The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Blues, rock artists performing all weekend
MIDDLETOWN — The Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts Center presents a weekend of live music at 605 Main St.
Blues/piano artists, Steve Hatch & The Redliners are set to play at the club at 8 p.m. July 23.
Born and raised in North Eastern Ohio, Hatch spent his youth running cross country before retiring his track shoes and learning to play the piano more seriously. He traveled on his bike from town to town performing in nursing homes in exchange for food and water. He ultimately formed the Redliners Band, known for its tightness and combination of blues, rock, and old-school country music, along with leanings of New Orleans style.
Hatch will be accompanied by Bryan Caudle on drums, Jackson LaRose on bass and Gene Donaldson on guitar, who was inducted into the CT Blues Hall of Fame.
Along with Hatch's love for music came recognition, as he was the solo winner of the CT Annual Blues Contest in 2018, as well as his involvement in the Rich Badowski band, who won in 2012.
Tickets are $18 in advance, $20 day of show, and $15 for members; go to buttonwood.org.
The weekend continues July 24 at 8 p.m. with a concert with Eliot Lewis of Hall & Oates and MTV's Live from Daryl's House, joined by his classic rock trio.
Lewis is a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist who has toured around the world as a member of the Daryl Hall & John Oats band. Throughout his career, he has mastered the guitar, keyboard, bass, and drums, and can be seen alternating instruments or simultaneously playing multiple at once. Whether it be a local or national audience, Eliot has performed on some of the world's most iconic stages, and has worked closely with the music business' elite. He has written, performed, and produced all of his CD's, which reflect his own distinctive image of rock and soul.
Not only is he a member of Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees, Daryl Hall & John Oates band, but also the original featured musician on MTV’s “Live From Daryl’s House”. His contributions stand out as some of the best moments from the show including performances with Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top), Joe Walsh, Todd Rundgren,Train, Grace Potter, Ben Folds, Cheap Trick, Rob Thomas, Jason Mraz, Darius Rucker, and Gavin DeGraw.
Tickets are $18 in advance, or $20 day of the show; reserve at buttonwood.org.
On Sunday night at 5 p.m., the Buttonwood presents the Squeezebox Stompers at The Holy Trinity Church Stage.
The Squeezebox Stompers are known for playing a wide variety of American roots styles including Cajun, Zydeco, country blues, and New Orleans classics. They are a Bostonarea Americana roots band that have performed originals all over New England for the past 15 years. The six-piece band performs award-winning originals that include an array of different musical instruments, such as the fiddle, saxophone, accordion, bass, harmonica, and much more.
Members of the band have received Boston Music Awards and Songwriting Awards. They are noted for their step-lively up-beat music inspiring audiences to get up and dance. This is a family-friendly concert; picnics, coolers and blankets are welcome. Some chairs will be set up, but patrons are free to bring their own. Donations to support The Buttonwood Tree are appreciated. This event is free, courtesy of the Downtown Business District. Seating opens at 4:15 p.m. The location will be held at The Holy Trinity Church Stage, located at 381 Main St., Middletown CT. For more information, go to buttonwood.org.