by VVN Music

This January, fifty lucky people will be able to participate in what has to be one of the most unique experiences ever assembled to interact with some great artists. From January 14 to 18, those people will be riding a train from Los Angeles to Oakland on what is being called Roots on the Rails.

During that time, they will be treated to performances, conversations and workshops on the train with Jimmy Webb, Jesse Winchester and Tom Russell. Plus, at each end of the excursion, there will be full concerts at venues in Los Angeles and Berkley. Along the way, naturalist Elsabe Kloppers will be pointing out interesting fauna and geography for those who want a little nature with their music. Finally, guitarist Thad Beckman will be along for performances and accompaniment.

The tree artists could fill multiple albums with the songs that they and many others have recorded. Winchester may be best known for his Brand New Tennessee Waltz, but has also written such staples as Biloxi, Yankee Lady, Talk Memphis and Rhumba Man. He received the 2007 Lifetime Achievement Award from ASCAP.

Jimmy Webb's music was almost constantly on the charts during the late 60's and early 70's with songs like By the Time I Get to Phoenix, MacArthur Park, Wichita Lineman, Up Up and Away, The Worst That Could Happen and Galveston. He has been writing and recording for over forty years and counts artists from Tony Bennett to Urge Overkill among the artists who have performed his songs.

Tom Russell also has forty years of recording under his belt and has written songs recorded by Johnny Cash, Guy Clark, Doug Sahm, Ian Tyson, Suzy Bogguss, k.d. lang and many more.

For more information on the trip, go to the Roots on the Rails website.