State Radio takes action on US tour

Rock reggae trio State Radio are keeping busy while on the road through February. The band, who have become known for their socio-politically charged lyrics & high-energy live shows, are practicing what they preach. On each stop of their current tour, State Radio is participating in environmental or hunger focused community service projects. Just last weekend, between sold out shows in California, the band & crew woke up early to remove thousands of invasive Spanish broom plants in an effort to prevent the kind of wildfires that destroyed parts of the state last summer. The community was so inspired that the local CBS affiliate even paid them a visit while they worked (watch the piece here ).

Additionally, the band has teamed up with Rock For A Remedy, who will host food drives at the remaining show dates.

State Radio has also joined forces with Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) to produce an online public service announcement about death-row inmate Troy Davis; Davis has been on death row for 19 years and came within 24 hours of execution twice, despite a strong claim of innocence that, to date, has not been heard in a court of law. State Radio frontman Chad Stokes Urmston heard about Davis and was so moved by the case that he penned the song "State Of Georgia" and has donated it to AIUSA to develop the PSA. The band plans to hold a "Justice For Troy Davis" rally in Atlanta on Friday, February 13 prior to the show their that evening. (Check out the PSA here ).

Urmston, along with tour manager Sybil Gallagher, also just launched "Calling All Crows," a human rights organization aimed at mobilizing musicians and their fans to take action through public service and providing humanitarian aid. In 2009, "Calling All Crows" has set a goal of raising $100,000 to protect woman against violence in the Darfur region of Sudan. Fundraisers have been announced for Boulder (Home Run Derby) and Providence (5K Road Race) with more coming soon including a Global Youth Service Day volunteer-a-thon across the country over the weekend of April 24-26.

And lastly, Urmston will join Ani DiFranco for seven dates in March. He will open the shows with a solo acoustic set, and the proceeds from these shows will go towards "Calling All Crow." (tour dates below)

"Right Me Up" | download

February:

04 Tulsa, OK @ Cain's
05 Dallas, TX @ The Pontiac Garage/House of Blues
06 Austin, TX @ Antone's
07 Houston, TX @ Numbers
08 New Orleans, LA @ House Of Blues
10 Birmingham, AL @ Work Play Theatre
11 Asheville, NC @ The Orange Peel
13 Atlanta, GA @ The Variety Playhouse
14 Charleston, SC @ The Music Farm
15 Norfolk, VA @ The NorVa
16 New York, NY @ The Bowery Ballroom
17 Allentown, PA @ Crocodile Rock
18 Rochester, NY @ Water Street
19 Killington, VT @ The Pickle Barrel
20 Huntingdon, PA @ Juanita College
21 Providence, RI @ Lupo's

Solo acoustic dates in March:

03 Wilmington, DE @ Grand Opera House *
04 Charlottesville, VA @ Paramount Theatre *
07 Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club *
09 Roanoke, VA @ Jefferson Center *
10 Durham, NC @ Carolina Theatre *
11 Charlotte, NC @ Neighborhood Theatre *
13 Asheville, NC @ The Orange Peel *

* w/ Ani DiFranco