www.option22.net

Option 22 is an Americana/Worldbeat ensemble with a revolutionary vibe. Passionate female vocals dance atop a healing groove of instruments from around the world including banjo, guitars, didgeridoo, shamisen, djembes and other hand drums. Positive lyrics inspire unity and soulful melodies elevate listeners' consciousness. Dubbed by one listener a “new age jam band,” their flavorful style is flexible, ranging from funky and rhythmic sounds to mellow and melodic, with each member bringing into the equation affinities for worldbeat, funk, folk, jamband music, newgrass, trance, reggae and rock. Their full-out drum jams send energy bouncing off the walls of any venue. The only category that truly seems fitting is “Other.”
Based in Princeton, West Virginia, Lori McKinney (vocals, drums, djembe, spoken word), Robert Blankenship (guitar, banjo, shamisen, hand-drums, didgeridoo), and Albert Perrone (guitar, hand-drums) have been writing and playing music together since early 2004. Clayton Blankenship (bass) rounded off the mix in 2008. Their songs come fresh from the moment; most of their songs are written from improvisational sessions.

With backgrounds in theatre, performance, healing arts (yoga/meditation), and visual arts, the group comes together with an artistic mind-set and a vision for a better world. The group has been prominent in the media as a cultural force as they transform their community with creativity. The pinnacle of each year for the group is headlining Culturefest World Music & Arts Festival, in the majestic Appalachian mountains, which they founded.

With three albums of original music, their newest release, "Choose The Music," is available now. It was nominated by HomeGrown Music Network for 2010 Album of the Year.

Choose the Music features 12 Original Songs spanning styles from newgrass to space-folk to alterna-rock world funk. No matter what you call it, it's good music.