Category: Catskills

More than a dozen Jam for Tots shows planned across New York State this holiday season

NYS Music is proud to announce 15 Jam for Tots shows around the Empire State this holiday season. Kicking off on November 27, each show will have a Toys for Tots box set up for patrons to donate gifts to kids in need.

With a wide variety of artists, including Consider the Source, Runaway Gin, Annie in the Water, Tim Herron Corporation, Strange Machines, and Swedish metal guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen, this annual series will connect live music fans with those most in need in their local communities.

Support kids in need this holiday season by bringing an unwrapped toy to any of the following shows. Jam for Tots is brought to you by NYS Music.

Regional shows include:

Mid-Hudson Valley

Nov 27 Open Jam – Main Street Public House, Philmont

Dec 5 Open Jam – The Stewart House, Athens

Dec 7 Yngwie Malmsteen – The Chance, Poughkeepsie

Dec 14 IS – Hilltop Bar and Tavern, Tannersville

Westchester

Dec 4 The Spadtastics – Garcia’s at The Capitol Theatre, Port Chester

North Country

Dec 6 Hunter – The Monopole, Plattsburgh

Western New York

Dec 14 Strange Machines w/s/g Haewa- Flour City Station, Rochester

Dec 20 PA Line “Chrismukkah Show” w/ Special Guests – Buffalo Iron Works, Buffalo

Capital Region

Dec 14 Annie In The Water, The Deadbeats – Putnam Place, Saratoga Springs

Dec 14 Consider the Source w/s/g Swimmer – The Hollow, Albany

Central New York

Dec 8 The Old Main – Woods Valley, Rome

Dec 19 The Action! – Copper City Brewing Company, Rome

Dec 28 Tim Herron Corporation – Funk n Waffles, Syracuse

New York City

Dec 26 Runaway Gin – Knitting Factory, Brooklyn

Massachusetts

Nov 30 Fennario – Electric Haze, Worcester, MA

November 20, 2019
Hearing Aide: Driftwood ‘Tree of Shade’

Driftwood is set to release their fifth studio album Tree of Shade this coming spring. This folk-rock and Americana-influenced band has grown over the years from a duo to a five-piece group. Band members include Dan Forsyth (guitar/vocals), Joe Kollar (banjo/guitar/vocals), Claire Byrne (violin/vocals), Joey Acuri (bass), and Will Sigel (drums). Each additional instrument and added vocalist serve to create the rounded and wholesome feel of Driftwood’s music.

Reminiscent of the sentiment of their band name, Driftwood continues to evolve with the passage of time. Tree of Shade consists of eleven tracks and represents the group’s sonic evolution as they experiment with slower paced music. Personally, listening to this album puts me back around a campfire on a chilly summer night. The opening track “California” (which also happens to be violin/vocalist Claire Byrne’s favorite track) helps set the tone for the rest of the album as it embodies the previously described ambiance.

Perhaps one of my favorite aspects of this album is the quality and quantity of the vocals. Songs like “Conquering Man” and “Santa Fe” beautifully portray the strength and conviction in Byrne’s voice while “Stick With Me” demonstrates the bright harmonies the group is capable of delivering. “Stick With Me” is another standout track for guitar/vocalist Dan Forsyth as he loves “how simple and timeless it is.” Other noteworthy elements in their music consist of the raw sounds from the guitar and banjo as well as the ever-present violin as heard in the closing few bars of “Tree of Shade,” the title track of the album.

The group created this album in the Catskill Mountains and undoubtedly captured the energy of their surrounding environment. They said it was their first time working with a major producer like Simone Felice and he really encouraged them to keep it simple and stick to whatever captures the song.When I first heard songs like “Lay Like You Do” and “What You Do to Me,” I couldn’t help but think of other beloved bands who create similar sentiments in their music. Driftwood, like The Zac Brown Band and Mumford and Sons, succeeds in inciting feelings of togetherness through the power of music. Some groups the band cite as their biggest musical influences span across generations including Paul Simon, Dr. Dog, Brandi Carlile, and Bob Dylan. It is evident by this list that they value “great songwriting and music that comes from the heart” as they told me.

“The album is emotional, mature and introspective. In some ways it’s really folky but there are also some tracks that we really took chances on.” The group shared that their goal for the upcoming album is “just to touch people’s hearts” as they “want to connect with [their] audience and share the music and this life.”

Key Tracks: Lay Like You Do, California, What You Do to Me
April 12 &13: Syracuse, NY – Funk N Waffles
April 20: Rockwood Music Hall – New York, NY
May 17: Ransom Steele Tavern – Apalachin, NY
May 18: Albany, NY – The Hollow

March 22, 2019
Mountain Jam Artist Announcement: Phil Lesh & Friends Join 2019 Lineup

Mountain Jam has added more artists to the already impressive 2019 lineup. Phil Lesh & Friends join as headliners the for event alongside the previously announced Willie Nelson & Family, Gov’t Mule and The Avett Brothers. Other artist additions include Jorgen Carlsson (of Gov’t Mule)’s side project Little Days, Los Coast, Laura Stevenson, The Rock Academy, and Ratboy Jr.

Now in its 15th year, Mountain Jam will be taking place at Bethel Woods Center for The Arts, home of the original 1969 Woodstock Festival. Bethel Woods is one of New York State’s most pristine amphitheaters located in a picturesque setting in the Catskill Mountains. The event will feature on-site camping and offer car camping as well. There will be 3 stages: a covered amphitheater, a 2nd stage on the lawn area & a terrace stage in a Greek- style amphitheater. The festival will also offer on-site activities including walking tours of the 1969 Woodstock site each morning, daily yoga, free entry to the The Museum at Bethel Woods and more. The VIP Program has been enhanced for 2019 with the addition of CID Entertainment. Learn more about VIP offerings here. There are new hotels in the area, Resorts World Catskill and The Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark are two of the new accommodations. There will be shuttle buses running from both.

The 2019 Mountain Jam is going back to it’s roots, getting “Back To The Jam.” Tickets available now online.

March 6, 2019
Back to the Garden: ‘Barefoot in Babylon’ – the definitive book on Woodstock

“Woodstock never happened – it was planned.” This phrase sums up the massive effort put into the original Woodstock music festival, and after reading Barefoot in Babylon, you’ll see how much planning, including last minute changes of venue and crises both big and small, went into making Woodstock a pinnacle event in American music history. For those who enjoy a good music festival, there is perhaps no better publication recounting the extreme detail that went into planning this generation-shaping event than Barefoot in Babylon: The Creation of the Woodstock Music Festival, 1969.

In reading the 1979 history of the festival, one notices not only the culture of the late 1960s and the prevailing anti-war attitude in the nation, but also the minutia that we commonly overlook when we go to a festival. Food, security, fences, water, stage set-up, the performers, traffic, bathrooms, medical assistance, and just the all-around aura of each festival is given a full treatment in Barefoot in Babylon. As problems arose, sleep was lost, people ingested bad acid, a few deaths occurred, camaraderie was had between people from every part of the country, and memories were all that was taken. And a movement of music festivals around the country took on new life.

The struggles that Woodstock Ventures had in securing the site is a recurring theme throughout the book as they are constantly told there is no room at the inn. Various townships, including Wallkill, found ways to prevent the festival from taking place with only weeks to go before fans arrived. There is an overwhelming feeling that you are there, and can visualize every moment of the festival, how the stage slipped 6 inches during a torrential downpour, security extorting money from the festival producers, possible mass-electrocution, and the National Guard waiting on standby for what they thought would be a major health crisis. Regardless, the festival went off, hitches and all, and the legacy of the efforts of two hippies and two businessmen culminated in a weekend we continue to experience in spirit when attending music festivals each year.

Barefoot in Babylon is meticulously researched, with Spitz working a decade after the festival ended and working tirelessly to track down every member of the original staff that could be found. Stanley Goldstein, headhunter and campgrounds coordinator for the festival, was a major asset to Spitz, identifying and helping to connect him with staff so that he might jog their memories, and then, painstakingly, piece the stories together chronologically. Musicians including Richie Havens, Country Joe McDonald and more filled in behind the scenes details, with a full view of every detail of the planning of Woodstock extensively chronicled.

Tracking down a copy of this book takes some effort, as the book is out of print, but online retailers have used copies for sale. 500 pages doesn’t seem like enough to tell the whole story of Woodstock from conception to cleanup, but every moment, every individual, every problem that arose – and there are so many, you’ll be shocked they pulled it off – are all documented with great precision.

Barefoot in Babylon is written by Bob Spitz, author of The Beatles: The Biography, and whose most recent book, Reagan: An American Journey., is now available.

February 26, 2019
Levon Lives On: An Evening With Amy Helm and Cindy Cashdollar

Amy Helm and Cindy Cashdollar, two heroines of Woodstock, NY, wowed a hometown crowd on Friday, February 8 at Levon Helm Studios.

The opening act, Freddy & Francine, however, traveled from significantly farther away. An Americana couple from Nashville, they were joined by a big bassist and launched the embarkation of the evening. With only a tambourine, unplugged bass, acoustic guitar and their voices, the trio made significant ripples around the room.

When Freddy, whose real name is Lee Ferris, spoke between songs, he sounded like a regular guy; when he sang, he sounded like a folk sensation. As they put on a moving cover of Etta James’ “I’d Rather Go Blind,” Freddy and Francine (Bianca Caruso) maintained unblinking, unyielding eye contact that was nearly blinding.

Freddy and Francine

The energy between the couple-plus-one was palpable, their harmonies remarkably in sync. This was the first night of their ironically-titled Summer Tour and the soulful Southerners elicited excited applause.

Amy, as she’s simply and lovingly known in Woodstock, took the stage following a break and, drum in tow, went right into a cover of her father’s “Feelin’ Good.” Levon’s voice is irreplaceable and unmistakable, but Amy has clearly inherited his amiable presence and musical aptitude – who else can sing the blues so happily? After playing a clip of Levon singing “Little Birds,” dobro maestro Cindy Cashdollar mused, “If my voice could come through half as clear as his, I’d be happy.”

Amy Helm

History seeps from the rafters of the Barn at Levon Helm Studios and, with Woodstock’s first daughter squarely in the limelight, the crowd was fully spellbound. It was fascinating to hear the folk gospel of the Mississippi sung to the staunch devotees of Levon Helm, many of whom undoubtedly witnessed him 50 years ago at Woodstock ‘69. Most of the evening’s congregation sat straight-backed, unmoving, eyes glued to the revered Ms. Helm. While I felt my limbs unable to resist involuntarily moving to the tunes, I witnessed much of the crowd sitting immobile, so engulfed by the musicians.

The stage was undeniably Amy’s, though Cindy Cashdollar’s genius on the strings was equally unmistakable. Whether it was the lap steel or the dobro she played, her strokes were magical. The twang she inherited from her time in Texas jived with her Northern heritage. She was, at once, technically flawless and emotionally invested.

Cindy Cashdollar (left) and Amy Helm (right)

Between the songs, they sprinkled in the stories: life with Levon and growing up with a legend. Amy and Cindy recalled late night rambles and his infectious affability, how Levon made music look easy and made those around him sound better. While his presence always lives on in Woodstock, his spirit was prominent this night emanating from his daughter and cascading from his disciple.

February 13, 2019
Sister Sparrow Shines, Dirty Birds Delight at Levon Helm Studios

Arleigh Kincheloe, aka Sister Sparrow, mesmerized a full house at Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock Saturday night, with the Dirty Birds backing her, as she held the audience entranced, proving one’s presence can dwarf their stature. The setting, a barn-turned-showroom, was ideal as onlookers surrounded the band and Sister Sparrow’s voice reverberated majestically.

The show, Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds’ second at Levon Helm Studios, was long-awaited. SS&TDB were scheduled to make their first appearance in Woodstock since 2012 last December 29. Due to illness, however, the concert was rescheduled for January 26. If good things are worth the wait, the band can be forgiven for the near-seven year hiatus; they were excellent.

When concert-goers arrived in Woodstock, they waited a little longer for the headliner as Melanie Glenn, Mary Kenney and Allison Olender, of the band Upstate, opened with an a capella set. While they typically play with a backing band, the set highlighting the singers was apropos for the intimate Levon Helm Studios.

The sincerity of their voices manifested in calls and responses, gospels mixed with folk, and the three young ladies had evident chemistry. Expressive and at ease on stage, each singer had her own style and personality: Glenn took the limelight at one point with an acoustic guitar and Olender later came to the front with her electric Fender. Kenney anchored the set, standing center throughout. While Sister Sparrow would come out to steal the evening, Upstate’s harmonies set the mood wonderfully.

After a brief intermission, the Dirty Birds took the stage and, with the audience’s enthusiastic encouragement, Sister Sparrow crept up to the spotlight. With a playful look of surprise for the applause (“Who– me?”) and a shake of her long, red hair, she grabbed the mic and it was off to the races.

She’s tiny. She’s huge. The microphone stand rivals her in stature, but Sister Sparrow’s presence is titanic. With her mother watching from the crowd and her brother Jackson supporting on the harmonica, Sister Sparrow banged her bright red tambourine, swung the mic, and belted out invigorating tunes.

While Sister Sparrow’s stage presence is as cool as watermelon on a summer afternoon, the band, a menagerie of supporting musicians, has a full, clean rock ‘n’ roll vibe. With his shoulders curling and head nodding, drummer Dan Boyden played with a nonchalance that imbibed the spirit of Levon Helm. During a cover of Toto’s “Rosanna,” trumpeter Phil Rodriguez and saxophonist Brian Graham turned and nodded to each other as if to say, “Yeah, we’re gettin’ it!”

The sounds ranged from pop to folk, prominently featuring funk and soul. Sister Sparrow’s candid mien was positive and jocular, her voice captivating. The show was intimate yet energetic, and, from the beginning, there was a feel in the air that something special was taking place: refreshing music created by from experienced entertainers.

The Barn at Levon Helm Studios had a church-like feel Saturday night. Rows of worshipers sat in awe as Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds held the pulpit. The music had a soul-cleansing component and the crowd was a lowercase-c catholic cluster of Dirty Bird disciples. While it was my first time attending a Sister Sparrow sermon, I most certainly hope it’s not my last.

Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds

January 30, 2019

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