Spring has returned! I think it’s about time for me to remove my iron snow shovel from my vehicle for another season. A few outdoor live music events for this month are already marked on my calendar, and it looks like another busy warm weather season is coming together!
I caught several noteworthy indoor music events in recent weeks, including the 31st anniversary reunion “tour” stop in late February of popular 1990s rock force Heaven Tonite at Funky Claud’s in Altoona. Work duties prevented me from arriving in time to see openers Better Days, I did get there as Heaven Tonite was under way, and it was only mere minutes before my lower jaw was dangling in awe as I witnessed this group – lead singer and guitarist Scott Robleski, lead guitarist and singer Matt Day, bassist and singer Steve Leach, keyboardist and singer Gary Bailey, and drummer and singer Jamie McGarvey – pull off their incredible version of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody…”Galileo’s,” operatic harmonies and all! Heaven Tonite again delivered the total arena rock experience, doing classics from Journey, Boston, Pink Floyd, Ozzy Osbourne, Billy Squier, Jefferson Starship and many more. Their vocals and musicianship were off the map, and Jeff “Rit” Rittenhouse’s masterful audio-mixing skills helped this group sound colossal! Heaven Tonite had Funky Claud’s dance floor packed and happily grooving for the duration, and many folks were already hoping this group might make their reunion tour an annual event!
Pine Grove Hall in Pine Grove Mills hosted a special event early last month, when Kristi Jean and Steve Branstetter, backed by their group One Acre West, presented a heartfelt tribute to legendary country singer Patsy Cline. This tribute was nicely organized, alternating between performances of Patsy’s songs from big hits to forgotten gems, to Steve’s narration about Patsy’s story from her rise to fame to her ending, with lots of details about her and the people who helped shape – and almost destroyed – her career. Steve’s telling of the day of the plane crash was powerful, and had the entire room in a somber silence. Kristi’s voice was incredible, investing heart and soul into each of Patsy’s songs; including “Come On In (Make Yourself at Home),” “A Church, a Courtroom and Then Goodbye,” “Walkin’ After Midnight,” “Three Cigarettes (In An Ashtray),” “Stop, Look and Listen,” “Lovesick Blues,” “Blue Moon of Kentucky,” “I Fall to Pieces,” “Crazy,” “Why Can’t He Be You” and many more. Along with Steve, the band – Chris Gallagher on bass, Steve Buckelew on fiddle, Sean Hershey on drums and Bill Ritzman on keys – crafted arrangements that honored the songs and supported Kristi’s performance. Bill’s keys also provided backdrops behind Steve’s narrations. This was an excellently-done tribute, and has me considering soon doing a day-cation trip to Winchester, Virginia (Patsy’s birthplace) to visit her museum and learn more.
Following that performance, with Penn State students away for Spring Break, I headed to downtown State College to catch more music; first stopping at The Brewery to check in with Jason Davoli. Jason was performing solo, as some of his bandmates from Lowjack (who usually plays here every Friday) were not available this night. Playing acoustic guitar and singing, Jason happily played a variety of classic and newer rock favorites, and getting some love from some of his fans who stayed in town. Jason performed numbers from Jimi Hendrix, the Rolling Stones, Bush, Howie Day, Bryan Adams, Jimmy Eat World and others. Some of his highlights while I was there included his merging of Bruce Springsteen’s “I’m On Fire” with Kings Of Leon’s “Sex On Fire,” his original song “Fire,” his extended guitar solo display on the Grateful Dead’s “Friend of the Devil,” his whistling solo on R.E.M.’s “Losing My Religion,” and the Pink Floyd double-shot of “Wish You Were Here” and “Comfortably Numb.”
I then finished the night by taking in the latter two sets by Ted McCloskey and the Hi-Fi’s during their weekly Friday appearance at the Phyrst. Namesake, guitarist and singer Ted with his Hi-Fi’s – singer Veronica Auger, bassist Jason Ebersole and drummer Chris McGuire – had the party going strong with a crowd in front of the stage as I arrived. After versions of The Killers’ “Mr. Brightside” and Tom Cochrane’s “Life Is A Highway,” several guys in front of the stage started yelling out a “Free Bird” request. Ted responded that they would play the song if $100 showed up in the tip bucket. Within about 30 seconds, $100 of donations had arrived in the bucket, and Ted and the Hi-Fi’s honored the request! Veronica sang lead on many songs, including Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive,” Chappell Roan’s “Hot to Go” (with a guest singer joining her) and more. The group’s nightcap set escalated the party to the homestretch, when they strung together the Rolling Stones’ “Paint It Black” and (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” Steppenwolf’s “Born to Be Wild” and Wild Cherry’s “Play That Funky Music” to cap the night. Ted and the Hi-Fi’s always deliver a freewheeling setlist and high energy fun every Friday night at the Phyrst.
Headed by Andrae Holsey, Railroad City Culture Co. has begun setting up showcase events during the last weekend of each month at McGarvey’s in Altoona to spotlight rising talent from the Altoona area music scene. In late February, they presented the Grassroots Local Artist Showcase event. The night began with sets from Ma$aP and Alyssa Malvoisin before I arrived, but I did get there in time to see part of Kevo Can’t Dance’s set as he played his edgy acoustic original numbers. Next up was Altoona-based rap, hip-hop and soul artist No-Label. He showed a knack for blending singing and rapping, and displayed good timing, phrasing and groove. He did several of his songs, including his new single “I’m Burnin’ Up,” his message to young people about staying true to themselves called “I Won’t Sell My Soul for Nothing,” and more. The showcase concluded with Andrae’s funk-rock band 8-1-Funk wrapping up the night. Andrae on lead vocals, Matt Markham on guitar, Wes Shriner on bass and Zach Hepnet on drums mixed up rock and funk, new and old. They performed numbers from Red Hot Chili Peppers, White Stripes, Bill Withers, Stevie Wonder, Black Pumas, Chris Stapleton, Michael Jackson, Radiohead and more. 8-1-Funk established grooves and kept the energy up throughout their set, triggering dance floor action along the way. Proceeds from the showcase benefit Adelphoi Village.
Because of my busy schedule lately, I was only able to take in one St. Patrick’s Day party last month. and that was Dauber’s 16th annual St. Patrick’s Day Party, which took place at the Gallitzin American Legion’s Oriental Ballroom. The event is named in honor of its founder, Christopher “Dauber” Cox, a longtime firefighter and former chief of the Gallitzin Fire Company, who passed from cancer in 2022. Proceeds benefit the Gallitzin Fire Company and the American Legion. This party again had it all – live music, food, grog, Guinness, humongous leprechauns, giveaways, and a sea of green and kilt-clad humanity to enjoy it all! Full Kilt kicked off the music with their mixture of Celtic-flavored rock and rock-flavored Irish and Celtic folk and pub tunes. Playing nonstop through much of their three-hour time slot, singer and guitarist Mike Zerbee, bassist and singer Chris Myers, fiddle player Mandy Passmore-Ott and drummer Jake Yarnish set the mood their fun selection of tunes. Mandy’s fiddle skills took the spotlight early with the opening traditional jig “The Irish Washerwoman,” and the fun escalated from there as Full Kilt did songs from Gaelic Storm, Steve Earle, Dropkick Murphys, Flogging Molly, U2, the Irish Rovers and more. Along the way, Full Kilt hosted their competitive clapping rendition of “Whiskey in the Jar,” welcomed a crowd to come up front and display their calisthenics on the “Unicorn Song,” offered their Irish takes on favorites from the Charlie Daniels Band (“The Devil Went Down to Dublin”), the Rolling Stones and Queen, and closed their set with feisty renditions of Smokie’s “Living Next Door to Alice” and Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats’ “S.O.B.” The Giants Of Science then ignited the dance floor party with their blend of 1980s and 90s favorites. Singer and guitarist Mick, keyboardist and singer Scotty B and bassist and singer Johnny 5 shared singing duties as they generated the fun with songs from Midnight Oil, Stone Temple Pilots, The Cars, Sublime, Tom Petty, Gin Blossoms, Men At Work, Beastie Boys, Soft Cell, Romantics and many more. The group dedicated The Cure’s “Just Like Heaven” in memory of “Dauber,” and welcomed Chris Myers of Full Kilt to sit in on bass during Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama” and the Eagles’ “Already Gone.” The energy and dance floor enthusiasm stayed at a high level from start to end, with the crowd singing along with nearly every song as the night drew to a close.
I saw several solo performers in recent weeks. I checked out Rusty Speicher early last month as he entertained at Juniata Brewing Co. in Huntingdon. The frontman for Somerset-based rockers the Dirty Dogz, Rusty played acoustic guitar and sang plenty of numbers from the 1990s, including songs from Pearl Jam, 3 Doors Down, Bush, Stone Temple Pilots, Nine Inch Nails, Oasis, Alice In Chains and more. He also broke out a few country numbers from Waylon & Willie, Randy Travis and others; plus broke out a couple of Dirty Dogz original songs. Rusty showed a strong, sturdy voice, and the audience appreciated his efforts. Rusty is becoming a frequent flyer around area acoustic stages, so watch for him in your neighborhood.
I caught up with Lewistown’s Ed Varner when he performed at the downtown Altoona Levity Brewing Co. location last month. Armed with acoustic guitar, Ed fired up his upbeat mix of rock’n’roll, pop and country favorites from the 1960s to 90s…”no shoes required.” Ed performed favorites from the Beatles, Tom Petty, Poison, the Rolling Stones, the Romantics, Queen, John Mellencamp, John Denver, Garth Brooks and others. Ed demonstrated his kazoo talents by buzzing out the solo on Queen’s “Crazy Little Thing Called Love.” Ed was joined a couple of times by an audience guest singer named Isabella, who sang with him on Poison’s “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” and later sang one of her own original songs solo. Ed Varner’s presentation is continually fast-firing and upbeat; he keeps the music constant and the mood happy. Ed maintains a busy performance schedule through a wide range of central PA.
I also saw Ebensburg-based solo performer Kenny Jubas at Levity Brewing’s downtown Altoona location last month. I enjoyed his selection of classics, as he did a number of songs I don’t often get to hear on area stages. Playing acoustic guitar and singing, Kenny generated his own arrangements and styles on many songs, freshening up numbers like Night Ranger’s “Sister Christian,” Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer,” America’s “Ventura Highway,” Don Henley’s “The Heart of the Matter,” and his surprising take on Christopher Cross’ “Sailing.” He also did numbers from the Marshall Tucker Band, Goo Goo Golls, Matchbox 20, Anne Murray, Allman Brothers, Train, U2, Oasis, Incubus, Jackson Browne and more, and honored an audience request for Fuel’s “Shimmer.” Kenny’s voice and cadence are consistent, and he was well-received by the Levity audience. Kenny performs at locations throughout Cambria County, and can be seen at Levity Brewing Co. as well.
And with a third Thursday night off last month, I took advantage of the opportunity and made my way to Spring Dam Brewing Co. in Roaring Spring for their monthly third Thursday Open Mic. I saw seven different performing entities this night, beginning with Open Mic host Brother Jack. Jack did two songs, “Seven Deadly Sins” and – two nights removed from St. Patrick’s Day, his rendition of the accelerating Irish folk tune “Rattlin’ Bog”…Next was Bedford area singer and songwriter Ethan Hess, who introduced two new original songs to begin his mini-set, before playing his song “Southern Belle” and an acoustic punk rock cover. Besides performing solo, Ethan also plays bass for a local punk rock band…Following him was Saxton’s Little Jimmy Melonballer. Armed with ukulele, Jimmy sang four songs – “Juke Box,” his musical story number “Bar Fight,” “Unrequited Love Song” and his amusing ode to the ever-dreaded “Stink Bug”…Roaring Spring’s Nate Gates then showcased his bluesy and indie-geared folk with three originals; “This Ain’t No Cryin’ Song,” a song he created 20 years ago called “Golden Things,” and a song about chasing inspiration called “In Your Shadow.” Singer and songwriter James Grove, accompanied by his son Jackson on cajon, then played several numbers. Four were original songs – “What Business Are We In?,” “God Like the Devil,” “Fireball” and “BBC.” James and Jackson finished with their acoustic version of Violent Femmes’ “Blister in the Sun.” The JW Project – singer John Brehm and guitarist Wes Shriner – then performed several numbers representing their brand of darker folk music. They introduced a couple of new numbers, and finished with their song “On the Riverbank”…Mountain Matt followed with his freewheeling style of acoustic music, tapping into punk and indie themes with such numbers as “Kentucky Anarchist” and “Lodging for the Mad.” And with the sign-up list for this night exhausted, Ethan Hess finished the night by stepping up to do a few more songs. It’s always great to discover up and coming artists and new song creations during Open Mic events like these, and I hope to attend another Open Mic Night at Spring Dam Brewing Co. soon!
News and notes…The annual Pennsylvania Heritage Songwriting Contest (PHSC) has found a new venue to conduct its annual awards presentation. The presentation for the 18th annual edition of the contest, which recognizes songwriters’ song creations about Pennsylvania, its history, heritage, folklore and more, will take place on Sept. 6 at 5 p.m. during the annual Labor Day Regatta weekend in downtown Lock Haven. (The contest awards previously took place at the annual Smoked Country Jam Bluegrass Festival near Cross Fork, which was discontinued after last year.) Rules and entry forms can be obtained through the Pennsylvania Heritage Songwriters’ Facebook page…The “Benefit for Kevin” will take place on April 26 from noon to 8 p.m. at Altoona’s Unter Uns Musical & Entertainment Society. The benefit will help out Kevin Siegel with funeral expenses after the unexpected passing of his wife, Amy, on February 18. Kevin has also been dealing with his own medical conditions and has limited financial resources. Shallow 9, The Jaded Lips, Felix & the Hurricanes, D.D. & the Pub Crawlers, Autumn Rising, Bone Jacked, PletchVello and 100 Proof will donate their talents at the event. Donation is $5 at the door, and additional donations are greatly appreciated. Kevin has played drums for a number of area bands over the past two decades, including Naildriver, Scream, The Sitch, Gin-n-Juice, the Banditos and the Pub Crawlers, plus filling in behind the kit for numerous other groups…The PennSoulvanians, Ugmo, Making State, DJ Oddio, Walkney, Kevo Can’t Dance and Maul will perform during the fifth annual Cann-A-Toona Festival, happening April 18 at downtown Altoona’s Intowne Square Plaza; admission is free…Wanderlost, Tom Nevers Field, Dom Frucella, Stephanie & the Wild Hearts and the Backyard Rockers are among the performers for this year’s annual Blair Creators Festival, taking place May 2 at downtown Altoona’s Heritage Plaza…Pittsburgh rock band Radio 45 has undergone a re-branding, and is now named Radio Return…State College’s My Hero Zero announced that Joe Miller is now their drummer…And CONGRATULATIONS to area musicians Jimmy Mowery and Ethan Eckenroad, who brought home awards from last month’s annual Central Pennsylvania Music Awards (CPMA’s), during the awards presentation at the American Music Theatre in Lancaster. Jimmy Mowery won the Song of the Year award for for his number “Am I Going Crazy,” and Ethan Eckenroad won the “Male Vocalist” award. Congratulations to all of this year’s award winners, and you can see the list of award winners at www.cpmhof.com and clicking on “CPMA’s.”
Please send correspondence and recordings to: Jim Price, 1104 S. Catherine St., Altoona, PA 16602. You can also e-mail me at jptheprofessor@gmail.com. And if you’re into social networking, look me up on Facebook. SUPPORT LOCAL MUSIC!
