Tag Archives: Rock and Roll

Brand new tune “Right to a Reason” released!

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Hi all,

Here is a new tune from me written and recorded here in Kyoto, Japan called “Right to a Reason”

Written by me and mixed and mastered by Shawn Berkeley.

Enjoy and stay safe!

Hear all three demos I’ve made since moving overseas right here.

Feel like buying me a coffee? You can do that right here. Thanks so much!

~FAJ

 

RIP Hilton Valentine

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Colorway, was lucky enough to get to open for The Yardbirds on three separate occasions at the Iron Horse Music Hall. If you were there then you know how much fun those shows were. 
 
Well, at every soundcheck, sitting in the same chair near the stage, would be a silver-haired gent. Yep, it was The Animals’ own, Hilton Valentine. Him and Jim McCarty (original drummer for the Yardbirds) were buddies, of course, and Hilton lived somewhere in Connecticut, so he’d make the trip up for their shows.
 
I was lucky enough to get to tell him how much his opening riff on “House Of The Rising Sun” meant to me as a kid learning guitar way back in the early 80s. I’m sure I was one of many but it still made him smile and thank me for saying so. We exchanged pleasantries at the next two shows we did with The Yardbirds.
 
At the third show together the incredible Johnny A had been replaced with a “new” guitarist named Godfrey Townsend (John Entwistle/Jack Bruce/Denny Laine) and I sort of joked around after our sound check was done and said, “Hey there, so . . . you’re the *new* guy, eh?” and they all laughed. I mean, the band does have a bit of a track record.
 
Hilton piped up from his chair and pointed to me and said, “be careful, lad, you might be next . . . “
 
That was a funny, awkward, and unforgettable moment.
 
My mom taught me at a very young age that if you get the chance, thank the people who inspired you, however big or small. Let them know they made a difference in your life.
 
I’m glad I took her advice.
 
Thanks, Hilton. Rest in peace.
 
https://edition.cnn.com/2021/01/31/entertainment/hilton-valentine-the-animals-dies-trnd/index.html
 

April Showers You With Rock And/Or Roll (three big shows this month)

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April shows
Friday, 4/12: Strong Style Coffee (Fitchburg, MA)
Saturday, 4/20: Extravaganja, Three County Fairgrounds, Northampton, MA (2:15pm set)
Saturday, 4/27: Bread Euphoria, Williamsburg, MA (solo show)

Hi all,

Hope you are well and enjoying the warmer and longer days. 

The band and myself have had some great shows and we are so lucky to have you on board as fans. Thanks for coming out when you could and for marking your calendar for events that are coming up. 

I’ll try and keep this quick as everybody is busy, busy, busy and that goes for me too. 🙂

This Friday, 4/12, Colorway will make a return trip to Fitchburg’s Strong Style Coffee for a no-cover (tips encouraged), all ages show beginning at 8pm. The band will do two sets of tunes for you all in a veritable “Evening With” style. It’s an intimate and very cool place so get there early if you want to grab a seat. SSC has food, craft beer, soda, and, of course, some very strong style coffee. They are really doing a great job showcasing original music from all around New England and we are happy to be returning. Join the Facebook Event page here if you like.

Saturday–4/20–we are thrilled to be part of this year’s Extravaganja at the Three County Fairgrounds in Northampton. This will be the first event since recreational cannabis became a thing last winter and a first appearance for us. It’s only $5 to get in but you do need a ticket in advance. Click here to purchase. Colorway will play 2:45-3:15 followed by Shokazoba at 3:30 (Riley and Matt are in that band so make sure to check them out). There are bands all day on two stages from noon until six. Check out the details below to see the full lineup or click on the link above. 

And finally, on Saturday, April 27, I’ll be playing a solo show at Bread Euphoria in Williamsburg, MA (just down the road from Florence/Northampton). BE is a fantastic place to come, grab a table, order a pizza (gf options), a sandwich, salad, coffee, tea, beer or wine and enjoy two hours of music in a listening room setting. The new-ish music space in the back is a great environment to get lost in story and song. I hope you’ll join me for this special night. FB event is right over here. It’s a no-cover event but tips are encouraged.

Well, that’s about it. Although February and March were light on shows (by design) we did have a great time opening for the Yardbirds last month. If you want to check out a video of “The Cycle” from that show then follow this here linky.

We have some great shows slated through the summer. Check out our tour dates page for all the up-to-date info.

Thanks, as always, for being part of our family of music lovers. We can’t (and would want to) do this without you.

See you at the shows!

~FAJ

 

 

Friday, April 12, An Evening With Colorway at Strong Style Coffee, Fitchburg, MA 

Catch the band’s return to this very cool and intimate venue. Free ($5 suggested donation), early and all ages! 

Colorway plays two sets (8:10-9:10 and 9:30-10:30)

When: Friday, April 12
Where: Strong Style Coffee (formerly Chaibo)
37 Boulder Dr, Fitchburg, MA 01420
Directions
Phone:  (978) 855-5529
Time: 7:30-10:30
Cost: $5 suggested donation
All Ages!

Strong Style Coffee on Facebook

Food, beer, wine and coffee (duh) available!

This should be a very fun show. See a quick clip of Colorway playing “Everybody Wants Me To Love You” from that show right here!

Saturday, 4/20, Colorway Performs at The Extravaganja at the Three County Fairground

Come on out to the Three County Fairgrounds for a day of music, love, peace and cannabis. 

When: Sat 4/20 (duh)
Where: Three County Fairgrounds
Directions: http://alturl.com/rx6ux
What time: Colorway performs 2:45-3:15 followed by Shokazoba (full lineup below). The whole event runs noon to 6pm.
Cost: $5 must buy advance tickets. No on-site ticket sales.
More info here: http://alturl.com/qnoba
Parking fee: $5
21+

Click here to purchase advance tickets!

Join the Facebook event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/342304729959630

Band, map and speaker/event schedule here: http://alturl.com/8zp44

 

Do NOT Bring: unsealed food (you can leave it in your car), alcohol, unsealed drinks, tents, coolers, pets, or weapons
DO Bring: blankets, a hat or sunglasses, sealed drinks or food, service animal if necessary, camera, valid ID, good vibes

 

Sun Stage
12:30-1:00 Shower thoughts
1:10-1:40 DPR
2:00-2:30 Fat Bradley
2:45-3:15 Colorway
3:30-4:00 Shokazoba
4:20-5:00 BOTB Winner

Moon Stage
12:30-1:00 Mass Music
1:15-1:45 King’s Buskateers
2:00-2:30 Rythm Inc
3:00-3:30 Zillawatt
3:40-4:10 Glass Planets

 

Saturday, April 27, Alex Performs Solo at Bread Euphoria, Haydenville, MA

Alex plays two sets of tunes from his 28 years of creating music in the Pioneer Valley.

When: Sat. 4/27
Where: Bread Euphoria
206 Main St, Haydenville, MA
Directions here
What time: 6:00pm-8:00pm
Cost: FREE!! (tips/bread accepted)
This event is all ages!

Join the Facebook Event Page here!