Jesse Dayton
Jesse Dayton: Jesse Dayton, unsung hero of American music, has defied categorization in his decades-spanning career. His chart-topping album with Samantha Fish, “Death Wish Blues,” marked a global hit and earned the duo a 2024 Grammy nomination. Dayton, who has worked with legends as diverse as Johnny Cash, X, and Rob Zombie, is set to release a new album produced by Grammy winner Shooter Jennings (Brandi Carlisle, Tonya Tucker). Balancing sharp songwriting with powerful guitar, the upcoming album reflects influences from ’70s Dylan and old Texas blues. Dayton, road warrior and troubadour, embraces a big, rowdy sound. His journey from a cult hero to a contemporary chart-topper will be on full display live, proving that for Jesse Dayton, there are no victory laps, only resurrections.
Peter Yarrow – May 4th Concert w/ Mustard’s Retreat
Peter Yarrow: In 1995, Peter, Paul and Mary participated in the 25th Anniversary of the Kent State Shootings. Not only did they perform during the Commemoration, but also conducted a peace workshop in the afternoon, and later that evening, PP&M performed a benefit concert in Memorial Gym. 100% of the profits were utilized to create the May 4th Scholarship. Peter Yarrow was the catalyst behind the entire activity. In addition to being a founding member of Peter, Paul and Mary, Yarrow has been an activist all his adult life. From the Vietnam War to contemporary issues. Today, Yarrow’s concerts may include folk classics, Puff The Magic Dragon, If I Had A Hammer, Light One Candle, Day Is Done, Blowin’ In The Wind, Where Have All The Flowers Gone, Leaving On A Jet Plane as well as Peter’s more contemporary songs. Peter, along with Paul & Mary, have provided the soundtrack for generations. But this will be much more than a nostalgia show. Peter will turn The Kent Stage into his living room while telling stories and singing memorable songs. It will be an evening rooted in the historic milestones of his past, yet focused on the current issues that continue to call him to activism. Be prepared to reminisce, clap, sing, cry and laugh on May 4, 2024 when Peter Yarrow wraps up the 54th May 4th Commemoration at The Kent Stage. Mustard’s Retreat: Mustard’s Retreat has been delighting audiences by telling stories for 40 years- they are witty, insightful, fun, and profound, as well as accomplished songwriters and musician ( guitars, dulcimer, electric bass, mandolin, harmonica, pennywhistle). In addition to being raconteurs and storytellers, they will give you things to laugh about for days to come and remember for years. Tales of stupid frogs, wandering cadavers, haunted bridges and techo-nerds, memories of small towns and high school, first loves and last…and places we’ve been or maybe just dreamed of.
Graham Nash – More Evenings of Songs & Stories
Graham NashMore Evenings of Songs & Stories$99.00* Gold Circle$74.00* Floor Legendary artist Graham Nash is a two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee as a founding member of both the Hollies and Crosby, Stills and Nash. He has seen rock history unfold at some of its seminal moments – from the launch of the British Invasion to the birth of the Laurel Canyon movement a year later. An extraordinary Grammy Award winning renaissance artist – and self-described “simple man” – Nash was inducted twice into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, for his work with CSN and his work as a solo artist. His latest effort, “Now”, was released worldwide in May 2023. Towering above virtually everything that Graham Nash has accomplished in his long and multi-faceted career, stands the litany of songs that he has written and introduced to the soundtrack of our lives for nearly six decades. Graham will be joined on stage by Todd Caldwell (keyboards and vocals), Adam Minkoff (bass, drums, guitars, and vocals), and Zach Djanikian (guitars, mandolin, drums, and vocals), performing favorites from across his sixty-year career.Check out “Our House” LiveClick here for Graham’s Songlist VIP Package FRONT ROW $ 350.00* Front Row seat Admission to Sound Check Autographed Tour posterCommemorative tour laminate & ticket SOUNDCHECK $325.00* Seat within first 5 rowsAdmission to Sound Check Autographed tour poster Commemorative tour laminate & ticket PREMIUM $195.00* Seat within first 10 rows A tour item & commemorative ticket GUACAMOLE FUND $250.00* Seat in the 4th row & Support of the Guacamole Fund Guacamole Fund – Guacamole Fund is a non profit 501 (c) (3) charity that raises fund via musicians tour charity ticketing. These funds are utilized by organizations in the areas of the environment, wildlife, social change, peace, justice & energy. * Plus fees
Joan Osborne
Joan Osborne Joan Osborne is a multi-platinum selling recording artist. A native of Kentucky, she moved to NYC to attend NYU Film School, but dropped out after becoming involved in New York’s downtown music scene. Her 1995 album Relish was a critical and commercial success and spawned the international hit single and video “What If God Was One Of Us“. She directed the video for Relish’s second single St. Teresa and created the artwork for the album’s physical package. She has traveled the U.S. and the world for over twenty-five years performing in clubs, theaters, arenas and stadiums, with her own band and as a featured vocalist, In 2003 she was part of the reincarnation of The Dead. Later she toured with Phil Lesh & Friends as well a dozens of national and international tours with her band. She was featured in the 2002 documentary film Standing in the Shadows of Motown and toured with Motown sidemen the Funk Brothers.
Harvest – Tribute to Neil Young
Harvest Harvest celebrates the timeless songwriting, electric jams and acoustic artistry of classic-era Neil Young. The band performs 2 long sets of classic Neil Young, from the dynamic vocal harmony and harmonica-driven acoustic stunners to the sizzling extended electric jams & stompers – covering Neil’s career from Buffalo Springfield, CSNY, solo and with Crazy Horse, thru to Harvest Moon. Since 1987, founders Jim Tigue & Eroc Sosinski have been performing Neil Young music for fans all across the Midwest, in the bands Harvest and Tie-Dye Harvest and as the Jim & Eroc Duo, and formed the popular Pink Floyd tribute Wish You Were Here. Members Peter Telari (also of WYWH), Keith Chelm & Tim Hamman are also veteran NEOhio musicians. For 2 years in a row since 2022, Jim & Eroc have been chosen to perform as part of the official May 4th Commemoration Ceremony at Kent State University. In 2022 Harvest also performed as part of the Kent State Music Festival, an on-campus Commemoration Week event leading up to May 4th ceremony. The band is honored to be commemorating the Neil Young/CSNY/“Ohio” connection at the venerable Kent Stage this coming May 4th weekend.
The Outlaws
The OutlawsFriday June 28th @ 7:30 PM There Goes Another Love Song Green Grass and High Tides Ghost Riders in the Sky For The Outlaws, it’s always been about the music. For more than 40 years, the Southern Rock legends celebrated triumphs and endured tragedies to remain one of the most influential and best-loved bands of the genre. Today, The Outlaws have returned with new music, new focus, and an uncompromising new mission: It’s about a band of brothers bound together by history, harmony, and the road. It’s about a group that respects its own legacy while refusing to be defined by it’s past. But most of all, it’s about pride. It’s About Pride was also the title of the band’s acclaimed 2012 album, universally hailed as their victorious comeback. “Because The Outlaws had been out of the public eye for so long, it was almost like starting over,” explains founding singer / songwriter / guitarist Henry Paul. “But because of the band’s history, we dig deeper, write better, perform stronger. Everything we do is to reinforce the notion that The Outlaws still matter, and that Southern Rock will always matter. It’s a message we’re proud to bring into the 21st century.”
Robbie Fulks & Scott Miller
Robbie Fulks & Scott Miller About Robbie Fulks: Robbie Fulks is a singer, recording artist, instrumentalist, composer, and songwriter. His current release, Bluegrass Vacation on Compass Records, returns him to his bluegrass roots, with a large group of masterful musicians including Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Justin Moses, Ronnie McCoury, Alison Brown, David Grier, Tim O’Brien, Todd Phillips, John Cowan, Brennen Leigh, Randy Kohrs, Sierra Hull, Stuart Duncan, Shad Cobb, and Chris Eldridge. Across 11 new original songs (and one freewheeling interpretation of the Delmore Brothers), Robbie covers themes like small-town blues, the endurance of childhood memory, inebriation, love, divorce, the role of music in strengthening family bonds, losing a loved one to Alzheimer’s, and bluegrass itself About Scott Miller: Recently inducted to the East Tennessee Writers Hall of Fame, fiery roots-rock singer/songwriter SCOTT MILLER returned to his native Virginia to tend the family farm while continuing to release and perform new music informed by that rural area, history, and Appalachia. “[Miller combines] the emotional honesty and intelligence of a singer/songwriter with the swagger and enthusiasm of a rock & roller… a gifted and eclectic solo artist.” (AllMusic.com) Recently on tour with Patty Griffin, Robbie Fulks, Paul Thorn, Robin & Linda Williams, and American Aquarium.
The Skatalites – Diamond Jubilee Tour – PLUS The Twistoffs!
THE SKATALITIES – Diamond Jubilee Tour2024 marks the 60th Anniversary of The Skatalites whose influence in the world of ska is unparalleled. The original members played on hundreds of recording sessions before forming the band in 1964. Backing most of the vocalists in Jamaica at that time, including Bob Marley, Toots and The Maytals, Jimmy Cliff, Alton Ellis, Ken Boothe and many more The Skatalites secured their place in history early on. After disbanding in 1965 the individual members continued playing in various groups as the music evolved from ska to rocksteady to reggae. In the late 70’s a resurgence of interest in the music began in the U.K. which caused the creation of many bands such as The Specials, The English Beat, Madness, The Selecter and Bad Manners. This became known as the “Two-Tone era” and these British musicians fused rock music with the ska and reggae. In The early 80’s the music started to spread to the U.S.A and other parts of the world. Bands began to emerge all over the globe playing different flavors of ska and reggae fused with whatever else they wanted to throw in, including hard core, jazz and even punk. In 1983 The Skatalites reunited to play Reggae Sunsplash in Montego Bay and subsequently in London at The Crystal Palace for the U.K. version of the Sunsplash event. A few years later they began emigrating to the U.S.A. and in 1986 the first US shows began at The Village Gate in NYC. The band supported Bunny Wailer on The Liberation Tour in 1989 and followed it up in 1990 embarking on their first-ever headline tour of The U.S.A. The Skatalites have not stopped touring the world ever since and continue to be available for festivals, casinos, and intimate venue settings. Their uniquely infectious brand of real, authentic Jamaican ska excites audiences of all ages across the globe year after year. Doors & Box Office will open at 6:30!7:30 show!Advance Tickets – $20 Date of Show – $25Tickets are available at kentstage.org
The Ark Band – Celebration of Bob Marley – Mark Hunter & Carlos Jones to open
THE ARK BAND – Celebration of the life, legacy and music ofBOB MARLEY THE ARK BAND was founded in St. Lucia in 1987 by The St. Lucian Riddim Twins, Terry and Eustace Bobb. Based in Columbus, OH, The Ark Band has continually shared their distinct style of Roots Reggae, Calypso, and Soca music across the United States, Canada, and the Carribbean. Combining heavenly harmonies with tight, crisp, performances, this powerhouse of talent captures audiences with the very first note. Their honed setlist combines originals with classic and current hits curated to entertain, educate and enlighten all people. THE ARK BAND continues to be a force expressing the love, peace, togetherness and spirituality so desperately needed in our world today! …begins their annual Bob Marley Tribute tour in March again this year, after spending the winter in the beautiful, sunny island of St. Lucia. This is always a very special show, and we haven’t seen anyone do it better! Lead singer Mark Hunter will be teaming up with Carlos Jones to open. Doors & Box Office will open at 6:30!7:30 show!Advance Tickets – $15 Date of Show – $20Tickets are available at kentstage.org
Eric Gales & Special Guest: Artur Menezes
Eric Gales is a blues firebrand. Over 30 years and 18 albums, his passion for the music and his boundless desire to keep it vital has never waned, even when his own light dimmed due to his substance struggles. Throughout it all, he continued to reinvigorate the art form with personal revelation in his lyrics and bold stylistic twists in his guitar playing and songwriting. Five years sober, creatively rejuvenated, and sagely insightful, Eric is ready for the fight of his career. Aptly, he calls his masterful new album, out January 2022 on Provogue/Mascot label Group, Crown. Here, Eric opens like never before, sharing his struggles with substance abuse, his hopes about a new era of sobriety and unbridled creativity, and his personal reflections on racism. The songs are delivered with clarity and feature Eric’s personal experiences and hope for positive change. In addition, the 16-track collection boasts his finest singing, songwriting, and his signature guitar playing that burns throughout. Produced by Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith, this is Eric at his most boldly vulnerable, uncompromisingly political, and unflinchingly confident.