Roots Artists Danny Freund, Ian Thomas, and Paul Lee Kupfer form 'The Busdriver Tour' to head West

June 22, 2012 - PRLog -- Renowned folk artists, The Tennessee Two Piece (Ian Thomas and Paul Lee Kupfer) and songwriter Danny Freund, have joined together as a newly-formed 3 piece for this "Busdriver Tour". The band will be touring at no faster than 58mph in a 1991 Chevy Aristocrat School Bus, headed West.

Danny Freund has been a touring musician for many years, while based out of St. Louis and Montana. He has had touring success both as a solo artist and while leading his bands the Seven Smart Fellers and the Polebridge Electric Company.  A St. Louis, MO native, but Montana has become a second home for Danny over the years and his songs reflect this nearly as much as the midwest has influenced him.  His style is independent and sincere, reminiscent of both a young Bruce Springsteen and Chris Knight.  The Tennessee Two Piece out of Knoxville, TN is composed of Paul Lee Kupfer and Ian Thomas, both long standing touring artists in their own right.  After traveling for years as a street performer, Ian Thomas began playing clubs in New York City, where he recorded his debut album "A Young Man's Blues", and since then has shared the stage with many Americana greats like Sam Bush, The Avett Brothers, and Dr. John.  Ian has been accurately dubbed 'American songster', drawing on a variety of American roots influences, he delivers a captivating raw live performance and distinctive sound from his original compositions that seem like they could have been written decades ago.  Bluesman, Paul Lee Kupfer, has been described as playing 'boxcar hobo folk music'.  Paul has played shows with Taj Mahal and The Carolina Chocolate Drops, among many others.

The combination of Danny and the Two Piece has proven to be an entertaining one, giving the audiences three separate bodies of material, three separate front men, three distinct sounds, but one cohesive band.  Each artist in "The Busdriver Tour" is well-versed in roots music, as well as talented multi-instrumentalists who can hold their own whether on guitar, harmonica, bass, percussion, lead vocal, kazoo, banjo, fiddle, or the drum kit.  The band's fluidity highlights Danny's rock and roll roots, Ian's country vocal stylings, and Paul's rhythm driven blues. Under the influence of the three songwriters, the show ranges from Hard Driving to Jug Band Music to Country Two Step and Easy Swing. The dynamic interaction between band members is engaging, while the performances are original, energetic, and sure to get people drinking and dancing!

The band will be touring at no faster than 58mph in a 1991 Chevy Aristocrat School Bus with an 8.2 Liter 60 Series Detroit Diesel Engine, 4 speed transmission, on 6 Good Year G159 retreaded tires.  For more info on the tour, the bus or to donate parts, diesel, or mechanical expertise contact the band at http://www.thebusdrivertour.com.  

Be sure to catch The BusDriver Tour if they stop in a city near you!  Additional shows are being added regularly, so please check back with the website for the most up-to-date information on these and more:
6/24 - Louisville, KY
6/26 - Manhattan, KS
6/27 - Hays, KS
6/28 - Boulder, CO
6/29 - Casper, WY
6/30 - Douglas, WY
7/1   - Livingston, MT
7/4   - Polebridge, MT
7/6   - Whitefish, MT
7/7   - Whitefish, MT
7/10 - Big Fork, MT
7/12 - Coram, MT
7/14 - Paradise Valley, MT
7/15 - Norris, MT
7/17 - Island Park, ID
7/18 - Park City, UT
7/23 - Casper, WY
7/24 - Cody, WY
7/25 - Red Lodge, MT
7/27 - Livingston, MT
7/29 - Pray, MT
7/30 - Gardiner, MT
8/1   - Bozeman, MT
8/2   - Missoula, MT
8/3   - Big Fork, MT
8/4   - Whitefish, MT
8/9   - Great Falls, MT
8/11 - Red Lodge, MT
8/12  - Douglas, WY
8/14  - Manhattan, KS
8/16 - Columbia, MO
8/17 - St. Louis, MO