The Village of Green Island, located just north of Albany and located on (and in) the Hudson River will once again hold its annual free summer concert series at the Green Island Gazebo, or GIG.
Located in River Park on the north end of Hudson Avenue, GIG is mainly known for the free summer concert series, although GIG also hosts the annual Festival of Trees in December.
Summer concerts are held each Wednesday night from 6pm-8pm and made possible by generous sponsors and the GIG-a-bite crew who cook up and serve delicious weekly treats along with a group of volunteer bakers who donate desserts.
No taxpayer dollars are used to fund the GIG summer concert series, with profits from GIG used to make improvements in River Park and Paine Street Park, and to support other groups such as the GI Senior Citizens.
Concerts are held at the River Park Gazebo on Hudson Ave. In the event of rain, concerts iwll be held under the Collar City Bridge on Hudson Avenue. Smoking and alcohol are not permitted in the park.
Green Island GIG 2022 Schedule (with food specials)
July 6 – The Accents (fried chicken basket, strawberry shortcake)
July 13 – Lustre Kings (steak sandwich, banana split ambrosia)
July 20 – Get up Jack (Irish Night) (Corned beef sandwich, mint chocolate chip ice cream)
July 27 – New York Players (Mac-n-cheese, Rice pudding)
August 3 – Swing Docs (Sausage and Peppers, Watermelon)
August 10 – Capt. Squeeze and the Zydeco Moshers (Foot Long Hot Dogs, S’more bars)
August 17 – Big Fez and the Surfmatics (Hawaiian Chicken Sandwich, Cookies and Cream Ice Cream)
August 24 – The Oldiest Show (Sock Hop Night) (Pulled Pork Sliders, Peach Pie with Ice Cream)
On June 24th, Black Opry Revue will perform at Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs, bringing with them styles that include country, blues, folk, and Americana music.
Black Opry Revue
Black Opry is a home for Black artists and Black fans of country, blues, folk, and Americana music. It was firstly started by Holly G., a Black country music lover in the format of a website. It connected Black country performers and connect with likeminded fans. The musicians gathered together and started their tour to bring racial equality to country music. The Black Opry Revue has performed sold out shows in Nashville, Memphis, Houston, Chicago, New York City and Atlanta with a revolving group of performers that represent a wide, diverse range of styles.
Country music has been made by and loved by Black people since its conception. For just as long, we have been overlooked and disregarded in the genre by fans and executives. Black Opry wants to change that and create a joyful, supportive space where Black artists can be heard and celebrated.
Black Opry founder Holly G.
Caffè Lena is a premiere concert venue presents extraordinary music in an intimate setting with 82 years’ history. Located in Saratoga Springs, it is renowned as the longest continuously operating folk music venue in the United States. In person or virtually, Caffe Lena provides stage for various artists and bands nearly every night. They also offers homemade desserts, locally sourced light fare, coffee, wine and beer to enjoy during the show.
Caffe Lena
Since 1960, our mission at Caffe Lena has been to provide a stage for American roots music to flourish. This music wouldn’t be here without the contributions of Black culture. Black Opry Revue is a really special opportunity to celebrate that culture and the performers who are working to break down walls within the music industry.
Carolyn Shapiro, marketing manager at Caffe Lena
The performance at Caffe Lena will be a writers-in-the-round concert. Besides the singing performances, artists will also share the stories behind their songs. The artisits include singer-songwriters, Roverta Lea and Nikki Morgan, and country music singer Tae Lewis. Roberta Lea blends soul, pop and RnB with thought provoking lyrics while Nikki Morgan developed traditional gospel music and now creates captivating melodies and insightful lyrics. Tae Lewis is a fast-rising country music singer from North Carolina.
Black Opry Revue will take place at Caffe Lena on Friday, June 24th with doors at 7:30pm and the show beginning at 8pm. The show will also be available to live stream for up to one week on Caffe Lena TV, the venue’s live streaming platform. In-person tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Student rush tickets are available at the door for $5. Buy tickets and view the schedule here
On Thursday, June 9th, 2022, Albany’s first Alive at 5 show of the year opened with Alternative/Indie rock band Young Culture and closed out with Pop-punk band State Champs. The show was moved to the rain location at Corning Perserve Boat Launch after rain was in the forecast. The sun was shining bright, however, for a high energy performance with crowd surfers just as high.
Both bands are originally from the Capital Region whose music might bring out feelings that a typical high schooler would have from their crush. Both bands share an alternative rock style that a teenager going through a break up could bop their head to. After many years of success, they decided to come back home to open the Alive at 5 series.
Young Culture started in Albany in 2016, and quickly blew up after the release of their EP “(This is) Heaven.” Young Culture performed at Empire Live back in November of 2021 for Grayscale’s Umbra Tour. Young Culture is gearing up for a summer tour titled, Into the Raging Sea with Broadside. State Champs also performed at Empire Live as the head liners for Frozen Fest. This was the release show for State Champs’ new album, Kings of a New Age.
Alive at 5 could not chose two better bands to open the series. Young Culture’s lead vocalist, Alex Magan connected with the young crowd with “Kinda Over You,” a song he said was about his ex-girlfriend in high school. That song, along with “Laylo,” helped the young crowd to mellow out for a short bit and connect with the band on a more personal level. Both songs where about a love that did not last, a theme that resonated well with the audience.
They left on a high note with “Party Girl” and “Holiday in Vegas.” Alex stood on equipment boxes in the pit to grab the hands of those crowd surfing. There was a long of head banging from other members of the band along with the crowd. They thanked Albany for inviting them back home.
Representatives from In Our Own Voices and the Capital Pride Center came out with Kathy Sheehan, the Mayor of Albany and Sam Mills, Albany’s 2022 Tulip Queen. They all gave a brief speeches about upcoming pride events in the Capital Region.
State Champs brought energy back up when they opened with “Here to Stay.” The band tried to remind everyone that Alive at 5 was supposed to be a family fun event, but then performed “Everybody But You,” one of their hit songs with the F-word emphasized in the chorus. Members of the band stood on the equipment boxes to greet crowd surfers during the set. The crowd surfing was constant by mostly young people. It was evident that the crowd may have been getting tired of the surfing as many surfers were being thrown to the barricade towards the end. The most pit opened twice, first for a circle mosh ad the second time for a traditional mosh.
It was a great performance from State Champs, that lasted over an hour. They answered cheers for an encore with two songs. They have a tour lined up for Sad Summer Fest starting in July. The festival comes to New York on July 22nd at Pier 17.
Young Culture Setlist: Bloodthin, Better Off as Friends, Hum, Godspeed, Kinda Over it, HB16, Fantasy, Laylo, Shiver, 21 Days, Drift, Party Girl, Holiday in Vegas
State Champs Setlist: Here to Stay, Eventually, Frozen, Outta My Head, Hard to Please, Mine is Gold, Act Like That, Simple Existence, Remedy, Easy Enough, Criminal, Just Sound, Losing Myself, Slow Burn, History, Everybody But You, Dead and Gone, Elevated, Secrets
Each Sunday evening from 7-9pm 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 new music from, Sabrina Trueheart, Jacob Shipley and many more.
WEQX has long been the preeminent independent station in the Capital Region of New York, broadcasting from Southern VT to an 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.
Sabrina Truheart – “Holding on to Something Good”
On Friday, May 20, Albany folk singer Sabrina Trueheart released her debut EP, Holding Onto Something Good. The four-song project follows the release of singles “To Die Alone” and “Wait,” released in January and March respectively. The title track will be aired on EQXposure. Read more about Sabrina here.
Born out of a short lived romance, Jacob Shipley wrote “Persimmon” hoping that things would have lasted longer, but knowing that it wasn’t in the cards. It’s for those hugs that feel like they’re sucking you back in the second you pull away, the drawn out kisses where the lips can’t seem to separate, and the days where you can’t keep your mind off of who was in your bed that morning. It is a love song for those who have to leave, but can’t bring themselves to go.
This track was produced in remote collaboration with incredible singer/songwriter Sarah Gross who sings, plays synth, and mixed the track. The bass line is by Katrien Van Riel, the drums by Misia Vessio, and the violin by Erikka Walsh. Matthew Gregory mastered the track. The cover photo and art were done by Jacob Shipley.
The Village of Lake George plays host to a number of music series throughout the summer, starting with Memorial Meltdown in May, ending with ADK Independence Fest in September, and free music series filling in the months between.
Free to the public in Lake George is the Fridays on Summer Concert Series at Shepard Park, starting on Friday, June 10. Eleven performances in all will be held, leading up to the finale on September 2.
The final Friday at the Lake of the season comes to Shepard Park on Friday, September 2, featuring two of the Northeast’s premier party bands: Kick (7:30-9:30) and The Schmooze (6:00-7:10). The Hartford Current newspaper music critic calls Kick “by far the best modern rock cover band I’ve ever seen.” Formed in 1996, Kick has a broad repertoire of over 400 songs covering many genres. This has allowed them to open in concert for such diverse national acts as Duran Duran, Staind (grunge rock), Reel Big Fish (ska) and Biz Markie (rap). They have played on the Las Vegas strip, the Atlantic City Boardwalk, Rentschler Stadium (University of Connecticut football games) and Madison Square Garden for the Stanley Cub Playoffs. They have played in casinos, arenas, stadiums and resorts nationwide.
Opening the show will be one of the region’s premier party bands for the past 15 years, The Schmooze. They will get the party rocking with their versions of rock, pop, dance and country cover tunes that will have the crowd dancing and singing along.
Kicking off the series on June 10 is an evening of classic rock, headlined by legendary regional favorites E.B. Jeb. The band is celebrating more than 40 years together and is the northeast’s “go to “ band for the Southern Rock genre. The eight piece band features two drummers, similar to the Allman Brothers’ configuration. E.B. Jeb has opened for many national acts, including Charlie Daniels, The Outlaws, Molly Hatchet and Blackfoot.
Opening on Friday, June 10 is The Blue Moon Band, a premier classic rock band from the Lake George region. Their music includes covers by Santana, Bob Dylan and classic/southern rock hits and will perform from 6:00-7:10, with E.B. Jeb playing from 7:30-9:30.
All shows are free to the public, and there will be vendors selling food and beverages.
Saturday, June 11 will feature a special night of music for Saturday on the Lake A special Saturday concert at Shepard Park will feature a night of classic rock as The Trilogy Tribute will take the audience on a musical journey to the 60s and 70s with tributes to Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones, Jim Morrison of The Doors and Grace Slick of Jefferson Airplane. The Trilogy performers recreate the persona of each icon while performing the hit songs that enshrined these legends into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Classic Rock Productions concerts like the Trilogy Tribute have headlined shows at the Golden Nugget in Atlantic City for the past ten years, including “The Deckstock Festival” tribute to Woodstock.
Opening act Bluz House Rockers are celebrating their 26th year as a seven piece configuration that includes two keyboard players and six members singing lead vocals and harmonies. They have been inducted into the New York State Blues Hall of Fame, and Trish Anderson’s “Three Dollar Bill” went to #2 on the Top 100 charts in Denmark. They are well known in the Glens Falls/Lake George region, having played Summer Jam, Taste of the North Country, Balloon Fest and Save the Lake.
On July 1, Soul Session is the headline act for Friday at the Lake at Shepard Park in Lake George. Soul Session, featuring band leader and lead vocalist, Garland Nelson, has presented high energy junk and R&B renditions of your favorite hit songs. In 2019, Garland won Eddies Award for “Best R&B Vocalist” and Soul Session won “Best Band in the Capital Region.” Garland connects with the audience and creates an atmosphere of Live and Celebration at his shows. He just performed on SPAC’s main stage as part of the annual Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival, and will perform at Friday at the Lake 7:30-9:30 pm.
Opening the show from 6:00-7:10 is the dynamic duo Yellow Dog. John Repko and Jason Young have been rockin the Capital District for 29 years and have the biggest sound of any duo and play a variety of classic hits that will have the audience singing along.
On Friday, July 15, the New York Players will perform from 7:30-9:30 pm at Shepard Park. The Players are widely recognized over the past many years as being the #1 dance band in the region. They have several vocalists who sing lead and harmonies and an awesome horn section. They have performed at many galas and corporate events and are sure to bring a non-stop party to Fridays at the Lake.
Opening the show from 6:00-7:10 are Tumblin Dice, a Rolling Stones tribute band led by Lake George favorite, Jonathan Newell. Get there by 6:00 pm to catch your favorite Rolling Stones songs. All Fridays at the Lake are free to the public, and there are food, beer and wine vendors on site.
Carmen and Life’s Guilty Pleasures headline Friday at the Lake at Shepard Park in Lake George on Friday, July 22 from 7:30-9:30. Carmen is making a name for herself throughout the region for her stunning vocals and unforgettable stage presence. She has been lead singer with Grand Central Station, the Silver Arrow Band and Band of Gold. Their mix of dance hits from the 50s to today will energize the crowd, and a few musical surprises will be part of the mix as well.
The Ultimates will open the show, performing from 6:00-7:10. While they are a fairly new band from Saratoga, they consist of musicians well known in the region (two from Bad Chaperones and one from Dealt the Blues). Singer/guitarist Travis Rockenstire leads the band, singing amazing covers from John Cougar to Ed Sheeran, Springsteen to Harry Styles.
Over August 5-7, the three day Rockin for Ronald Benefit Concerts will support Ronald McDonald House Charities who have served families whose children are fighting serious illnesses in area hospitals for decades. The three-day, eight band festival on August 5, 6 and 7 is designed to raise money and awareness about the role Krantz Cottage serves as a Ronald McDonald house for families. The festival raises funds for Ronald McDonald House Charities’ Krantz Cottage in Lake George, a beautiful four bedroom home that offers a beautiful, natural setting where families can stay free of charge while their child is receiving medical care for serious illnesses in nearby hospitals.
Friday at the Lake on August 5th kicks off the three day festival with two of the region’s most popular and acclaimed bands. Skeeter Creek has not only been the undisputed #1 country band our region; they are arguably the number one band in the region regardless of genre. In the Metroland readers poll, they won Country Band of the Year eight different years; were recognized by the Northeast country Music Association in various categories, including vocal group of the year; won the Colgate Country Showdown in the Albany region; won Froggy 100.7’s Country Shootout multiple times; won the Times Union’s Readers Poll six times and was named the Best Local Band three times in the Daily Gazette’s Readers Poll. Skeeter Creek will perform from 7:30-9:30.
Opening act, the Bluz House Rockers, are celebrating their 27th year in 2022. While they are honored to be members of the New York State Blues Hall of Fame, the Rockers have a varied repertoire, covering everyone from Frank Sinatra to the Allman Brothers. The fact that six of their seven members sing lead and/or harmony results in their ability to present a wide variety musical styles.
Headlining on Saturday is a fantastic tribute to the music of Steely Dan comprised of an all-star lineup of musicians, Reelin in the Years, a Woodstock based band led by drummer Jerry Marotta who has recorded and toured with Peter Gabriel, Paul McCartney, Elvis Costello, Hall & Oates, Sarah McLachlan and the Indigo Girls. Guitarist Jesse Gress works with Todd Rundgren and Tony Levin and was former music editor of “Guitar Player.” Guitarist Matt Finck worked with Randy Brecker and John Medeski. Jennifer Maidman on bass performed with Boy George and Loudon Wainwright. David Jameson will be on keyboards. Vocalist Lindsey Skeye’s band “Skeye” has received over 12 million views on YouTube. Her cover of Radiohead’s “Karma Police” was included in HBO’s “Girls” and Fox’s “9-1-1.” The four-piece horn section includes Bill Harris (worked with Sheryl Crow, Keith Urban, Stevie Wonder and Bruce Springsteen) and Don Mikkelsen, who worked with Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and Peter Gabriel. This is a huge treat for music fans of all ages.
Saturday’s schedule
3:00-4:30 The Dirty Harri’s
5:00-7:00 The Newells
7:30-9:30 Reelin in the Years
Sunday’s Schedule
1:30-3:30 Jacquelin Mignot and the Family Band
4:00-6:00 Last Band Left
6:30-8:30 New York Players
The Newells are a family affair. Jonathan and Jennifer Newell are joined by teenage sons Brandon and Evan plus a rhythm section of Tommy Ryzuck on bass and Rye Wylie on drums. They will perform songs from the 60’-80’s by groups as diverse as Led Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac, Janis Joplin, Bruce Hornsby and 10,000 Maniacs.
The Dirty Harri’s start the festivities. They are a tribute to the music of George Harrison. Songs include Harrison’s hits with the Beatles, including “Here Comes the Sun,” “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” and “Taxman.” The seven piece band also performs hits from George’s solo career, including “My Sweet Lord,” “What is Life” and “All Those Years Ago” as well as “Handle with Care” from his time with the Traveling Wilburys.
On Sunday, August 7, Rockin for Ronald is proud to bring New York Players back to Shepard Park. The Players are widely recognized over the past many years as being the #1 dance band in the region. They have four incredible vocalists who sign leads and harmonies and an awesome horn section. They have performed an many galas and corporate events and present a broad repertoire of your favorite hits.
Last Left is a cover band from Central New York. Their repertoire includes hits by Prince, the Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty as well as more current groups Maroon 5, Bruno Mars, Chris Stapleton, Kings of Leon and the Killers. Their high energy set is guaranteed to have the audience dancing and singing along.
Opening the show on Sunday is Jacquelin Mignot and the Family Band. They opened for Ten Most Wanted earlier this summer at Friday at the Lake, and their R&B covers were well received. Her band is truly a family affair, featuring Jacquelin’s father Tony on drums and her brother Jaydon on bass. Jonathan Newell is on guitar and keyboards.
Admission to Rockin for Ronald is free all three days, and there will be food and beverage vendors on site.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNSEj5eo6FU
On Friday, August 12, TS ENSEMBLE will perform from 730-930pm. A fixture in our region for more than 40 years, this eight piece band is known for their high energy performances, great male and female vocals and a strong Brass Section. Their music covers the Motown Era to today’s dance hits. They have presented memorable performances at many galas, corporate parties and clubs and have opened for many national acts.
THE ULTIMATES will open the show, performing from 6:00-7:10. While they are a fairly new band, they performed an outstanding opening set at Shepard Park on July 22. Saratoga-based, they consist of well known musicians in the region (two from Bad Chaperones and one from Dealt the Blues). Singer/ guitarist Travis Rockenstire is young and impressive, singing amazing covers from John Cougar to Ed Sheeran.
Fridays at the Lake – Shepard Park, Lake George – 2022 Summer Schedule
Music begins at 6pm and ends by 930pm.
June 10 Blue Moon with opener EB JEB
June 17 Stony Creek Band with opener Alex Torrez Latin Kings
June 24 Jacquelin Mignot and Ten Most Wanted with opener the Family Band
July 1 Yellow Dog with opener Soul Session
July 8 Jett Screamer with opener The Refrigerators
July 15 Tumblin Dice with opener New York Players
July 22 The Ultimates with opener Grand Central Station
July 29 Dirt Cheap with opener The Accents
August 5 Bluz House Rockers with opener Skeeter Creek
August 12 The Ultimates with opener TS Ensemble
August 26 Jonathan Newell with opener Band Vivid (from Connecticut)
The City of Albany and Albany Parking Authority are holding a free Father’s Day celebration at Washington Park on June 19 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The Albany Dad Fest celebration will feature a classic car show, live music, great food, and family fun. Washington Park, settled in the Capital Region of Albany, has abundant amentities and is surrounded by a variety of bars and restaurants.
The Classic Car Show will be presented by Albany Parking Authority. During the show, 32 trophies produced whenever will be awarded. There will also serve great food, live bands, vendors, and a Radio Station with DJ. Registration $15 day of the show. Benefiting Henry Johnson Vet House.
Singer-songwriter and standup comedian Erin Harkes will convey the power in her music to the Dad Fest audiences. Erin is regularly voted Best Singer/Songwriter, Solo Musician and Comedian in the Capital Region by the Times Union Reader’s Poll, The Alt and the Metroland.
Albany-based singer-songwriter Sydney Worthley will bring her performance to the Washington Park from 12:30pm to 2:00pm. With the power released in her songs, she has two nominations at the Eddie’s Music Awards, a feature on NPR’s Heavy Rotation list, and a new project right around the corner.
Grateful Dead tribute band, The Wheel, is going to perform for the Dad Fest in Washington Park. The group consists of rhythm guitarist and bandleader Andy Morse, bassist Dave Pallas, drummer Joe Sorbero and percussionist Pete Andriakos.
The Wheels
Attendees to Dad Fest should know that glass containers are not allowed in the park. Animals or pets are also not allowed. Please do not record performances in the festival. All City of Albany parks are now tobacco-free.
For more information on Dad Fest and all of the City of Albany’s free, family-friendly events, visit www.albanyevents.org. As for parking information, visit www.parkalbany.com.
Atlanta metal band Fozzy has announced dates for their Save The World tour this fall across the U.S. and Canada.
The tour, which features No Resolve and GFM as guest acts, begins September 8 in Columbus, OH and finishes October 10 in Virginia Beach. It includes two New York dates, with stops at the Lost Horizon in Syracuse on October 2 and October 8 at Empire Live in Albany. Tickets will go on sale Thursday.
Chris Jericho, Fozzy frontman and famed pro wrestler. (Credit: David A. Smith/Getty Images)
The tour is in promotion of Fozzy’s new record Boombox, released on the 6th. Their eighth studio album in a 20+ year career,Boombox entered the Neilson Current Hard Music Albums chart at #5 and the Current Rock Albums and Current Digital Albums charts at #19, having amassed nearly 14 million streams.
The record also features three top 20 singles on Nielsen’s Mainstream Rock National Airplay chart, “I Still Burn,” “Nowhere to Run,” and “Sane.”
Tour Dates:
Thursday, September 8 Columbus, OH @ The King of Clubs
Friday, September 9 Louisville, KY @ Mercury Ballroom
Saturday, September 10 Flint, MI @ Machine Shop
Sunday, September 11 Pittsburgh, PA @ Jergels
Monday, September 12 Grand Rapids, MI @ Intersection
Thursday, September 15 Bloomington, IL @ Castle Theater
Friday, September 16 Hobart, IN @ The Art Theater
Saturday, September 17 Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave
Sunday, September 18 Cincinnati, OH @ Bogarts
Monday, September 19 Charlottesville, VA @ Jefferson Theater
Thursday, September 29 Charlotte, NC @ Underground
Friday, September 30 Richmond, VA @ Canal Club
Saturday, October 1 Baltimore, MD @ Soundstage
Sunday, October 2 Syracuse, NY @ Lost Horizon
Monday, October 3 New Bedford, MA @ The Vault
Thursday, October 6 Montreal, QC @ Foufounes Electriques
Friday, October 7 Toronto, ON @ Opera House
Saturday, October 8 Albany, NY @ Empire Live
Sunday, October 9 Philadelphia, PA @ Brooklyn Bowl
Monday, October 10 Virginia Beach, VA @ Elevation 27
The rich music history of the Capital Region was celebrated on Tuesday, June 7 with the Eddies Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Held at Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga Springs. The eight honorees included folk, ambient, rock, and acoustic artists, as well as a promoter, writer/musicians, and an independent radio station founder.
Paul Rapp, a musician and entertainment rights lawyer, as well as a 2020 Eddies Hall of Fame inductee knew them all and gave opening remarks noting such. Rapp, drummer for renowned Albany act Blotto, weighed in on each musician, offering heartfelt thoughts and a few laughs as he discussed his connection and the impact each of the eight left on the Capital Region scene.
Paul Rapp – photo by Erin Reid Coker
Honorees included Joel Ross, a 7-time Grammy Award winner who engineered songs for Broadway musicals and TV shows, and worked with Ray Charles and Tony Bennett among many others.
Joel Ross – photo by Joe Putrock
Brooks Brown, founder of WEQX, an independent radio station, was referred to by Rapp as having “saved the Albany Music scene” by creating a radio station that played local bands that couldn’t be heard elsewhere. Rapp noted that Brown took great joy in telling corporations looking to buy his station to “go fuck themselves.”
Jason Keller and Mimi Brown – photo by Erin Reid Coker
Super 400 from Troy has had an impact felt as far away as Spain, which led to Spanish band Red Apple sharing via prerecorded video how they were looking for bands that were real and similar to them. In discovering Super 400, they found a band on the same wavelength, as well as future friends. Red Apple then performed “Green Grass End” in tribute to Super 400.
Super 400 – photo by Erin Reid Coker
Greg Bell, the promoter who made Albany a jam band mecca and must hit tour stop, has run Guthrie/Bell Productions since the early 1990s. His presence in the Capital District will be profiled in the upcoming documentary from Mirth Films, Grapplin’ Greg. Rapp noted that no one has done more to support local bands than Bell, adding, “Music promoters are like adding kindling to a fire. The good ones make it burn bright.”
Greg Bell – photo by Erin Reid Coker
Rich Ortiz, the “fishin’ musician,” comes from a family rich in music history and plays more than 300 gigs a year and has been featured on the cover of numerous fishing magazines.. If night fishing were a thing, we may not have this legend from the Lake George region. Saratoga Springs guitarist from 80’s band The Morons, Steve Candlen, later performed Ortiz’ “I Love You Everyone.”
Rich Ortiz – photo by Erin Reid Coker
Michael Eck is many things – a painter, arts writer, Caffe Lena board member, and Ramblin Jug Stompers spoke with great emotion in receiving the Eddies Hall of Fame honor. Candlen later performed an Eck original “You’re a Mountain,” with the fitting lyrics “you’re a mountain, you’re a legend, you’re a king.”
Michael Eck – photo by Erin Reid Coker
Sara Ayers, with an eclectic career that includes folk, punk, bubblegum, rock, electronica and especially ambient music, was a crowd favorite as she was honored for her contributions to the scene.
Sara Ayers – photo by Erin Reid Coker
Greg Haymes, a man who did so much for local bands, venues and aspiring writers and photographers, was the final honoree of the night. The late “Sarge” Blotto has a varied career in multiple genres and styles, and in founding local music website Nippertown, he had a connection to nearly the entire room of musicians, journalists and fans. Rapp pointed to one of the many quirks of Haymes, was his mentions in reviews of a musician’s shoes, considering those with good shoes to have ‘made it’, and with that, Rapp pulled out a ruby slipper. The unofficial Jug Stompers theme song, “Jug Band Music,” by the Memphis Jug Band, and performed by Tom Lindsay to honor Haymes.
A young Greg Haymes. Photo by Amy Modesti
While Haymes passed away in 2019, he was fêted by his fellow inductees in a slideshow retrospective. Ayers accepted on behalf of her late husband, noting that he lived an artistic life as a musician, a writer and a website publisher, and it was a life he was proud of. His not too serious approach to preparing himself for a performance on stage (whether with a customized washboard, or a typewriter for a percussion instrument), his experience as a musician made him want to share the passion of local musicians in the Capital District through his writing. In doing so, Haymes gave many writers and photographers a chance to, a tradition we continue at NYS Music.
The Luzerne Music Center in Lake Luzerne has announced concert dates for their 2022 summer season. Included in the three-show Chamber Music Festival and series performed by the center’s faculty and students, with dates that span from late June to the middle of August.
Lake Luzerne is located just west of Glens Falls in southern Warren County, and holds was settled by European settlers around 1770. The town of Lake Luzerne is named after Anne-César, Chevalier de la Luzerne, who served as French Minister to the early United States, after haven supported the American revolution with loans to provide food to the troops. In 1808, the town changed its name to Luzerne and in 1963 to Lake Luzerne.
The main event of the summer, the Luzerne Chamber Music Festival’s first concert Musicians of the New York City Ballet with Elizabeth Pitcairn and Glen Ananga on July 4th will be followed by Fabulous Philadelphians with center co-founder Toby Blumenthal and members of the Philadelphia Orchestra on July 25, and will be closed by the American String Quartet on August 5.
Also a summer camp, the Luzerne Music Center sources youth musicians from ages 8 to 18 to attend, selecting “approximately 150” youth musicians for summer stay on the organization’s wooded 20 acres.
These students will appear on stage during the season’s 17 free student concerts from June to August. The center faculty will also perform six concerts of their own on June 24, July 1, 8, 22 & 29, and August 5.
Information regarding tickets and more can be found on the Luzerne Music Center’s website.
Rockin’ On The River in Troy, NY, announces the lineup for this summer, happening on July 20, Aug. 3, Aug. 17, and Aug. 31 at The Waterfront featuring Hanzolo, Super 400, and more.
Rockin’ On The River is one of the Capital Region’s best and longest-running outdoor music series. It is a free event, happening from 5:30- 8 P.M. with local artists and familiar favorites taking the stage. Geoff Brault, Executive Director, Downtown Troy Business Improvement District, spoke about the concert series.
We’re tremendously excited for Rockin’ On The River to return with four shows in 2022 at a new location at The Waterfront. Since the event was last held, there’s been so much investment in The Waterfront district, and we can’t wait to show off all the improvements and amenities that this area has to offer. And since it’s such a short walk from one end of the downtown district to the other, it’s easy to enjoy great shopping before the show, and fine food and drink after.
Super 400 is a Troy-based rock trio that is known far and wide for telekinetic jams and big love. They have played at Rockin’ On The River multiple times since its creation. Opening for them is Blue Machine.
Skeeter Creek is a country band who have won the Times Union Reader’s Poll winner for Best Local Band six times. Opening for them is Luggnuts, who play cosmic American music.
Saints & Liars is a five-piece Americana band blending their own variants of country, folk, bluegrass, and rock, and is ranked among the best of the new and upcoming alternative artists. Wild Leek River is a five-piece country band that has strong steel vocals and music you can dance to.
NYS Music March Madness winners Hanzolo are a 7-piece band from Upstate New York, with an explosive and emotional sound that mixes soul, jazz, rock, and funk. IAMDYNAMITE is a fast-paced, anthemic, catchy, chanting rock group.
Hanzolo
Rockin’ On The River’s free concert series will be held at The Waterfront in Troy, NY, throughout July and August.
