Beloved R&B and soul saxophonist musician James Casey will posthumously release his debut album, The Kauai Project, on Wednesday, August 28. The album’s release will come one year after he passed away from colon cancer at age 40.
Although James Casey only recently emerged on New York City’s R&B and soul scene, he has been making waves in the music industry for years. From touring with classic funk band Lettuce to joining Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio’s solo band to sharing the stage with legends like The Roots, Chaka Khan, J. Cole, Wu-Tang and Dave Matthews Band, Casey has accomplished more than most musicians could ever hope. This makes it all the more surprising that Casey had never released music under his own name until the 2020s.
Casey’s attitude towards his musical legacy abruptly shifted gears, though, when he was diagnosed with Stage III colorectal cancer at just 38 years of age in August 2021, which served as an awakening in so many ways. Deciding to make the most of his time, both for himself and for others, Casey let go of all limits to his musical career and, for the first time, prioritized his own musical legacy.
The seeds of his debut, The Kauai Project, were planted while he lived on the Hawaiian island of Kauai for nearly two years. While working on a COVID-era side project, Casey produced tracks with acapella samples to promote his and fellow musicians’ virtual live stream events. The resulting catalog of beats became the foundation and inspiration for his solo debut. Alongside Casey’s announcement of his plans for The Kauai Project, he released his first single, “New Bloom,” in March 2023.
In turn, Casey produced a mini-documentary to highlight his journey of stepping out as a solo artist in parallel to the stark reality of his terminal diagnosis. He aimed to transform his difficult reality into a call to action for others to avoid his fate—to be their own health advocate, get colonoscopies, and know your family history of cancer. “The thing about colon cancer is it is preventable if you catch it early enough,” Casey told the Today Show in March 2023, sharing how the lyrics for “New Bloom” were his mantra for positivity in the face of any circumstance. “If I’ve got today then that’s enough, I can do something with this time.”
Entrusting the EP’s final act to his close musical family, the last single from The Kauai Project, “This Place (pars Animus)”, will release on August 28. The song is a tribute to his band Animus Rexx, an explosive fusion project established with musicians Randy Runyon, Reuben Cainer, BIGYUKI, and Justin Tyson. Runyon and Cainer provided the song’s finishing touches, while his wife, Ayla Casey, laid the groundwork to carry his mission and debut EP forward.
“I am beyond grateful to help honor James’ life with the culmination of a project that meant so much to him,” said Ayla Casey. “James did not want his absence to weigh on us – please join me in celebrating the love and joy his music continues to cultivate.”
Following his passing, Casey’s family and friends hosted a sold-out memorial party at the Brooklyn Bowl in November 2023, which featured performances by Trey Anastasio, Louis Cato, Nikki Glaspie, Jennifer Hartswick, Brady Watt, and dozens of other musicians that shared the stage with James throughout his career. The benefit concert raised more than $32,000 to support cancer charities hand-picked by Casey for their work in the community.
The Kauai Project limited-edition vinyl pre-order is available now via Relix Marketplace, with vinyl shipments starting in September. For more information about James Casey’s life, advocacy and music, and to pre-order The Kauai Project, visit here.
Hailing from Amsterdam, New York, three-piece genre-bending instrumental band, TV Doctors, is a group on the rise. Hot off the heels of their most recent live album earlier this year, TV Doctors continue to make their mark with their unique and intoxicating sound. The upstate trio’s passion for their craft has led them on a mission to play some of the most unpredictable and entertaining live shows in the region.
Photo Credit: Ed Conway
Who Are TV Doctors?
Comprised of Evan Conway, Bob Morris, and Josh Witmer, TV Doctors was informally created just before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. After Witmer reached out to Morris, whom he had previously been in a band with to ask about the possibility of forming a new band, Morris agreed and also recommended his bass-playing friend, Conway, as another addition. With that, the trio of TV Doctors was formed. The three only initially jammed for fun, but that all changed once the pandemic went into full swing. With all of them having nothing else to do, Conway cleaned out his garage, and the three played together in opposite corners at every opportunity they got. The name of TV Doctors came about from Morris, who kept on seeing celebrities like Doctor Phil and Doctor Oz whenever he would turn on the TV and thought it would be an entertaining theme to roll with.
Once Conway, Morris and Witmer learned to play as a unit, everything else for fell into place for TV Doctors. “It was like zero effort. Playing together was just a fun thing to do every week, and then it kind of took off,” Witmer said. In fact, one of the only dilemmas any of them had about the band was how to describe the music they make. On their website, they categorize themselves as a mix of psychedelic rock, funk, soul, dub, beats, and noise, but the walls between genres often blur, making a truly one-of-a-kind sound. With the trio’s list of musical inspirations including Frank Zappa, King Crimson, Brian Eno, James Brown, J Dilla and the Wu-Tang Clan, TV Doctors’ refusal to conform to one genre only makes sense.
Music and Performance Styles
Although TV Doctors have a laundry list of styles they dabble in, the most unique aspect of their performances is completely unrelated. All TV Doctors shows are a mixture of pre-planned and improvised songs, making no two shows alikeâone of the many reasons that seeing them live once is not enough. During live shows, the band will play something that they have practiced before, but if one of them gets a fun idea of where to take the track, they will do so, and the rest will go along.
“It’s like a launch pad for ADHD,” Conway noted. While playing for keen-eared crowds improvisationally may sound like a stressful situation, the doctors take the challenge in stride. “I have absolutely no nerves going into a show with this band,” said Conway. “It’s kind of like a Ouija board, actually. We’re one brain now. Eventually, we’re going to get the message out.”
As the pandemic slowly subsided in 2022 and 2023, TV Doctors began playing more and more live shows. In March of 2022, the trio released their first live project: recordings from a set they had at Rare Form Brewery in Troy. Since then, the band has put out three more live albums, with the most recent being Live at Wolf Hollow Brewing Co., which was released this past February.
An Improved TV Doctors
As a result of the experience TV Doctors have racked up through practices and public shows, they have gotten more and more comfortable handling their on-the-fly live decision-making skills. “I think that we’re getting to a spot where we can play back and forth. Those moments where things explode and get crazy are super fun, but they’re a little bit more strategic than they used to be,” Witmer said. Conway then added, “We’re also spending more time actually writing the songs. Sometimes we’ll play through something [in practice] and be like, ‘No, that kind of sucks. Let’s drop that. Let’s try this other thing the next time around.’”
TV Doctors are almost always working on something new, and now is no different. Conway and Witmer noted that one of their goals for the near future is to make a short video package that coincides with an album release. Knowing the band’s creativity and consistency, whatever their next project turns out to be is guaranteed to be equally fun and mind-bending.
For anyone looking to experience the doctors live, multiple shows in Gloversville, Schenectady and Albany are coming up in the next couple of months. Keep up with TV Doctors through their Facebook, Instagram and X accounts, and stream their music here.
See below for more information on their upcoming live shows.
Upcoming Shows
9/13 – Glove Theater – 42 N Main St – Gloversville, NY
10/25 – Wolf Hollow Brewing – 6882 Amsterdam Rd – Schenectady, NY
Following the resounding success of last year’s program, the Cooperstown Summer Music Festival has announced the return of “Bach Again,” an evening dedicated to the timeless works of Johann Sebastian Bach. This performance will take place on Tuesday, August 20 at Christ Episcopal Church in Cooperstown, NY, and concludes this summer’s Cooperstown Music Festival season.
Founded in 1999 by flutist Linda Chesis, the Cooperstown Summer Music Festival has been bringing world-class chamber music performances to the Cooperstown area for over 25 years. The festival has featured performances by the American, Juilliard, St. Lawrence, Jupiter, and Jasper String Quartets, Stefon Harris, Bill Charlap, Kurt Elling, Simone Dinnerstein, Mark O’Connor, John Pizzarelli, the Sonia Olla Flamenco Dance Company, and many more. Concerts are held in venues across Cooperstown, including the grand Otesaga Hotel, The Farmers’ Museum, and Christ Church (the church of author James Fenimore Cooper).
What is “Bach Again?”
To cap off this summer’s successful series, “Bach Again,” an evening dedicated to the timeless works of Johann Sebastian Bach, will be making its return on August 20 at 7 p.m. Violinist Rachell Ellen Wong, a rising star in the world of Baroque music and winner of a prestigious Avery Fisher Grant, will join an equally illustrious ensemble of musicians, including cellist Wolfram Koessel, harpsichordist Bradley Brookshire, and flutist Linda Chesis, Festival Founder and Artistic Director, for a concert exploring Bach’s rich body of work.
Described by the legendary pianist Glenn Gould as “the greatest architect of sound who ever lived,” J. S. Bach is arguably the most influential and most beloved composer in the history of Western classical music. Intensely personal yet profoundly universal, his music has inspired devotion in countless generations of musicians and listeners alike.
The concert on August 20th offers audiences an opportunity to sample a cross-section of the composer’s varied instrumental sonatas, including the monumental Chaconne in D minor and the Trio Sonata from The Musical Offering. The performance will also feature Glimmerglass Festival Young Artist Winona Martin, mezzo-soprano, who will offer renditions of Bach’s beloved arias.
Theories abound as to why Bach’s music remains so compelling to audiences throughout the ages, but perhaps the answer is simple. “Bach’s music speaks to that part of us all that yearns for beauty and goodness,” says Festival Artistic Director Linda Chesis. “Every time we encounter his music, we experience that yearning anew.”
How To Purchase
Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the enduring beauty of Bach’s compositions in the intimate setting of Christ Episcopal Church. Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for students and children. Tickets can be purchased in advance, either online or over the phone, by calling 800-316-8559 and selecting option 1. Please note that there is a $2 service fee per phone order. Tickets will also be available for purchase at the door if any remain.
Spaghetti Eastern Music, the solo project of genre-leaping Hudson Valley/NYC guitarist Sal Cataldi, is returning with a new EP, Drone Girl – the Soundtrack Sessions, featuring selections from the soundtrack of Drone Girl, a new short by filmmaker/choreographer Charles Dennis. Ahead of the full EP arriving on August 15, Cataldi has also released a single titled “Drone Girl Theme (Take 2).”
With Spaghetti Eastern Music, Cataldi traverses three distinct musical styles: acid jazz-fueled electric guitar instrumentals, lush ambient soundscapes, and bare-bones acoustic vocal ballads straight out of the Nick Drake school. Spaghetti Eastern’s debut project — 2016’s Sketches of Spam — made waves with positive reviews. Followed by several acclaimed EPs and singles. Moreover, Cataldi’s work has garnered airplay on leading outlets locally and abroad, including SiriusXM, WFUV’s “Mixed Bag,” WFMU, WKCR-New York, Radio Woodstock, and many others.
For Drone Girl – the Soundtrack Sessions, his latest project, Cataldi collaborated with two notable Woodstock-based musicians: veteran bassist Jeff Keithline and percussionist Mark Peritz. Together, they crafted a multi-layered soundscape with strong melodic themes—one that perfectly complements Drone Girl’s dreamy imagery.
Additionally. the film features African-American dancer/performer Stacey Smith in a duet dance with a flying drone aircraft and follows her as she escapes her Brooklyn basement apartment, grabs a backpack with her drone, and drives upstate to an open field with a view of the Catskill Mountains. After arriving, Smith dons a chest harness with a Go-Pro camera that records her viewpoint of moving with the drone. She dances through the field as the drone tracks her and she tracks the drone while a third camera captures a wider view of their relationship. The 12-minute film represents the tender expression of the relationship between a human and a drone.
How It All Came Together
To work with the short film’s vision, Cataldi utilized a vintage Fender Stratocaster, an Ebow sustainer, a string emulator, reverb, fuzz tone, a harmonizer, phasing, and two delay pedals to conjure complex loops—which he slowed down, sped up, and reversed—to complement Dennis’ narrative. As a result Cataldi’s sounds are accented by Jeff Keithline’s creative and propulsive bass plucking and bowing and Peritz’s deep tribal beats. Moreover, the tracks were recorded live with no overdubs. “Spaghetti Eastern Music’s score for Drone Girl really drives the film and enhances its otherworldly atmosphere,” said Dennis. “Sal, Jeff, and Mark are a magical trio of improvisers who bring a flavor that is both deeply funky and transcendent to the film.”
Dennis, an interdisciplinary artist who creates dance, performance art, and filmworks, is no novice in the art world. Additionally, he worked extensively with theater director Robert Wilson in the 1970s, and in the 1980s, co-founded Performance Space 122 (P.S. 122) and regularly presented solo and group works there for over 25 years. Dennis has received fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York Foundation for the Arts, and Franklin Furnace. In 2023, he received a fellowship from Arts Mid-Hudson for his performance work, “Recycle Me,” which also featured an original score by Spaghetti Eastern Music.
Spaghetti Eastern’s new EP, Drone Girl – the Soundtrack Sessions, will be available on August 15 via Bandcamp, Spotify, iTunes, Amazon, and other online shops and streaming services. The lead-off track, “Drone Girl Theme (Take 2),” is currently available everywhere.
Cataldi, Keithline and Peritz will be performing Drone Girl – the Soundtrack Sessions alongside other music at the Opus 40 sculpture park in Saugerties on August 18. For more information, visit here.
Four-piece alt-rock and shoegaze band, Shower Curtain, has released “wish u well,” the lead single of their upcoming debut album, words from a wishing well, set to release on October 18.
Photo credit: Nicole Miller @neptunne
Shower Curtain, a band made up of Brazilian-American vocalist Victoria Winter, Cody Hudgins (Crate) on bass, Ethan Williams (Punchlove) on guitar and Sean Terrell (Fasting) on drums, has been making waves in the NYC alt-rock and shoegaze scenes. Initially debuting in 2020 with a self-titled EP, the band has been building up to a full-length debut, out in October. In the time since their debut EP, Shower Curtain has kept busy, releasing Something Instead, a follow-up EP in 2021, and “meus passos” and “edgar,” two singles last year. Last year’s singles represented a significant milestone in the band’s journey, signaling an artistic evolution from bedroom pop to sludgy rock after a two-year hiatus. As a result, the band has now come into their own. Moreover, Shower Curtain has found a home within Brooklyn’s emerging slowcore and shoegaze scene.
words from a wishing well album cover
About The Single
Their newest offering and first taste off of the upcoming debut record, “wish u well,” offers a connecting thread into words from a wishing well, combining the pop tendencies of early Shower Curtain music with heavier production. One of the last songs written for words from a wishing well, Winter and Williams crafted “wish u well” across a pair of whirlwind sessions in the final days of tracking. “‘wish u well’ is about the feeling of having the rug swept from underneath you,” said Winter.
In a lot of ways, I think this song is a lot of what my teenage self wished the project could create. That vision has long changed, and I am definitely aware of this song not having the more shoegaze and heavier grunge elements that represent the project’s new phase and is more similar to the old phase of Shower Curtain. Yet, I still think its production is unmatched and next level between Ethan and I.
– Victoria Winter
Additionally, a music video, directed by Trevor Scholl and starring Brenna Gonzalez, has been released and features Gonzalez picking up emotional baggage to the point of exhaustion. “It’s an ode to the mentally healing aspect of going for a walk and how stepping out invites the unexplainable. I wanted to capture the sense of exploration found in fantasy films while capturing places we frequent and not relying on overtly “magical” props. ‘wish u well’ is a wistful and bittersweet song. I ultimately wanted to extend these emotions with a daydream in a video,” said Scholl about the making of the video.
Keep up with Shower Curtain on their Instagram and stream “wish u well” on all platforms. See below for some upcoming shows from the band.
JAM, a documentary about the well-known 2004 traffic jam that happened due to masses of phans driving through Vermont to catch the at-the-time last Phish show ever, was released to the public on August 5, nearly 20 years after the legendary event.
Releasing almost exactly 20 years after Phish’s farewell show in Vermont, JAM is a 30-minute documentary short film chronicling the epic 2004 traffic jam in Vermont, where tens of thousands of Phish fans struggled through days of gridlock, resulting in one of the most profound traffic jams in history.
When Phish announced that their August 2004 shows in Coventry, Vermont, would be their last ever, it was a no-brainer to expect record levels of fan turnout. What wasn’t expected, though, was the severe rain that ravaged Vermont throughout the weeks leading up to the shows. Even with the rain, thousands and thousands of fans still made the trip to Coventry, but another issue arose: those making the trip directly caused one of the most iconic traffic jams ever. The overwhelming number of cars backing up Interstate 91 eventually reached a dead halt, which led to many fans simply leaving their cars on the side of the road and trekking to the venue.
For those who were able to get there, the grounds were so covered in deep and thick mud, making everyday tasks like eating and cleaning oneself a massive challenge. But despite all of the adversities Phishheads faced, thousands still showed out, making one of the most iconic weekends not only in rock history, but in all of music history.
JAM features on-camera interviews with attending fans, including Aron Ralston (renowned outdoorsman and motivational speaker), retired Vermont State Police Seargent Bruce Melendy (key figure in managing the crisis), concert promoter Dave Werlin, spokesman Adam Lewis and Matt Maxwell of Maxwell’s Neighborhood Farm (concert venue).
The film is based on extensive footage recorded by Alex Daltas, a longtime Phish fan since age 16. His video footage is believed to be the most comprehensive account of the traffic jam, enhanced by retrospective interviews and archival footage collected over two decades. Witness history’s most powerful traffic story, taking you back to a time before smartphones when the love of music burned brightest.
JAM debuted with advance screenings at the Coventry Community Center on August 2nd and 3rd and released fully to the public on August 5. JAM is available to buy and rent here.
New York City-based roots singer/songwriter Danielia Cotton has released “So Afraid of Losing You Again,” the third single off of her upcoming Charley Pride tribute album: Charley’s Pride: A Tribute to Black Country Music.
Cotton’s passion for the late Pride’s music largely came from early life inspirations, which will be fully shared with the world when the album releases on August 29.
Danielia Cotton began her musical journey in Hopewell, NJ, influenced by classic rock icons like AC/DC and Led Zeppelin. Her passion for music was ignited at age 12 when her mother gifted her a guitar. Cotton made history as the first in her family’s three generations to attend college, graduating from Bennington College before launching her career in New York City’s vibrant music scene. With experience opening for iconic artists such as Gregg Allman, Bon Jovi, Robert Randolph, and Aimee Mann, Cotton has shown time and time again that her artistry translates to success and respect from the industry.
Cotton is set to release her Charley Pride tribute EP, Charley’s Pride: A Tribute to Black Country Music, on August 29th. Known for her soul-stirring voice described as “soulful enough to fill a revival tent” by The New York Times, Cotton draws inspiration from Charley Pride’s timeless songs that resonate with everyday life. This project holds a profound personal connection, inspired by a conversation with her 103-year-old grandmother about her late grandfather’s secret admiration for Charley Pride during a time when it was uncommon for Black people to openly listen to country music. In fact, Cotton considers this album to be not only a tribute to Pride but also to her family, especially her grandparents.
The newest single from the EP, “So Afraid of Losing You Again,” perfectly encapsulates the magic of Pride’s 1969 original while also showing off Cotton’s powerhouse vocal range. It’s difficult not to get goosebumps when hearing Cotton belt out “I’d love to wake up in your arms tomorrow” in the song’s main chorus. In the verses, she wonderfully emulates Pride’s smooth and flowing melodies with her own personal touches. Overall, Cotton perfectly toes a fine line between simply redoing Pride’s original and altering it too much to where it comes off as a remix, which will hopefully translate into her upcoming full-length later this month.
Stream “So Afraid of Losing You Again” on all streaming platforms. For more information on Cotton and her upcoming shows and music, visit her website here.
The Park Theater Foundation has announced a brand new music series, Adirondack Americana, which will take place at The Hub in Brant Lake, NY. The free series will run on Saturdays between 9/14 and 10/12, with all three shows beginning at 4 p.m.
The Hub, located in the hamlet of Brant Lake, is a bike shop, restaurant and small show venue. Sitting right next to the beautiful Brant Lake, The Hub is an idyllic place to stop before hopping in a kayak or starting one of the many nearby hikes.
Expanding on their annual Summer Series Concerts in Glens Falls, The Park Theater Foundation is now bringing operations 30 minutes north to The Hub with an all-new three-weekend series of free-to-the-public shows. Already a frequent venue for live music, The Hub is one of the best venues in the region to host a local series. All shows will run on Saturdays, beginning at 4 p.m., and will feature a mix of local and nationally acclaimed artists.
“We are thrilled to announce the expansion of our free music series by introducing Adirondack Americana. The success of our Summer Series Concerts at the Crandall Park Bandshell is beyond anything I could have imagined. Over the last four years, we have welcomed a wide variety of acts to our area and helped to create a family-friendly environment where folks from near and far can enjoy quality entertainment for free! I am looking forward to extending the spirit of our Summer Series Concerts to our neighbors in Brant Lake this fall, and work alongside our friend and supporter, Drew Cappabianca. The expansion of the series allows us to take our programming to the northern parts of Warren County and provide an additional outlet for the performing arts in our region. Make your plans for Adirondack Americana – we can’t wait to see you in the fall!”
Not much is better than a day in nature followed by some good eats and live music, so take some time to plan a day in Brant Lake and cap it off with dinner and a show at The Hub.
For more information visit here. See below for the full series lineup.
2024 Adirondack Americana Lineup
Saturday – 09/14 – Reese Fulmer & The Carriage House Band
Reese Fulmer & The Carriage House Band challenge the traditional relationship between a songwriter and his band, with a fluidly rotating cast of top-notch players and a flair for experimentation that combine for a unique and mesmerizing live performance. They also won the Thomas Edison Capital Region Music Awards “Americana Artist of the Year” in 2023 and 2024.
Saturday – 09/28 – Joseph Terrell & Blue Cactus
Most widely known by music fans as a member of the indie-Americana band Mipso, Terrell is well-accustomed to pushing the boundaries of traditional genres into new musical territory. Blue Cactus makes “Dream Country”: a blend of grit, glitz, groove, and twang that evokes a celestial soundscape of mid-century heartbreak and harkens comparisons as eclectic and iconic as Bobbie Gentry, Fleetwood Mac, and David Bowie.
“A subtle but beautiful elegance… If you’ve ever wondered where country and Americana music is going, look no further. Blue Cactus is painting pictures of limitless possibility.”
No Depression Journal
Saturday – 10/12 – Little Saints
Based in Saratoga Springs, NY, Little Saints have crafted a style they call their own somewhere between Americana, indie-folk, and modern soul.
“Spearheaded by songwriter Natalie Santini – her powerfully sultry voice alone would make anything sound soulful – [Little Saints has established themselves as] a force to be reckoned with.”
Mariah Carey, the queen of Christmas, has just announced a 2024 Christmas tour, visiting 20 cities across the U.S. with two stops in New York State: one in Belmont Park and the other in Brooklyn.
The annual tour is particularly special this year, with 2024 marking the 30th anniversary of her Merry Christmas album and âAll I Want For Christmas Is You.â
The best-selling female artist of all time, with over 200 million records sold, Mariah Carey, has announced her highly-anticipated annual Christmas extravaganza is back and going national. Careyâs Christmas Time will visit 20 cities across the country, including a stop at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, on Friday, December 13; UBS Arena in Belmont Park, NY, on Sunday, December 15; and Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY, on Tuesday, December 17, 2024.
This tour marks Carey’s grandest holiday spectacle to date and is the first of many surprises she has in store to celebrate the 30th anniversary of her legendary album Merry Christmas and its record-shattering single “All I Want For Christmas Is You.” The show will feature the global superstar’s timeless holiday classics alongside fan-favorite chart-toppers, promising an unforgettable festive experience.
Tickets will be available starting with a Verizon presale beginning Tuesday, August 6. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general on-sale beginning on Friday, August 9 at 10 a.m. at LiveNation.com. Fans can also purchase VIP packages, which may include premium tickets, access to the pre-show VIP Lounge, exclusive VIP merch items and more. VIP package contents vary based on the offer selected. For more information, visit here. See below for the full list of tour dates.
Photo Credit: Jeff Kravitz / Getty
Full Tour
Wed Nov 06 | Highland, CA | Yaamava Theater
Fri Nov 08 | Los Angeles, CA | Hollywood Bowl
Wed Nov 13 | Greater Palm Springs, CA | Acrisure Arena
Fri Nov 15 | Phoenix, AZ | Footprint Center
Sun Nov 17 | Austin, TX | Moody Center
Tue Nov 19 | Houston, TX | Toyota Center
Thu Nov 21 | Dallas, TX | American Airlines Center
Sat Nov 23 | Atlanta, GA | State Farm Arena
Mon Nov 25 | Nashville, TN | Bridgestone Arena
Wed Nov 27 | Rosemont, IL | Allstate Arena
Fri Nov 29 | St. Louis, MO | Enterprise Center
Sun Dec 01 | Washington, DC | Capital One Arena
Tue Dec 03 | Philadelphia, PA | Wells Fargo Center
The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEHOF) in Stony Brook has announced an updated list of upcoming August and early September shows, including a must-see performance from The Bangles’ Vicki Peterson alongside The Beach Boys’ John Cowsill, as well as a historic hall of fame induction ceremony and performance honoring legendary hip-hop artists Davy DMX, DJ Hurricane and DJ Jazzy Jay.
Founded in 2004, the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame is an organization dedicated to the idea that Long Island’s musical and entertainment heritage is an important resource to be celebrated and preserved for future generations. The organization, which encompasses New York State’s Nassau, Suffolk, Queens, and Kings (Brooklyn) Counties, was created as a place of community that explores Long Island music and entertainment in all its forms.
August 4th – Linda Sussman
Linda Sussman is an award-winning singer-songwriter whose music is an eclectic mix of folk, alternative-folk and blues. Her strong vocals are often compared those of Joan Baez, and her versatile guitar style includes open tunings and, at times, a touch of slide. Sussman has shared her music over the years on stages ranging from the iconic The Bitter End and Kenny’s Castaways in NYC’s West Village to Prospect Park in Brooklyn to Radio Bean in Burlington, VT. Since 2018, she has released five full-length albums, several of which have ranked #1 on the Roots Music Report’s Alternative Folk Album Chart. Her music has been played on over 100 radio programs across the U.S. and abroad. Sussman is most grateful to her studio musicians, Mike Nugent (lead guitarist) and Kevin Kelly (bassist and mixing engineer), with whom she continues to collaborate, and all the stellar musicians who have added spice to her albums. And although Sussman typically performs solo, she and Nugent can occasionally be found onstage together. Additionally, Sussman co-hosts the music series SongBreak with fellow singer-songwriter Josie Bello.
August 9th – Vicki Peterson (The Bangles) and John Cowsill (The Cowsills, The Beach Boys) *tickets required
Vicki Peterson (The Bangles) and John Cowsill (The Cowsills, The Beach Boys) have been married for 20 years and playing music together for… maybe two. Peterson is a founding member of the 1980s group The Bangles, one of the most successful bands of that decade. She later wrote and performed with her good friend (and eventual sister-in-law) Susan Cowsill as The Psycho Sisters; the duo soon found themselves absorbed into the New Orleans’ songwriters collective The Continental Drifters and remain with them today. The Bangles reunited in the 21st century to release four more albums, including a collection of rarities and a collaboration with the Los Angeles bands Dream Syndicate, Rain Parade and the Three O’Clock.
Cowsill began working in clubs, singing and playing drums with his brothers when he was seven years old. The band grew to include their mother and little sister, and The Cowsills became a sensation in the late 1960s, enjoying several Top 20 hits. In 1981 John did some session work, landing on the Tommy Tutone hit “867-5309 (Jenny)” and recorded and toured with Dwight Twilley. He also toured with Jan and Dean before becoming a mainstay of the Beach Boys touring band, playing guitar, piano, and finally sitting at the drum kit for over 20 years.
Peterson and Cowsill, along with their friend actor/musician Bill Mumy, recorded three albums as The Action Skulls, including a pandemic-themed bluegrass record and their latest, From A Running Horse, released just this year. A loving tribute featuring songs written by two of John’s brothers, Bill and Barry Cowsill, was recently finished by Peterson and Cowsill. Long After the Fire is due for release in early 2025.
For tickets and more information on this performance please visit here.
August 11th – Frank Latorre & the King Bees
Seasoned Long Island artist and musician Frank Latoree formed the King Bees in 1990. A five-time winner of the Long Island Blues Society, Latoree is a veteran in the industry. Now, as a three-piece blues rock ensemble with Louie Giusto on drums, Gary Grob Jr. on bass guitar and Latorre on lead vocals, guitar and harmonica, the King Bees will focus on original material written and arranged by Latorre.
August 18th – Shindig!
Shindig! is a classic rock band that has been playing on Long Island for thirty years. From bars and restaurants to outdoor public parks and private events, they’ve been entertaining the public since 1994. As the years have gone by, some band members have moved out of state and are involved in other musical projects, but these days the band gathers together once or twice a year and reunites for special occasions. “It’s like getting back on a bicycle; it all comes naturally,” say the band members. The special occasion this year is an upcoming performance at the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame in Stony Brook. For this special show, in addition to some original material, the band will be focused on performing covers of material by many of the Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame’s inductees.
August 24th – Performances & Induction of Hip Hop Legends DJ Hurricane, Davy DMX, and DJ Jazzy Jay with a performance by DJ Johnny Juice *tickets required
LIMEHOF will induct legendary hip-hop artists Davy DMX (Run-DMC, Kurtis Blow, The Fat Boys), DJ Hurricane (The Beastie Boys) and DJ Jazzy Jay (Def Jam) into the hall of fame on August 24th. The three are planning to perform and will be joined by LIMEHOF inductee DJ Johnny Juice (Public Enemy). “The induction of DJ Hurricane, Davy DMX, and DJ Jazzy Jay into the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame highlights the importance of DJs in hip-hop’s early days,” said LIMEHOF Vice Chairman Tom Needham. “These pioneers transformed the art of DJing, making it a central element of the genre and influencing countless artists. Their legacy is a vital part of hip-hop’s story, and we are proud to honor them.” This induction and performance ceremony will celebrate the monumental contributions of these legendary artists to the genre of hip-hop. They will join an impressive line-up of hip-hop performers from the region already inducted, including LL COOL J, Public Enemy, EPMD, Run-DMC, Kurtis Blow, Eric B. & Rakim, The Fat Boys, Salt-n-Pepa and Whodini.
DJ Hurricane
DJ Hurricane, born January 12, 1965, is renowned for his electrifying work with the Beastie Boys. Starting his journey in the Hollis, Queens area of New York City, DJ Hurricane honed his skills alongside Run D.M.C. and later became a pivotal figure in the Beastie Boys’ success. His career includes three solo albums featuring collaborations with prominent artists like Xzibit, Public Enemy, Kool G Rap, Black Thought, Papoose, and Talib Kweli. Known for his dynamic performances and innovative production, DJ Hurricane’s influence on hip-hop is immeasurable.
Davy DMX
Davy DMX, also known as David Franklin Reeves Jr., has left an indelible mark on hip hop through his collaborations with Run-DMC, Kurtis Blow, and The Fat Boys. An early associate of Russell Simmons and Larry Smith, Davy DMX’s work in the 1980s set the stage for many future hip-hop sounds. His solo album, “Davy’s Ride,” and his groundbreaking productions have been sampled by top artists like Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Common. Davy DMX’s contributions as a musician, songwriter, and producer have solidified his legacy in the genre.
DJ Jazzy Jay
DJ Jazzy Jay is a foundational figure in hip-hop, instrumental in the creation of Def Jam Recordings alongside Rick Rubin. Jazzy Jay met Rubin and assisted him in laying the foundation for what would become Def Jam Recordings. The label’s first official single was “It’s Yours” by T La Rock and DJ Jazzy Jay. Jazzy Jay also put out Def Jam’s third 12″ in 1985, entitled “Def Jam,” backed with “Cold Chillin’ In The Spot.” In 1986, he participated in the recording of Planet Rock – The Album. Jazzy Jay’s pioneering efforts include producing early recordings by A Tribe Called Quest, Diamond D, and Fat Joe. His own label, Strong City Records, and his influential studio in the Bronx have been critical in shaping the sound of hip-hop. As a DJ, producer, and mentor, Jazzy Jay’s impact on the music industry continues to resonate.
For tickets and more information on the induction ceremony please visit here.
August 25th – Joe Piket & the Storm
Joe Piket has been voted Long Island’s best piano entertainer for the last three years. The LIMEHOF is proud to present Joe Piket and the Storm to kick off their new season of Sunday concerts. Piket has written for movies, cable and television and performed with some very well-known musicians, including some of the musicians on his solo CD, Nine Times Framed. The critical acclaim he received for Nine Times Framed led to the formation of his current band, Joe Piket and the Storm. “People kept asking where they could hear these songs live, so I decided it was time to put a band together and get out and play again,” Piket said. Audiences in New York City and on Long Island have been blown away by Joe Piket and the Storm’s energy, their musical integrity, and their lyrical originality. They have appeared with Dee Snider of Twisted Sister, Randy Jackson of Zebra, and Jason Bonham, son of legendary Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham. They have also charted on CMJ, and their music is currently being played on most college radio stations. Rave reviews have appeared in Newsday, Good Times, Aural Fix, and L.I.E., as well as many online publications.
September 8th – James O’Malley
Brooklyn-born songwriter James O’Malley has composed some of the most endearing and relatable songs that a music lover could hear. Along the way, he’s appeared on TV, radio, concert stages, and festivals throughout the area. His influences include Tim Hardin, Chuck Pyle, Donovan, Joni Mitchell, Laura Nyro, Mickey Newbury, Mississippi John Hurt, Randy Newman, Big Bill Broonzy, Bert Jansch, Gordon Lightfoot, etc. and he learned his fingerpicking basics from legendary folk guitarist Eric Darling.
