Category: Folk/Americana

James Taylor Announces 2025 Tour, CMAC Stop in June

Legendary singer/songwriter James Taylor has announced his 2025 summer tour with his All-Star Band, covering 24 shows across the US and Canada.

The show’s penultimate performance will take place at Constellation Brands-Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center, colloquially known as CMAC.

The tour will see Taylor & His All-Star Band perform at a number of iconic venues and will kick off on May 5th in Phoenix, AZ and will conclude on July 1st in Gilford, NH.

As a recording and touring artist, James Taylor has touched people with his warm baritone voice and distinctive style of guitar-playing for more than 50 years, while setting a precedent to which countless young musicians have aspired. Over the course of his celebrated songwriting and performing career, Taylor has sold more than 100 million albums, earning gold, platinum and multi-platinum awards since the release of his self-titled debut album in 1968. In 2015, Taylor released Before This World, the first-ever #1 album of his illustrious career.

photo by James Sullivan, SPAC August 2021

Taylor has won multiple GRAMMY Awards, has been inducted into both the Rock and Roll and the prestigious Songwriters Halls of Fame and in February 2006, The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences selected him its MUSICARES Person of the Year. Taylor was also awarded the distinguished Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters by the French government and the National Medal of Arts by President Barack Obama in 2012.

In November of 2015, Taylor was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Nation’s highest civilian honor and in December of 2016 he received the Kennedy Center Honors, which are presented annually to individuals who have enriched American culture by distinguished achievement in the performing arts. In early 2020 Taylor released Break Shot, a deeply personal and authentic audio-only memoir detailing his first 21 years. He also released his newest album, American Standard, his 19th studio album, which earned Taylor the 2021 GRAMMY Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album and gave him the honor of being the first artist to have a Billboard Top 10 album in each of the past six decades.

photo by James Sullivan – SPAC August, 2021

Supporting Taylor will be Tiny Habits, a Boston-bred band that has been praised by the likes of NPR and The New Yorker. Last year, the group opened for Gracie Abrams on her North American and Australian tour dates, and also opened for Noah Kahan on his European tour. They have performed with Lizzy McAlpine on her Tiny Desk appearance, harmonized with Kacey Musgraves and Laufey among many others. The Habits released their debut album All For Something via Mom+Pop records in May of 2024. The band hit the road supporting Vance Joy and Lake Street Dive while finishing 2024 with a headline tour of Australia. Their latest single, ‘For Sale Sign’ with Lizzy McAlpine is out now.

Tickets for the 2025 summer tour dates go on sale to the public on Friday, December 13th at 10AM local time. For all upcoming routing, please see dates listed below and visit https://tour.jamestaylor.com/ for more information.

JAMES TAYLOR SUMMER 2025 TOUR DATES

5/5/2025 – Phoenix, AZ – Footprint Center

5/7/2025 – Palm Desert, CA – Acrisure Arena

5/8/2025 – Highland, CA – Yaamava Theater

5/10/2025 – San Diego, CA – Rady Shell

5/11/2025 – San Diego, CA – Rady Shell

5/13/2025 – Santa Barbara, CA – Santa Barbara Bowl

5/14/2025 – Santa Barbara, CA – Santa Barbara Bowl

5/16/2025 – Stanford, CA – Frost Amphitheater

5/17/2025 – Lincoln, CA – The Venue at Thunder Valley

5/19/2025 – Bend, OR – Hayden Homes Amphitheatre

5/21/2025 – Nampa, ID – Ford Amphitheater

5/23/2025 – Ridgefield, WA – RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheatre

5/25/2025 – Seattle, WA – Chateau St. Michelle Winery

5/26/2025 – Seattle, WA – Chateau St. Michelle Winery

6/13/2025 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks

6/14/2025 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks

6/17/2025 – St. Paul, MN – Xcel Center

6/19/2025 – Highland Park, IL – Ravinia

6/21/2025 – Milwaukee, WI – Summerfest*

6/23/2025 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center

6/24/2025 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center

6/27/2025 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage

6/29/2025 – Canandaigua, NY – CMAC

7/1/2025 – Gilford, NH – BankNH Pavilion

*tickets for Summerfest are on sale now

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSggzYGGSZQ

December 9, 2024
Trey Anastasio Will Resume Solo Tour in 2025

Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio is once again going out on a solo acoustic tour in 2025, his first one in three years. The tour starts on March 8 in Springfield, MA at Symphony Hall and will cover a large swath of the Midwest and Southeast regions of the country through early April. It includes one New York gig on March 12 in Rochester at Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre. See all tour dates listed below.

Real-time presales begin Wednesday, December 4 exclusively via treytickets.shop.ticketstoday.com. All remaining tickets will go on sale to the general public on Friday, December 6 – check venues for on-sale times. For complete details, please see trey.com/tour.

TREY ANASTASIO – SOLO ACOUSTIC TOUR 2025

MARCH

8 – Springfield, MA – Symphony Hall

9 – Boston, MA – Wang Theatre at Boch Center

11 – Wilkes-Barre, PA – The F.M. Kirby Center

12 – Rochester, NY – Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre

14 – Columbus, OH – Mershon Auditorium

15 – Milwaukee, WI – Riverside Theater

16 – Nashville, IN – Brown County Music Center

18 – Chicago, IL – Orchestra Hall

19 – Kansas City, MO – Uptown Theatre

21 – New Orleans, LA – Saenger Theatre

22 – Birmingham, AL – Alabama Theatre

23 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium

26 – Orlando, FL – Walt Disney Theater at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

28 – Clearwater, FL – Ruth Eckerd Hall

29 – Savannah, GA – Johnny Mercer Theatre

30 – Charleston, SC – Gaillard Auditorium

APRIL

1 – Knoxville, TN – Tennessee Theatre

2 – Greenville, SC – Peace Concert Hall

4 – Washington, DC – Warner Theatre

5 – Red Bank, NJ – Count Basie Center for the Arts

December 3, 2024
New York Series: Syracuse Fight Song ‘Down the Field’

Originally profiled in 2018, we take a look at the Syracuse Fight Song “Down the Field,” its origins and place in Syracuse University history.

The month of March signifies the end of winter, and the hope that Spring brings. It reintroduces the world to sunlight after 6 pm, walking around in a single layer of clothing, and the occasional bunny in your backyard. While some people look forward to eating lamb on Easter Sunday or drinking their weight in green beer on St. Patrick’s Day, there is only one thing on the minds of people from Syracuse during the month of March: Basketball.

The 2018 NCAA Tournament is set to begin, and features Syracuse playing Arizona State in a First Four Midwest Region game at 9:10 pm on March 14 in Dayton, Ohio. There you will hear buzzers buzzing, fans cheering, and the infamous Syracuse fight song ‘Down the Field’ played by the Sour Sitrus Society.

Originally written in 1914 by Ralph Murphy (Class of 1916) and composed by Harold Lewis (Class of 1915), Syracuse University’s fight song has stood the test of time.It’s used as a device to pump up the crowd and draw support for the team, and something every Syracuse University student and alumni has etched in their brains for life.

Katie Canete, Drum Major of the Syracuse University Marching Band (SUMB) in 2017, was one of three who conducted/lead the band through every rehearsal and performance. The marching band consists of approximately 200 members, and is one of the oldest collegiate bands in the nation.

“’’Down the Field,’ or better known as Syracuse University’s fight song, is played and sung by the Syracuse University Marching Band at every home football game and Sour Sitrus Society at every home basketball game,” Canete said. “A lot of the fans don’t know all of the words, but the entire crowd always claps along once they hear the tune! It’s infectious!”

The SUMB’s home turf is the Carrier Dome, a domed sports stadium located on Syracuse University’s campus in the University Hill neighborhood. It holds nearly 50,000 people for football games, 35,446 for basketball games, and 56,250 for concerts. Additionally, the SUMB can be see playing local parades and other assorted performances throughout the year. As March Madness begins, you can be sure to hear the Rah! Rah! Rah’s of ‘Down the Field’ when Syracuse scores some big points.

‘Down the Field’ Lyrics

Down, down the field goes old Syracuse,
Just see those backs hit the line and go thro’.
Down, down the field they go marching,
Fighting for the Orange staunch and true.

Rah! Rah! Rah!

Vict’ry’s in sight for old Syracuse,
Each loyal son knows she ne’er more will lose,
For we’ll fight, yes, we’ll fight, and with all our might
For the glory of Syracuse.

December 1, 2024
Alice’s Restaurant: An American Thanksgiving Tradition

On a fateful Thanksgiving Day in 1965 in a Norman Rockwell town in Massachusetts, events began to unfold which would alter the life course of Arlo Guthrie in unexpected ways. He documented his story in a finger-picked folk song with the well-known chorus, “You can get anything you want at Alice’s Restaurant.”

What starts as a kind-hearted gesture to take out the garbage for friends Alice and Ray on Thanksgiving turns into a humorous romp through legal and bureaucratic systems, with a punchline about being deemed ineligible for the Vietnam War draft. Lasting in excess of 18 minutes, “Alice’s Restaurant Massacree” filled up an entire side of Guthrie’s first album. He never expected it to gain any airplay. However, in the politically-charged climate of late 60’s and early 70’s, the song became an anthem for war draftees and protesters.

The 1969 film Alice’s Restaurant features some of the people who were involved in the events, including a cameo by Alice Brock, who is immortalized in the song’s title. Radio stations began to play the song every year on Thanksgiving, a tradition that continues half a century later.

Today, Guthrie operates the Guthrie Center, which promotes cultural and spiritual experiences. The Institute is located at the church featured in the iconic song, and remains a pilgrimage destination for fans around the world.

November 28, 2024
In Focus: Mikaela Davis Brings Solo+Acoustic Tour to Homer

Melodic harp sounds reverberated through the Center for the Arts in Homer on Wednesday November 20, as Mikaela Davis brought her Solo+Acoustic tour to the refurbished church. John Lee Shannon opened the show.

Davis has risen to stardom over the last several years, thanks to a nearly relentless touring schedule. The Rochester native and classically trained harpist has performed muti-week residencies through out various music venues across New York State on several occasions the last two years. Those shows saw Davis joined by her band, Southern Star, and took on a very upbeat, jam-oriented vibe. For this run of dates, Davis stripped her music to its core, performing on either the harp or keyboard.

The evening opened with a set by John Lee Shannon. Shannon performed a 40 minute set of acoustic instrumental tracks, primarily off of Shannon’s 2020 release In & Of.

After a brief intermission, Davis took to the stage and took seat at her harp. She opened with the hauntingly beautiful “Cinderella” (off her latest release, And Southern Star), and followed up with “A Letter I’ll Never Send” and “In My Groove”. Stripped down to their foundation, the songs took on a different life and allowed Davis’ songwriting to shine. Davis would take turns performing on the harp and keyboard, while opener John Lee Shannon would add acoustic guitar for a new offering from Davis, “Rose Colored Glasses”.

Early in the show, Davis stated that this was the first time she felt nervous performing in a very long time. She talked about the fears that the audience would become bored and leave early. Any of those fears were squashed early on in the evening, as the theater became engrossed in the music. To say that the theater was so quiet you could hear a pin drop would be an understatement. The theater was so quiet, you could hear the click on the effect pedals as Davis switched amongst them during her songs. To garner such attention from the audience is a true testament to Davis’ abilities as a songwriter and performer.

Mikaela Davis – Homer Center for the Arts, Homer, NY – Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Setlist: Cinderella, A Letter That I’ll Never Send, In My Groove, Home in the Country, The Pearl, Promise, One of these Days, Delivery, Natural Women (Carol King), Rose Colored Glasses, Far From You, Little Bird, Emily, Saturday Morning

Encore: All I Do is Disappear

November 25, 2024
In Focus: Dylan Gossett and Waylon Wyatt Play Two Sold Out Nights at Irving Plaza

On Saturday, November 16 Dylan Gossett and Waylon Wyatt played a sold-out show at Irving Plaza. Gossett is currently nearing the end of his “The Back 40 Tour” and was joined by Waylon Wyatt for the last group of shows.

An 18 year-old county/folk singer from Arkansas, Waylon Wyatt began gaining popularity after posting his songs on social media. He later released his first two singles “Everything Under the Sun” & “Arkansas Diamond” in 2023. Over the summer he released his first EP Till the Sun Goes Down, consisting of eight songs, and just announced his first headlining tour. Waylon later met fans at the merch table and was joined by his father, who was proudly watching and recording his entire set. The two gave fans an experience of meeting their favorite artist, a rare opportunity today.

A Country singer from Texas, Dylan Gossett gained popularity when his single “Coal”, a song recorded on his laptop, broke into the Billboard Hot 100. Gossett got his start by sharing covers on social media, however he hooked fans with his beautiful lyrical ability. A year later Gossett sold out Irving Plaza and had the whole venue singing lyrics back to him like, “They say pressure makes diamonds. How the hell am I still coal?” (Coal) and “Well, a quarter in a fountain means that people still have dreams.” (No Better Time). The media began noticing the comparisons between Dylan Gossett and Zach Bryan’s writing styles, giving Gossett even more popularity. Gossett’s most recent release “Tree Birds” has fans awaiting a debut album.

Dylan Gossett and Waylon Wyatt are both set to play at Stagecoach 2025. The two singers fit perfectly together with their similar styles and honest lyrics. Their Irving Plaza concert left fans with a reminder that growth and happiness are often derived from embracing the unknown. Gossett reminds us of this in his song “No Better Time.”

November 20, 2024
Guitars Along the Mohawk Returns to the Capitol Theater in Rome

Nearly a dozen Central New York songwriters gathered at the Capitol Theater in Rome on Sunday, November 10 to participate in Guitars Along the Mohawk. The musical showcase was a reboot of the popular Mohawk Vally television show which aired in the late 1980s. In keeping with tradition, the event was filmed for a future television release.

The event served as a benefit for the Capitol Theater. The picturesque theater, which opened in 1928, has been the beneficiary of a focused renovation project over the last several years, and remains a staple in the performing arts scene for the region.

Among the musicians performing on Sunday included Gridley Paige, Sydney Irving, Cassandra Harris-Lockwood with Mark Kelsey, Mark Macri with Ed Gotham, Justin Smithson, Katie Keating, Rocky Feola, Bill Carman with Scott Fleming, and Rose n’ Thorne. Ed Gorham and and Danny Holmes (Rose n Thorne) performed at the original event in 1987. Each act was given fifteen minutes to showcase their talents.

The Guitars Along the Mohawk television special will air in early 2025. Stay tuned for additional details.

November 13, 2024
Sam Kogon Releases Politically Charged New Single “America”

Sam Kogon has released his latest single “America”. The track arrives as a timely commentary on the current political landscape, just as the 2024 election season begins to heat up.

“America” was born during the tumultuous period of COVID-19 lockdowns and widespread protests, capturing the zeitgeist of a nation grappling with its identity and future. The song’s lyrics touch on various hot-button issues, from voting rights and social justice to healthcare and reparations, all wrapped in Kogon’s signature blend of catchy melodies and thought-provoking wordplay. This single is a precursor to whatâs next for Kogon, who recently completed recording a full album’s worth of material with Agnello this past spring.

This new body of work promises to build on the success of his previous releases, including his self-titled EP from 2022, which garnered critical acclaim and expanded his fanbase. Kogon has collaborated with notable artists throughout his career, including Al Jardine of The Beach Boys and Grammy Award nominee Patty Smyth. He also fronted the revived baroque pop group The Left Banke, known for their classic hit “Walk Away Renee.” These experiences have enriched Kogon’s musical palette, allowing him to blend influences from various genres into his own unique sound.

The track was co-produced by Jeff Berrall of the band Caveman and Zach Brewer, with Sam Kogon himself also taking on production duties. It features Kogon’s own vocals, guitar, and organ, alongside Graeme Gengras on piano and the rhythm section of Caveman providing bass and drums. The song was mixed by industry veteran John Agnello, whose credits include Dinosaur Jr. and Kurt Vile, adding a polished sheen to Kogon’s raw, emotive style.

With its timely release and politically charged lyrics, “America” is poised to resonate with listeners as they navigate the complex landscape of the upcoming election year. The chorus encapsulates the frustration and hope that many Americans are feeling: “You bought it, you broke it / How come nothing gets done right around here? / You built it, now fix it / We can’t wait another 4 more years.”

For more information on Sam Kogon’s music and to listen to his latest single, click here.

November 3, 2024
Rev Ezra Releases First Single Off Upcoming Album

Ithaca-based band Rev Ezra is gearing up for the release of their second studio album with a brand new single titled “Edge of a Knife,” out everywhere today.

Rev Ezra is the brainchild of singer-songwriter Josh Chamberlain. The project takes many forms with Chamberlain performing both as a solo artist and with a full-band. “Rev” invokes Reverend, a calling to the many religious themes in Chamberlain’s work. Ezra is “just a cool name,” Chamberlain says.

In 2022, Chamberlain released his first album as Rev Ezra. The record, titled “These Days” garnered tens of thousands of streams after being placed on multiple official Spotify editorial playlists.

“I kind of lacked a little bit of a confidence to really take myself seriously as an artist,” Chamberlain said. “I’m so glad I did [release the album]. That changed, like, everything for me.” he said.

Two years later, Chamberlain is preparing for his second album set to release this December. “Edge of a Knife” is the first single off the record.

“One of the lyrics is ‘How long can you live at the edge of a knife before you get cut too deep,’” Chamberlin explains. “It’s all about having too many late nights, not taking any breaks working every day… just feeling like I was at my wits end.”

At least that’s how Chamberlin says he felt before making a major change this year: namely, quitting his job of five years and making music his top priority. “Man it frees up your mind,” Chamberlain said. “I knew that I put in my time and that I was ready to be done with that chapter … and I’m a lot less stressed now.”

Rev Ezra performing at Red Ants Pants Music Festival in Montana. Photo by Nicole Rossi

This new chapter sees Chamberlain with his hands full of numerous projects including his upcoming second album, as well as a second record he has planned for a group he co-founded called Cast Iron Cowboys. Since leaving his job, Chamberlain has also played several music festivals including the Finger Lakes GrassRoots festival in Trumansburg, NY and Red Ants Pants Music Festival in Montana.

Although originally from Pittsburgh, Ithaca has become Chamberlain’s new home since he moved there in 2021.

“This place has an incredible music scene, and I knew kind of pretty quickly that it was somewhere where I wanted to stay,” Chamberlain said.

The Cast Iron Cowboys pose for a photo (From left to right: Nate Marshall, Joe Hayward, Josh Chamberlin, Max Moses, Margaret Harper and Zeb Whitford.) Photo by Jessie Koch

The town has popular live music venues such as the Deep Dive as well as the State Theater. However, in recent years, other popular music establishments like the Haunt, Lot 10 and the Range have closed their doors to the dismay of many locals. Chamberlain has worked to expanded his reach to many of the wineries in the Finger Lakes region.

The Cast Iron Cowboys performing live at the Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival. Photo by Jessie Koch

Chamberlain says living in Ithaca has affected his songwriting in more ways and one.

“Life transitions make their way into songwriting, whether you like it or not, so living in a new place and being surrounded by different things absolutely impacted me,” Chamberlain said. So in a way, ever since I moved here, every song I’ve written is about Ithaca in one way or another, and it’s also about the people that I know here.”

The new album also has ties to Ithaca, recorded at Electric Wilburland in the nearby town of Newfield. The Cast Iron Cowboys also released a live EP released earlier this year, recorded primarily at Deep Dive.

When he’s not doing music, Chamberlain works part-time on a few small farms, baling hay, spreading manure, chainsawing downed trees and occasionally wrangling horses. In short, he’s not afraid to put in hard work to accomplish his goals.

“I saved up a bunch to make it viable, but now I’m able to work part-time, and I’m able to treat music as my number one thing, and I really like that better.” he said.

With music at the forefront, Chamberlain has been able to really focus on his second album, which he says delves into themes of personal growth and supporting others in a sustainable way.

It’s a lot of introspection and taking a critical look at how life looks and saying … what kind of ground work do I want to lay for future generations,” Chamberlain said. “I don’t know what the future holds but I know that I want to make it better than it is.”

Photo by Zach Ulibarri

As far as Chamberlain’s own future, he has big plans for the coming year and hopes to do more music festivals and perhaps even a tour. Additionally he plans on releasing a full album with Cast Iron Cowboys in 2025.

“I’m kind of asking myself, you know, how far can I take this?” Chamberlain said.

Chamberlain will be releasing a single ever single week (besides Thanksgiving) leading up to his album release in December. He will also be having a single release party for cuts like knife at South Hill Cider in Ithaca on November 2nd from 6-8pm.

November 1, 2024
Arts for Healing: O+ Festival 2024

Kingston, New York is steeped in history. Once the ancestral lands of the Munsee people, it became a permanent settlement for Dutch colonists in 1652 and designating as New York State’s first capital in 1777.

Keegan Ales, O+ Festival 2024

Fast forwarding to today, this thriving HudsonValley community now serves as the base for O+ (pronounced O Positive), a non-profit organization creating its own history with a unique paradigm: artists exchanging their art for medical care.

Eat the Cake Band, Keegan Ales

From October 11-13th 2024, Kingston hosted O+’s annual festival, now in its fourteenth year. The three-day event raised awareness and funds for the organization, offering an immersive gathering of musicians, writers, dancers, spoken-word performers, and visual artists. In exchange for their contributions, participating artists received healthcare services.

Kate Pierson, Old Dutch Church

The festivities kicked off Friday night with a parade starting at Keegan Ales. With their three stages, Keegan Ales served as a musical hub, offering a wide range of musical experiences—from metal and rock to hip hop, house, and techno.

When artists and musicians thrive, so do culture and our communities.
O+ vision

The Old Dutch Church, a historical landmark dating back to 1659, anchored the festival in Uptown Kingston. Featured performers Neko Case, Rhett Miller & The All Stars, and Kate Pierson graced the church’s stage. Festivalgoers could purchase wristbands for full access to multiple stages, performance spaces, and presentations, all within walking distance of the church.

Sug Daniels, Utility Bicycle Works

One of the festival’s hidden gems was the Utility Bicycle Works stage, tucked away in the back of a local bicycle shop. Though the room was small, it offered an intimate atmosphere that amplified the performances. Philadelphia-based singer-songwriter Sug Daniels bared her soul to a captivated audience. The six-piece band King in Yellow defied the space’s physical limitations with their commanding presence.

TR33S, Keegan Ales Back Room

On Sunday night at the Old Dutch Church, O+ concluded with a special screening and panel discussion of The Blair Witch Project which coincided with the film’s 25th anniversary. Moderated by actress and musician Amanda Seyfried, the panel featured director Ed Sanchez and actors Joshua Leonard and Michael C. Williams.

Rhett Miller and The All Stars

O+’s vision remains clear: “When artists and musicians thrive, so do culture and our communities.” With fourteen years of Arts for Healing under its belt, O+ is not only adding to Kingston’s legacy but is actively shaping its future.

October 24, 2024