Rising jambands stars The Bridge, who won a spot on Jam Cruise through Relix/Jambands.coms Vote to the Boat contest, will release their self-titled CD nationally on Hyena Records October 23. The disc hits stores partway through the groups extended fall tour, which takes the Baltimore, MD-bred group through most major markets as far as Texas and back. Of particular note is an October 3 appearance at New Orleans The Maple Leaf, which will feature special guests John Gros (Papa Grows Funk) & Russell Batiste Jr. (The Funky Meters). The Bridge first bonded with Batiste during a series of Katrina benefits in the fall of 2005. Before then, the group will perform at Asheville, NCs The Emerald Lounge this evening.