NYS Music 20​17

Category: Bluegrass/Country

  • Hearing Aide: Andy Hall & Roosevelt Collier ‘Let the Steel Play’

    Roosevelt Collier, the pedal steel player from the Lee Boys, and Andy Hall, the dobroist for The Infamous Stringdusters, forged a friendship aboard the Jam Cruise in 2012. Since then, they’ve managed to play together occasionally when their schedules aligned. The relationship grew and has finally borne fruit, in the form of their new release, Let the Steel Play.

    Collier was born into the church music of the sacred steel tradition while Hall’s life has been steeped in the roots of bluegrass. Different musical worlds bridged by steel strings and glass slides. The resulting sound is a perfect blend of the heavenly and the down home, a religious experience happening casually from the porch of a country home.

    The set opens with “This Little Light of Mine,” a tune familiar to both gospel and bluegrass. It serves as the perfect introduction to the unique blended traditions present throughout. The melody flips back and forth between the two instruments flawlessly. Their version is wordless, but by the end you’ll surely be singing along, “This little steel of mine, I’m gonna let it shine!” And shine they do.

    The album borrows from the rich traditions of both players with their takes on some more old traditional tunes, like the stunning beauty “Maiden’s Prayer,” a bopping run through “Reuben’s Train” and the spirited “Power in the Blood.” They also try their hands at a more modern classic with a version of The Grateful Dead’s “Crazy Fingers” that will steel your face right off of your head.

    Interspersed with the traditionals, the album includes a handful of original tunes the pair wrote specifically for this outing. Collier’s steel sounds almost organ-like on the fun “Rosebud,” while “Remington” is a great ‘newgrass’ tune where the part of fiddle is played by a pedal steel. It would be a surprising head turner were it not already in the context of this album. “The Darkest Hour” gets more deliberate and less freewheeling in a fairly sinister sounding turn. As an added bonus, the album closes with a three-way steel stringed jam, with Greensky Bluegrass’s Anders Beck joining the duo on another dobro. A thorough exploration by two masters of their craft, this album is certainly a must listen for any pedal steel or dobro fan.

    Key tracks: Reuben’s Train, The Darkest Hour, Rosebud

  • Woodhenge Music, Art and Sustainability Festival 2017 Announced

    Off the grid sustainable community, Woodhenge, has announced its first Woodhenge Music, Art, and Sustainability Festival, located in Adams Center near the Adirondacks, the community will host the festival on June 23-25, 2017.

    The three day event features a diverse mix of music genres including rock, jam, jazz, reggae, bluegrass, electronic, and funk, and features over 20 artist including Formula 5, Space Carnival, Root Shock, Intrepid Travelers, Lord Electro, Jiggawaltz and Drumadics.

    Fans will have the privilege to explore each morning the 60+ acres of nature and trails the area has to offer, along with yoga and workshops focused on how to live mortgage free, creating a sustainable lifestyle, optimal nutrition, and how to build with recycled materials. The event itself will be held in a field, between the village’s garden and orchard.

    In 1997, James and Krista Juczak, created the eco/self reliance village known as Woodhenge. The mortgage free community is set in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains along the outskirts of a large forest, complete with a stream and waterfall set between a pond and an orchard. The off the grid solar and wind powered sustainable community practices upcycling, using environmentally friendly materials along with alternative building techniques.

    The village grows and cans most of their own fruits, berries, nuts and vegetables in their community garden and raises their own ducks and honey bees for honey and eggs. The community also hosts several workshops throughout the year on building a tiny house, living off the grid, and renewable energy.

    Known as the “King of Scrounge,” Juczak took 5 years to build his 3000 square foot home, set on 50 acres, out of recycled material including beams salvaged from an old bowling alley, and a two-story concrete column made out of scrapped manholes. Windows, doors, sinks, tubs, and other items were bought cheap, or salvaged for free from renovated buildings. The mortar holding the walls is made from 80% paper sludge waste from a nearby mill. The other 20% is made of masonry cement. Juczak has also buried a 10,000 gallon fuel tank used as a guest home buried into the side of a hill.

    Woodhenge has also hosted other music festivals in the past including Summer Solstice Campout in 2016, and the Halloween Costume Fiesta.

    Fans who purchase full weekend passes to the festival online will save some cash. The online pass costs $50 for all three days, and $60 at the gate on Friday, June 23. Other passes range between $20-$40. Camping is available in the field, and in the forest close by.

  • Stephanie Quayle Takes ‘The Flock’ on the Road for the 2017 Winnebago Tour

    Standing out in a crowd of thousands is what each country music artist hopes for as they head to Nashville to pursue their dreams.  Keeping a pulse on the music scene, Rolling Stone magazine often features the newest up and coming country artists making waves in music city.  These artists stand out in the crowd of thousands and it’s generally a uniqueness in their sounds and character that catches the eyes of the media world. Stephanie Quayle is one of May’s featured artists that shines like a star among the night time honky tonks and pubs on music row.

    With the release of “Drinking With Dolly” last year, it was no surprise this tried and true country gal would soon achieve her dreams and the country music world would take notice.

    Raised in Montana on her family’s bison farm, Stephanie shares how she often listened to country music’s legends on the AM radio in the barn while doing chores.  At the age four she began piano lessons, and at fifteen bought her first guitar. It was immediately after that she took to performing and knew  this was what she was meant to do.

    Splitting her time these days with her husband between her homes and farms in Montana, North Carolina, and Nashville. Stephanie finds time to do it all.  A huge philanthropist, she advocates for St. Jude’s Children Hospital, Operation Smile and the local food bank raising funds and awareness for those in need. Recently signed as the ambassador for Murdoch’s Ranch and Home Supply, you can see that she is country through and through.

    Her recent release of “Winnebago,” a fun loving tune, takes the listener across the nation both through the lyrics as well as this summer as she hits the road on the 2017 Winnebago Tour with KOA Campgrounds.

    Making two stops along the way in New York, you can catch her perform in New York City at the Rockwood Music Hall, as well as at the Staller Center for the Arts at SUNY Stony Brook.  Don’t miss your chance to meet this multi talented young lady as she becomes a household name and her music hits the airwaves this summer.

  • Mountain of Youth: The 5th Annual Susquehanna Breakdown Recap

    “And they’re off!” On Friday, May 19 the gates lifted in Scranton, Pennsylvania and campers raced to grab the flattest and grassiest space on the The Pavilion Lawn at Montage Mountain.  They were not there for the 142nd Preakness Stakes, which traditionally takes place in Maryland every third Saturday in May, but instead were celebrating a new bluegrass tradition, the 5th annual Susquehanna Breakdown. Some attendees dressed in jockey-like colors and patterns with ridiculous hats and clothing combinations.  Others wore graphic t-shirts splattered with band names like Cabinet, Umphrey’s Mcgee, Greensky Bluegrass and Phish.  By the beginning of the first set at 6:30pm, one thing was clear… everyone was there to place their bets on a winning weekend.

    The Dishonest Fiddlers, orchestrated by founder Dave Brown, are a Scranton local bluegrass act that switches up the bill every time they perform.  The lightweight and easy listening bluegrass invited campers to put down their tent poles and join in the music at the smaller “Breakdown Stage.”  Breakdowners were delighted to discover that Cabinet’s own fiddle player, Todd Kopec, was sitting in during the festival’s opening act.  The Dishonest Fiddler’s performance marked the first of many expected Cabinet sit-ins over the weekend, but that comes as no surprise as the festival is named after one of their songs!  Next up on the bill was the American-festival veteran Keller Williams.  It is hard to think of the word “bluegrass” or just “grass” in general and not think of the pumpkin pie hair-cutted freak bouncing around stage barefoot from instrument to instrument.  Once you have seen one Keller show, you have seen them all, but that doesn’t stop anyone from attending.  Keller Williams got his start in parking lots playing to the energetic crowds that gathered before the main attraction, The Grateful Dead.  For over 20 years, he has been marching to the beat of his own drum, guitar, synth and whatever else he decides to bring on stage.  The completely improvised sets travel through space and time reminiscent of a spun-out music junky that can’t decide which radio station to listen to as they station hop.  Keller closed his roots-filled funky set with a cover of Marian Hill’s “Down,” which lyrically is the most genius song to kick off a festival.  If you hate on modern pop music, give this one a listen.

    As the sun finally disappeared on Day 1 of the festival, the audience was treated to more Keller Williams for the first semi-official Cabinet set of the weekend entitled “Keller & Cabinet.”  Launching into the bluegrass traditional tune, “My Grass Is Blue,” got the fans boppin’ and air pickin’ before a cover of “Float On” by Modest Mouse.  As more and more non-camping 2-day-pass holders made their way into the venue, the atmosphere began to feel less like a backyard BBQ and more like a full-fledged festival.  The communal body heat kept everyone warm as “Ain’t Gonna Work Tomorrow” served as a reminder that Montage Mountain was home for the next 36 hours.  It wouldn’t be Night 1 of a festival without some minor technical difficulties.  After three minutes of tinkering, the stage was back on track and Cabinet allowed Keller to take the wheel for his originals, “Alligator Alley” and “Sing for My Dinner.”  Before the final track of the collaborative set, Keller commented that he wanted to do a reggae version of the upcoming tune but Cabinet insisted on playing it fast.  Much like Ricky Bobby in Talledega Nights, they wanted to go fast, and fast they went through Amy Winehouse’s “Rehab.”  Ironically enough, ambulance lights flickered through the crowd during the Winehouse cover as the first festival attendee maybe had too much too fast. Members of the crowd looked on in hopes that this would be the one and only emergency rescue of the weekend.

    On a brighter note, Cabinet came out swinging for their first major set of the weekend, tackling their catalog of reggae, bluegrass, roots and rock.  “The Smile” breezed into the first slot as the symbolic greeting tune of the evening.  “Hey Baby” gave Mickey Coviello’s guitar and Pappy Biondo’s banjo some focus in the spotlight and afterward they modestly commented it was “groovy as all hell.”  Pappy was once again the center of attention during their rendition of “Diamond Joe.” Building the song up with some fantastic peaks and valleys via JP Biondo’s mandolin and Todd Kopec’s fiddle, the 6-piece band transformed the poetic country tune into a jam-grass meltdown.  The “Diamond Joe” lyrics feature horses, betrayal and payback which are central themes in many old-timey tunes and Cabinet made this timeless piece their own to showcase their talent during this set.  The band mentioned that the crowd size was much larger compared to years past and I took it as a sign of festival growth, strength and some perfect weather.  The friendly fireside vibe of the Cabinet set was not complete without a singalong and “Pine Billy” served as a fitting choice.  The “way up on a mountain” lyrics got extra howls as families and friends belted out “Pine Billy” during the second half the short set.  “Sunday 60 Breakdown” finished off the set and the crowd significantly thinned as their beloved Cabinet went to get some rest before a big Day 2.

    The evening was not over yet as late night funk trio Organ Freeman treated the mountain to an ass shaking dance party.  Drummer Rob Humphreys, organist Trevor Steer and Erik Carlson on guitar answered the age-old question “Won’t you take me to Funkytown?”    For those in attendance looking for poppy instrumental jazz or experimental and danceable funk, they found it right off the bat with “We’re On Our Way.”  The band tested out several new songs during their set and considering most in the audience didn’t know the names to their originals anyway, it was all new and exciting to us.  The first cover came in the form of Stanton Moore Trio’s “Pie Eyed Manc.”  It was clear that Moore’s sound has a strong influence on Organ Freeman as they worked their layered grooves into every jam they went into.  My one critique is that at 1:30 in the morning, instrumental jazz begins to all sound the same.  As many non-campers such as myself began exiting the venue, it was incredible to clearly hear the echoes of funk during the entire walk back to the parking area thanks to mountain’s valley walls, which acted as natural amplifiers.  The successful first night of music was complete and the main attraction was only hours away.  The Breakdowners were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of mandolins played in their heads.

    CABINET FRIDAY NIGHT SETLIST:

    A Smile, Treat Me So Bad, Hey Baby, Diamond Joe, Mysterio, Eleanor, The Dove %, Pine Billy, Sunday 60 Breakdown

    % Brief Power Failure occurred twice during The Dove

    KELLER WILLIAMS SETLIST:

    My Grass is Blue, Float On*, Ripped 6 Pack, Ain’t Gonna Work Tomorrow, AGWT Reprise (post Power Failure), Alligator Alley, The Tower, Sing For My Dinner, Rehab **
    * Modest Mouse Cover ** Amy Winehouse Cover  (Setlist credit: Rich Stoler)

    ORGAN FREEMAN SETLIST:
    We’re On Our Way, (New Track 1), Only If You Mean It, Putin And I Get Along Fantastic, Life’s A Bench, Reptile Moonshine, Pie Eyed Manc*, Change For A Nickel, The Green Green Grapes, You Said You Quit Drinkin’, (New Track 2), Verve, Byrd vs Fish, (New Track 3), Go By Richard, Not By Dick  ENCORE: Hit The Ground Running, Come out Swinging
    *- Stanton Moore Trio

  • Driftwood Takes The Stage At FTC StageOne

    Groups Driftwood and Seth Walker hit FTC StageOne in Fairfield, Connecticut Friday, May 19, and left with quite the bang. Both acts were polished, and the energy that each group brought was high and captivating. The venue in which the show was held was small and quaint, with a smaller stage and crowd the night of the performance. The acoustics were phenomenal, and the size made the performances personal and intimate.

    driftwood FTC StageOne

    Seth Walker, the opening act, set the tone for the night with positive energy and dedication to his performance. Despite the small venue, front man Seth Walker and his band commanded the stage with loud presence and loud sound, their melodies washing over the entire crowd. The crowd seemed heavily interested and entertained by the music this group brought to the table. Walker referred to the crowd as “small, but mighty” between songs.

    Walker was in tune with the instrumentalists he played along with, watching them solo and announcing their names and instruments after they finished. The stage presence of this group was sharp, and it kept the crowd interested. The group as a whole was highly interactive, able to talk and feed off of one another’s melodies and vibes during their set. Bassist Myles Weeks harmonized with Seth Walker on multiple songs, adding depth and flavor to the sound. Seth Walker’s set as a whole held a good amount of variety, ranging from bluesy, jazz bangers to soft, folk songs with country twang. The instrumental aspect of music is held on a high appreciation in both the Seth Walker Band and Driftwood. Walker, though a primarily jazz musician, has his fair share of folk music. The blend of tunes he chose to showcase was complimentary to Driftwood, making Walker a successful and suitable opening act.

    After Walker cleared the stage, only a short period of time passed before Driftwood took the stage, sound checking their instruments and setting up their equipment. They were quick and efficient in the process, and soon enough, they were introducing themselves and performing their first song. Bassist Joey Arcuri was unable to make it that evening, and due to the sudden setback, the group was forced to change their set around. It consisted mostly of their slower tunes, but the set still featured sound variety. It was clean, polished, and performed as if there was never a set back to be had.

    Violinist and vocalist Claire Byrne revealed to the crowd that the group was once a trio after addressing the absence of the groups bassist, and interacted with the crowd often throughout the night, encouraging their participation with the music being played. Byrne  encouraged clapping and snapping on a number of songs, and was featured as a soloist on many numbers. Driftwood was personable, courteous to the crowd, and spoke amongst themselves naturally. The stage chemistry between the band was phenomenal, as well as the chemistry between the band and crowd.

    Their music was well-rehearsed, and the intonation and dynamics of this group were amazing. Their harmonies were crisp and well-balanced with the instrumentals. Dan Forsyth and Joe Kollar were attentive to Claire’s solo sections, and even had solos of their own. The group left the crowd smiling and singing along, even requesting an encore. Driftwood ended the evening on a high note, and those who traveled to see them play did not leave disappointed.

  • Brad Paisely Opens Saratoga Performing Art Center’s Summer Concert Series

    Brad Paisely kicked off Saratoga Performing Art Center’s (SPAC) summer concert series with a bang, bringing an all-star line up of guests. Paisley played his array of songs to a crowd of over 10,000. He brought his incredible guitar capabilities that left the crowd on their toes.

    brad paisley SPACCountry stars such as Dustin Lynch, Chase Bryant and Lindsay Ell supported Paisely on the tour giving the fans a bang for their buck. After Lindsay Ell ended her set, a huge storm made its way to the venue  which then forced them to shut down all equipment and bring everyone on the lawn inside for shelter. After an hour delay, Chase Bryant quickly came on to get the crowd back on their feet.

    brad paisley SPACBrad Paisely came on at SPAC shortly after 10 pm, playing his hit songs such as “Crushin’ It” and “Old Alabama.” Paisely then welcomed Dustin Lynch on stage to sing a duet for the song “I’m Still A Guy.” During that song, a fan was brought on stage to propose to his girlfriend and she said yes. Paisely was very happy with the first show of the tour telling the crowd, “I can’t tell you how much it means to be playing in a place where my favorite jam bands played for a bunch of stoners.”

    brad paisley SPACbrad paisley SPAC

  • Summer Camp Music Festival Returns for 17th Installment this weekend

    Music Festival season gets underway across the country in May, and Summer Camp Music Festival has made a mark for being a destination event in the Midwest. Umphrey’s McGee, moe., Trey Anastasio Band, Pretty Lights Live and dozens more can be seen this weekend, May 25-28 at Three Sisters Park in Chillicothe, IL. New York State artists Aqueous, Break Science, Eric Krasno Band, Escort, Turkuaz, Intrepid Travelers, Wild Adriatic, and of course moe., will perform at the four-day festival, now in its 17th year.

    Summer Camp has a lot going on, making it tough to see it all, but far from overwhelming like mega-concerts and nowhere near the dumpster fire that is/was Fyre Festival. Check out the full schedule here, or create your own on the Summer Camp app (highly recommended).

    Listen to your Counselors!

    You should listen to your counselors. Seriously, these are the pros who know Summer Camp inside and out. They’re the best resource for Scampers of all ages and experience levels. Read the handbook, which covers virtually every detail and question about the festival, and if you still have questions, join the Facebook group where you can find answers to virtually any question that may arise over the weekend.

    When it comes to camping, unless you’re in an RV, NYS Music recommends the field between Sunshine and Camping (Area D in the map above). Why? Because you are proximate to five stages—Sunshine, Starshine, Vibe Tent, Camping and Soulshine Tent (very underrated, even late at night)—and although there is no shade, you’ll love being able to catch a set of music while chilling between sets of music. The Woods are a solid option as well if you have a smaller set up, but fear not—the sprawling area in the woods is one of the coolest areas to walk through at any festival, night or day.

    And while you are at Summer Camp, Make a Difference! there are so many ways to leave Three Sisters Park better than how you found it; clean up trash, cigarette butts, bring a reusable water bottle, recycle your waste and check out the Soulshine Tent to find ways to bring some of that positive energy from Summer Camp back home with you.

    Then, of course, what do you do when you want to relive a little bit of Summer Camp from your youth? You participate in Field Day! Yes, Field Day is an annual tradition at Summer Camp, one that has a rightful place in the history of the festival. Started in 2011, the annual event takes the cake as the most unique and most fun non-musical component of Summer Camp. Sign up online, and the first 100 get a free team bandana on Friday from noon–1 p.m. at the Vibe Tent. Come back Saturday at 3 p.m. and participate in capture the flag, arm wrestling, spelling bee, banana eating contest and much more, with a Champions ceremony at noon Sunday. Field Day is open to all, the smack talk is free and it has become a growing event everyone should check out, whether as spectator or participant.

    The Field Day staff shared a little insight into why you should take part in Field Day:

    The number-one reason why people should sign up is because of the amount of awesome people you’ll meet doing so, especially myself Ashley Pardy. What keeps me coming back is all of the memories, and the Red Team wins. I mean would you leave a team that has won almost every year?” – Ashley Pardy

    “You will meet amazing people, laugh your ass off and drink free beer. Participating in one of the many cool activities at Summer Camp will make your festival experience unique beyond just seeing shows.”
    – Jessica Coughlin

    “Bragging rights.” –  Elizabeth Cox

    What memories of past years keep these wonderful staff keep coming back, year after year?

    I come back year after year because the people are so amazing. Favorite memory is Sheppy nearly getting arrested by some serious looking state troopers for defacing an American flag, while simultaneously being hoisted on our shoulders raising the red flag after yet another contested victory.”
    – Anthony Piccirilli (Shep talked his way out of it and the cop came to our keg party.)

    “Mud Tug-o-War, Drunken Spelling Bees, Sheppy drunken walks with the cup.” – Elizabeth Cox

    “Drunken Spelling Bees.” – Anthony Piccirilli

    And while sunrise kickball isn’t an official activity, it has been the unofficial opening ceremony of the games for six years now. This is one of the highlights of Summer Camp; at 5:30 a.m. come to the Sunshine Stage for a game of kickball with faithful fans led by Ryan Stasik. There will be trampolines, bacon at second base and no apparent rules; it is the most beautiful and absurd shit-show ever witnessed, and one worth staying up for!

    There you have it; NYS Music gives you the ins and outs of Summer Camp 2017. Make sure to follow us all weekend on Twitter and Instagram to live vicariously if you can’t make the trip to the Midwest.

  • PA Line Folk-ed Up Buffalo Iron Works

    PA Line is a five-piece band hailing from Buffalo. Forming just two years ago, they are yet another band on the rise in the plump music scene in our beautiful Queen city. The band consists of Trevor Stribing (vocals, guitar, percussion), Pat Brown (banjo), Adam Nicpon (mandolin), Alyssa Wainwright (violin, vocals) and Lucas Honig (bass, vocals).

    The 2016 Western New York Music Awards winners of both Best Folk Band and Best Indie Band lived up to those credentials for their third ever performance at Buffalo Iron Works. Their set provided high energy and the band seemed to feed off of the crowd’s positive reaction. Filming was completed for their first official music video throughout the duration of their set at Iron Works. Stay tuned to NYS Music for when that drops.

    PA Line will be announcing some upcoming tour dates in the very near future.  The band had this to say: “All of us at PA Line love performing and when the crowd has great energy, we really feed off that. Its a priceless feeling when everyone at the show is just having fun and good energy is in the air. With that being said the fans were absolutely amazing last night, definitely a night we wont forget.”

    Setlist: Breathe, Time, Baby Don’t Go, Scream Out, Open, Shadows, Shut Up, The King, Liar, Escape

    Encore: The End

  • The 5th Annual Susquehanna Breakdown: Affordable Scranton Bluegrass

    What can you do with $50 in Scranton, PA this weekend?  How about two days of incredible bluegrass, folk, and funk?  The 5th Annual Susquehanna Breakdown begins Friday, May 19 with local act, The Dishonest Fiddlers taking the stage at 6:30pm followed by most Deadhead’s favorite one-man band, Keller Williams, at 8pm.  Members of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s own Cabinetwill be joining Williams on stage for the 9:30pm “Keller & Cabinet” set which is sure to be full of surprises.  Cabinet will then take over the stage at 10:45 for the first of three weekend sets.

    When Susquehanna Breakdown was founded in 2013 by Cabinet and Live Nation Entertainment, their aim was to shine a light on the regional artists, farmers and craft vendors of Scranton, PA.  Over the years the festival has added bigger names and larger crowds to their Montage Mountain home, yet the tight-knit friendly vibe, cheap ticket price, and local sponsorship has remained.  While Cabinet continues to be at the nucleus of the event, bluegrass juggernauts, Greensky Bluegrass, have taken over 2017’s headlining slot at 9pm on Saturday night.   Other sets to check out on Saturday include Binghamton, New York’s Driftwood at 12:30pm, a daytime acoustic set from Cabinet at 2:15pm, the soulful folkie Wood Brothers at 4pm and Billy Strings tearing things up at 8pm!

    The full schedule is posted and as in years past, the festival organizers have set the separate stage times so that attendees are able to catch a glimpse of every band with little to no overlap.  And did we mention the late night acts?  The funky West Coast trio, Organ Freeman, will be taking over the party on Friday night and the traveling powerhouse, Turkuaz, will be sending Breakdowners home after one more Saturday night set.  Sandwiched in between all this funkiness is Tom Hamilton’s Breakdown All Stars at 11pm on the second day which will be full of festival-wide collaborations.

    The Northeastern festival season is now upon us and this showcase might be the best bang for your buck you will find this year.  Whether you plan to attend on Saturday only or camp for both nights on the pavilion lawn, there is plenty to do and hear at this year’s Breakdown.  An eclectic collection of acts from around the country sharing the space with local bands and vendors makes this the perfect practice run for the rest of the summer’s events.  The Susquehanna Breakdown shares the same space as Montage Mountain’s larger summer extravaganza, The Peach Festival, but at a fraction of the cost.  While Scranton locals may consider Peach to be the big brother of the mountain’s two jam-heavy festivals, the Breakdown just hit another growth spurt and is ready to rival its older sibling in 2017.

    NYS Music had the chance to sit down with The Dishonest Fiddlers founder, Dave Brown to discover what makes “The Electric City” the perfect place for a breakdown…

    Ben Boivin: What is the concept behind The Dishonest Fiddlers and where did you first come up with this unique idea to play with different artists at every show?

    Dave Brown: Well, I played solo prior to forming the band and I still enjoy the solo sets very much but the band has given my music a chance to take a different shape and myself a chance to play with and learn from a lot of different musicians along the way.

    BB: What is your connection with Cabinet, the band that founded the Breakdown?

    DB: Well my introduction to Cabinet came maybe 4 or 5 years ago in Scranton.  I ordered lunch from Pizza by Pappa’s, and JP [Biondo] delivered it. I was not expecting him, nor was I expecting the pizza to have several bites out of it either. JP agreed to let me take a few bites of the next pizza he had to deliver, and after playing a few tunes I agreed we were square. Since then I started picking up my orders from Pappa’s and listening to Cabinet.  Lately I’ve been fortunate enough to have Todd Kopec, from Cabinet, playing fiddle with us and he’ll be on stage with me at the Breakdown too.

    BB: I know that you are on the road all summer and visiting many different festivals.  What do you feel is so special about the Susquehanna Breakdown?

    DB: The Breakdown has really evolved into something a lot of people really look forward too. I’ve met people from all over the country at the Susquehanna Breakdown over the years. I was a spectator at the first one and its definitely special to have the opportunity to be playing this year. It’s also nice that our family and friends have a chance to be there and share the day with us

    BB: What is the band you are most looking forward to seeing at this festival?

    DB: I recently had a show with Driftwood and I got a copy of their new album so I’m looking forward to hearing some of those tunes again.  I’m also interested in hearing Billy Strings for the first time.

    BB: What would you like to see for The Dishonest Fiddlers?

    DB: Well tours and new albums all sound great but mainly I want to keep having fun and keep writing music. If I can manage to keep enough air in my tires and the lights on at home, the rest will fall in place.

    Tickets for the Susquehanna Breakdown can be purchased at the festival or via Ticketmaster while supplies last.

  • Hearing Aide: Kolby Oakley ‘Where Would I Be’

    Several years ago I had an opportunity to see a local young man open for Parmalee at Toby Keith’s.  Impressed by his talent, I made a point to speak to him that evening as I noted something unique about him.  Fast forward two years later and color me pleasantly surprised to have his new EP Where Would I Be come across my desk to be reviewed.  After listening to it, once again I noted that unique quality in his work that makes him stand out amongst the crowd. Kolby Oakley, a 22 year old country musician, hails from a musical family.

    Although he is young in years, his experience is that of years of musical influences.  His father, Steve Oakley, sings, his mother, Kim Oakley, plays bass, and his uncle Craig Oakley, is well known for performing with both The Beach Boys, and Bob Hope.  Playing alongside his folks throughout the years on drums, he taught himself the guitar, and after loosing his great Grandmother in 2007, he began writing his own work.  A wonderful musician, it’s his writing that stands out to me.  Kolby has a gift of story telling.  His descriptive lyrics place you in a frame of mind of the characters he sings of and transports you to the moments in which they reflect.  This was evident as I began to listen to his four-song EP that is being released this week.

    The title track, “Where Would I Be,” paints a story of those influences throughout the years that shaped the person he sings of.  This upbeat song, gives thanks to those moments and the reflective journey taken to arrive at the destination of today.  The next track, “First Kiss,” slows down the tempo, but not the momentum of this EP.  Kolby’s knack of writing mimics that of a novel writer, giving your senses the touch, taste, smell, and flavor of the moment, making this track somewhat sensual.  My favorite track however is the third, “Keeps Me Coming Back.”  Perhaps it’s the fun Caribbean flare of toes in the sand, sun on your shoulders, beer in your hand that come across and pulls me in on this number.  The final track, “Counting On,” is my next favorite. The consistency in his writing once again draws you in and takes you on a journey of heartbreak, loss, and coping. It floors me that at only 22 years of age, this young man, has the soul of a seasoned country  musician.

    I highly recommend catching Kolby Oakley this weekend at his EP release party, in Binghamton at Touch of Texas. Doors open at 6pm and tickets can be purchased both online and at the door.

    Key Tracks: Keeps Me Coming Back and Counting On

    https://youtu.be/RTdXHgiSVug