Creative Concerts has announced yet another show at Apple Valley Park in Lafayette, NY, with Southern rock on tap on June 19, 2021 with The Allman Betts Band performing and special guest, St. Louis based duo River Kittens opening the show.
Like previous events announced in this outdoor series, events will be socially distanced, with fans being able to purchase tickets in roped-off PODS for parties of 2, 4 or 6. In an effort to create a safe experience for guests, a carefully throughout site plan has been developed allowing for temperature screenings and surveys to be conducted upon entering the event grounds. To adhere to social distancing guidelines, all PODS are spaced a minimum of six feet apart. A variety of food and beverage options will be available for purchase. Site map and FAQ for the venue can be found at applevalleypark.com/faq
Tickets go on sale to the general public this Friday, May 7th at 10am at applevalleypark.com
The Allman Betts Band includes Devon Allman & Duane Betts on guitars and vocals, Berry Oakley Jr. on bass, Johnny Stachela on slide guitar, John Ginty on Hammond B3 (Robert Randolph/Dixie Chicks) and Devon Allman Project percussionists R. Scott Bryan (Sheryl Crow) and John Lum. The show features original music from their two recent BMG albums, songs from their solo projects as well as classic songs by The Allman Brothers Band, the legendary group founded by Devon and Duane’s fathers, Gregg Allman & Dickey Betts.
Their sophomore album, Bless Your Heart, was released on August 28, 2020. Like their debut album, Bless Your Heart was recorded at the legendary Muscle Shoals Sound Studios and produced by Matt Ross-Spang (Jason Isbell, Margo Price, John Prine and Elvis Presley).
Apple Valley Park is located in beautiful LaFayette, NY. With its rural atmosphere, rolling hills, and expansive fall foliage, it has proven to be a wonderful home to the annual LaFayette Apple Festival since 1973. More recently it has expanded to host other live entertainment events, including a few successful drive-in concerts in the fall of 2020.
The rock world lost a star this week. Rochester native Phil Naro succumbed to a battle with cancer on Sunday night. The rocker of international fame was best known as the vocalist for Talas, where he played alongside Billy Sheehan. On hearing of Naro’s passing, Sheehan shared the following on Twitter:
Phil Naro. One of the finest human beings I have ever known. I’m deeply saddened to report his passing. He fought a valiant battle till the end, and inspired all who knew him to stay positive and keep going against all odds. God bless you, Phil. Rest in peace dear friend.
Manager Bruce Pilato also shared a post on Facebook:
“It is with great sadness that we must announce the passing of our son, father, friend and musician Phillip Sampognaro, known professionally as Phil Naro. Phil fought a valiant battle against cancer over the last few years but left this earth last night surrounded by his family and closest friends.”
Naro got his start in music in his hometown of Rochester, but joining Buffalo-based Talas skyrocketed his professional career. He went on to launch a successful solo career and performed with top ’80s hard rock bands including, Yngwie Malmsteen, Anthrax, White Lion, Quiet Riot, and Iron Maiden.
He partnered with other internationally-known artists to form supergroup The Platinum Rock All-Stars in 2016. After a reunion tour with Talas in 2019, he poured his energies into a solo album, A Life in Song, which is yet unreleased.
In addition to his extensive body of recorded works, his legacy lives on through his sons, John and James, who have inherited his passion for music.
With every song I sing, I want to touch people’s hearts— let them feel the passion I have for music.
Yesterday, Governor Cuomo announced exciting news about the return of Broadway. As of now, Broadway shows can reopen at 100% capacity starting September 14, with some ticket sales starting today, May 6.
Even though Broadway theaters will open later this month, none of the regular shows can start until mid-September. Mayor de Blasio hopes for NYC to open on July 1, but Broadway curtains won’t rise again until the Fall.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 12: A view of the “Hamilton” marquee at The Richard Rogers Theater during the “We Will Be Back” Broadway Celebration in Times Square on March 12, 2021 in New York City. “We Will BeBack” was a special pop-up performance and commemoration of Broadway’s “lost year.” One year ago, on March 12, 2020, Broadway was shut down in an effort to slow thespread of the coronavirus and has not reopened. (Photo by Bruce Glikas/WireImage)
Unlike other industries, Broadway can’t afford to open with social distancing. With the amount of cast and crew required to work on a show plus time for rehearsals and marketing, it isn’t possible for Broadway to open this Summer. COVID-19 is already hurting Broadway financially, and opening at limited capacity would do even more damage.
Even though Gov. Cuomo said Broadway can reopen on September 14, some shows will not. Shows open on a rolling basis, and most have not released their schedules. The longest-running show in Broadway’s history, Phantom of the Opera, opens October 22nd and will start selling tickets this Friday (5/7) at 9AM ET. The three highest-grossing shows,Hamilton, Wicked, and The Lion King, will release their plans sometime next week.
The Phantom awaits on Broadway. Performances begin October 22. Tickets on sale Friday, May 7th at 9 AM ET.
— The Phantom Of The Opera (@PhantomOpera) May 5, 2021
Reopening will be easier for popular shows – like these and Chicago, Aladdin, and Come From Away– than newer shows like Mrs. Doubtfire and Six, which were only in previews when the pandemic began.
“We are thrilled that Governor Cuomo clearly recognizes the impact of Broadway’s return on the city and state’s economy and the complexity of restarting an entire industry that has been dormant for over a year. Nothing beats Broadway. The theatre owners, producers, and other League members will continue to work with the NY State Department of Health and the Governor to coordinate the industry’s return and the related health and safety protocols required to do so. We remain cautiously optimistic about Broadway’s ability to resume performances this fall and are happy that fans can start buying tickets again.”
Charlotte St. Martin, President of the Broadway League
Everything still isn’t certain, but Broadway’s being confident enough to sell tickets is a great sign. We don’t know all the plans, but the return of theatre to NYC will likely be done in the safest way possible. Masks will probably be required at first, and although Gov. Cuomo said that he wants 100% vaccinated audiences, but that will be up to the theatre industry. Still, the return of Broadway is closer than ever!
Flushing Town Hall has announced a virtual Jazz Jam in honor of all mothers for Mother’s Day. The celebration will take place on May 12, 2021 at 7 PM EST for free on Facebook or Zoom.
Flushing Town Hall’s monthly Jazz Jam is supported by the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation and has been led since 2016 by Astoria resident Carol Sudhalter. House band members include illustrious musicians such as Joe Vincent Tranchina, Scott Neumann and Eric Lemon, who pay tribute to the great Louis Armstrong, performing songs associated with the legendary trumpeter/vocalist every month. Every month, jazz musicians have come together to play tunes reflecting each month’s theme.
Since Flushing Town Hall went online back in April 2020, the Jazz Jams have been popular monthly features, reaching more than 7,000 viewers, and exceeding 1,700 engagements online. Over time it has become a haven for jazz lovers from around the world with musicians joining from across the U.S. and from as far away as Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, Italy, the UK, Ireland, Trinidad and Japan.
Flushing Town Hall is putting the call out to musicians interested in participating in the celebration. Those interested should email education@flushingtownhall.org with the suggested three- to four-minute tune they intend to play in line with this month’s theme. The performance can be live or a pre-recorded audio or video (but not a professional, edited recording such as a CD or YouTube video). Musicians who performed in 2020 are now welcome to return. Each month, up to five returning musicians and up to 15 new musicians can participate. Selection is on a first-come, first-served basis.
The virtual Jazz Jam for mothers day will air on the Flushing Town Hall’s Facebook page or Zoom on Wednesday, May 12 at 7PM EST and will be open and free to the public. For more information visit the Flushing Town Hall’s website.
For Volume 16 of GarciaLive, the archival series looks back at the debut of Jerry Garcia Band at Madison Square Garden (MSG) on November 15, 1991.
GarciaLive Volume 16 finds the world’s most recorded musician in the world’s most famous arena at the midway point in one of his longest and most celebrated solo tours. While Garcia was no stranger to MSG, November 15th marked the Jerry Garcia Band debut in the vaunted venue. Though just two months removed from the Grateful Dead’s sold-out 9-night residency at the Garden, the crowd’s eruption as the houselights dimmed revealed the immense excitement for Garcia’s return.
Poster by Mike DuBois
The buoyant set-opening “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)” signaled the feeling was indeed mutual. Love remained a central theme throughout the evening with stunning versions of Smokey Robinson’s “The Way You Do The Things You Do,” Van Morrison’s “He Ain’t Give You None” and “Bright Side of the Road,” and Dylan’s “Simple Twist of Fate,” among others.
A near-automatic highlight of any latter era Jerry Garcia Band set, this performance of The Manhattan’s “Shining Star” is so poignant it became the centerpiece for the 2001 compilation of the same name. The extended takes on “Ain’t No Bread in the Breadbox” and “Don’t Let Go” which followed offered the band plenty of room to stretch out with the latter yielding the deepest improvisations of the evening. Not one to treat encores as de rigueur, Garcia finds the perfect sentiment to close the night with the timeless “(What A) Wonderful World” sending everyone home walking on air.
Included in the physical copy are detailed liner notes written by Relix editor-in-chief andJambands.com founder Dean Budnick, which includes reflections from Melvin Seals, Jacklyn LaBranch, Dennis McNally and John Popper. Popper’s band, Blues Traveler, was the opening act for the 1991 show. GarciaLive Vol. 16 is set for a June 25 release.
Disc One // Set One: 1. How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) 2. Struggling Man 3. He Ain’t Give You None 4. Simple Twist of Fate 5. Lay Down Sally
Disc Two: 1. The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down 2. My Sisters and Brothers 3. Deal
Set Two: 4. The Way You Do The Things You Do 5. Waiting For A Miracle 6. Shining Star 7. Ain’t No Bread in the Breadbox
Disc Three: 1. Don’t Let Go 2. That Lucky Old Sun > 3. Bright Side of the Road
It’s time. Megadeth and Lamb of God cannot be stopped and today announced the rescheduled run of the Metal Tour of the Year.
Joining them, as previously planned, will be special guests Trivium and In Flames, heralding the long-awaited return to the stage for these bands, who are every bit as excited about these historic and not-to-be-missed shows as fans are.
Produced by Live Nation, the epic, rescheduled tour will now kick off on Friday, August 20th in Austin, TX and hit a further 26 cities before wrapping in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada on Saturday, October 2nd.
Megadeth, fueled by Dave Mustaine’s triumphant return to the stage following his diagnosis and recovery of throat cancer, will finally embark on their first North American tour since 2017.
Megadeth’s leader and frontman, Dave Mustaine says:
Can you hear that sound of armies on the march – of destruction on the horizon? That’s this tour, coming for you. We cannot wait to return to the stage and I promise you you do NOT want to miss these shows. You’re not going to know what hit you!
Lamb of God pressed ahead with the release of their crushing self-titled album, one of the best-selling metal albums of 2020.
The band now looks to take the show on the road as they return to the stage for the first time since the release of the record. Randy Blythe, inimitable frontman of Lamb of God, adds:
It’s been far too long since we got together to do our thing— by ‘we’ I mean bands, road crew, bus drivers, truck drivers, local venue staff, vendors, audience, parking lot attendants, the freaking janitors- the whole damn enchilada. ALL OF US. TOGETHER. Everyone has been waiting, but the time has come to put the puzzle back together— I honestly don’t think I’ve ever been more ready to hit the road with lamb of god. See y’all in a few months with Megadeth, Trivium, & In Flames. Over a year with no live music? These shows are gonna be INSANE…
Trivium’s Matthew Kiichi Heafy added, “The Metal Tour of the year couldn’t be stopped by anything. It is still happening, and we can’t wait to bring back shows with this monumental tour. We’re ready. Are you?”
With In Flames singer, Anders Fridén stating:
“I can’t really describe how good it feels to be really talking about going on tour, let alone The Metal Tour of the Year. This setup is long overdue and we can’t wait to finally make it happen.”
Tickets and VIP packages for the rescheduled Megadeth and Lamb of God dates go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, May 7th, 2021 at 10am local time at LiveNation.com.
All previously purchased tickets for any of the rescheduled dates listed below will be valid for the new date. For any cancelled dates, refunds will automatically be processed at your point of purchase.
Megadeth and Lamb of God 2021 North American Tour Dates:
Fri Aug 20 Austin, TX Germania Insurance Amphitheater
Sat Aug 21 Irving, TX The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
Sun Aug 22 Woodlands, TX The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman
Tue Aug 24 El Paso, TX Don Haskins Center
Wed Aug 25 Albuquerque, NM Isleta Amphitheater
Fri Aug 27 Denver, CO Ball Arena
Sun Aug 29 Phoenix, AZ Arizona Federal Theatre
Tue Aug 31 Reno, NV Reno Events Center
Wed Sep 01 Irvine, CA FivePoint Amphitheatre
Thu Sep 02 Concord, CA Concord Pavilion
Sat Sep 04 Portland, OR Moda Center
Sun Sep 05 Auburn, WA White River Amphitheatre
Thu Sep 09 Tinley Park, IL Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre – Chicago
Sat Sep 11 Danville, VA Blue Ridge Festival*
Sun Sep 12 Wantagh, NY Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
Mon Sep 13 Boston, MA Leader Bank Pavilion
Wed Sep 15 Camden, NJ BB&T Pavilion
Thu Sep 16 Holmdel, NJ PNC Bank Arts Center
Sat Sep 18 Noblesville, IN Ruoff Music Center
Sun Sep 19 Clarkston, MI DTE Energy Music Theatre
Mon Sep 20 Cincinnati, OH PNC Pavilion
Wed Sep 22 Rogers, AR Walmart AMP
Fri Sep 24 Mount Pleasant, MI Soaring Eagle Casino Amphitheatre
Sun Sep 26 St. Louis, MO Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre – St. Louis
SunSquabi and Too Many Zooz will team up for a pair of shows as they head across the Empire State, stopping in Buffalo and Bouckville, NY.
The high energy groups will be performing at the Buffalo Outer Harbor Drive-In on June 11, with special guests Witty Tarbox making an appearance across the scenic backdrop of Lake Erie. The pair will also be performing in Bouckville, NY, at The Yard Amphitheatre on June 12.
SunSquabi has gained national attention with their mixing of various genres in addition to their unique production style. The three-piece group provides an electronic funk experience. The band is composed of Kevin Donohue, Josh Fairman, and Chris Anderson. Their rhythm-driven sound is what keeps fans drawn alongside their latest album, Instinct.
SunSquabi
Playing beside SunSquabi is NYC’s phenomenon Too Many Zooz. This unique trio blends jazz, Afro-Cuban rhythms, funk, EDM structures, and house music. Their historic performances on Beyoncé’s Lemonade and alongside The Dixie Chicks have made this group well established in the industry.
Too Many Zooz
To add to this already dynamic lineup, Buffalo’s very own Witty Tarbox will be joining on the 11th. This upcoming surf-rock band has already made their mark in WNY and plan to continue to do so while they open for other iconic musicians.
The Drive-In event charges per car with up to 5 persons per vehicle. This Buffalo Outer Harbor show is open to all ages and begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are now available here. Tickets to the Bouckville show can be found here
Jocelyn and Chris took home a pair of big wins at the 2020 Eddies Music Awards as music across the Capital Region was honored at the Thomas Edison Music Awards, more commonly known as the Eddies Music Awards, on May 2, 2021.
The Eddies Music Awards broadcast from Universal Preservation Hall for its second annual awards show and was presented by KeyBank. The awards show was rescheduled twice during the pandemic and was shot on a closed set in UPH’s Great Hall with four musical performances and four panel discussion on how artists, technicians, venue owners and others pivoted during the pandemic. The panels were hosted by WEQX’s Jeff Morad and WEXT’s Andy Gregory.
Jocelyn and Chris ended up sweeping the awards show taking home three big wins in Album of the Year, Video of the Year and Solo / Duo Artist of the Year. Jocelyn and Chris are siblings, who debuted their next single “Sugar and Spice” while performing with a full band during the broadcast. Other notable wins include Record of the Year which went to the Gibson Brothers, who also won Country / Bluegrass Artist of the Year. The other two-time winner was WEXT which won Radio Station of the Year and whose Chris Wienk won Radio DJ of the Year. Awards were announced in a total of 34 categories.
There were three other performances at the awards show. One performance was done by Marty Wendell who is a 2020 Eddies Music Award nominee for Country / Bluegrass Artist of the Year. Another was done by bandleader/ vocalist/ instrumentalist/songwriter Garland Nelson who is a two-time 2019 Eddies Music Awards winner. Schenectady native Promise The Unbreakable™, who was nominated for Hip Hop/Rap Artist of the Year in 2019 and again in 2020, performed as well. Nelson did double-duty as show emcee.
The show, filmed by Chromoscope Pictures of Troy, is available free on demand through Collaborative Studios’ Amazon Fire TV, Roku and Apple TV apps, its public access channels in Albany and Schenectady, and on YouTube and Facebook. Collaborative Studios and the Eddies Music Awards are initiatives of Proctors Collaborative.
The 2021 Eddies Music Awards Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held Thursday, October 28 and the Eddies Music Awards Show on Sunday, November 14. Both events will be staged at Universal Preservation Hall, home of the Eddies Music Hall of Fame.
For more information on the 2020 Eddies Music Awards visit their website.
Complete list of winners is below:
Music Journalist of the Year: Katie Cusack (The Collaborative) Arts Publication of the Year: Nippertown Radio DJ of the Year: Chris Wienk (WEXT) Radio Station of the Year: WEXT Photographer of the Year: Kiki Vassilakis Solo or Duo Artist of the Year (Covers): Erin Harkes Party Cover Band of the Year: The Refrigerators Country Cover Band of the Year: Skeeter Creek DJ of the Year: DJ Trumastr Hip Hop/Rap Artist of the Year: JB aka Dirty Moses Electronica Artist of the Year : Bare Mattress World Music Artist of the Year: Taina Asili y La Banda Rebelde Classical Artist of the Year: Albany Pro Musica Jazz Artist of the Year: Dylan Perrillo On the Verge Presenter of the Year: Super Dark Collective Promoter of the Year: Greg Bell (Guthrie Bell Productions Live Production Crew of the Year: High Peaks Sound Music Recording Studio of the Year: Overit Studios Record Label of the Year: Five Kill Records Best Hang: The Low Beat Alt / Indie Artist of the Year : Candy Ambulance Punk Artist / Hardcore Artist of the Year: Prince Daddy and the Hyena Metal / Hard Rock Artist of the Year: The Clay People Jam Band of the Year nominees: Let’s Be Leonard Blues Artist of the Year: Annie and the Hedonists Americana Artist of the Year: Eastbound Jesus Folk / Traditional Artist of the Year : The Sea The Sea R&B / Soul Artist of the Year: The Age Country / Bluegrass Artist of the Year: The Gibson Brothers Solo or Duo Artist of the Year: Jocelyn & Chris Rock/Pop Artist of the Year : Girl Blue Music Video of the Year: Jocelyn & Chris with “Outta My Head” Record of the Year: Gibson Brothers with “Cool Drink of Water” Album of the Year: Jocelyn and Chris with “The Fun in the Fight”
View a photo gallery of the evening by photographer Andrzej (Andre) Pilarczyk.
Founders Entertainment has announced the lineup for the 2021 edition of Governors Ball Music Festival. The NYC-based festival celebrates its 10th Anniversary and is set to take place Friday, September 24 through Sunday, September 26 at the Citi Field complex in Queens.
Working in close consultation with the City of New York, the festival will follow all state and federal guidelines mandated at the time of the event. The festival will mark the milestone with an incredible lineup of 60+ performing artists including Billie Eilish, Post Malone, A$AP ROCKY, J Balvin, DaBaby, Megan Thee Stallion, RÜFÜS DU SOL, Ellie Goulding, Leon Bridges, 21 Savage, Young Thug, Portugal. The Man., Burna Boy, Future Islands, Phoebe Bridgers, Jamie XX, Carly Rae Jepsen, Big Thief, Bleachers, and many more.
The 2021 Governors Ball Music Festival will celebrate the return of live music, and 2021 also marks the 10th anniversary of the festival, a major milestone for an event that originated as a shared pipe-dream between New Yorkers in their early 20s who wanted to see their city play host to a music festival on par with the world’s best live music events.
As more New Yorkers become vaccinated by the day, we’re proud to support arts and culture and welcome back Governors Ball and their fantastic lineup, including New York City’s own Princess Nokia, A$AP Rocky, and King Princess, among others
Bill de Blasio, Mayor
In 2021 Governors Ball will be moving to the Citi Field complex in Queens, NY, a site with incredible accessibility via multiple transportation options, including the MTA’s 7 train line, the LIRR, and limited parking for attendees who choose to drive to the event. The festival venue will be modeled upon the one of a kind 360° layout featured at the fan favorite and also Founders Entertainment produced The Meadows Music and Arts Festival
Three-day and single day General Admission and VIP tickets will be available to All Ages via GovBall.com beginning Thursday, May 6 at 12:00 PM ET.
Live music returns to Saratoga Springs this June, and the concert announcements just keep getting bigger. Trey Anastasio will perform solo at Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) for three nights, June 18-20, with tickets pre-sale starting May 5 at noon. Read our review of the weekend of shows here.
Anastasio was originally supposed to play at Tanglewood on June 18 with the Boston Pops, but cancelled the show in March.
Aside from the Beacon Jams this past fall, these shows mark the first live performances for Anastasio since January 2020 at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester. Trey last performed solo shows in the Fall of 2019, closing out the run at Carnegie Hall.
The timing of the shows follows the recent passing of longtime Trey Anastasio Band bassist Tony Markellis, a Saratoga Springs resident for more than 40 years, who passed away last week.
Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) has announced the following guidelines for the three Trey Anastasio shows:
Social Distancing For our upcoming Trey Anastasio events June 18-20, capacity will adhere to state guidance. Currently, all seating will be sold in “pods” and each group of seats must be purchased together.
COVID-19 Testing Or Vaccination Requirements Guests have three options to demonstrate they are eligible to attend an event. Please note the required timeframes associated with each option so you can plan ahead accordingly:
1. Proof of a negative antigen COVID-19 test taken within six hours of the event start time OR 2. Proof of a negative PCR COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of the day of the event OR 3. Proof of vaccination. To ensure you fully vaccinated, the day of the event must be at least 14 days after your second dose of the Pfizer-BioNtech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine or at least 14 days after your single dose of the Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine.
On your way to SPAC, don’t forget that Stewart’s Shops is your ice cream shop! With over 345 shops in 31 counties across New York and southern Vermont, the convenience store chain is known for their fresh &local dairy products. With dozens of choices at the cone counter, you’re bound to find something you love! Try a shake, sundae, or cone today, What’s Your Flavor?
