PocoNotes Newsletter 2011-1: March 27, 2011
One Stage - One Night...
A picture is worth a thousand words…and we are proud to say that this picture was designed for PocoNotes by Matt Hiller, the mandolin player extraordinaire, of The Coal Town Rounders. Read on…!
That was worth a thousand words, wasn’t it? We think so, and we’re honored to be working with Joe and Billy…and to be a part of their musical journeys. They are both PocoNotes “veterans” and are, without a doubt, two of our favorite musicians – and human beings.
This event is important to each of them in a special way, too...and we’re sharing in the excitement with them.
For Joe, this is a celebration of his latest collection of stories and songs, at least one of which is sure to “save everyone” because he spends his days “doing anything to make the world a kinder place.” (These are lyrics from “The Nazarene” and “To Keep You Warm” on his new CD, “Darkling & The BlueBird Jubilee.” They give you some insight into the man – and the musician.)
For Billy, this show is one of three “Home is Where the Heart is” events he created to do his part to raise awareness about homelessness. (The other two are in Brooklyn (his current home) on March 30th and in West Palm Beach (his home away from home..at Mom’s place) on April 9th.) So, PocoNotes is working with St. Mary’s Center to identify a charity to which a donation will be made to best align with Billy’s vision.
Since we know there are folks who aren’t readily familiar with Joe or Billy - yet, we’ll share a bit here…because you can’t possibly have thought that you’d get out without at least a thousand MORE words!
We’ll start with Joe…and for anyone who does know him – including those who were at his Scranton debut at Lackawanna County’s historic Tripp House last year, he needs no further introduction. For everyone else, Joe has performed everywhere from the Kennedy Center to the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, where he was named “Most Wanted Artist.” His previous work, "Able Baker Charlie and Dog,” was named "Album of the Year" by the International Folk Alliance. It was the culmination of the year Joe spent traveling throughout the Finger Lakes region of New York as a Rockefeller Foundation grant recipient composing songs in the style of Woody Guthrie that were based on the people he met along the way.
He’s been described as “the most fleet fingered guitar work this side of Richard Thompson" by “Performing Songwriter Magazine” and as “beyond good” by “Sing Out! Magazine.” Still, these high words of praise do not even begin to define this warm and engaging, artful and imaginative, inspiring and totally unforgettable artist.
Then, there’s Billy Rogan…who also needs no further introduction to anyone who has ever heard him play. For those who haven’t, we’ll tell you that he left his hometown of Scranton a mere nine months ago to venture onto the New York City music scene with, essentially, no more worldly possessions than two guitars and an amp. In that time - with his undeniable talent and unbreakable spirit, he has “paid some dues” and “kicked down some doors” to make a growing name for himself.
Billy’s influences include the styles and techniques of artists such as Michael Hedges, Leo Kottke, Keller Williams and Kaki King. His original compositions reflect a unique combination of classical and modern fingerstyle with hints of new age sounds. His skilled touch brings stories to the strings in tales of heartfelt bits and pieces, shifting rhythms and tempos - all with a soulful, fiery feel.
In his quest to “learn from everyone,” Billy has studied with Tim Reynolds of The Dave Matthews Band, Blues greats Toby Walker and Patrick Sweany, Gospel Blues legend Spencer Bohren and the beloved Ragtime/Blues guitarist Roy Book Binder.
These are two musical “forces” on one stage for one night, and we are truly happy to be giving each of them an opportunity to be heard by old fans and new fans alike. PocoNotes’ shows are small, by design, and are intended to provide both the musician and the audience an intimate listening environment. This also means that tickets are limited…so please get yours early and be sure that you don’t miss this great event.
We do have (at least) one additional surprise…!
Many of you already know that while we are truly passionate supporters of live music...we also love our baseball - all “flavors” but, hey, especially the Yankees!
Do not try this at home!
As season ticket holders of two awesome seats at PNC Field - Home of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees, we would like to "share the love" with those of you who show your support of live music through PocoNotes. Therefore, we will be doing drawings for baseball ticket giveaways throughout the evening. So, join us for some great music by incredible “troubadours”…and have a chance to enjoy some baseball as our guests!
That’s it! We look forward to seeing you at the show…as PocoNotes proudly presents two musicians who need to be heard in yet another place that needs to be seen!
In the meantime, be good to each other and keep supporting all live music! The touring musicians are working harder than ever…and the local musicians deserve to be heroes in their hometowns!
Peace…really!
Dolores & Pat
It's About the Music! ... and Baseball!
P.S. That was only 897 words J so we would like to add that we appreciate all who have already shown their support of PocoNotes and the musicians we serve. Good music and good people each need other, and we need both. So, we know we’ll see some happy, smiling, familiar faces in the audience – and hope to make some new friends, as well. As someone who we admire greatly would say, “it doesn’t get any better than that.”
