Welcome to 2026! Ringing in the new year whether we are ready for it or not. Mother Nature has us in her grasp, and these cold and windy conditions are here to stay. The perfect time to head to your favorite venue or watering hole and enjoy some live music. Lots of shows and events on the horizon, so let’s get into it.
Guitar collectors and gear heads, mark your calendars! February 22nd, “The Best Guitar Show” will be taking place at the Blair County Convention Center in Altoona, PA from 10am–4pm. BUY–SELL–TRADE. $10 admission includes door prizes. Tables are selling fast, so if you are interested in securing one or for more info, call 814-215-4087. This is a well-attended show, so get there early to find those hidden treasures.
Next up, we would like to welcome a new advertiser. Lucid Ruby has been playing shows in the area for a while. This all-original band, led by Bailey Appleby, has had an evolving sound as they gain members and start to create a unique style and flow that is hard to categorize as one genre. From alt rock to blues, folk, funk, with some jam band on the side, these guys mix it up throughout the performance. They have a new single that came out last year, “Hit The Ground Running,” and it’s available on all major streaming platforms. You can check them out on their website, lucidruby.com, or find them on Facebook and other platforms by searching @lucidruby.
Gather The Guitars is happening once again this year on Sunday, February 1st at The Abby Bar at The Appalachian Brewing Co. on Cameron Street in Harrisburg. Featuring Matt Jameson, Vince Rollins Duo, and Rigo Giorgini. General admission tickets are $25, with a golden ticket option for $75. The event benefits Gather The Spirit For Justice, a nonprofit supporting the neighborhood of the Allison Hill area. They offer free community meals with a free Saturday breakfast, while also providing life-changing services including ESL courses, assistance with IDs, licenses, birth certificates, etc. Get out and support the cause and enjoy some live music while doing so.
I made it out to Shermans Creek Inn for the newly rebranded Horror Scene in December, and I can tell you that the band formerly known as Suicide Puppets has indeed changed. Yes, the music is the same heavy, face-melting metal we all know and love, but the band has definitely matured with a more refined sound, really cleaning up the vibe and feel of the performance. The end result is a much more polished sound with some great new material. It’s going to be exciting to see what happens in 2026. If you haven’t been to a Horror Scene show, do yourself a favor and go check one out.
That’s it for this month. If you would like to start your year out on track and in charge of your destiny, then give me a ring or a text at 717-636-4203. Covers are going quick for 2026, so if you have an album or a festival you want to tell everyone about, get in touch sooner rather than later. Email: joshnoll@pamusician.net for details. Until next month, stay warm and ROCK ON!