Category: Woodstock

Midnight Scramble: Eggy Welcome Members of Goose and Rusted Root in Woodstock Debut

Charismatic Connecticut improv rockers Eggy made a memorable debut in Woodstock on Friday, August 5th. Billed as the first ever ‘Midnight Scramble’ at the legendary Levon Helm Studios, the intimate and acoustically ideal venue provided the perfect space to serve up a verified barn burner. Featuring both an acoustic set and an electric set and surrounded by relatives and longtime friends, the entire evening had a true family affair feel and surprises no one saw coming.

Eggy kicked off their inaugural ‘Midnight Scramble’ with an acoustic set at Levon Helm Studios (8/5/22)

Eggy, comprised of guitarist and vocalist Jake Brownstein, keyboardist Dani Battat, bassist Michael Goodman and drummer Alex Bailey, take their name in loving memory of their late friend, Edward “Eggy” Torrence. Always in their thoughts, the emotional evening in Woodstock took place the same weekend as the five year anniversary of his passing. The significance not lost on the band, prior to the show members of Eggy let it be known via social media just how much playing the historic venue means to them. ‘The Midnight Scramble’ of course, is their way of paying homage to the legendary ‘Midnight Ramble” events that have taken place on the same property since even before Levon Helm‘s passing in 2012. Widely considered sacred musical ground, Brownstein revealed his first road trip after getting his driver’s license was to “The Barn” and the opportunity to grace the same stage was undoubtedly a milestone for the band.

Eggy’s Jake Brownstein and Alex Bailey sing their hearts out at The Barn (8/5/22)

Opting to play the show using Levon’s beautiful red drum kit, the acoustic portion of the evening began with “All The Way Down (Shadow Pt. 2)” and the momentum would continue to build through “Zugzwang” before entering the centerpiece of the set; “Finding and Losing.” From there fans were treated to the first cover of the night, the Jackson Browne penned “These Days,” which flowed directly into the song “Fragments.”

Keeping with the sentimental vibe, “Island Afterlife” was played next before keyboardist Dani Battat candidly addressed the audience. Showing his genuine appreciation for everyone who came out to the first ever ‘Scramble, Battat acknowledged the significance of this venue, the weekend as a whole and the somber anniversary of Edward “Eggy” Torrance’s passing. A heartfelt rendition of “Watercolor Days” was then played in his honor and brought the potent opening set to a proper close.

Scramble on: A surprise sit-in from Rusted Root’s Michael Glabicki and Ben Atkind of Goose was the highlight of the night (8/5/22)

After a brief intermission, Battat would do his part to wrangle in the stragglers still socializing outside with an extended keyboard solo dubbed “The Genetic Method” which segued beautifully into the intro of our second cover of the night, The Band’s “Chest Fever” which would also be teased throughout the rest of the set. Just down the road from Bearsville, a newer Americana-tinged tune called “Backyard Bear” came next and was followed by a spirited version of the song “Shadow.”

From there came the biggest surprise of the night when Eggy invited a few friends to join them; Michael Glabicki (guitar/vocals) of Rusted Root and Ben Atkind (drums) of Goose. Launching into a cover of Rusted Root’s 1994 smash hit “Send Me On My Way,” the excitement in the room was palpable. The look on each member of Eggy’s face radiating with pure joy, contagious and exhilarating to everyone on stage and in the crowd, if this musical moment didn’t give you chills you may need to consult a doctor.

Striking while the audience was hot, Eggy then rolled out their hardest rocking song of the night, a rare bowling themed tune called “12 Pounds of Pain.” With its infectious and easily identifiable riffage, the band not only took it for a funked-out walk, but also managed to weave in reprise teases of “Chest Fever” and “Send Me On My Way” to bring the exhilarating electric set full circle and leave the audience howling for encore. Happy to scramble on a little longer Eggy invited members of the opening act, the sensational Brad Goodall Trio, along with Goose drummer Ben Atkind, back out for an absolutely joyous cover-of-a-cover of “Don’t Do It.” Originally performed by Marvin Gaye and later made famous by Levon and The Band, the song served as both a fitting tribute and a perfect way to bring the inaugural “Midnight Scramble” to a close.

Check out pro-shot video of Eggy performing “Send Me On My Way” with Rusted Root’s Michael Glabicki and Goose’s Ben Atkind

Feeling inspired and riding the wave momentum, the band plans to enter a recording studio later this week. Along with major festivals like Resonance and Hulaween on their horizon, Eggy have also announced their first ever full headlining tour this Fall.   With dates that include stops in Brooklyn, Albany, Syracuse and Buffalo, New Yorkers will soon have plenty of chances to see why this Connecticut quartet is rapidly becoming one of improv music’s most impressive and talked about acts.

For a full list of upcoming Eggy tour dates, see below. For ticketing details, head to the band’s website.

Eggy – “The Midnight Scramble” – Levon Helm Studios — Woodstock – August 5th, 2022

Set 1: All The Way Down (Shadow Pt. 2), Zugzwang, Finding and Losing, These Days[1]   > Fragments, Island Afterlife, Watercolor Days[2]

Set 2: The Genetic Method[3] -> Chest Fever[4]   > Backyard Bear, Shadow[5] , Send Me On My Way[6] , 12 Pounds of Pain[7] -> Send Me On My Way[8] -> 12 Pounds of Pain

Encore: Don’t Do It[9]

    [1]   Jackson Browne cover
    [2]   Dedicated to Edward “Eggy” Torrence
    [3]   FTP, The Band, Dani only. The rest of the band joined after for Chest Fever.
    [4]   FTP, The Band cover
    [5]   With Chest Fever (The Band) teases
    [6]   FTP, Rusted Root cover, with Michael Glabicki on guitar and lead vocals, and Ben Atkind on percussion
    [7]   With Finding and Losing teases
    [8]   Rusted Root cover, With Chest Fever (The Band) teases
    [9]   With Brad Goodall on piano, Rodney Elkins on drums and lead vocals, Craig Burletic on vocals, and Ben Atkind on cowbell. Alex on tambourine and vocals

For more photos from Eggy’s inaugural Midnight Scramble, check out the gallery below courtesy of NYS Music Photographer Zak Radick.

August 10, 2022
Alternative Guitar Summit and Joel Harrison Announce Guitar Events for August

The Alternative Guitar Summit in collaboration with Joel Harrison has announced three different guitar events happening all over New York in August.

Guitarist, composer, arranger, lyricist, writer, educator, and vocalist Joel Harrison has “created a new blueprint for jazz,” as said by the New Orleans Times-Picayune. He has released 23 CDs as a leader on seven different labels and is the founder and director of the Alternative Guitar Summit, a yearly festival devoted to new and unusual guitar music.

In collaboration with the Alternative Guitar Summit, Harrison will be sponsoring and hosting three different events in New York. The events are The Music of the Woodstock Festival, Jazz Guitar event of the decade, and Joel Harrison Quartet.

The Music of the Woodstock Festival

On the Woodstock festival anniversary, Harrison and his all-star team of improvisers, including NYC-based African American vocalists Everett Bradley, Nicki Richards, and Keith Fluitt, will be playing new takes on the music at the 1969 festival. They will be playing at The Colony in Woodstock on Aug. 12, at 8 P.M. and tickets are on sale here.

Joel Harrison Quartet

The Joel Harrison Quartet will be playing at Lydia’s Cafe in Stone Ridge in a laid-back, local affair on Aug. 20 from 7:30-10 P.M., and tickets are on sale now.

The Jazz Guitar Concert of the Decade!

The jazz guitar concert of the decade will feature Bill Frisell, John Scofield, Kurt Rosenwinkel, and Mike Stern, who are the four pillars of the jazz/ funk/rock/alt guitar scene. The concert will be happening at the Bearsville Theater in Woodstock at 8 P.M. on Aug. 26, and tickets are on sale here.

August 10, 2022
Wild Times at Woodstock’s Legendary Tinker Street Café Immortalized in New Memoir

Ever since powerhouse music manager Albert Grossman arrived at the dawn of the ‘60s, Woodstock has served as the delightfully laid-back domicile for some of the biggest names in music. With Grossman came his stable of stars – Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, Paul Butterfield and also non-Grossman managed giants like Jimi Hendrix and, much later, David Bowie. What also arrived was an abundance of top-flight recording studios and informal artist retreats, like The Band’s legendary basement recording space Big Pink, where some of the finest moments in modern music were crafted.

Musicians are perhaps the most social of the creative breeds. These are a seemingly tireless brood who love nothing more than to get together after a long gig or recording session to chat, imbibe and, of course, jam to create even more sonic magic.

Now one of Woodstock’s most legendary musicians’ hangouts of the past, The Tinker Street Café, is coming back to life in a new memoir by one of its owners, Jerry Mitnick, The Music In The Walls: Stories and Anecdotes from Tinker Street Café (HappyLife Productions).

For ten years beginning in 1988, The Tinker Street Café was the place where the biggest names who were living or recording in Woodstock could be found. Locals like Rick Danko, John Sebastian, Mick Ronson, Tony Levin and The B-52s Fred Schneider held court alongside passing-throughs like Gregg Allman, Living Colour, Dave Matthews and many more. And where there are musicians, libations and a stage with a ready backline, there’s sure to be great music. There are also sure to be some unforgettably comic moments courtesy of these toasted and/or tanked music makers – events that are the heart of Mitnick’s slim but richly entertaining memoir.

Mitnick relates these tales in rapid-fire chapters and the captivating banter of a seasoned barkeep, which I assume he was at some point during the Café’s run.

He begins his story in his native Brooklyn, where the seeds of his love of music were sewn – first as a schoolboy devotee of doo-wop, then as a bassist in a series of bands. Jerry was a professional musician from the mid-‘60s through the late ‘80s, one who, like many, also drove a cab to make ends meet. His gigs included everything from playing in showbands at Catskill resorts to a close call with mortality when his band, The Human Condition, flew to El Salvador to play a concert in the middle of its bloody revolution.

A call in 1988 from his friend Freddie Sandell not only forever changes his life, but also rewired the social scene in Woodstock. Sandell invited Mitnick to become a partner in a club on Tinker Street, one that would be in the site of the former Café Espresso. Sandell would handle the bar, Mitnick the music booking and a third partner the restaurant service. Then turning 40 and tiring of the working musician grind, Mitnick eagerly jumped on board.

The author gives some good backstory on the history of the legendary Café Espresso. It opened in 1962 in the former site of another popular hangout dating back to the Roaring Twenties, The Nook. It immediately became a hotbed of music with live performances by Joan Baez, Ramblin’ Jack Elliot and Bob Dylan. The Espresso’s owners, The Pautrel’s, famously let Dylan live in “The White Room” on the second floor during 1963. It was here that he wrote much of the music for his 1964 classic, Another Side of Bob Dylan. The Espresso would also become the site of countless jam sessions featuring Jimi Hendrix and scores of other music glitterati. But after passing through a few owners, it was in a pretty sad state by the mid-‘80s. That was when it earned a new nickname among locals, “The Café Depresso.”

In the book, Mitnick recalls the many Christmas concerts The Band’s Rick Danko played for charity as well as the countless nights he dropped by to try out freshly-penned songs. There’s also a great tale about a legendary jam between Danko and Jefferson Airplane/Hot Tuna guitarist Jorma Kaukonen, another rock luminary who resided in Woodstock in the ‘80s. Jorma and Hot Tuna would also come to hold the record for the “most songs played in a night” according to Mitnick. Another memorable happening was when the Dave Matthews Band took a break from their recording to play a benefit for the family of a girl killed in Kingston in 1995. Even though the event was unpublicized per Matthew’s wishes, the word spread fast and it drew scores who listened to the three-hour plus set from outside the packed club.

Jerry’s own highpoint might’ve been the night Gregg Allman dropped by. That night, Mitnick got to jam with him till the wee hours before a crowd of no more than 30 people. A low point may have been when Hendrix’s bassist Noel Redding came to town. He promptly passed out during the first song, ending his show. Mitnick also recalls other great events witnessed by surprisingly small crowds. This included when Joey Ramone sang “I Wanna Be Sedated” and B-52s Fred Schneider crooned the “Patty Duke Show” theme at an Open Mic night. There’s also a funny yarn about songwriter Loudon Wainwright III overhearing a woman wax poetic about what she’d like to do with his tongue. Loudon tended to poke his oversized licker out while singing, something that seemed to capture the bawdier quadrants of the unnamed woman’s imagination.

Mitnick also describes The Tinker Street Café’s renowned “Wall of Fame.” What the author calls a “Poor Man’s Hard Rock Café” exhibit would grow to include items like John Sebastian’s harmonicas, drumsticks from Steve Jordan, strings from the guitar Carlos Santana played at Woodstock ‘94, Bob Dylan’s handwritten lyrics to “To Ramona” and “It Ain’t Me Babe” and the bass guitar Tony Levin played on Peter Gabriel’s hit “Sledgehammer,” one that was burnt up in a fire before it was gifted to Mitnick for his display.

According to Mitnick, it was the Tuesday Poetry Nights and not the rock events that were the most volatile. Here seemingly peaceful wordsmiths/hosts like Gunga Dean, Les Visible and Max Schwartz, Jim Morrison’s old college roommate, would sometimes come to blows with each other over their strong opinions about their works. And speaking of wordsmiths, legendary metal wild man Ozzy Osbourne would come to the Café during breaks in his recording sessions to sit quietly and write lyrics. Mitnick also discusses the weekly Blues Nights hosted by Orleans’ axeman John Hall, its Sunday Jazz Nights hosted by vibraphonist Karl Berger, the very short-lived Karaoke Nights and its Smoke-Free Women in Music Nights, which featured notables like Jill Sobule and Patti Rothberg and no ciggies. There is also a discussion of the Live from The Tinker Street Café broadcasts on Radio Woodstock. These featured memorable sets by artists like Cracker, Aimee Mann, Garbage and Jewel, a then-unknown who Mitnick found “incredibly boring” and unlikely to be successful in the biz.

The author also devotes a good deal of space to local heroes who are not household names but were beloved. These include the late guitarist/studio builder Ted Orr of the band Futu Futu, singer/guitarist Jim Eppard and even some of the more off-the-wall customers and Tinker staff. There are also testaments to hysterical hijinks like “The Cockateering Club.” This effort, instigated by a Tinker bartender and his well-lubricated customers, erected 7ft. snow penises all along Tinker Street during winter storms. The Cockateers’ ultimate goal was to create a “Dream Field of Cream,” 300 or so of their snow schlongs on the town’s golf course. Sadly, this never came to be.

Mitnick’s book would not have been possible without the assistance and artwork by Mike Dubois of HappyLife Productions. The veteran poster and graphic artist who has worked with artist like Grateful Dead provided the cover art for book, one based on his artwork for a 1994 Tinker Street Café compilation CD, and several more posters within.

Today, Dubois is also playing a role in the revitalization of the former Tinker Street Café, under the direction of its new owner, Lizzie Vann, who also runs the Bearsville Theater complex.

Dubois’ HappyLife art gallery/gift shop has moved into half of the former Tinker Street Café space at 59 Tinker Street. The other half will feature food, drink and some periodic music performances orchestrated by Vann. It will also serve as a satellite to Vann’s popular Bearsville Theater, where folks can purchase tickets to events, merchandise and more.

At present, Jerry Mitnick’s The Music In The Walls: Stories and Anecdotes from Tinker Street Café is available exclusively at the HappyLife Gallery at 59 Tinker Street, Woodstock, and via its website . The gallery will also be hosting a book signing with the author on Saturday, July 16 from 2 – 4 pm.

July 9, 2022
In Focus: Amy Helm and Mavis Staples shine at Dirt Farmer Festival

On Saturday, May 21, the Dirt Farmer Festival returned to the Arrowood Farms. The day was beautifully
clear, hot and picture perfect. This is the second Dirt Farmer Festival to be held at Arrowood Farms.
This festival has deep roots in the Hudson Valley. The first festival was originally held at the Arrowood
Farms on August 19, 2018 and for several years prior, the Levon Helm Band played a series of free fall
concerts at Gill’s Farm, just a few miles up the road, in Stone Ridge, NY.

This concert festival was greatly anticipated and the show was everything anyone could possibly hope it
would be, and then some. This day, this festival belonged to Amy Helm and it also belongs to Levon
Helm and his legacy of supporting the local farming community. Amy made the day special. It’s not easy
to look glamorous when the sun is strong enough that you can overheat just standing in place. How does
Amy Helm do it? She does it with poise, a warm smile, a love of the music and the musicians, her friends
and family and everyone in attendance. From the main stage, introducing Oliver Wood, Amy suggested
that everyone should drink lots of water available at the bar area water station and stay hydrated.

Arrowood Farms is a huge field with several buildings, hops growing on the west side, a brewery with
an excellent locally brewed beer selection, an open air bar area and a relaxed easy going
atmosphere. For this event, there were two concert stages, one is a permanent main stage and the
second stage, a mobile stage wagon brought in for the event. There were nine scheduled performances
alternating between the two adjacent stages.

The performances ranged from full-on electric high energy dancing and boogie music to acoustic relaxed,
let’s sit down, kick-back, enjoy the beautiful day and the live music. The show highlights, and there were
a ton of great musical moments, but if one stood out, it was #1 Mavis Staples and #2 Mavis Staples and
also, make no mistake, it was Mavis Staples. She is loved and adored. Her voice is strong and she played
to her audience knowing she had full command of the stage. For the final song of her set, the crew and
all the musicians in attendance piled into the front of the stage area to share the moment. You could
feel the love, you could see the love. Seeing Mavis perform, everyone knew this was a special moment.

The load-out and load-in between the Connor Kennedy Band and the final performance of the festival,
the Midnight Ramble Band, was like watching organized chaos come together in a massive effort to get it
right and do it on the fly. The musicians and stagehands, the sound crew, were all participating, unwinding cables, plugging-in and checking the sound. When you see Teresa Williams moving her own monitor, you know the division of labor went right out the window and it’s an all hands on deck effort. This was very clearly a local one-off concert and nothing like watching a national tour stage set-up. This one was for friends and family and it all came together for the Midnight Ramble Band’s set.

The day absolutely belonged to Amy, but of course she could have not have done this all by herself. To
all of the Levon Helm Studios staff and to everyone that worked diligently to make the Dirt Farmer
Festival a successful event, thank you. The effort is greatly appreciated. Arrowood Farms,
let’s do it again next year.

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May 26, 2022
Phil Lesh & The Midnight Ramble Band Announce Summer Date At Bethel Woods

This summer, founding Grateful Dead member Phil Lesh will make his return to Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. And he’s bringing a few friends along with him. Phil Lesh & The Midnight Ramble Band will play one night on Saturday, August 20. It is slated to be part of the venue’s “Woodstock Anniversary Celebration” which will commemorate the 53rd anniversary of the iconic music and arts festival.

In addition to performing with the Dead at Woodstock, Lesh also made an appearance here in July of 2006. The second set included a sit-in from Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio on songs that were performed at the original festival in 1969 like “Dark Star,” St. Stephen,” and “Turn On Your Love Light.”

Lesh’s last appearance at Bethel Woods came in 2019 at Mountain Jam. Phil and Friends trotted out a cover of The Band’s “Chest Fever,” played the first ever “Midnight Highway” and closed out their set with an “Uncle John’s Band.”

This year’s band is dubbed The Midnight Ramble Band, in a nod to Levon Helm’s nearby legendary barn and its late night concerts, and will feature Amy Helm, Jim Wider, Brian Mitchell, Adam Minkoff, Steven Bernstein, Larry Campbell, Teresa Williams, Connor Kennedy, Shawn Pelton, Tony Leone, Erik Lawerence, Jay Collins and, of course, Grahame Lesh.

Tickets go on sale tomorrow at 10 am through Ticketmaster.

May 19, 2022
Maverick Concerts Full Summer of Music Returns In 2022

A national historic treasure nestled in the woods near Woodstock, Maverick Concerts returns this summer with a full schedule. Beginning in July and playing throughout September, the Maverick Concert Hall features world class music such as Classical, Jazz, and Contemporary concerts.

The Maverick 2022 season begins on Saturday evening July 2^nd, with a special 50th Birthday bash in celebration of the acclaimed NEXUS Ensemble. The celebration will be led by Woodstock legend Garry Kvistad and features special guests Paul Winter and Brazilian pianist Henrique Eisenmann.

Opening festivities will continue on Sunday July 3^rd with an 85th birthday nod to American music living legend Philip Glass. This concert features classics of Beethoven and Bach – by two of the most exciting stars in classical music today, pianist Simone Dinnerstein and violinist Tim Fain.

Jazz, contemporary, and world music hold a special place on Saturday nights at Maverick Concerts. Sunday afternoons of Classical music have been the foundation of the Maverick Concerts since the very first Festival in 1915, and that tradition continues. Likewise, Woodstock legends will continue to share the stage with talents from all over the musical world.

Maverick Concerts 2022 Schedule

Sat. July 2: NEXUS Percussion

Sunday, July 3: Simone Dinnerstein and Tim Fain

Sunday, July 10: Escher String Quartet

Saturday, July 16: Simi Stone & Friends

Sunday, July 17: Daniel Gortler

Saturday, July 23: Happy Traum and Friends featuring Cindy Cashdollar

Sunday, July 24: Quatuor Danel

Saturday, July 30: Simon Shaheen Trio

Sunday, July 31: Miro Quartet

Saturday, August 6 – 11 am – 12: Christian Sands/Maverick Family Concert

Saturday, August 6: Christian Sands Trio

Sunday, August 7: Horszowski Trio

Saturday, August 13 – 11am – 12: Terrence Wilson/Maverick Family Concert

Saturday, August 13: Steve Gorn and Friends

Sunday, August 14: Harlem Quartet with Brandon Patrick and Terrence Wilson

Saturday, August 20: Anthony de Mare

Sunday, August 21: Borromeo Quartet

Saturday, August 28: Annual Chamber Orchestra Concert w/Caroga Arts Ensemble

Sunday, August 29: Amernet Quartet; Kasa Quartet

Saturday, September 5 – 11:00 am – 12: Catalyst Quartet/Maverick Family Concert

Saturday, September 5: Bill Charlap Trio

Sunday, September 6: Catalyst Quartet with Dashon Burton

Saturday, September 10: Jerome Jennings with Laurin Talese

Sunday, September 11: Roman Rabinovich

Ticket Information

The Maverick Concert Hall is located at 120 Maverick Road, Woodstock. Reserved seating and general admission tickets for all concerts are available online here. Maverick Family Concerts (Saturday afternoons on August 6^th, 13^th and September 3^rd) are free for ages 16 and under and $5 for adults.

April 29, 2022
Ghost of Paul Revere Bittersweet in Bearsville; Announce Breakup

Holler stompin’ their way back through the Northeast, The Ghost of Paul Revere made a spirited stop at the historic Bearsville Theater in Woodstock on Friday, April 15. It may also have been their last.

Joined by longtime friend and frequent collaborator, Jackson Kincheloe (of Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds) on harmonica for the evening, the band displayed all the hallmarks and charisma that once made mainstream success seem like a “sure thing.” Playing with passion and purpose and like their lives depended on it, you could almost feel there was something more to this performance; something bubbling under the surface that the band already knew but wasn’t ready talk about yet.

They say what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, and if that’s really true, The Ghost of Paul Revere should be ready for WrestleMania. Indeed, things have never been “easy” for the hard working alt-Americana folk rockers based out of Portland, Maine. Seemingly faced with one set back after another, things came to a literal crossroads this past Februrary in Colorado when their tour van — along with all their instruments, sound gear, swag and merch — was stolen from a hotel parking lot. With everything necessary to make a livelihood suddenly ripped away, the guys had two choices: either head back east with their tails between their legs, or take a chance and travel on into the unknown while relying on the kindness of strangers and fans. With an overwhelming show of support via a GoFundMe page set up for the band, they choose to travel on and were miraculously able to complete the tour without missing a single date. Even more inspiring, after reaching their estimated GoFundMe goal of $20,000 in just two days, GOPR gave back all extra donations, paying them forward to a charity of each band members choosing.

Riding into Bearsville on Friday, it was the first time many fans in attendance were seeing The Ghost of Paul Revere. After being treated to an intimate opening set from singer/songwriter Daniel Rodriguez, one of the founding members of critically acclaimed folk act Elephant Revival, the ‘boys from Buxton’ took the stage shortly after 9pm. Comprised of Griffin Sherry on guitar and vocals, Max Davis on banjo and vocals, Sean McCarthy on bass and vocals and drummer Chuck Gagne, GOPR wasted no time in planting foreshadowing seeds, opening the set with “Love at Your Connivence,” a song about reckoning with the emotions of walking away from someone you love. Up next came the Davis sung “Two Hundred and Twenty-Six Days” before the band welcomed an old friend to the stage, multi-instrumentalist and New York native Jackson Kincheloe. A lanky long-haired cowboy, covered in tattoos and armed with a harmonica, Kincheloe allegedly “just showed up looking like this, knowing all the songs and was ready to go,” immediately making his presence felt on the rocking, up-tempo rendition of the seldom played “Fire in the Sky.”

I lost my will to carry on the day you walked away
Now I’m chained to a bottle of whiskey praying the levees goin’ break
Just burn my home and take all my things, send me to the lord above
Because I know on the day that the judgement comes sure as hell not going up
Lyrics from “Fire in the Sky”

A few songs in and guitar player Griffin Sherry couldn’t help but comment on how well behaved the crowd was, almost daring them to cut loose a little. It was easy for fans to do just that on one of the stand out songs of the night, an extended take on the 2015’s “Two Weeks,” which easily doubled the length of the studio recording and featured the entire band locking in on a groove lead by drummer Chuck Gagne, who appeared to be having an absolute blast playing behind the kit.

After working their way through career spanning staples like “Good at Losing Everything,” “Little Bird,” “San Antone” and “Wild Child,” Ghost of Paul Revere would introduce one of the songs they are most proud of, “Ballad of the 20^th Maine” which earned them national attention in 2019 when it was named Maine’s official ballad.

Between songs, banjo player Max Davis took the opportunity to talk about what it felt like playing there that night.   That there are certain rooms that have a magic about them, a rich musical history, and that this is one of them and he could feel it, stating “There’s just certain feelings and there’s no lying about it. The people that have been in this space have charted in unknowns and you just hope that you’re also charting in one of those unknowns.” He would then introduce one of his favorite songs to play, “Montreal.”

Well the grass may be greener and the scenery cleaner, but your heart never found a home; Are we growing apart or are we growing up? Are we stuck in a dream or are we waking up?
Lyrics to “Montreal”

One of the things that has helped GOPR gain so many new followers since forming in 2011 has been their tasteful selection of cover choices. Known for putting their unique Holler-folk twist on classics like “Baba O’Riley,” “War Pigs ,”Nothing From Nothing” and even newer songs like Dr. Dogs “Shadow People,” considering we were in Levon Country, a betting man would have probably placed his chips on them doing something like “I Shall Be Released,” a song GOPR has played rather frequently over the years. However, on this night, the band upped the ante and took things in a meta direction, opting to play a cover-of-a- cover in the form of “Atlantic City,” which received one of the biggest ovation of the evening.

Watch video of Ghost of Paul Revere covering “Atlantic City” in Bearsville, NY 4/15/2022

Ghost of Paul Revere would also play “Travel On,” a “yet to be named” new song that featured Sean McCarthy handling the bulk of singing duties before closing out the performance with one final bit of foreshadowing, a powerful and thought provoking song called “This is the End.”

Tell my father it was worth it; Tell my sister not to wait for me
Just don’t ask me if I’m doin’ okay (’cause I’m not okay)
Tell my friends that I love them
Oh, my friends, this is the end, this is the end”
Lyrics to “This is the End”

The following day, Ghost of Paul Revere would play a show in Jersey City, NJ before making an announcement on social media Monday that nobody saw coming.   “It has been a wild ride filled with an abundance of trials, tribulations and joy. When we first got together eleven years ago, we never could have imagined that we would be given the incredible opportunity to share our music with all of you for this long. Over 1200 shows, 400,000 miles, 46 states, 6 countries and (soon to be) 9 albums later, our journey has finally brought us to the here and now,” the band wrote. “Change is hard, it can be a subtle breeze that pushes you in a specific direction, or a rogue wave appearing without warning from the darkness. For the sake of our own health, our families and you, our fans, we have decided that this year’s Ghostland festival will be our last show – the end to a fantastic journey performing together – as The Ghost of Paul Revere,” the post continued, describing a mix of sadness and gratitude that comes with the decision, and encouraged fans to join them for shows as they finish their final last ride together.

“Although it may seem like it, we want you to know that “This is [not] the end.” The songs and music will always be there to share and enjoy with one another. We are excited to journey into the next chapter of our lives and will continue to keep everyone posted about our future, individual endeavors. We hope to see each and every one of you throughout spring and summer for “The Last Ride,” our final tour, which will include a number of new and exciting announcements and show additions coming soon! We hope to see you there so we can sing the songs we all love and share these final moments with you at least once more.

Love you all and thank you for believing,

Griffin, Sean, Max, & Chuck”

Following the announcement, long time fans flooded the internet with photos and personal memories they’ve shared with the band. Coming from a small town in Maine, it’s clear the Ghost had a far greater reach and meant more to people than they probably realize. Honest songs with beautiful harmonies, the universal appeal of the hard-working everyman and full of untapped potential. With a handful of new dates already announced before their final show in September, you’re encouraged to go see this band while you still can.

NYS Music would like to thank The Ghost of Paul Revere for the music, memories, good times, and for always making time for us over the years. We wish each member the best of luck and success in all their future endeavors.

4/15/22 | Bearsville Theatre | Woodstock, NY

One Set (partial): Love at Your Connivence, Annabelle, Fire in the Sky, Two Weeks, Little Bird, Good at Losing Everything, Travel On, New Song, Ballad of the 20^th Maine, Atlantic City, Wild Child, San Antone

Encore: This is the End

For more photos from their final performance in Bearsville, NY, check out the galley below, courtesy of Rock Journalist and NYS Music contributor Zak Radick.

April 20, 2022
WRAPS – Woodstock Rock Art and Poster Show – Comes To Bearsville this May

WRAPS, a new tradeshow and art exhibition dedicated specifically to rock posters is coming to the Bearsville Center in Woodstock on May 14-15.

The popular San Francisco event, The Rock Poster Show (TRPS) is the model for WRAPS, which stands for Woodstock Rock Art and Poster Show. The event will feature exhibitors displaying their work, multi-media productions, art and design workshops, and live music.

The musical acts include Stella Blue’s Band, Soule Monde (members of the Trey Anastasio Band), and Woodstock’s own Misty Mountain Ramblers.

A poster for the Trey Anastasio Band designed by Zeb Love

Since the 1990s interest in rock posters has increased. Vintage posters from the classic rock era are considered collectibles. While more recently it has become an art form in its own right, with artists and designers dedicating their talents to creating original works. The event is open to both collectors and artists who would like to display their work.

Mike DuBois, one of the pioneers of rock poster art and Syracuse native, will produce WRAPS. His surrealist, psychedelic art has become a staple of rock music. More than likely, you’ve seen his work without knowing you have. In the past, high profile bands including the Grateful Dead, The Rolling Stones, and Pink Floyd have commissioned his work. Currently, he runs HappyLife Productions a design firm in Woodstock.

Artwork by Mike DuBois.

The Bearsville Theater was the brainchild of the famed music manager, Albert Grossman. He had the idea to build a creative oasis for his clients—which included Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, and the Band—in the Catskills. Unfortunately, due to his untimely death in 1986 Grossman never saw the theater open in 1989. The Bearsville Theater is considered “acoustically perfect”. It was designed by music producer Todd Lundgren along with the Utopia Sound Stage.

With all the rock history at Bearsville Theater it would make a fitting location for a tradeshow meant to celebrate rock music’s legacy.

Tickets and registration information are on the WRAPS website.

April 7, 2022
The Greyboy Allstars Share New Single with Woodstock and Brooklyn Tour Dates in April

The Greyboy Allstars are set to release their upcoming album Get A Job with music from the original broadcast series Soul Dream on April 1st. The first song off the album, ‘I’ve Got Reasons’, recently dropped along with accompanying video along with Spring Tour Dates where they’ll perform in Woodstock and Brooklyn this April.

The quintet jazz band, Karl Denson (saxophone, flute), Elgin Park (guitars), Aaron Redfield(drums), Chris Stillwell (bass) and Robert Walter (keys) turn up the notches with their new album consisting of 10 unique never-before-released covers that consistently captivated their famed live performances for nearly three decades. Gil Scott-Heron, Gene Ammons and Burt Bacharach are some of the artists who’s songs are showcased on the ‘Get A Job’ album.

The delivery of these covers shows the formative music that shaped the band while also adding a twist of their own funky imprint to the song’s arrangement and legacy.

The more we play together, the more I enjoy listening to the other guys. It seems like a simple idea but finding a place in the mix is what’s important: not the solo. Weave a thread inside the fabric.
-Elgin Park

A running list of around 70 tunes that became live favorites during shows and music that came out of Prestige Records are showcased with the Greyboy Allstars. The soul-jazz band from San Diego, California will be coming to the Bearsville Theater in Woodstock and the Brooklyn Bowl in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

The 21-date ‘Get A Job’ tour has 6 of the shows on-sale now and the remaining 15 shows go on-sale February 4th at greyboyallstars.com

The Greyboy Allstars “Get A Job” U.S. Spring Tour

3/9 – Asheville, NC – Salvage Station
3/10 – Charleston, SC – The Pour House
3/11 – Atlanta, GA – Variety Playhouse
3/12 – St. Augustine, FL – St. Augustine Amphitheatre
3/30 – St. Louis, MO – The Big Top
3/31 – Milwaukee, WI – Shank Hall
4/1 – Chicago, IL – Park West
4/2 – Covington, KY – Madison Theater
4/3 – Columbus, OH – Woodlands Tavern
4/5 – Pembroke, MA – Soundcheck Studios
4/6 – Woodstock, NY – Bearsville Theater
4/7 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Bowl
4/8 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Bowl
4/9 – Philadelphia, PA – Brooklyn Bowl Philadelphia
4/10 – Washington, DC – The Hamilton
4/15 – Crystal Bay, NV – Crystal Bay Club Casino
4/16 – Crystal Bay, NV – Crystal Bay Club Casino
4/21 – Venice, CA – Venice West
4/22 – Denver, CO – Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom
4/23 – Boulder, CO – Boulder Theater
4/30 – New Orleans, LA – Tipitina’s

April 5, 2022
In Focus: M. Ward Live at Levon Helm Studios

M. Ward graced Levon Helm Studios with his presence this past Sunday, March 27. The singer-songwriter, and fans alike, waited two years for this Woodstock show, and the wait only made the night more special. For folks who have seen a show at Levon Helm Studios, you know just how incredible the venue’s acoustics are, and M. Ward played the barn’s walls like they were instruments. He opened the show and silenced the crowd without speaking a word.

Ward began with ‘Duet For Guitars #3.’ This started the night off perfectly by showcasing some of Ward’s most intricately dynamic guitar playing. His pinch harmonics resonated beautifully throughout the studio, and his individual style of strumming filled the room with chords that sounded too full to have been made by a single guitar. The crowd erupted after the song ended and they had their first glimpse into what was in store for them.

Ward then rolled into one of his most popular songs with ‘Chinese Translation,’ which allowed his voice to take center stage and play with Levon Helm Studios’ walls. You can take a listen to M. Ward’s 2011 performance of the song that he did for Kink FM in the video below. This clip is a great representation of just how smooth Ward is, both in his guitar playing and in his singing. At times during the show on Sunday, Ward would step away from his mic entirely and allowed his voice to carry itself throughout Levon Helm Studios. There are few venues, if any, that can compare to the sonic experience in this setting with a musician as skilled as M. Ward.

M. Ward played his first of two covers for the night with his rendition of Buddy Holly’s ‘Rave On.’ He slowed things down in the best way possible, and truly made the song his own, almost unrecognizable from the original. Ward’s second cover was one that caused an interesting response from the crowd. The lyrics to Daniel Johnston’s ‘Story of an Artist’ come off as humorous to some when sung in such a new tone. The song was featured on his 1983 album Hi How Are You, and its lyrics explore Johnston’s lack of support and belief in his art from his family. It is truly a sad, sad song, but what brought out the laughter seemed to be the juxtaposition of Ward captivating the crowd with his musical abilities while singing lyrics about a family telling their son that the world will never like his songs. The two observations clash, but the effect is powerful as the laughing fans soon saw and felt the seriousness of Ward’s voice.

The show’s pace picked up for the final few songs as Bat Fangs came out to accompany Ward. The group rocked the barn after an intimate set of songs, and left the Woodstock crowd on cheering on their feet for a few minutes. The crowd cheered until Ward and Betsy of Bat Fangs returned to the stage, and started the encore like the show began, with a song off Ward’s 2003 album Transfiguration of Vincent: ‘Helicopter.’ The duo would go on to end the night by fielding crowd suggestions, and settled on ‘Poison Cup,’ which managed to bring one fan to tears even.

M. Ward just finished up the last of his American tour dates until June, and will be flying across the pond to play three weeks of shows in Europe. When Ward returns to the U.S. he will be playing four shows in Texas before heading back overseas to tour the UK. If you have travel plans, be sure to check out M. Ward’s website. For future shows at Levon Helm Studios, check out their events page.

Setlist (partial): Duet For Guitars #3, Chinese Translation, Fuel for Fire, Rave On (Buddy Holly), Vincent O’Brien, Here Comes the Sun Again, Story of an Artist (Daniel Johnston), Never Had Nobody Like You, To Go Home

Encore: Helicopter, Poison Cup

March 30, 2022