Category: Features

JUST VOTE Campaign Announced by HeadCount and Global Citizen

JUST VOTE Campaign was announced by HeadCount and Global Citizen on September 8, in hopes to mobilize young voters for the upcoming presidential election. The campaign will reward voters for checking their registration by entering them in for a chance to win exclusive experiences, performances, and memorabilia from big names like Billie Eilish, Taylor Swift, DJ Khaled, and more.

The non-partisan campaign hopes to reach one million young voters and get 50,000 young people registered to vote ahead of the 2020 elections. It also offers the option for people who won’t be 18 by the 2020 elections can still enter the campaign for a chance to win prizes by pledging to become a voter when they turn 18. The cangain is focusing on young people because research shows that more than a third of eligible voters are Gen Z or Millennials. 83% of people between the ages of 18-29 believe they have the power to change the country and the world but dishearteningly only 60% of people in that age range are planning to vote. Unsurprisingly voter registration numbers are also down this year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The hope of this campaign is to close that gap and get more young people to register and vote in the upcoming presidential election.

Artists supporting the campaign include a Billie Eilish who is supplying a signed vinyl, hoodie, and t-shirt, Billy Porter who is supplying a replica ‘Kinky Boot’, DJ Khaled who is supplying a virtual meet & greet, FINNEAS who is supplying a signed vinyl, hoodie, and t-shirt, Julianne Hough who is supplying a private virtual dance class, Loren Gray who is supplying virtual front row seats, Nicky Jam who is supplying a private, virtual concert, Quavo who is supplying a private happy hour, Taylor Swift who is supplying a guitar signed by Taylor Swift, and Usher who is supplying a virtual dance lesson with Usher and his choreographer. Once people check their voter registration status they can choose which experience they want to be entered into. A winner will be chosen at random on October 7, 2020. Voter registration not required for entering drawing. Full contest rules can be found here.

Hugh Evans, co-founder and CEO of Global Citizen spoke on the campaign saying, “We are proud to launch the ‘Just Vote’ campaign to encourage more young people to check their status and register to vote. For years, we have been activating global citizens to be part of the solution to key issues like extreme poverty, climate change, and now pandemic relief. Voting is a vital way to exercise that power. We are excited about ‘Just Vote’s’ potential to drive young voter turnout in November and beyond.”

For information on the JUST VOTE Campaign and to enter in to win the exclusive experiences, performances, and memorabilia visit Global Citizen’s website.

September 8, 2020
Ozzy Osbourne Plays to a Soaking Wet Crowd at Jones Beach on this day in 2018
On Sept. 8, 2018, Ozzy Osbourne played to a soaking wet crowd at Jones Beach Theater, but once The Prince of Darkness hit the stage, nobody seemed to mind. Ozzy himself came out first before the rest of band and told the crowd, “The crazier you get, the longer I’ll remain on stage.” That’s all it took to get the sold out crowd of 15,000 plus going f—–g crazy!

At this point it was freezing cold and had been pouring for the last few hours, especially during opening act Stone Sour’s set, and the floor was a foot deep with water seeping in from Zach’s Bay where the venue stands. Regardless, Ozzy sounded just as good as I have ever heard as he kicked off the show with “Bark at the Moon.”

Zakk Wylde was back in the lineup on guitar along with Blasko on bass, keyboardist Adam Wakeman and drummer Tommy Clufetos. The stage backdrop was highlighted by a giant cross made up of screens projecting extraordinary imagery and at times looking like a medieval sculpture.

Ozzy’s solo hits made up most of the setlist including “Mr Crowley,” “Suicide Solution” and “No More Tears,” but he also slipped in a little Sabbath like “Fairies Wear Boots” and the epic “War Pigs.”

Black Label Society frontman Wylde was giving his own 20 minute showcase during the show at which time he made his way into the audience playing a medley of songs. He was tearing it up as he played with the guitar behind his neck and even with his teeth at times. He is one of the best metal guitarists the genre has ever known so it was good to see him play alongside Ozzy again. He was even wearing a custom Ozzy denim vest.

Ozzy Osbourne closed the main part of the set with, in my opinion one of the greatest metal songs ever written, “Crazy Train”. The show concluded with an encore of “Mama I’m Coming Home” and Black Sabbath’s “Paranoid.”

Setlist: Bark at the Moon, Mr. Crowley, I Don’t Know, Fairies Wear Boots (Sabbath Cover), Suicide Solution, No More Tears, Road to Nowhere, War Pigs (Sabbath Cover), Guitar Medley: Miracle Man/Crazy Babies/Desire/Perry Mason, Drum Solo, I Don’t Want to Change the World,
Shot in the Dark, Crazy Train

Encore: Mama, I’m Coming Home, Paranoid (Sabbath Cover)
September 8, 2020
Melanie Penn Shares New Single, Video: “Avenue of The Americas”

NYC singer-songwriter, Melanie Penn, has released an inspiring New-York centric pop anthem paired with a stunning music video for her new single, “Avenue of The Americas”.

As a native of the big city, Melanie celebrates her ties to New York in the cinematically beautiful “Avenue of The Americas” music video. Melanie’s love for the city becomes more apparent with each elapsing second of the video.

The song itself outlines Melanie’s climb to success, with lines referencing dreams of one day finding the spotlight in the Big Apple. Crescendoing synths pulsate in the background as “Avenue of The Americas” gives us an intimate understanding of Melanie’s hopes and aspirations.

Melanie believes now is the perfect time to debut a song that honors both beautiful and humble New York City. At a time where the country is under massive racial and political tension, the uplifting video released along with the single inspires hope and reminds us of our commonalities as New Yorkers.

The music video and single are a part of a promotional roll out in preparation for Melanie Penn’s upcoming, More Alive Vol. 1, full-length album which is set to release September 25. The album is centered around faith, modern upheaval and, overcoming common struggles. The album, which features 10 songs, has been described by Melanie as a tracklist full of “hopeful pop anthems” that will hopefully inspire a sense of community amongst listeners.

To stay up to date with future news regarding Melanie Penn and her music, visit her website.

September 8, 2020
Where does the time go? A look back at the best sit-ins in moe.down history

Labor Day weekend is a weekend to enjoy the last remnants of summer, catch up with friends and family. For most Labor Day weekends since 2000, moe. fans found themselves heading to Turin (or Mohawk), NY for the end of summer festival, moe.down.

We’re taking a look back at moe.down this weekend and reminiscing on the lineups, the incredible bands that were discovered, and of course, moe. But one aspect of moe.down that was always unpredictable were the special guest sit-ins, if not the weather. Explore these 10 choice sit-ins, presented in random order, for this weeks installment of moe.mondays.

photo by Brian Cornish, moe.down 17

We’ll start with something for the children, literally. moe.down 8 started out with an afternoon set that featured the Kids Tent joining the band on stage. That year’s theme for the kids was ‘Year of the Pig’ so naturally, “Buster” was the perfect song to invite the kids up to sing. With parents close by, 20+ kids took the stage and sang “Pig can fly!” alongside moe., for a spectacular start to the day’s music.

moe.down 8 indeed had more than its fair share of guests, and as the Saturday afternoon set came to a close, Meat Puppets Curt Kirkwood joined moe. for a shredding ~19 minute version of “Mexico.”

Curt Kirkwood sitting in with moe.

Jumping back to moe.down 4, and moe. took a unique spin on their improv-friendly “Rebubula” by playing it for an entire set – nearly an hour in length. Listen below or check out an AUD on the Internet Archive.

For two years (2010-2011), moe.down relocated to Mohawk, NY and performed on the Gelston Castle Estate, and brought out some heavy hitting names in the process. Bob Weir was a special guest with Levon Helm’s band, and Weir joined moe. for “The Other One” > “Smokestack Lightning” > “The Other One,” Dylan’s “Stuck Inside of Mobile With the Memphis Blues Again” and a set closing “Feel Like a Stranger.”

Of course, Weir has performed earlier in the day with Levon Helm’s band, and sang (among many others) one of the Dylan songs that The Band and Grateful Dead had in common, “When I Paint My Masterpiece.”

moe.down 6 was held over Labor Day weekend 2005, as the remnants of Hurricane Katrina soaked the crowd throughout the weekend. Keller Williams joined moe. for “Stairway to Watchtower” through the pouring rain.

Umphrey’s McGee, who first caught the attention of moe. when Brendan Bayliss sent Al Schnier a demo of their cover of “Rebubula,” have appeared at multiple moe.downs, not to mention 20 Summer Camp Music Festivals together. Watch Umphrey’s join moe. for Pink Floyd’s “Time” from moe.down 13.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0nAjm8d3XQ

Earlier that day, Umphrey’s McGee welcomed Stanley Jordan for part of their set, including a “40’s Theme” -> “Hajimemashite” > “40’s Theme,” allowing Jordan’s guitar skills to shine.

More recently, moe.down 17, held over July 4th weekend 2019, featured Blackberry Smoke, Fishbone, Railroad Earth, Ryan Montbleau, Twiddle, and Mike Dillon Band, who welcomed moe. percussionist Jim Loughlin for their set. moe. would return the favor by bringing up Otto Schrang from Mike Dillon Band for “McBain,” adding a second percussionist on Coughlin’s vibraphone.

Rounding our our list, let’s go back to moe.down 8, which had a deep lineup as many moe.downs have. When Ryan Adams had to back out at the last minute, the festival was blessed with the founder of Lollapalooza himself, Perry Farrell and his Satellite Party. Few complained about this lineup swap, and after Farrell and his party worked through all the hits, moe. welcomed Farrell to the stage for the only hit not played yet – “Ocean Size.” After some banter behind the Mayor of moe.ville competition, the band broke into the Jane’s Addiction arena rocker.

Did we miss any? Let us know in the comments!

September 7, 2020
Venues Across New York File Federal Lawsuit Against State Restrictions on Live Music

New York music venues decided to file a Federal lawsuit against State restrictions on live music on September 6, 2020 in the U.S. District Court in Manhattan. The lawsuit involves ten establishments across New York who believe the live music restrictions are unworkable and unconstitutional.

The Federal lawsuit challenges both the ad ban and the rule against charging for shows as being arbitrary since there is no evidence those actions have any effect on the slowing coronavirus spread.

Lark Hall lit up in red demanding the passage of The Restart Act.
Photo by Zach Culver.

Last week New York state announced rules that aimed to contain the spread of the coronavirus according to state officials but many venues feel they have been disproportionately singled out in this new ruling. The rules allow only what the state calls “incidental” music to be performed at venues making it impossible to promote performances and therefore making it difficult for venues, bars, and restaurants to intrigue an audience to attend their establishment.

The ten establishments involved in the lawsuit are establishments that serve liquor and host or promote live music or entertainment. These venues come from all across New York state including four in New York City. The others are located throughout upstate New York in Buffalo, Niagara Falls and Clifton Park. The plaintiffs in the case are Turks Group, LLC, operating as The Sultan Room & The Turk’s Inn in Brooklyn, 49 Illinois Restaurant, LLC, operating as Buffalo Iron Works in Buffalo, The New York Independent Venue Association, a trade association, Columbus Ale House, Inc., operating as The Graham, in Brooklyn, Upstate Shows, Inc., operating as Upstate Concert Hall in Clifton Park, Jayarvee, Inc., operating as Birdland Jazz Club in Manhattan, Capitol Enterprises, Inc., operating as The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, Jukimoo, LLC, operating as Littlefield in Brooklyn, nfinity on Main, Inc., operating as Tralf Music Hall in Buffalo, and Rapid Theater Niagara Falls USA, Inc., operating as The Rapids Theater in Niagara Falls.

Times Union Center lit up in red demanding the passage of The Restart Act.
Photo by Zach Culver.

The defendant named in the lawsuit is the State Liquor Authority Chairman Vincent Bradley. The State Liquor Authority has been the leading charge in enforcing Governor Andrew Cuomo’s coronavirus orders. They do this by having the ability to suspend liquor licenses and impose fines on establishments not following the rules.

According to syracuse.com, “The lawsuit asks the court to halt the state’s enforcement of the orders. It also seeks payment for the cost of the lawsuit and lawyer’s fees, but does not specify monetary damages.” The state’s coronavirus rules are simple and easy to follow for most of these establishments. People being required to wear a mask, social distance, use hand sanitizer, having employee health checks, and ect would be very doable for establishments who host live music and yet they are being singled out from being able to promote their businesses.

The Federal lawsuit says, “The advertising and ticketing of shows would allow establishments to maintain better control over their limited capacity, allowing them to tell patrons in advance that an evening is sold out and thus avoiding the gathering of crowds trying to gain admission (and the increased risk of transmission that comes along with such gatherings).”

For more information on the New York’s new guidelines for establishments and how they effect the establishments and musicians read NYS Music’s article on the guidelines.

September 7, 2020
On this day in Grateful Dead history, Jerry Garcia debuts ‘Wolf’ aboard a Hell’s Angels cruise with Merl Saunders

Among the many guitars in the cache of Jerry Garcia, “Wolf” stands as the most legendary of them all. “Wolf” was customized by luthier Doug Irwin, and was delivered to Jerry ahead of his appearance at a private show for the Hell’s Angels on September 5, 1973 in NYC.

Late in 1972, Garcia came across the first guitar Doug Irwin made for Alembic, which he bought on the spot for $850. He then asked Irwin to customize a guitar for him, and “Wolf” was born. Made from amaranth/purpleheart and curly maple with an ebony fingerboard and twenty-four frets, which were inlaid with African ivory (the first fret is mother-of-pearl).

The original version had a peacock inlay, later followed by Irwin’s eagle logo in its place. Later, a cartoon wolf licking his chops was placed by Jerry Garcia just below the tailpiece, which gave the name to the guitar. Irwin would later inlay the sticker into the guitar, which was labeled as “D. Irwin 001.” The guitar would cost Garcia $1,500, or around $8,700 in 2020 dollars.

“Wolf” would be played for two decades, becoming his most well known guitar and played across countless recordings, concerts and even in “The Grateful Dead movie.” Here, Irwin discusses the intricate detail of “Wolf.”

A few years after I delivered Wolf to Jerry, the guitar took several tumbles during Grateful Dead’s European tour. The first, a fall of about fifteen feet off the stage onto cement, had no effect on the guitar at all, but the second incident caused a crack to appear in the peghead. When Jerry finally brought me the Wolf for repair, the crack was actually very minor, but a stitch in time, saves nine. Repairing the crack wasn’t much of a problem, but having the guitar again made me reassess my early inlay work, and prompted me to reface the peghead with ebony and replace what I determined to be a poor excuse for a peacock with my signature eagle inlay cut from mother-of-pearl.
Doug Irwin, on “Wolf”

“Wolf” was played throughout the ’70s and ’80s, alongside “Tiger” and “Rosebud,” also designed by Irwin. “Wolf” was brought out of retirement in 1989 when Jerry explored using a MIDI synthesizer, and was played for the last time with the Grateful Dead at Oakland Coliseum Arena on 2/23/93.

Photos by Roberto Rabanne

In 2002, “Wolf” was purchased by a Deadhead, who later auctioned the guitar off for a great cause. The anonymous fans said:

I’ve been a fan of The Dead since I was a kid, and playing this iconic guitar over the past 15 years has been a privilege. But the time is right for Wolf to do some good. My wife and I have long supported the efforts of the Southern Poverty Law Center, and if ever we needed the SPLC, we sure do need them now.
Anonymous owner of “Wolf”

“Wolf” would be auctioned off at a price of more than $1.6 million, a bid that was matched by an anonymous donor, raising a total of $3.2 million for the SPLC.

The first show that Jerry Garcia would play “Wolf” at was a private show dubbed “Pirates Ball” on September 5, 1973, a private Hell’s Angels party aboard the S.S. Bay Belle. Performing with Merl Saunders in New York Harbor, the ship was known as the “largest marine ballroom afloat,” and was renamed to the Sound Line later after the show. The show also featured Bo Diddley, Elephant’s Memory and Mission Mountain Wood Band.

The S.S. Bay Belle, later named Sound Line

The guitar can be see in the movie/documentary Hell’s Angels Forever, directed by Richard Chase, Leon Gast, Kevin Keating, and Lee Maden.

Setlist: It Ain’t No Use, Favela, You Can Leave Your Hat On, Mystery Train, Harder They Come, Think, Finders Keepers

Wolf’s first appearance with the Grateful Dead was at the Nassau Coliseum on September 7th, two days later. The Dead were off the road for a month, and were refreshed getting back to business. Donna Godchaux was pregnant at the time, with her husband Keith having taken over keyboard duties from Pigpen a year prior.

This show marks the debut of Weir/Barlow’s “Let It Grow,” and one of the last “Bird Song’s” of 1973 before the song was shelved for a few years. Highlights include “New Potato Cabooose,” the jam that arose from “Playin’ in the Band,” a hefty jam from “The Other One,” and the “Eyes of the World” that followed.

Deadheads reported a heavy police presence that evening, with many fans arrested at or after the show. Cops reportedly drove on the sidewalks as the show ended and attempted to clear the crowd. They also seemed to use their batons to clear the area in front of the band between sets. This would influence the Dead’s decision not to return to Nassau for many years, until January, 1979.

Setlist: September 7, 1973, Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, NY

Set 1: Promised Land, Sugaree, Mexicali Blues, They Love Each Other, Jack Straw, Looks Like Rain, Deal, El Paso, Bird Song, Playin’ In The Band

Set 2: Here Comes Sunshine, Me & My Uncle, Loser, Let It Grow-> Stella Blue, Truckin’-> Drums-> The Other One-> Eyes Of The World-> Sugar Magnolia, E: Around & Around

September 6, 2020
Flashback: Watch AC/DC and Yngwie Malmsteen’s Rising Force rock Glens Falls Civic Center on September 5, 1985

A mighty gig this was. 35 years ago tonight, on Sept. 5, 1985, AC/DC and Yngwie Malmsteen’s Rising Force performed at Glens Falls Civic Center.

Remember Ticketron?

This was actually AC/DC’s first headline gig in New York’s Capital Region – they had played Albany’s Palace Theater in the Bon Scott era in 1977, 1978 and 1979 opening for Rush, Rainbow and UFO, but the band skipped the area on the ‘Back In Black,’ ‘For Those About To Rock’ and ‘Flick of the Switch’ tours. Thus, the Civic Center was packed this night.

photo by Jim Polkowski

The opening band was Swedish guitar phenom Yngwie Malmsteen with his solo band, Rising Force, playing their first area gig. Yngwie had played Albany’s Palace Theater the year before with his old band Alcatrazz, opening for Ted Nugent, but in the year since he had released two solo albums, and the songs this night were tracks from his mostly-instrumental solo debut, and then-new record ‘Marching Out,’ featuring vocalist Jeff Scott Soto who was the singer for this gig. The sound for Malmsteen was fairly horrible and full of echoes in the hockey arena this night, opening with then-single “I’ll See The Light Tonight” and including some instrumental workouts like “Far Beyond The Sun” and “Black Star” which, despite the dazzling guitar playing, received a muted response due to the wretched sound.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooJCjKGYF28

No such troubles for the headliners though. AC/DC were promoting the Fly On The Wall album (which history has not shown to be one of their most beloved albums) and they opened with the title track, before settling into a set of rapturously-received classics and hits: “Back In Black,” “Shook Me All Night Long,” the rarely-played “Have a Drink on Me” and a rousing “Shoot To Thrill” were mixed with a couple of the better new songs (“Shake Your Foundations,” “Sink The Pink”) and a whole host of older Bon Scott-era favorites: “Dirty Deeds,” “The Jack,” “Jailbreak,” “Highway To Hell,” “Whole Lotta Rosie” and an extended, Angus-doing-a-walkabout “Let There Be Rock” which finished the main set and brought the house down.

photo by Jim Polkowski

The encore was similarly no-filler: “Hell’s Bells” and the giant bell, a raucous “TNT” had the entire arena roaring, and the show finished with an explosive “For Those About To Rock,” Angus duckwalking and headbanging across the stage, Brian Johnson howling like he was going to burst a blood vessel, Malcolm and the rhythm section locked in with deadly groove, and of course the cannons exploding during the fast part at the end. Has there ever been a better live heavy rock band? Few can compare. All hail the mighty AC/DC.

photo by Jim Polkowski

Rising Force Setlist: I’ll See The Light Tonight, On The Run Again, Far Beyond The Sun, Anguish & Fear, Guitar Solo, Black Star, Caught In The Middle.

AC/DC Setlist: Fly On The Wall, Back In Black, Shake Your Foundations, Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, Shook Me All Night Long, Have A Drink On Me, Jailbreak, The Jack, Shoot To Thrill, Highway To Hell, Sink The Pink, Whole Lotta Rosie, Let There Be Rock, Hell’s Bells, TNT, For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMJPPq1amzo

September 5, 2020
Sydney Worthley, The Sweats, and more to be featured on this week’s EQXposure

Each Sunday evening from 7-9pm on 102.7 FM, you’ll find EQXposure on WEQX, featuring two hours of local music from up and coming artists. Tune into WEQX.com this Sunday night to hear music from Sydney Worthley, The Sweats, and many more!

WEQX has long been the preeminent independent station in the Capital Region of New York, broadcasting from Southern VT to a ever-expanding listening audience. NYS Music brings you a preview of artists to discover each week, just a taste of the talent waiting to be discovered by fans like you.

The Sweats – “Caught In A Wave”

From the Finger Lakes who just released their full-length debut album Caught in a Wave recorded at Pyramid Sound Recording Studios in Ithaca. You can pick up the album for contributions on BandCamp. Singer Travis Durfee says they hope to sell a few digital copies to make up what they’ve lost this year in live shows and that they are already working on material for a new album. Check out their quaratine videos on Facebook.

Sydney Worthley – “4:15“

In February, Worthley went to Nada Recording Studio in Montgomery, NY to record five new songs in five days and you can hear them all on the new album Rose Colored Glasses. Worthley is a notable advocate for mental health awareness, having performed in Saugerties at the annual Hope Rocks Festival.

September 5, 2020
Dio Flashback: On this day in 1985, the late, great Ronnie James Dio performs at the RPI Fieldhouse

Ronnie James Dio, the Cortland native and heavy metal legend, brought his band DIO to the RPI Fieldhouse in Troy 35 years ago today, September 4, 1985.

This was the second Albany-area appearance by Dio with his solo band – he’d played the Glens Falls Civic Center less than a year before, in November 1984 on the ‘Last In Line’ tour. In 1985, the band was promoting the third Dio album, Sacred Heart, a patchier effort than the first two Dio albums.

This was the last tour to feature the original DIO band backing Ronnie: NYC (ex-Black Sabbath) drummer Vinnie Appice, Scottish (ex-Rainbow) bass player (the late) Jimmy Bain, and Irish guitarist Vivian Campbell (ex-Sweet Savage), who would be fired midway through the tour, breaking up the original foursome which had made the classic first two Dio records.

The opening group was Rough Cutt, one of those spandex-ey LA bands, there by virtue of being managed by Dio’s wife, and they sucked. The RPI crowd was unmoved.

The house was packed for Dio’s set – despite the dip in quality offered by Sacred Heart, Ronnie James was in 1985 viewed as a deity in the heavy rock world, and the Fieldhouse was accordingly full of metalheads. This was the era of over-the-top stage shows, and this one was particularly Spinal Tap-ish, with lasers, a giant crystal ball and a giant dragon (which Dio himself “battled” with a sword), pre-taped wizardly creepy voice intro to the song “Sacred Heart”, and each member getting a big long solo.

Frankly, the whole thing would have been better if they dropped all that and just played a whole bunch of songs. That said, it was the 80s, you had to expect that kind of thing. The bands opened with a couple of the better new songs (“King of Rock’n’Roll”, “Like The Beat of a Heart”), played a slew of already-classics from the first two records, and a couple of the less-essential new ‘Sacred Heart’ songs, such a the somewhat corny title track, and the depressingly commercial “Hungry For Heaven.”

This tour featured less of the classic Ronnie James-era Rainbow and Black Sabbath songs that had featured in earlier Dio tours, all delivered during extensive medleys, and a truncated version of Sabbath’s “Heaven & Hell” got the biggest roar of the night. Rainbow classics “Man on the Silver Mountain” and “Long Live Rock’n’Roll” were played – again, in shortened form – in a medley with new yawner “Rock’n’Roll Children.” In fact, medleys were a big part of the show – the band played an extended, almost 40-minute medley of the song “Last In Line,” which incorporated “Holy Diver”, solos by all band members, more “Last In Line,” “Heaven & Hell,” “Sacred Heart,” and concluded with more “Last In Line.” The main set finished up with speedy early Dio classic “Stand Up and Shout” – a roaring highlight – and encores were Dio evergreens “Rainbow In The Dark” and a storming “We Rock.”

All hail Ronnie James Dio!

Setlist: King Of Rock’n’Roll, Like The Beat Of A Heart, Don’t Talk To Strangers, Hungry For Heaven, Medley: Last In Line/Holy Diver/Last In Line, Drum & Bass Solos, Heaven & Hell, Guitar & Keyboard solos, Sacred Heart, Last In Line, Medley: Rock’n’Roll Children/Long Live Rock’n’Roll/Man On The Silver Mountain/R’n’R Children, Stand Up & Shout, Rainbow In The Dark, We Rock.

September 4, 2020
Farm Aid Announces Lineup For 35th Anniversary Virtual Festival

Farm Aid organizers have announced that the annual benefit concert for farmers will occur this year via FANS online platform. Dubbed “Farm Aid On The Road,” this special livestream event will be available to watch on FANS.com September 26 from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. EDT.

Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young and Dave Matthews will be headlining the festival. Joining them are Bonnie Raitt and Boz Scaggs, Brandi Carlile, Black Pumas, Chris Stapleton, Jack Johnson, Margo Price, Nathaniel Rateliff and many others.

“This pandemic and so many other challenges have revealed how essential family farmers and ranchers are to the future of our planet,” Willie Nelson said in an official statement. “Farm Aid 2020 is going to give the whole country a chance to learn about the important work of farmers and how they’re contributing to our well-being, beyond bringing us good food.”

Equally important are the included stories from many family farmers across America, showcasing why they farm, how they have manage to stay strong during the pandemic and where they believe the future of agriculture lays.

Started in 1985 by Nelson, Mellencamp and Young, the festival’s mission has remained raise money and share stories from American farmers. Over the years the farm festival has made two stops in New York; Randall’s Island (2007) and a sold out day at Saratoga Performing Arts Center (2013).

Neil Young Performing At SPAC (2013) photo by Jim Gilbert

“Since we started in 1985, Farm Aid has kept its finger on the pulse of farm country and deployed funds and resources to help farm families confront the challenges they face,” said Executive Director Carolyn Mugar. “It’s clear that this is a critical moment for farmers and ranchers. We risk losing their important contributions to our communities and our families if we do not adequately respond as a country.”

This year’s festival is free of charge but donations are being accepted. Farm Aid accepts donations year-round here. Visit FarmAid.org for more information.

September 4, 2020

Built in Breakdance