Roots Report: Better Than a Bad Date

Okee dokee folks… Are you single? Lonely? Well, we just got past the dreaded V-Day, and some of you may be looking for love or as Eddie Murphy’s Buckwheat says, “Wookin’ Pa Nub.” A local author sent me a copy of her book and asked me if I would be interested in writing a little about it. At first I was reluctant, but seeing as I had some experience with the subject matter I agreed. The book is called Stupid Cupid: A Survivor’s Guide To Online Dating and was written by Allison O’Donnell about her personal trials and tribulations with the process. I am sure that most people who have gone through this have some bizarre stories to tell. O’Donnell actually made hers into an enjoyable book. This tome chronicles O’Donnell’s foray into online dating and is divided into chapters that recount the individual dates or category of date type such as: “Houdini,” “The Psychotic,” “The Lurker,” “Pennywise,” “Mr. Clean,” “Coupon Carl,” “Mr. Roboto,” Ramblin’ Man” and lots and lots more. There are about 125 mini- chapters about these undertakings. O’Donnell puts a comic spin on already comical events. Having personally experienced the world of online dating, I can attest to the validity of these kinds of dating adventures. I probably could have written a book about the world from a male point of view. Man, do I have some stories! Most think that the guys on dating sites are bad, well, let me fill you in, there is equality in online dating! This is not a book that you need read only if you are single and want to date, though it should be a required tutorial before embarking on the crusade. It is an entertaining collection of stories about human interaction that will keep readers engaged. So, don’t let the title fool you, Stupid Cupid is not just for dating wannabes, it could also be used as a separation deterrent. Once you read what it is like in the land of 21st century courting, it may just scare you straight into permanent and blissful monogamy. The book is available to order online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble or at your favorite local bookstore. Read on…

Common Fence Music is continuing to celebrate their 25th year of presenting folk and world music concerts and their winter/spring 2018 season begins with shows featuring Latin artists at both their Portsmouth and Warren venues. On Friday, February 16, Boston-based Brazilian/American folk group SÃ SOL bring Tropicalia-meets-Americana sound to the CFM Warren Sessions stage at Hope & Main. Formed eight years ago by the husband and wife duo of Jessica DaSilva (vocals, percussion, banjo) and John Garrett (vocal, guitar), the group performs original songs, transitioning effortlessly between lyrics in English and Brazilian Portuguese. Opening the show is Westerly singer-songwriter Glenn Kendzia of Wild Sun. Glenn performs with an honesty and passion that speaks to audiences and artists alike. On Saturday the 17th CFM presents their first-ever Valentine’s Latin Dance Night with Obertico Arias Y Su Alebreke at their Portsmouth Mainstage. Leading the seven-piece ensemble is Dominican Latin percussionist, vocalist and bandleader Luis Robertico Arias, who has been performing professionally since his teens. He has toured internationally with such bands as Los Hijos del Rey, El Equipo de Dioni Pernandez, Boni Cepeda, The New York Band and La Gran Manzana, and recorded with such artists as David Byrne. Audience members are invited to attend a free preshow salsa lesson with Sara Barker from 7:15 – 7:45pm. For more about the two shows, cha-cha-cha to commonfencemusic.org. The Carolina Chocolate Drops

Some of you may remember the Carolina Chocolate Drops. They burst onto the music scene about a decade ago. I first heard them on NPR and was transfixed by their version of “Hit ‘Em Up Style.” I was fortunate to see the original line-up as well as a couple of the members perform solo. Nowadays, two of the founding members, Rhiannon Giddens and Dom Flemons, are touring solo. Though the CCD technically may still exist, Dom Flemons is no longer part of the group. I have seen Flemons perform solo at Common Fence Music as well as Rhythm and Roots Festival and both times he put on an amazing show. We are fortunate that Flemons will be in the area again on Thursday, March 1, as part of the Route 44 Music Series at the Harmony Lodge. Route 44 Music Series shows are intimate and designed to work for those of you who don’t like late nights or to rush to make dinner before heading out. All bases are covered. Food and drinks are available for purchase at the show, and they let out by 9:30pm. For more, “Hot Chicken” to hearinrhodeisland.com

There are a bunch of shows I want to let you know about but not a lot of room, so here goes! (Taking a deep breath…) The Knickerbocker in Westerly has Dave DeAngelis playing in the Tap Room on February 15, and in the main room on Saturday the 17th it’s Josiah Johnson from The Head and The Heart with Widower (KnickMusic.org). At Nick-A-Nee’s: Feb 15 is Nate Cozzolino; Feb 16 is Dan Lilley & The Keepers; Feb 17 is How’s About Charlie, youandeverything, The Guest House; Feb 21 is Rick Meir & The Ricktones; Feb 24 is Millrats; Feb 25 is Unity Trio with Max Goldman, Clay Nordhill and Marty Ballou; Feb 28 is Lizzy James & The Greystone Rail (facebook.com/nickanees). Get some “Green Grass and High Tides at The Greenwich Odeum on Feb 15 with the Outlaws; Feb 17 is Vagina Monologues, and on Feb 23 it’s the Slambovian Circus (GreenwichOdeum.com). At Blackstone River Theatre, on Feb 18 is Seamus Egan Project; Feb 24 is The NY Mandolin Ensemble with Barry Mitterhoff with the L’Esperance Mandolin Ensemble; Mar 3 is RUNA; Mar 4 is Robbie O’Connell and Rose Clancy (riverfolk.org). The Pumphouse Open Mic Potluck happens on Feb 24; Seth Burkhart is on Feb 16; Ian Fitzgerald is on Feb 17; Horse Eyed Men is on Feb 23; and on Mar 2, The Folk Support Group (Ed McGuirl and Mike Fishman) celebrate 30 years of music making together (pumphousemusicworks.com). The Stadium Theatre has Pink Floyd Tribute The Machine on Feb 24 (stadiumtheatre.com). The Garde Theatre in New London has Andrew Bird on Mar 2 and Lyle Lovett with Shawn Colvin on Mar 3 (gardearts.org). The 19th Annual Rhode Island Pride Goddess Show is at Stout Irish Pub in PVD on Mar 4 (prideri.org).

The Narrows in Fall River is auctioning off an electric guitar signed by some of the most respected guitarists and hosted at the Narrows. Signatures include those of Ronnie Earl, John Mayall, Walter Trout, Tab Benoit, Big Al Anderson, John Jorgenson, Chris Hillman, Herb Pedersen, Leo Kottke, Coco Montoya, David Bromberg, Charlie Hunter, Reeves Gabrels, Mike Zito, Larry Campbell, Quinn Sullivan, Marty Stuart, Kenny Vaughan & Los Lobos. Send your bid to: [email protected] org. Auction closes on February 28.

Entries are now accepted for the 23rd Annual USA Songwriting Competition. Songwriters and composers vie for a chance to win a top prize of $50,000 worth of cash and merchandise, such as music gear. Winning songs will receive radio airplay. Songwriters can enter in 15 different song categories such as pop, rock/alt, folk, R&B, hip-hop, jazz or instrumental. For more, lyric to songwriting.net

It was a very sad day for many, many folks in the RI music community when we learned of the loss of our friend Sarah Good. She was a RI mainstay as a bandleader with her group, The Goods. Besides being a musician, she was an artist, entrepreneur, fashion and jewelry designer, ballerina, dog lover and all around great person. We will miss her tremendously. RIP Sarah.

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

The Roots Report: Is This Thing On?

Okee dokee folks… Maybe you made a New Year’s resolution to finally get out and perform in public. If so, open mics are a great stepping stone to get into the world of music performance. In case you are not completely sure what an open mic is, I will clue you in.

First of all “mic” (pronounced like “Mike”) is short for microphone. At an open mic, anyone is permitted to get up to the mic and do their thing — music, poetry or sometimes comedy. Some open mics are run as a ruse to get folks into a venue on a slow night, whereas others are set up for the genuine purpose of nurturing novice performers. Usually there is a limit to the time you are given (10 to 15 minutes) or the number of songs (3 to 5) you can perform. It usually depends on how many folks have signed up on that particular evening.

The absolute BEST open mic I ever performed was at the Old Vienna Kaffeehaus in Westboro, Mass, during the early ’90s. This was a serious open mic where people listened. You had to get

there early to sign up and names were tossed in a hat. You never knew exactly when you would get to play until the names were drawn, and even then they only did the first half and then drew more names about halfway through the night. This eliminated/discouraged one of the rude habits that some open mic performers have: leaving right after they play. This wasn’t an open mic where you played cover songs. You were there to play your own tunes and get feedback on them. This open mic was attended by both the newbies and the stalwarts of the folk scene. I still remember Martin Sexton doing a kind of Al Jolson bit while smoking a cigarette (yes, they still smoked in venues back then — UGH!!!).

If you want to get into performing at open mics, here are a few tips:

Be prepared. Have about a half dozen songs practiced and well oiled that you can perform from memory. Make them your strongest numbers. Don’t tell the story in the song before you sing the story in the song! If you are playing someone else’s music, give them credit. Be sure your guitar is tuned before you hit the stage. Have your guitar strap adjusted, and have your pick, capo and guitar cord all readily accessible. If you are playing a keyboard or some odd instrument, make sure you coordinate set-up with the host long before your performance time. Sing into the microphone — about 1 to 3 inches away from it, not over it and not 3 feet away from it. Take your open mic performance seriously and act like it is a mini gig. Be professional. Be conscious of your appearance. Lose the backward baseball hat and the sunglasses. Wear shoes and not flip-flops — no one wants to see your ugly ass feet! Whether this is your first open mic performance or your hundredth you are still up there to entertain, so remember that. Some people do just go to open mics to listen. Be courteous to the other performers; listen to them and don’t talk over their performance. Stay until the end; don’t play and leave!!! Network, listen and learn. Lastly — and this is one of the things that kills some open mics — avoid the tribe mentality. Some folks go into an open mic, play every week and take it over. If this sounds like you, then it’s time to move on, get a real gig and start a whole new learning process. Go out and play a lot of different open mics and practice playing under all kinds of conditions, from the real listening crowd to the noisy bar where you can barely hear yourself play. It’s all learning and it is a constant process. Open mic on…

One of the folks who takes her open mic very seriously is Joanne Lurgio. She hosts an open mic every Tuesday at the Pub on Park in Cranston (pubonpark.com). Gary Fish runs an open mic on Tuesday at Sandywoods in Tiverton (sandywoods.org). Don Tassone holds an open mic on Thursdays at the Mediator in Cranston (mediatorfellowship.org). The Pump House in Peacedale schedules an open mic/potluck once a month — usually the last Saturday (pumphousemusicworks.com). The Galactic Theatre in Warren has a Wednesday open mic night (galactictheatre.com). The Parlour on North Main also holds a Tuesday open mic night (theparlourri.com). Perks & Corks on High St. in Westerly has a Monday night open mic (perksandcorks.com). Lori Silvia, who was a great friend and mentor to me THIRTY-some-odd years ago when I was just beginning to perform, runs an open mic at Strings Bar & Grill in Johnston on Wednesday nights (stringsbar.com). These were all off the top of my head, but this should get you started. Lots of other local bars and coffeehouses also have open mics, so just check their websites and keep your ears open for more. Have fun!

Waaaaay back, when I ran the Rhode Island Songwriters Association, we held a weekly open mic. One of the people who would frequent that open mic was Dean Petrella. Back then he was in his late teens. Nowadays he has a band, The Complaints (thecomplaints.com), and has been performing up and down the East Coast and beyond for over 20 years. Besides Petrella, the band includes bassist Chris Cruz and drummer Anthony Marotti. The Complaints have shared the stage with many national acts including Sugar Ray, Train, Collective Soul, 3 Doors Down, Nickleback and Guster and have won numerous awards, including the Band of the Year award from Motif. Though they are primarily a rock trio, their latest CD offering, Talk To Me, is more of an acoustic recording. They celebrate the release of their fourth CD on Sun, Feb 18 at 5pm. The party will be held at The Last Resort located at 325 Farnum Pike in Smithfield. For more, “Breathe” over to thelastresortri.com.

Finally, if you are cold this winter and need some warming up, then get to Rhodes On The Pawtuxet on Sat, Feb 10 for the 26th annual Mardi Gras Ball where you can dance yourself hot and sweaty. Doors open at 6pm in anticipation of Grammy-winning Cajun band Beausoleil avec Michael Doucet, international performers Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas, and New Orleans blues from Rhode Island’s own Knickerbocker All-Stars.

Cajun and Creole cuisine is offered by the renowned Chili Brothers Food Company, arguably the most popular food vendor at the Rhythm & Roots Festival every year, serving up their world-famous Louisiana-inspired cuisine. The ball also features a costume contest with cash prizes in a variety of categories, including best group, best couple, best individual and a grand prize of $250 for best overall costume. The event will benefit VSA Arts RI, the nonprofit organization that opens the world of art to children and adults with disabilities. For more, zyd-e-go-go to rhythmandroots.com/mardi-gras-ball.

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

The Roots Report: Runnin’ Down a Dream

Okee dokee folks… Last week I had the pleasure of being included in the sold-out Tom Petty tribute show at the Columbus Theatre. Initially I wasn’t part of the line-up, but someone canceled about a week before the show and I was able to fill in. Most of the Petty songs that I knew were chosen by then, so it came down to “Honey Bee” and “The Last DJ.” For a minute or two I thought about doing a solo version of “Honey Bee,” but that was a bit out of character for me. I opted to do a folkier version of “The Last DJ” and added a little harmonica solo to my interpretation. As I practiced the song and (tried to) memorize the lyrics, I realized that this was a bit of a prophetic song for Petty. “The Last DJ” was from the 2002 album of the same name and speaks of corporate and subscription radio taking over — kind of like radio is now. In many ways it worked perfectly as a folk song, and I am glad that it was the song I performed. There were so many great musicians who were part of this show it would take most of my column to name and compliment them all, so I will just say that THEY ALL WERE GREAT and THEY ALL did an AMAZING JOB! I will, however, single out and commend Chrissy Stewart, Dylan Sevey, Michael Panico, Brian Minto and the Columbus Theatre for putting the show together. I would like to personally thank Swamp Yankee Art for getting my name on the BEAUTIFUL commemorative poster that they sold at the show! I thought that I surely would not have made it to the poster because I was an add-on. I had so much fun at this tribute, so a big “thank you” to everyone involved and to everyone who came!

If you are a Tom Petty fan and were not able to get a ticket to see the show, don’t fret (guitar humor). Another, totally different, Tom Petty Tribute Show is right around the corner. This time it will happen on January 27 at The Met in Pawtucket and will be benefit One America Appeal for hurricane relief. This tribute includes such local luminaries as John Larson, Cathy Clasper Torch, Richard Ribb, Paula Clare, Richard Ribb, Mark Cutler, Emerson Torrey, Tanya McIntyre, and many others. For more, run down a dream to themetri.com

Hey Nineteen

Last month I caught Hey Nineteen Steely Dan Tribute for the first time since their debut show a few years back. The band takes on a lot, not only because of the complex tunes of Steely Dan, but also the size and scope of the band. Led by Dale Dejoy, the 11-piece band has all the right ingredients to make Steely Dan’s music come alive. They don’t take liberties with the arrangements and remain faithful to the tracks that Fagan and Becker laid down years ago. Every vocal, harmony, horn line, solo and sound are attended to with the utmost care. Every member is a master of their instrument and the “Babylon Sisters” backing vocalists not only layer lush harmonies, they are very entertaining to watch! With seven vocalists in the band you get an array of vocal styles to provide the best feel of that number. Hey Nineteen will “Do It Again” at the Ocean Mist on Saturday, January 27. “Any Major Dude Will Tell You” that this is a not-to-miss show. Get your tix early so there’ll be “No Static At All.” Yes, I am pushing the SD puns. Here’s one more for you: For more, “Pretzel Logic” to oceanmmist.net

“I’ll stick with with Tribute Bands for $1,000, Alex.”

“The answer is, ‘The Stadium Theatre in Woonsocket.’”

“Where can you find Neil Diamond, The Eagles, AC/DC and Rush’s music in January?” Another Tequila Sunrise will perform the music of The Eagles on Friday, January 19. AC/DC tribute Dirty Deeds with Rush tribute Lotus Land will happen on Saturday, January 20. The Neil Diamond Tribute by Simply Diamond will be held on Friday, January 26.

“I’ll take Country Kids for $500, Alex.”

“The answer is ‘LeAnn Rimes.'” “Who has been topping the charts since the age of 13 and is famous for such hits as “How Do I Live,” “Blue,” “Can’t Fight The Moonlight,” and will be at the Stadium Theatre on February 2, with only limited seating left?”

“That is a bit more than we asked for, but we’ll take it.”

“Sorry, Alex. How else was John going to continue his lame attempt at Jeopardy humor and get the info in?” For more, potent potable to stadiumtheatre.com

Folks from South County tend not to go farther up Route 1 North than the Hannah Robinson Tower. It’s as if Hannah’s ghost is doing her best Gandalf, slamming down her staff and screaming, “You shall not pass!” Luckily South County has one of the newest and best music venues around, The Pump House Music Works. On Friday, January 12, RI Songbird Allysen Callery is joined by Boston-based Ryan Lee Crosby for a night of fingerstyle folk, 12-stringed country blues and Indian Raga. Fans of Sandy Denny, Nick Drake and Robbie Basho should take note.

The following night, January 13, it’s the Bob Kendall Band, and on Saturday, January 20, catch the Narrow River Band. Now the question is will Hannah let folks head south? Find out. For more,”One Way Donkey Ride” to pumphousemusicworks.com

Fellswater, a Celtic music ensemble, will hold a CD release concert for their new album Skipping Stones at the Blackstone River Theatre in Cumberland on Saturday, January 13. Skipping Stones is the band’s third album and first with the new line-up: Kyle Forsthoff, Betsy Ketudat, Jim MacConduibh, Sarah MacConduibh, Andrew McIntosh, Chris Myers and Diane Myers. The band will be joined at BRT by cellist David Cabral, who was one of the featured guest artists on the new album. For more, “Lo delo delo” to RiverFolk.org or fellswater.com

The Route 44 Music Series at the Harmony Lodge will be presenting the “legendary” Andy Pratt on Thursday, January 18 at 7:30pm. Andy achieved fame in the early ’70s with his hits “Avenging Annie” (which was later recorded by Roger Daltry of The Who), “Summer, Summer” and others from his nearly 30 albums. Pratt is a prolific songwriter and has a wealth of great material beyond his hits. He will be performing solo on guitar and piano. Opening the show will be John Larson and The Silver Fields. If you are worried about getting home in time to eat and then rush to get back out, don’t! The Harmony Lodge has a full dinner menu available. The show ends early, around 9:30pm, so you won’t be out late on a school night! For more, “Shiver In The Night” to hearinrhodeisland.com and click on Route 44 Music Series.

About 15 years ago I was fortunate to be invited to perform at the Kerrville Folk Festival in Texas. I led a “delegation” of songwriters from RI (Mary Ann Rossoni, Mike Laureanno, Marilyn Manfra, Bill Petterson) and we played a songwriter-in-the-round type show. The Kerrville Folk Fest is one of the top folk festivals in the country and runs for about 18 days every year. Many of the best performances take place around the nighttime campfires and this is where Michelle Shocked was discovered and recorded on the spot about 30 years ago. If you have ever dreamed of playing in Texas, then here is your chance to try. Entries are now being accepted for the 2018 Kerrville New Folk Competition to be held on Saturday and Sunday, May 26 and 27, 2018, during the first weekend of the 47th Annual Kerrville Folk Festival. The first 800 entries received by February 28 will be judged, and 32 finalists will be named in April. For more, “Graffiti Limbo” to kerrville-music.com

That’s it for now. Thanks for reading. www.JohnFuzek.com Roots Report: I’m Dreaming of a Brown Christmas

Okee dokee folks… The “holidaze” are upon us, and like I have said many times I don’t do them. I do, however, LOVE to celebrate Brown Christmas! Before your sphincters get all tight, it is NOT a derogatory comment, though the current social climate may make you think so. It is simple: Brown Christmas happens because of Brown Santa — the UPS man! I learned about Brown Santa from a friend, but I have expanded upon it and now celebrate Brown Christmas. I order items online and after I get a few packages, I have myself a very merry Brown Christmas more than once a year. It’s fun! You get what you want, no disappointments and no returns! You should give it a try!

Many of you folks may be familiar with the local (international) songstress Allysen Callery, but what you may not know is that she has a very talented daughter, Ava. I worked with Ava a couple of

times and first saw her perform in Jesus Christ Superstar a few years back. She is beginning to make a name for herself as a solo folk artist. The other day, Allysen, being the proud mom she is, posted a video of a song that Ava did with her new project, Toy Sale, which includes partner Matthew Requintina. The video is for the song called “Cupid Winter Song” and the video/song is said to be, “The one in which we affirm our love for winter, Christmas, Awful Awfuls, Benny’s and coastal Rhode Island.” It’s a jangly, poppy, little ditty that is as fun to listen to as the video is to watch. This is one of those holiday-esque compositions that could easily stand the test of many holidays to come. To view, get u to youtube.com/watch?v=MuRgGjh5BqY

I have a few favorite local bands that I like to try to see as often as I can. One of those bands is David Tessier’s All-Star Stars. Tessier has great taste in music and plays the songs that I love to hear. He will go from an obscure Monkees song to the full 17-minute long “Dogs” by Pink Floyd. Besides the band’s cover songs, Tessier includes his own epic compositions in the sets. I first caught his performance during a local production of Jesus Christ Superstar (the same one that Ava Callery was in). I also saw him in Perishable’s production of Hedwig and The Angry Inch and at King Richard’s Faire, and just a few weeks ago he was in the orchestra for Jesus Christ Superstar at the Granite Theatre in Westerly. Tessier has a very well-rounded and eclectic music resume. The All-Star Stars band members are talented and versatile singers and players as well. They bring the best of the ’60s and ’70s music to wherever they play. On Friday, December 22, they will be at the Boundary Brewhouse in Pawtucket. You should take a chance, have a beer and enjoy the music of David Tessier’s All-Star Stars. For more, “Stepping Stone” to BoundaryBrewHouse.com

I first heard Dylan Sevey when he was brought up onstage to play his own song in the middle of an Indigo Girls show at Lupo’s a few years back. I was impressed by the song and the performance. After the show I met Dylan and as it turned out, in true RI fashion, I went to school with his parents. Who’s old? Sevey is quite the talent and his talent has taken him to Nashville to be a full-time drummer for Ron Gallo. Dylan will be back for the holiday season and he is reconvening his band, The Gentlemen, for one show only at the Pump House in his hometown of Wakefield. For four years, the Gentlemen played consistently in the northeast, sharing the stage with acts such as The Mallett Brothers Band and Bow Thayer. Get to the Pump House on Thursday, December 28, and welcome Dylan home. The Wolff Sisters and Jeff Kelly open up the show. For more, vandal the handle to PumpHouseMusicWorks.com

It’s still hard to believe that Tom Petty died. It’s been a little over two months and for many, the shock will never wear off. I was never a huge Petty fan, but I did like some of his music. I only saw him in concert once and that was about 35 years ago. I did gain a new appreciation of Tom Petty as the hard- working musician after I watched the lengthy “Runnin’ Down A Dream” documentary. It is definitely worth your time to check out. If you are a fan of Tom Petty, get to the Columbus Theatre on December 29 for “Something From A Dream — Tom Petty Tribute Night.” This show will feature full band sets by Dylan Sevey & The Gentlemen, The Quahogs, Josh Buckley, The ‘Mericans, Excitable Boys, Sorry Wrong Person and additional performances by Allysen & Ava Callery, Russ Connors, Ervis McGilicuddy & Lynny Bryan, Jen Long, The Marshall Pass, Mary Bee, John Faraone, Kate Mick, Randy Robbins and Jodie Treloar Sampson. On top of the great performers and music, the show is a charity event for Girls Rock RI, a volunteer-based non-profit that uses music creation and critical thinking to foster empowerment, collaborative relationships and the development of healthy identities in girls and women. For more, free fall to columbustheatre.com

I caught this show the last time it came around and it honestly was a lot of fun. There was a movie, some learnin’, some great music and some dancin’! Rex Fowler of the renowned folk/rock duo Aztec Two-Step is celebrating Elvis Presley’s birthday at the Courthouse Center for the Arts in West Kingston on Friday, January 5. The show begins with a screening of 200 Cadillacs, an original short film conceived of and co-produced by Fowler, showcasing the often forgotten generosity of Elvis Presley. A Q&A session follows the film, after which Rex’s four-piece band, Rex and the Rockabilly Kings, take the stage to perform a lively concert of Elvis’ early RCA and SUN Records classics. Fowler’s “All About Elvis” birthday bash also includes a multimedia slide show of young Elvis’ photos and video clips during the concert. For more, “Blue Moon of Kentucky” to CourtHouseArts.org

That’s it for now. Thanks for reading. JohnFuzek.com Roots Report: The Andy Rooney of Music

Okee dokee folks… Eagles concert tickets went on sale and folks were complaining about the ticket prices that ranged from $125 – $800. The corporate rock scene is out of control. Doesn’t Don Henley have enough money by now? I saw the Eagles in concert on their 1980 “Long Run Tour.” I paid about $10 for the tickets and I thought that was pricey. I remember the Eagles, Fleetwood Mac AND Boz Scaggs played a show TOGETHER at Foxboro (Schaefer) Stadium in 1976 and the tickets were probably around $20, tops. Taylor Swift will be performing two nights at Foxboro’s Gillette Stadium next July, and tix are insanely priced. Does Taylor need another mansion? Ed Sheeran is also playing Gillette, next September. Do his tix need to be so pricey? He is a solo performer who loops. Have his looping pedals become members of the musician’s union? Nowadays, there are very few, if any acts (actually none) that I would pay that much to see. About 35 years ago, I did pay $90 to a scalper for Who tickets on what was supposed to be their last tour. I thought that amount was outrageous, but I also thought it was my last chance to see them. Won’t get fooled again!

If a parent wanted to take two kids to see Taylor Swift at Gillette it would cost in the ballpark of $500. Add in parking, beverages, snacks, concert merch and whatever other crap you are obliged (or nagged) to obtain, and you could have taken a little getaway instead of attending a 90-minute show that you could barely see from your cheap stadium seats. I used to go to one, sometimes two concerts a week back in my teens. Tix usually were about $6. I had a minimum wage job that paid about $2.30 an hour so I could, sort of, afford it. Minimum wage workers today have to work about 10 times harder (at the very least) to get their tix, if they could even spare the money to buy them.

Music is my life. I play it, write about it and make it happen, and I do it because it is who I am. I am not a very good audience member, though, and now I usually only attend concerts where I have some sort of involvement or if my girlfriend REALLY, REALLY wants to go. If I were just a fan, I honestly could not see paying hundreds dollars for the “privilege” of being part of a human sea. The best places are the smaller venues where you still feel like it matters to be there. I know, I know, you want the chance to see your favorite performer live, in concert. I understand, but you have to pick and choose who you want to sell a kidney to see. It is sad that this limits who fans can experience.

A few weeks ago my girlfriend and I THOUGHT about going to see Steely Dan in NY. Tix were about $150 each and we would have needed to get a hotel room as well. We estimated that this venture would cost around $500, so we went to see the Steely Dan tribute, Hey Nineteen, at The Met instead. Sometimes the tribute bands are just as good as the original and sometimes better. You get to hear the songs that you really want to hear and they try to sound as close to the original as possible. Anyway, I really don’t know what point I am trying to make here this week. I think I may be turning into the Andy Rooney of music. Or maybe I am just trying to avoid giving you my annual ANTI-HOLIDAY rant. HUMBUG!!! Read on…

You will get more bang for your buck at The Courthouse Center for the Arts on Fri, Dec 15, when they present a double-header of Terry Sylvester (The Escorts, The Hollies) and John Ford Coley (England Dan and John Ford Coley). Hear the hits “Long Cool Woman In a Black Dress,” “The Air that I Breathe,” “I’d Really Love To See You Tonight” and more. Livingston Taylor is also performing at Courthouse Center for The Arts on Dec 9 to celebrate his 50th year making music and to support his new release, Safe Home. In addition to being a professor at Berklee College of Music, Liv maintains a performance schedule of more than 100 shows a year. For more, “Hush A Bye” to CourthouseArts.org

The Fifth Annual Rock & Roll Christmas Show to benefit Stand Up For Animals, Westerly’s animal shelter, will take place at The Knickerbocker Music Center on Sun, Dec 10 at 6pm. Slated to perform are John Speziale and The Choos (Phil Adams and Brett Boardman) as well as members of other area bands including The Hoolios, Sweet Mercy and Sunday Gravy. Enjoy dancing, a strolling fiddler, a photo booth, raffles, a silent auction, dancing Santa and a hula dancing contest! All proceeds go to provide homes for troubled animals. For more, rollover to facebook.com/events/134397513846068

At The Find On 6 antique store in Johnston (near the Situate line) on Sat, Dec 9 at 7:30pm a relatively new music series will present another installation with The Billy Harpin Band and Victor Main. This is a free (pass the hat for performers) and bring your own drink and food event. Attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items such as canned vegetables, fish and chicken, as well as peanut butter, whole wheat pasta, brown rice and beans for a food drive donation. Music Series organizer Bill McGrath states, “We have been bringing talented musicians to unique venues for years now, and are excited to incorporate foods drives to benefit the Rhode Island Community Food Bank to help be part of the solution.” For more, find TheFindOn6.com or Bill McGrath’s Music Series on Facebook.

The Newport Playhouse is proud to present Newport to Nashville — an evening of songwriters performing original songs. This month features Rick Cretarola, Mary Day and Putnam Murdock. They perform in the round and each artist takes a turn playing their original work during the 90-minute or so show. The stage attempts create a Grand Ole’ Opry feel with a signpost style mic stand at the center spot. There is not a cover charge, but there is a food & beverage minimum per person. A cowboy hat is passed to collect donations for the performers. They have pretty cool “N2N” shirts for sale, you should buy one! The Newport Playhouse is located at 102 Connell Highway. For more, “shub up” to NewportToNashville.com

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

The Roots Report: Give Me the Info!

Okee dokee folks… So, this is something that has been bugging me for a long time: Concerts that are announced and the tickets put on sale a year before the show. While I understand the rationale for the large lead time — it is all about locking in the mighty $$$ ASAP — I don’t like it! When I was young(er) (I know, I do more and more waltzing down memory lane as I age), if tickets went on sale three months before a show that was a long time in advance. The excitement of securing the tickets for the show wouldn’t even wear off before we would get to use them. Nowadays you are lucky to remember you have the tickets. Sometimes we would spend the night on the sidewalk of the Civic Center to be one of the first in line buy tickets. Remember, we were teenagers and this was the ’70s in downtown Providence, which was a far cry from what PVD is like now! My grandparents would occasionally pick up tickets for me before I had a driver’s license. On one occasion my grandfather wound up with his photo in The ProJo and had a little story written about him because he was buying concert tickets for me. Most of the time I don’t know what I am doing tomorrow or next week, let alone what I am doing at the end of next summer! I just think it is wrong for promoters to ask folks to commit to something a year in advance. Hell, the way things are going in the world we may not even be here in a year, but the promoters have your money, so all is good.

This doesn’t only irk me a concertgoer, it irks me as a performer because I have to book shows a year in advance when I don’t even have the next year’s calendar yet. A while back I booked a show a year and a half in advance, and after about a year of waiting to play the show, the series was canceled. Some of the newer and trendy pop bands book their shows while they are the hot ticket and by the time you actually get to see them live, you are like, “What was I thinking? These guys suck!” So, that is my gripe for the week. You can continue with what you were doing, well, after you read on…

It is a shame that these types of shows are needed, but they will probably become more prevalent in the coming years thanks to Cheeto brain and his minions (Impeach!). The 10th annual Singing

Hot Tuna for Shelter Acoustic Christmas Concert for the benefit of Lucy’s Hearth and The McKinney Shelter will take place on Thu, Dec 7 at 7pm at the Channing Church located at 135 Pelham St in Newport. Mark and Anne Gorman of Newport will be hosting this 10th annual concert, and many of Aquidneck Island’s finest musicians will join together to raise much-needed funds for the area’s homeless shelters. This year’s performers include Jack Casey, Ed McGuirl, Tom Perrotti, Mike Fischman, Joe Lambiase, Jimmy Winters, Ed Ledwith, Rand Bradbury, The New 40, John Monllos, Joanne Rodino, Zanricky Duo, Michelle Siegal, Matt Bruneau, Leslie Grimes, Julio Amaro, Kevin Sullivan, Rick Jones, Mike Jackson, John Flanders and Al Fresco Flutes. “As musicians, we’re all honored to do our part to try to alleviate homelessness. This winter promises to be a harsh one, so we’re asking all our Aquidneck island friends to once again come out and support this great night of music for a great cause,” Mark Gorman said. “Lucy’s Hearth and The McKinney Shelter do a wonderful job of providing temporary housing to our homeless population. Singing for Shelter allows these local musicians to support the great work done by these shelters,” Gorman continued. As if all that entertainment wasn’t enough to lure you in, they also will be raffling off a brand new Washburn acoustic guitar valued at $1,000. Advance concert tickets are available at Lucy’s Hearth, 19 Valley Rd, Middletown, at a discount. They also will be available at the door. Children with adults are free. For more, electronically post to [email protected].

If you are fan of the Indigo Girls, you can catch one of them on Sat, Nov 18 at The Met in Pawtucket. Emily Saliers, who is responsible for a lot of Indigo Girls hits, including “Closer to Fine,” “Galileo” and “Hammer and a Nail, released a solo offering at the end of the summer titled Murmuration Nation. She is currently on tour in support of that album. Murmuration Nation has the heart of an Indigo Girl’s recording without the harmonies and angst of Amy Ray. Saliers’ strengths are with her words, voice and melody. The sound is not so acoustic and has more varied instrumental additions, mostly synth, than an Indigo’s album. The song that caught me was a bonus track called “311.” The Met is a great place to witness an intimate show by someone of Saliers’ stature and talent. For more, “Watershed” to themetri.com And while you have The Met on your mind you should grab tix to see Samantha Fish on Dec 13; you won’t be sorry!

Keeping with the topic of last line of the last paragraph, I will stick with fish. Acoustic Hot Tuna is hitting the Greenwich Odeum on Dec 2! If you caught their opening, opening set at the recent PPAC Tedeschi-Trucks show, you were definitely left wanting more. Here is your chance to see this legendary band live. Started as a side project during Jefferson Airplane days, boyhood pals Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady still play great music together. From their days playing together as teenagers in the Washington, DC, area, through years of inventive Psychedelic Rock in San Francisco (1996 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees) to their current acoustic and electric blues sound, no one has more consistently led American music for the last 50 years. For more, “Embryonic Journey” to GreenwichOdeum.com

Worse than getting info a year before a show is getting a show announcement just days before the performance or even the night before. Press notices should go out three weeks prior to the show and should include the who, what, when, where, how much and “for more info” link. I do honestly want to write about many of the shows out there, but if I don’t get the info in time all I can say is, “Seriously?” E-mail text, not a poster, to [email protected]. Yes, it is that simple. Thank you!

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

Roots Report: Don’t Miss Aztec Two-Step

Okee dokee folks… A few weeks ago I played my first house concert. A house concert is basically a party built around a performance by a musical guest. They can be as simple as a performer sitting around and playing songs sans amplification, or as involved as setting up a sound system and lighting. I have even been to a house concert where the homeowners had a stage, lighting and sound built into their living room. As for performer compensation, that also varies from maybe a meal and/or lodging to pre-sales of tickets, though most of the time it is a “pass the hat” method. In theory, anyone could present a house concert. It depends on whether you want to open your home up to that kind of situation. You would need to know how many people you want/expect to attend and can fit. The house concert that I played had about 50 people. I went to one last week and there were about 25 people, three dogs and a cat. I really liked that one! You don’t need an especially large area and often the guests listen from adjoining rooms. It’s a cozy and laid-back atmosphere, and for the most part, anything goes. The house concert last week featured a bagpiper, in full regalia, performing “Amazing Grace” as the opening to the show. House concerts used to rely on word of mouth promotion, but now social media and house concert organizations aid in the presentation of such events. You kind of have to know the right someone to be able to attend a house concert. A lot of times the concerts are promoted through the performer, and you can get the info on the secret location by RSVPing to the event. We are in RI, the “I know a guy” state, so either you know someone or someone you know knows someone who might host one. If you are interested in house concerts, keep your ear to the ground or your eyes on Facebook. These shows are out there, very fun to attend and a great way to enjoy music in an intimate setting. Read on…

It is no secret that the duo Aztec Two-Step is one of my all-time favorite acts and one of my biggest musical influences. Over the many years of seeing them perform and sharing the stage with them, we became friends. Aztec Two-Step began in the early 1970s and now Rex and Neal are in their ’70s. They are releasing their 16th and newest CD, Naked, and will be holding a celebratory concert at the Odeum in East Greenwich on Saturday, Nov 18.

Naked is a bit of a departure from the typical ATS CD. It includes lots of lush instrumentation and back- up singing from additional singers and musicians. The songs were written primarily by Rex Fowler, but Neal Shulman has a couple included as well. Fowler’s title track, “Naked,” is definitely the stand out of the CD. It is a timely tune of hope and inspiration. The verse “So deeply saddened by this disconnect, Blame our politicians blame the internet, Our morning papers our nightly news, ‘What the world needs now, is love sweet love,’ Has never been more true, We got a world of trouble at our front door, Nowhere to run to hide or ignore, Our fractured families fatherless sons, Religious thugs, deniers that Mother Earth’s on fire, Four hundred million guns” may seem a bit despondent, but the chorus is more hopeful: “We’re all born Naked with wings to soar, Then we learn to fake it when we’re scared or bored, Sometimes what breaks us can make us new, With a little push and shove and a lotta peace and love, Maybe we’ll break through.” If you are used to the simple sound of the vocals and acoustic guitars of ATS you may be a little put off at first. The full band production is a bit of a different sound for the duo. In a way, it reminds me of their more commercialized albums such as Adjoining Suites. The album’s songs deal with subjects such as family, being on the road, nostalgia, NYC and Little Richard. One of the other strong songs on the disc is “A World Without Walls.” I first heard this song about 30 years ago by the trio Devonsquare. Back then I saw ATS at the Last Call Saloon and Devonsquare was their opening act. I loved their sound and wanted a record (yes, a record, it was the ORIGINAL vinyl days), but I had no money left. One of Devonsquare’s members, Tom Dean, gave me the record and told me to send him a check, but I don’t think he thought I really would send it. To his surprise, I actually sent him the money! That album, Walking On Ice, included the song “A World Without Walls,” which was written by Rex, Tom and the other two members of Devonsquare, Alana McDonald and Herb Ludwig. The song has a jazzy feel and a message of unity, which was relevant then and is still today. The ATS version features Tom Dean, of Devonsquare, adding guitar and mandola to the tune. The 11-song recording wraps with Shulman’s ode to New York City titled “Long Black Lincoln,” where he sings of “Pretty black lady pushing little white babies” and “the bars still close at four in the morning, The way the good Lord meant it to be.”

Aztec Two-Step is one of the most enduring duos of all time. They have been at it for more than 45 years and still have a lot of music to play for us. Every show that they play is a treasure. Their music and personable humor are a treat. At Michelle Malone’s show last week, she spoke of how it’s hard for folks to get up off the couch and get out to a concert. She even went as far as to print up shirts that read “I got off the couch to see Michelle Malone.” My mother bought one because she literally got off the couch to see her. This statement works here, too. Get off the couch, and get out to see Aztec Two-Step. I hate to say this, but Rex and Neal are older than Tom Petty and we all see how that turned out for Tom. I’m sorry, Rex and Neal, I don’t mean to say that you two are going to kick the bucket anytime soon, but folks really need to get out and enjoy the great music that is around now! What is filling the void when the greats go away isn’t quite the same. For more about Aztec Two-Step and the new CD, “Cockroach Cacophony” to aztectwostep.com. For more about the show, “Velvet Elvis” to greenwichodeum.com

That’s it for now. Thanks for reading. www.JohnFuzek.com Roots Report: Eminem Twists the Knife

Okee dokee folks… I am not at all a fan of Marshall Mathers’ (aka, Eminem) music, but I do have to give him a LOT of credit for his Trump-bashing rap! I am GLAD that SOMEONE had the cojones to do something like this! While I do not find rap particularly poetic or profound, Mathers does plainly say what NEEDS to be said. Lines such as “‘Cause what we got in office now’s a kamikaze, that’ll probably cause a nuclear holocaust” and “Racism’s the only thing he’s fantastic for” cut right to the quick. He twists the knife with the last line, “We love our military, and we love our country, but we f—ing hate Trump!” Perfect. Now we need some way to get this lunatic out of the White House, and fast. He should be bounced from there like an obnoxious drunk from a bar — thrown right out on his ass. The doomsday clock is ticking. Woody Guthrie, we need you and your fascist-killing guitar! Read on…

One of my all-time favorite performers, Michelle Malone, will be in Rhode Island this month. Michelle Malone may not be a household name, but she has collaborated with many folks who are: Greg Allman, John Mayer and most notably, the Indigo Girls. She was also a member of the Indigo Girls. She is an award-winning rock/folk/blues singer, songwriter, guitarist and producer. If you are fan of Bonnie Raitt, Lucinda Williams or Sheryl Crow, you will love Malone! Her songs have appeared in such films as Bam Bam and Celeste, All Over Me and Shotgun Jesus and in TV’s “True Blood,” “Dawson’s Creek,” “Felicity” and “Brooklyn South.” They have been recorded by Indigo Girls (for which she received both gold and platinum records), Antigone Rising and many others. Malone is currently recording her 15th album. I have been a fan of Malone’s music for more than 20 years and every time I see her perform I am left speechless. Not only are her songs great, she is a kick ass guitar player! This Georgia gal doesn’t get up north very often, so seize the opportunity to see her live. She will be making a stop at the Route 44 Music Series on October 26. The series is held at the Harmony Lodge in Harmony, just 25 minutes from Providence and an easy drive up Route 295 North to exit 7B and just 4.1 miles on Route 44 West. Don’t miss this show. Once you see her live you will be a fan for life! Opening the show will be Rhode Island’s own Malyssa Bellarosa. For more, “Chicken Lickin’ Boogie” to HearInRhodeIsland.com or MichelleMalone.com

For 14 years, Wildstock has been rocking to support The Wildlife Clinic of RI! If you don’t already know, I am a BIG supporter and lover of animals. I have saved and raised all kinds of critters over the years. The Wildlife Clinic of RI has helped along the way. Wildstock is a fundraiser/Halloween party that provides some necessary support for this organization and it’s a LOT of fun. Come dressed in a costume, lots of folks do, or just come as you are. The musical line-up includes Trinity, Rendition, Band of Brothers, Crushed Velvet and Repercussions. Trinity, Band of Brothers and Crushed Velvet are three of my favorite local bands. Tickets include all entertainment and a dinner and dessert buffet provided by Jacky’s Galaxie. They also have lots of raffle prizes. Wildstock is Saturday, October 28 at Jacky’s Galaxie, 383 Metacom Ave in Bristol. Animals really do need our help and this is a fun way of doing so. For more, squirrel over to RIWildlifeRehab.org

Common Fence Music has a double dose weekend in store for you! Laura Cortese and The Dance Cards with Haunt The House will be at Hope & Main in Warren on Friday, October 20 and The Honey Dewdrops will be at the Common Fence Point Hall in Portsmouth on October 21. Cortese has served as an instrumentalist with Band of Horses, Pete Seeger, Rose Cousins, Jocie Adams (of the Low Anthem) and Uncle Earl. They can go from folk to Cajun to rock with sophisticated string arrangements and rich vocal harmonies that augment Cortese’s poignant and powerful singing. The Honey Dewdrops are an Americana duo — married in life and music. They have been compared to Gillian Welch and David Rawlings. Each share vocals and guitars, sweetened occasionally by Parrish’s mandolin and Wortman’s work on banjo and harmonica. For more, “Fly Away Free” to CommonFenceMusic.org

In the late ’90s, you probably heard these lyrics repeatedly on the radio, “I’ll be your cryin’ shoulder, I’ll be love suicide, I’ll be better when I’m older, I’ll be the greatest fan of your life.” Can you name that song? It’s “I’ll Be” by Edwin McCain and if you missed it you didn’t have a radio on. His recording of “I Could Not Ask For More” was also in heavy rotation and was included in the film Message in a Bottle. McCain will be crooning these tunes in Woonsocket on October 27 at the Stadium Theatre. Opening the show will be Jeffery Gaines. He is best known for his solo acoustic cover of Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes.” The next night, October 28, the legendary Art Garfunkel, half of the iconic Simon & Garfunkel duo, will perform at the Stadium. For more, get tuned in and turned on to StadiumTheatre.com

Scottish folk troubadour Archie Fisher makes a rare appearance and brings his songs, stories and the very best of Scottish folk music to the Music in the Gallery concert series on Saturday, October 21 at 7:30pm in the James Arnold Mansion/Wamsutta Club in New Bedford. For almost five decades, Fisher has been a figure in the Scottish folk music scene and his achievements as a singer, songwriter, guitarist and producer make his place in the annals of folk music secure. As a guitarist, Fisher was among the earliest steel-string players in British folk music, devising a mix of new tunings and inventive picking that has influenced generations of successors. For tix, charge over to brownpapertickets.com/- event/3050543

Musician and activist Holly Near will be performing a concert for Girls Rock! Rhode Island and Communisong on Thursday, November 2 at Lincoln School in Providence. For over 40 years and 30 recordings, Holly Near has been recognized around the world for her music, activism, peace, justice and feminism. Near’s career began in the 1960s and she has worked with artists such as Pete Seeger, Joan Baez and more. She has received honors from the ACLU, the National Organization for Women (NOW) and Ms. Magazine. Communisong, convenors of song, and Girls Rock! Rhode Island, a local non- profit whose mission is to help girls, women, trans and gender non-conforming individuals express themselves through music, have partnered to produce this event. The concert is open to all ages. For more, go to GirlsRockRI.org or CommuniSongRIHolly.BrownPaperTickets.com

Last week we lost a friend, a music fan, supporter of the arts, event producer and more when the wonderful Kate Vivian passed away. Kate, or “Kakie” as I would call her, was the driving force behind things that happened at the Towers in Narragansett. She dealt with brides and bands. She had weekly concerts/dances at the Towers every summer, all summer long. Often the bands would stay at her house. She loved music and the people involved in it. Kate’s passing has left a hole in the soul of musicians from Narragansett to New Orleans. RIP, Kate.

That’s it for now. Thanks for reading. JohnFuzek.com The Roots Report: An Interview with Judy Collins

Okee dokee folks… The other day I spoke with Judy Collins by phone about her upcoming show with Stephen Stills at the Park Theatre in Cranston on Satursday, October 7th. It took about twenty back and forth phone calls to have a conversation. I called. She called. We were cut off; we couldn’t hear each other. It sounded like a “Can you hear me know?” mobile phone commercial for a bit. Finally we connected and we able to have a short conversation before the phones went wonky again!

John Fuzek: Hello? Judy Collins: Oh, I think I have finally gotten through, the phone was not working for a while! So here I am! JF: Hi! thanks for calling back! JC: Hi! JF: How are you? JC: Good! JF: Where are you calling from? JC: On the way somewhere JF: You’re on your way to a gig right now? JC: Of course JF: Where are you playing tonight? JC: I don’t know…but let’s talk, shall we? JF: So, how was this tour put together? JC: Well, let’s see…first of all, we have been talking about if for a couple of years and finally we found the time to do it, so that is how it was put together, by GENIUSES!… (phone cuts out again…) JF: Hello?… Hello? Are you there? (static for a bit then Judy’s voice returns) JC: Hello? JF: I missed most of what you said after “geniuses” JC: It was put together by geniuses and we are very lucky to have a good agent and a great manager JF: You and Stephen met in the 60’s… JC: Yes JF: …did you shows together back then? JC: No, no, no we’ve never worked together on stage, we’ve never sung together in public JF: Really? JC: No, this is something that we’ve never done, we’ve thought about it a couple of times but finally it happened, what else can I tell you? JF: What does the set list look like for the shows? JC: We have a new album called Stills-Collins and we do songs from out repertoires and some other covers, it’s exciting, the new album is out, you can get it anywhere…and we sing a lot of the songs from the album and we recorded it in time to get it out, September 22nd, which is now last week. So it’s very exciting to have it out and soon there will be a vinyl which is the first time I have had a vinyl in many years! JF: So, do you two perform “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” during the show? JC: Oh, yeah, Oh, yeah! JF: Does that feel kind of strange for you? JC: Not at all, it’s quite wonderful in fact JF: Do you sing on it as well? JC: Of course! JF: Can folks expect your most well known songs at the show as well? JC: Each of us has a sort of solo turn and turning my solo turn i do “Both Sides Now” JF: So you each take a solo turn and then perform together? JC: We perform together the whole show but we each take a solo turn JF: What do you have for a backing band? JC: A wonderful trio: Russell Walden, my musical director (piano); Tony Beard, wonderful drummer; and Jeff Cash, wonderful bass player JF: So the entire band is the five of you? JC: Yeah! It’s pretty good! JF: I am curious, why do you always play a 12 string guitar? JC: I really was seduced into playing a 12 string by listening to so much Pete Seeger material, it really always occurred to me that with a 12 string you got a big, sort of orchestral sound, so that is where I have stayed JF: Does it bother your hands now that you are a bit older? I know a lot of folks that won’t play a 12 string because it is tough on their hands! JC: I’m not older I’m younger! I’m Younger so let’s skip that last question! (laughs) It may be true for some people though JF: Do you ever play a 6-string? JC: I don’t play a 6-string anymore although I used to be a hell of a travis picker and I could certainly hold my own but after I picked up the 12 string there was no going back and I never play a 6-string anymore JF: What do you do for fun on the road? Do you have any down time? JC: I work and have a wonderful time on the shows JF: How long are you out on the road for with this tour? JC: This tour began, I think, June 25th and this particular tour is 50 dates or a little more than that, and we are probably finished sometime in early November, and I think we have completed 28 by now so we have a handful more to do JF: Has it been successful so far? JC: Well, it’s mostly sold out, wildly enthusiastic audiences and everybody wants us back of course because a sold out show is a sold out show, and we’ll probably come back next year to do a reprise JF: I hope so! I have my own gig that night and can’t get to the show! JC: There will probably be another opportunity JF: Have you and Stephen ever written any material together? For the new album? JC: No, but there is a new song of mine that I haven’t recorded before which we do together called “River Of Gold” and and we are doing one of his songs from (Stills’ band) The Rides, but we have not written together JF: I recently read an article that mentioned that Stephen Stills’ hearing is almost completely gone, is this true? JC: He’s always had a an issue but he takes care of it and deals with it JF: Do you take care of your hearing? JC: You bet your ass I do! (then silence) JF: Hello? Hello? JC: Hello… JF: You keep cutting in and out, are you riding on a tour bus now? JC: No, I am in a car being driven JF: What is the length of the show that you have been doing? JC: It’s nearly a two hour show JF: i have watched a few YouTube videos, there are quite a few that have popped up from the show, it looks like fun and a great show JC: It is fun, believe me! (laughs) It is a lot of fun! JF: This show seems much different than what you normally do JC: I think it was always something that was an idea in somebody’s mind, people used to talk a lot, there was an idea of a concert with the three “J”s: Judy, Johnny, and Joan, but is never going to happen now as you can probably realize, but this was something that the promoters got EXTREMELY excited when they knew that it could be a possibility and when we did a fishing expedition last year to see how the response would be it was clear that it was something that was not only a good idea on our part because it’s so much fun and we’ve been friends for so many years but also the audiences were VERY up for it and you know these things take an enormous amount of work and planning and practicing and so many elements but hopefully you don’t know any of that when you see the show because it looks so easy and it winds up to be so much fun, but it’s been in the works for a long time JF: Considering the current political climate will there be any activism involved in the show? JC: Of course JF: Would you like to talk about it a little bit? JC: No, I don’t really want to talk about that right now JF: Do you have any favorite causes that you are supporting right now? JC: Many JF: I read something about landmines? JC: I have written ten books now and my most recent one is about eating disorders and it has a number of chapters about diet gurus through history, I have written a lot about mental health in the last forty years and ten books which are mostly memoirs or discussions of situations that are prevalent in our culture- suicide, alcoholism and basically mental health and a good deal of what I do now when I do speaking engagements I do fundraising for suicide prevention, support for mental health groups across the country and of course mental health means a lot of things-it’s the way you cope, the way you think, the way you act, what you do with your life and how you participate in the culture at large, mental health, you will find, I think, and I do, is at the bottom of a lot of issues in the world and it kind of incorporates when I think about what is going on and I have a chance to air my thoughts about how people live, what they do and how they act, that’s been something that has been very satisfying to me, very authenticating to me and a lot of people love to talk about it and think about it so, I hope that it brings some kind of answer to some people who need one at the moment JF: How do you feel about performers voicing their opinions on stage?I have seen a lot about people giving performers flack for doing so and think that they should do their job and play their music, I am an advocate of performers using their stage time to promote what they feel strongly about, how do you feel about it? JC: It has to happen, it has always happened, it’s part of the responsibility of being an entertainer, I don’t care where you stand, I was raised in a family where my father was a great singer and performer and radio personality and it was expected, and he of course was very political and very personal about his feelings about the world whether it was Joe McCarthy or the War in Vietnam, or whatever it was, but also the idea always comes with the territory, entertainers have always done performances to help causes whether it’s the USO or raising money for, one of the first fundraisers I ever went to my father was performing and I was about seven years old and it was a fundraiser for the Polio vaccine for the Salt vaccine, so, no matter what is is of course people speak their minds, it’s what would be expected otherwise JF: I am totally for it JC: Good! That’s good to hear! JF: I have just seen a lot of people complaining about it lately JC: Who cares! Who cares! (laughs) JF: (laughs) JC: I don’t care, let them complain! They have little to do with their time perhaps, of course it is something that comes with the territory and it’s important. I was raised in that culture in my own family and also I came through the 60’s… (dead air- cut off again) (phone rings again) JF: Hello? JC: Oh, sorry, lost you, on the road JF: yes, we got cut off again! I was wondering where you initially met Stephen Stills? (dead air- cut off again) JC: Hello, we have a couple of minutes, we should hurry so I don’t lose you again JF: anyway, I was wondering where you initially met Stephen Stills? Where did all of this begin? JC: We met, and started recording an album, I was making an album for Elektra Records in 1968 in Los Angeles and he was brought in to join the band, my producer David Anderle brought him in, and we dedicate this album to David Anderle because he really brought us together and we made and album called Who Knows Where The Time Goes, in 1968, that’s where we met JF: So Stephen played on that album, I never knew that! Did you do any shows with Crosby, Stills and Nash (Young) back then? JC: No, I made a recording at my home, of Stephen and I recording a Tom Paxton song, partly to see how that would feel, but we didn’t do it on stage and we’re not actually doing that song on stage either and Graham Nash used to have a television show, which was quite good, and he and I appeared on it, he was playing the guitar while I sang and, I am not sure if Graham joined in singing, but anyway, it was on a television show, but otherwise we have never done anything together in public JF: Well, I really wish that I could get to the show, I will highly recommend folks get out to see it, it looks like a great night, JC: It’s a wonderful show and a very unique show, I think and I am sorry that you will miss it but everyone has to work so I totally understand! JF: Well, good luck, I hope the rest of your drive and the show goes well and I thank you for taking the time to talk with me and going through all the dropped calls! Hopefully I will get to open for you again sometime (I had mentioned to her that we did a show together in Newport about 10 years ago) JC: Oh, good, yes, I hope so! Take care, and thanks a lot for calling! JF: Bye! JC: Bye!

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