The Wood Brothers w/ special guest: Steve Poltz
Western Reserve Folk Arts Association is proud to announce The Wood Brothers will be performing Live at The Kent Stage on Sunday, October 30th at 7:30 PM.! Celebrating their seventh studio album, “Kingdom in my Mind”, a recorded live audio to tape session, The Kent Stage is very excited for The Wood Brothers to make their return to our stage for the first time since 2015.Get to know a little more about the creative process behind “Kingdom in my Mind” The Wood Brothers didn’t know they were making a record. Looking back, they’re grateful for that. “If we had known, we probably would have been too self-conscious to play what we played,” reflects bassist/vocalist Chris Wood. “At the time, we just thought we were jamming to break in our new studio, so we felt free to explore all these different ways of performing together without worrying about form or structure. It was liberating.”Recorded live to tape, those freewheeling, improvised sessions became a vast pool ofsource material from which The Wood Brothers would go on to draw ‘Kingdom In MyMind,’ their seventh studio release and most spontaneous and experimental collection yet. While on past records, the band – Chris, guitarist/vocalist, Oliver Wood, and drummer/keyboardist Jano Rix – would write a large batch of songs and then record them all at once, ‘Kingdom’ found them retroactively carving tunes out of sprawling instrumental jam sessions like sculptors chipping away at blocks of marble. A testament to the limitless creativity of the unharnessed mind, the record explores the power of our external surroundings to shape our internal worlds (and vice versa), reckoning with time, mortality, and human nature. The songs here find strength in accepting what lies beyond our control, thoughtfully honing in on the bittersweet beauty that underlies doubt and pain and sadness with vivid character studies and unflinching self-examination. Deep as the lyrics dig, the arrangements always manage to remain buoyant and light, though, drawing from across a broad sonic spectrum to create a transportive, effervescent blend that reflects the trio’s unique place in the modern musical landscape.“My brother came to this band from the blues and gospel world, and my history was all over the map with jazz and R&B,” says Chris, who first rose to fame with the pioneering trio Medeski Martin & Wood. “The idea for this group has always been to marry our backgrounds, to imagine what might happen if Robert Johnson and Charles Mingus had started a band together.”‘Kingdom In My Mind’ follows The Wood Brothers’ most recent studio release, 2018’s ‘One Drop Of Truth,’ which hit #1 on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart and garnered the band their first GRAMMY nomination for Best Americana Album. NPR praised the record’s “unexpected changes and kaleidoscopic array of influences,” while Uncut hailed its “virtuosic performances and subtly evocative lyrics,” and Blurt proclaimed it “a career-defining album.” Tracks from the record racked up roughly 8 million streams on Spotify alone, and the band took the album on the road for extensive tour dates in the US and Europe, including their first-ever headline performance at Red Rocks, two nights at San Francisco’s legendary Fillmore (captured on their 2019 release, ‘Live At The Fillmore’), and festival appearances everywhere from Bonnaroo to XPoNential.
John McEuen & The Circle Band
John McEuen John McEuen has performed for 50 years worldwide with his banjo, fiddle, guitar, and mandolin. Often referred to as ‘the String Wizard’, he humorously weaves stories of his travels and family life (he has raised 7 kids), taking us on a multi-media show through where his musical path has taken him. A founding member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in 1966, John realized his teenage dream: to record with Earl Scruggs and Doc Watson. When he initiated the 1972 classic Will the Circle Be Unbroken album with his band (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band), Earl and Doc with Roy Acuff, Mother Maybelle Carter, Jimmy Martin, Merel Travis, Vassar Clements, Norman Blake gathered for an historic week in the studio! (inducted in to the Library of Congress as ‘one of America’s most important recordings and the Grammy Hall. of Fame). Appearing in several episodes of The Ken Burns Country Music show (PBS), it is Episode 6, called Will the Circle Be Unbroken, has John describing the whole session and how ‘it went down’. He has taken this a step further – to the stage with footage of early NGDB (1966) up thru the Circle sessions to now.. and beyond. McEuen has earned Emmy nominations, Grammy Awards, CMA acclaim, The Western Heritage Award – many other accolades can be found on his website: www.johnmceuen.com. Proud to be an integral part of the first American band to go to Russia (in 1977!), John’s love of performing is evident when during his shows he takes us ‘behind the curtain’ of the music world that so many of us know of only as listeners, and shows us how we have all been a part of it, more than we may know. McEuen’s XM radio show, Acoustic Traveller, is in its 10th year. As winner of the 2010 Best of the West Performer award from the Folk Alliance organization, John’s show is sure to be one enjoyed by all. He also won Best Bluegrass Album Grammy that year for his production of The Crow – Steve Martin). John in June of 2013 was honored with the Charlie Poole Lifetime Achievement Award in North Carolina. With music from 1860’s to now, original songs laced with known hits, and a special tribute to the ‘Circle’ album music (and the stories behind it in his multi-media show – with two previous other NGDB members!), it all comes to life in an evening of acoustic music in overdrive.
əkoostik hookah! plus Creamery Station
əkoostik hookah əkoostik hookah incorporates many genres of music into their own style, from folk to psychedelic rock, bluegrass to blues, extended jams to concise rock-n-roll, əkoostik hookah’s style includes many musical genres for a sound that in the end is distinctly “hookah”. With well over 100 original songs, and a large catalogue of cover songs to choose from, you will never hear the same show twice. The band is known for its live shows and its ability to feed off of the crowd’s energy, using it to fuel the improvised set lists that create unforgettable musical experiences.
JD Simo & Patrick Sweany
JD SimoRather than simply roll up to those fabled crossroads of blues lore, JD Simo builds a bridge by hand. The Chicago born and Nashville based singer, songwriter, guitarist, and producer connects the missing link between Motown and Woodstock as he fuses fluid and fiery fretwork with vital and vulnerable vocals. JD has been acclaimed byRolling Stone, NPR, Guitar Player, Relix, No Depression, and more…. Logging hundreds of gigs annually, he has collaborated with Jack White, Tommy Emmanuel,Luther Dickinson and Blackberry Smoke among others. Not to mention, he graced the bills of festivals, including Bonnaroo, Warren Haynes Christmas Jam, and Mountain Jam. Phil Lesh, iconic co-founder of The Grateful Dead, invited him to join Phil Lesh and Friends. Meanwhile, JD’s 2019 solo album, Off At 11, incited fan fervor and tastemaker praise. Billboard claimed the record “channels forbearers such as Jimi Hendrix, Santana and the Allman Brothers Band,” and Guitar World dubbed it, “another step toward the 34-year-oldChicago native establishing himself as a contemporary blues rock giant.”Patrick SweanyPatrick Sweany lives for the Grooves. Whether it’s the ones he records on his albums, the ones he lays down with his band on the stage, or the ones that define his days writing songs and living life in his E. Nashville neighborhood, the Grooves are what have propelled Sweany through 20+ years of performing and recording across 8 studio albums and dozens of countries around the world. Being in the Groove is Sweany’s recipe for success. To say 2020 has disrupted these Grooves, is a severe understatement. The cancellation of live music in the U.S. for the past several months initially ground Sweany’s Groove to a halt. However, it hasn’t all been bad. The time away from the road and away from the studio has forced some introspection and reflection. Serendipitously, Sweany had begun a new experiment in 2019 teaming up with Andrew Trube and Anthony Farrell (the Austin duo known as Greyhounds) to rework and re-record some of his oldest compositions. Taking songs from his first two records, Sweany headed into Bud’s recording Services, Greyhounds’ studio while on tour in Texas. Together with his touring band, Sweany reworked about a dozen older songs, and even tracked a cover and a never-released tune. The experience was rewarding and fun, but with tour dates pending, the rough tracks sat on the shelf for several more months. Once back in Nashville, Sweany began working with local producer Dexter Green at 3 Sirens Studio. Dex began meticulously shaping and mixing them, and Get That Feeling was born. Nine Mile Records is releasing two batches of these recordings (volumes I & II) in 2020 and 2021 while Sweany writes and records another full-length album of new compositions. The songs represent both a look back over Sweany’s long career, and new collaborations that showcase some sides of Patrick’s songs you might find surprising. It’s never too late to find a new Groove.
Mat Kearney – The Acoustic Trio Tour
Mat KearneyNashville-based, Oregon-born Mat Kearney is back with his new studio album January Flower. Written between an isolated retreat in Joshua Tree and his home studio, January Flower sees Kearney in his rawest form, distilling the songwriting process and rediscovering the joy of making music. Over his career, Kearney has released five studio LPs, claimed the #1 spot on iTunes, topped multiple Billboard charts, made four entries into the Hot 100, amassed over 2.5 BILLION global streams. Kearney, a Multi-Platinum songwriter and producer, has performed live on TODAY Show, Ellen, The Tonight Show, Letterman and Jimmy Kimmel Live! and has garnered raves from USA Today, Entertainment Weekly, People, Billboard, PARADE and Marie Claire. He also has an incredible touring history, sharing the road with everyone from John Mayer to NEEDTOBREATHE!VIP Package:There are a limited number of VIP packages available.The package includes – – Acoustic 2-3 song performance – Q&A session – Group Picture – Exclusive Signed Screen Printed Poster
Karla Bonoff & Livingston Taylor – Home for the Holidays
Karla Bonoff and Livingston Taylor come Home for the Holidays with a seasonally spiced show that will remind you of what a wonderful time of the year it is. Karla Bonoff, one of her generation’s great songwriters and Livingston Taylor, entertainer extraordinaire, have joined forces for an unforgettable performance of song and joy, featuring some of the bestknown Holiday classics including songs from Karla’s critically acclaimed Holiday album, Silent Night, as well as some of their best-known songs. The stage is home for Karla and Livingston, who have always maintained busy annual touring schedules. Now they are excited to be back “home” playing for their audience with performances that will be intimate, familiar, enthralling, and inspired by the essence of the season. The Home for the Holidays Tour is truly a musical gift from Karla Bonoff and Livingston Taylor that will enliven the spirit of the Season for audiences everywhere.
Darkside Of The Moon
Beyond a tribute, Dark Side of the Moon is a testimonial to the unique music of Pink Floyd and the emotions they stir. Dark Side of the Moon recreates, to a higher degree, the mystic and terrestrial sounds of the phenomenon that is Pink Floyd. We offer a pleasant distraction from the mundane. Enjoy a pleasant encounter with those sights and sounds, while Dark Side of the Moon emulates the magical and emotional experiences that Pink Floyd created for so many years. Close your eyes; it’s like being there again. Let Dark Side of the Moon reawaken your authentic concert experience or create a new one.
Foghat + Pat Travers Band
FOGHATSLOW RIDE – FOOL FOR THE CITY – I JUST WANT TO MAKE LOVE TO YOU – HONEY HUSHFoghat celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2021, and their live performances show why the band is still around and why they will be able to keep on rockin’ as long as they want to play! Their music is timeless, and touring is part of their DNA. Foghat’s live show is as intense as ever with the incredible energy and musicianship that one would expect and hope for from a seasoned band with such a long musical history and they are bringing their fans along for the ride. These guys just love to play!Not content to rest on their laurels, the band released a great new studio album in June 2016 titled “Under the Influence”, and another ‘live’ album in June of 2017 called ‘Live at the Belly Up’. They then followed it up with a double CD/DVD in 2021, 8 Days on the Road (recorded live at Daryl’s House Club in 2019!) All were given great reviews by press & fans alike.Foghat fans are everywhere and their audience consists of all ages. From the young who play Guitar Hero III and know all the lyrics to ‘Slow Ride’, to the Dazed & Confused generation of 30-40 somethings and the ‘boomers’ who bought Foghat’s first vinyl or 8 track! Looking out at the audience and seeing all generations rockin’ to Foghat is very gratifying to the band. “The band just wants to make sure that after every show, they are all convinced that they just got rocked, from the second we start the first song to the end of the show.”Formed in 1971 when Lonesome Dave Peverett & Roger Earl left the British blues-rock band, Savoy Brown, Foghat has earned eight Gold records, one Platinum record and one Double-Platinum record. And they continue to release new music every few years. They have never stopped touring and recording although there have been several ups and downs and changes over the years. They sadly lost Lonesome Dave Peverett in 2000 and Rod Price in 2005, but Roger Earl kept banging & kicking to keep Foghat’s musical legacy going.Pat Travers Band: Boom, Boom – Out Goes The Lights – Snortin’ WhiskeyPat Travers was born in Toronto, Canada on April 12, 1954. Soon after picking up the guitar at age 14 Pat saw the legend Jimi Hendrix perform in Ottawa. This obvious inspirational concert must have sparked the young Pat to go after the dream of becoming a star like so many of his early influences. Pat began playing in bands early in his teens.While performing with, Merge, he was noticed by Ronnie Hawkins who soon had Pat on the road performing with him. While Hawkins music was mostly old rock and roll, country and rockabilly, After a year on the road, Pat started his own band. Jump forward to 1979 when – Live! Go for What You Know, was released with “Boom Boom (Out Go the Lights)” followed in 1980 by “Snortin’ Whiskey” from Crash and Burn.
Lucy Kaplansky with special guest: Jesse Ruben
Lucy Kaplansky Lucy Kaplansky is an acclaimed singer-songwriter of rare talent, “a truly gifted performer with a bag full of enchanting songs” (The New Yorker) and “the troubadour laureate of modern city folk” (The Boston Globe). She has released eight critically acclaimed CDs, two of which were awarded Best Pop Album of the year by the Association for Independent Music. National Public Radio described her 2012 album “Reunion” as “a master class in making the personal universal,” and her most recent album “Everyday Street” has been dubbed“ spare and luminous” and “remarkable.” Lucy was part of folk supergroup Cry Cry Cry with Dar Williams and Richard Shindell (which The New Yorker dubbed “a collection of lovely harmonizing and pure emotion”). Their album was an astonishing success in stores and on radio resulting in a national tour of sold-out concerts, as well as a national sold-out reunion tour in 2018. Her recording of Roxy Music’s “More than This” has over 12 million streams on Spotify, and she has been featured on NPR’s All Things Considered, Weekend Edition, and Morning Edition as well as BBC Radio 2 and 4, and CBS Sunday Morning, and has sung harmony on albums by Suzanne Vega, Bryan Ferry, Nanci Griffith and Shawn Colvin. Her song “Guilty as Sin” was featured in the NBC television show “Ed,” and her vocals were featured in the Tom Cruise film “The Firm.” She will be releasing her latest album, “Last Days of Summer,” written and recorded during the pandemic, in Spring 2022.
Sophie B. Hawkins
Sophie B. Hawkins burst onto the international music scene with her 1992 platinum-selling debut album, Tongues and Tails, which included the indelible hit song Damn, I Wish I Was Your Lover, and earned her a Best New Artist Grammy nomination. The last three decades have brought multiple awards, sold out concerts, appearances on film and television, performances with some of the best known names in the business, a documentary feature, a critically-lauded tour-de-force performance as Janis Joplin in the nationally-touring play Room 105, songs appearing in hit films and TV shows, and five more albums, including Whaler, which featured the record-breaking longest-running single in Billboard Adult Contemporary chart history, the Number One hit, As I Lay Me Down. Much more than just a singer, Sophie writes all of her own songs, is a multi-instrumentalist, and has been fully involved in every aspect of the production of her records herself, from background vocals and playing her own instruments, to engineering and production of her albums. She has proved an enduring artist with a fierce commitment to artistic integrity while both constantly evolving, and remaining steadfastly true to her own authentic history and experience which connects her to her fans at the very deepest levels.