NYS Music 202​2

Category: Hudson Valley

  • Zac Brown Band 2023 Tour Makes 4 Stops Across New York

    There are only three members of Fenway Park’s Fenway Music Hall of Fame: Paul McCartney, Billy Joel, and now, Zac Brown Band. That’s because they hold the record for most consecutive sold out shows at the huge stadium in Boston. Luckily, the country rock band is coming to four amphitheaters in New York this summer, playing five shows, and tickets are still on sale for all. 

    Zac Brown Band

    In 2022, Zac Brown Band released their album The Comeback, which featured re-recorded tracks with some of their most acclaimed peers including James Taylor, Jimmy Buffett and Blake Shelton. Their 2023 tour, the “From the Fire Tour,” marks the band’s tenth North American tour.

    The 2023 tour will take Zac Brown Band through over 30 shows across the country, as an ode to fans and to those who worked to pull the country back onto its feet from the crises of the past couple years, the band said.

    Zac Brown Band at Bethel Woods – photo by Mickey Deneher

    Performing with the band on tour are multiple renowned acts, such as Marcus King, Tennille Townes and King Calaway. Zac Brown Band will be coming to Syracuse, Bethel, Saratoga Springs and Wantagh. Tickets are available here, see the full tour schedule below.

    2023 TOUR TOUR DATES: 

    June 30, 2023 – Columbus, OH – Nationwide Arena+

    July 1, 2023 – Hershey, PA – Hersheypark Stadium+

    July 14, 2023 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage

    August 5, 2023 – Canton, OH – Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium

    August 6, 2023 – Indianapolis, IN – Ruoff Music Center+

    August 11, 2023 – Syracuse, NY – St Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview^+

    August 12, 2023 – Bethel, NY – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts^+

    August 13, 2023 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Saratoga Performing Arts Center^+

    August 19, 2023 – Boston, MA – Fenway Park+

    September 2, 2023 – Gilford, NH – Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion+

    September 3, 2023 – Gilford, NH – Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion+

    September 16, 2023 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater+

    September 17, 2023 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater+

    October 5, 2023 – Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek~+

    October 6, 2023 – Baltimore, MD – Merriweather Post Pavilion~+

    October 7, 2023 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center~+

    October 12, 2023 – Denver, CO – Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre+

    October 13, 2023 – Denver, CO – Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre+

    October 14, 2023 – Salt Lake City, UT – USANA Amphitheatre+

    October 20, 2023 – Irvine, CA – FivePoint Amphitheatre+

    October 21, 2023 – Irvine, CA – FivePoint Amphitheatre+

    November 2, 2023 – West Palm Beach, FL – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre+

    November 3, 2023 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre+ 

    November 4, 2023 – Tampa, FL– MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre+

    ADDITIONAL 2023 PERFORMANCE DATES: 

    March 10, 2023 – Glasgow, UK – C2C: Country to Country*

    March 11, 2023 – Dublin, IE – C2C: Country to Country*

    March 12, 2023 – London, UK – C2C: Country to Country*

    March 17 – Tuesday, March 19, 2023 – Willowbank, Australia – CMC Rocks 2023*

    June 2, 2023 – Cincinnati, OH – Cincinnati Reds Post-Game Benefit Concert* 

    June 23, 2023 – Milwaukee, WI – Summerfest 2023^*

    June 24, 2023 – Cadott, WI – Country Fest 2023*

    July 16, 2023 – Chicago, IL – Windy City Smokeout*

    July 23, 2023 – Newton, IA – Hy-Vee INDY CAR Weekend*

    *Tickets on-sale now

    +Special Guest King Calaway

    ^Special Guest Marcus King

    ~Special Guest Tenille Townes

  • PEAK release “Live at Delaware Valley Opera Center”

    Brooklyn jam/prog group PEAK have released two recent performances from the second half of 2022, giving a taste of their live sound in two unique settings – the Delaware Valley Opera House, and Nectar’s.

    peak delaware valley opera

    The first live release from PEAK is Live at Delaware Valley Opera Center, a full show video from the band’s October 28 show at the Delaware Valley Opera Center in Lake Huntington, located just west of Bethel. The band offers very special thanks to Eric Marczo who filled in on bass this fall.

    https://youtu.be/D0WIviQFjFo

    The second show released is the full audio from the band’s August 26, 2022 performance at Nectar’s in Burlington, VT. They’ll be heading back up that way in early 2023 for another show at the famed venue, now under new, yet familiar ownership.

    The PEAK quartet features songwriter and guitarist Jeremy Hilliard (Turbine), Kito Bovenshulte (Particle) on drums, Josh T. Carter (Haley Jane and The Primates) on bass, and Johnny Young on keys (Mick Taylor Band).  The self-described pychedelic indie funk band can be found jamming extensively during live shows, and allow the songs on the album to speak for themselves. Stay up to date with PEAK tour dates and news here.

  • New York Based Bluegrass Group Nefresh Mountain to Perform at Levon Helm Studios

    New York-based bluegrass group Nefresh Mountain is set to perform at Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock on Dec. 23.

    nefresh mountain

    Nefresh Mountain arrived on the scene in 2015 and has been hailed as one of the formative boundary-pushing groups in roots music. Comprised of husband and wife duo Eric Lindberg and Doni Zasloff, the group’s latest album Songs for the Sparrows has been called “A master class in string music” by Rolling Stone, and “arguably some of the best bluegrass ever made” by American Songwriter.

    They have recorded and shared the stage with Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Bryan Sutton, John Doyle, Noam Pikelny (Punch Brothers), Mark Schatz (Nickel Creek), Mike Gordon (Phish), and Tony Trischka among others. They made their debut in 2021 at The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN, and performed at various Festivals, PACs, and venues like Mountain Stage, MerleFest, Wintergrass, City Wineries around the USA, and more.

    Nefresh Mountain will be heading to Levon Helm Studios, which brings the legendary life of Levon Helms and the group the Midnight Rambles alive in historic Woodstock. Rolling Stone called Helm “rock & roll’s greatest drummer,” and he won three Grammys during his life. He loved Woodstock, and gave back to the community while there, playing benefits to raise money for music in the local schools and other worthwhile causes. 

    Nefresh Moutain will be heading to the venue on Dec. 23, and tickets are on sale now.

  • Chris Pellnat Forges His Own Path On “Go”

    When Hudson’s Chris Pellnat released his fifth solo album Go in September, it was yet another mark of a folk musician who simply can’t stick to just folk. While his songwriting stays pretty standard, his playful lyrics and eclectic instrumentation give him a signature mark.

    chris pellnat go

    With a well-filled out personal catalog, Pellnat’s collaborative resume has its marks as well. He’s one half of Brooklyn folk pop duo Teeniest. He’s the lead guitarist of Poughkeepsie group The Warp/The Weft, with whom he shows off his straightforward but technical approach through infectious lead riffs on albums such as 2019’s Dead Reckoning.

    While the grunge and prog-rock tones of The Warp/The Weft and the upbeat folksy approach of Teeniest are relatively consistent, Pellnat likes his solo work a little all over the place. His 2021 record Crossing bounces from odd displays of vibraphone and clarinet to bright jangle pop to garage rock on a track-by-track basis, something which remains the same on Go, a 10-track, 30 minute exploration.

    The opening titular track sets this tone from the get-go, with its wistful verses driven by vibraphone and gurgling synths setting the scene for Pellnat’s personal lyrics. “In my own way, trying to be better, braver wiser, and someday, I leave my burden down at the horizon,” he sings in an untrained tenor.

    Pellnat created music videos for each of the record’s first three songs, each of which are brought together in a manner both amateurish yet endearing. “Go” is accompanied by a crude assembly of footage, including time-lapses of his rural Hudson Valley home, shots of him performing outdoors, and a frog.

    Next is the adventurous and political “What Are We?” with its muted guitar riff and pulsating synth line that set the scene for Pellnat’s barrage of philosophical questions. “What if we are sick of the crazy, endless lies that will not die,” Pellnat sings on the final verse. “What if we are still trying to fight the evil power still inside?” It has an upbeat tension that reminisces of a storm chase or a search for a UFO.

    The video’s combination of odd, color-imbalanced shots of his face juxtaposed with shots of an MRI scan through iMovie-adjacent transitions uphold the song’s mysterious energy, even in this DIY presentation.

    Track three, “Existential Dread,” returns to the personal. It’s an upbeat and melodic dulcimer tune that follows the trope of cheery songwriting contrasted by dejected lyrics, as Pellnat talks about the failure of alleviating pain through vices and the permanence of existential dread. “Drinking won’t do it, weed won’t cut through it, I always knew it,” he sings on the chorus.

    Its music video is easily the most absurd of the three, where Pellnat fights both caffeine and alcohol addiction alongside a vigorous quest to prove he’s not a robot through an endless series of CAPTCHA quizzes and corporate security questions.

    Pellnat describes Go as “a rather positive statement overall” but also “colored by darkness,” with “Existential Dread” serving as an early example on the record. There’s also the sad accordion bluegrass of the following song “What I Want You To Want,” which mires itself in depressed romanticism. “No starry-eyed romantic, I’m talking about overcoming the darkness all around us,” Pellnat sings on the opening verse.

    Later on is “Are We Going To Fly?” which despite being more vague in its brooding, is sonically the darkest point of the album with its uncanny guitar melody and echoing clarinet. “Are we going to find our way?” sings Pellnat. “Thought you said we had all day.” Backed by a skittering drum machine, this song shows Pellnat at his most off-kilter.

    He still gives plenty of attention to the bright, earthy conventions common to Teeniest though, with exhibits such as the self-described jangle-fest “Earth Shaker.” It’s an endearing love song with summery guitars, making for a songwriting highlight. “Tumbling down the walls we made up, everything we will do it’ll last forever,” Pellnat sings on the chorus.

    Then there’s penultimate track “Water Wings,” an acoustic/woodblock tune about climate change. “Typhoons in winter, tornado splinter, now you begin to taste the ocean breeze, it’s how its gonna be,” he sings on the second verse.

    Closer “Suburbs of Paradise” continues with this commentary-oriented angle, as Pellnat sarcastically criticizes the uniformity of suburbia over a dusty slide guitar backdrop. He talks about how “the roads they’re all the same, they all just beat around the bush,” and talks about being trapped “in an endless cul de sac” in a short but sweet 1:52.

    The other prime point of satire on Go is “This Is Not Rock and Roll,” where the salt and peppered musician calls himself “a walking cliché” with his guitar, says he’s “getting too old” to be a rock star over bluesy guitar licks and a warm plucky bassline.

    Go is very personal album from Pellnat. Not in the sense that it’s constantly serious or sappy, but because it’s who he is. It’s vulnerable. It’s goofy. It’s political. It changes when it wants, and stays consistent when it’s comfortable. Chris Pellnat opened this album singing “in my own way” and never stopped, creating a record entirely built on his own endeavor.

  • Westchester Bands Share Spotlight at the Paramount in Peekskill

    The Paramount Hudson Valley Theater in Peekskill is a big stage to fill for anyone. Over the decades, the historic theater has been graced by the music greats the likes of B.B. King, Toto and Patti LaBelle, as well as high-profile comedians such as Tracy Morgan and Sinbad. However on this particular night, the stage was shared not by star-studded celebrities but instead by four Westchester and NYC based bands, Platinum Moon, No Grudges, Lovehoney and The Bluechips.

    Paulie “Pasta” Beladino, singer and drummer Jake Albi and bassist Tom Davis
    Paulie Beladino guitarist and singer of The Bluechips, performing at the Paramount in 2019

    The event, advertised simply as a “rock n’ roll show” was a definitive, but not unwelcome departure from the Paramount’s usual lineup. For local bands struggling to make it on the scene, this was a unique opportunity to transcend from dive bars to the big stage. For audience members, this was a chance to experience their favorite local bands in a new light or to discover brand new artists for themselves. 

    The show was put together by River Towns Music Group, a local music production and event company who has taken the live music scene by the storm over the past few years, hosting widely popular battle of the bands competitions as well as previous shows at the paramount.

    The Paramount peekskill

    First up was Platinum Moon, featuring vocalist Ava Anduze (21), lead guitarist Anton Klettner (19), keyboardist and rhythm guitarist Joseph Klettner (17), drummer Ethan Grosman (20) and bassist Toby Dorfman (18). The young band earned their spot on the Paramount stage by winning River Towns Music Group’s Battle of the Bands completion in the fall. Composed of members from Mt. Kiscoo, Lewisboro, Chappaqua and Putnam Valley, the group has played all throughout Westchester and built up an impressive resume opening for the band X Ambassadors at the Pleasantville Music Festival this summer and winning various other music competitions across the tri state. 

    Platinum Moon featuring Ava Anduze, Anton Klettner,Joseph Klettner, Ethan Grosman and Toby Dorfman The Paramount peekskill
    Platinum Moon featuring Ava Anduze, Anton Klettner,Joseph Klettner, Ethan Grosman and Toby Dorfman

    Platinum Moon came out with something to prove, jumping around stage amidst a flurry of power chords as they launched into their first song “Into A Minefield.” Anduze demanded the audience’s attention with growling vocals worthy of Axl Rose and a fiery swagger as she moved across the stage. The next number “Hey Beautiful,”- the band’s most popular song with over 100,000 streams on Spotify – showcased every member with a mix of funky bass solos, bright keys and searing guitar licks. 

    The young guns closed out the set with their newest single Lockdown NRG, a Black Keys-esque song with pounding kick drum, grungy guitars and a punchy chorus. Overall, the band brought an abundance of energy to the stage with incredible synchronicity rivaling that of veteran rock bands.

    No Grudges featuring Crystalla Gonzalez and Gabriel Castellar The Paramount peekskill
    No Grudges featuring Crystalla Gonzalez and Gabriel Castellar

    No Grudges, was next, a funk/punk duo influenced by the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Iggy Pop. The band brought maturity in sound and vocals to the stage, further rounded out by the addition of bass and drums. Frontwoman Crystalla Gonzalez dominated with charismatic vocal runs and a dramatic flair reminiscent of Amy Winehouse, while guitarist Gabriel Castellar echoed her vocals with wah-induced solos and screaming bends. The two had undeniable chemistry having performed together for over 10 years and having dated since high school. This connection was further highlighted with a vocal duet of their song “Put It Together,” that navigated funky guitar chords in the verse and a more metal hook in the chorus. The band’s cover of Jimi Hendrix’s Foxy Lady was another crowd pleaser that highlighted Gonzalez dynamic personality and raspy vocals along with Castellar’s distorted guitar solos..

    Lovehoney, was the first of the two main acts composed of Aly Quinones on vocals, Tommy White on guitar, Tom Gelhaus on drums and Meghan Rose on bass. The band clearly took influences from 60’s psychedelic rock and blues. White’s guitar solos were reminiscent of a man possessed with face-melting distorted solos a la Hendrix. Meanwhile, Quinones kept the audience entertained with playful banter and strong, diverse vocals capable of smooth and soulful melodies as well as throaty growls. 

    Lovehoney featuring Aly Quinones, Tommy White, Tom Gelhaus and Meghan Rose (not pictured) The Paramount peekskill
    Lovehoney featuring Aly Quinones, Tommy White, Tom Gelhaus and Meghan Rose (not pictured)

    The band also stood out with its slower R&B and soul-inspired ballads like “Liquid,” which featured Quinones’ silky yet spicy vocals accented with splashy guitar, tight snare hits and smooth baselines. Still, the band could also pack a punch on songs like “Little Soldier” featuring a “voodoo child” style guitar intro and the catchy, “Feelin’ No Way” which recalled the likes of Black Sabbath’s Iron Man. 

    Still, If there was any doubt who the crowd was there to see, the Bluechips, dispelled all uncertainty. The Peekskill/HudsonValley based-band brought serious “hometown hero” energy to the show, with a devoted fan base that knew every word. 

    The Bluechips feautring Paulie “Pasta” Beladino, singer and drummer Jake Albi and bassist Tom Davis The Paramount peekskill
    The Bluechips feautring Paulie “Pasta” Beladino, singer and drummer Jake Albi and bassist Tom Davis

    Of all the bands on the bill, the Bluechips were the only ones to have rocked the Paramount previously, performing back in 2019. They’ve also performed at similar venues like Garcia’s at the Capitol Theater. 

    The trio, made up of singer and guitarist Paulie “Pasta” Beladino, singer and drummer Jake Albi and bassist Tom Davis, had a lush sound further filled out by two and sometimes three part vocal harmonies, highlighted on original tracks such as “Go Blind” and the fan favorite “San Diego” a catchy ballad with jazz, rock and pop influences melding into a infectious and playful chorus. In general, the band had the most memorable originals of the night, and the vocal interplay between Beladino’s high-pitched voice and Albi’s deeper, powerful vocals made for a refreshing combo.

    The band also had some exciting covers like Oasis’ “Don’t Look Back In Anger” and their encore song, “Time” by Pink Floyd, fueled by vicious drum fills and guitar solos that cut like a knife. The band was also the only group that succeeded in rousing the audience from their seats, bringing nearly half the crowd to the front row, where fans moshed and chanted for the rest of the set, an impressive feat considering the typically reserved nature of the sit-down theater.

    Altogether, it was an incredible night filled with diverse music, an extremely supportive audience and overwhelming talent. There’s also something to be said about the importance of highlighting local bands on a big stage such as the Paramount. The younger-than-average crowd for the venue goes to show how new bands can bring new fans to older venues in a mutually beneficial way. When all was said and done, the show lasted over 4 and a half hours, and for a ticket price of less than $20, it was well-worth the price of admission. 

  • Larry Campbell & Teresa Williams to Close Upcoming Spring Tour at Levon Helm Studios

    Married musical duo Larry Campbell & Teresa Williams have announced dates for a 2023 tour, which begins in Easton, MD on February 2 and finishes April 22 at Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock.

    The 21-date tour is in promotion of their upcoming album Live At Levon’s!, slated for February release. The 12-track record was recorded in entirety at the Woodstock venue with audience presence.

    campbell williams levon helms
    Teresa Williams and Larry Campbell.

    Their tour announcement on the Second of December was coupled with the release of the album’s second single, a cover of “Darling Be Home Soon” by The Lovin’ Spoonful. The funky orchestra-laden 1967 track is subdued by Campbell & Williams, who slow down the tempo and turn the song into a simple piano and acoustic guitar tune, making for a more melancholic delivery.

    Cover art for Live at Levons!

    Live At Levon’s! features a selection of new, previously unreleased songs from the Woodstock duo and “old favorites” such as the album’s lead single “Angel of Darkness.” It’s a biting blues rock track, with fuzzy guitar licks and soulful keyboards complementing Williams’ shaking vocals. It’s highlighted by a slippery guitar solo around the three-minute mark.

    Information on pre-orders for Live At Levon’s! can be found here, and details regarding tickets and more for Campbell & Williams’ Levon Helms Studio show can be found on TIXR.

  • Drive-By Truckers Announce Stops in Woodstock, Albany and NYC on Spring 2023 Tour

    Established country group Drive-By Truckers has newly announced their full set of tour dates for the Spring 2023. The tour makes its way to the Northeast in May, with Drive-By Truckers performing at Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock, two nights at the Bowery Ballroom in Manhattan, and a show at The Egg in Albany.

    Drive-By Truckers

    The band with its roots stemming from Athens, Georgia starts the tour with an appearance in Indianapolis, Indiana on March 9 at The Vogue, followed by traveling from the end of March to the beginning of April for their annual four-day “Heathens Homecoming” celebration at their hometown’s own beloved 40 Watt Night Club.

    Club XIII by Drive-By Truckers
    Welcome 2 Club XIII

    Following the four-day celebration, a four-part two-night stands series by the band opens at Saxapahaw, NC’s Haw River Ballroom from April 25-26, leading up to premiering at Washington DC’s 9:30 Club from April 29-30, then New York City’s Bowery Ballroom from May 4-5, and lastly The Orange Peel in Asheville, NC. The recently-made announcement of the schedule of the Drive-By Trucker’s full tour is after the the release of the band’s 14th studio album, Welcome 2 Club XIII, which includes new singles like “The Driver”, “Every Single Storied Flameout”, along with the debut’s anthem, “Welcome 2 Club XIII”.

    Drive-By Truckers Spring 2023 Tour

    MARCH

    9 – Indianapolis, IN – The Vogue #

    10 – Detroit, MI – Saint Andrew’s Hall #

    11 – Milwaukee, WI – The Pabst Theater #

    12 – Madison, WI – Barrymore Theatre #

    14 – Iowa City, IA – Englert Theatre #

    15 – Urbana, IL – The Canopy Club #

    17 – Louisville, KY – Old Forester’s Paristown Hall #

    18 – St. Louis, MO – The Pageant #

    19 – Fayetteville, AR – JJ’s Live #

    21 – Oklahoma City, OK – The Jones Assembly #

    23 – Dallas, TX – Granada Theater #

    24 – Austin, TX – Paramount Theatre #

    25 – New Orleans, LA – Joy Theater #

    26 – Birmingham, AL – Iron City #

    29 – Athens, GA – 40 Watt †

    30 – Athens, GA – 40 Watt %

    31 – Athens, GA – 40 Watt ^ 

    APRIL

    1 – Athens, GA – 40 Watt @

    20 – St. Petersburg, FL – Floridian Social Club $

    21 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Culture Room $

    22 –Orlando, FL – Ace Café (Outdoors) $

    23 – Columbia, SC – The Senate $

    25 – Saxapahaw, NC – Haw River Ballroom $

    26 – Saxapahaw, NC – Haw River Ballroom $

    28 – Richmond, VA – Brown’s Island $

    29 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club $

    30 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club $

    MAY

    2 – Woodstock, NY – Levon Helm Studios $

    4 – New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom $

    5– New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom $

    8 – Albany, NY – The Egg Performing Arts Center

    9 – Munhall, PA – Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall $

    11 – Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall $

    12 – Asheville, NC – The Orange Peel $

    13 – Asheville, NC – The Orange Peel $

    † HeAthen’s Homecoming w/Model Citizen
    % HeAthen’s Homecoming w/Hayride
    ^ HeAthen’s Homecoming w/Camp Amped & Mercyland
    @ HeAthen’s Homecoming w/Wednesday
    $ w/Lydia Loveless
    * w/ Tyler Childers

    Tickets can be bought here.

    “The Driver” by Drive-By Truckers

  • Goo Goo Dolls 2023 “Big Night Out Tour” with O.A.R. to make 4 Stops Across New York

    Multi-platinum, four-time GRAMMY-nominated rock band Goo Goo Dolls have revealed the details for their The Big Night Out Tour with O.A.R. The massive summer 2023 tour will kick off on July 24th, 2023 and roll through major outdoor venues in New York including Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater, Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, SPAC and St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater.

    Goo Goo Dolls Reveal Details for The Big Night Out Tour Summer 2023

    On the upcoming tour, John Rzeznik shares, “I’m so proud to finally be able to announce our summer tour with a great band and our friends O.A.R. It’s going to be an amazing night of great music for everyone so BE THERE!!!”  

    O.A.R.’s Marc Roberge also added, “After working on separate albums in the same studio all last year, John and I realized pretty quickly how much fun we’d have on tour together.  We’re all band guys, love being musicians, and started planning a special night that all our fans would enjoy.” 

    The first album of their career to be produced by frontman John Rzeznik, Chaos in Bloom finds the band continuing to evolve just as they have for nearly four decades together. Consisting of 10 tracks including singles “Yeah, I Like You” and “You Are The Answer”, Chaos in Bloom is an album of biting sarcasm, stadium-ready choruses, and the type of spear-sharp songwriting that’s led them to becoming one of the most influential alternative rock groups of all time.  

    Formed in Buffalo during 1986 by John Rzeznik and Robby Takac, their newer album Chaos in Bloom finds the band continuing to evolve just as they have for nearly four decades together. Currently, front-man John Rzeznik is gearing up to take the iHeartRadio Theater stage in Los Angeles on December 13th for a special acoustic performance. The show will stream at 7pm PT/10pm ET on YouTube.com/iHeartRadio and broadcasted on iHeartMedia’s Hot AC stations. 

    Along with this, lead vocalist and guitar to the Goo Goo Dolls, John Rzneik’s birthday was just this week on December 5th. Happy Birthday John!

    The Big Night Out Summer 2023 Tour Dates

    Jul 24 – Tampa, FL – Coachman Park 

    Jul 26 – Boca Raton, FL – Mizner Park Amphitheater 

    Jul 27 – Saint Augustine, FL – The Saint Augustine Amphitheatre 

    Jul 29 – Albertville, AL – Sand Mountain Park & Amphitheater 

    Jul 30 – Atlanta, GA – Cadence Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park 

    Aug 01 – Simpsonville, SC – CCNB Amphitheatre at Heritage Park 

    Aug 02 – Greensboro, NC – White Oak Amphitheatre 

    Aug 04 – Columbia, MD – Merriweather Post Pavilion 

    Aug 05 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater 

    Aug 06 – Bethel, NY – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts – The Pavilion 

    Aug 08 – Saratoga Springs, NY – SPAC 

    Aug 09 – Bethlehem, PA – Musikfest 

    Aug 11 – Atlantic City, NJ – The Borgata 

    Aug 12 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center 

    Aug 13 – Bridgeport, CT – Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater 

    Aug 15 – Boston, MA – Leader Bank Pavilion 

    Aug 16 – Syracuse, NY –  St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater 

    Aug 18 – Cincinnati, OH – PNC Pavilion 

    Aug 19 – Sterling Heights, MI – Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill 

    Aug 20 – Cleveland, OH – Blossom Music Center 

    Aug 22 – Chicago, IL – Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island 

    Aug 23 – Indianapolis, IN – TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park 

    Aug 25 – Franklin, TN – FirstBank Amphitheater 

    Aug 26 – Maryland Heights, MO – Saint Louis Music Park 

    Aug 27 – Kansas City, MO – Starlight Theatre 

    Aug 30 – Denver, CO – Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre 

    Aug 31 – Sandy, UT – Sandy Amphitheater 

    Sep 02 – Seattle, WA – TBD 

    Sep 03 – Seattle, WA – TBD  

    Sep 04 – Bend, OR – Hayden Homes Amphitheater 

    Sep 06 – Irvine, CA – FivePoint Amphitheatre 

    Sep 07 – Highland, CA – Yaamava’ Theater *without O.A.R. 

    Tickets go on-sale Friday, December 9th at 10am local time. To purchase tickets, click the link HERE.  

  • In Focus: Rachael Sage at the Towne Crier Cafe in Beacon

    Singer-songwriter Rachael Sage performed this past Sunday, December 4th, at the Towne Crier Cafe in Beacon. Evoking music of the 60s-era folk genre with her powerful vocals, masterful guitar-playing, and agile piano skills, Sage put on an incredible performance.

    Rachael Sage towne crier
    Rachael Sage at the Towne Crier Cafe

    A resident of Beacon with a large New York audience, Sage performed her eclectic music with Kelly Halloran on violin and Trina Hamlin on harmonica and percussion. With her recent release of “Revelation Ground,” Sage performed songs from this new maxi-single along with others from her Billboard Charting album Character, her wide collection of 14 albums, and her experimental side project called Poetica. A multi-instrumentalist and award-winning artist, Rachael Sage has played all across the globe and is set to perform in New York City at The Loft at City Winery to continue her tour across the United States.

    Rachael Sage towne crier

    During one song, Sage performed acoustically without the accompaniment of a microphone or instruments, instead clapping her hands to keep up the beat. The crowd reacted excitedly, admiring her soulful vocals as she walked off the stage to greet those watching from their seats. Rocking her bright-red boots, bright-red glasses, sparkly hoops, and flower-embellished hair, Sage played her large variety of guitars along with her sticker-covered keyboard. During her performance of Unconditional off of her Poetica side project, Sage used spoken-word to express her resonant composition with entrancing instrumentals, captivating the audience.

    Rachael’s performance was truly phenomenal, and something nobody should miss. She previously played many shows in New York between February and April of 2022 during her tour. She is having her last New York show on December 12th and is set to perform at her later tour dates in Kansas. 

    Setlist: Blue Sky Days, Loreena, Deepest Dark, Whistle Blow, Alive, Sleep When I’m Tired, Haunted By Objects, Only You, Spark, The Other Side, Unconditional, Magenta and Blue, Umru Meine, Revelation Ground, Big Star
    Encore: Sistersong

    Rachael Sage towne crier
    Rachael Sage towne crier
    Kelly Halloran on violin
    Rachael Sage towne crier
    Trina Hamlin on percussion

  • An Interview with Taconic Foothills Singer/Songwriter Deb Cavanaugh

    I met Deb when she was performing in the duo Cavanaugh and Kavanaugh at the RPI Community and Cultural Center. It was an eclectic music event, and I was drawn to Deb’s easy-going vibe. We later grew loser when my son participated in her family friendly Music Together classes. Over the years, I’ve enjoyed seeing Deb’s songwriting flourish. She always challenges herself to create new music and take a fresh spin on popular cover songs.

    Variety and going with the flow are hallmarks of Deb’s lifestyle. She inspires me with her free spirited, “say yes” approach to life. A 518 musician who has traveled to Germany and China sharing her talents, Deb spends her life exploring musical creativity, expression and education. You can learn about that and much more in her upcoming memoir “Stories from A Free-Spirited Life”.

    Deb Cavanaugh
    Deb Cavanaugh, photo by Stephanie Bartik

    Niki Kaos: I’m looking forward to your memoir. You have many stories to tell! What can people expect to find in the book?

    Deb Cavanaugh: All of my adventures! I start off with my childhood, which was not an easy childhood. I want people to see what led me to the choices that I made later, and the crazy lifestyle that I had. So, we start in those early days. Then I took off hitchhiking in 1975 with the man who would eventually become my husband. Our goal was to go to Mardi Gras, but we never made it because the rides kept taking us west. We ended up in a hippie commune in San Francisco, where my mind was totally blown.

    NK: That’s a hallmark of your style, free-spirited hippie. And that’s what I love about you. It keeps you open to new experiences. What are some of your favorite later experiences from the book?

    DC: There were so many crazy things! Like having a prophetic dream that got us out of California, which ended up being true later. The Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD that is an amazing work of art! Being in Portland, OR when Mt. St. Helen’s was erupting. Sticking my kids in a VW bus with a cat and driving across country and breaking down in every state across the way. My favorite things about my travels were the variety of people I met and the unique things I saw along the way. My favorite thing about the book is in the face of all these different horrible things that happened, I was able to just kind of go with the flow and look forward to whatever was coming up next. And those things led me down a path that I’m happy with.

    NK: That’s powerful. One of the things I admire about you is that you’ve always invested in your career as a musician, in addition to being a mother, and a person taking care of their family. I suspect this memoir would give some insight to the backdrop of what you were going through while you were building your music career.

    DC: Absolutely. I put all the struggles as well as all the wonderful, fun exciting things. Because I think it is important for people to realize that you can get through those struggles and maintain that goal and that focus. And one of my focuses was raising my family, so although I never gave up on my music, it did kind of take a back seat to a certain degree.

    NK: I can understand that! Pivoting to that music career, when I met you, I was always so impressed with the different things you did musically. You have such a great resume! Performer, music educator, singer-songwriter. Experimenting with new instruments. You have great technical ability with pitch. One of the things that blew me away is you took that trip to China. Tell us a little bit about how you got there and what that experience was like for you.

    DC: I really try to stay open to the Universe, I guess. I get gifts all the time, and this was one of those. I join all the different social media sites and I joined Alignable. I never really did anything with it and this woman emailed me and asked if she could observe some of my Music Together and pre-school classes.
    She came and observed and asked me if she could take me out to lunch. At lunch she explained that she was a co-owner of two pre-schools in China and would I like to go for two weeks to teach. I never say no.

    NK: Laughs

    DC: And I think that’s one of the things that helps me along. I’m going to veer off for a minute, but I went to Germany – same thing – I got this random phone call from this woman asking if I wanted to be part of this orchestra. And then a couple years later we took the show to Germany. I never thought I would leave this continent, and I’ve done it twice now.

    The hardest thing for me going to China was that I had to teach the adults and I don’t have any degree in teaching, and I felt completely incapable of doing that. But I pulled it off. And they loved it!

    NK: Wow! Your spirit of adventure has served you in life. And helped you get where you are, which is amazing! You’ve been extremely successful lately. You just did a gig at the Jive Hive with your band Dandelion Wine. You’ve got some new material you’re releasing with your take on Electric Avenue.

    DC: Jive Hive was amazing and I’m really loving these two guys I’m working with, Jared Carrozza on bass and Ben Heart on drums. I was just talking to Joel about doing some recording this winter. We’re going to use some of the tracks from Jive Hive and we’ll also go in the studio, and hopefully put out a full-length release. Ben, although he started out as a drummer, most recently has been a singer-songwriter. So, he’ll jump over to guitar for a little while sometimes. It is a very different experience playing with a singer-songwriter that plays drums. Because he understands the songs in a different way, and he colors them in a different way.

    NK: I can definitely understand that. What’s coming up next that we should look out for?

    DC: I have a few gigs coming up in November and December, but mostly I’m working on new material.

    NK: On that topic – you like to pick unusual instrumentation. Are you playing the electrified dulcimer exclusively now? Or are you switching to guitar or other instruments during your performances?

    DC: It’s basically dulcimer and guitar. I’m trying to write more songs on the dulcimer, because for a long time I was writing on guitar and piano, and I really want to incorporate more dulcimer. That’s the instrument I feel the most comfortable with and that I get in an intuitive way. Whereas guitar has always just been a tool.

    NK: Thank you so much for sharing a taste of your adventures with us. I encourage readers to check out deb-cavanaugh.com and keep an eye out for your memoir and upcoming shows!

    Originally published in The Xperience Monthly