NYS Music 202​2

Category: Beyond NYS

  • Goosemas to be held Saturday, February 26 at Mohegan Sun, Free Livestream announced

    No Shenanigans here – Goose have postponed their long-standing tradition of Goosemas until February 26 after a touring party member tested positive for COVID-19. The show will still be held at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CA as well as PhanArt Presents: The Hometown Flodown.

    On Saturday, February 26th at 8 PM ET a free live stream of Goosemas, the annual concert presented by emergent Connecticut rock quintet Goose, will broadcast on The Relix Channel Exclusively on Twitch.  The band will take the stage at the Mohegan Sun Arena for the eighth annual iteration of their holiday show, a tradition that began with humble roots in the basement of a Connecticut recording studio. A defining achievement after years of explosive growth, Goose will celebrate their inaugural arena appearance with a massive three-set performance.

    The band has expressed devestation, but remains commited to the safety of fans and crew first.

    The Road Lies Ahead, So Tie Up Your Shoes

    Rather than dwell on the unfortunate circumstance, it would be far more Ted to check out and awesome cover of an appropriate song from one of the faithful Goose rail-queens:

    For those experiencing feelings,Tamara Sastow’s version of “Tumble” both soothes and uplifts while maintaining that Marta Goedde edit stlye.

    Tamara is a woman of talent and values. This multi-instrumentalist and music therapist sets a prime example of what it means to be a present and empathetic lover of music. She too, values the safety of others by always attending shows certified with narcan and also carries test strips.

    All in all, it seems that the reaction overall has been very understanding and fans are grateful for the Goosemas miracle that is the “Shenanigans Nite Club” virtual movie premiere.

    goose shenanigans
    Poster by James Flames

    Shenanigans Nite Club: The Movie

    This holiday season, Goose has done it again with their announcement of a Shenanigans Nite Club: The Movie 75-minute virtual premiere. The film, directed by Will Thresher creates a visual story inspired by Goose’s latest full length album of the same name. Shenanigans Night Club: The Movie pays homage to an iconic venue from the band’s hometown. Members of the band, and their nearest and dearest all contribute to create what looks like will be a time capsule within a time capsule.

    goose shenanigans
    Shenanigans night at Westville music bowl. Photo by @emwalis_glitznstone

    There once was a time where holiday plans were not a second thought. We knew who and when. Some might call it a lifetime ago, and a little fuzzy in the details. Our most recent holiday season was flavored with uncertainty and confusion. Consequences weighed, zoom invites sent and moments to grieve all previous years taken for granted. New York City looked like a shell of itself, protected by a second layer of white lights draped over those existing. Missing was the soulful and bustling crowds. Time and time again, Goose has gifted the people, seemingly out of nowhere, exactly what they needed at exactly the right time.

    Shenanigans night at Westville music bowl. Photo by @emwalis_glitznstone

    While many of us sat at home, missing our families at levels we did not know possible, Goose performed on top of the iconic Rockefeller center, continuing the ‘Goosemas’ tradition, but this ttime, reinvented. The message was clear. Goose was here to bring hope and light, possesing power to help people to climb out of the darkest of times. The production value entranced viewers with a crystal clear high definition view of New York City looking its best. The quality of sound while bradcasting live gave many a glimpse of what resliance could look like.

    goose shenanigans
    Shenanigans night at Westville music bowl. Photo by @emwalis_glitznstone

    More and more stories have emerged beginning with “Goose really helped me through…” It appears that in a lot of ways, the music, the culture and the beautiful personalities making up the community all embody the reprieve searched for throughout many of the songs. Goose resonantes because underneath the meticulously-crafted hooks and grooves, these songs have held true for many trying to nagivate life through hardship.

    Empress

    Sure, the outfits are fun. The cinametography looks to be top notch. There is more happening here than meets the eye. These 75 minutes could be the first 75 minutes that someone might not have to think about how their holiday will never be like it was before the pandemic. Goose could be the escape from work related dread. The forum post conversations could be the only time someone interacts with another about something they have in common. Or it could be their only interaction that day. At all. Some people out there might not say it, but they could literally have no one else checking in on them.

    goose shenanigans
    Shenanigans night at Westville music bowl. Photo by @emwalis_glitznstone

    Seekers

    When Marc C. puts out his memes, and Marc K. writes his reviews, we have someone reminding us that we are not alone. There are others that share this passion for more than the band. The willingness of Jon and Paige Caruso to put in endless hours developing the next edition of the El Goose Times, it is for the love of the community. When The Great Beyond podcast releases an episode, all of the positive emotions we get waiting on line, chatting with the person next to us about our favorite moments and which songs we would like to hear pour into our bloodstreams. The drive to work suddenly improved and we might walk in with brigher eyes and a little upturn in the corners of our mouthes resembling a smile.

    Shenanigans night at Westville music bowl. Photo by @emwalis_glitznstone

    Travelers

    Wearing our Knitting by Darian hats, Blue Sky Dyes by Phil and Orion Jewelry Design pendants by Val, we will all feel like we are a part of something when we tune in from December 23-26, 2021 on Flymachine.

    Elmeg

    Truth or Factory Fiction? Exclusive first look via Marc R. Chiavon at Memehuvan Entertainment

    The biggest question that seems to have risen out of the movie trailer was unexpected. Message boards are filled with theories and conspiracies. When will the loved-by-all El Goose facebook group moderator Bruce Robinson finally release his widely anticipated hip-hop ablum? With Billboard top 10 material tracks like “My Sketchers” being dangled above us like a bundle of mistletoe, we can only hope. Greg Knight has called the album one of his top choices for morning motivation. Fortunately for BRobs, the community has proven to be patient, and respects the creative process and will love him all the same if the album remains speculative.

    Shenanigans night at Westville music bowl. Photo by @emwalis_glitznstone

    All passes will have access to a virtual Q&A with the band and director on December 28. Viewers will be able to connect through interactive digital rooms and video chatting. Tickets are $9.99 per screening with passes available through the website below.

  • London’s Ithaca Unleashes Furious New Single, “They Fear Us”

    Ithaca is a town in New York State, and was originally a place in Greece. However, the Ithaca that we’re here to discuss is a music group from London, whose new album, They Fear Us, will be out July 29th.

    So now that we all know why we have gathered here today, let’s talk about the first single from that album, which is also the title track for They Fear Us.

    ithaca

    The genre tags for this album are a mix of metal and hardcore, with the sub-genres listed as melodic hardcore and emotional hardcore. If you fine readers are aware of hardcore, you’ll know that it is usually based off of slamming riffs, screamed vocals, attitude, and a no holds barred use of power. 

    As the track begins you’ll hear some intense vocal work, and they have a lot of the hardcore sound. The guitar riff is rooted in that genre as well, and has a cool, bouncy feel going on. 

    As things progress there is a heavy Killswitch Engage influence, and that holds through the chorus section too, while the vocals remind me more of the cleans from Miss May I; both of those bands are amazing, so hearing their influence here is a reminder of that, and of how much they really inspired other bands. 

    While the full They Fear Us album won’t be released for another 5 months, we feel that you should go check out the single on Bandcamp today. They may not be breaking much new ground in terms of the genre, but what Ithaca put together is quite good, and we eagerly anticipate their next release.

  • Phish 2022 Summer Tour Includes Stops at Bethel Woods, Jones Beach

    Phish will head out on a massive 34-date 2022 Spring and Summer Tour, kicking off Memorial Day Weekend in Alabama, and including their first four-night run at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Colorado over Labor Day. Phish will also play a pair of two-night runs in New York, with shows at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts over July 22-23, and at Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater on July 26-27.

    phish summer tour 2022

    Phish last performed at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in May of 2011, with three memorable shows including an incredible soundcheck of “Waves.”


    Phish are no strangers to Jones Beach, having performed there 14 times since 1992, including opening up for Santana at the fabled Long Island venue. Read our look back at the two-night run at Jones Beach in 1995.

    A ticket request period is currently underway at tickets.phish.com and will end on Friday, February 25th at Noon ET. Tickets go on sale to the public beginning Friday, March 4th (continuing Saturday). Specific ticketing information for each show is available at phish.com/tours.

    Travel Packages will be offered in Bethel, Atlantic City, East Troy, and Commerce City. All packages include concert tickets and local hotel accommodations and go on sale Thursday, March 3rd beginning at 10AM ET. The Atlantic City shows will again offer a special Foundation Ticket that includes early admission, a dedicated viewing area, a Foundation lounge and bar, and early access to merchandise. A portion of proceeds from each Foundation Ticket will benefit the WaterWheel Foundation, celebrating its 25th Anniversary in 2022. For full details and pricing click here.

    Phish will take to the stage later this month with Phish: Riviera Maya set for February 24-27 and April will see Phish return to Madison Square Garden in New York City for their rescheduled four-night NYE run now taking place April 20-23, including a three-set show on April 22.

    Phish Spring and Summer 2022 Tour Dates

    5/27 The Wharf Amphitheater, Orange Beach, AL
    5/28 The Wharf Amphitheater, Orange Beach, AL
    5/29 The Wharf Amphitheater, Orange Beach, AL
    5/31 Credit One Stadium, Charleston, SC
    6/1 Credit One Stadium, Charleston, SC
    6/3 Ruoff Music Center, Noblesville, IN
    6/4 Ruoff Music Center, Noblesville, IN
    6/5 Ruoff Music Center, Noblesville, IN
    7/14 Xfinity Center, Mansfield, MA
    7/15 Xfinity Center, Mansfield, MA
    7/16 Maine Savings Amphitheater, Bangor, ME
    7/19 TD Pavilion at the Mann, Philadelphia, PA
    7/20 TD Pavilion at the Mann, Philadelphia, PA
    7/22 Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, Bethel, NY
    7/23 Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, Bethel, NY
    7/24 Xfinity Theatre, Hartford, CT
    7/26 Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater, Wantagh, NY
    7/27 Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater, Wantagh, NY
    7/29 Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek, Raleigh, NC
    7/30 Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD
    7/31 Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD
    8/2 Blossom Music Center, Cuyahoga Falls, OH
    8/3 Pine Knob Music Theatre, Clarkston, MI
    8/5 Atlantic City Beach, Atlantic City, NJ
    8/6 Atlantic City Beach, Atlantic City, NJ
    8/7 Atlantic City Beach, Atlantic City, NJ
    8/10 Budweiser Stage, Toronto, ON
    8/12 Alpine Valley Music Theatre, East Troy, WI
    8/13 Alpine Valley Music Theatre, East Troy, WI
    8/14 Alpine Valley Music Theatre, East Troy, WI
    9/1 Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, CO
    9/2 Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, CO
    9/3 Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, CO
    9/4 Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, CO

  • In Focus: Goose Close Winter Tour in Pittsburgh

    The Connecticut-based band Goose ended their two and a half week winter tour in Pittsburgh after spending most of their time on the road out west this time. A cold Saturday night in Pittsburgh at Stage AE seemed like the perfect place to celebrate, the venue was packed with fans new and old and a free stream was even offered to all those who couldn’t make the show.

    Wether you were in attendance or not there will be plenty of opportunities to see the band in the coming weeks starting with the rescheduled Goosemas taking place on Saturday February 26th at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT.

    Goose – 2/12/22 – Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE

    Set 1: Silver Rising, Butter Rum, Turned Clouds, Red Bird, Tumble

    Set 2: Rockdale, Seekers On The Ridge Pt. 1 > Pt. 2, American Woman, Empress Of Organos, Slow Ready

    Encore: Praise You

  • Peach Music Festival Unveils 10th Anniversary Lineup Featuring Trey Anastasio Band, Goose and Billy Strings 

    The long-running Peach Music Festival has returned with its official 2022 lineup. The four day festival will run from June 30 to July 3 at Montage Mountain in Scranton, PA, with a number of performances to celebrate its 10th anniversary.

    Headliners for the festival include Trey Anastasio Band, The Black Crowes, Billy Strings and Joe Russo’s Almost Dead. They will be joined by acts like The Revivalists, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Duane Betts, Ripe, The Wailers, The Motet, Star Kitchen and many more. There will also be a reunion of The Word featuring Robert Randolph, John Medeski, Luther Dickinson, Cody Dickinson and Chris Chew. Additional artists will continue to be announced.

    Goose Performing in 2019

    After initially starting as the first-ever Allman Brothers Band-inspired festival back in 2012, Peach Music Festival has evolved into a one of a kind experience for all music lovers. Continuing with the Allman Brothers Band inspiration, there will also be performances from founding member Jaimoe performing with friends that includes Daniel Donato, Dylan Niederaurer, Jack Ryan, Lamar Williams Jr., Nikki Glaspie, Peter Levi and Roosevelt Collier to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their seminal album Eat A Peach.

    The high energy music fest also has food and craft vendors, along with access to the Montage Mountain Ski Resort’s water park, zip line and ski lift rides. Tickets and travel packages, as well as camping, glamping tent and RV passes are available on the Peach Music Festival website. 

  • The Lumineers Announce 2022 World Tour, With Stops at SPAC, CMAC and Forest Hills 

    The Lumineers have returned with their “BRIGHTSIDE” 2022 World Tour. The extensive tour begins May 18th and features special guests James Bay, Caamp, Gregory Alan Isakov and Daniel Rodriguez.

    The Lumineers tour

    The tour follows the release of the band’s fourth studio album of the same name, available now on all streaming platforms. The Grammy nominated album was produced by longtime collaborator Simone Felice and engineered by David Baron during winter and spring of 2021 at Sun Mountain Studios.

    The band was credited with creating the world’s first climate positive tour back in 2020 and have continued this trend by collaborating with the environmental non profit REVERB to make the BRIGHTSIDE tour climate positive as well. The nonprofit has collaborated with a number of artists and bands to reduce environmental impact including Harry Styles, Billie Eilish, Dave Matthews Band and Tame Impala.

    The Lumineers tour

    General ticket sales start on 2/18 at 10 AM. Advanced ticket purchasing starts 2/14 for select club and Citi card members. Ticket bundles and premium packages are also available. For complete ticket information, visit The Lumineers website.

    The Lumineers 2022 Tour Dates

    5/18 – Jacksonville, FL – Daily’s Place 

    5/20 – West Palm Beach, FL – iTHINK Financial Amphitheater 

    5/21 – Charleston, SC – Credit One Stadium 

    5/24  – Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park 

    5/25 – Columbia, MD – Merriweather Post Pavilion 

    5/27 – Canandaigua, NY – CMAC 

    5/28 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center 

    5/29 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Saratoga Performing Arts Center 

    6/1 – Gilford, NH – Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion 

    6/3 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center 

    6/4 – Camden, NJ – Waterfront Music Pavilion 

    6/7 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center 

    6/8 – Maryland Heights, MO  – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre 

    6/10 – Clarkston, MI  – Pine Knob Music Theatre 

    6/11 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage 

    6/14 – Noblesville, IN  – Ruoff Music Center 

    6/15 – Burgettstown, PA  – The Pavilion at Star Lake 

    6/17 – Forest Hills, NY – Forest Hills Stadium 

    7/9 – Cleveland, OH – WonderStruck Music Festival

    7/12 – Boise, ID – ExtraMile Arena 

    7/14 – Portland, OR – Moda Center 

    7/16 – Quincy, WA – The Gorge 

    7/17 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena 

    7/20 – Salt Lake City, UT – Maverik Center 

    7/22 – Denver, CO – Coors Field 

    7/24 – Las Vegas, NV  – MGM Grand Garden Arena 

    7/26 – Glendale, AZ – Gila River Arena 

    7/27 – San Diego, CA – Pechanga Arena San Diego 

    7/29 – Los Angeles, CA – crypto.com Arena  

    8/2 – Sacramento, CA – Golden1 Center 

    8/3 – San Francisco, CA – Chase Center 

    8/6 – Calgary, AB – Scotiabank Saddledome 

    8/7 – Edmonton , AB – Rogers Place 

    8/9 – Saskatoon, SK – Sasktel Centre 

    8/10 – Winnipeg, MB – Canada Life Centre 

    8/12 – St. Paul, MN – Xcel Energy Center 

    8/13 – Kansas City, MO – T-Mobile Center 

    8/16 – Omaha, NE – CHI Health Center 

    8/17 – Tulsa, OK – BOK Center 

    8/19 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center 

    8/20 – Austin, TX – Moody Center 

    8/26 –  Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena 

    8/27 – Charlotte, NC – Spectrum Center 

    8/31 – Louisville, KY – KFC Yum! Center 

    9/1 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena 

    9/3 – Chicago, IL – Wrigley Field 

    9/6 – Grand Rapids, MI – Van Andel Arena 

    9/24-9/25 – Bridgeport, CT – Sound On Sound Music Festival

  • Kristian Montgomery Is An Ordinary Guy, It’s His Life That’s Extraordinary

    Kristian Montgomery is a regular guy. Except, the more you fill in the details of his life what should be ordinary starts to become extraordinary. Like a cubist painting, that starts to look less recognizable the more you identify the individual pieces in it, Kristian’s life is at once familiar and wholly his own.

    His career has ups and downs, he goes on trips with his friends. All relatable experiences unless you’re Kristian Montgomery. His job isn’t a boring, nine-to-five. He’s a former metal vocalist turned country singer; whose career highs included being nominated for a Boston Music Award for Country Artist of the Year in 2021. But who’s lows included having to write an album in jail after contacting the judge in his child support case outside of court. And that trip he took with a friend? It was with his bassist and “blood brother,” Roberto Talleria, to his homeland of Managua, Nicaragua to perform on the local version of MTV.

    Kristian Montgomery
    Montgomery in Managua, Nicaragua.

    Montgomery’s own origins have taken him beyond the Boston music scene he came up in. His father is from Denmark which he now considers “home.” His time in Boston was tumultuous, if successful. It was a milieu in which he often felt, if not, overtly excluded, at least, like an odd man out in what he considered “a very upper-class music scene.” Even though he received critical success, in the form of his Boston Music Award nomination, he felt his peers never reciprocated. Which while not the raison d’etre for his art; stung, nonetheless.

    The unique word choice he regularly employs hints at a sensitive person with an affinity for dramatic, verbal pictures. He uses turns of phrase that only an artistic spirit would consider. His relatives from Denmark are “across the sea.” When detailing the emotions of a song dedicated to his wife, he explains that he “throws his love at her.”  He finds everyday experiences inspiring and “has made a living painting those stories into his songs.”

    Ordinarily, such ornamental language, if used in casual conversation, would seem overwrought were it not for the fact that Montgomery is such a poised and deep thinker about art and, specifically, his art. He seems to be constantly reflecting on who his music represents. About the people it will connect with. It is music that is, as he says, “made for people on the Periphery.”

    Now that he’s released a new album, he can say he did just that. Montgomery’s unpretentious, new album, “Heaven for Heretics”, released under the moniker Kristian Montgomery and the Winterkill Band, is a vintage singer-songwriter effort. It’s apparent the music comes from a single creative source, giving the album an unmistakable cohesion. Of course, as with all singer-songwriters if the message doesn’t resonate or the music is flat then listening becomes tedious, repetitive. That isn’t the case here. Montgomery is able to stretch himself to the limits of artistic expanse. He’s able to provide enough variety, both sonic and thematic, to keep the album propulsive.

    From the contemplatively existentialist “Come Carry Weight with Me” to the bouncy country bop “Peach” Montgomery’s unorthodox, appealing voice and trademark mix of country music clichés mixed with profound turns of phrase, all showcase a musician who, if nothing else, cared about making something personal. And that counts for a lot.

  • The Who 2022 Tour will Arrive at MSG and Bethel Woods in May, UBS Arena in October

    The Who, one of the greatest rock bands in music history, will embark on a 2022 North American Tour this spring and fall. The two final tour stops in May will be at Madison Square Garden and Bethel Woods, while the October leg of the tour brings Townshend and Daltry to UBS Arena in Belmont.

    the who 2022 tour

    The music of The Who spans generations, with Roger Daltrey’s soaring vocal prowess building off the sparks of Pete Townshend’s songwriting. These two remaining members of the original lineup join together in a shared legacy while time is passing, one found in the pages of their recent autobiographies -Townshend’s Who I Am (2012) and Daltrey’s Thanks A Lot Mr. Kibblewhite; My Story (2018) – and among their regular touring schedule. 

    Some shows on The Who’s 2022 tour were originally planned for 2019 but delayed due to a vocal ailment Daltrey was suffering from, while some others on the tour are a substitute for those canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Commenting on The Who Hits Back! 2022 tour, Roger Daltrey said:

    Pete and I said we’d be back, but we didn’t think we’d have to wait for two years for the privilege. This is making the chance to perform feel even more special this time around. So many livelihoods have been impacted due to Covid, so we are thrilled to get everyone back together – the band, the crew and the fans.  We’re gearing up for a great show that hits back in the only way The Who know how.  By giving it everything we got.

    Roger Daltrey

    The Who Hits Back! Tour features a pure and easy lineup including guitarist and backup singer Simon Townshend (Pete’s brother), keyboardist Loren Gold, second keyboardist Emily Marshall, bassist Jon Button, drummer Zak Starkey and backing vocals by Billy Nicholls. Lead violinist Katie Jacoby and lead cellist Audrey Snyder will be getting in tune with orchestra conductor Keith Levenson, delivering many of The Who’s classics, as well as songs from their most recent album, WHO.

    Regarding the inclusion of local orchestras and strings for each show, Townshend spoke to Rolling Stone, saying:

    It gives me a chance to make sure what I play, what I do, where I look, how I behave on the stage, is more connected with the people around me, and with the audience, and with, to get prosaic about it, an inner sense. In other words, I don’t lose myself the way I did when I used to jump around, have a big adrenaline rush, and then come off the stage and someone would say, ‘Great show,’ or someone would say, ‘Terrible show,’ and I wouldn’t really know what I had done, to be honest, since I was like someone running a marathon. So the orchestra gives me space.

    Pete Townshend

    The Who’s show at Bethel Woods also marks their return to the site of the original Woodstock Festival, where the group performed a memorable set that began at 5 AM on Sunday, August 17, 1969.

    the who the clash
    The Who at Rich Stadium, Buffalo, 1982. Photo by Marc Starcke

    American Express® Card Members can purchase tickets in select markets before the general public beginning today, Monday, February 7 at 10 am through Thursday, February 10 at 10 pm. The Who’s fan club presale starts Wednesday, February 9 at 10 am and runs through Thursday, February 10 at 10 pm.

    For more information visit LiveNation.com or thewho.com.

    The Who Hits Back! 2022 Tour Dates

    SPRING

    April 22 / Hard Rock Live / Hollywood, FL

    April 24 / VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena / Jacksonville, FL

    April 27 / Amalie Arena / Tampa, FL

    April 30 / New Orleans Jazz Festival

    May 3 / Moody Center ATX / Austin, TX

    May 5 / American Airlines Center / Dallas, TX

    May 8 / the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion / The Woodlands, TX

    May 10 / Paycom Center / Oklahoma City, OK

    May 13 / FedEx Forum / Memphis, TN

    May 15 / TQL Stadium / Cincinnati, OH

    May 18 / TD Garden / Boston, MA

    May 20 / Wells Fargo Center / Philadelphia, PA

    May 23 / Capital One Arena / Washington, D.C.

    May 26 / Madison Square Garden / New York City, NY

    May 28 / Bethel Woods Center of the Arts / Bethel, NY

    FALL

    Oct 2 / Scotiabank Arena / Toronto, ON

    Oct 4 / Little Caesars Arena / Detroit, MI

    Oct 7 / UBS Arena / Belmont Park, NY

    Oct 9 / Schottenstein Center / Columbus, OH

    Oct 12 / United Center / Chicago, IL

    Oct 14 / Enterprise Center / St. Louis, MO

    Oct 17 / Ball Arena / Denver, CO

    Oct 20 / Moda Center / Portland, OR

    Oct 22 / Climate Pledge Arena / Seattle, WA

    Oct 26 / Golden 1 Center / Sacramento, CA

    Oct 28 / Honda Center / Anaheim, CA

    Nov 1 / Hollywood Bowl / Los Angeles, CA

    Nov 4 + 5 / Dolby Live at Park MGM / Las Vegas, NV

  • The Sounds of the 1980 Winter Olympics: Chuck Mangione’s “Give it All You Got” and the Crane School of Music Compose a Soundtrack for Lake Placid

    As the XXIV Olympic Winter Games take place in Beijing, China, we look back 42 years to the XIII Olympic Winter Games held in Lake Placid from February 13, 1980 to February 24, 1980. Home of the Miracle on Ice and speedskater Eric Heiden winning five gold medals, the Lake Placid Winter Olympics brought together 1,072 athletes from 37 countries to take part in 38 official events in February 1980.

    1980 Winter Olympics
    Opening ceremony photo courtesy Lake Placid Olympic Sites

    The games also featured a theme song, in the form of Rochester Jazz legend Chuck Mangione’s “Give it All You Got,” a tune released a week before the games, that would chart as high as #1 on the Adult Contemporary, #18 on the Billboard 100 and #32 on the R&B chart, and recently named by Billboard as the #1 Olympics theme song of all time. ”Give it All You Got” was Mangione’s second single to reach #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart, after “Feels So Good” achieved that feat in 1978.

    Mangione was asked by Roone Arledge, then ABC Sports president, to craft a song for the Winter Olympiad. ABC had used Mangione’s recordings, including “Chase The Clouds Away,” four years earlier during their coverage of the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal. Featuring a lineup of Charles Meks (bass), James Bradley Jr. (drums), Grant Geissman (guitar), and Chris Vadalla (saxophone), Mangione, America’s most famous flugelhorn player wrote the Grammy-nominated song for his 1979 album Fun and Games. 

    Richard Challen wrote in 2020 about “Give It All You Got”:

    This is fusion jazz at its most peppy and pristine, the network TV version of “gritty.” Mangione and saxophonist Chris Vadala volley the theme back and forth for nearly half the track’s six-minute runtime, content to let that breezy melody do most of the work. There’s some inspired composition going on beneath the surface: the way the chord structure keeps dancing between major and minor, the spots where flugelhorn and sax each converge in twin harmony. Throw in Charles Meeks’ slippery bassline and some Nile-Rodgers-style rhythm work from Geissman, and you’ve got the perfect soundtrack for cruising L.A. in a ’74 Stingray convertible.

    Mangione told Wesley Hyatt for his 1999 book The Billboard Book of No. 1 Adult Contemporary Hits about the process of composing the music for the instrumental, saying: 

    (my) vision was to think about the athletes and their efforts to do their best now. They’re giving it all they’ve got. And we almost got to be like the athletes because we also got to perform the song at the ceremonies.

    “Give It All You Got” was nominated for best instrumental composition at the 1981 Grammy Awards, losing out to John Williams’ score for The Empire Strikes Back. 

    Mangione would perform “Give it All You Got” live at the Winter Olympics closing ceremony (as well as the song “Pina Colada”) on Sunday, February 24, 1980, just hours after the conclusion of the gold medal hockey victory for Team USA over Finland along with the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra from Ontario, Canada.

    In addition to Mangione, the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam contributed to the Lake Placid Winter Olympics as well. A 600-member Olympic chorus and orchestra, a 50 member wind ensemble and three Olympic bands of 50 members each, who were bused in daily and wore weather appropriate parkas and boots, instead of the typical tuxedos and gowns. Brass performers tested their instruments in the meat freezer of the local supermarket in Potsdam as they prepared for the Games.

    1980 winter olympics
    photo by Christopher Lenney

    Feb. 9, 1980 featured the Collegiate Singers, directed by Brock McElheran, as they performed for the International Olympic Committee, along with visiting dignitaries from participating nations.

    1980 winter olympics
    photo via the Crane School of Music

    Four Crane School of Music faculty members composed original works for the Olympic Games, including Elliot Del Borgo, Arthur Frackenpohl, William Maul and Robert Washburn. When American gold medal winners, including speedskater Eric Heiden, received their medals, they were accompanied by an arrangement of the “Star Spangled Banner” by Frackenpohl, who also arranged the Greek and Yugoslavian national anthems.  Washburn composed “Parade of Nations” for the opening ceremonies, while Del Borgo wrote the piece played during the closing, “When Dreams Are Dreamed and Dreams Are Won,” and Maul composed “March of the Athletes,” used for the closing ceremonies.

    photo via the Crane School of Music

    Crane School bands would provide music for the award ceremonies each evening, with Professor Emerita Rebekah Covell leading the Crane Symphonic Band for 14 performances over 14 days. With an added degree of difficulty, Covell and the musicians would often have less than an hour to rehearse national anthems needed for the medal award ceremonies, prior to playing the songs outdoors, often in freezing temperatures. Notably, Robert Mero, a former technical assistant at Crane, came out of retirement to assist musicians with technical services during the Games, per Robert Gibbs, a professor and emeritus member of the Crane School alumni board.

    Between Chuck Mangione and students and faculty at the Crane School of Music, all music for the 1980 Winter Olympics can be credited to talented born and/or raised New Yorkers. Here’s to the Winter Olympics returning to Lake Placid in the coming years, perhaps split with Montreal.

  • 2022 Summer Camp Music Festival Announces Final Lineup, Schedule

    Summer Camp Music Festival has announced the second round of performers for the 2022 edition of the Midwest fest. Headliners include Smashing Pumpkins, Little Feat (performing their classic album, Waiting For Columbus), Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, STS9, Zeds Dead, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, as well as host bands moe. and Umphrey’s McGee. The festival will take place from May 25 -29, 2021 at the Three Sisters Park in Chillicothe, Illinois. 

    2022 Summer Camp

    Summer Camp Music Festival first took place back in 2001 and brought about 1,000 patrons to enjoy over 15 bands on two stages during the 2-day event at Three Sisters Park in Chillicothe, IL. Over the years the festival has transformed the grounds annually, making it possible to welcome more fans, more fun and way more music. The festivities take place across Memorial Day Weekend and multiple stages, different genres, and even camping.  

    The current announced line up includes moe., Umphrey’s McGee, The Smashing Pumpkins, Zeds Dead, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Little Feat, STS9, NGHTMRE, Liquid Stranger, Big Wild, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Shpongle (Simon Posford Live Set), Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Whethan, Cory Wong, Cherub, Malaa, Moon Taxi, Peekaboo, Manic Focus, OPIUO, Kasbo, Keller Williams’ Grateful Grass ft. The Hillbenders, The Infamous Stringdusters, Leftover Salmon, Yonder Mountain String Band, The Motet, Victor Wooten, Here Come the Mummies, Cory Henry, Andy Frasco & The U.N, TAUK, and Everyone Orchestra.

    Additional artists, in alphabetical order include 1788-L, Aqueous, Big Something, Daily Bread, Death Kings, Dirt Monkey, Doom Flamingo, Dopapod, DRAMA, Ghost Light, Jantsen, lespecial, Maddy O’Neal, Maggie Rose, Magic Beans, The Main Squeeze, Mersiv, Monophonics, Moore Kismet, Mungion, Sammy Rae & The Friends, Saxsquatch, SoDown, Steady Flow, SUSTO, The Werks and Wreckno,

    And more artists in alphabetical order: A Hundred Drums, Aaron Kamm & The One Drops, BLVK JVCK, Caleb Johnson, Canabliss, Chicago Farmer & The Fieldnotes, The Claudettes, Cofresi, Con Brio, Couch, DOGMA, Dogs In A Pile, Family Groove Company, Goodnight, Texas, The Horn Section, James Maslow x Eugene Ugorski, Kick The Cat, Kitchen Dwellers, Little Stranger, Neighbor, The North 41, Old Shoe, Ravenscoon, Sun Stereo, TK & The Holy Know-Nothings and, Yam Yam

    Further artists include, in alphabetial order, APO10, Biomassive, Brainchild, BUTTA’, Dizgo, Eggy, Fauvely, Formerly The Fox, Kuh Nives, Miles Over Mountains, Stan P Band, Still Shine, Tand, Trash Angel (Emo Set), The Tripp Brothers, Vintage Pistol and Zoofunkyou, with even more bands to be announced.

    The latest round of artists announced for Summer Camp 2022 include Big Gigantic, SNBRN, returning fan favorite DJ Paul (Three Six Mafia), Magic City Hippies, and a slew of other great artists set to perform this Memorial Day Weekend.

    Tickets are on sale now including a variety of ticketing options. There are 3-Day GA Passes, Thursday Pre-Party Passes, VIP Upgrades, & RV / Car Camping Spots. Convenient Payment Plans are offered for those who need a little extra time to purchase their festival ticket. The plans are broken up into multiple installments to offer manageable monthly payments. To learn more about all Summer Camp Ticket Options, click here.

    For more information on the 2022 Summer Camp Music Festival visit their website.