Triple M to help you wring out a few more drops of summer

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: Festival Frenzy: Three weekend music events to help you wring out a few more drops of summer : 77 Square | Tom Alesia | August 19, 2009 : : The third annual Madison Roots Festival may be scaled down from last summer's event at the roomy Alliant Energy Center's Willow Island, but its acts reflect a broader range of musical styles than previous years, ranging from R&B to reggae to rock. And each genre lands under the umbrella of roots music. : "It's sort of purposely tough to define," said Pat Gallagher, program director of fest sponsor WMMM/FM 105.5 ("105.5 Triple M.") "This allows us to go in all kinds of different areas that we consider roots music." : Gallagher points to a roster headlined by guitar star and singer-songwriter Willy Porter, who will play with a full band. There's also soul sensation Bettye LaVette, who at 67 performs with the fire of acts half her age. Rising stars Maia Sharp and northeastern Wisconsin's Cory Chisel are scheduled for afternoon sets, and Madison favorites Natty Nation and Mike Droho round out the lineup. : Sharp, in particular, is enjoying her career's biggest surge. Her new album, "Echo," was released Aug. 11, but she has already been featured on NPR's "All Things Considered." In addition, the single, "John Q. Lonely," has been receiving considerable airplay by progressive rock stations nationwide, including Triple M. : "Echo" also has the advantage of being produced by the acclaimed Don Was and features Bonnie Raitt on backing vocals. A singer-songwriter, Sharp has had her songs recorded by the Dixie Chicks, Raitt and Cher. Sharp's tune, "Home," became the Dixie Chicks' title cut for the group's hugely popular 2002 album. : LaVette's career has taken several turns. She recorded for major labels in the 1960s and 1970s but never managed to reach the commercial heights she deserved. This decade, LaVette has experienced a comeback, performing rollicking sets at many festivals and clubs. She also recorded again, and her decades-old albums have been re-released. : Her current album is an EP called "A Change is Gonna Come Sessions." She performed "A Change is Gonna Come" with Jon Bon Jovi during President Obama's inauguration celebration. It also includes a version of "Love Reign O'er Me," which she performed at a Kennedy Center tribute to The Who. : -- : IF YOU GO : : What: Third annual Madison Roots Festival : : Where: Capital Brewery, 7734 Terrace Ave., Middleton : : When: 1-8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22 : : Tickets: $25 day of show, $20 in advance (go to 1055triplem.com for details) : : Lineup: Willy Porter, 7 p.m.; Bettye LaVette, 5:30 p.m.; Cory Chisel, 4:15 p.m.; Natty Nation, 3 p.m.; Maia Sharp, 1:45 p.m.; and Mike Droho, 1 p.m. (other acts will play between main stage performances)

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