It’s almost here – the release of our new album, Stranger to Me!
If you are near Knoxville, Tennessee (or you can get here Sept. 28-29), we’d love for your to join us for a hometown party to celebrate the official release of the album. We’ll take over a favorite neighborhood hang, Central Filling Station, on Friday Sept. 28 and throw a shindig you won’t soon forget! Food trucks, cold drinks, and great music, all in one of Knoxville’s best neighborhoods, Happy Holler. What could be better? Well … rolling the party into the next day! On Saturday, Sept. 29 we’ll host the third Black Lillies Hangover Bowl at Maple Hall in Downtown Knoxville. It’s a bowling party like no other!
Happy Holler is where we live, work and play when we aren’t on tour. It’s the neighborhood where our first two albums were recorded; and businesses in the area have inspired songs (a notable one, “Three in the Mornin’,” was written about the former Toot’s Little Honky Tonk just around the corner from Central Filling Station). And we are thrilled to be able to bring this celebration to the part of town we love so much, to hang with hometown friends and to introduce it to those of you from around the world.
The show will be opened by Brian Paddock & The American Gentlemen, who will also be celebrating the release of a new album. You’re gonna love them. At 30 years old, despite spending a lifetime dreaming of being a musician, Brian Paddock couldn’t carry a tune or strum a single chord on the guitar. At the insistence of his then girlfriend, now wife, Paddock began to work on and study the songwriting craft. Four years later, in 2014, Paddock co-founded Knoxville-based roots rock band Shimmy & the Burns. With Paddock as the front man and primary songwriter, Shimmy & the Burns proceeded to release two critically-acclaimed full length studio records and tour throughout the Southeastern US. Recently, with Shimmy & the Burns on hiatus, Paddock recruited a cadre of the finest musicians Knoxville has to offer and, with their help, tracked his debut solo effort entitled, “Under New Management”, which is due for release September 28th. In an early review of the album, Goldmine Magazine states, “Delivering driving tunes of clear conviction or musing on contemplative, heartfelt narrative ballads imbued with sensitivity and substance… Paddock creates songs that feel both poignant and pointed… Simply superb.”
Doors are at 6 pm, music begins at 7 pm. Advance tickets are highly recommended, plus you’ll save money that way. We’ll have food trucks and plenty of cold beverages (of the alcoholic and non-alcoholic varieties). It’s an all ages show so bring the family! Please do not bring outside food/beverages, weapons of any kind, or chairs (we will have some seating on site for those of you who prefer it, and plenty of standing/dancing room for those of you who prefer that!). Purchase your tickets right here.
So that brings us to Saturday, Sept. 29. Have you been to a Hangover Bowl yet? Then you know this is the best hang of the year! If you’re brand new to it, just trust us – you’re going to have a blast. We’ll gather at Maple Hall for a bowling extravaganza for people of all skill levels. Each year, we get a good mix of hyper-competitive, totally noncompetitive, and people who don’t even want to bowl and just want to hang out. All are welcome! Bowlers will be teamed up with other fans and members of the band and crew. Your admission includes shoe rental and two hours of bowling. A full menu of cocktails and food is available for purchase. Due to limited capacity, tickets are only available as part of a bundle with release show tickets – and you can grab yours by clicking here.