Wynonna Judd and Friends brought their quaint classy show to the Showroom at the Turning Stone Casino. The stage was set with simple decorative accent furnishings in a beautiful inviting atmosphere.
Judd appeared on the stage alone with her guitar for her very first song in such a raw and personal performance. She truly loves her fans and shows that in the way she gives them bits and pieces of her personal life and is so frank while interacting with them.
Wynonna’s band joined her and the chemistry was so obvious. Like a family, they shared stories and laughter while giving the fans an honest emotional performance. Her feisty attitude and passion for what she does is truly amazing. Listening to her perform with such emotion gave me goose bumps. A true entertainer in every way, she draws you in and captivates you while her delivery takes you to another time and place where you relate to that song .
Opening for Wynonna was Peter Scobell. A former US Navy SEAL and close friend of the late Chris Kyle, Peter sang a couple of songs accompanied by only his guitar. Another personal performance that gave you a small glimpse into his life and travels. To close his set, Peter performed a song written for his late friends Chris Kyle and Chad Littlfield “Hearts I Leave Behind” and of course I witnessed several concert goers wiping tears from their cheeks as they listen to his tribute. I would have to say this show is definitely in my top 10 all time favorites.
School Bus Yellow is a four piece improvisational jam rock band from Upstate NY, covering a range of classic hits and fresh, original material. Opening the night with a few groovy, light-hearted numbers such as “Chump Change” and the Grateful Dead’s “Franklin’s Tower” getting the crowd energized for the night ahead. School Busy Yellow stretch funky spontaneous melodies and rock rhythms for a captivating contagious dance vibe. Catching the audience completely off guard was their fun-loving bust outs of “Sweet Dreams” and “Busta Move” with fierce drum work from Gregory Finely. This band is fast ride with experienced drivers, be sure to hop on and buckle up.
Click here to stream and download their set from Parish Public House on March 6 now.
Most New Englanders may recognize Jen Durkin as lead singer from Deep Banana Blackout who are a staple at the Gathering of the Vibes for the late night sets. Durkin, rightfully nicknamed “Pipes” debuted her new funk project, The Business, last fall at The Catskill Chill, spreading soulful vocals alongside her brother Johnny Durkin on drums, Darian Cunning on guitar, Rich Zurkowski on bass and keyboardists Jesse Gibbon. Jen Durkin produces mighty alto vocals as she rocks the microphone and a cowbell in high fashion style. Zurkowski slaps out a funky bass rhythm while Gibbon plays a jazzy melody and Cunning is pure rock n roll guitar attitude. The group has flawless chemistry as they climb continuous peaks of harmonies, fusing together old school funk and new age soul with nonstop energy. Be sure to catch Jen Durkin & The Business Saturday April 4 at Brooklyn Bowl, NYC with Dumpstaphunk.
Despite a steady afternoon snowfall that carried into the evening, the room filled with fervent fans; yet, likely because of the snow, the club never became unbearably crowded, allowing listeners to dance freely. Club Helsinki provided the perfect space for the North Mississippi Osborne Experience to launch into an intimate Sunday night jamboree in support of its recent album release, Freedom & Dreams.
Candlelit tables lined the exterior of Hudson’s Club Helsinki while mismatched, low-lit globes and chandeliers hung from the ceiling. Steady waves of tantalizing aromas floated around the space as servers weaved through the crowd, serving pot pies and pie a-la-modes. More than twenty guitars lined racks or rested in stands on March 1, waiting to be played by a rotating arrangement of outstanding musicians.
The evening’s musical portion kicked off with North Mississippi Allstar Luther Dickinson and Anders Osborne facing each other and trading licks on electric acoustic guitars. The jam flowed into a smooth tune, “Let it Roll,” before Osborne exited the stage and Cody Dickinson and Lightnin’ Malcolm took up the drums and bass respectively. Luther Dickinson picked up the electric and put on a display with the slide. The trio played a couple folksy tunes—“Going Home on the Morning Train” and “Mean Ol’ Wind Died Down”—that raised the crowd’s energy. They shifted tempos a few times before settling down into a slow, stirring cover of Jimi Hendrix’s “Hear My Train A Comin’” featuring an ultra-clean guitar solo from Luther Dickinson.
Then, the musicians started playing musical chairs. Cody Dickinson picked up a six-string, renowned drummer and Louisiana native Brian Blade sat in on the kit, and Luther Dickinson and Malcolm remained on the guitar and bass for an upbeat, instrumental rocker. The room was grooving and got a little rowdy when everyone on stage grabbed a percussion instrument, waded into the crowd, and encouraged a sing along of “Granny Does Your Dog Bite?”
Luther Dickinson kept marching right off the stage and Osborne reappeared with his bassist, Carl Dufresne, for reggae-esque Osborne original “Marmelade.” While Allstars front-man Luther Dickinson exudes a calm, quiet confidence on stage, Osborne’s booming voice is rivaled by his enormous stage presence. Upon taking the stage, he stole the room’s attention and his vocals sounded superb in Club Helsinki’s open space.
The long set concluded with everyone on stage. Luther Dickinson and Osborne mesmerized onlookers while trading off between lead and slide guitars. They rolled through old New Orleans’ folk classics as well as originals. Cody Dickinson led a fiery folk tune on the washboard before they closed out with Osborne’s “On the Road to Charlie Parker.” With all the musicians playing and the crowd singing along, the hard-rocking jam highlighted a great evening of music.
Nearly two and a half hours after the show commenced, the world-class musicians wrapped it up to the chagrin of adoring fans. The North Mississippi Osborne Experience did their best, however, to reiterate the old adage that one should never miss a Sunday show.
The 2015 SAMMY awards dinner held upstairs at Dinosaur BBQ in Syracuse on March 6 brought together music fans, musicians and promoters alike to honor some of Syracuse’s finest at the Syracuse Area Music Awards
With emcee Dave Frisina of of 105.9 introducing special guests the honorees included a music educator, producer, local band, early rock ‘n’ roller, guitarist and a muumuu wearing drummer.
Stacey Waterman of Eastern Artists presented Professor David Rezak of the Bandier School at Syracuse University with the Music Educator award. She joked that 90% of his graduates work in the industry while the other 10% are musicians, while referencing notable alumni who Prof. Rezak has been a mentor and teacher to over the course of his career. Upon taking to the podium, Rezak responded by noting “It’s all about the music, it’s all about the song. I am happy to have been a part of the music of Syracuse”
State Senator John A. DeFrancisco took the podium to share proclamations for all honorees this evening, noting that “music and arts in this community are the heart and soul of Syracuse.
Guitarist Loren Barriger, who at 6 years old played the Grand Ol’ Opry, emotionally thanked family and friends who encouraged him throughout this life of music. Ron Wray introduced Bobby Comstock, who was on the original American Bandstand, wrote a rock version of “Tennessee Waltz”, worked with Alan Free who coined the term ‘Rock n Roll’ and played Madison Square Garden 50 times. Upon taking to the podium, Bobby said “I did all that?”, while reflecting on playing with Chuck Berry, in Chicago with blues greats but noted that every story comes back to Syracuse. Comstock had a great deal of memories and thank you’s to give from his storied career.
Chris Goss, producer and musician (Masters of Reality, Queens of the Stone Age, Kyuss) has been a major influence on the desert rock genre and was honored as such. Referring to his career path, he said “It’s not a job, it’s a vocation; you do it out of love.” He mentioned that Seattle, a dark and dreary city, much like Syracuse, gave birth to Soundgarden and Nirvana, because instead of going outside, kids would go inside, look inward and listen to music. “Good music comes out of dark places.”
The Works, a local act who did it their way and in their own style are one of the most storied local Syracuse acts and were known for playing local clubs on a weekly basis in the 70s and 80s. If you weren’t playing music, you were seeing local music and supporting local music, a sentiment that is relevant in towns and cities across the state and country. As The Works put it, “It’s a brotherhood.”
Jon Fishman was introduced by his father, Leonard, who spoke of his late wife Mimi’s memory and presence at early Phish shows playing the vacuum with her son. He received great laughter and applause saying “I don’t know if you know this, but my son wears a dress”. While it is well known among his fans that Fish is a self-educated drummer who still practices daily, Jon cited Dave Hamlin and Bob Gulloti who taught him how to play the drums. Having been in only one band his entire career, the adventurous and spiritual unit of Phish has allowed him to make a living by moving music out of his parent’s basement to UVM, then to Goddard College, and on the road with Phish, and now with his wife and 5 children.
At 50, Jon says he still feels like he is 8 years old when playing the drums and is “still getting away with this … I’m just drumming.” He found it odd to be receiving a lifetime achievement award at 50 but recognizes that “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts,” referencing both the band and the community of Phish.
Fish also came clean and told his father that he snuck out on more than one occasion in the late 1970s to walk a mile to Manley Field House to see Frank Zappa and King Crimson, incredibly influential shows for the young Henrietta that led him down his career path towards recognition from his peers in his hometown of Syracuse.
On Friday, March 6 at The Palace Theater on James Street, the SAMMY awards were handed to a cadre of local musicians who had earned recognition of their peers and fans.
Best Pop: Nick & Noah
Best Blues: Castle Creek
Best Rock: William Gruff
Best Country: Megan Lee
Best Alterative: Leah Shenandoah
Best Jam Band: Joe Driscoll & Sekou Kouyate
Best Jazz: Nick Ziobro
Best Americana: Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers
Best R&B: Brownskin Band
Best Hip-Hop/Rap: Nick Case a.k.a. Decoy
Best Other: Samba Laranja
Best Hard Rock: Nineball
Best Singer/Songwriter: Alanna-Marie Boudreau
Brian Bourke Award for Best New Artist: Spring Street Family Band
People’s Choice awards included:
Best Artist: Briana Jessie
Best Venue: Kegs Canal Side
Best Festival: FoxFest
Asleep at the Wheel pulled into The Egg along with openers The Quebe Sisters on Sunday night as the city began to thaw from its terrible winter. The groups seemed to not only bring nice weather with them, but they played some scorching hot “Texas swing” for the enraptured crowd. Having this wonderful genre of music played in such a great venue is a treat for Upstate New York, as it’s a rarity for it come around here. To make the evening even better, there was plenty of comedy coming from the stage from both bands throughout their performances.
First up were The Quebe Sisters, Grace,, Sohpia, and Hulda, whom all laid down some amazing fiddle work along with beautiful harmonies. The sisters were joined by Katy and Penny Clark who continuously traded instruments throughout the show including mandolin, piano, guitar, and banjo. The sound that was being made by these amazing women on stage could have been taken from a radio from the 50’s or right off the stage at The Grand Ole Opry. Their set went by in a flash, like their hands playing various instruments, and the crowd gave the ladies a standing ovation as they exited the stage.
Asleep at the Wheel strode on stage in all of their glory shortly after and took The Egg to the heart of Texas very quickly. 45 years on the road has not slowed the band down one note. Playing some great tunes like “Route 66”, “Big Balls in Cowtown” and “Miles and Miles in Texas” let the crowd hoot, holler, stomp their feet, and sing along. Throughout the night they paid tribute to Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys and they did a great job honoring the king of Texas swing, as they do on their latest guest filled album Still the King.
Ray Benson is of course the focal point of the band as he has been there since the beginning and he tells some great stories throughout the show, but everyone else was just as amazing. Eddie Rivers blew the crowd away throughout the night on the steel guitar, while Katie Shore did the same on fiddle. Emily Gimble’s hand flew on the piano and her voice was soaring over the crowd. Dave Sanger and Dave Miller on drums and bass respectively kept the train rolling all night. After the show was over, both bands were out in the lobby meeting and signing things for the audience. Hopefully more old-school country can come throughout New York State to keep us warm throughout the whole year.
Keg’s Canal Side hosted a country party featuring Joe Nichols. With a packed house and great entertainment, the below freezing temps didn’t seem to matter. Sam Grow took the stage before Joe Nichols and got the party started. Performing to the rowdy crowd seemed to just add to Sam’s excitement and the crowd was more than willing to share their love for country music with Sam as he opened the show.
Joe Nichols brought his humble yet charismatic persona to the stage and the fans couldn’t contain themselves. From the moment the band played their first note the fans were engaged and enjoyed the fun to be had by all. Performing hit songs “Tequila Make Her Clothes Come Off” and “Sunny and 75” the entire place sang along. Of course Joe had to add to the fun with his version of country rap while he performed “Big Butts”.
The fans just couldn’t get enough. After leaving the stage at the end of their set, the fans cheered until he and the band came back and performed two more hit songs.
I look forward to several more shows as Keg’s Canal Side in Jordan, New York. The staff was amazing and very attentive to all patrons. With the nice weather, they will host a number of acts at their new outdoor stage.
The jam band titans that comprise moe. will play their first show in Binghamton since 1996 on Wednesday, March 11. A mainstay on the circuit for the past quarter century, moe. celebrates its silver anniversary in 2015. The group formed at the University at Buffalo in 1989 and has not slowed down since
Wednesday night’s show at the Forum Theatre in Binghamton kicks off a four night New York run. Following the Upstate gig, moe. heads to New York City for three nights, including Friday and Saturday night performances at the Best Buy Theater. The Western New York natives show the Empire State plenty of love; they have hosted fifteen straight moe.downs in Turin, NY and recently rang in 2015 at Albany’s Palace Theater. The Binghamton show on March 11 is moe.’s only scheduled Upstate show on the calendar besides a Thursday night headlining set at Mountain Jam 11.
Special guests Cabinet kick off the evening of music at 7:30. Tickets can be purchased here.
One of the most memorable and critically acclaimed albums of last year was The War on Drugs’ Lost in the Dream. The Philly PA based band has quickly become an underground favorite – drawing huge audiences and festival spots with little to no radio support. New York will get some “Drugs” this spring with two stops – June 7 at The Governor’s Ball festival on Randall’s Island in NYC and June 8 at Water Street Music Hall in Rochester.
Ticket’s for both are on sale already – $260 for a three day pass to Governor’s Ball and $22 for Water Street. Get them while they last! Check out the whole tour and listen to Lost in the Dream below.
War on Drugs Spring/Summer 2015
03/27/15 Philadelphia, PA at Tower Theater
03/28/15 Norfolk, VA at The NorVA
03/29/15 Richmond, VA at The National
03/31/15 Knoxville, TN at Bijou Theater
04/01/15 Chattanooga, TN at Track 29
04/02/15 Athens, GA at Georgia Theatre
04/03/15 Birmingham, AL at Iron City
04/04/15 Memphis, TN at Minglewood Hall
04/05/15 Tulsa, OK at Cain’s Ballroom
04/07/15 Albuquerque, NM at The Historic El Rey Theater
04/08/15 El Paso, TX at Tricky Falls
04/09/15 Phoenix, AZ at The Pressroom
04/11/15 Indio, California at Coachella
04/14/15 Ventura, California at Ventura Theater
04/15/15 Pioneertown, California at Pappy & Harriet’s SOLD OUT
04/18/15 Indio, California at Coachella
05/21/15 Portland, OR at Crystal Ballroom
05/22/15 – 05/25/15 George, WA at Sasquatch Music Festival
05/24/15 Vancouver, BC at Vogue Theatre
06/06/15 – 06/07/15 Toronto at Field Trip Music & Arts
06/07/15 New York, New York at Governor’s Ball
06/08/15 Rochester, NY at Water Street Music Hall
06/09/15 Pittsburgh, PA at Stage AE
06/10/15 Covington, KY at The Madison Theater
06/11/15 – 06/14/15 Manchester, TN at Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival
06/12/15 Indianapolis, IN at Vogue
06/15/15 Tampa, FL at The Ritz
06/16/15 Miami Beach, FL at The Fillmore at Jackie Gleason
06/17/15 Orlando, FL at The Beacham Theatre
06/18/15 Charlotte, NC at Amos’ Southend
06/20/15 Washington DC at 9:30 Club
06/25/15 – 06/28/15 Werchter Festival Park at Rock Werchter
06/26/15 St Gallen at Open Air
06/28/15 De Groene Heuvels at Down the Rabbit Hole
07/01/15 – 07/04/15 Roskilde at Roskilde
07/02/15 – 07/05/15 Barcelona at Vida Festival
08/11/15 – 08/15/15 Oslo at Oya
08/13/15 – 08/15/15 Gothenburg at Way Out West
08/14/15 – 08/16/15 Helsinki at Flow Festival
09/04/15 – 09/06/15 Laois at Electric Picnic
09/06/15 Wiltshire at End Of The Road
Widespread Panic will open its summer tour in Lewiston before a short Northeast run heads south and west. The Georgia-based bluesy jammers are set to play at Artpark Amphitheater in Lewiston — near Niagara Falls — on Tuesday, June 16.
That’s the band’s only New York stop, but they’ll be nearby when they play Blue Hills Bank Pavilion in Boston on June 17, Jay Peak in Vermont June 19, and Pittsburgh June 21. As an added rage rested treat – special guest Umphrey’s McGee will open the Jay Peak and Philly shows. After that, they head south and west to a variety of locations, with longer runs in Texas and Colorado.
Panic is also on the Lockn’ Music Festival bill in September. The band is about to embark on a spring tour that winds throughout the U.S. and includes a two–day Brooklyn run in April.
Tickets for Widespread Panic in Lewiston will go on sale March 28 online or by phone at 888-223-6000. The other Northeast summer tour dates go on sale March 13 and 14.
For the second of a three video set to celebrate the second anniversary of their formation – NYSMusic is elated to give fans a first look at Mister F’s “Answer the Dog.” The Snow Day Sessions will be a three song EP and will be released on the F’s Bandcamp page following the third video release which drops next Sunday. “Answer the Dog” features a special guest sit in from saxophonist Matty Carl of Shwizz. The F’s Scott Hannay provided us with some background:
“Once upon a time, on the road in Chicago, we had some friends of ours go wait in line for a whole bunch of legendary Hot Doug’s hot dogs. We were all pretty amped. However, Matt fell asleep before they could return with the dogs, phone-in-hand. We went all Indiana Jones on him and carefully switched the phone for his hot dog, and put his phone by his ear. We called the phone to see if he would answer the hot dog. He didn’t ‘answer the dog’, but we suddenly had a title for the brand new untitled song we’d played just the night before.”
Catch Mister F next in NY on April 4 at Upstate Concert Hall supporting Twiddle and Kung Fu, and now, let’s watch the video for “Answer the Dog.”
