The Roots Report: Who’s Your Favorite Beatle?

Okee dokee folks… I am going to commit Beatle’s heresy. At least I think that I am. Often, folks will list their favorite Beatles starting with John Lennon and ending with Ringo Starr. Paul McCartney comes in second and George Harrison, third. That is not the way I see it. My list starts with George then it’s Ringo, followed by Paul. John comes in a distant last. I think that George was the underappreciated Beatle. Ringo was and still is entertaining and fun, and is the only Beatle that I have seen perform live. I like McCartney, but sometimes his music can be annoying. I think some of the best music he did was with Wings. Then there is John. I like a couple of his songs, but I am just not much of a Lennon fan. And of course he gave us Yoko Ono, and that is enough of a reason to put him last. Hey, we are all entitled to our opinions and that is mine! Anyway, why am I even talking about this? On Saturday, October 14 at the Seaport Inn & Marina in Fairhaven, Harrisfest 2017 will be taking place. Harrisfest is billed as “A Tribute to George Harrison and musical concert event.” Scheduled to perform are Greg Hawkes (of The Cars), Tom and Trish Kelly, Walrus Gumboot, The Oh Nos, Crash Land Band, Studio Two Beatles Tribute, Thatcher Harrison, and David Tessier with His All Star Band of All Stars. In addition to the music, Cha Chi Loprete of Breakfast with The Beatles and Beatles experts Eric Taros and Richard Buskin will be appearing. There will also be Beatles merchandise, musical merchandise and art. The host venue, the Seaport Inn and Marina, is located at 110 Middle Street in Fairhaven. It all starts at 2pm and runs until midnight. It sounds like a fun day for any Beatles fan. I can’t speak about the other bands, but David Tessier and His All Star Band of All Stars is one of my favorite bands! For more, go “Within You Without You” to ohnosband.com

If you want to hear Beatles music on an island, then “sail away on the Block Island Ferry” Sunday, October 8 for the Block Island BeatleFest III. This is a fundraiser for the Harbor Church’s Common Ground Coffeehouse. The Harbor Church hosts this coffeehouse every Friday night and provides free meals and music for folks on the island. Scheduled to appear at BI BeatleFest III are: Mark Cutler, Ed McGuirl, Kala Farnham, Ava Callery, Vaux Finnemore, Maya Veldman-Wilson, Jake Douglas, Mac Brown, Andre Mille, Virginia Dare, and The Ukeladies: Jayme Hennessy, Lisa Sprague, Beth Rousseau and Maureen Flaherty. For more about this one, “Get Back” to hearinrhodeisland.com

“It’s getting to the point where I’m no fun anymore…” People could say that is a line I wrote about myself, but it is actually a line from Stephen Stills’ (Buffalo Springfield; Crosby, Stills & Nash) song, “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes.” Most people assume that the name of that song is SWEET Judy Blue Eyes, but they are wrong. It is a suite of music, a set of musical compositions. Stills wrote the song about the relationship/breakup with then girlfriend, singer-songwriter Judy Collins (“Both Sides Now,” “Send In The Clowns”). It has been almost 50 years since that relationship ended and that song was born. Stephen Stills and Judy Collins are now out on tour together for the first time. The two music legends will pull from their rich catalogs, debut songs from a new album that they have recorded together and share stories from their journeys, 1960s folk and the Laurel Canyon scenes they helped build. The Stills- Collins show is making a stop at the Park Theatre in Cranston on Saturday, October 7. I had a brief phone conversation with Judy Collins the other day (motifri.com/judycollins). This is a rare chance to see these two music icons perform together, don’t miss it! For more, “lacy lilting lyric” to parktheatreri.com or stephenstillsjudycollins.com

OK, it is SERIOUSLY time that the US catches up to the rest of the developed nations and provides universal health care for all because these types of events are becoming far too common. On Thursday, October 19, the Rally for Ryan will take place at the Newport Blues Cafe. Newport resident Ryan Belmore recently received a serious and life changing cancer diagnosis and is receiving ongoing treatments that have run into hundreds of thousands of dollars. A group of local musicians is banding together to “Rally For Ryan” and raise funds to help with some of these bills. Belmore has done a lot to support music and the arts in Newport and serves on many boards for various organizations. Performing at the fundraiser will be The Johnny Winter Allstar Band, featuring Grammy Award winner and guitarist for the Johnny Winter Band, Paul Nelson. Joining Nelson will be bluesman and Newport native James Montgomery. Also on the bill are Bill and Gabi of Silverteeth, Matt Bruneau and Leslie Grimes, Steve Cerilli, John Monllos and Joanne Rodino, The Playboys: Mark Gorman and Jack Casey, Justin Pomfret, Randy Robbins, Brian Scott, Michelle Siegal and Zan Ricky-Zan Lord, and Rick Cretarola. It’s about time we strip all the politicians of their healthcare and let them hold a bake sale if they get sick! For more, ring up 401-575-8761 or 401-835-7209.

Peacedale’s Music at Lily Pads returns for a pair of concerts in October, with Genticorum and the Julie Rhodes Band on October 7 and the Providence Mandolin Orchestra on Sunday, October 15 at 3pm. The October 7 show has become a benefit for hurricane relief. It features Lily Pads favorites, the traditional trio Genticorum from Quebec and Julie Rhodes with her band. It was decided by the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of South County, the host of Lily Pads concerts and the organizers, to donate all profits from the October 7 show to organizations serving poor areas hardest hit by the recent storms. In addition, an anonymous donor has also made available a very old Gibson guitar, a 1922 Gibson L1, to be raffled off, with all proceeds going to hurricane relief. Only 45 raffle tickets will be sold. On October 15 at 3pm, Lily Pads will also present a special afternoon concert with the Providence Mandolin Orchestra, under the direction of Mark M. Davis. For more, “Tout Le Long Du Voyage” [email protected], musicatlilypads.org

Are you all out of love? If so then get to Twin River on Friday, October 13 for Air Supply. Their albums Lost in Love, The One That You Love, Now & Forever, and The Greatest Hits sold in excess of 20 million copies. “Lost in Love” was named Song of the Year in 1980, and, with the other singles, sold more than 10 million copies. If you are a little cold on October 6 ,then perhaps you need a Three Dog Night. The legendary “Joy To The World” band will also be appearing at Twin River. For more, “Shambala” to twinriver.com

On October 7, North Sea Gas will make their 13th appearance at Blackstone River Theatre in Cumberland as they tour behind their newest CD, When We Go Rolling Home. North Sea Gas is a folk band from Scotland who have been performing their blend of poignant and rousing songs and high- energy instrumentals for three decades. With a combination of fiddle, guitar, mandolin, bodhran and bouzouki, complementing strong three-part vocal harmonies and a keen sense of humor, an entertaining evening is always guaranteed. On October 8, it’s Skipper’s Alley, on October 14 is Patrick Ball and on October 21 is Bohemian Quartet. For more, “Tak A Dram Afore Ye Go” to riverfolk.org

That’s it for now. Thanks for reading. JohnFuzek.com The Roots Report: All I Am Saying Is Give Fall a Chance

Okee dokee folks … I know that most, if not all, of you will be unhappy about this, but it makes me VERY happy — summer is almost over!!! Fortunately it wasn’t really a brutal one and it went by pretty quickly. Yay!! My girlfriend isn’t thrilled that summer is ending, but I do have a group of friends who share my general disdain for the season. Okay, now please bear with me for a minute while I wind around to make a point. In the past I have encouraged songwriters to start writing (more) protest songs because they ARE needed. Well, I TRIED to write one a couple of weeks back, but it wound up being a protest song about SUMMER. It was a hot day. I went through writing three variations of a song before I landed at the summer protest tune. One of the earlier drafts was an anti-Trump song that was filled with off-color adjectives and foul metaphors about him, and I meant every word that I wrote, but just could not imagine myself performing it. At least not right now. I am seriously thinking about finishing it AND performing it sometime soon. Trump has gone off the rails and needs to be removed from office, period. We all need to speak up. Music is a form of communication, so lets convey our feelings through songs, even if they are filled with Trump hate. Let’s do it before it’s too late.

The Narrows Center closes out the summer with its FREE, 16th Annual Narrows Festival of the Arts, and countless performances by seasoned musicians. Beginning Sep 9, the gallery will feature its 5th Annual Narrows Poster Exhibition, showcasing affordable fine art and gig posters by four renowned design artists. The September schedule of upcoming performances is: Sep 7 — Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Seth Glier with Matt Nakoa; Sep 8 — The Schemers; Sep 10 — Narrows Festival of the Arts featuring Eilen Jewell, Kat Wright, Julie Rhodes, The Jim Robitaille Group featuring Dave Liebman, The Barley Hoppers, Ikebe Shakedown, Stan Martin, TJ’s Music All Stars, and the Colonial Navy of Massachusetts, and this is a FREE EVENT; Sep 15 — Grammy Award-winning musician Dom Flemmons; Sep 16 — Rik Emmett of Triumph-Acoustic Duo Performance with Dave Dunlop; Sep 19 — Matthew Sweet: his fifth album of new material in this century, Tomorrow Forever, is teeming with his signature sounds and ongoing preoccupations (watch for my interview with Matthew Sweet); Sep 21 — blues legend Albert Cummings; Sep 23 — Chris Hillman (of the Byrds, Desert Rose Band) & Herb Pedersen with John Jorgenson; Sep 28 — Seth Walker; Sep 29 — Coco Montoya; and finally, on Sep 30 is The Sweetback Sisters. If you cannot find something good in that group, then you have to have your musical taste buds checked! Get over the big ole Braga Bridge and see a show! For more, go considerably longer or higher than wide to NarrowsCenter.org

“When you were young and your heart was an open book, you used to say live and let live…” If you know that opening line, then this is a must-see show for you. Live & Let Die – A Symphonic Tribute to Paul McCartney plays the Stadium Theatre on Sep 16 with Milford Massachusetts’ Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra. Live and Let Die features a four-piece band led by Tony Kishman (vocals, bass, guitar & piano) and the 19-piece Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra lead by orchestrator and conductor Martin Herman. You’ll hear, complete in every detail, hit songs from the Beatles catalog and Paul McCartney’s solo works. Look forward to hearing robust renditions of your favorite Paul McCartney, Beatles and Wings songs, including “Hey Jude,” “Penny Lane,” “Live and Let Die,” “When I’m Sixty- Four” and many more. Band leader Tony Kishman starred for six years in both the national and international tours of Broadway’s smash hit, Beatlemania. For more, jet over to stadiumtheatre.com The THE BAND Band, a tribute band to Bob Dylan and the Band, will be returning to the The Courthouse Center for the Arts on Sat, Sep 16. CCA director says, “They totally blew us away when they were here before, and we can’t wait to hear them again!” While iconic roots rock group The Band may be long gone from the stage, The BAND Band is keeping their sound and spirit alive and well with authentic, true-to-form renditions of the legendary repertoire. This group of veteran musicians showcases the astounding breadth and depth of The Band’s distinctively original Americana music with classics such as “Up on Cripple Creek,” “The Weight,” and“The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down,” as well as deeper cuts from The Band’s vast catalog. The THE BAND Band draws their set list from The Band’s seminal period — from Big Pink to The Last Waltz — capturing the sound and spirit of their live performances and bringing the songs to life again. Since 2007, The THE BAND Band has shared the stage with notables Richie Havens, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Aztec Two-Step, Marshall Crenshaw and more. The individual band members have performed or toured with original band members Rick Danko and Levon Helm, as well as Bruce Springsteen, Chuck Berry, Patti Smith, Keith Richards and many others. For more, go out yonder to courthousearts.org

Grammy Award-winning Trumpeter Chris Botti will open the Park Theatre’s fall season. Over the past three decades, Botti has recorded and performed with the best in music, including Sting, Barbra Streisand, Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga, Josh Groban, Yo-Yo Ma, Michael Buble, Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, John Mayer, Andrea Bocelli, Joshua Bell, Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and even Frank Sinatra. Hitting the road for as many as 300 days per year, the trumpeter has also performed with many of the finest symphonies and at some of the world’s most prestigious venues, from Carnegie Hall and the Hollywood Bowl to the Sydney Opera House and the Real Teatro di San Carlo in Italy. Chris Botti has thoroughly established himself as one of the most important, innovative figures of the contemporary music world. For more, brass attack to theparktheatreri.com

The Greenwich Odeum in East Greenwich keeps on booking and adding to their already impressive list of upcoming shows. Their season is beginning and it kicks off with Doug Woolverton’s Tribute to Miles Davis on Sep 16. Get your tissues out (no, not really) for Cry Cry Cry — Richard Shindell, Lucy Kaplansky and Dar Williams on Sep 21. Big Head Todd & The Monsters stomp in on Sep 23. Watch out, they are going to steal your face on Sep 29 when Playing Dead takes the stage and brings you Dead songs live. The jazz fusion band Spyro Gyra summer struts into the Odeum and closes out the month on Sep 30. Much more is coming up, but you will have to visit their site! For more, mainline to the Main St location’s webber at greenwichodeum.com

That’s it for now. Thanks for reading. JohnFuzek.com

The Roots Report: Treat ’em Right

Okee dokee folks… Warning, I am going to rant again. The other night I read a Facebook post about a venue owner who basically told musicians mid-set to stop playing and go home. Not only that, but they were not paid. From what I understand, the owner did not care for the music, but there was an audience there that had come to hear it. I won’t name the venue because I only have second-hand info and one side of the story. But I’m bringing it up to let folks know that in the future, if you screw with musicians and their livelihood I WILL call you out on it and I WILL let people know who you are.

Musicians don’t make a lot of money and the gigs that they get are meaningful to them both financially and artistically. A lot of booking is done with a gentlemen’s agreement and no contracts are

signed. Venue operators have taken advantage of this, and it usually leaves the musicians in the lurch. In the past I have written about venues canceling music the night of a show to save a buck because they don’t think anyone would come out on that particular night. This tends to happen frequently during baseball and football seasons. It is not fair to the performers. If you book them, honor the agreement and pay them at least. They could have booked that night at another establishment, but now they are out a gig at the last minute and their income takes a hit.

The other night I was talking to a road manager of a national touring act about how hard it is to make money in music. He said the pay for musicians has not changed in about 30 years. I remember doing gigs when I first started 30 years ago and I would get $150 to $200 for a bar gig. The pay rate has not changed, but that $150 to $200 is worth much, much less than it was back then. These days, a four- piece band MAY even get paid that same amount of money for a show. That barely covers expenses. We all know times are tough, but decency and integrity certainly do make things a little better. Please, pay the musicians, pay them fairly and honor the gigs. End of rant. Read on…

The BEST end-of-summer-wrapper-upper festival takes place on Labor Day weekend at Ninigret Park in Charlestown. It’s the 20th annual Rhythm and Roots Festival. This is a REAL Rhode Island festival produced and run by Rhode Islanders. It is a family event in more ways than one. The festival itself is a big family — the musicians, the volunteers, the audience — and it is produced by Chuck Wentworth and HIS family and the Langniappe Productions staff. I have often had people tell me that this is their favorite festival in Rhode Island. It has all the aspects of a great one — music, camping, late-night jamming and multiple stages, including a family stage, dancing, food, arts and crafts, beer, and so much more. There is no pretense at Rhythm and Roots, everyone is just there to have a wonderful time! Wentworth always takes great care in booking the music for the fest. This year is no exception. Artists such as Roseanne Cash, The Mavericks, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Natalie MacMaster, Squirrel Nut Zippers, Marcia Ball, Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys, Sarah Potenza and Ian Crossman, Big Sandy and His Flyrite Boys, and many many more will grace the stages at Ninigret Park. Main stage music goes until 11pm, but the dancing continues until midnight. It doesn’t stop there. Jamming and parties continue in the campground until the wee hours. Sleep? It’s overrated. This is three days of possibly the best time you could ever have. Get out your Crocs, your crazy hats, your wild shirts, your lawn chairs and your tents and and head on down to Ninigret Park this Labor Day weekend and start a tradition that you will surely continue. You can go for the day as well; it is an easy drive down Route 1! For more, “Go Daddy-O” to RhythmandRoots.com

The fourth annual Providence Folk Festival will take place on Sunday, August 27, at Roger Williams National Memorial in Downtown Providence. This is the place where the State of Rhode Island actually began. Roger Williams chose it as his place to settle and Hear In Rhode Island chose it for its festival location. The park is beautiful, grassy, comfortable and located at the foot of Smith Hill. Two stages of music will be presented: a Main Stage where groups will perform and a SongCrafter stage where solo artists will play. The line-up for this year includes Main Stage hosts Cardboard Ox (Steve Allain and Tracie Potochnik), Chris Trapper (of the Push Stars), The Pamela Means Band from Northampton, Massachusetts, former Rhode Islanders Chris and Meredith Thompson, Motif Award Winner Dan Lilley and his band The Keepers with Amy Bedard, Wilbur Hill, The Chris Monti Trio, The Slackwater String Band, Motif Award Winners The Quahog Quire, Motif Award Winner Amanda Salemi, Jenee Halstead and Hugh McGowan from Boston, Motif Award Winner Haunt The House, Emma Joy Galvin, Avi Jacob, Lys Guillhorn and Motif Award Winner Steve Delmonico. The SongCrafter Stage will be hosted by Motif Award Winners Bob Kendall and Allysen Callery. That’s a lot of talent! Admission to the festival is FREE. This doesn’t mean putting it on is cheap by any means. Donations to support the festival will be accepted at the Festival Merch Table. The Providence Folk Festival won the 2017 Motif Award for Best Americana Festival! So bring a lawn chair or blanket and maybe even a picnic basket and enjoy the music at this year’s Providence Folk Festival. Food trucks will be available on the street side of the park. There is plenty of street parking and the lots near the State House are available for use as well. Well-behaved and picked up after dogs are welcomed! For more, folk on over to ProvidenceFolkFestival.com

Last week I performed at the Empire Revue at AS220. I absolutely LOVE this show. I have been fortunate to be a musical guest at these events quite a few times over the past five or six years. Not only do I love to perform as part of it, I love to be an audience member. I have said this before and I will say it again, Empire Revue is one of the BEST things going on in Rhode Island. If you have never been you NEED to check it out. What is it? Well, think “Saturday Night Live,” only Empire Revue is actually funny. Hysterical is more like it. Keith Munslow, Nicky Mariani, Stuart Wilson, Kelly Seigh, Kate Sayles, Dave Rabinow, Kate Teichman, Pamela Murray, John Cote, Joe Potenza and others will entertain the socks off of you! I find myself recycling lines and singing songs that I hear during the performances for weeks after. Every month the show has a different theme. So far this year they have presented The Green Show, The Breakfast Show, The 60s Show, The Cool Show and more. The next one is called The Progress Show and the Beatniks come up with new and original musical numbers and sketches relating to the show topic and they are ALWAYS amazingly funny! Empire Revue also includes guest comedians, musical acts and occasionally some burlesque! The Progress Show will be Sunday, September 3 at 8pm. I am telling you now so you can put it on your calendar and you won’t miss it! For more, giggle over to AS220.org or be awesome and get your tix early at progress-show.brownpapertickets.com

That’s it for now. Thanks for reading. JohnFuzek.com The Roots Report: Please Take a Seat

Okee dokee folks… This is a public service announcement for those who attend concerts. There are these things that theaters have installed and they are called SEATS. They are used to SIT in, relax and enjoy the performances. It seems as though quite a few people have a hard time comprehending how to properly utilize these strange padded devices. When you purchase a concert ticket you are assigned a SEAT. This is not to be used as an area for your interpretive dance number during the show, it is meant to SIT in. I get it, the music moves you, and that is fine and dandy, but common courtesy should come before all else. You are not transparent; you block the view of people behind you. Please do your groovin’ seated. You may not want to give a lap dance to the furniture and your writhing may appear like you have a bad case of hemorrhoids, but standing up in an area meant to sit is just plain RUDE. Folks spend good money on tickets to enjoy a show. If you do feel the need to stand, PLEASE go to the back of the room.

I was at a show recently and the guy behind me was standing, as were the folks in front of me. I was sitting because I just wanted to relax and listen to the music. The guy behind me was dancing and holding a beer in one of those flimsy plastic cups. As if that wasn’t a precarious enough situation, his choreography included arm moves that had his beer waving over my head. I kept looking back and glaring at him and the beer. Finally I felt it — spilled beer on my head. I was livid. I yelled at him and gave him a look that was probably illegal in 50 states. The next time I turned around he was gone and did not return.

When I was younger, I would attend concerts with my brother and if people were standing in our way, we would use pennies as projectiles and bean them on the head. Lately I feel like I need to bring rolls of coins with me to shows. I get it, America is the land of the free, but if your freedom includes being extremely rude and ruining someone’s concert experience, then you are just an American Idiot. End of rant. Read on…

Speaking of American Idiots, Green Day’s rock musical American Idiot will be at Stadium Theatre in Woonsocket August 11 – 13. The story is of three disaffected young men and their trials and tribulations. The music was written by the pop/punk rock band Green Day and comes mostly from their American Idiot album. Also coming up at the Stadium Theatre: If you like cranky comedy then you ought to check out Ed Asner’s one-man play, A Man and His Prostate, on August 19! Other shows include: Edwin McCain, Jeffery Gaines, Travis Tritt and Art Garfunkel. For more, “Letterbomb” to StadiumTheatre.com

The Collaborative presents the 2nd Annual Warren Folk’s Festival on Sunday August 6, from 2 – 8pm at 30 Cutler Street in Warren. This year’s festival will feature art from local artists, including many members of The Collaborative, a craft table for kids and food from local restaurants. There will be a “craft beer garden” with all proceeds going to The Collaborative. The music stage will feature Warren and Bristol natives Six Star General and Jodie Treloar Sampson, along with Junior Beat, Natural Vibes (feat. members of Natural Element), Viking Jesus, The Low Cards and Ian Fitzgerald & Something Else. All proceeds from this event go to The Collaborative to help their mission to continue to bring meaningful and fun events to the community. For more, just folkin’ get to TheCollaborative02885.org

“The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down…” The legend does live on, and he is coming to Twin River. Gordon Lightfoot is known for his hits “Sundown,” If You Could Read My Mind,” “Carefree Highway,” “Rainy Day People” and of course, “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.” Lightfoot’s show will feature his well-known hits as well as some deep album cuts for the die-hard fans, all of which are woven together with some of Lightfoot’s behind-the-scenes stories and personal anecdotes from his 50- year musical career. For more: “gitchie gumee” to TwinRiver.com

Back when I was in ninth grade, a friend of mine gave me the Beach Boys album Endless Summer. I listened to it over and over again. Loved it. Coincidentally The Beach Boys were on tour that year and I got to see them for the first of many times. I will be seeing them again as they perform at RI Waterfront Events’ new Bold Point Park Summer venue on Wednesday, August 9. The Beach Boys are led by Mike Love and Bruce Johnston and continue the legacy of the iconic American band. A Beach Boys’ concert is a requisite of summer entertainment! (If you were at the June Empire Revue show, then you know why I am laughing about the Lake Lads right now!) Other scheduled shows are Kenny Wayne Shepard, The Waterfront Reggae Festival, Pat Benatar and Moe/Railroad Earth. For more, “Catch A Wave” to RIWaterfrontEvents.com

If you are curious to know “Where Have All The Cowboys Gone,” then you could get your answer at the Courthouse Center for the Arts. On Friday, August 11, Grammy-winner Paula Cole will make her CCA debut. Cole is also known for her popular “I Don’t Want to Wait,” which, besides being a radio mainstay, was the theme for TV’s “Dawson’s Creek.” The cowboy-ish country singer Grant Maloy Smith will return to the CCA Friday, August 18. Grant’s latest album, Dust Bowl, has garnered much praise. For more, “Tiger” to CourthouseArts.org

It will be “Coolsville” at the Narrows on Friday, August 4, when Rickie Lee Jones returns to the Fall River stage. This will be a trio show featuring a career retrospective of Jones’ music. Also coming up are the Ryan Montbleau Band, Los Straitjackets/Marshall Crenshaw, Janiva Magness and Shelby Lynn/Allison Moorer. For “Moorer,” get to NarrowsCenter.org

Do you like “Passionate Kisses” with a “Drunken Angel”? If so the Columbus Theatre has just what you need: a good dose of Lucinda Williams. The Grammy-winning and critically acclaimed songster will fill the historic auditorium on Broadway with her gravelly voice and biting lyrics on August 18. Chrissy Stewart, a local who is known for her work booking music at The Grange, running house concerts and being a Rhythm and Roots Festival artist liaison, has been on tour as Lucinda’s Production Manager. Chrissy had this to say: “I’m not sure how I got here, but I am feeling so blessed to be Lucinda Williams’ production manager. The crew and Lu feel like family and my heart leaps out of my chest with excitement every day!” Go Chrissy! The Low Anthem opens. For more, 1492 to ColumbusTheatre.com

Have you ever wanted to carry guitar cases, move drums and set up stages? Well, here is your chance. The Rhythm and Roots Festival and the Providence Folk Festival are looking for a few able-bodied volunteers. It is actually a lot of fun to do, and most stage crew members come back annually. Some of them are getting long in the tooth, so a little more youth would be good thing. For more, e-mail [email protected].

That’s it for now. Thanks for reading. JohnFuzek.com The Roots Report: An Interview with Phil Ehart of Kansas

I spoke with Phil Ehart, drummer and manager of the band Kansas about the band and their upcoming show on July 27th at the Stadium Theatre in Woonsocket.

Phil Ehart: Hi, this is Phil… John Fuzek: Hi, this is John from Motif Magazine, how are you? Phil: I’m well, John, thank you, how are you? JF: Thanks for agreeing to do an interview PE: Sure, thanks for having me! JF: So, where are in you? In Kansas? (snicker) PE: No, the band is based in Atlanta, we haven’t been based in Kansas for over 30 years now, we’re still Kansas boys but we just live somewhere else JF: I read about your beginnings with a band called White Clover. Can you tell me about it? PE: That was a band that I started. It was sort of a late 60’s kind of a club band, cover band, that is where I spent most of my teen years-playing with White Clover JF: Was there any progressive rock there? PE: No, not really, it was just a local band JF: I read about that and Kansas 1 and Kansas 2 PE: Yeah, that can give you a headache reading that stuff! It’s all over the place JF: Yes, all the personnel changes! I see that you have Ronnie Platt as the lead vocalist of your band now, he was a former member of Shooting Star, and I always thought that they had a similar sound to Kansas. How did you hook up with him? PE: It was through seeing him perform live and also seeing his performances of Kansas songs on YouTube, it was a combination of things that led us to him, we met with him and talked with him and he seemed like the right kind of guy and it’s worked out, he’s been with us for three years now, so it’s gone very well! JF: Did he record with you on the Prelude Implicit CD? PE: yes JF: Is he a contributing writer as well? PE: He is a lyric writer, yes, he was very much involved in writing the songs JF: Does he play keys as well? PE: yes, singer, keyboardist and very involved in the writing of the songs JF: I listened to Prelude Implicit and it sounds like you have recaptured the old Kansas sound PE: We appreciate that, we worked very hard to do that, it’s not an easy thing to do but it kind of came to us naturally, go figure (laughs), it does lean towards the early Kansas days and the sound that with have with the violin and all JF: Yes, the great harmonies, the violin, guitar and organ mix is really what drives it and gives it the prog rock feel I gave it a listen and like it a lot, “The Voyage of Eight Eighteen”, “Camouflage” and “Summer” were some of my favs from it PE: Well, thank you! JF: I was thrilled that you got the sound, I was an early Kansas fan, i love “Song for America”, it’s an amazing song, you music was very opus-like PE: A lot of music there, yes JF: My fav of everything that you have done is “Miracles Out Of Nowhere”, it’s an amazing song PE: Thank you, we enjoy playing it every night! JF: Cool, i was going to ask if you still performed it! PE: Oh yes, we have played it since the day that we wrote it, let me put it this way, we have done it since the day that we RECORDED it! (laughs) It’s a great song to play, people really like it, so yes JF: One of memories of listening to that was back in the days of stereos and the big headphones I would lay in bed and listen to that song and I would close my eyes and there would be all this “trippy” sound going on in the headphones that you couldn’t hear when you just listened to it with loudspeakers, these little sounds would float around like bugs and buzz between the phones and it was pretty amazing PE: YES! That was a lot of fun! JF: That must be a lot of work to produce, that work was genius PE: Yes, it was difficult to work up the song, and learn it and perform it well for the recording, so, yeah, it’s always challenging, to this day it is still challenging JF: I can imagine! So, have you ever heard of a band called Umphree’s McGee? PE: Sure! JF: A few years back they put out a CD called Mantis, they had sent me a copy for review, it reminded me so much of early Kansas PE: Really! JF: Just that CD though, I went to see them live and when they performed those songs there was a very Kansas sound to it but when they strayed from those it was more jam band sounding PE: They’re a very talented band, they’re a good band JF: I am a fan of prog rock, especially the early days of prog rock. How do you feel about the vocalist change? I know that you have had a few over the years. Why did Steve Walsh retire? PE: Well, it was time I guess. He was struggling with his voice, like a lot of singers do as they get into their 60’s, they can’t do what they want to do vocally and it just got to the time where it was time for him to retire, it was very friendly, very agreeable, the time had come, he’s not the first one to retire from the band, so it’s the kind of thing that happens, we wished each other the best and moved on JF: How long were you without a singer before you hooked up with Ronnie? PE: Probably a few months, it took a while, luckily we didn’t have to go through a lot of stuff, just a minute, don’t go away… (sounds heard-BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!) OK, I’m back! JF: What was that??? PE: (laughs) This is the first time in an interview that I have ever had to kill a wasp! (laughs) I’ve been sitting here watching it, watching it and finally it landed so I nailed his ass! JF: (laughing) PE: BIG WASP! They just need to stay outside! That probably sounded like gun shots didn’t it? JF: YES! I didn’t know what the hell was going on! PE: (laughs) just a second I’m going to shoot this wasp! (laughs) I just hit him with a magazine so it’s ok (laughs), all is cool! JF: (laughs) So what is the creative process for writing for Progressive Rock? It is more music driven than lyric driven. PE: You are correct JF: How do you get that kind of music going on? PE: Usually with Kansas there’s one guy who’s writing a particular song, for many, many years it was Kerry (Livgren) was our main songwriter, but Steve also wrote songs, too, but Kerry was, through a certain part of our career, the main songwriter, and then after a while Steve (Walsh) was the main songwriter and now, starting with the Prelude Implicit, Zak Rizvi is the main songwriter, so it’s the kind of thing where Zak works with Ronnie on lyrics and works with the rest of the guys in the band on middle sections, titles, arrangements and stuff like that but Zak is pretty much the guy who comes in with the biggest chunks of the songs, but then, like with any songwriter, the band has always been involved in the arrangement of the songs and finishing up the songs for their final rendition that you hear, the vocalist always has a lot to do with forming the melodies, the songwriter will have an idea for a melody and the singer takes it to the next stage and stuff like that so all the guys are involved in their own parts, Zak will have certain rhythmic ideas, he leaves the drum parts up to me, everybody is involved overall beginning to end JF: i read that you once filled in for Neil Peart from Rush once, is that true? PE: Ah, no, (laughs) I did a charity event one time with Alex (Lifeson) and Geddy (Lee), it was a charity thing, I played one song, they did a couple of Kansas things, I played one Rush song, no, it was a strictly off the cuff kind of a charity jam thing, i did not fill in for Neil, but that is nice of someone to somehow imagine that! JF: I am sure it would be tough just like trying to have someone fill in for you, someone just can’t drop in and fill in, your stuff is so complicated and so is Rush’s PE: They are good guys and an incredible band, that was back in the 80’s as I remember, it was just a one off at a charity and Alex has a jam thing there and I jumped up and played on the song, it was not anything that was remotely serious, everybody was just having fun and Alex played on “Wayward Son”, it was a fun, fun, jam type thing JF: It didn’t sound like it was an easy switch, that is why I was curious. I read that while Kerry was in the band that you started heading towards Christian Rock, is this true? PE: No the band was never a Christian Rock band, ever, Kerry’s lyrics on certain songs would definitely lean that way but the band never consciously sat down and said “OK, let’s become a Christian Rock band”, some of his songs were definitely Christian based and Christian themed, there’s no denying that, and some of his best songs were of that writing period, but the band it self was never a Christian Rock band, has never been one JF: I read that one of your old singers, John Elefante, was going to come back but he had a “calling” and decided not to come back PE: yes, you know Kansas is a little country unto itself, we have different kind of races, religions, political affiliations (laughs), we have our own little world, but there is no ONE particular world or political point or religious viewpoint that is the ruling ideology of the band, Kansas is a good cross section of this country, there are all sorts of different thoughts and ideas swirling around in this band, so it’s easy for people to get confused JF: Do you all get along well despite all the differences? PE: No, we hate each other! (laughs) JF: (laughs) PE: I’m kidding, (laughs) they are all good guys and to this day whether the original band or any of the members that we’ve had, everybody is still good friends! and we don’t take ourselves too seriously and we stay in touch and see each other occasionally JF: This is something that I can identify with you on, you are the band manager as well as the drummer, I am the manager, booking agent and musician in my band, it’s a lot of work, on a scale of a band like Kansas how do you manage it? PE: It is something that I wasn’t PLANNING to do, I have been doing almost 30 years now, back then our record label and our manager and our booking agent all decided in the course of a few months, to move on, and I looked at Steve and Rich (Williams) and said “Hey, I’ll manage the band on a day to day basis until we find someone else”, and that was 30 years ago, it was just the kind of thing that I had always been involved with that anyway with our manager so it was kind of a natural transition, i was never really the band leader, the original band didn’t really have a leader to speak of but I was involved with a lot of the decision making and stuff so I thought that I could do this until we get a real manager, that was the intent, so that’s what happened, so, it’s just a part of my day, so when I get up every day there is some stuff to do for Kansas, I work with our booking agent as well as our business managers, and our production managers and people on the road, and you know, it’s a band, and I know how it works, and how to stay in touch with record labels, making the records and getting them recorded, yeah, i just happened to be a part of it, so moving into that even though, on a scale, on a large scale is still very doable, plus I love doing it! (laughs), I just really like managing the band, I don’t look at it as a job or a chore, I just want to make sure that it’s done correctly, so instead of paying people a lot of money to do something that I can do, I’ll just do it, so I do, and we go from there JF: I can totally relate! So, how was it to work with Don Kirshner? (Don Kirshner was first to sign the band in 1973) PE: He was a great guy, rest his soul, a really good man, and really believed in the band when no one else did, without him we would not be speaking, he really believed in us, put the money into us, never gave up, and when “Wayward Son” hit he was vindicated, for life, you know, he was a good, good guy, very talented man also, JF: You folks had success before Leftoverture though, you had those three albums and I used to hear them on FM radio PE: yeah, it was regional success, we still hadn’t broken across the nation, you know, we had pockets of success that those FM radio stations got us, but when “Wayward Son” hit it was around the world. It was a big, big change. JF: That brought you to mainstream but I used to hear “Song for America” on FM radio all the time PE: yeah, FM was great JF: that’s when they would actually play good music on the radio and you could play a ten minute song on the radio and it would be amazing PE: yeah, it was, it was very cool JF: You and Rich Williams have been in the band pretty much from the start, correct? PE: He and I have performed on every record that we have ever done, in the early 90’s we were on the road, on the road, on the road and I decided to get married so I took an eight or nine month sabbatical to get my marriage off on the right foot and not try to be married outside of a tour bus and then I came back to the band, so I just a bunch of not so good concerts! And instead I got my marriage off to a good start and 23 years later we’re still married, so it was the right move, and yeah Rich has always been there, too. There was a hiatus with the band from about ’81-’83 where we actually just came off the road for about three years, and we came back with Steve Morse, Steve Walsh, and Billy Greer so we started back up, so there was about a three year hold there, we just said, “we’ll see everybody later and that was that” JF: I watched some videos of the band performing with an orchestra, what kind of experience was that for you? PE: It went from having 5-6 people on stage to all of a sudden having 55 or 56 people, the responsibility and the sheer size of the music changes dramatically and you have to be very conscious, you have a bunch of people behind you following you and playing with you, so it’s a lot of pressure, lot of pressure on the drummer because usually the conductor is following me so if I screw up or drop a beat or something that could be catastrophic, it’s a lot of added pressure but as far as the pay off musically it’s really cool, it was really a cool experience, I’m glad that we did it and got recordings of it, videos of it, it was really a unique experience for sure JF: You are a very intense player, i was watching you on the videos and I was getting just tired watching you, there is just so much going on PE: I get tired watching me! You have to pay attention, there is a lot going on, that’s one thing about Kansas music, you just have to pay attention, it’s a couple of hours, 90 minutes to a couple of hours every night, it’s intense, there’s a lot of notes there, there’s a lot of changes and a lot of things you can’t just sit back have fun on every song, there’s a lot of stuff going on mentally, to, you have to pay attention JF: Do you folks read music? Do you play from sheet music and write actual notation or are you a “play by ear” band? PE: We’re all “play by ear” JF: That’s amazing PE: A lot of us are self taught, there are a couple of instruments like the violin and stuff but (David) Ragsdale obviously can read music that is how you learn that instrument but I am self taught, Richard is self taught, Billy is self taught, most of us in the band are self taught and do not read music, we wish we did but it never happened JF: Tell me a little about the show that you will be playing at the Stadium Theatre in Woonsocket on July 27th, what can we expect from the show? PE: It’s a pretty intense Kansas show, it’s 90 minutes of intense music from the hits to deeper cuts, up tempo rock songs, it’s very energetic and very entertaining and we have a real blast with this set because it’s rocking stuff and it’s Kansas, and all the hits are in there, it’s exciting for us, fans seem to really like it, too JF: Do you still play “Song for America”? PE: We do not go that deep, we are not playing it on this particular run, giving it a bit of a break, we’ve been playing it for about forty-some years, some of the music we are actually having to put on the shelf for a little bit because we’ve played it so much, sometimes it just needs to be set down for a while and revitalized, so that song is sitting out this year, there will be songs from Leftoverture and Point of Know Return and two songs off the new album, Prelude Implicit, we’re playing stuff off of about ten albums, so if you’ve got favorites we’ll get to them I’m sure, it’s a really good set JF: Sounds like a really good show! Well, thanks for your time, I enjoyed talking with you! It was very interesting and I appreciate it. PE: Great, OK, man, well you did a great interview! A very good one so thank you! JF: Thank you, I look forward to the show! PE: OK, man thanks! See you, bye!

The Roots Report: The Way-Back Machine

Okee dokee folks … I am seeing a trend in my music listening habits. In the past I would generally opt to push “play” on newer music, but now I am hitting “rewind” and listening more to music from my past. To be honest, I have not really been super excited about newer music lately. Occasionally I will catch something I like, but it is getting to be a rarity. Maybe it’s because it has been done before and I like the original way better? Maybe it’s because a lot of it has no soul or actual melody? Maybe it’s because older music is more authentic? Maybe the older music just resonates with me better. Or, maybe, just maybe, I am getting old. I am seriously beginning to suspect the latter. I don’t think I am alone though. Many members of the AARP likely share my feelings. Read on…

Back in the ’70s, music was great (see, I told you so) and FM radio, actually radio in general, played really good music. You could hear a whole side of an album if the DJ decided they wanted to play it. That is how I heard most of the music that I loved for the first time. There were songs on the radio that would go far past the 3 minute and 30 second time standard. Most of the progressive rock songs were long and complicated and I LOVED that. I was a fan of Yes, King Crimson, EARLY Genesis, Pink Floyd, ELP and Kansas. Most folks who know Kansas may not think of them as a prog rock band. They are just familiar with the hits like “Carry On Wayward Son,” “Point of Know Return” and “Dust in the Wind.” Kansas was on my radar long before those songs. I heard brilliant tunes like “Can I Tell You?,” “Icarus” and “Song for America” on FM radio. When the breakthrough album Leftoverture was released, “Carry On Wayward Son” catapulted them to mainstream success. Leftoverture is a masterpiece in my opinion, and “Carry On Wayward Son” wasn’t even their best work on that recording. I felt that “Miracles Out Of Nowhere,” “Cheyenne Anthem” and “Magnum Opus” surpassed “Wayward Son,” but because of classic rock radio, folks associate that song with Kansas and forget about their prog rock roots (see, I snuck the word “roots” in). The concerts by Kansas that I went to in the ’70s (see, I am old) were some of my favorites. Over the years the personnel of the band has changed and they have somewhat faded from the limelight, but they are still out there performing great music. Last year they released their first new album in 16 years. The Prelude Implicit does a good job of capturing the earlier sound of the band. Check out songs like: “Visibility Zero,” “Rhythm in the Spirit” and “The Voyage of Eight Eighteen.” I had a chance to speak with drummer, band manager and original member Phil Ehart a few weeks ago. Read my full interview at motifri.com/philehart.

Kansas will bring their 2017 tour to the Stadium Theatre in Woonsocket on July 27. I checked out videos of recent live performances and they hold up to the original line-up. If you were a fan back then or a new fan of prog rock, you should definitely check out this show! For more, “Opus Insert” over to StadiumTheatre.com

“You can get anything you want at Alice’s Restaurant.” Evidently you can get some pretty good choices at the Stadium Theatre as well. Arlo Guthrie is playing the Stadium on July 29! This is where the real folk is happening! Famous for hits such as “Darkest Hour,” “The City of New Orleans,” “Coming into Los Angeles” and “Alice’s Restaurant Massacree,” Arlo Guthrie has truly had a storied career. Over the last five decades Guthrie has toured North America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia, winning a wide following. In addition to his accomplishments as a musician, Arlo is a natural-born storyteller, whose tales figure prominently in his performances. For more, ride your “motorsickle,” not a pickle, to StadiumTheatre.com

Back in the late ’70s (yes, I am back there AGAIN!), Elvis Costello made his first area appearance at the old Leroy Concert Theater in Pawtucket (it is now a Walgreens) and I was there. On the bill that night were Mink Deville and Dave Edmunds (though I think it was Nick Lowe), as well. Costello had just released This Year’s Model, but “Red Shoes” was still his big song. A year or two later Elvis played at Rhode Island College and I wasn’t able to get tickets. So in typical fashion of the day I tried to find a way to sneak in. It was POURING that night and I was soaked. I was by the back door of the gym, near the tour bus, when the door opened and 1,2,3, Costello, Nick Lowe and Dave Edmunds popped out. My soggy teen self begged them to let me in. No luck. I stood outside in the rain and watched most of the show through the glass doors. At the encore I was able to get in and caught all three of them playing “Pump It Up.” What I saw was great, but I wound up with pneumonia. Years passed and Costello put out more and more material going through style changes along the way. I even saw him during his long- haired days when he performed at Great Woods (yes, Great Woods!). More years passed and he played at the Newport Folk Festival. It was an odd choice, but it worked. I remember sitting on the stage next to his wife Diana Krall as he played. Costello is returning to the area with his band The Imposters and has a show at Providence Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, July 25. The “Imperial Bedroom & Other Chambers” Tour will be highlighting songs from the 1983 album. For more, “Lipstick Vogue” to PPACRI.org.

Relive sonic history at a multi-sensory book and listening event on Thursday, July 27, at Books on the Square in PVD! The What Cheer DJs will spin records of Newport Folk Festival artists past and present at this author event for former Providence Journal music critic, Rick Massimo’s new book, I Got a Song: A History of the Newport Folk Festival (see review on page XX). This first-ever book exclusively devoted to the history of the festival documents an American musical institution that began more than a half- century ago and continues to influence our understanding of folk music today. For more, go electric to BookSq.com

Combining the sounds of acoustic emo/pop-punk and folk, Jenn Lombari of the band Lucky United is playing and hosting a show with locals and a legend. On August 1, Jeff Caudill of the ’90s California- based emo punk band Gameface is coming to the News Cafe in Pawtucket on his solo acoustic tour, promoting his new album, Reset The Sun. Caudill has been performing solo and often times acoustic for more than a decade, bringing his trademark style of smart, relatable lyrics with a passionate delivery to fans of his band and new fans just discovering his songwriting. Joining Jenn and Jeff are Jodie Treloar and Jared Knapik. For more, go “Backwards” to NewsCafeRI.com

That’s it for now. Thanks for reading. JohnFuzek.com

The Roots Report: Summer Is Heating Up

Kasey Chambers at the 2012 APRA Music Awards

Okee dokee folks… Many moons ago I was watching Austin City Limits and there was a woman on who was playing this edgy alt-country/Americana music that caught my attention. Immediately, I had to own her CDs. That woman was Australia’s Kasey Chambers. Years after that, I saw she was included in the line-up at the Newport Folk Festival. I got very excited as I hadn’t heard of her playing in the US. I dedicated my column to this Aussie gem, and said that folks should focus on catching her set at the festival. On the morning of her appearance in Newport I saw her backstage, gave her a copy of my column and spoke with her briefly. A little while later I ran into her again. She whacked me with the paper and said, “Now I have to live up to this!” She didn’t have to worry because she surpassed my expectations and blew the afternoon crowd away. That performance was about 10 years ago and she has since released more music. She recently did a set at SXSW. I thought about a trip to Texas to catch it, but didn’t have the proper funding for such a venture. Not long after the disappointment set in about that, I discovered that Chambers was doing some US touring. I IMMEDIATELY made arrangements to see her. She is playing a few shows somewhat close by with a little driving. Trust me, she is worth the drive. I opted to see her at the Iron Horse Music Hall in North Hampton, Massachusetts. The Iron Horse is an intimate performance space located off the Mass Pike in Western Massachusetts. Don’t let any “Barricades and Brickwalls” deter you; try to see her. “We’re All Gonna Die Someday” anyway. For more about Kasey catch the “Runaway Train” to KaseyChambers.com. Get your “Rattlin’ Bones” to her show IHEG.com.

A couple of years ago, the Tedeschi-Trucks Band came to the Providence Performing Arts Center. I saw Susan Tedeschi a couple of times and enjoyed her music, but wasn’t sure what to expect with this band. I heard good things, but needed to judge for myself. I have to say I was not disappointed. Tedeschi-Trucks has to be one of the BEST live bands out there today. The dozen members are all amazing musicians in their own right, but when you add them up, the cumulative effect is mind-blowing. If you have not seen this band live, you really need to. I had a chance to talk with Derek Trucks; check out the full interview at motifri.com/derektrucks.

Now if Tedeschi-Trucks isn’t enough to lure you to PPAC, how about if you add a little Hot Tuna? This band features former members of Jefferson Airplane: Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady. I have seen both the electric and acoustic versions and both are equally awesome. According to my conversation with Derek, Hot Tuna will be going electric for this show. Jorma’s picking and the chunky bass playing of Casady make the jams solid. So, now what would you pay for a night of Tedeschi-Trucks Band AND electric Hot Tuna? But wait! If that isn’t already enough they are throwing in the Wood Brothers, as well. The Wood Brothers is Oliver and Chris Wood (who was one third of the famed Medeski, Martin and Wood) and Jano Rix. They have released a half dozen recordings and are known for tight harmonies and musicianship. This is going to be one great show. Buckle up because they are not skimping on set lengths to accommodate all the acts. It is going to be a full night of great music! For more, don’t “Laugh About It;” just get to PPACRI.org

Back in 1994 I produced my first music festival, The Hear In Rhode Island festival. It was a local all-star line-up. We all had such a great day and it was such a community building moment that the final number of the day was a spontaneous version of Jesse Colin Young’s “Get Together” performed by Mark Cutler, Mary Day, Mary Ann Rossoni, Kim Trusty, Dan Lilley and many others. That song is an anthem of a generation — one of togetherness and love. We weren’t the first to use it and won’t be the last, and I am sure that song will endure for many generations to come. If you would like to hear the song by its originator, Jesse Colin Young, then you need to get it together and hit the Courthouse Center for the Arts on Friday, July 7. From the Summer of Love in 1967 to this day, Jesse has embraced those words as a mantra that he shares with his audiences wherever he performs. The 75 year old Jesse Colin Young has released at least sixteen albums in his career and has toured extensively. Don’t be left in the “Darkness, Darkness;” go to CourthouseArts.org for more. Feeling lonely? Are you alone? Well, you can be “Alone Together” with Dave Mason and his fans at the Zeiterion in New Bedford on July 11. Mason is best known for being a member of the band Traffic (“Mr. Fantasy,” “Feelin’ Alright”) and for solo songs such as “Only You Know and I Know” and “We Just Disagree.” Mason has also played and recorded with many musicians, including Paul McCartney, George Harrison, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Michael Jackson, David Crosby, Graham Nash, Steve Winwood and Fleetwood Mac — sometimes on their iconic songs. He will be bringing his “Alone Together Again” tour to the Z on July 11 and playing his hits and then some. I had a chance to talk with Dave Mason. Check out the interview at motifri.com/davemason. For more, “Let It Go, Let It Flow” over to Zeiterion.org

If you like great songwriting, then here are a bunch of shows for you! Marc Douglas Berardo will be playing at the Knickerbocker Tap Room in Westerly on Thursday, July 6 (KinckerbockerTapRoom.com). The Downtown Sundown Series Concerts continue on July 8 with Tammy & Jeana, Ed McGuirl, and Kris & Tara Hansen (HearInRhodeIsland.com). The New Bedford Folk Festival takes place July 8-9 in downtown New Bedford featuring acts such as Aoife O’Donovan, Bill Harley, Patty Larkin and Catie Curtis (NewBedfordFolkFestival.org). On July 12, RISA Songwriters in the Round at AS220 features Jan Luby, Jane Ross Fallon, Gracelyn Rennick and Andy Stone playing featured songs based on the words “just too hot” (RISongwriters.com). The Newport Playhouse will present Newport to Nashville with Mary Ann Rossoni with Mederick Bellaire, Jeff Johnstone & Nellie Walcoff, and Christopher Monholle on July 13 (newporttonashville.com).

Every summer, Kate Vivian, coordinator of events at the Towers in Narragansett, puts together a full schedule of weekly Thursday night concerts/dancing shows at the historic venue. Most folks have only driven underneath the stone arch on Ocean Drive, but have never been in. This dance night is one of the coolest things happening on a hot summer night. Get your dancing shoes on and get ready to boogie for Reminisce on July 6, Coastline Swing Band on July 13, Johnny Nicholas on July 20, The Revelers on July 27, Lloyd Kaplan and the Aristocats on August 3, Roosevelt Dime on August 10, Roger Ceresi’s All Starz on August 17, the Shiny Lapel Trio on August 24, and Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys on August 31. For more, cha-cha to-to TheTowersRI.com.

That’s it for now. Thanks for reading. JohnFuzek.com

The Roots Report: Telling Tales

Okee dokee folks… “Shut up and sing the song!” That is what my friend, the late singer-songwriter Jack Hardy, used to say. I even have a t-shirt that has those words printed on the back. He always believed that the songs would speak for themselves. And while I mostly agree with that, a lot can be said for interesting between-song banter. What I think Jack really meant was don’t explain the song to death and then go on to sing the same words that you already used. Over the past few weeks I have been to shows by Kris Kristofferson, David Crosby, Donovan and Todd Rundgren. Over the years I have seen hundreds of concerts. While the performance and music quality are at the top of the reasons to enjoy the event, interesting anecdotes are the cherry on top. The Kristofferson and Donovan concerts were polar opposites in the way the shows were done. While I enjoyed the Kristofferson concert, I wish he said something besides “thank you,” which seemed to be the two words woven into the last line of every song he sang. I am sure that Kristofferson has great stories besides the ones he set to songs. His speaking voice is perfect for imparting tales, but he didn’t tell any. Last week I saw Donovan at the Garde Arts Center in New London. During Donovan’s first set he only performed FOUR songs, and I was fine with this. One yarn he spun was quite lengthy — almost 15 minutes — and his sagas were just as enjoyable as his music. Donovan spoke of how he helped Paul McCartney write a verse of “Yellow Submarine” and how Herman’s Hermits’ Peter Noone yanked him into a beach bathroom to save him from a stampede of young girls who were chasing them. That is the stuff that makes the night unforgettable. Both Kristofferson and Donovan were solo and just played an acoustic guitar and sang, but as much as I like Kristofferson, the Donovan show came out leagues in front because of the stories. Another example is from the David Crosby show that I went to last week, again at the Garde. Now I love CSN(Y) but Crosby was never my favorite of the bunch. This show gave me a new opinion of him and a good part of it was from his stories and between-song banter. I saw his bandmate Graham Nash a few years back at the Park Theatre in Cranston. To this day it was one of the best shows I have ever seen both musically and for the stories Nash told. It was the perfect blend of the two. Now a lot of people deify Bob Dylan, and I have seen him live more times than needed. He usually will not say “thank you,” doesn’t introduce the songs and doesn’t utter a word other than when he is singing. This drops the Dylan shows I have seen to the bottom of my concert list.

A few years back I had a gig in New Hampshire. It took me a year to book this show and I was thrilled to have locked it in. A few days before the show I started having problems with my hand and I could barely form chords due to the stenosis in my neck wreaking havoc on a nerve. I did not want to cancel the show, so I had to figure out what chords I could play and that didn’t leave me with a lot of performance options. I wound up telling a lot of stories about the songs and tried to make it like a version of VH1’s “Storytellers” just to get through the night. It wound up being, for me, one of my most memorable shows. Folks were coming up to me after my performance and telling me how much they enjoyed it and talked to me about my songs and recited lines back to me that moved them. That made me feel great, and as a singer-songwriter that kind of praise is what keeps you going. And as an audience member, the songs AND the stories are what keep ME going to the shows! Read on…

It’s “Coming Up Close” and almost sold out — Aimee Mann is coming to the Columbus Theatre on June 29. The singer-songwriter, who many only know because of her days with ‘Til Tuesday and the hit “Voices Carry,” is light years beyond that and has released about a dozen solo recordings. Her latest, Mental Illness, is as brilliant as her previous offerings. If you don’t already have it you should. “Wise Up” and get tix to the show if you can or at least buy the CD (read my interview with Aimee Mann at motifri.com/aimeemann). Also coming to the Columbus on June 28 are The Mountain Goats and former Providence resident Erin McKeown. For more, “Rollercoaster” over to ColumbusTheatre.com

One of the funniest memes that I have seen on the internet is a still from The Wizard of Oz. It is Dorothy holding Toto with thought bubbles popping out of each of their heads. Dorothy’s says, “I miss Kansas” and Toto’s says, “I miss the rains down in Africa.” If you are like Toto and miss the rains down in Africa, then “Hold The Line.” You can remedy this by heading to Twin River on June 17 for Toto — the band, not the dog! The band, known for the hits, “Rosanna,” “I’ll Supply the Love,” “Africa,” “I’ll Be Over You” and many more, will be performing at the Event Center in the Lincoln location. For more about this show and others, “Mushanga” over to TwinRiver.com.

I get press releases every day. Sometimes I just glaze over as I read them, check out the music and am unimpressed. Sometimes something catches my attention. Though I have heard OF the band Cowboy Mouth I could not place their music. So I “YouTubed” them and liked it! Go ahead, check them out. I’ll wait…

Cowboy Mouth was “formed during the glory days of grunge music, and forged a different sound from the very start. It’s a sound rooted in rock, punk, blues and the attitude of the Big Easy, a town known for its week-long parties and swampy, southern vibe.” They will be at the Greenwich Odeum on Sunday, June 18. It looks like it will be a rocking show! For more, “Jenny Says” get to GreenwichOdeum.com.

Bil Lepp, Bill Harley and Don White join forces to take you on a wild journey of love and laughter through the Dad Experience. Give Dad a break and let him laugh and revel in the shared experiences that make up fatherhood. Father’s Daze is a delightful view of the world through the eyes of three dads who just happen to be highly accomplished humorists/storytellers/performers. This happens at Sandywoods Center for the Arts in Tiverton on Saturday, June 17 at 7:30pm. Take your dad to the show — it’s better than a tie! For more, “Wacka Wacka Woo” to Sandywoods.org

That’s it for now. Thanks for reading. JohnFuzek.com

Roots Report: Have I Mentioned I Hate Summer?

Okee dokee folks … Every year about this time I like to voice my general disdain for the upcoming summer months. The other day it was over 90 degrees outside. I really hate the heat. It is supposed to be spring. I like spring. I would like an actual spring. As I write this, it is pouring outside. Again! I haven’t kept track of the rainfall, but aren’t we getting close to biblical amounts?

I have been dealing with a stubborn case of bronchitis for the past month and a half and this dampness is killing me. I thought that a nice sunny day would be good for me, but it wasn’t. The heat was too much outside and inside the air conditioners were cranked up to arctic levels, which isn’t good for my bronchitis, either. I just can’t catch a break! What I guess I am trying to say is ENOUGH! Let’s just have some normal, seasonal weather and a relatively mild summer so we can enjoy the activities that this season has to offer. Here are some suggestions to get you started, but stay tuned because more events will always pop up. Read on…

On June 3, Dusk in Providence will present a pseudo folk festival. There will be a cookout for early arrivals, from 6 – 8pm, with music and bands to follow. Musicians are encouraged to bring their acoustic guitars/instruments for some outside “front porch” style, cookout time, jams. Slated to perform are Muddy Ruckus, Michael Graham Band, Man & Wife, Jeff Bryd, Josh Grabert, David Begin, Seatbelt and Jon Coltrain. For more, sundown to DuskProvidence.com

The Courthouse Center for the Arts in Kingstown has a fairly full schedule of shows on their summer docket: Aztec Two-Step is on June 4, Dan Weintraub is on June 16, and Mando Madness will present a workshop and concert on Saturday, June 24. The workshop is at 4:30 and the concert is at 8pm. “Come on, people now, smile on your brother, everybody get together” at the CCA as they welcome Jesse Colin Young on Friday, July 7. Many other shows, including Scott Kirby on July 22 and Fellswater, Bostons dynamic Celtic music ensemble on July 28, are happening this summer. For a full schedule, gavel over to CourthouseArts.org

Back in the days when I ran the RI Songwriters Association, I would book songwriter showcases for the members. One showcase that I put together happened to have only male songwriters. One of the RISA members (and friend), Jan Luby, gave me a bit of flack about that. To make amends for that one testosterone-fueled show, a new showcase called The Women of RISA was scheduled at the Church Street Coffeehouse. Time has passed and I am no longer involved with RISA, but Jan still books and hosts the Women of RISA concert. This year’s show will be the 15th annual, and lending their songs and voices to the celebration are Morgan Johnston, Gracelyn Rennick, Diane Battistello and of course, Ms. Luby. This takes place on Saturday, June 10, at the Church St Coffeehouse in Warren and closes out their season. For more, gender over to ChurchStreetCoffeehouse.com

The music in Warren won’t stop. The Warren Recreation Department, in conjunction with the Church Street Coffeehouse, presents the 2017 Warren Summer Concert Series at Burr’s Hill Park. On July 9 at 5pm is Tanya McIntyre & the Professors, on July 12 at 6pm is The Patterson-Smith Trio, on July 19 at 6pm is Danielle Miraglia, on July 23 at 5pm is Atwater-Donnelly & The Vox Hunters, on July 26 at 6pm is The Western Stars. Then comes August. On August 2 at 6pm is East Bay Wind Ensemble, on August 9 at 6pm is Chuck Williams, Mike Laureanno and Joanne Lurgio, on August 13 at 5pm is Forever Young, on August 16 at 6pm is JP Jones and on August 20 at 5pm is The Lisa Martin Band.

Blackstone River Theatre moves their Celtic and world music programming outside on June 17 as they present the 7th annual Blackstone River Theatre Summer Solstice Festival at Diamond Hill Park in Cumberland. The family-friendly festival features three music stages, all running continuously, as well as 40 food and craft vendors. Last year saw more than 1,000 patrons attend. Performing will be the Atwater-Donnelly Trio, Kevin Crawford, Cillian Vallely & Patrick Doocey, the Eastern Medicine Singers, Scotland’s Archie Fisher, The Gnomes, The Jeremiahs, Les Poules à Colin, Robbie O’Connell & Rose Clancy, Pendragon, and Torrin Ryan, Kyle Forsthoff & Benjamin Foss. There will also be a dedicated stage for Irish step dance featuring Tir Na Nog Irish Dance. Also returning will be the popular after- festival music session at 8:30pm back at Blackstone River Theatre. For more, ceili to RiverFolk.org

Twin River Casino is always bringing top-notch talent to their event center in Lincoln. The summer schedule includes Peter Cetera on June 30, Boz Scaggs on July 14, The Australian Pink Floyd Show on July 28, Gordon Lightfoot on August 5, Morris Day & the Time on August 18, Draw the Line and Appetite for Destruction: A tribute to Aerosmith and Guns N’ Roses on August 25, and Martina McBride on September 15. For more, tumble the dice to twinriver.com

The Downtown Sundown Series is now in its eighth season. Bring a lawn chair, a blanket and maybe even a picnic basket and sit on the lawn at the beautiful Roger Williams National Memorial and enjoy FREE concerts and events. You’ll hear some of the best songwriters RI has to offer, see performances of Shakespeare and more. The Shakespeare performances have already begun and will continue every Thursday through Sunday night until June 11. This year TRIST (The RI Shakespeare Theatre) is presenting The Tempest. Performances start at 8pm. Experience an “outdoor coffeehouse” with the music of local and regional singer-songwriters. This year, on June 24 is Jodie Treloar Sampson, Andy Pratt, Steve Donovan and Cardboard Ox. On July 8 is Tammy & Jeana, Ed McGuirl and Kris & Tara Hansen. On July 22 is Mary Day & Terry Wood, Kate Mick and Bob Kendall. On August 5 is Mountainess, Glenn Kendzia (Wild Sun), Ian Fitzgerald, and Colby and Keila. On August 19 is Kerrie Powers, Vox Hunters, Lainey Dionne and Ava Callery. Each show begins at 7pm and finishes around 9pm. There is limited parking available at the memorial, but there is lots of area street parking and pay lots are available. All ages of humans and well-behaved canines are welcome. Coming up on Sunday, August 27, is the fourth annual Providence Folk Festival. Mark your calendars, more on that to come! For information about all of these shows, discover HearInRhodeIsland.com or facebook.com/- RogerWilliamsNPS.

Back when I was in high school we had a jukebox in the cafeteria. It seemed like that machine only played two songs: “Like a Rolling Stone” and “Rainy Day Women #12 & 35.” That was the mid-70s and that was when I saw Bob Dylan in Providence for the first time. The legend is now in his mid 70s and he and his band will be at Providence Performing Arts Center on June 21. Don’t miss this opportunity to see him live before he’s “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” (yeah, tacky, I know). Dianna Krall will “Turn Up The Quiet” on June 18 The Tedeschi-Trucks Band “Wheels of Soul Tour” rolls into Providence on July 7 with special guests Hot Tuna and The Woods Brothers. Elvis Costello and the Imposters “Pump It Up” at PPAC on July 25. For more, don’t think twice to ppacri.org

This year, the 22nd Annual New Bedford Folk Festival takes place on July 8 and 9. The line-up features some of the best in contemporary, Americana, traditional, blues and Celtic folk music and includes Aoife O’Donovan, Bill Harley, Patty Larkin and Catie Curtis. The festival presents 83 shows on nine stages in and around the streets that comprise the Whaling National Historical Park, in a new footprint that has shifted toward upper downtown and the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center. Over 100 performers will be presented in concerts and in the popular festival “workshops,” a musical program unique to the New Bedford Folk Festival. Workshops combine several different artists together with a theme, like “French Canadian Kitchen Party,” among others, for a collaborative, unique, one-time-only performance. Venues include six tented stages, the 285-seat Whaling Museum Theater, the 1200-seat Zeiterion and the intimate “Meet the Performer” area, now located inside Greasy Luck Brewery on Purchase Street. More than 80 artisans will fill the cobblestone streets between the performance tents and venues. For more, Ahab over to NewBedfordFolkFestival.org

Escape the summer heat with cool performances at the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center this summer. From rock legends to folk favorites, this year’s “Summer Sizzle Series” includes The B-52s on June 3, George Thorogood & The Destroyers on June 6 (see interview at motifri.com/thorogood), Dave Mason on July 11, Amos Lee on August 1, The Magpie Salute (Rich Robinson, co-founding member of The Black Crowes and two former Black Crowes bandmates — Marc Ford and Sven Pipien) on August 8. September 29 has Brian Wilson presenting Pet Sounds, the final performances with Al Jardine and Blondie Chaplin. For more, zzzzzzoom to Zeiterion.org

There is always a great line-up of shows at the Narrows Center for the Arts, and this summer has a lot to choose from! Here is just a sample: On June 8 is The Godfather of the British Blues scene, John Mayall. On June 10 is The Garcia Project, June 23 is Richard Shindell, July 13 is the 5th annual Block-a- palooza with NRBQ and Girls, Guns and Glory, July 13 is The Stray Birds, July 14 is Jerry Douglas, July 28 is Sonny Landreth, August 4 is Rickie Lee Jones, August 11 is The Fixx, and August 16 is Marshall Crenshaw & Los Straitjackets. For more, taper to NarrowsCenter.org

The Stadium Theatre Performing Arts Center offers local, regional and nationally renowned live entertainment in Woonsocket all summer long. The Beardogz are performing on July 20, Chicago Tribute Chicago Total Access performs July 21, Moment of Clarity is on July 22, the Glenn Miller Orchestra is on July 23, Kansas is on July 27, The Diamonds is on July 28, Arlo Guthrie is on July 29, Aaron Lessard and His Band are on August 10, Green Day’s American Idiot The Musical is on August 11 – 13, Jack Babineau is on August 18, Bee Gees Tribute Stayin’ Alive is on September 8, and the Paul McCartney Symphonic Tribute: Live & Let Die is on September 16. For more, side by each to StadiumTheatre.com

NimFest at King’s Park in Newport features free concerts all summer long! On June 25 is Cee Cee & The Riders and The Kane Brothers, on July 7 is Los Duderinos and the Lisa Martin Trio, on July 9 is Silverteeth, Randy Robbins Trio and Allysen Callery, on July 16 is Ladies Of Blues and Soul, Diana Blue & Ilana Katz, on July 23 is Barkode, LeMechant and Le Connard, on July 30 is The Gnomes, Thea Hopkins duo and Joyce Katzberg, on August 13 is Down City Band, on August 20 is the Jon Monllos Jazz Band and Debra Mann Trio, and on August 27 is Chelly, Bill & Dyl, Ric & Rory and Anita Mansfield. Shows are from 3 – 6pm. For more, socially mediate to facebook.com/nimfest

The Odeum in East Greenwich keeps the music coming to Main Street! On June 1 is The Fabulous T- Birds, on June 2 – 4 is PGMC Rat Pack, on June 8 is Blue Oyster Cult, on June 15 is Marty Stuart, on June 16 is Joan Osborne, on June 17 is Tommy Emmanuel, and on June 18 is Cowboy Mouth. For more, fe, fi fo, fum to GreenwichOdeum.com

If you need to move your feet, shake your body and sweat a bit this summer, hit a Contra Dance! At Sandywoods in Tiverton, on June 21 is Rich Sbardella calling and music by Floorplay. On July 19 is Dereck Kalish calling and music by Benjamin Foss & The Vox Hunters. On August 16 is Paul Wilde calling, and on September 20 is Tod Whittemore calling and music by The French Connection. The East Bay Contra Dances at the Warren Armory are June 2 with Tod Whittemore calling and music by French Connection. On August 4 is Rich Sbardella calling and music by South County Jammers. On September 1 is Linda Leslie calling and music by Amy Larkin & Benjamin Foss.

Waterfront Productions has announced just a few dates that will be held this summer and fall at a new seasonal outdoor venue located at Bold Point Park on the East Providence waterfront (see story on page XX). To date, the eclectic line-up of concerts and festivals includes The Beach Boys on August 9, the 8th Annual Waterfront Reggae Festival with Freddie McGregor, Anthony B, Junior Kelly, Kabaka Pyramid, Taj Weekes & Adowa and Natural Element on August 12, Moe and Railroad Earth on August 24, and the Blues & BBQ Festival with the Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band, Robert Randolph & the Family Band on August 26. For more, Tockwotton to RIWaterfrontEvents.com

The Rhythm & Roots Festival is celebrating its 20th anniversary with an expanded schedule of American roots music that features headliners The Mavericks, Rosanne Cash, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and other favorites, such as Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys, Squirrel Nut Zippers, Los Texmaniacs, Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys, Sarah Potenza and Ian Crossman, Natalie MacMaster, Christine Ohlman and many, many more. The festival is held at Ninigret Park in Charlestown on Labor Day weekend. More than 10,000 attendees are expected, some of whom have brought their families to Rhythm & Roots every year. For more, ZydeGo-Go to rhythmandroots.com

Finally, I had the opportunity to see Spring Awakening by the Wilbury Theatre Group last week. It was a great show (our reviewer agrees on page XX)! You should definitely try to catch a performance before it closes on June 4! That’s it for now. Thanks for reading. JohnFuzek.com Roots Report: Concert Alternatives to Boston Traffic and Parking

Don’t forget New London

Okee dokee folks… A couple of months ago I found out Kris Kristofferson was coming to the Wilbur in Boston. My girlfriend loves him and we bought tickets to the show. Going to Boston for concerts is a pain in the ass, to put it lightly, because of traffic and parking. Sometimes a performer only books a Boston show, but a couple of weeks later I found out Kristofferson is playing in Connecticut. Ticket prices and the theater are comparable, but the trip is so much easier.

The Garde Arts Center in New London should be inserted into your concert radar as an alternative to Boston. For me, Boston and New London are almost equidistant: Boston is 55 miles and new London is 61 miles. It’s easy to forget because it’s in another state, but the Garde is presenting great shows: David Crosby, Robert Cray and – the one I am really exited about – Donovan, who is only doing a handful of US dates. On June 3, the Garde hosts Donovan’s Sunshine Superman 50th Anniversary Tour! I already bought the Kristofferson tickets, so I’ll deal with Boston when I could have gone to New London. D’oh! You live, you learn. For more about the Garde, Mellow Yellow to: www.gardearts.org

Upcoming shows

On Saturday, May 6, local performers will pay tribute to the legendary Pete Seeger at Sandywoods Center for the Arts in Tiverton. Bob Kendall, Tom Perrotti, Mike Fishman, Tracy Jonsson, Kate Mick, Jan Luby, Camille and others will play songs written, made famous by, or inspired by Pete Seeger. Partial proceeds will be donated to the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater. Also coming up at Sandywoods: The Bohemian Quartet on May 12 and the Magnolia Cajun Band on May 13. For more: “Turn, Turn” to www.SandywoodsMusic.com

The Wailin’ Jennys are Nicky Mehta, Ruth Moody and Heather Masse. They are three distinct voices that together make some amazing harmonies. Starting as a happy accident of solo singer- songwriters getting together for a one-time-only performance at a tiny guitar shop in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, The Wailin’ Jennys have grown over the years into an international folk act. They are renowned for their live performances, and their folk-roots recordings have been critically lauded. The Wailin’ Jennys have made many appearances on Garrison Keiller’s “A Prairie Home Companion,” sharing the stage with luminaries such as Bonnie Raitt and Meryl Streep. The trio will be at the Park Theatre in Cranston on Sunday, May 7. For more, “Swing Low, Sail High” to: www.ParkTheatreRI.com

For 35 years, Tryworks Coffeehouse provided New Bedford, Mass., and beyond with a venue for folk, traditional, contemporary, original and classical music. Tryworks Coffeehouse opened May 14, 1967, and closed in 2002, one of the oldest, continuously run coffeehouses in the country. A three-day 50th anniversary celebration will be held May 12-14 at the First Unitarian Church of New Bedford, 71 Eighth Street. Friday, May 12, doors 6pm, show 7pm: Open Hoot with songs, music and stories from and about Tryworks Coffeehouse. Saturday, May 13, 5pm potluck, show 7pm: Open Hoot with special guests. Sunday, May 14, 11am: church service. Guests are encouraged to arrive early for all events. Throughout the weekend reprints of the original song books, commemorative T-shirts and buttons will be available for sale. There will be a Memory Board available for anyone to add photos or memorabilia, or they can be emailed to [email protected]

Discover Mashapaug Pond at the 10th and final Urban Pond Procession on May 13 (rain date May 14) from 5:30-9pm. Join the procession and celebrate Mashapaug with costumes, puppets, music, and art, starting with the sounds of the Eastern Medicine Singers near the Mashapaug Pond Boathouse behind Ocean State Plaza, 361 Reservoir Ave, Providence. Marchers are welcome, no registration required. Participants can select costumes, props and banners for the one-mile walk to Mashapaug Cove and Alvarez High School. The Extraordinary Rendition Band, What Cheer Brigade and Big Nazo puppets will lead the way. There will also be drumming and accordion from Mike Capeles and Phil Edmonds, Trinity Academy for the Performing Arts, food and more. The evening will conclude with a multimedia work. For more, parade to: www.UPPArts.org

Closing out Common Fence Music’s 2016-17 season is the talented multi-instrumentalist and singer- songwriter Mark Erelli on May 13. Experienced in a collection of American music styles ranging from western swing and bluegrass to lullabies and socially conscious folk-rock, Mark is an example of how the modern-day folk artist can translate the age-old tradition of storytelling into a mindful and relevant art form for newer audiences. His songs are timeless, uncomplicated and honest. Erelli’s dedication to his craft has brought him well-deserved notoriety as one of the hardest working solo artists in New England, earning him a reputation as a virtuoso musician, respected producer and sideman. He worked with Lori McKenna, Paula Cole and Josh Ritter, opened for Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, and performed everywhere from Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry to London’s Royal Albert Hall. For more, get your “Tired Eyes” over to: www.CommonFenceMusic.org

Live (or relive) Summer of Love Experience on May 13 at the Stadium Theatre in Woonsocket, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the “Summer of Love” in 1967. “All You Need Is Love!” The concert focuses on the iconic music from the ‘67 release of The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band to Woodstock in ‘69. Travel back in time to tunes by The Rolling Stones, Dylan, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Joplin and Hendrix to name a few. Joined by 12 or more performers including a horn section, strings, keyboardists, percussionists, background vocalists and an incredible rock rhythm section, the Summer of Love Experience recreates “note for note and absolutely live” the songs, and the psychedelically flavored spirit, of the Woodstock Generation. On May 19 you can keep heading back in time when The Bird Dogs present a tribute to The Everly Brothers. And on May 20 it’s Multi-platinum selling country singer and songwriter, Sara Evans. For more, Groove on over to: www.StadiumTheatre.com

Finally here are a few more for your consideration. Brother Sun’s final New England performance at Stone Soup Coffeehouse is Saturday, May 6, at Slater Mill in Pawtucket. At the Courthouse Center for the Arts in Kingston on May 6, it’s Custard Pie, a Led Zeppelin tribute, and, on May 13, it’s Brothers of the Road, an Allman Brothers tribute. Blackstone River Theatre in Cumberland has Matthew Byrne on May 13. At the Narrows in Fall River on Friday, May 19, New Orleans group The Subdudes finally get to play their show of “cheeky rock and roll attitude and folky social consciousness” that was postponed from a couple of months ago.

That’s it for now. Thanks for reading. www.JohnFuzek.com