An Evening with Donnie Iris & The Cruisers
Donnie Iris & The Cruiserswith special guest drummersJoe Vitale & Joe Vitale Jr. Saturday April 16th at 8 P.M Donnie Iris found his early successes in the industry while performing with The Jaggerz and Wild Cherry. While with Wild Cherry in the late 70’s Donnie Iris found his identity as such, after performing under his birth name Dominic Lerace for the earlier part of his career. Struggling to build off the success of “Play that Funky Music”, Wild Cherry would break up in 1979. Nevertheless Iris had already sunk his teeth into another project with fellow bandmate Mark Avsec. Their first release saw the disco-influenced single “Bring on the Eighties” backed by a cover of “Because of You” in 1979; however it failed to garner attention. Iris and Avsec decided to go in a harder direction for their next release and returned to the studio with guitarist Marty Lee Hoenes, bassist Albritton McClain and drummer Kevin Valentine, who at the time was in the band Breathless with Avsec, to record his first full-length album. This line-up would form what would become known as Donnie Iris and the Cruisers. Iris released his first album in July of 1980, titled Back on The Streets, through Midwest Records based out of Cleveland, Ohio. Thanks to the track “Ah! Leah!” receiving attention through airplay in Boston, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh, MCA Records took notice and signed Iris to a five album deal before rereleasing the album nationally in October that year. Since then Donnie Iris & The Cruisers have gone through changes in lineups, but have continued on, releasing eleven studio albums, one EP, two live albums, and two compilation albums. He continues to sporadically release new material and tour throughout Pennsylvania and Ohio. Joe Vitale He has recorded and toured with Ted Nugent, Joe Walsh, Dan Fogelberg, Peter Frampton, The Eagles, Crosby, Stills and Nash, and CSNY to name a few. In addition, he has recorded with Rick Derringer, Ringo Starr, John Lennon, Keith Richards, Bill Wyman, Ronnie Wood, Van Morrison, Carl Wilson, Don Felder, Boz Scaggs, John Entwhistle and many others. Vitale has also co-produced albums for Joe Walsh, Stephen Stills, CSN & CSNY. His many songwriting credits include the classic Joe Walsh song, “Rocky Mountain Way,” and also, “Pretty Maids All in a Row,” from The Eagles classic album, “Hotel California,” both co-written with Joe Walsh. He has three solo albums, “Roller Coaster Weekend,” “Plantation Harbor,” and “Speaking In Drums,” and a book, “Back Stage Pass,” about his career in music. He’s also produced his son, Joe Jr.’s, first album, “Dancing with Shadows.”Joe Vitale Jr, Music is in his blood. Maybe literally. This multi-instrumentalist is the son of legendary rock drummer Joe Vitale, and spent his early years cutting his teeth on the road with Joe Walsh, The Stephen Stills Blues Band, and Crosby, Stills and Nash.The revolution is expanding… His award-winning, self-directed video for “Never Look Back” has over 300-thousand YouTube views. Donnie Iris & The Cruisers return to The Kent Stage as part of our 20th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday April 16th, 2022. Show starts at 8 P.M, and both the doors & box office will open an hour prior to start time.
Dirty Dozen Brass Band + Nathan & The Zydeco Cha-Chas = Mardi Gras Mamba
Mardi Gras Mamba 2022! – Featuring The Dirty Dozen Brass Band & Nathan Williams & The Zydeco Cha Cha’sThe Dirty Dozen Brass Band are the pioneers of the modern New Orleans brass band movement, recognized worldwide as an unstoppable musical machine.For more than 40 years, the group has taken the traditional foundation of brass band music and incorporated it into a blend of genres including Bebop Jazz, Funk and R&B and Soul. This unique sound, described by the band as a “musical gumbo,” has allowed the Dirty Dozen to tour across five continents and more than 30 countries, record 12 studio albums and collaborate with a range of artists from Modest Mouse to Widespread Panic to Norah Jones.”The Dirty Dozen Brass Band continues to be a national treasure; steeped in both the past and the present, impossible to categorize and mighty funky.” – The New York TimesNathan Williams provides a direct connection to Zydeco’s storied pioneers such as Clifton Chenier and Boozoo Chavis. He formed The Cha-Chas back in 1985, and since then has brought his unique take on this regional South Louisiana music to all corners of the globe. From Lincoln Center in New York to The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, his music has crossed all barriers to speak to the very heart of the audience. Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Cha’s are keepers of the zydeco flame, committed to keeping their Creole heritage alive.Together, these bands create a non-stop dance fest. Blues, Cajun, New Orleans soul, zydeco and R&B from two masters of the genres.Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 day of show. The show begins at 8 p.m., with doors opening at 7 p.m.
The High Kings
The High Kings are Finbarr Clancy, Darren Holden, Brian Dunphy Paul O’ Brien. The High Kings formed in June 2007 when Brian, Darren, Finbarr and former member Martin Furey were asked to join a brand-new Irish ballad group by David Kavanagh after he had noticed a gap in the market for a band specialising in traditional Irish music.It didn’t take long during their first studio rehearsal for them to realise that the way their individual voices blended together, that they were onto something special. The High Kings play 13 instruments between them creating the unique sound and atmosphere that they still showcase to this day. This was confirmed when their self-titled debut album reached number 2 on the world Billboard Music chart. In March 2009 The High Kings played 5 consecutive sold out shows to a packed audience in Dublin’s Olympia Theatre.Towards the end of 2009 The High Kings licensed their second studio album ‘Memory Lane’ to Universal Music Ireland signifying the fast trajectory that the band had taken in their short lifespan. ‘Memory Lane’ was released in February 2010 and after a successful Irish tour the album went platinum in June only 4 months after its initial release. They followed ‘Memory Lane’ with a ‘Live In Ireland’ album which received critical acclaim as it showcased the energy that the band brings to the live shows. By 2011 the band had outgrown the venues they had been previously playing and had to start playing larger venues not only in Ireland but also in America and across Europe. Many fans became regular faces as they effectively followed the band on their sold-out tours many crossing oceans and borders through-out the world just to see their favourite band perform live. People loved what they were doing bringing a new take on traditional Irish ballads to audiences of multiple generations. In 2013 the band licensed their forthcoming album ‘Friends For Life’ to Sony Worldwide another indication of their global appeal. Friends For Life featured 8 original songs written and composed by the band and was released in 2013. Taking their original songs on the road was a new and exciting milestone for the band and it wasn’t long before the likes of ‘Oh Maggie’ and ‘Irelands Shore’ were being sung back to them by the audience. November 2014 marked another milestone for the band when they recorded Four Friends Live at the Millennium Forum in Derry which was their first joint CD/DVD and the first live DVD recording since the debut DVD ‘Live In Dublin’ in 2008. The early part of 2016 was spent back in the studio recording their ‘Grace & Glory’ album. The album charted at number 1 on the Irish Indie charts and was very well received by critics and fans alike. The rest of 2016 and early 2017 was spent extensively touring the new album. Over the past 12 years The High Kings have released 4 studio albums, 2 live albums and 2 DVDs. In 2017 they released a compilation album ‘Decade’ which celebrated 10 amazingly successful years together and also included 5 brand new recordings.The High Kings continue to set the bar extremely high for Irish Folk bands across the world and are widely regarded to be at the forefront of the genre. In 2019 after a 12 year journey The High Kings continue to perform in sell out venues across the globe to their ever-growing army of loyal fans that span generations. 2021 sees the release of Home from Home, their brand-new 11 track album. Recorded live at Concert Deck in Dublin, Home from Home is a journey through classic folk songs, old and new.
The High Kings
The High Kings are Finbarr Clancy, Darren Holden, Brian Dunphy Paul O’ Brien. The High Kings formed in June 2007 when Brian, Darren, Finbarr and former member Martin Furey were asked to join a brand-new Irish ballad group by David Kavanagh after he had noticed a gap in the market for a band specialising in traditional Irish music.It didn’t take long during their first studio rehearsal for them to realise that the way their individual voices blended together, that they were onto something special. The High Kings play 13 instruments between them creating the unique sound and atmosphere that they still showcase to this day. This was confirmed when their self-titled debut album reached number 2 on the world Billboard Music chart. In March 2009 The High Kings played 5 consecutive sold out shows to a packed audience in Dublin’s Olympia Theatre.Towards the end of 2009 The High Kings licensed their second studio album ‘Memory Lane’ to Universal Music Ireland signifying the fast trajectory that the band had taken in their short lifespan. ‘Memory Lane’ was released in February 2010 and after a successful Irish tour the album went platinum in June only 4 months after its initial release. They followed ‘Memory Lane’ with a ‘Live In Ireland’ album which received critical acclaim as it showcased the energy that the band brings to the live shows. By 2011 the band had outgrown the venues they had been previously playing and had to start playing larger venues not only in Ireland but also in America and across Europe. Many fans became regular faces as they effectively followed the band on their sold-out tours many crossing oceans and borders through-out the world just to see their favourite band perform live. People loved what they were doing bringing a new take on traditional Irish ballads to audiences of multiple generations. In 2013 the band licensed their forthcoming album ‘Friends For Life’ to Sony Worldwide another indication of their global appeal. Friends For Life featured 8 original songs written and composed by the band and was released in 2013. Taking their original songs on the road was a new and exciting milestone for the band and it wasn’t long before the likes of ‘Oh Maggie’ and ‘Irelands Shore’ were being sung back to them by the audience. November 2014 marked another milestone for the band when they recorded Four Friends Live at the Millennium Forum in Derry which was their first joint CD/DVD and the first live DVD recording since the debut DVD ‘Live In Dublin’ in 2008. The early part of 2016 was spent back in the studio recording their ‘Grace & Glory’ album. The album charted at number 1 on the Irish Indie charts and was very well received by critics and fans alike. The rest of 2016 and early 2017 was spent extensively touring the new album. Over the past 12 years The High Kings have released 4 studio albums, 2 live albums and 2 DVDs. In 2017 they released a compilation album ‘Decade’ which celebrated 10 amazingly successful years together and also included 5 brand new recordings.The High Kings continue to set the bar extremely high for Irish Folk bands across the world and are widely regarded to be at the forefront of the genre. In 2019 after a 12 year journey The High Kings continue to perform in sell out venues across the globe to their ever-growing army of loyal fans that span generations. 2021 sees the release of Home from Home, their brand-new 11 track album. Recorded live at Concert Deck in Dublin, Home from Home is a journey through classic folk songs, old and new.
The Music of Cream
New date – June 8thCurrent tickets will be honored Refunds available at [email protected]
THE ENGLISH BEAT plus Very Special Guests – The TWIST OFFS
The English Beat has performed multiple times in the past here at The Kent Stage, always before an enthusiastic crowd. Founded in Birmingham, England, in 1978, their music fuses Latin, ska, pop, soul, reggae and punk rock. Their signature style has helped them pave a career that has spanned across decades, continents and everything a band has to go through to stay in this rigorous industry. After originally only performing together for a four year span, a 20 year hiatus seemed to be the end for The British Beat as it’s called in Australia, before returning in 2003 for a sold out one-off gig at Royal Festival Hall. With Dave Wakeling leading the US version of the group, the band has continued to tour worldwide since reforming in 2006. Current Lineup Dave Wakeling – Lead Vocals/Guitar Matt Morrish – Sax/Vocals Kevin Lum – Keys/Vocals Minh Quan – Keys/Vocals Brian “Nucci” Cantrell – Drums/Vocals Antonee First Class – Toaster Chuck Elder – Bass/Vocals Quotes”… [Dave] Wakeling and his crew played 90 minutes worth of hits, deep cuts, some General Public chestnuts and a few new songs… every song was met with recognition and applause.” – River Front Times”[The English Beat are] more popular now than ever.” – San Francisco Chronicle[Dave Wakeling] has assembled an incredible band and is playing his hits with the same raucous enthusiasm that made The English Beat one of the biggest acts of the New Wave Era… Every time they play, The Brew [San Luis Obispo, CA] is packed to the gills with an audience bouncing in unison.” – SLO New Times”People were spilling out the doors by the time [English Beat] went on stage and the palpable joy was in the air when they started… With lyrics about unity, peace, love and partying, and a beat that’s guaranteed to get you out of your seat, their music will always be dancetastic.” – The New York Examiner[The English Beat continues to take] on 2 tone, ska, reggae and new wave, still dishing out on issues of strife and discontentment at times, but always with a happy, danceable tune… drawing large audiences and still has a growing fan base” – San Gabriel Valley Tribune”[Dave Wakeling of The English Beat] is a musician who seems to genuinely enjoy performing, and even those new to the Beat couldn’t help but get swept up in the infectious brand of “happy” music, as one put it.” – Napa Valley Register”As always, the English Beat’s sound is a driving blend of ska, punk, rock and reggae that’s made for dancing.” – Daily Local News