Elexa Dawson and the Hitchhikers

Genres: Alternative Rock, Bluegrass / Roots

Sound description: Janis Joplin, Kasey Chambers, Lucinda Williams & Joni Mitchell - all in a pile with a big ol' bass beat after a bottle of Kentucky Deluxe

Web site: http://www.elexadawson.com

E-mail: newbluegirl1979@yahoo.com

Extras

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Related links

• Want to know more? (Jan. 29, 2008)
• Hitchhikers on My Space (Jan. 29, 2008)

History

What people are saying about Elexa & The Hitchhikers...

"Elexa Dawson writes home-spun tales of warmth and soul; pure, simple, beautiful. Music that's stirring yet peaceful; tasty like a cold beer." Matt Watt

"Lexy's songs are like organic fruit: pure, powerful and sweet." Jason Gordon

In September of 2006 in the Pecan Grove, an upright bass was sold. The transaction was made on sacred grounds: Spoon Camp. Winfield, KS.

Elexa and Josh Thuma began playing together in October '06 and they've never looked back. With the addition of a few other very talented musicians the music has taken a unique form that stretches your expectations from alternative folk and bluegrass.

For the past year and more, The Hitchhikers have been thumbing their way across Kansas non-stop with some stints in Colorado, Oklahoma and Missouri. Along with a busy touring schedule, these turned-pro pickers diligently worked an every-Wednesday show in their hometown of Emporia for over a year. This steady gig tightened the sound quickly, and professionalism was the fruit of this labor.

R.C. Rogers at Berkley Road Studios, who heard something special in the previously recorded demo, "LIVE In the Laundry Room", recorded their debut album, "Gypsy Mama". Gypsy Mama also features mandolin by 'Hippie' LeClear, flute by Wichita's own Lani Meyer and percussion by Cody Tastove.

The live show is a 6 piece ensemble featuring Elexa singing originals, Thuma on bass, Cody on percussion, Lani trading between flute and mandolin, Casey Cagle singing originals to his sweet gitfiddle pickin' and Melissa Tastove on harmony vocals and rhythm toys.

The Hitchhikers have shared the stage with the likes of: The Dewayn Brothers, My-Tea Kind, Fast Food Junkies, Elephant Revival Concept, BuffaloFitz, Shady Lane String Band, The Rounders, GCDC, Tall Cotton String Band, The Haymakers, Fashionably Late, The Canvas, and many more.

A typical set from The Hichhikers will include ORIGINAL MUSIC as well as covers from artists such as Lucinda Williams, John Prine, Willie Nelson, Janis Joplin and others.

Contact: Elexa or Scott Dawson by phone: (620) 341-7161, (620) 273-6342 by e-mail: newbluegirl1979@yahoo.com
They pack their home bar, Natasha’s Billiards & Lounge, Emporia KS, every Wednesday night.

Musicians

• Elexa Dawson: Guitar, Vocals
• Josh Thuma: Bass
• Cody Tastove: Percussion
• Lani Meyer: Flute
• Casey Cagle: Guitar

Formed

2006Cottonwood Falls, KS

Influences

All our friends in the music world like Dewayn Brothers, Fast Food Junkies, Shady Lane String Band, Highwater String band, Laura Freeman, Kirk Rundstrom and Truckstop Honeymoon as well as Lucinda Williams, Janis Joplin, Myshkin's Ruby Warblers, Kasey Chambers, Gillian Welch, Jerry Garcia, Ben Harper, Road Dog Divas, Asylum Street Spankers, The Beatles, Traci Champman, James Taylor, Jim Croche, Ween, Phish, Nickel Creek, South Austin Jug Band, Neil Young, Nirvana, Old Crow Medicine Show, Radiohead, Willie Nelson, Sublime, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Little Country Giants, Wildwood

Current status

Touring Kansas, House Band at Natasha's Billiards & Lounge, Available for booking