Hi gang,
Wanted to put the word out on some big shows happening over the next couple of weeks beginning today.
This afternoon, Thursday, July 27, the original Colorway lineup featuring Dave Hayes on bass and vocals and J.J. O’Connell on drums and vocals (featured on both studio albums) will be playing a show in downtown Amherst at the Masonic Lodge. The lodge is located on Main St in Amherst between the Black Sheep Cafe and the police station (on that side of the street). It’s free, all ages, and should be a lot of fun. All the details are below.
Opening the show will be Court Etiquette, one of the best new bands to come out of the Pioneer Valley in a long time. Check their single “Above Me” out right here and like them on Facebook here.
It all begins at 5:30 with an hour long set from Court Etiquette. Then, Colorway v1.0 will hit around 6:45 and play until 8pm.
Next Saturday, August 5 don’t miss Jeff Fest. This multi-band/performer bill is in its second year and celebrates the life of Jeff Martell who was a prominent figure in the valley’s music scene until his tragic passing last year. All proceeds benefit the Jeff Martell Scholarship Fund at Greenfield Community College.
And finally, on Sunday, August 6 some of the finest musicians in the area will be assembled at the Iron Horse Music Hall to celebrate the life of J. Scott “Bow Bow” Brandon, bassist/trumpeter for Drunk Stuntmen, Broker, and many other valley groups. He passed far too young at the age of 44 this past June.
This will be a Drunk Stuntmen reunion of sorts. The band sees the first collaboration of Steve, Terry, Scott, Alex, J.J. and Dave Durst in 10 years for a closing set of Drunk Stuntmen songs featuring bass playing by Dave Hayes, Ray Mason, Steve Sanderson, Miranda Brown and Bow’s brother, Adam Brandon. Other acts on the bill include Scott Levesque, Mark Mulcahy, Rob Skelton, Dave Hayes, Zip Cody, Lesa Bezo, Henning Olenbusch and Kay McKinstry.
That’s it for now, gang. I wish there were two less memorial shows, if you know what I mean. But I’m proud to be included in both of them and I hope to see you there.
Remember folks, music connects us all. It can heal and revive. It helps join people from all walks of life from one end of the globe to the other.
It’s what we do. It’s what I’ve done for as long as I can remember. And it’s what the world needs right now more than ever before.
Please forward this email along to anyone who you think could benefit from the power of the music we make.
Much love and appreciation,
~FAJ
PS: This is always a sad time for me to say goodbye to my favorite month: July. You can listen to the song I wrote about it here and watch the video produced by Tom Adams and Reelife Productions right here.
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All the deets:
Thursday, July 27, Colorway Performs At The Amherst Masonic Lodge “Downtown Beats” Summer Concert Series, Amherst, MA w/ Court Etiquette
Grab some dinner hang out and listen to two great bands in downtown Amherst. Presented by the Amherst Business Improvement District this series has grown and taken on a life of its own. Court Etiquette is one of the areas newest bands, Their sound is reminiscent of old school NYC bands (Lou Reed/Television) and have been cutting their teeth opening up for a few great bands at the Iron Horse. Check their single “Above Me” out right here and like them on Facebook here.
Summer is the best. Let’s all hang and enjoy it together!
See the whole summer lineup for the series here!
When: Thursday, 7/27
Where: Amherst Masonic Lodge
99 Main St
Amherst, MA
Directions
Phone: 413 345 2945
Email: info@amherstdowntown.com
What time:
Court Etiquette: 5:30-6:30
Colorway: 6:45-8pm
Free!!
All ages!
Check out the Amherst BID page here for more.
Special note: This show will feature the original lineup of Colorway featuring Dave Hayes on bass and J.J. O’Connell on drums. Not to be missed!
Saturday, August 5, Colorway (original lineup featuring J.J. O’Connell and Dave Hayes) Performs at Jeff Fest, Pines Theater, Look Park
JEFF FEST 2017
Celebrating the life, & spirit of Jeff Martell
A fundraiser for The Jeff Martell Scholarship Fund (at Greenfield Community College)
SATURDAY AUGUST 5
$15 suggested donation at the gate (Kids 12 & under are free)
5:00pm – 10:00PM Gates Open at 4:00 PM.
Bring low backed lawn chairs and picnic blankets, seating is on the lawn. Food Vendors will be on hand. More info soon
Featuring
STEAL YOUR PEACH BAND
Interweaving the Grateful Dead and Allman Brothers Experience
COLORWAY
Original lineup with Alex Johnson, Dave Hayes, JJ O’Connell
DEAD COLLECTIVE
SHE SAID
REV TOR & MATT MERVIS of EAST CREEK
HEART CENTERED KIRTAN with LIBBY VOLCKENING
DREW LOPENZINA
STAR DROOKER
More TBA Soon
Rain or Shine at
THE PINES THEATER at LOOK PARK
in the event of rain the event will be in
THE GARDEN HOUSE at LOOK PARK
LOOK MEMORIAL PARK
300 N Main St
Florence, MA 01062
(413) 584-5457
www.lookpark.org
Sunday, August 6, Alex Johnson Performs at The J Scott “Bow Bow” Brandon Memorial Show, Iron Horse Music Hall, Northampton, MA
Friends and Family celebrate the life of bassist and trumpet player of the undeniable local hero band through songs poems and stories. All Proceeds from this show to go to a fund yet to be created by the Northampton Arts Council to fund working touring musicians. Performers scheduled to appear: Scott Levesque, Mark Mulcahy, Rob Skelton, Dave Hayes, Zip Cody, Lesa Bezo, Henning Olenbusch, F. Alex Johnson, Terry Flood, Soft Rock Scott Hall, Dave Durst, Kay McKinstry, Stuntman Steve Sanderson.
Join the Facebook Event Page here!
Who: Alex Johnson, Drunk Stuntmen and Various Artists
When: Sun, 8/6
Where: The Iron Horse Music Hall
20 Center St
Northampton, MA
Directions
What time: 7pm show
All Ages!
How much: $13 adv
Purchase advance tickets here. This show is likely to sell out.
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Remember, the new album is available at www.colorwaymusic.com on CD and 180gram vinyl, as well as at www.colorway.bandcamp.com for the digital download. And to celebrate a year of The Black Sky Sequined, through the month of May everything in the store is 20% off. But you can also pick it up an any one of these great Valley establishments. Support your local musician and support you local music store.
Turn it Up
5 Pleasant St
Northampton, MA
Platterpus Records
28 Cottage St
Easthampton, MA
Cup and Top Cafe (CD only)
1 North Maple St
Florence, MA
Electric Eye Records
52 Main St Suite 6
Florence, MA
Mystery Train Records
178A North Pleasant St
Amherst, MA
“No music, no life.”