Newport’s Mike Coffey is one of Southern New England’s premier veteran drummers. He was born in New London, Connecticut, and grew up in nearby Niantic, Connecticut. His father, Louis Coffey, was a noted percussion teacher and Mike became one of his students. For 22 years, Mike played in the US Navy Performing Band. After ending his […]
Charlie Hall started the Ocean State Follies in 1992. Over the next two decades, it became the renowned and definitive political comedy and satire act in Rhode Island. He retired the show after 20 years, taking a hiatus for five years, but recently revived it. The Follies have a regular monthly PVD combined dinner and […]
Newport Folk Festival The last weekend in July means the return of the legendary Newport Folk Festival as it takes over the city for a weekend of music under the sun. Since its inception, the Newport Folk Festival has expanded to include a broader base of music. Hell, in recent years I’ve caught everything from twang […]
Despite the illustrious histories of both the Newport Jazz and Folk Festivals, there was for many years something missing. A bridge between them! So, in 2008, Newport’s BridgeFest was born. The Newport-centric event provides a variety of music throughout Newport County that links the two iconic events. Originated by Newport’s Arts and Cultural Alliance, it […]
Okee dokee folks… Those of you who read this column or know me are aware that I am a huge fan of Neil Young. When I was in my teens, I figured out a way to meet him. My plan was simple — I knew when they did sound checks at the Civic Center so […]
For 14 years Senior Discount has been providing punchy, catchy punk rock in RI clubs and bars, and their new album, The Best Revenge, is being released on July 13 through Paper + Plastick records, owned by Vinnie Fiorello from Less Than Jake. To celebrate this mighty step forth, Senior Discount will be rocking the […]
Okee dokee folks… “It’s Different For Girls” got things going for Joe Jackson on Monday night at The Strand in Providence. Jackson sat down at his digital keyboard and performed a touching, solo rendition of the song from his 1979 album I’m The Man. The refrain, “You’re all the same…” faded the song to the […]
One of America’s top-rated musical entertainers today hails from Westerly, Rhode Island. Nicolas King, who is 26, began crooning at age 8. He quickly developed a style touching cabaret and jazz-swing — his famous grandmother, Angela Bacari, worked with his special skills, and another one of his mentors was Liza Minnelli. As he advanced, people began comparing […]
Rhode Island is a music hub filled with a wide range of musical talent, so I’m kicking off a new series that will highlight some of the best songs from around the state. Hip-hop, R&B, pop, and more, all genres will be considered. Here’s volume 1: Nino – “Vibes” After premiering a four-week series that […]
You might be feeling the post-fourth hangover and dealing with the oppressive humidity. But take comfort that there’s lots of music coming this month that will keep your pounding head from thinking of the weather. Ry Smith — Days of Iron Ry Smith is a visual artist and a one-man band wizard who conceives fascinating music in his Newport home. […]