THE REVIVAL TOUR 2012 / Chuck Ragan (of Hot Water Music) / Dan Andriano (of Alkaline Trio and The Emergency Room) / Cory Branan / Nathaniel Rateliff

Rooted in oral traditions, folk music is instilled with values that focus on openness and sharing, with no one giving a greater gift to this genre than Chuck Ragan has with The Revival Tour. “It’s an age-old idea and the way that families and communities have shared music for hundreds of years,” Ragan explains when asked where the inspiration for the Revival Tour came from. “At the end of most tours I went on, everyone would end up on stage together anyway so I thought why not communicate more before hand so we can share the old way collaboration onstage from the onset as the folks that came before us all did in the past?’”

Ragan has traveled the world as a member of celebrated punk act Hot Water Music as well as a solo musician for the past two decades. Through his third solo album, Covering Ground, Ragan pens a depiction of his transient lifestyle as well as an apologetic letter to the loved ones he has had to leave behind in his nomadic quest across the country.

Ragan nurtured the idea into fruition in 2008 with the first tour comprising Avail’s Tim Barry, Lucero’s Ben Nichols and a cast of revolving guests—including Against Me!’s Tom Gabel. This year’s lineup promises just as much talent as the inaugural year, featuring Alkaline Trio’s Dan Andriano, Cory Branan, and Nathaniel Rateliff. Andriano is best known for being co-vocalist and bassist in the punk rock band, Alkaline Trio, but he has been busy with a solo project, In The Emergency Room, that embraces a more gentle side, proving this man to be a truly multi-faceted musician.

Branan has been associated with Lucero, having lent his pipes to some of their songs whereas Rateliff offers his listeners a heartfelt twang that melds the earnestness of folk with the roughed up nature of old rock ‘n roll.

Revival Tour unites people in a camaraderie that is unmatched, drawning in musicians and listeners alike as a moth to a flame. “We live and breathe this music and I think it’s just a natural instinct for people who believe and live music to want to share that with other like-minded musicians,” he summarizes. “For those of us that have been traveling on the road for years it makes for a more interesting show not only for us involved but also for the folks who are spending their time and money to come see and support it. It truly is an unforgettable event.”