Justin Hayward – Blue World Tour – w/ Mike Dawes
Having chalked up over fifty years at the peak of the music and entertainment industry, Justin Hayward’s voice has been heard the world over. Known principally as the vocalist, lead guitarist and composer for the Moody Blues, his is an enduring talent that has helped to define the times in which he worked. Over the years the band has sold more than fifty-five million albums and received numerous awards. In 2018, along with the other members of The Moody Blues, Justin was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Born and brought up in Swindon in the UK, Justin’s interest in music started early when he was five years old and his grandfather bequeathed him his large collection of 78 rpm recordings. “It opened a world of imagination to me,” says Justin. Having taught himself to play the ukulele, he soon progressed to guitar and by his early teens he was playing in local groups. Upon leaving school at 17 he answered an advertisement in Melody Maker newspaper and successfully auditioned for UK Rock and Roll hero Marty Wilde. “I got the job playing guitar for Marty – it was a dream come true for me”. Justin credits Marty with encouraging him to become a songwriter; he made several recordings with Marty’s ‘Wilde Three’ and also appeared with them at the London Palladium. They remain close friends to this day: “Marty is still my hero”. Having started the ball rolling as a songwriter in his own right with a couple of solo singles, he joined the Moody Blues in the summer of 1966. Hitting his stride immediately with the single ‘Fly Me High’, he followed it up with the classic hit songs ‘Nights in White Satin’ and ‘Tuesday Afternoon’ from the seminal album ‘Days of Future Passed’. This album went on to become a favourite of the NASA astronauts and was taken aboard the Atlantis shuttle space craft by Chief astronaut “Hoot” Gibson on many missions. This purple patch showed no sign of abating as Justin created other classic, era and genre-defining hits ‘Question’, ‘The Voice’, ‘The Story In Your Eyes’, ‘I Know You’re Out There Somewhere’ and ‘Your Wildest Dreams’. These laid the foundation for the incredible success story of the Moody Blues – as well as his solo work – which continues to this day. In 2022 Justin revived his role as ‘the journalist’ in the touring production of Jeff Wayne’s ‘War of The Worlds’ and in 2023 he co-headlined an extensive tour of the USA with Christopher Cross. Justin’s latest single is ‘Living for Love’. Mike Dawes was named the Best Acoustic Guitarist in the World Right Now by MusicRadar and Total Guitar in 2017 & 2018. www.mikedawes.com Justin Hayward VIP Merchandise Package – very limited availability VIP Merchandise Package = $186.00 -Premium Concert Ticket (First five rows) -Exclusive T-shirt -Exclusive Poster -Tote Bag -Commemorative Ticket -Lapel Pin Delivery: Merchandise items are shipped the week of the show date to the address YOU provide on the order. and may arrive shortly before or after the show date. Items subject to change.
Woodchoppers Ball – 2024
Brian Henke’s Woodchopper’s Ball 23rd Edition The Annual Woodchopper’s Ball gathers for one amazing night, once again at The Kent Stage on Saturday, November 9th at 7 P.M.! The 23rd annual Woodchopper’s Ball benefit for the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless. will be Doors open at 6:30 and show starts at 7PM. Nine of the very best, most award winning acoustic guitarists on Earth will be performing. This year’s players are: Michael Kelsey Gareth Pearson Brian Henke Bryce Mullins Tim and Myles Thompson Jesse Smith Patrick Woods Mark Sganga Atom Lax
əkoostik hookah!
əkoostik hookah əkoostik hookah’s annual fall visit to The Kent Stage – 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.
The Vindys
The Vindys have built a rock-solid word of mouth reputation over the past decade, captivating audiences with their unique blend of rock, soul, and pop. The Youngstown, Ohio-based band is led by the powerhouse vocalist and songwriter Jackie Popovec, who The Canton Repository cited “…uncannily evokes Amy Winehouse on the more retro songs while going full-tilt rock ‘n’ roll on the harder, moodier numbers.” Rounding out the band is John Anthony on lead guitar and Rick Deak on rhythm guitar. The expanded line-up includes Owen Davis on drums, Brendan Burke on bass, Nathan Anthony on keyboards, Kyle O’Donnell on trumpet, Brian Mayle on trombone, and Garret Kuchmaner on saxophone. The winning combination of these talented musicians has earned the band high praise: Music Connection Magazine describes them as “The Vindys have everything going for them: a super-powerful voice, a searing guitar, and a fantastic rhythm section topped with a horn section. It is rock and roll at its finest.” The band is comprised of seasoned musicians from the Dana School of Music at Youngstown State University, who create compelling song arrangements with Popovec as the primary songwriter. The band members’ diverse experiences and savvy skills contribute to the depth and maturity of their intricate yet relatable music. Passionate about representing Youngstown’s thriving music scene, their name pays homage to their roots by drawing influence from Youngstown’s daily newspaper, The Vindicator. Brad Savage, program director of Ohio’s The Summit 91.3 FM, explains, “To me, they truly embody Youngstown and northeast Ohio. They possess depth and substance and are instantly likable. Their songs get stuck in your head after one listen.” The Vindys have reached a tipping point in their career, having generated excitement with their dynamic performances at hundreds of venues and festivals–including WonderStruck, Three Rivers Arts Festival, LaurelLive, Winnetka Music Festival, and Summerfest, where the band won the first day of the Emerging Artist Series. They have also shared the stage with such artists as ZZ Top, Pat Benatar, Heart’s Ann Wilson, Drive by Truckers, Donnie Iris and the Cruisers, and Hunter Hayes, to name a few. The Vindy’s anthemic-style song “Are You Ready” was widely used in campaigns for several sports franchises, including the Pittsburgh Steelers, Penguins, and Pirates, and ESPN commercials for the 2023 ACC Softball Tournaments. Their latest music video, “Bugs,” the title track from their sophomore album, was screened at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival in New York alongside artists like The Black Keys and Lizzo. The Vindys album, Bugs, received critical acclaim and has been described as “…a record showcasing a maturing, versatile band whose musical palette encompasses everything from gritty classic rock to vintage jazz to refined pop.” by the Canton Repository. WKSU (NPR) called it “…a 10-track rock ‘n’ roll triumph that fuses the group’s vintage jazz aesthetic with a more straightforward blues-rock sound.” Ear To the Ground stated, “…The Vindys are one of the tightest and talented acts on the national stage. The rockers have long produced soulful and exquisite tracks, but with their latest album, they prove to be a magnetic force of sonic mastery. There comes a time in all great bands’ lives when there is a thriving sense that new achievements are on the horizon, and the group’s music is gathering a whole new audience as it spreads nationwide. That time is now for The Vindys.
Martin Barre – The History of Tull
Martin Barre A Brief History of Tull VIP Meet & Greet available – Info below In 1969, a band of four English musicians arrived in New York and literally took America by storm. Over the next 50 years, this legendary band accumulated over 65 million record sales and a following of loyal fans that are the envy of rock bands worldwide! This band was Jethro Tull. At the center of Tull’s unique sound is guitarist Martin Barre, renowned for his formidable mastery of historic riffs, power chords and soaring melodic solos. Martin Barre celebrates the musical journey of Jethro Tull throughout the decades at his new show A Brief History of Tull. The show will feature a special visual presentation that, together with the music, highlights the 50 years of Jethro Tull musical career. Classic Tull hits played throughout the interactive performance include songs from legendary albums such as Thick As A Brick, Aqualung, Stand Up, Songs From The Wood, A Passion Play, Heavy Horses and many more… He will be bringing a spectacular show with his touring band, featuring the iconic voice of Dan Crisp on lead vocals, Alan Thomson on bass and Terl Bryant on drums. Join us as Martin takes you back on the formidable journey of Jethro Tull – it will be a show you will not want to miss! VIP Meet & Greet – This is a true meet & greet – photos are OK – Starts at approx. 5PM Only 50 spaces available & You must also have a concert ticket. $100.00 upgrade available at check-out
Melvin Seals & JGB
MELVIN SEALS & THE Jerry Garcia Band The is a seated general admission concert – Melvin Seals has been a powerful presence in the music industry for over 30 years with a long-established reputation as a performer, recording artist and producer. Melvin is most revered for his powerful, high-spirited, Hammond B-3 organ, and keyboards in the Jerry Garcia Band. Melvin spun his B-3 magic with the Jerry Garcia Band for 18 years and in doing so helped pioneer and define what has now become “Jam Band Music”. From blues to funk to rock to jazz, Melvin Seals serves up a tasty mix with a little R&B and gospel thrown in to spice things up. Melvin and JGB bring an intuitive, expressive style, soul, spontaneity and remarkable chops to the table. John Kadlecik on lead guitar and vocal duties, John-Paul McLean’s savory bass, Jeremy Hoenig on the drums and, of course, a heapin’ helpin’ of the wizard’s magic on Hammond B-3 Organ and keyboards. Their chemistry is the focus from which they create a spontaneous and high art where the sky is the limit musically. They offer an exciting, often psychedelic musical journey that changes nightly and keeps the audience dancing and smiling (and some staring in amazement) for hours. Adding his rock-gospel-soul-rhythm and blues touch with his funky style of playing, no wonder Jerry nicknamed him “Master of the Universe”. Melvin continues to treat music lovers to his unique brand of melodic flavor with JGB. Come see and hear for yourself!
Mark & Maggie O’Connor
An Evening with Mark & Maggie O’Connor Mark and Maggie have been existing in an uninterrupted musical collaboration since the day they met eight years ago in 2014. As they were perfecting the finer points of Mark’s American Classical violin duos, it got so good that they decided to get married. The next stage of their musical journey turned into a larger family collaboration for which they each took home a Grammy for playing bluegrass in the O’Connor Band. Now, they have turned yet another musical corner. With a year-and-a-half of isolation from touring during the world-wide pandemic, they dedicated their days and nights towards further musical growth together. The couple workshopped new songs during seventy weekly online concerts from home; Mondays with Mark and Maggie. A group of dedicated viewers watched as they made their musical experiments, some fans tuning in for all of them. What came out of this exploration is an Americana album project of mostly original vocal songs they sing together, other popular songs reimagined, and all of them supported by a small universe of acoustic instruments they’ve brushed up on in the time off the road. The album reveals the pair’s most sincere and deeply personal work yet. “The album has really turned out beautiful for us,” says the former seven-time CMA Musician Of The Year, an artist who had recently turned 60 but has never shrunk from any musical idea he ever set out to accomplish, from national fiddle, guitar and mandolin championships to the composer of a dozen full scale concertos and symphonies, and, toss in a million sales of his “Appalachia Waltz” played with Yo-Yo Ma. After playing on 450 albums in Nashville during the 1980s, Mark returns here as songwriter, guitar-picker, singer and musical producer, not just the fiddler that changed how Nashville thought of the instrument for the better. The evolution was made possible by the compelling performances, musical talents and encouragement of his wife, Maggie.
An Evening With The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band
The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band Three time BMA nominee’s The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band are “the greatest front-porch blues band in the world”. They are led by Reverend Peyton, who most consider to be the premier finger picker playing today. He has earned a reputation as both a singularly compelling performer and a persuasive evangelist for the rootsy, country blues styles that captured his imagination early in life and inspired him and his band to make pilgrimages to Clarksdale, Mississippi to study under such blues masters as T-Model Ford, Robert Belfour and David “Honeyboy” Edwards. Their latest record Dance Songs For Hard Times went #1 on the Billboard, iTunes and Sirius XM Blues Charts and was produced by Grammy winner Vance Powell (Jack White, Chris Stapleton). The record is critically acclaimed by Rolling Stone, Relix, Popmatters, Guitar World, American Songwriter, No Depression, Glide, Wide Open Country, Paste, American Blues Scene and many more!
An Evening with Jake Shimabukuro
An Evening with Jake Shimabukuro Over the past two decades, Jake Shimabukuro has proved that there isn’t a style of music that he can’t play. While versatility for any musician is impressive, what’s remarkable about Shimabukuro’s transcendent skills is how he explores his seemingly limitless vocabulary – whether it’s jazz, rock, blues, bluegrass, folk or even classical – on perhaps the unlikeliest of instruments: the ‘ukulele. Responding to the urgent calls of his fervent imagination, the Hawai’i-born virtuoso has taken the ‘ukulele to points previously thought impossible, and in the process he’s reinvented the applications for this tiny, heretofore underappreciated four-string instrument, causing many to call him “the Jimi Hendrix of the ‘ukulele.”
An Evening With The Empty Pockets – Holiday Concert
Saturday December 7, 2024 The Kent Stage The Empty Pockets Holiday Show Fill the holidays with rock and modern blues! Chicago’s Billboard chart-topping quartet The Empty Pockets are bringing their ‘MistleTunes’ Holiday Concert to town. Seasonal classics like “Silent Night” and “Run Run Rudolph” are given new life through this band’s joyful energy. Plus, fresh and fun original songs like “Party at the North Pole” and “Snow Day” are a welcome change from the same-old-songs, year after year. Join The Empty Pockets, as they ignite a bright flame by harnessing a joyful friction between Americana, folk, and rock ‘n’ roll spiked with roots soul.