Neko Case
A Letter from Neko Case My name is Neko Case. I am a music producer, songwriter, and musician. I just finished a record called ‘Hell-On’ with a cast of talented musicians, techs, label folks and friends.What I want you to know about me isn’t too much, nor do I want to over talk it. What you take away on your own, as a listener is most important. I worked really hard and I was present for every second of this project. Producing a record is a huge task and there were times I was deep in the weeds, but that is normal for a record that takes a year plus. The weeds aren’t so bad. There were a lot of break-through moments, belly-laughs, sleepless nights and grubby, shiny jeans. In the end it was all worth it and I am so proud of how it turned out, and I am so grateful to have worked with such dedicated, giving artists to make it happen.There were a few challenges during the making of this record from small (scheduling difficulties, and occasional miscommunication) to large (my house burning down while I was overseas.) But none of them are the story of this recording, the songs are the story. They are my best self. They are everything I’ve worked for since I was a kid, whether I knew it or not.I write songs from a feeling of solidarity with folks who feel alone or isolated, I think I’m trying to comfort people in this way. It’s not a forceful way rather “No commitment necessary;” take it if you want it, take it as you can.My style is odd, I don’t know what genre this is. I don’t have a pretty voice or a trained voice, and I am constantly disappointed that I don’t have a “tough” voice, no matter how hard I practice, but it’s mine, and for all its loud, heavy-handed, nasal, vibrato-less qualities I accept it. The closest sound I have found to compare it to is Bulgarian Folk singing. My Eastern ancestors could have been proud of me a century ago? I could have been a droning “caller of wasps” perhaps? I just invented that job, I like the sound of it.The songs are who I believe myself to be and that will change but for now that’s how it is an I’m very satisfied with that!
Bruce in the USA
Bruce in the USA Much more than just another tribute… Bruce In The USA is a high-energy, note-perfect, and visuallyaccurate musical experience of a Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band show.Matt Ryan, from the World Famous “Legends In Concert” cast, began playing the Springsteencharacter in 2000, in Legends “full scale” Las Vegas show. The great success in the famous Las Vegasshow brought him to performances across the world, eventually evolving his character into the Bruce InThe USA show.The Bruce In The USA Band consists of seasoned world class professional musicians. The show hashosted musicians from such acts/bands as Queen/Paul Rogers, Meatloaf, Blue Oyster Cult, Hall andOats, Joe Cocker, The Ojays, Aretha Franklin, David Cassidy, The Temptations, Slash… and so manymore.This high end, powerhouse, band has taken this genre of performance art to a whole new level, makingit the World’s #1 Tribute to the E Street Band’s musical legacy.To millions of die-hard fans around the world, it’s Springsteen’s marathon, party-like performances thathave elevated him to hero status. Bruce’s legendary concerts (in the largest arenas) sell-out withinhours of their announced sale. For those even lucky enough to get a ticket, there was nothing that couldfill the aching void in between Bruce’s long-awaited tours… until now!The Bruce In The USA show was born on the Las Vegas Strip in the winter of 2004, with its debut atPlanet Hollywood Resort and Casino, in the majestic “V Theatre”. The show assaulted the senses in afun-filled and exciting party atmosphere on the Vegas Strip, while suspending disbelief for even thetoughest skeptics. They’ve been met with critical acclaim, from the Stone Pony, large theaters, andPerformance Art Centers across the country, as well as corporate events spanning across the globe forover a decade. Sell out crowds are on their feet from the first song to the last.
JEFF “SKUNK” BAXTER with C J Vanston
Jeff “Skunk” Baxter is an American virtuoso Grammy winning guitarist, known for his stints in the rock bands Steely Dan, The Doobie Brothers and Spirit.With Steely DanAfter the breakup of Ultimate Spinach, Baxter relocated to Los Angeles, finding work as a session guitarist. In 1972 he became a founding member of the band Steely Dan, along with guitarist Denny Dias, bassist Walter Becker, keyboardist-vocalist Donald Fagen, drummer/vocalist Jim Hodder and vocalist David Palmer.Baxter appeared with Steely Dan on their first three albums, Can’t Buy a Thrill in 1972, Countdown to Ecstasy in 1973, and Pretzel Logic in 1974. He contributed the guitar fills and signature solo heard on the group’s highest charting hit ” Rikki Don’t Lose That Number.”With The Doobie BrothersWhile finishing work on Pretzel Logic, Baxter became aware of Becker and Fagen’s intentions to retire Steely Dan from touring and work almost exclusively with session players. With that in mind, Baxter left the band in 1974 to join The Doobie Brothers, who at the time were touring in support of their fourth album What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits. As a session man, he had contributed pedal steel guitar on Vices as well as “South City Midnight Lady” on its predecessor, The Captain and Me. Baxter’s first album as a full member of the group was 1975’s Stampede. He contributed an acoustic interlude (“Precis”) and significant turns on slide and pedal steel guitar.While preparing to tour in support of Stampede, Doobie Brothers founder Tom Johnston was hospitalized with a stomach ailment. To fill in for Johnston on vocals, Baxter suggested bringing in singer-keyboardist Michael McDonald, with whom Baxter had worked in Steely Dan. With Johnston still convalescing, McDonald soon was invited to join the band full-time. McDonald’s vocal and songwriting contributions, as well as Baxter’s jazzier guitar style, marked a new direction for the band. They went on to continued success with the 1976 album Takin’ It to the Streets, 1977’s Livin’ on the Fault Line, and particularly 1978’s Minute by Minute, which spent five weeks as the #1 album in the U.S. and spawned several hit singles; Baxter’s work on the album includes a performance at the end of “How Do the Fools Survive?”.In early 1979, Baxter and co-founding drummer John Hartman left the band.Later endeavorsHe has toured with those hit-packed bands as well as with Julian Lennon, Linda Rondstat and played on sessions for Ringo Starr, Joni Mitchell, Bryan Adams, Freddie Hubbard, John Cougar Mellencamp, Cher, Rod Stewart, Dolly Parton, Julio Iglesias, Barbara Streisand, Gene Simmons, Carly Simon, Donna Summer, and The Beach Boys, (to name a few) More recently, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Doobie Brothers in 2020. His new album “Speed of Heat” was released in June 2022 is a partnership with CJ Vanston and features Michael McDonald, Jonny Lang and Clint Black.
Blues Traveler 35th Anniversary Tour
Blues Traveler @ The Kent Stage is SOLD OUT BUT – Tix are available for 10/9 @ Robins in Warren @ www.robinstheatre.com 35 years ago, the four original members of Blues Traveler—John Popper, Chandler Kinchla, Brendan Hill, and the late Bobby Sheehan—gathered in their drummer’s parent’s basement in Princeton, NJ to jam. From these high school sessions emerged a band that would go on to release 14 studio albums and counting, four of which have gone gold, three platinum, and one six-times platinum-selling more than 10 million combined units worldwide. Over an illustrious career Blues Traveler has played over 2,000 live shows in front of more than 30 million people, and, in “Run-Around,” had the longest-charting radio single in Billboard history, which earned them a Grammy® for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. Their movie credits include Blues Brothers 2000, Kingpin, Wildflowers and others. A television favorite, they have been featured on Saturday Night Live, Austin City Limits, VH1’s Behind the Music and they have the record for the most appearances of any artist on The Late Show with David Letterman. Blues Traveler’s latest effort, 2021’s Traveler’s Blues, is nominated for a Grammy in the category of “Best Traditional Blues Album,” bringing their 35-year journey full circle.
Satisfaction/The International Rolling Stones Show
The Kent Stage announces a new monthly concert series! Beginning it December we’ll present Throwback Thursday, a once-a-month series featuring the best tribute acts in the country! We kick it off on December 8th with Satisfaction/The International Rolling Stones Show celebrating the 60th Anniversary The Worlds Greatest Rock & Roll Band Live at the Kent Stage on Thursday, December 8th at 8pm. Tickets are $20 advance and $25 at the door. Performing up to 150 shows a year, this highly acclaimed production showcases the most authentic cast & costuming of its kind. The likes of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and cast bring a colorful performance to over 60 years of classic hits. They have been featured in Rolling Stone Magazine, Showbiz Magazine, Las Vegas Today, CBS Sunday Morning News and hundreds of national newspapers, magazines, television & radio as the world’s greatest show honoring the Rolling Stones and their legacy! “One of the best tribute shows in the world” -Rolling Stone Magazine “Shined just like the real Stones on the strip” -Las Vegas Sun “They have you in the aisles like Jumping Jack Flash” -Showbiz Magazine “A must see. Get SATISFACTION!” -CBS News New York “Satisfaction is a spot-on portrayal to the Rolling Stones” -Washington Post
Carlos Jones & The PLUS Band with opener Shifter Kin!
THE UNDISPUTED CHAMP OF CLEVELAND REGGAE!Carlos Jones comes to The Kent Stage on October 28th!Carlos Jones & The PLUS Band with opener Shifter Kin!Friday, October 28th at 8 P.M.!Doors & Box Office will open at 7!Advance Tickets – $13 Date of Show – $16https://carlosjones.comTickets are available beginning Thursday, September 22nd at 10 A.M. EST at kentstage.org
Ace Frehley
ACE FREHLEYFriday Dec. 9th @ 8pm Classic rock hits from the original KISS guitarist and R&R Hall of Fame inductee. The success of Ace Frehley’s solo career, as both a recording artist and performer, has easily outpaced his former KISS band mates. His 2014 release Space Invader was the only post KISS solo album to crack the Top 10 on Billboard’s Top 200 albums chart, and his acclaimed 2011 autobiography No Regrets went on to become a New York Times best-seller. Ace’s current album, Origins II, was released on September 18, 2020 and features guests Robin Zander (Cheap Trick), Lita Ford, Bruce Kulick and John 5. With KISS on their farewell tour Ace is in the news just about every day – mentioned in every article referencing KISS as the original lead guitarist with most writers commenting that KISS is not the same without Ace.
A Tribute to Motown – All The Hits
A Tribute to Motown: All the Hits! An evening featuring the best of “Hitsville USA.” Don’t miss this high energy homage to The Temptations, The Supremes, Mary Wells, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Martha & The Vandellas, Marvin Gaye, and Tammi Terrell & so much more!
Samantha Fish w/ special guest Jesse Dayton Band
An Acoustic Christmas with Over The Rhine
The Kent Stage’s favorite Holiday Tradition continues with An Acoustic Christmas with Over The Rhine. About Over The Rhine:Rolling Stone recently described Over the Rhine as a band “with no sign of fatigue, whose moment has finally arrived.” That’s quite a sentiment for a musical couple marking 30 years of writing, recording and life on the road. “Love & Revelation” is the sound of two songwriters at the height of their powers. Karin Bergquist and Linford Detweiler and their Band of Sweethearts – Jay Bellerose, Jennifer Condos, Greg Leisz, Patrick Warren and Bradley Meinerding – have never sounded more vibrant. While each of the songs can feel like its own short film, the album nonetheless coalesces into a feature-length immersive experience. Dim the lights. May we all be surprised by what we find: a new and much-needed infusion of love and revelation. www.overtherhine.com