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.
Indie-electronic artist-producer Wooter releases his first single “Epigraph” this Friday, June 10th. “Epigraph” is a chill psychedelic pop track that may calm you down and drive you away from the current chaos.
Wooter
Wooter, also called Rowan Brind, is a Brooklyn-based artist and producer. He is an engineer and mixer while he also learned multiple instruments. Meanwhile, he is a prolific songwriter who works mainly on his laptop alone.
However, in this signle, he collaborates with the experienced jazz drummer Caleb Estey. Followed his non-traditional songwriting process that first writing to a drum take, then inserting melody and lyrics, Wooter added new sounds in this new single as well.
Wooter is fond of obscure, niche audio equipment and instruments, which gives his music a distinctive sound. His perfectionism in audio production and mixing improved the listening experience of his productions. His perfectionism and interest in sound also benefited his produce skills as an entirely self-taught producer. He always searches for new sounds and evolves with each album.
“Epigraph” is the music shelter to escape from the daily hustle and bustle. Turn it on, and relieve the expectation and burdens on you for the two minutes and 44 seconds. This is music for those trying to break from the routine.
The book The Sun Also Rises inspired Wooter to express the feelings of characters. They are living aimless lives and yet live happily unfazed by the world crumbling around them. For the sound design, Wooter composed his new album on the OP1 which has a lush sound of synthesizers during a trip to New Orleans. He absorbed the feelings of artists like Tame Impala, Mild High Club, and Gorillaz. And now it is time to enjoy the realm of Wooter in the “Epigraph”.
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)
On Wednesday June 8th, Arthur’s Tavern located in the West Village had it’s long awaited grand reopening with New Orleans legend Kermit Ruffins headlining. The historic jazz club first opened its doors in 1937, but was forced to close in 2020 due to the pandemic. Arthur’s has hosted performances as well as long term residencies over the years by some of the biggest names in jazz such as Charlie Parker, Mabel Godwin, Al Bundy and The Grove Street Stompers.
Kermit Ruffins at Arthur’s NYC
Jazz trumpeter Ruffins had the honor of performing at the reopening. His band includes Yoshitaka “Z2” Tsuji on piano, Kevin Morris on bass and Jerry Anderson on drums.
I’m just a small jazz player from New Orleans, and all of a sudden I’m sitting right here. It’s full circle to be sitting here knowing the history of this place and I’m so excited.
Kermit Ruffins, just before going on stage
Ruffins, born in New Orleans, is not only a trumpeter, but a singer, composer and actor. His influences include Louis Armstrong and Louis Jordan. He plays himself in the HBO Series Treme and also owns a bar in his hometown called Kermit’s Treme Mother-In-Law Lounge. Ruffins has also sat in with Jon Batiste and Stay Human on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
Arthur’s has a very intimate atmosphere and offers live music every night with no cover charge. The staff is also very friendly and accommodating. It’s one of the best spots in the village and has a very “Old New York” vibe. You can see all of their upcoming events here.
Borderland Festival returns to Knox Farm State Park in East Aurora, just 30 minutes southeast of Buffalo, over September 17-18, 2022. The unique music experience rooted in community brings headliners The Flaming Lips, Portugal. The Man., Michael Franti and Spearhead and many more for an end to summer gathering in Western New York.
The two-day festival will host more than 20 bands across three stages with a diverse mix of national and regional, rock, country and Americana artists performing at the historic and picturesque Knox Farm.
Additional artists include Keller Williams’ Grateful Gospel – featuring an eight-person Gospel Choir that accompanies Keller as he performs Grateful Dead songs; The Infamous Stringdusters, Grammy Award winners for Best Bluegrass Album in 2018; Donna the Buffalo, Buffalo’s own beloved bluegrass and rock band, Driftwood, the New York-based and female fronted bluegrass band and The Big Easy of Buffalo presenting Dumpstaphunk, a storied funk and jam band from New Orleans.
We went a little out of the box this year with our headliners. This is the 4th year for Borderland and every year we aim to make it better and more memorable for both our loyal fans and newcomers. We know the talent we have lined up will bring an unparalleled energy to the stage, and throw in a few surprises along the way. We are always looking to expand and grow and can’t wait to share this with Western New York. We are so proud to host this festival, supporting local business, local artists and as always environmental awareness.
Jennifer Brazil, festival producer and owner
In addition to live music, you’ll find local artisans, vendors, a Sunday football zone near the Homespun Stage with local bands performing, live painting, local craft beer, food and culinary experiences. A curated kids area with face painting, games and music is free for all kids 10 and under.
Two-Day General Admission tickets for the 2022 Borderland Festival are for $149 with 2-Day & 3-Day VIP tickets available. The 3-Day Trailblazer VIP Ticket includes a Friday Night reception at the Knox Mansion, featuring live music from Borderland artists, culinary experience, and a cash bar featuring local craft beer and spirits. Kids 10 and under are free with a parent or guardian.
After a multi-year hiatus, the Blues Ignition Band will start up opening day performances for the 2022 New York State Blues Festival from Saturday June 16 to 18.
The free event, which reaches its 30th anniversary this year, will take place at Chevy Court inside the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse.
Reggie Seigler, the coordinator of this year’s Blues Ignition Band.
The Blues Ignition Band is part of the festival’s youth development program, along with the K.J. James Memorial Scholarship and Blues In The Schools. Blues Ignition offers kids 18 and younger the opportunity to audition for spots in the group, and those selected are led by an instructor heading up to the day of their performance.
The Blues Ignition Band’s leader in 2022 band is Reggie Seigler, the coordinator of JAMS. (Joined Artists, Musicians, Singers, Inc.) A 501(c)(3) non-profit based in Syracuse, JAMS’ mission “is to enhance the local arts scene through the offerings of diverse creative artists.” Seigler is also a columnist for The Stand, a publication which covers news and current events in Syracuse’s South Side.
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 Robert Randolph Foundation announces Juneteenth Unityfest 2022, a national experience uniting diverse voices in commemoration and celebration of Juneteenth and Black culture.
Juneteenth is an important holiday to celebrate in the black community because it is the day when the last enslaved people were made aware of the Emancipation Proclamation.
The celebration will have many different entertainment, education, and activism events featuring performances by some of the world’s leading gospel artists, including Tye Tribbett, Deborah Cox, Israel Houghton, Mali Music, and more. It will celebrate black artists and provide a platform to unite a coalition of charitable grassroots organizations.
Grammy-nominated African-American artist Robert Randolph, founder of the Robert Randolph Foundation spoke about the importance of celebrating Juneteenth in a statement.
Juneteenth is a day to remember America’s past, recognize the resilience and strength of Black people, and celebrate the progress we have made. This year, given that Juneteenth falls on Sunday and on Father’s Day, we also wanted to celebrate the role that gospel music and the church have had in uplifting the Black community over the years, and celebrate the stories of Black fathers who are working to uplift their own communities and families at home.
Juneteenth Unityfest Schedule
JUNETEENTH UNITYFEST Block Party Location: Under the K Bridge, Greenpoint, Brooklyn Time: 2pm-7pm EST Partnership: In partnership with Heal America, KeiStar Productions, NAACBurners, and House of Yes
JUNETEENTH UNITYFEST Concert at BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Location: Lena Horne Bandshell at Prospect Park – Brooklyn Time: 7:30pm-10pm EST Partnership: In partnership with BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn and Heal America
JUNETEENTH After Party Experience Location: Brooklyn Bowl (61 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn) Time: 10:30-12am EST
