Al Stewart with the Empty Pockets
Al Stewart returns with his band The Empty Pockets Sunday, August 20th at 7:30PM Prices: Gold Circle $45, Reserved $35 Purchase tickets ONLY at kentstage.org After Al’s US tour in 2019 with his band The Empty Pockets, he spent most of 2020 and 2021 sidelined due the COVID-19 pandemic. But in 2022, he came back in full force with a string of sold out shows in the United States and United Kingdom, and he even made his debut in Israel.In 2023, he’ll continue his trek with several shows throughout the United States. He will be playing his old favorites, like Year Of The Cat, Time Passages, On the Border, Nostradamus and Roads To Moscow, along with selections from his deep catalogue.The Scottish-born singer-songwriter has released nearly 20 introspective and lyrically powerful records featuring brilliant backing musicians (Jimmy Page, Phil Collins, Richard Thompson, Peter White, etc.). His biggest platinum successes, “Year Of The Cat” and “Time Passages”, were released in 1976 & 1978 respectively. He’s had several top 20 singles, including the above-mentioned titles, as well as “On the Border” and “Song On The Radio”.In Al’s own words: “I’m just a folk singer that is interested in history and wine that got lucky with some hit records! It’s as simple as that really. I was always a huge music fan and originally, I had wanted to be Brian Jones and then Bob Dylan, but those two jobs were already taken. And in many ways, I’m still pretty much the same troubadour that I was back in 1965. I still get a kick out of hearing The Zombies, Hendrix or They Might be Giants on the radio.”
The Wallflowers w/ special guest: Jack Harris
The WallflowersFor the past 30 years, the Jakob Dylan-led act has stood as one of rock’s most dynamic and purposeful bands – a unit dedicated to and continually honing a sound that meshes timeless songwriting and storytelling with a hard-hitting and decidedly modern musical attack. That signature style has been present through the decades, baked into the grooves of smash hits like 1996’s Bringing Down the Horse as well as more recent and exploratory fare like 2012’s Glad All Over. Even so, in recent years, Dylan – the Wallflowers’ founding singer, songwriter and guitarist – has repeatedly stepped outside of his band, first with a pair of more acoustic and rootsy records, 2008’s Seeing Things and 2010’s Women + Country, and then with the 2018 film Echo in the Canyon and the accompanying soundtrack, which saw him collaborate with a host of artists classic and contemporary, from Neil Young and Eric Clapton to Beck and Fiona Apple. But while it’s been nine long years since we’ve heard from the group with whom he first made his mark, the Wallflowers are silent no more. And Dylan always knew they’d return. “The Wallflowers is much of my life’s work,” he says simply. That life’s work continues with Exit Wounds, the brand-new Wallflowers studio offering. The collection marks the first new Wallflowers material since Glad All Over. And while the wait has been long, the much-anticipated record finds the band’s signature sound – lean, potent and eminently entrancing – intact, even as Dylan surrounds himself with a fresh cast of musicians. Which, the front man is quick to point out, is not all that unusual. “The Wallflowers has always been a vehicle for me to make great rock ‘n’ roll records,” he says. “And sometimes the lineup that makes the record transfers over into touring, and sometimes it doesn’t. But my intention is always to make the Wallflowers record I want to make, using the musicians I have beside me.” And to Dylan, a band, even one with a constantly shifting lineup, is a sacred thing. “I’ve always been a believer in collaboration,” he says, “and no matter who I’m playing with I’ve always tried to include them very heavily. Otherwise, why would they be around? Because I do think bands, whether it’s a long standing group or just five people who are working together for that one stretch of time, make better rock ‘n’ roll records than solo artists.” For Dylan, Exit Wounds is the next chapter in a career devoted to chasing – and capturing – that magic. “I came up in an era of great rock ‘n’ roll bands making great music, and it’s the way I always imagined I would do it one day,” he says.Jack Harris Cleveland native, Jack Harris translates our shared emotions into words. His songs tell vivid stories spun by an overactive imagination and inspired by his understanding of love, anxiety, heartbreak and hope. His unfiltered expression asserts that there is bravery in voicing your insecurities and emotions. This drives him to write captivating verses and memorable hooks. From street busking to holding down club and festival stages, Jack Harris has been winning over audiences with his authenticity and charm.
Toad The Wet Sprocket with Marcy Playground
Toad The Wet Sprocket All You Wanted Tour 2023Toad the Wet Sprocket is still making music and touring with the same spirit of independence that started it all over three decades ago and credit their success to the unwavering support of their fans. In their most recent music releases and live performances, the band has continued to stay true to their roots while evolving their sound. And now, in 2023, they are happy to announce their 2023 ALL YOU WANT Headline Tour, which will take them to cities across the country to once again reconnect with their fans and share their music!The band consists of founding members Glen Phillips, Todd Nichols, and Dean Dinning. Throughout their career, Toad the Wet Sprocket has remained committed to creating music that is both meaningful and accessible. Their songs are filled with introspective lyrics and catchy melodies that have resonated with fans for decades. As part of their 2023 ALL YOU WANT Tour, audiences can expect to hear classic hits as well as deep cuts from the band’s extensive catalog.They first gained attention in the 1988 with their self released debut album, “Bread and Circus”. Their sophomore release, “Pale” was recorded in 1989 and both were later released by Columbia Records.Toad’s third studio album, “Fear” followed in 1991 and included their multi format iconic hit singles “All I Want and “Walk on the Ocean”, was certified RIAA Platinum and solidified the band’s popularity.In 1994 the band released “Dulcinea” which included “Something’s Always Wrong,” and “Fall Down,” both staples of alternative and mainstream radio and earned their second RIAA certified Platinum Album. In 1995 Toad released In Light Syrup a collection of rarities including “Good Intentions” which was featured on the Platinum selling Friends soundtrack.The band took a break in the late 1990s, while pursuing solo projects. However, they reunited in 2006 and have continued to perform together ever since. In 2013, they released their first album in 16 years, “New Constellation,” which was funded by their fans as one of the most successful music Kickstarter campaigns in history. The album includes fan favorite tracks “The Moment “California Wasted and “Enough that showcase the bands growth an d versatility. The album received critical acclaim and was followed by a successful tour.Toad’s most recent studio album “Starting Now” ( marked a return to form for the band, with its catchy melodies, introspective lyrics, and signature harmonies. It well received and showcased the band’s signature sound while also exploring new sonic territories. Throughout their career, Toad the Wet Sprocket has remained humble and grateful for the support of their fans. Lead vocalist Glen Phillips has stated in interviews that the band is amazed by the loyalty of their audience and is honored to continue creating music that resonates with them. VIP Package Available Event Ticket Meet & Greet and Photo Opportunity Invitation to Exclusive Pre-Show Acoustic Performance One (1) Limited Edition Event Poster One (1) Commemorative Laminate
The Lone Bellow Trio with special guest – Lindsay Lou
The Lone Bellow Throughout their lifespan as a band, The Lone Bellow have cast an indelible spell with their finespun songs of hard truth and unexpected beauty, frequently delivered in hypnotic three-part harmony. In a departure from their past work with elite producers like Aaron Dessner of The National and eight-time Grammy-winner Dave Cobb, the Nashville-based trio struck out on their own for their new album Love Songs for Losers, dreaming up a singular sound encompassing everything from arena-ready rock anthems to the gorgeously sprawling Americana tunes the band refers to as “little redneck symphonies.” Recorded at the possibly haunted former home of the legendary Roy Orbison, the result is an intimate meditation on the pain and joy and ineffable wonder of being human, at turns heartbreaking, irreverent, and sublimely transcendent. “One of the reasons we went with Love Songs for Losers as the album title is that I’ve always seen myself as a loser in love—I’ve never been able to get it completely right, so this is my way of standing on top of the mountain and telling everyone, ‘It’s okay,’” says lead vocalist Zach Williams, whose bandmates include guitarist Brian Elmquist and multi-instrumentalist Kanene Donehey Pipkin. “The songs are looking at bad relationships and wonderful relationships and all the in-between, sometimes with a good deal of levity. It’s us just trying to encapsulate the whole gamut of experience that we all go through as human beings. The fifth full-length from The Lone Bellow, Love Songs for Losers is the follow-up to 2020’s chart-topping Half Moon Light – a critically acclaimed effort that marked their second outing with Dessner, spawning the Triple A radio hits “Count On Me” and “Dried Up River” (both hit #1 on the Americana Singles chart). After sketching the album’s 11 songs in a nearby church, the band holed up for eight weeks at Orbison’s house on Old Hickory Lake, slowly carving out their most expansive and eclectic body of work yet. “I’ve always thought our music was so much bigger than anything we’ve shown on record before, and this time we turned over every stone until we got the songs exactly where they needed to be,” says Elmquist. Co-produced by Elmquist and Jacob Sooter, Love Songs for Losers also finds Pipkin taking the reins as vocal producer, expertly harnessing the rarefied vocal magic they’ve brought to the stage in touring with the likes of Maren Morris and Kacey Musgraves. “Singing together night after night for a decade allows you to understand what your bandmates are capable of, in a way that no one else can,” says Pipkin.Lindsay LouLindsay Lou has been making soulful, poignant music for a decade. An undeniable powerhouse, Lou’s remarkable gifts as a singer, songwriter, musician and performer demand the listener’s attention. Her singing floats over the masterful playing and deep groove of her band with both a fierce intensity and a tender intimacy. VIP Package Available One (1) Premium ticket Watch the band’s soundcheck and enjoy an intimate pre-show performance (you can vote for what songs they’ll play!) Q&A session Exclusive merch including: Signed and personalized journal and pen Tote bag 12 x 12 poster Merchandise shopping before doors open to the general public Early entry to the venue
The Kingston Trio – In Concert
THE KINGSTON TRIO8-time Nominees, 4-time Grammy winners, including 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award Billboard Awards: Best New Singing Group, Vocal Group Hall of Fame, Hit Parade Hall of Fame, Library of Congress: Historical Recordings (Tom Dooley)Charted Hits: Tom Dooley, MTA (He’ll Never Return), Where Have All The Flowers Gone, Greenback Dollar, This Land Is Your Land.
Wishbone Ash – Live at 50 Tour
Formed in 1969 in England, Wishbone Ash are one of the most influential guitar bands in rock history. Equally inspired by British folk, American jazz and R&B, the band did their part to help form the emerging rock ’n’ roll scene in the U.S. and the U.K. Through dedication to the craft of guitar harmony and melody, along with relentless touring, Wishbone Ash garnered a vast audience through public approval, critical praise and worldwide distribution of their extensive recording catalog.In 2023 the band, led by founding member Andy Powell (guitarist, lead vocals), will mark the 50th anniversary of their biggest selling, multi-platinum album, “Live Dates,” with tours of Europe, North America and the United Kingdom. In the U.S., February and March will see the band traveling through the Northeast and Midwest, with an autumn tour through the South and West. As the first live album released by the band, “Live Dates” features selections from Wishbone Ash’s first four albums performed in concert during the summer of 1973. Reviewers have consistently listed it among the finest live rock albums of all time.|“Live Dates” includes the cream of the early Wishbone Ash crop: King Will Come, Warrior, Throw Down the Sword, Rock ’N’ Roll Widow, Ballad of the Beacon, Baby What You Want Me to Do, Pilgrim, Blowin’ Free, Jailbait, Lady Whiskey and Phoenix.To celebrate the 50th Anniversary, “Live Dates” was re-recorded in its entirety at Daryl Hall’s venue, Daryl’s House Club, in Pawling, New York on July 22, 2022.Andy Powell trades licks with Yorkshire’s Mark Abrahams, who has been playing Wishbone Ash tunes since his youth. Longtime bassist Bob Skeat keeps the low-end rocking, working the grooves with newest band member, Mike Truscott on drums. Like his band mate Mark Abrahams, Mike also hails from Yorkshire, England.As true warriors of the road, the band regularly covers around 30,000 miles a year, which is roughly equivalent to circumnavigating the world. The Ash is an undeniable force on today’s touring scene, performing on five continents and continuing to be discovered by new generations of music fans.Over the years the band has embraced diverse musical genres, from folk, blues and jazz to pedal-to-the-metal rock and electronica. Regardless of the style, Wishbone Ash’s groundbreaking interplay of two lead guitars influenced bands such as Thin Lizzy, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Iron Maiden, Umphree McGee and Opeth, among many others.Wishbone Ash VIP ExperienceChoose price VIPExclusive Early Admission (6PM)Pre Show Meet and Q&A with the BandMini Private PerformanceVIP Laminate & LanyardCrowd free merchandise shoppingLIMITED AVAILABILITY – Choose price VIP
Wishbone Ash – Live at 50 Tour VIP Experience
Wishbone Ash VIP ExperienceExclusive Early AdmissionPre Show Meet and Q&A with the BandMini Private PerformanceVIP Laminate & LanyardCrowd free merchandise shoppingLIMITED AVAILABILITY
BLOOD BROTHERS – Mike Zito & Albert Castiglia
Gulf Coast Records’ Blues Music Award-Winners Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia bond as Blood Brothers on new CD coming early 2023. Blood Brothers was produced by Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith and recorded at Dockside Studio in Maurice, Louisiana. Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia are true “Blood Brothers” in life and in the music they create both individually and collectively, joining forces in a collaborative effort of songwriting and performances to create a total listening experience greater than the sum of its parts. Added to that process are the talents of producers Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith, who brought fresh ideas to the recording sessions, pushing Mike and Albert creatively and musically to present their best work to date. “Mike and Albert have a special chemistry together when they plug in and play that few have. They finish each other’s sentences musically,” award-winning guitarist Joe Bonamassa said about the sessions. “Great tunes, great people, great hang! What’s not to like? It was an honor to be involved in this project.” “Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia have done something special,” added co-producer Josh Smith. “They have both found their musical confidante. Most solo artists never even look – let alone find – theirs. They have brought together a real ‘band’ using members of each’s solo acts. The sum of all these parts added with a tremendous effort to both write and perform the strongest record of their respective careers has paid off in a special album. Blood Brothers indeed! Joe and I are proud that these brothers trusted our partnership to produce this special album!” Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia will be hitting the road again in support of the new Blood Brothers album. They will bring together their two powerhouse bands, featuring Matt Johnson: drums; Ephraim Lowell: drums; Doug Byrkit: bass; and Lewis Stephens: piano/organ. Both Mike and Albert will be onstage performing together for the entire show, so fans can enjoy the amazing chemistry and creativity that these two musicians share with each other – and the audience. In addition to their own rock, blues and roots individual tunes, the set will feature a number of songs from the Blood Brothers album. https://www.bloodbrothersband.com/
15-60-75 – The Numbers Band @ The Kent Stage!
15 60 75 The Numbers has been praised by almost every national music publication and several international publications since the beginning of their 50+ years of live performances and recordings. Many fans are under the impression that the band remains obscure by choice. In fact, they have never been offered a contract from any recording company in the industry, ever.The music “cannot be categorized”, “cannot be defined”, “too original”. The music industry is not about music. It is about selling products the public can relate to. After all, it is a business. Even “alternative” music has become a label. The founder of the band, Robert Kidney, explains, “The music industry, the media, and the tellsusourvision (TV) are defining for the American public what is good music by only playing and supporting what is profitable. We are taught to disregard everything that is not familiar. We give the people our best. Our effort goes into being creative, unique and original. We define our own sound. There are no rules because we don’t play the game. We are not in it for the game, we’re in it for the music.”So, the band continues to create and evolve outside of the “Rock & Roll” establishment. The majority of the recordings were financed by friends who loved the music enough to put up their own money. Hundreds of photographs taken of the band in different stages of its existence tell a story of intense performances, long nights, and the passing of time. Band members have come and gone, and returned again. Robert sees music as much more than an emotional release or a performance. It is a job for which he demands respect and payment for services.Robert Kidney picked up a guitar and began teaching himself to play when he 16. He bought a 45 record called Guitar Boogie Shuffle and his cousin, Larren Hesson, taught him the licks. He also taught him to play one of his favorite songs, Riders On The Storm. At 17, Robert played solo in coffee houses and also opened for several acts at La Cave in Cleveland such as Linda Ronstadt and Janis Ian. He never found the time to learn to read music. After a short stint in the service, he moved back to northeast Ohio in the spring of 1969. A friend, Gary Hawk, had formed a band called Pig Iron in Wadsworth, Ohio. Robert opened for them at the Akron Art Museum and several band members asked him to come to a rehearsal sometime. When Robert did show up, Gary had left the group, and the remaining members wanted him to be their front man. Robert changed the name of the band to 15 60 75.The title of the band has always aroused curiosity from fans. The fans called them The Numbers because it was easier than trying to get the figures right. Numbers had not been used in a name before, and the political climate in 1970 was quite Orwell-ian. Robert choose a sequence of numbers mentioned in a book written by Paul Oliver called The Blues Fell This Morning. In the chapter “The Jinx Is On Me”, Oliver describes the Numbers Racket popular in Harlem in the 1950s and how dreams were analyzed as number sequences and used for placing bets. The band’s music theory specialist, Terry Hynde, also discovered that 15 divided 15 is 1, 60 divided by 15 is 4, and 75 divided by 15 is 5. In a musician’s world, “1, 4, 5,” is referred to as the “universal progression”.The band resides in northeast Ohio. They have several recordings under their belt and more music than they can afford to release. Robert has recorded and toured with Anton Fier and his Golden Palominos. Robert and his brother, Jack, have toured Holland twice. The brothers also traveled to London, England in 1998 to perform in the Disastodrome! production by David Thomas. The entire band went to London to perform at the Royal Festival Hall in 2000. For more information on the production, and The Kidney Brothers, go to The Brothers And The Blues Abstract.
Leo Kottke
Leo KottkeAcoustic guitarist Leo Kottke was born in Athens, Georgia, but left town after a year and a half. Raised in 12 different states, he absorbed a variety of musical influences as a child, flirting with both violin and trombone, before abandoning Stravinsky for the guitar at age 11.After adding a love for the country-blues of Mississippi John Hurt to the music of John Phillip Sousa and Preston Epps, Kottke joined the Navy underage, to be underwater, and eventually lost some hearing shooting at lightbulbs in the Atlantic while serving on the USS Halfbeak, a diesel submarine.Kottke had previously entered college at the U of Missouri, dropping out after a year to hitchhike across the country to South Carolina, then to New London and into the Navy, with his twelve string. “The trip was not something I enjoyed,” he has said, “I was broke and met too many interesting people.”Discharged in 1964, he settled in the Twin Cities area and became a fixture at Minneapolis’ Scholar Coffeehouse, which had been home to Bob Dylan and John Koerner. He issued his 1968 recording debut LP Twelve String Blues, recorded on a Viking quarter-inch tape recorder, for the Scholar’s tiny Oblivion label. (The label released one other LP by The Langston Hughes Memorial Eclectic Jazz Band.)After sending tapes to guitarist John Fahey, Kottke was signed to Fahey’s Takoma label, releasing what has come to be called the Armadillo record. Fahey and his manager Denny Bruce soon secured a production deal for Kottke with Capitol Records.Kottke’s 1971 major-label debut, “Mudlark”, positioned him somewhat uneasily in the singer/songwriter vein, despite his own wishes to remain an instrumental performer. Still, despite arguments with label heads as well as with Bruce, Kottke flourished during his tenure on Capitol, as records like “Greenhouse” (1972) and the live albums “My Feet Are Smiling” (1973) and “Ice Water” (1974) found him branching out with guest musicians and honing his guitar technique.With “Chewing Pine” in 1975, Kottke reached the U.S. Top 30 for the second time; he also gained an international following thanks to his continuing tours in Europe and Australia.His collaboration with Phish bassist Mike Gordon, “Clone”, caught audiences’ attention in 2002. Kottke and Gordon followed with a recording in the Bahamas called “Sixty Six Steps”, produced by Leo’s old friend and Prince producer David Z.Kottke has been awarded two Grammy nominations; a Doctorate in Music Performance by the Peck School of Music at the U of Wisconsin, Milwaukee; and a Certificate of Significant Achievement in Not Playing the Trombone from the U of Texas at Brownsville with Texas Southmost College.