Okee dokee folks… It is that time of year once again. People whine about not hearing “Merry Christmas.” Well, guess what? You won’t hear it from me either! I have been in the trenches of the War On Christmas for more than 30 years since I realized how foolish the whole concept is. Also, there are a bunch of overlooked holidays between Thanksgiving (yeah, don’t do that one either) and New Year’s. So, if anything, “Happy Holidays” is the appropriate thing to say! Someday folks will wise up. Until then I will just keep not having a “Merry Christmas” and instead, this year, I’ll just have a happy Tuesday! Read on…
If you are a fan of CSNY then take note: the “C” will be in town on Friday, December 7! That’s right, The legendary David Crosby of Byrds and CSNY fame will be playing a show at the Zeiterion Theatre in New Bedford. I caught a solo show by Crosby last year and while he is not my fave among CSNY, I was amazed at how much I loved his show! He has a great band and his newest album has been getting both rave reviews and great word of mouth accolades. Croz made a surprise showing at last year’s Newport Folk Festival and gave them a taste of “Wooden Ships.” If you are even a mild CSNY fan, you will want to see this show! The Z is great place for concerts! It is easy to get to, you can park right next door in the parking garage and there are no bad seats. For more about this show and more, “Deja Vu” to zeiterion.org
While I am not a lover of Christmas and all of its trappings, I am a fan of Common Fence Music and Erin Young. CFM presents The Sweetback Sisters Country Christmas Singalong Spectacular! This show was such a hit last year that Erin brought it back. This wildly popular show delivers a veritable explosion of yuletide splendor, complete with trivia, prizes and, of course, all the holiday tunes you know and love. Year-round, the Sweetback Sisters and their band of brothers wow audiences with their precise, family-style harmonies and blazing instrumentals. The Queens of Christmastime bring their signature mix of modern nostalgia to a wide array of holiday classics and hidden gems. This show will take place at the Portsmouth High School Auditorium, located at 120 Education Lane. For more, humbug to commonfencemusic.org
I first met Dylan Sevey a few years back after he performed a song during the Indigo Girls’ concert at Lupos. To my surprise, he was the son of a couple I knew in high school. Dylan impressed me with his performance and music, and I worked with him a few times over the years. These days he lives in Nashville and is often on the road playing music. He will be back in town for one show only and for this, he reunites his band The Gentlemen (Brendan Moore, Rich Domings, David Ponte, Keaton Albro). This homecoming show sold out last year, so get your tickets early. Dylan Sevey and the Gentlemen will be at the Courthouse Center for the Arts in Kingstown on Friday, December 14. Also at the CCA is the Neil and the Vipers NYE Bash (courthousearts.org).
Singer-songwriter Edwin McCain may not be a name that is at the forefront of your brain, but you definitely know his music. His songs “I’ll Be” and “I Could Not Ask For More” are mainstays of “lite” radio, have become classic wedding songs and are often sung on “The Voice.” McCain has released 11 albums, and five have reached the Billboard top 200. I spoke with McCain last week and it was one of my more enjoyable interviews! Read it at motifri.com/edwinmccain
McCain will be bringing his trio to the Greenwich Odeum on December 15. I am looking forward to this show! Also at the Odeum will be Darlene Love, Dark Desert Eagles, Christmas With The Celts and Blue Oyster Cult. For more, “Russian Roulette” to greenwichodeum.com
On Sunday, December 16, there will be a benefit for Stand Up For Animals at the Knickerbocker Music Center in Westerly. The show features John Speziale & The Friends (an all-star band with members of Sweet Mercy, Sunday Gravy, The Hoolios and more!) with special appearances by Craig “The Strolling Fiddler” Edwards and Dancing Santa! Raffles, silent auction, photo booth and a dance contest are also part of the evening. Show starts at 6pm. Also at the Knick are Al Copley, Hayley Jane & The Primates, Anna May and Avi Jacob. For more, woof over to knickmusic.org
Years back, I was fortunate to perform at the Kerrville Folk Festival in Texas. It is one of the preeminent folk festivals in the country and runs for three weeks from the end of May into June. If playing music on a ranch in the sweltering Texas heat is on your bucket list, then you will want to pay attention. Entries are now being accepted for the 2019 Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Competition for Emerging Songwriters, to be held on Saturday and Sunday, May 25 and 26, 2019, during the first weekend of the 48th Annual Kerrville Folk Festival. The first 800 entries postmarked or submitted online by February 28 will be judged, and 32 finalists will be named in April. For more, get the folk over to kerrvillefolkfestival.org/newfolk
Other shows you should try to get to are Chris Trapper at Askew on Thursday, December 6 (askewprov.com), Darlingside at the Columbus Theatre on December 9 (columbustheatre.com), Newport to Nashville Showcase with Joanne Lurgio, Mary Day & Allison Rose at the Newport Playhouse on December 13 (newporttonashville.com) and Becky Chace at Sandywoods on Saturday, December 15 (sandywoods.org).
Last week I attended the Lindsay Buckingham (of Fleetwood Mac fame) show at the Garde Arts Center in New London, Conn. You can read my review of that show at motifri.com/buckingham2018 That’s it for now. Thanks for reading. JohnFuzek.com
