Tom Rush's impact on the American music scene has been profound.  He helped shape the folk revival in the '60s and the renaissance of the '80s and '90s, his music having left its stamp on generations of  artists. James Taylor, Emmylou Harris, Tom Petty and Garth Brooks  have cited Tom as major influences.

Tom Rush first introduced the world to the songs of Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne, and James Taylor over thirty-five years ago, and has been captivating audiences throughout the country ever since with his ever-romantic, gently rustic folk music.  A graduate of Harvard University, Tom Rush played at the Club 47, the Cambridge Coffeehouse that also gave Joan Baez, Bob Dylan and Judy Collins their start back in the 1960’s.  Rush combines his time-tested mix of new and old tunes with forty years of experience with the recording, booking and publishing industry.

According to the New York Times, Rush has “made his reputation as a soft-spoken, powerful interpreter of traditional songs.” With 17 albums to his credit, Rolling Stone magazine added that his album The Circle Game, “helped usher in the era of the singer-songwriter.”  In an interview with Rolling Stone James Taylor stated, “I guess it’s fair to say that Tom was not only one of my early heroes, but also one of my main influences.”  Accompanied by Jackson Browne and Carly Simon, James Taylor later sang backup vocals on one of Tom Rush’s albums.  Recently, country music star Garth Brooks told the Rolling Stones magazine that Rush was one of his top five musical influences.

In recent years, Tom Rush’s Club 47 concerts have filled New York’s Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., Boston’s Symphony Hall, and a number of other major concert venues. Bonnie Raitt, Joan Baez, Emmylou Harris, Judy Collins, Richie Havens, John Sebastian, and Bo Didley are among the international stars that have shared the spotlight with Rush at his CLUB 47 shows, which combine established talent with newcomers.  In the early eighties, Tom Rush sold out three consecutive shows at Boston’s Symphony Hall. His performance was later broadcast nationwide on public television, and viewed by ten million people! Tom Rush’s knack for spotting talented up-and-coming stars has continued throughout his forty-year career.   

His CLUB 47 concerts introduced listeners to the music of Nanci Griffith, Shawn Colvin, and Bill Morrissey - all three nominated for Grammy Awards.

Following one of his annual Symphony Hall Christmas shows, the Boston Globe reported that “Rush returned to form quickly, warming the sold-out show with his elastic, laid-back voice, woodsy New Hampshire wit and affecting mix of old and new songs that stirred romantic hearts, set toes tapping under the wine-and-cheese-filled tables, and prompted an ovation befitting royalty when he trouped off after two hours on-stage.” Although Tom Rush has experienced success at larger prestigious halls, his talent easily transforms to smaller venues.  

As the Ottawa Citizen reported, “Last evening he brought a warmth and closeness to the theater that few performers are able to achieve well. It’s a knack that comes with experience - an ability to turn even the most austere surroundings into a coffee house atmosphere.”

Recently Tom released a much-anticipated new comedy CD “Trolling For Owls,” exploring a dimension of his talent that his concert audiences were familiar with but had not been recorded before.

To learn more about Tom, please visit his web site:  www.tomrush.com

Tickets are  $20.00 in advance or $22.00 on show day.

NCPR will be media Sponsor for the Tom Rush Concert

Dazzling audiences since 1973, the Jackman Twins' combination of magic and humor appeals to young and old alike. Their unique form of entertainment, including circus arts like juggling and fire-eating finds them in continued demand throughout New York and Pennsylvania.

David and Paul are experts in their craft. Their one goal ... entertainment!  David, a Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Clown College graduate, has been performing magic since the age of 12.  Paul, who has been acting and performing his own musical game show all across the country for the past four years appears with his twin brother at state fairs, festivals as well as corporate and private functions.

The same bands as last year's End of the Summer Blast:  Northbound and Delia with Gwen Tracy.

Northbound performs an eclectic mix of folk, acoustic, and classic rock.  Their influences draw from the great singer-songwriters of the 50's through today; names like James Taylor, Paul Simon, John Fogerty, The Beatles. They have been performing in the North Country together for years and always bring an exciting blend of music that spans a wide variety of musical tastes.

The Players:

Michael Welch: Guitar, Vocals ... Michael Welch has been a prominent figure in the local music scene for nearly three decades. Michael's wealth of experience provides him with a chameleon-like ability to fine tune his performance according to the venue and audience. Whether showcasing his silky smooth vocal style in intimate coffee house settings, or rattling the rafters in rock and roll clubs, he displays the ultimate in professionalism with each performance.

Kevin Irwin: Guitar, Keyboards, and Vocals ... Kevin Irwin has been performing and studying music in a variety of applications and utilization for over thirty years. Enjoying a semi-professional career for most of his adult life, he has been employed with a number of bands, playing drums, banjo, guitar, and/or keyboards, as the situation required. In an effort towards further refinement of his craft, Kevin is currently a student at the Crane School of Music.

Donnie Cannamela: Bass, Vocals ... Don has been studying music since age 7 when he began piano. He currently is the Director of Instrumental Music at Parishville-Hopkinton Central School and has taught in St. Lawrence County for 9 years. He plays piano, trombone, and bass and has performed with numerous jazz, blues, classical, and rock groups in the area. He holds a master's degree in Music Education from the Crane School of Music.

Larry Baycura: Drums and Percussion ... Larry Baycura began playing the drums at the age of 11. Upon completion of High School, Larry enlisted in the United States Army and served for 3 years as a member of the 19th Army Band. After his tour of duty was complete, he attended the Crane School of Music, State University of New York at Potsdam. There he earned his Bachelor of Music in Education as well as his Master of Music in Performance. He is currently employed by the Canton Central School District. There he serves as Music Department Chairman, teaches Fifth and Sixth Grade Band, High School Percussion Lessons and Jr. High General Music. Some of Larry's other performance credits include; The Chamber Orchestra of Northern New York, The Community Performance Series Orchestra, The Northern Wind Ensemble, The All Star Big Band, various jazz, rock and blues bands, to name a few.

DELIA: Classic R&B, Motown, Old Time Rock n Roll, Blues and a taste of country.

Based in the Adirondack Mountains of Northern New York, John Kribs, Scott Greene and Gwen Tracy formed DELIA about two years ago.  The band takes its name from the classic Blues tune of that same name and plays as both an acoustic trio and a rock quartet with influences as varied as their ages and musical backgrounds.

OK…you want to know what these influences are?!... ”Give me names.” OK. Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, Etta James, Janis Joplin, Aretha Franklin, Billy Holiday, Bill Monroe, New Grass Revival, Chuck Berry, Joan Osborne, Marvin Gaye, Bonnie Raitt, Sonny and Brownie, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Peggy Lee, Linda Ronstadt, everyone who influenced them…and more.

2004 Central NY Idol Contest Winner Gwen Tracy might be the most natural and engaging new blues-rock singer to come along since Susan Tedesci. Though DELIA is Gwen’s’ first full time band and the new CD is her debut recording she has been singing all her life. She began performing professionally with her father, guitarist Jim Tracy, at the age of 17. Her voice and stage presence are often compared to Janis Joplin and though that it itself is high praise, Gwen is no “Janis Clone”.  She is an energetic and creative artist whose powerful voice, unique style and original songs are honest, passionate and compelling.

Guitarist singer-songwriter John Kribs has been performing professionally for almost 40 years. Growing up with the rock and folk music of the 60s he joined his first working band in 1967. During the 1980s as leader of the rockabilly tinged Johnny and the Triumphs, he hit the top of the "American Play" charts in several French cities with "Johnny & The Triumphs", the band's first LP.  Their signature song "Red Belvedere", written by John was also featured on National Public Radios' Car Talk. In the 1990s he was a member of the award winning Celtic/Bluegrass Band the McKrells. He has toured the U.S., Canada, Denmark and Norway and opened shows for Robert Cray, Arlo Guthrie, Joe Cocker and many others. Before helping to form DELIA two years ago he started the Blue Line Recordings label and The not for profit Southern Adirondack Musicians Fund.

There are several drummers that work with DELIA on a regular basis; Rick Rumney, the bands’ original drummer and a veteran musician, Mike Lomaestro of the Stony Creek Band and Frank Carcaterra, drummer from Johnny & the Triumphs. All three are rock solid players and natural percussionists for the bands various styles.

The band performs mostly in the Adirondack Mountain region but also travels throughout New York and New England. They plan to broaden their traveling plans with the release of their new CD, DELIA, on Blue Line Recordings.

Don't miss the fun!

Tickets are $8.00 at the door.

Folk Music Quarterly described them as ‘...one of the hottest up and coming acts,” saying “...sidestepping pretension and going for the grit, this New England group gives a lusty performance, every time.” A few years ago, the Irish Heritage Foundation honored the group with their “Outstanding Innovation Award  “...in appreciation and recognition for their creative contributions to Irish music.” 

The Vermont based folk group The Wood’s Tea Co will continue its performance schedule for 2008 despite the tragic losses of two of its members. Rusty Jacobs, founder of the group, died on August 15, 2007 of an unexpected heart attack.  In October of 2006, another member, fiddler Chip Chase, died as a result of a motorcycle accident. The band has been touring with a rotating roster of “fourth” players including fiddle players Peter Sutherland, Bethany Dick, Sara Milonovich, Jason Bergman or David Gusakov. In addition some tours have included Aaron Flynn or Morgan Lamphere on acoustic guitar or Martha Gallagher on Celtic harp. All of them are world-class musicians and performers and have been greeted warmly by Wood’s Tea Co. audiences. A recent partnership with public television stations and a concert DVD have fueled the group’s recent touring schedule, bringing them to community concerts all across America.

Their web site is www.woodstea.net

Tickets:  $12.00 in advance or $14.00 at the door.

Politically incorrect seasonal songs and sketches, starring:  Carole Berard, Kevin Irwin, Steve Majer, Greg Matejcik, Connie Meng, Shelly Pike ... a few surprise guests are possible.

Tickets are $6.00 at the door.  Material is not suitable for children, no one under age 12 will be admitted.