NYS Music 202​1

Category: News Desk

  • Thomas Rhett Announces 2021 Tour, Includes NY dates

    ACM Awards “Entertainer of the Year” Winner Thomas Rhett is kicking off his 2021 The Center Point Road Tour this summer, beginning August 13th in Orange Beach, AL.

    Thomas Rhett

    Thomas Rhett, the 17-time chart topper, will be hitting several New York venues, including the renowned Jones Beach Amphitheater in Wantagh on August 26th. The supporting acts will be Cole Swindell and Gabby Barrett, both critically acclaimed country artists making an indelible impact in the genre today.

    “I can’t even put into words what getting back out on the road means to me, my band and crew,” Thomas Rhett shared. “We’ve dreamt about this moment for a long time and I feel more rejuvenated and excited than ever to get back out there as safely as possible to connect in-person over live music again, especially with so much new material to share. There’s no feeling in the world like it. See y’all out there!”

    Tickets previously purchased will be honored accordingly for the rescheduled dates listed below, while tickets for newly announced dates go on sale on Friday, April 23 at 10AM local time at LiveNation.com. For any further previous ticket inquiries, fans are advised to reach out to point of purchase. For more information visit: https://www.thomasrhett.com/tour.

    Thomas Rhett 2021 Center Point Road Tour

    8/13/2021- Orange Beach, AL – The Wharf Amphitheater^

    8/14/2021- Orange Beach, AL – The Wharf Amphitheater^

    8/20/2021- Bangor, ME – Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion

    8/21/2021- Hartford, CT – Xfinity Theatre

    8/22/2021 – Canandaigua, NY – CMAC

    8/26/2021- Wantagh, NY – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater

    8/27/2021- Philadelphia, PA – BB&T Pavilion

    8/28/2021- Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live

    8/29/2021- Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center*

    9/3/2021-  West Palm Beach, FL – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre

    9/4/2021-  Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre

    9/16/2021- Syracuse, NY – St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview*

    9/17/2021- Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center*

    9/18/2021- Boston, MA – Xfinity Center

    9/23/2021 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center*

    9/24/2021- Indianapolis, IN – Ruoff Music Center*

    9/25/2021- Chicago, IL – Hollywood Casino Amphitheater

    10/1/2021- Birmingham, AL – Oak Mountain Amphitheatre*

    10/2/2021- St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre*

    10/3/2021- Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP

    10/7/2021 – Columbia, MD – Merriweather Post Pavilion

    10/8/2021- Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion*

    10/9/2021- Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek*

    * Indicates rescheduled tour date   

    ^ Indicates Openers Rhett Akins and Gabby Barrett

  • Memorial Services for DMX Announced: Where you can Watch

    The official plans for the memorial services for DMX have been announced. Arrangements for the event were revealed in an Instagram post from the deceased rapper’s official page, revealing plans for two separate ceremonies. 

    A “Celebration of Life Memorial” is scheduled for Saturday, April 24 at 4 pm, with a “Homegoing Celebration” planned for the following day at 2:30 pm. The former reportedly will be held at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. 

    https://youtu.be/N9i8Usa21o8

    The general public will be able to live stream both events with Saturday’s “Celebration of Life Memorial” set to stream live on Youtube with the “Homegoing Celebration” to air and stream on BET. 

    Attendance to both events will be restricted to only close friends and family. 

    DMX passed away on April 9, 2021 in New York after suffering from a heart attack. He was 50 years old.

    The rapper’s death was met with an overwhelming response from fans and peers of the Grammy-nominated emcee, with both groups testifying to the rapper’s overwhelming influence in the world of hip hop and beyond. From his raw, grimy, and heart-felt delivery, to his complicated yet authentic public persona, DMX lived his life publicly representing the struggles of those from inner-cities. This weekend, fans of the hip-hop legend will be able to pay their final respects. 

  • Tedeschi Trucks Fireside Live Tour Comes To Lafayette, NY for Three Nights

    Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi of the Tedeschi Trucks Band have announced Fireside LIVE, a special series of socially distanced, limited-capacity performances taking place this summer.

    Derek and Susan will be joined by varying members of the Tedeschi Trucks Band each night, with the total band configuration ranging between four and seven musicians depending on the show.

    The modified lineup will perform under the name ‘Tedeschi Trucks’ for the first time as a nod to their band members who are unable to join the tour because of the challenging conditions with the current pandemic.

    Fireside LIVE was inspired by their very successful at-home online performance series from earlier this year, the Fireside Sessions. The shows will be the first fully live public performances for the ensemble since February 2020, and come on the heels of the recent postponement of their annual summer Wheels of Soul Tour to next year (2022).

    Tedeschi Trucks Fireside Sessions

    Venues will include a mix of small or reduced-capacity outdoor amphitheaters, drive-ins, and pod set-ups, all of which are COVID-19 compliant and taking precautions to ensure the safety of fans, staff, band, and crew.

    Fireside LIVE will kick off in Jacksonville, FL with a two-night run on June 11 and 12 and then hit cities across the south before coming to Apple Valley Park in Lafayette, NY on July 9, 10, and 11 before continuing across the Northeast.

    Tickets for all shows, except Red Rocks, will go on sale to the general public on Friday, April 23 at 10am EST.

    We’re really looking forward to getting on the road and seeing everybody’s beautiful faces,” said Susan. “Getting together earlier this year to record the Fireside Sessions was really re-energizing, and we are excited to play live in front of fans again. As much as we love performing as the full Tedeschi Trucks Band, current conditions just don’t allow for us to do that.

    The decision as to which members will join for each show will be decided week to week, depending on local conditions at the time.

    Fireside LIVE brings to the stage the same intimate window into Tedeschi and Trucks’ creative chemistry that was on display during the Fireside Sessions, which streamed back in Feb-March on nugs.net.

    Tedeschi Trucks
    Stuart Levine, February 1, 2020, London

    Packed with deep cuts, reimagined songs, and several premieres of rare covers and new original songs that the band has been working on during the break, the six-episode streaming series was enthusiastically received for delivering something new and unique each week.

    For fans who missed the original broadcasts or want to watch it again, TTB and nugs.net will offer a re-broadcast of all six Fireside Sessions. Fans who originally purchased the 6-episode bundle will be able to view the shows for free.

    Details on the broadcasting schedule for the encore presentation of the Fireside Sessions will be announced shortly.

    Visit Tedeschi Trucks Band online at TedeschiTrucksBand.com and @DerekAndSusan.

    FIRESIDE LIVE 2021 ITINERARY
    June 11-12     Jacksonville, FL         Daily’s Place Amphitheater
    June 18           Huntsville, AL            Von Braun Center
    June 19-20      Murfreesboro, TN      Hop Springs Brew Park
    June 24-25      N. Charleston, SC     The Bend
    June 26           Cayce, SC                 Columbia Speedway Entertainment Center
    July 1, 2, 3       Frederick, MD           Showtime at the Drive-In
    July 9, 10, 11   Lafayette, NY            Apple Valley Park
    July 16             Gilford, NH                Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion
    July 18             Elmer, NJ                   Appel Farm Arts & Music Center
    July 20-21        Eatontown, NJ         Concerts on the Green/Suneagles Golf Club
    July 30-31        Morrison, CO            Red Rocks  – on sale TBA *

    More dates to be announced

    * Red Rocks dates will now be ‘Fireside Live’ shows with a separate ticket sale and with priority access to people who bought tickets for the 2021 ‘Wheels of Soul’ shows at Red Rocks. We are working closely with Red Rocks to confirm ticketing details and will announce further information when finalized.  (The 2021 ‘Wheels of Soul’ shows have been postponed to July 29, 30, 2022 and tickets for the 2021 WOS shows will be honored for 2022).

  • Marcus Rezak Announces Sophomore Solo Album “Truth In Sound”

    Marcus Rezak has announced his second solo album, Truth In Sound, to be released on April 29th via Color Red Music, along with a series of shows performing the album.

    marcus Rezak

    To celebrate the release of Truth in Sound, Rezak will perform a pair of East Coast shows with Nate Edgar of The Nth Power, Cotter Ellis of Swimmer, and Scott Hannay of Mister F at Nectar’s in Burlington on Friday, April 23, and Soundcheck Studios in Pembroke MA on Saturday, April 24. Rezak will be accompanied by three members of the Trey Anastasio Band for the recording including Russ Lawton on Drums, Tony Markellis on Bass, and Ray Paczkowski on Keyboard.

    The lead single of the album is “Light of The Moon,” a true story about people of the night connecting through the love of music and celebrating cathartically in the light of the moon with dance, joy, and memories at the core. The lyrics speak to carefree feelings, letting go of worries, and sending all of your vulnerabilities into space. The story is inspired by the times we find ourselves in the light of the moon, who we are with, where we are, and what we remember in those special moments

    The story is inspired by the times we find ourselves in the light of the moon, who we are with, where we are, and what we remember in those special moments.

    Marcus Rezak, Musician

    In addition to “Light of the Moon” release, Rezak has launched a Kickstarter campaign to support the record. Perks range from downloads and pre-orders of vinyl and CDs and even curated experiences, guitar lessons, regional listening parties, private concerts and more. More information about the project and the Kickstarter can be found here.

  • Grey Fox and Ziontific Music Festivals Move to 2022

    Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival and the Ziontific Music Festival are postponing their events until 2022.

    Grey Fox Ziontific
    Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival, Oak Hill, NY. Photo Credit: Alan Hamilton

    Both Grey Fox and Ziontific seek to prioritize the safety and well-being of everyone attending. Moving the festivals to next summer allows more time to counteract the negative consequences of the pandemic.

    Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival will take place July 14-17, 2022. The Grey Fox Staff is hoping to get beyond COVID-19 with extended vaccinations, social distancing, and standard health regulations. Updates for Grey Fox 2022 will be on their website as well as other social media pages.

    Last year, the team and artists joined together to create a virtual Spirit of Grey Fox 2020. Fans and musicians were able to come together to raise $25,000 for the IBMA Trust Fun for COVID-19 Relief. With this generosity and spirit of the community, the momentum pushes forward as live shows become a reality again.

    Similarly, the Ziontific 10th-year celebration is postponed to June 2022. All 2020 tickets and glamping packages automatically roll over to 2022. However, anyone looking for a refund can do so by contacting Ziontific by May 19, 2021.

    While fans eagerly wait for the festivities, a ZTFamily Facebook Group is open to help bring everyone together. Feel free to share Ziontific throwback photos, videos, or even write about memories there.

  • Rainforest Benefit Concert Announced for Earth Day

    A Rainforest Benefit Concert was announced by FANS and KEEN x Garcia in celebration of Earth Day. The benefit concert will take place on April 22, 2021 at 8PM EST and will feature big names like Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Lettuce, Rocky Mountain Grateful Dead Revue, and more. 

    Rainforest Benefit Concert

    The benefit concert is being put on to raise awareness about Alaska’s Tongass National Forest which is the largest temperate rainforest, and one of the most carbon-storing terrestrial ecosystems on the Earth. The performance is being held in the spirit of the Grateful Dead’s Rainforest Benefit Concert which was originally held at Madison Square Garden back on September 24, 1988.

    The livestream is in part to honor Jerry Garcia’s enduring musical, artistic, and environmental legacy on top of raising awareness about Alaska’s Tongass National Forest. FANS and KEEN x Garcia are also bringing in Suzanne Vega and Jack Casady (Hot Tuna) — who played 33 years ago at the Grateful Dead’s Rainforest Benefit — to participate with a musical performance.

    In addition to the musical performances, there will also be multiple conversations. One featuring  Dave Matthews (Dave Matthews Band and a member of The Wilderness Society’s Governing Council), Trixie Garcia (head of the Jerry Garcia family estate and daughter of Jerry Garcia), and The Wilderness Society. And a second one featuring  Gary Lambert (Tales from the Golden Road on SiriusXM’s Grateful Dead Channel), Ebet Roberts (legendary photographer who captured the Grateful Dead’s Rainforest Benefit Concert on September 24, 1988 at Madison Square Garden), and Charlie Miller (renowned Grateful Dead taper).

    The full line-up of featured performers include: ALO, Benevento/Russo Duo, Cassandra Jenkins, Doom Flamingo, Duane Betts, Emilio Castillo (Tower of Power), Fruit Bats, Infamous Stringdusters, Jack Casady, Jackie Venson, JoJo Hermann, Kellen Asebroek (Fruition), Keller Williams, Kitchen Dwellers, Lael Neale, Lettuce, Lureto (robotrio), MIkaela Davis, Moon Taxi, Nicki Bluhm, Olivia Reid, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Rocky Mountain Grateful Dead Revue, Southern Avenue, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Stella Blues Band, Suzanne Vega, Tash Neal, TAUK, and The Hold Steady.

    The Rainforest Benefit Concert will be a free event, but donations are encouraged to protect the Tongass rainforest of Alaska. Fans watching from home will also be motivated to sign a petition asking President Biden and his administration to protect the Tongass National Forest. The event can be viewed on FANS website here.

  • Amityville Music Hall Releases ‘AMH Volume Two’

    Amityville Music Hall and Long Island Emo have teamed up to release The AMH Compilation: Volume Two, following Volume One’s release in February.

    Amityville Music hall
    Artwork by Sarah Waxberg

    The AMH Comp: Volume Two features 34 songs from several emerging artists and legends. Some bands included in the compilation are Crime in Stereo after their last release in 2010, Twentythreenineteen, Iron Chic, Victory Garden, Moon Tooth, Blame God and Macseal. The songs on the album are originals and covers spanning from punk, hardcore and indie rock. Each song has its own sound from Crime in Stereo’s hardcore and fiery track “The Good Empire” to Macseal’s indie and laid-back style on “These Things Happens (Live at Two Worlds)”. 

    The compilation is exclusively available on Long Island Emo’s bandcamp. Just like for Volume One, the second volume is available for a donation of $15. While venues are slowly beginning to reopen, the pandemic is still affecting Amityville Music Hall. Venues are allowed to open at about 33% capacity, but for the music Hall that would only allow 25 people to be there at a time, which isn’t attainable. The proceeds from The AMH Compilation: Volume Two will go to the venue and the staff. 

    An exclusive print is also available along with the release and the money will be allocated to Amityville Music Hall as well. 

  • Hip Hop and Marijuana – a Complicated and Evolving Relationship

    In our current social-political climate, marijuana use and the much celebrated 4/20 are no longer stigmatized. For what has always been recognized as a happy-go-lucky psychedelic, possession of marijuana had always carried serious implications, with consequences ranging from a felony to even serious jail time, even for something as small as a dime bag. However, with hip hop being an outlet for the disenfranchised to voice their frustrations, rap and marijuana have always maintained a symbiotic relationship. 

    4/20 marijuana hip hop

    As a matter of fact, the parallels between the two are obvious, with the merits of both being lauded by the public, despite higher forces turning their nose up and refusing to give each its proper due. Take for instance that despite its popularity within pop culture and beyond, marijuana didn’t begin its march towards legalization until 1996, when California voters passed Proposition 215, legalizing medical marijuana in the state. Notably, hip hop shares a similar story of adversity. In fact, The genre’s official birth date has been accepted as August 11, 1973, and in ensuing years, proceeded to spread.

    Hip Hop’s Plight

    Especially with artists like Kurtis Blow, the Beastie Boys, and Run-DMC pioneering the genre and selling millions of records along the way, it was clear that hip hop — even in its infantry — resonated with the consumers and yet, continued to be shunned at major award shows. In fact, the first Grammy wasn’t awarded to a hip hop artist until 1989 (to Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff) in a non-televised portion of the ceremony. The category for “Best Rap Album” wasn’t awarded until 1995 and even then, only rappers that maintained a pristine image were recognized for their efforts (This eventually led to Jay-Z boycotting the 1999 Grammy Awards for not having DMX among the nominations, despite releasing two platinum albums the prior year). 

    4/20 marijuana hip hop

    And so, the two chugged along on their way to widespread acceptance. Hip hop artists continued to sing (or rap) the praises of weed in all its forms, while marijuana returned the favor by acting as anesthesia towards the hardships that rappers (most of whom hailed from impoverished and violence-stricken communities) faced. In the ensuing years, each respective entity has made headway in the search for acceptance. Hip hop is now the world’s most popular genre and marijuana is legally accessible in 17 states and decriminalized in another 13. 

    Best of Hip Hop and Marijuana

    While the concurrent rise in popularity and general acknowledgment is no coincidence. Safe to say, hip hop’s influence within pop culture is rampant, and surely played a role in the legality of marijuana throughout the country. As marijuana sales are now legally profitable, hip-hop artists have continued the association. Moreover, rap stars the likes of Xzibit, Snoop Dogg, Master P have all invested in or started their own marijuana dispensaries.

    So, on 4/20, honoring the prolonged, fruitful and complicated history between hip hop and marijuana, here are 20 rap songs that celebrate the drug and its usage. Even if those in positions of power have been quick to assert it’s flaws and slow to acknowledge its benefits. 

    Luniz – I Got 5 On It

    Styles P – Good Times

    Devin The Dude – Doobie Asthray

    Snoop Dogg & Whiz Khalifa – Young, Wild and Free

    D’Angelo – Brown Sugar

    Jhene Aiko – Sativa

    Method Man & Redman – How High

    DRAM – Broccoli

    Young Thug – Stoner

    50 Cent – High All The Time

    Snoop Dogg – Gin And Juice

    Wiz Khalifa – The Bluff

    Wiz Khalifa – On My Level

    Kid Cudi – Day ‘N Nite

    Chance The Rapper – Smoke Break

    Wiz Khalifa – Bake Sale

    Rick Ross – Super High

    Lil Wayne – Cali Dro

    4/20

  • Broadway will Return to Proctors in 2021

    Proctors Theatre in Schenectady has announced upcoming dates for Broadway to return to their MainStage, later this year.

    Proctors Broadway

    Proctors Theatre recently released dates for eight postponed shows from the two past Key Bank Broadway Series. Although the shows don’t start until December 2021, this is still exciting news for the return of live theatre.

    This Key Bank series lineup will start late for a usual fall-to-spring theatre cycle, but this is “a good thing” according to Proctors Collaborative CEO Philip Morris. Due to COVID-19 regulations, we can’t have theaters seat audiences at full capacity. “The touring industry can’t come back until we can seat audiences near or at capacity. The economics won’t work otherwise,” explains Morris. “All projections suggest we should be able to return to full capacity by December, and it goes without saying we will be fully compliant with all state and federal safety guidelines to assure patron safety.”

    Proctors Broadway

    Key Private Bank Broadway Series at Proctors schedule:
    SUMMER – The Donna Summer Musical Dec. 7-12, 2021
    Come From Away Jan. 25-30, 2022
    The Prom – March 1-6, 2022
    Dear Evan Hansen – March 22-27, 2022
    CATS – May 3-8, 2022
    My Fair Lady – May 17-22, 2022
    Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird – June 14-19, 2022
    Mean Girls – June 28-July 3, 2022
    Hadestown – New dates to be announced soon
    Disney’s The Lion King New dates to be announced soon
    Pretty Woman: The Musical New dates to be announced soon

    Dates for Hadestown, The Lion King, and Pretty Woman: The Musical are not available yet, but are coming. “The collective effort of Broadway producers and local markets working together to reconfigure routes across the country is complicated beyond belief,” Morris notes. “It takes a while for plans to settle out for every show and every market.” Information about when tickets will be available is coming this spring.

    Live shows aren’t just coming back to Schenectady. Other Proctors Collaborative venues are getting ready to welcome back in person audiences soon. Capital Repertory Theatre will open ticket sales this spring for their upcoming shows in Albany. The Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga Springs will likely sell tickets this summer for concerts and events in their third and forth quarter.

    Proctors Broadway the rep


    While we still can’t meet in person, online theatre gives more people access to performances than ever before. theREP is currently showing its April Play Reading series online. The suggested donation to watch is $15, but virtual audience members can give any amount.

    “Our prolonged intermission is nearly over. We can’t wait to welcome audiences back!” Morris says. “And from all reports we are hearing they can’t wait to come back.”

  • Black Rob, Rap Legend and Former Bad Boy artist, Dead at 51

    Less than one week after posting a concerning tribute video to DMX from a hospital bed of his own, rapper, Black Rob, has passed away, with speculation of the cause of death being kidney failure. 

    black rob
    photo via Getty Images

    Much like DMX’s passing, Black Rob’s death is another blow to hip hop, continuing a run of premature casualties of once famed rappers. It was only April 11 that a bed-stricken Rob looked worse for the wear in an Instagram video posted to his account, in which he paid his respects to DMX 

    “I don’t know, the pain is crazy, man. It’s helping me out though, it’s making me realize I got a lot to go,” he said. “I feel everything about X. X was positive. Love to X,” the former Bad Boy Records emcee shared as he struggled for words. 

    That video began speculation amongst fans about the state of the Harlem emcee’s health, with concerns being raised over his feeble appearance and his faint sounding voice. In another video posted to Instagram the “Whoa” rapper shared that he was out of the  hospital and shed light on his recent health concerns, 

    “Oh man, I’ve been dealing with this for five years. Four strokes … I don’t know what to tell you man. Shit is crazy. The shit is hard,” he said. “I don’t got no house to live in — except maybe an apartment. Me and my man be trying to get together. I’m telling you man, this shit is strange. It’s hard, you know what I’m saying?”

    He continued,

    “I don’t know what the people want to do, what the people going to say. I need some rest, man. Really, man. I need some rest. My side is killing me.”

    Amidst the rising interest in Black Rob’s condition, producer, Mike Zombie, set up a GoFundMe account with a goal of $50,000 to help Rob “find a home, pay for medical help & stability during these trying times.”

    Sadly, it was all for naught, as Rob succumbed to his reported kidney issues on April 16, with the news of his passing being shared by friend and former Bad Boy Records label-mate, Mark Curry.

    Curry announced Rob’s death in two videos posted to his Instagram account, and Variety later confirmed his passing through additional sources. 

    “I don’t know where to begin this,” “But I thank everybody for the donations. Rob passed away about an hour ago.”

    In a second video, Curry revealed that he was with the rapper when he died.

    “Rest in peace to my brother. I was there with him. I was there with him,” Curry said. 

    https://youtu.be/Xpn2rj2HZJY

    There was an outpouring of love from fellow entertainers as well as rappers, as Rob’s brief but successful run as a successful mainstream artist left him revered and loved.