Dave Matthews Band Headlines The Hangout Music Festival May 18-20

Dave Matthews Band Headlines The Hangout Music Festival May 18-20

There are only a handful of bands that reach the ‘timeless” stage, continuing to produce great music and awesome performances for decades.

And what does Dave Matthews think about this?

"Being able to scream at the top of my lungs in front of people is very therapeutic," he says. "It is a great gift for me to be able to do that." (Rolling Stone).

Indeed. DMB will have an opportunity to get VERY therapeutic in front of thousands of fans on the sands of Gulf Shores at The Hangout Music Festival May 18-20.

The Dave Matthews Band formed in Charlottesville, Va., in early 1991, when vocalist/guitarist Dave Matthews decided to put some songs he had written on tape. Instead of simply recording himself with a guitar, he opted to bring in some instrumental help to give his musical ideas more depth.

Dave found assistance in drummer Carter Beauford and saxophonist LeRoi Moore, who were both accomplished jazz musicians in the local Charlottesville music scene. Based on the recommendation of distinguished local jazz guru John D'earth, 16-year-old musical prodigy Stefan Lessard came on board to play bass. Completing the band was keyboard player Peter Griesar, who left the band after a couple of years, as well as the talented and classically trained violinist, Boyd Tinsley.

Along the way, they have sold millions of records and captured a Grammy in 1997 for Best Rock Vocal Performance with “So Much to Say” and a solo Grammy for Dave with “Gracedigger" in 2004.

In August of 2008, the close-knit friends suffered the devastating loss of brother and founding band member, LeRoi Moore, who passed away from complications stemming from a June ATV accident. DMB continued to perform on tour as a tribute to Moore and then took 2011 off to reflect and gear up for 2012.

Dave says he is ready to rock Gulf Shores.

"That's the magic of this band: shooting from the hip. The lights have to follow our cues, because we're not going to follow their cues. We're not going to stick to a song the way it's supposed to be. Everything is up to us. That's music to me. That's American music. We're an American band." (Rolling Stone).

Also headlining the music fest will be the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Jack White. Dozens of other diverse acts will fill the three days of music on the white sands of Gulf Shores .

Now in its third year, The Hangout Music Festival offers a unique festival atmosphere directly on white sandy beaches.

http://www.hangoutmusicfest.com/tickets/

http://www.hangoutmusicfest.com/info/lodging/