Live Music Society Launches New Video Series American Road Trip

Oregon Venue Volcanic Theatre Pub and Hot Buttered Rum 

Featured In Episode #1 

Hot Buttered Rum at Volcanic Theatre Pub (Bend, OR)

July 13, 2022 - Today, nonprofit philanthropic organization Live Music Society (LMS) launched a new video series titled American Road Trip. The monthly episodes will take viewers along for a night of live music in a small venue, featuring the bands, music fans, owners, and staff who make these places so special. To coincide with Independent Venue Week in the United States, episode #1 takes us to Volcanic Theatre Pub, an all-ages venue voted the best in Bend, Oregon, multiple times in the past ten years. 

Watch American Road Trip - Episode #1: Volcanic Theatre Pub HERE. 

On stage that night is Hot Buttered Rum, a souped-up, left-coast string band whose love of bluegrass, folk, jazz, and soul is woven into a riveting strain of Americana. Hot Buttered Rum returned to a sold-out audience at Volcanic Theatre Pub May 7th after having to cancel their album release show in 2020. Musicians Erik Yates and Nat Keefe emphasize the vital role small venues play for bands that are starting out and talk about how this impacted their own 20-year career. “We’ve played the Volcanic more times than I can remember, because it’s just a great spot,” they stated. “It always has that seething, rumbling kind of crowd energy to it.” 

"All of us at Volcanic Theatre Pub (and Bend) are honored, flattered, and beyond excited to be featured in Live Music Society's first episode of American Road Trip,” said proprietor Derek Sitter. “Everyone involved made for a perfect night of live music inside the walls of VTP. Many thanks to all the attendees, staff, crew, artists, and LMS for supporting Volcanic. Indie venues RAWK!" 

Each month, a new stop on the American Road Trip will be aired on Live Music Society’s YouTube channel and Instagram, celebrating the listening rooms, community spaces, and small clubs that are the bedrock of the American music industry. Executive director Cat Henry stated, “We hope this series inspires viewers to support their local music scene as venues come back and bands hit the road again. They can do that by buying a ticket to a show and enjoying a great night out!” 

Since 2020, Live Music Society has supported small, independently run music venues throughout America, seeking to create a community that can share best practices, innovate to thrive and survive, and cultivate the conditions for the next generation to experience the magic of live music. LMS has committed to awarding one million dollars per year in grants to venues that promote and preserve the live music experience in intimate settings, where artists of all levels and all genres get their start, connect with their audiences and maintain their careers as performers. To date, Live Music Society has provided funding to over 126 venues in 34 states across the country totaling over $2.3 million. 

Live Music Society: 

Website - Facebook - Instagram 

For more information, please contact: 

Erik Andersen (erik@missingpiecegroup.com) 

Michael Krumper (michael@missingpiecegroup.com)