Okee dokee folks… “Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I’m 64?” Well, the lyrics of this Beatles’ song went through my head a couple of weeks ago. I turned 64. I don’t celebrate my birthday, haven’t in decades, but this getting old thing is tough. My father turned 90 a couple of days after I turned 64. We have twenty-six years between us. I see how time takes its toll. My father wanted to be a professional baseball player when he was young. He played ball in high school, in the military, and then played weekend softball for a long time. He did go to Red Sox fantasy camp about 35 years ago. I went with him. He was ten years younger than I am now when we went. He was in heaven, me, not so much. I have never liked sports, but I understand how hanging out and playing baseball with the pros was a thrill for him. My father got married, worked, and raised a family instead of pursuing his dream of baseball. He and my mother have been married now for 65 years. I have never been married and have no kids. I have spent most of my life doing music and music-related things. I have gone through many ups and downs; it can be both heartbreaking and overwhelmingly fulfilling. My father tried to keep playing baseball but age-related issues eventually sidelined him. A new hip and knee only go so far. He hasn’t played in over fifteen years, probably longer. I have always kept in mind the parallels of his relationship with baseball and mine with music.
Now that I am at this age I do hear the clock ticking, and very loud. A lot of the musicians I chat with on my podcast are older and they are contemplating the sundown of their careers. Some folks may wonder why I am overthinking this but time really does go by fast. The year 1999 was 26 years ago, but it honestly seems like yesterday. And that amount of years is the difference between my father and I. So, what is John trying to say this time around? Well, if you have a dream, a passion, or something you really want or need to do, get out and do it now. For me, music is my oxygen, my medicine, my life, and I joke about this often, but when I die I probably will be/hope to be playing music. I will just keep on, keeping on until then. If I inspire at least one person to follow their dream with these words, then I feel I have done my job. Read on…
The Summer of Love was in 1967. The following year, 1968, protests and social activism reached a fever pitch. This summer the level of protests and activism needs to be even bigger than they were then. I read that it will take 3.5% of the population to truly facilitate change in this country. Based on the current US population of 350 million, 12 million people need to actively and peacefully protest to make a difference. So far they have been about half this. Hopefully the rising temperatures and rising anger towards the mango moron will bring out more and more folks with every rally. It has only been about four months of the most corrupt, criminal, inept, and traitorous administration this country has ever experienced and the United States is already spiraling down the drain. With enough resistance it can be saved. One of my favorite quotes is by cultural anthropologist, author, and speaker, Margaret Mead. She said,”Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Hopefully, protest music will be the soundtrack for the rallies.
I am still looking for new protest music to include in this column. I didn’t receive any for this issue but there were a few new verses written for some traditional and Pete Seeger songs that were performed during the Pete Seeger Tribute at The Greenwich Odeum a couple of weeks ago. Many of the musicians who played chose their songs to echo his social activism and to speak out about the current state of things in the US. The audience cheered and sang along with these numbers. The event was a huge success, but I know many folks were disappointed that they didn’t get to see it in person. There is a video of the full performance if you would like to watch it and hear some of Pete’s songs and some of the new verses that were written about today’s issues. Watch it here: youtube.com/ watch?v=Io755ZwK8Xs Maybe this will inspire some NEW protest songs! When you write them, send them along!
Back in the good old days of the Ben & Jerry’s Newport Folk Festival there was a lot of speaking up about social issues and politics. Ben & Jerry always took the stage and spoke up about current issues, as did many of the artists. That was when it was still an actual folk festival. I hope that the true spirit of social activism is reignited in folk, or whatever other type of music festivals that will happen this summer, instead of it just being about, “Hey, look at me, I’m cool, I scored a ticket!”
Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield are still activists and Ben was just recently arrested for protesting at a senate hearing. The 2025 Paws and Listen Music Festival on June 14 is at The Guild in Pawtucket. This event will feature performances from Lee Dewyze, Kala Farnham, Olivia Charlotte, Frank Viele, Allison Rose, Morgan Lane, Shane Muir, Lee Totten, Lainey Dionne, and Stephen Peter Rogers, all honoring the animals and the families who adopted them. Artists will perform their inspired song, along with a few other originals each set. At this show you can: meet and bond with an adoptable pet in need of a home, write & perform a song inspired by that chosen animal, and share their journey on social media to help them get adopted. For more, wag over to: parl.org/music
So, festivals this summer. Of course there is the Newport “Folk” Festival but there is no need to talk about that because unless you were able to get a ticket in the 5 minutes or so that they were available, you’re not going. There is the companion Newport Jazz Festival, August 1-3. If you dig jazz then you’d better make your move for tix now as they’re running low. Improv over to: newportjazz.org.
Next up for the big RI fests is Rhythm and Roots Festival – that will happen Labor Day Weekend at Ninigret Park in Charlestown. Rhythm and Roots was produced by the late Chuck Wentworth for about 25 years, but is now handled by the Connecticut-based company, Goodworks. As with any new leadership some things have been changed. It seems to be doing fairly well, camping has already sold out, though there was a bit of outrage from long-time RR attendees over a VIP-level experience that was added to the weekend package. This year’s line-up includes Little Feat, Blackberry Smoke, Trampled By Turtles, Lettuce, Asleep At The Wheel, Steve Earle, and many others. For more, zy-de-go to: rhythmandroots.com
The two locally produced Folk Festivals happen a week apart in August. Both are free. The Warren Folks Festival 9 is scheduled for Saturday, August 16 from 1-7pm. At the time of writing this column, there was no line-up available. Wander over to: thecollaborative02885.org/folks-fest-2025 to keep tabs on it and find out more as it becomes available.
The eleventh annual Rhode Island Folk Festival will take place on Sunday, August 24 at Crescent Park in East Providence. This year’s line-up includes: Jon Butcher, The Jeff Horton band, Catnip Junkies, Mark Cutler, Atwater-Donnelly, Fuzek-Rossoni, The Lost Tribe, Dan Lilley, Amy Bedard, Scatman, Breechway, Jodie Treloar, The Whelks, Gary Higgins, Jan Luby, Mary Pierce & Margi Gianquinto, Dave Alves, Clay Camero, Michelle Saylors, Berm, Michael Slyne, Lainey Dionne, Lilly Lambert, Jenn Long, Ike Dee, Dave Gifford Carnes, Steve Rodricks, Mary Elaine Jenkins, and more. Carousel over to rhodeislandfolkfestival.com for info.
Blackstone River Theatre in Cumberland is once again presenting the Take It Outside Concert Series. The shows will be presented in back of the theatre and take place on Sundays from 4-5pm. Chairs are provided or you may bring your own. Coming up: The Quartermaster’s Council – June 8, Hiroya Tsukamoto – June 29, Rakish – July 20, Beppe Gambetta & Yann Falquet – August 17, and Turas – August 24. For more, RiverFolk over to: BRTRI.org
The free Nimfest music series takes place at King’s Park Gazebo in Newport on Sundays from 3 – 6pm. July 6 – Princess June with Newport Classical Festival Artists; July 13 – Jill McCracken and Indira, July 20 – Hawk In The Nest with Adele Um, July 27 – Polly Bessette, Breachway, and Space Cowboy Newt; Aug 3 – John McKenna and Bill Killian, Aug 10 – Diane Blue and Meera Raphael, Aug 17 – The Down City Band, Aug 24 – Guess Method and Helena Rose. Ga-ze-GO over to: facebook.com/nimfest for more.
Crescent Park in Riverside hosts Concerts in the Park on Thursday nights at 6pm. On the calendar are: June 5 – Raquel and the Wildflowers, 12 – Strictly Sentimental Swing Band, 19 – New Providence Big Band, 26 – The Driftwoods, July 10 – David Tessier’s All-Star Stars, 17 – Playing Mantis, 24 – Luis Neves, 31 – Mixed Emotions, Aug 7 – Robin Hathaway and Her Big Mouth Blues Band, 14 – Kelly and the Poor Boys, 21 – Vinyl Frontier, 28 – Mojo. Ring up 401-435-7511 for more info.
The Providence Pedestrian Bridge and surrounding area is usually hopping with activities during the warm weather. The Providence Drum Troupe generally presents performances there weekly. facebook.com/providencedrumtroupe. The west side of the bridge is accessible from Dyer St. near Ship St. The east side of the bridge is accessible from South Water St. near James St. You can find more about goings on here at: 195districtpark.com/events
If you are close to the Connecticut border, the free Particle Music Fest XIX will take place at noon on June 7 at Rotary Park in Putnam. Line-up includes: Kala Farnham, Bent Light, The Romantic Ruffians, The Nameless, and many more. Collide over to particle.rocks for more.
In Westerly you can keep busy with a few different concert series this summer. The Watch Hill Sunset Concerts take place on the green on Bay St from 6 – 8pm. Coming up: June 34 – Derrick Barnett and the Statement Band, July 8 – The Caravan of Thieves, Jul 22 – Nick Bosse and the Northern Roots, Aug 5 – Cold Chocolate, Aug 19 – Funky Submarine. More at Watch Hill Sunset Concerts on Facebook.
Tunes On The Dunes brings in two shows a week at Westerly Town Beach. Monday Night Jams has July 7 – Rock Lobsters, July 14 – Soul Shot, July 21 – Glaucoma Suspect, July 28 – Fusion, Aug 4 – Hit Play, Aug 11 – Caswell and the Peel and Eats. Wednesday Night Blues on the Beach has Greg Piccolo and Heavy Juice on July 9, July 16 – Robin Hathaway and Her Big Mouth Blues Band, July 23 – Ed Peabody and the Big Blue Thaang, July 30 – Roomful of Blues, Aug 6 – Sugar Ray and the Bluetones Big Band, Aug 13 – Bobby Christina’s Caravan-Tribute to Matt “Guitar” Murphy. More at Tunes on the Dunes on Facebook.
Narragansett has the Gazebo Summer Concert Series, right across from the Towers on Ocean Road. June 6 – Amber Rose and The Renegades, 13 – The Senders, 20 – Hurricane, 27 – Timeless, July 4 – Purple Honey, 18 – The Manatees, Aug 1 – Cartune Heroes, 8 – POSSM Band, 15 – Take It To The Bridge, 22 – Barfly, 29 – Jesse Liam. Concerts begin at 6pm. Wave over to narragansettcoc.com for more.
The Bristol Fourth of July Concert Series is a week-and-a-half stretch of nightly shows. June 21 – Kate and The Mongrels/Crushed Velvet, 22 – Houston Bernard/21 Guns/Heartland Radio, 23 – East Bay Wind Ensemble/ Northeast Navy Brass, 24 – Bristol County Chorus/Beat Salad/ Mr Chubb, 25 – Andre Arsenault & Friends/ Steppin’ Out, 26 – Whiskey Saints/Best of Foo, 27 – 7 Day Weekend, 28 – Playing Mantis/Full Tilt, 29 – Changes in Latitude, 30 – Mount Hope High School/Rusty/The Complaints, July 1 – 88th Army Band/Timeless, 2 – Back In The Day. Salute over to Fourthofjulybristolri.com/concert-series for more.
This issue’s column has mostly covered summer outdoor events. The indoor venues such as The Narrows, The Odeum, The United, Jane Pickens, The Park Theatre, The Stadium, and others do have shows over the summer and I will talk about these as well as other outdoor music events as they come up. In the meantime, check out my podcast with Aimee Mann who will be at the Park Theater in Cranston on June 5. •
That’s it for now. Listen to my podcasts at motifri. com/rootsreportpodcast and find my concert photographs at motifri.com/fuzeksfotos. Thanks for reading and listening. johnfuzek.com
