lee Lewis, Lewis remarked, "He sounds like that Cash kid, but good"

“NYC someday will brag about its great legends of country music, that’s right we said country, and among those names will be the engaging, hardworking, witty, and schmoozin’ and boozin’ Grace.” — Village Voice.

 

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