Guitar heroes take the stage at Easton State Theatre for Boak Bash 2
Some people have so much fun at their retirement party they consider retiring a second time — so that they can do it all over again. One of those folks is former Martin Guitar artist relations director Dick Boak, who celebrated his retirement from Martin after 41 years with his (legendary) Dick Boak Bash in January 2018.
That once-in-a-lifetime event took place at the State Theatre in Easton in a soldout, nearly four-hour extravaganza. Featured were rock and country legends John Mayer, Steve Miller, Laurence Juber, Craig Thatcher, Cowboy Ernie Sites, David Bromberg, Jorma Kaukonen, and others.
“This just might be the coolest night ever at the State Theatre,” State Theatre president Shelley Brown said when opening the show.
“I’ve been joking with people about getting another job so that I could retire a second time,” says Boak. “The only sad element of the event was that Marty Stuart got stuck in Nashville during a snowstorm and couldn’t be there. I think Marty and his band are incredible — possibly the best group of four musicians alive.”
That’s pretty high praise for the legendary country and bluegrass singer/songwriter and his band, but Boak meant what he said. “I always had it in the back of my mind to revisit this, and have Marty here.”
Thanks to that snowstorm in 2018, the State Theatre welcomes back Boak and friends on March 26 for Dick Boak Bash 2. Joining Boak will be MC Steve Miller, Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives, Rosanne Cash with John Leventhal, Laurence Juber, Craig Thatcher, and Cowboy Ernie Sites — in addition to a surprise or two.
Proceeds benefit the State Theatre Center for the Arts and the Musical Instrument Collection of The Moravian Historical Society.
As a special addition before the show, the audience will be treated to the astounding talent of sitar virtuoso Rishab Rikhi Ram Sharma. The Sharma Ram family crafted sitars used by both Ravi Shankar and George Harrison.
Bromberg, Kaukonen, and Mayer have gigs elsewhere, and won’t be able to make it this time. Even so, the stage will be packed with more musical talent than you can shake a tuning fork at.
“I’ve known Marty for a long time, and knew he was friends with Rosanne. I think she’s amazing, so having her on the bill is very special,” says Boak, who’s built Martin Signature model guitars for both Rosanne and her famous dad, Johnny Cash.
One of the most popular performers at the first Boak Bash was cowboy singer/songwriter Ernie Sites, who in addition to yodeling with the best of them, can ride horses and rope steer as well. In fact, he even roped Boak at the end of the 2018 show. “At the end of my final set, Ernie came out with his lasso, whirled it around his head, lassoed me, and dragged me off stage,” recalls Boak. “I hesitate to say we’re going to do a repeat performance.”
Boak expects a slightly different vibe this time around, perhaps more country in style, but much broader. He’ll open with a couple of songs and then bring on Lehigh Valley guitar favorite Craig Thatcher and his frequent collaborator, keyboardist Cliff Starkey. They’ve been performing together since 2000, when they toured and recorded with Nina Simone’s daughter Lisa “Simone” Kelly.
Next up will be Ernie Sites, followed by Laurence Juber, most famous for playing lead guitar with Paul McCartney and Wings from 1978 to 1980. “Laurence is one of the top fingerstyle guitarists in the world, he’s really at the top of his game, and a real nice guy too” says Thatcher, who’s performed with Juber several times. Both Thatcher and Juber will be previewing custom guitars made by Boak, in addition to playing their regular Martins.
Juber’s set will morph into Rosanne’s, followed by Stuart and then Miller. Guitarist and singer/songwriter Miller, who will act as MC — as he did in the previous Boak Bash — is best known as the leader of the Steve Miller Band. Stuart got his start performing with Johnny Cash and Bill Monroe before launching a successful solo career. Stuart has collaborated with a galaxy of artists, including Willy Nelson, Bob Dylan, Merle Haggard, and more. In 2002 he began touring with his current band, the Fabulous Superlatives.
“Marty and Steve are good friends, and have worked out a number of things together,” says Boak. “Steve will do a couple of his hits and then launch into the
finale with everybody on stage.”
One of the joys of the first Boak Bash was its seeming spontaneity, feeling something like a huge jam session. Yet there was lots of method to the wonderful madness. “Each individual had their own thing, yet obviously there had to be a bit of collaboration in the transitions between one group and another,” says Boak. “Steve Miller sat everybody down before the show and did a little run-through, and some of that happened during the soundcheck.” Miller also went over with everyone the tempos and chords to his Billboard Hot 100 hit, “The Joker.”
It was up to Boak to plan the approximate number of songs per performer, the transitions, who’s announcing who, how things move on and off the stage. “A tremendous amount of advance thought went into it — it’s a little stressful, actually,” Boak says. “I think it will be great, but I won’t do it again. There’ll be no Boak Bash 3.”
The first Boak Bash ran for nearly four hours and almost 40 songs — with no intermission. “To tell you the truth, people in the audience who are used to sitting for maybe a 90-minute show didn’t complain. It was truly amazing,” recalls Thatcher. This time around Boak is figuring on just over a three-hour show. “But the way these things go, probably longer,” he says.
While at Martin, Boak has had well over 100 custom Signature Model collaborations with performing artists, including nearly everyone who will be in the show. “The Marty Stuart model was one of the first I did, and I did several for Laurence Juber as tone tests,” he says. “I still have some very active relationships with Martin, and am very good friends with Chris Martin.”
Brown recalls the obvious love and respect all these artists showed for Boak. “It was just surreal, seeing all these amazing performers here. It is something I want to remember forever. And it was all because of a bunch of people coming together because they love Dick,” she shared.
“I’m not one who ordinarily thinks lightning will strike twice, but when Dick told me he was able to get Steve Miller on board again and bring in Rosanne Cash this time and all these amazing people, I think it’s going to be a great show,” Brown added.
“It was an incredible evening — I was on cloud nine for many months afterward,” says Boak. “Still, it’s a little weird to have the greatest event of your life pass into the rear-view mirror.”
Dick Boak Bash 2
What: Rock and Country legends return to the State Theatre for a one-night only performance and fundraiser
When: 7:30 p.m. March 26 Where: Easton State Theatre, 453 Northampton St.
Tickets: $86 - $159
Ticket and info: 610-252-3132, statetheatre.org/events/boakbash-2