At the heart of Arthur Lee Land is the creative partnership of artist, musician, songwriter, producer, live-looper, educator: Arthur Lee Land and artist, non-performing lyricist, songwriter: Carol Lee. Arthur and Carol have been married for over three decades. We invite you to explore the vast landscape that is Arthur Lee Land…
The Arthur Lee Land TRIO - Where Colorado Twang Meets the Funk, renders a modern eclectic fusion of electrified americana and acoustic driven roots rock invoking a joyful and humorous dialogue of musical improvisation between Arthur, Will Trask (drums) and Zach Jackson (bass). The diverse musical Influences of americana roots rock, blues, country, funk, bluegrass and world beat are evident in Arthur’s melodic improvisational guitar work in the band’s stimulating conversations which can lead the audience into magical realms of transcendence through driving electrified and acoustic arrangements of Arthur Lee Land original songs co-written with his non-performing lyricist Carol Lee.
A new take on good old Grateful Dead Songs, featuring Arthur Lee Land & Friends. Twang Is Dead features Arthur's unique re-arrangements of classic Dead songs, interpreted with the twang of his signature B-Bender Fender Telecaster guitar, over old school Americana Country, Rhythm & Blues, and Funk grooves, while staying true to the improvisational nature of the music and the spirit of adventure that the Dead are known for. Twang is Dead was born at Red Rocks Amphitheater in May of 2017 when Arthur Lee Land was invited to be the musical director, and his band to be the house band, hosting an all star cast of Front Range Colorado artists to open for the Grateful Dead’s LONG STRANGE TRIP Movie. Check out the Electronic Press Kit:
The Art of Live-Looping is a 21st Century art-form consisting of recording, layering, mixing and arranging vocals, instruments and sounds in a live performance using digital looping (sampling) technology that plays back in continuously repeating loops, allowing musicians the freedom to create full songs on the fly in real time.
It's like "digital plate spinning with sound" and is a perfect example of the "ADHD mind" at work!
Arthur Lee Land’s Art of Live-Looping K-12 Assembly Program gives students an intimate, hands-on look into this amazing hi-tech 21st Century art-form. Using his own story as a “hyperactive” child, Arthur shares his unique viewpoint as a professional musician and recording artist, who has re-framed his perception of ADHD by way of the Hunter / Farmer Theory (see below) as a dynamic gift that has allowed him to become a global pioneer and innovator of the Art of Live-Looping. This highly interactive and inspirational program fully engages students, as Arthur facilitates them, in the process of improvised song creation by looping up their own parts. BOTH students AND teachers will leave with a new understanding of this incredible art-form, along with the message that each of us have our own unique gifts and learning styles, highlighting the importance of Harmony together, in the classroom, and in life.
“My Neurodivergence & hyper-sensitivity disguised as “Learning Disabilities” manifested in what was, back in the day, labeled “hyperactivity” and now called “ADHD: Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.”
"Before the "ADHD" label was being used, I was a guinea pig for Ritalin as a so called "hyperactive" 5th grader in 1969. Looking back, I wish my parents had the book THE DRUMMER AND THE GREAT MOUNTAIN as a resource. If we had that kind of support back in the day I wouldn't have had to wait over 30 years to re-frame my NEURODIVERGENT HUNTER BRAIN WIRING as the truly dynamic gift that it is." -Arthur
Starting with the premise that ADD / ADHD is a neurological type, NOT a “disorder” -- shared by many artists and great minds currently and throughout history. "The Drummer and the Great Mountain” is an informative, practical guidebook for those of us with the artistic or entrepreneurial temperament, offering a treasure trove of survival tools, personal growth techniques and coping mechanisms for a personality type that can often be at odds with our linear, rational society.
“I want to share my experience of the gifts and the challenges that come with my brand of Neurodivergence. After 62 years of living with this “Hunter Brain Wiring” and my 2020 Prostate Cancer healing deep dive into my Family of Origin Shadow Work, I feel like the trauma I experienced during my childhood has exacerbated many of the challenging aspects of my ADHD. I’ve realized that much of the unrecognized anxiety and depression I’ve lived with my entire life have been interwoven with daily coping mechanisms to help me deal with my lack of the Executive Function of Working Memory….”
READ MY FULL ADHD BACK STORY AND WATCH MY AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL “GOOD ENOUGH” VIDEO
CAROL LEE - LYRICIST
Carol Lee is an Multi-Media ARTIST, Lyricist, Songwriter, Set Designer, Massage Therapist, Master Chef, Empath and Healer.
Well versed in the metaphysical systems of Astrology, Tarot, Enneagram and Jungian psychology for over 30 years. Carol Lee’s insight into life and people is experienced deeply archetypal and her voice as a non-performing songwriter is integral within the artistic landscape of “Arthur Lee Land.”
An a.m. radio on in every room of their Chicagoland home, her obsession with lyrics and music began before she could even talk. Before the age of 3, memorizing the lyrics to entire albums including Simon & Garfunkel’s ‘Bookends’, Carol Lee found the words she already sang, written on the back of the albums, when it clicked, 'this is how you read'! Poems, self reflective journals and stories redeemed a tumultuous childhood along with a continued reverence for music and lyrics. In 1997, 15 years into Arthur and Carol's relationship, a spontaneous songwriting collaboration occurred while sitting on Adirondack chairs in the Big Sur River in California. In 2002, attending Rocky Mountain Song School, Grammy-nominated producer and hit songwriter Wendy Waldman, upon listening to the demo of their song Dragonfly told Carol Lee about her lyrics, “You’ve raised the bar!” Ms. Waldman signed on and produced Arthur Lee Land's album, Dragonfly, in 2004.
Arthur Lee Land is a Colorado based Electro-Americana singer-songwriter, multi-intrusmentalist and innovative Loop Artist. He plays an eclectic fusion of Americana Folk-Rock, AfroGrass (bluegrass/worldbeat) and EDM/Electronica. At the heart of "ARTHUR LEE LAND" is the creative songwriting collaboration of Arthur and his non-performing songwriter/lyricist/artist and wife Carol Lee Land.
Connect with Arthur and Follow ReGROOVEaNATION
ReGROOVEaNATION is Arthur Lee Land’s Electro-Americana/EDM collaboration project: An eclectic fusion of Americana Folk-Rock, AfroGrass (bluegrass/worldbeat), EDM/Electronica and the Art of Live-Looping featuring guest EDM collaborators.
Blue Skye Barn was chosen as a Rocky Mtn “Hub” for recording sets for The Mockingbird Sessions - a 3-night FREE livestream event celebrating 25 years of music education. A virtual fundraiser benefiting Phish’s 501c3, the Mockingbird Foundation, and was broadcast on fans.live and promoted by Relix in June of 2021. Featuring performances by Joe Russo, Marco Benevento, Yonder Mountain String Band, Members of Greensky Bluegrass, Infamous Stringdusters, Leftover Salmon, Arthur Lee Land & Friends and more…
Arthur was musical director and host for a collaboration set of Twang Is Dead w/ Arthur Lee Land & Friends as the house band featuring special guests: Andy Hall & Jeremy Garett of Infamous Stringdusters, Lionel Young, Emma Rose of Big Richard, Members of DeadPhish Orchestra.
Blue Skye Barn Presents: A Virtual Winter Solstice Celebration and Benefit for LEAF, Lyons Emergency & Assistance Fund - A COLORADO HEART(H) WARMING 2020 - Songs And Conversations About Navigating the Darkness and Light In These Times. Featuring Special Musical Guests: Daniel Rodriguez (Elephant Revival) and Emma Rose with Arthur Lee Land & Friends. LEAF’s Mental Health Therapist Cherie Maureaux (LPCC, NCC Registered Psychotherapist) will facilitate an intimate conversation with artists gathered by the Hearth fire, fueled by their songs and life experiences of 2020, to raise funds and awareness of LEAF’s Mental Wellness & Addiction Recovery program, along with tools to support the overall health of our creative community.
Blue Skye Barn Presents: A Virtual Valentine’s Day Celebration and Benefit for LEAF, Lyons Emergency & Assistance Fund - A COLORADO HEART(H) WARMING 2021 - Songs And Conversations Navigating Relationships & Matters of the Heart. This episode's lineup features Musical Guests: Clay Rose (Gasoline Lollipops), Mackenzie Page (Gipsy Moon) with Arthur Lee Land & Friends. Special Guest Michael Joseph Ferguson: Best Selling Author, ADHD Life Coach, Public Speaker, Workshop Facilitator, and Podcast Host will facilitate an intimate conversation with artists gathered by the Hearth fire at WeeCasa Tiny Home Resort in Lyons. Fueled by their songs and life experiences during 2020, the artists will discuss tools that can support the overall health of our creative community and raise awareness of LEAF’s Basic Needs & Resource Matching program.
For more information on Blue Skye Barn Presents, click here.
Hiding Out at Home: A Virtual Northwest String Summit
A unique part of Northwest String Summit’s popular “Kinfolk Revival Stage” were the collaborative sets that host and musical director Arthur Lee Land co-curated featuring guest artists from festival line up. During the pandemic on June 23-24, 2020 nearly 20 hours of live music footage was filmed at the Blue Skye Barn in Lyons Colorado featuring Yonder Mountain String Band, members of Greensky Bluegrass, Infamous Stringdusters, Leftover Salmon along with Bonnie Paine and Daniel Rodriguez of Elephant Revival, Bonnie Sims of Big Richard, Arthur Lee Land Trio, Burle Galloway and others. The content was aired on July 17-19, 2020 on the Live From Out There platform and streamed flawlessly to over 1000 online paid festivarians.
Fallen Heroes - Tribute to artists who passed in the last year: John Prine, Bill Withers, Dr John, Art Neville/Meters, Paul Barrere/Little Feat and Ginger Baker/Cream. Featuring Arthur Lee Land Trio and special guests: Jeremy Garrett, Andy Hall and Chris Pandolfi (Infamous StringDusters), Bonnie Sims (Big Richard, Everybody Loves An Outlaw), Andy Thorn (Leftover Salmon) Casey Russell (Magic Beans), Darren Garvey & Charlie Rose (Elephant Revival), Tyler Grant, Burle Galloway, Melissa McGinley and Woodbelly.
Twang is Dead
Tribute set to honor the passing of Grateful Dead Lyricist Robert Hunter. Featuring Arthur Lee Land Trio and special guests: Jeremy Garrett, Andy Hall and Chris Pandolfi (Infamous StringDusters), Bonnie Sims (Big Richard, Everybody Loves An Outlaw), Andy Thorn (Leftover Salmon) Casey Russell (Magic Beans), Darren Garvey & Charlie Rose (Elephant Revival) and Tyler Grant.
2022
Fallen Heroes (Dead Artists the Grateful Dead Covered)
Arthur Lee Land & Friends w/ Special Guests: Tim Carbone (Railroad Earth) / Dave Bruzza (Greensky Bluegrass) / Kyle Tuttle / Mimi Naja & Jay Cobb (Fruition) / Enion (Taarka) / Tyree Woods (Buffalo Commons) / Katia (Pixie and the Partygrass) / Becca Bisque (Sweet Lillies) / Matt Butler (Everyone Orchestra) / Jackson Hillmer (Mama Magnolia) / Caton Sollenberger (The Jauntee) / Asher Fulero
Country & Pacific Northwestern
Arthur Lee Land & Friends w/ Special Guests:
Sierra Hull / Rainbow Girls / Anna Moss (Handmade Moments) / Tim Carbone & Mike Robinson (Railroad Earth) / Taylor Kingman & Lewi Longmire (TK and the Holy Know Nothings) / Joel Cummins (Umphrey’s McGee) / Scott Law / Jay Cobb & Tyler Thompson (Fruition) / Tyree Woods Buffalo Commons) / Megan Letts (Mama Magnolia)
2018
Pickin’ On Dylan
Arthur Lee Land Trio w/ Special Guests: Tim Carbone (Railroad Earth), Paul Hoffman, Dave Bruzza and Devol (Greensky Bluegrass), Adam and Dave (Yonder Mountain String Band), Andrew & Emily (Mandolin Orange/Watchouse), John Craigie, Shook Twins, Jay Cobb (Fruition) Lewi Longmire (TK & Holy Know Nothings)
Twang is Dead
Arthur Lee Land Trio w/ Special Guests Andy Hall (Infamous Stringdusters) and Andy Thorn (Leftover Salmon)
2017
Fallen Heroes: Chuck Berry Special
Arthur Lee Land / Tyler Thompson, Jeff Leonard & Jay Cobb (Fruition) / Adam Aijala (YMSB) / Asher Fulero / Darol Anger / Shook Twins
Fallen Heroes: Allman Bros Tribute to Greg and Butch
Arthur Lee Land Trio w/ Special Guests: Tyler Grant, Paul Hoffman & Dave Bruzza (Greensky Bluegrass), John Craigie, Lewi Longmire, Ted Tilton & Chris Sheldon (DeadPhish Orch) and Joshua Davis
2016
Fallen Hero's - Songs of Merle, Prince, Bowie & More
Arthur Lee Land / Tim Carbone (Railroad Earth) / Tyler Thompson & Jeff Leonard Fruition) / Dave Bruzza (Greensky Bluegrass) / Vince Herman (Leftover Salmon) / Shook Twins
GratefulTwang: A Celebration of the Grateful Dead's Country Music Roots
w/ Arthur Lee Land / Scott Law / Tim Carbone (Railroad Earth) / Vince Herman, Gregg Garrison & Alwyn Robinson (Leftover Salmon)
The annual Halloween benefit RAVE TO THE GRAVE started in 2015 as a collaboration with Planet Bluegrass owner Craig Ferguson, Arthur & Carol Lee Land, set design artist Kahlie Sue Pinello, VJ AnDrew Brislin and board members of LEAF: Lyons Emergency & Assistance Fund.
LEAF is a 501c3 non-profit born out of Lyons Flood of 2013 and has been providing services for Lyons residents in need such as the Food Pantry, Meals On Wheels, Covid-19/Gig Grants, Basic Needs Grants, Mental Wellness & Addiction Recovery Counseling. Rave To The Grave evolved out of the 2104 ReGROOVEaNATION dance parties to become Lyons most successful fundraising event of the year.
As with so many artists, the pandemic of 2020 pushed creatives into pivoting to new projects and online streaming. The Lee Land’s pivoted to a local Lyons CO community art project: Blue Skye Barn Presents. Arthur as co-producer/musical director and Carol Lee as set designer collaborated with Northwest String Summit owner and Lyons resident Skye McDonald and a local all-star Production Team to create virtual multi-media online benefit productions functioning as fundraising platforms that supported non-profit organizations, local artists and production crew members who have lost income due to the pandemic.
2020’s Virtual RAVE TO THE GRAVE featured a new multi-media format with the overarching theme: “Once Upon A Time.” This production intentionally mashed up elements of community “safety net” fundraiser, short form documentary, original music video, original set design / costumes and an epic 2-hour Halloween dance party into a cohesive artistic statement that serves our local community in a time of crisis. Arthur Lee Land and Friends (Co-Producer, Music Director, House Band) collaborated with guest artists from Lyons and the Front Range creating innovative arrangements of classic songs that included “Time” in the lyrics serving the event’s theme along with a Clock filled set design by Carol Lee land and Kahlie Sue Pinello (House artist at Planet Bluegrass).
Arthur collaborated with legendary folk rock icon DONOVAN on his Sunshine Superman 50th Anniversary Tour as his Musical Director/Band Leader for his only full band performance w/ Bonnie Paine & Friends, featuring members of Elephant Revival and Tim Carbone of Railroad Earth in Fairfield IA, September of 2017.
Arthur was asked to put together a special band to open for the premier of the Grateful Dead’s “Long Strange Trip” Documentary Film produced by Martin Scorsese at Red Rocks Amphitheater May 25, 2017. The Arthur Lee Land Trio and his bandmates from Great American Taxi made up the house band with a variety of special guest Colorado artists doing unique interpretations of classic Grateful Dead tunes that Arthur arranged to fit their style. This Colorado Community Art Project concept became the genesis of Twang Is Dead.
Special Guests included: Mark Levy (Circles Around The Sun, Phil Lesh and Friends) / Erik Yates (Hot Buttered Rum) / Sarah Anderson, Carleigh Aikins & Mark Anderson (Paper Bird, Heavy Diamond Ring) / Bonnie & Taylor Sims (Big Richard, Everybody Loves An Outlaw) / Casey Russell (The Magic Beans) / Selasee (Selasee and the Fafa Family) / Megan Letts (Mama Magnolia) / Alex Johnstone (Rapidgrass) / Andrew McConathy (The Drunken Hearts) / Lionel Young / Jessica Jones (MLIMA) / Pete Kartsounes (The Good Time Travelers) / Mackenzie Page & Silas Herman (Gipsy Moon)
ReGROOVEaNATION was born out of the community healing process in the wake of the trauma caused by the 2013 flood in Lyons Colorado. Following the first Lyons Colorado Flood Benefit Concert at Ferg’s Inn, a small historic Lyons hotel that Craig Ferguson (owner of Planet Bluegrass) had recently purchased, 5 months of weekly dance parties ensued in early 2014 featuring the collaboration between Arthur Lee Land and his old bandmate/drummer Brian McRae and his EDM improv fusion dance project: gogoLab. Each week a special guest artist was featured including: Lily Fangz, Dave Watts (The Motet), Daniel Rodriguez (Elephant Revival), Selasee (Selasee & Fafa Family), Bill McKay (Leftover Salmon, Derek Trucks Band), CR Gruver (New Orleans Suspects), Dusty Rider (RailSplitters), Don Amory (Gasoline Lollipops), Eric Wiggs and others.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT BLUE SKYE BARN:
BLUE SKYE BARN PRESENTS is a Lyons Colorado based production company specializing in producing Virtual & Physical Benefit Events featuring Music With A Purpose. At the heart of the BLUE SKYE BARN is a highly cultivated multi-media production team whose core members have been working together since 2015 on RAVE TO THE GRAVE, the annual benefit held at Planet Bluegrass for LEAF: Lyons Emergency & Assistance Fund. It is a Collective of consummate artists musicians, tech and live music event production professionals from all over Colorado’s Front Range who have been serendipitously drawn together during the Pandemic of 2020/21 to create virtual multi-media online benefit productions functioning as fundraising platforms that supported LEAF: Lyons Emergency and Assistance Fund, other non-profit organizations, local artists and production crew members who have lost income due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
BLUE SKYE BARN Production Team
Skye McDonald: Co-Producer & Host
Arthur Lee Land: Co-Producer & Musical Director
Audio
Peter Hart: Recording Engineer & Tech
James Tuttle (eTown): Recording and Mix Engineer
Sean Flynn: Production Manager / Stage Manager
Video
Alec “Red” Szuch: Video & Lighting Director, Post-Production Editor, Production Manager (@InLightandDesign)
Andrew Brislin: Art Director, Projection Mapping/Live Visuals, Post-Production and Visual Effects (@lambientvisuals)
Jesse Borrell (NOCOAST): Videography
Eric Abramson (FilmCartel): Director of Cinematography
Carol Lee Land: Set Design and Ambiance
Tess McDonald: Hospitality, Rituals and Saging
House Band: Arthur Lee Land & Friends
Blue Skye Barn Special Guest Artists:
Yonder Mountain String Band / Paul Hoffman and Dave Bruzza (Greensky Bluegrass) / Andy Hall, Jeremy Garrett and Chris Pandolfi (Infamous Stringdusters) / Andy Thorn (Leftover Salmon) / Bonnie Paine & Friends (Elephant Revival) / Daniel Rodriguez (Elephant Revival) / Bonnie Sims (Big Richard/Everyone Loves An Outlaw) / Arthur Lee Land & Friends / Twang Is Dead & Fallen Heroes / Burle Galloway / Tyler Grant / Charlie Rose & Darren Garvey (Elephant Revival) / Casey Russell (Magic Beans) / Dead Phish Orchestra / Emma Rose & Joy Adams (Big Richard) / The Drunken Hearts / The Sweet Lillies Lily Fangz / Lionel Young / Selasee Atiase / Woodbelly / Carolyn Hunter / Dechen Hawk / Danny Shafer / Alex Cazet
