The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Support live, local music in the New Year
The New Year is coming, and it’s often a time for selfreflection and self improvement. The one thing Blues Beat would ask is to support live music. Get out and travel and enjoy the talented local musicians and the acts that visit our state. There are many venues that bring in all types of music. Check them out.
Saturday, The James Montgomery Band returns to 41 Bridge Street Live. His show is high energy and harkens back to some of the original Chicago blues. He has played with the masters and continues to add to the blues. Montgomery has become a regular at Bridge Street and has an audience that appreciates his efforts.
Big Al Anderson & the Floor Models are in the state this weekend, for shows at Infinity Music Hall. Friday they are in Norfolk and in Hartford on Saturday. He holds a special place in Connecticut music. Just mention his name and a whole generation is young again.
Anderson made his mark as singer, guitarist and main writer of the Connecticut foursome the Wildweeds, who scored a substantial regional hit in 1967 with his composition “No Good to Cry,” and then after that in a 24year stint with the beloved cult band NRBQ.
Raised by his piano teacher mother and a radio that would get WWVA in Wheeling West Virginia late at night, he would devour all genres of music.
His real education started as he was coming up in the clubs in the north end of Hartford. Anderson says, “There was a camaraderie, a brotherhood, among all the musicians, black or white it didn’t matter. If the music was good, you were in.”
Anderson caught the attention of the members of NRBQ in 1971. His guitar playing, coupled with his giant stage presence, became legendary, and in the course of recording over a dozen albums with the band, he had written some of the band’s most memorable songs.
After more than two decades of hard touring, hard living and encyclopedic musical knowledge, Al was ready to change his already prodigious song writing talent into a fulltime venture.
His parade of hits is long and includes singles and cuts by the likes of Bonnie Raitt, Jimmy Buffett and many more easy recognizable stars.
Speaking of NRBQ, the band is hosting a New Year’s Eve Party at Infinity Music Hall, Norfolk. It is a full night of music, food and celebration, with great musicians and great songs, like “Ridin’ In My Car”, “Me And The Boys”, “RC Cola And A Moon Pie,” “Wacky Tobacky” and on and on. You know the band, you know the hits, and you know it’ll be party time when NRBQ hits the stage. Come bring the family and celebrate the holiday.
Friday at Infinity Music Hall Hartford, it is Roomful of Blues. With 7 Blues Music Awards, 5 Grammy nominations, Roomful is indeed, America’s quintessential Blues band. Their winning combination of jump, swing, blues, R&B and soul remains their calling card, as does their ability to fill the dance floor. With a nonstop performance schedule for more than 45 years, Roomful of
Blues has earned critical, popular and radio success and a legion of fans around the globe, including the prestigious DownBeat International Critics Poll for “Best Blues Band”.
There are plenty of New Year’s Eve celebrations going on. Some will be with blues bands and others will be having a good time with some of the venues favorites entertainers.
The Towne Crier Café New Year’s Eve Celebration will feature the Slam Allen Band, Dan Brother Band and special guests. For a crowd pleasing performer, Slam Allen cannot be beat.
BlackEyed Sally’s AllStar Band will lead patrons into the New Year. The AllStar Band consists of Tim McDonald, Tommy Whalen, Liviu Pop, and Tom Petri.
Before the festivities on Friday, it is Ozzie Williams. Then Saturday, Kosher Kid & “The Incredible Amplifires” are joined by Hash Brown.
The James Montgomery Band with Christine Ohlman is celebrating First night in Newport Rhode Island. The combination really rocks and has fun doing it. They will be at The Newport Harbor Hotel.
Bill’s Seafood has The Guy Zinda Band for New Year’s Eve. And the party keeps goin Wednesday, with Johnny & The East Coast Rockers (2 pm).
The Note Kitchen & Bar advertisizes its night as Bethel’s Best New Year’s Eve Party w/Dean & the Bluesyland Band.
The Turning Point brings in The THE BAND Band on Saturday. Then it is The THE BAND Band for a Sunday Matinee. Tuesday The Turning Point celebrates with its 21st Annual New Years Eve. Music by Popa Chubby and His Band featuring Dave Keyes.
For Popa Chubby fans, he will be at Daryl’s House, Saturday and at FTC Stage One, Sunday.
The Coffee Grinders last two shows will be Saturday and Sunday. The duo, Frank Breen and Jim Choquette, will continue to entertain but will be following different paths. Powder Hollow Brewery will host them on Saturday and they finish at Labyrinth Brewing Company at 2 p.m. on Sunday.