John Pizzarelli will forever be associated with “The Wonder of it All,” that unforgettable jingle from the Foxwoods ad that ran on TV and radio heavily in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s. Of course, the Grammy Award-winning guitarist’s career has been about a lot more. He’s most recognized as a leading interpreter of songs […]
What’s Up Interview
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What’s Up Interview: Dave Sarazen of Laden Valley, playing Top of Pelham on Dec. 8
This is one of those “see them now, before they blow up” moments… happening Thursday, December 8 when Laden Valley, an up-and-coming Newport band plays a hometown gig at Top of Pelham. They’re even bringing an internationally known star along for the show. Fellow Newporter Elizabeth Beisel, best known as a medalist in Olympic swimming, […]
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What’s Up Interview: Marie Osmond, performing with RI Philharmonic at the Providence Performing Arts Center Dec. 22
With almost six decades in the entertainment industry behind her, you might expect Marie Osmond to be slowing down a bit. Definitely not the case. In an interview earlier this week, I found the multi-talented entertainer a juggernaut, going strong at age 63, moving forward, and loving life. I caught up with Osmond as she […]
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TICKET GIVEAWAY: Catching up with Erin McKeown, playing Jamestown Arts Center Nov. 19
The “Women’s Voices” concert series returns to the Jamestown Arts Center with singer-songwriter Erin McKeown taking the stage on Saturday, November 19. (Thanks to Newport Live, we’ve got two pairs of tickets to give away to the show. To enter, e-mail Ken Abrams at mrabrams11@gmail.com by 5PM Wednesday November 16. Please put “Erin McKeown tickets” […]
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What’s Up Interview: Craig O’Keefe of ‘The Sixties Show,’ coming to Jane Pickens November 20
Put on your tie-dye t-shirts, hop in your VW van and plan on heading on down to the Jane Pickens Film and Events Center on November 20. The Sixties Show is coming to town. The Sixties Show is a multimedia theatrical production built around classic songs from the decade that changed everything. The performance features […]
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What’s Up Interview: Dick Lynn of Newport Live on ‘Women’s Voices’ series coming to Jamestown Arts Center
A unique concert series is coming to the Jamestown Arts Center this Fall. “Women’s Voices” is a program curated by Dick Lynn, Executive Director of Newport Live (formerly Common Fence Music). The series begins with singer-songwriter Dori Freeman who will be playing Saturday, November 5 at 6:30PM. (Tickets are available here.) Shows run every other […]
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What’s Up Interview: Lily Meola, singer-songwriter opening for Ray LaMontagne at PPAC Nov. 1
A rising star in the music world will be at the Providence Performing Arts Center next week. That’s when singer-songwriter Lily Meola, fresh off receiving a golden buzzer on America’s Got Talent, opens for Ray LaMontagne as part of his MONOVISION Tour. Although she didn’t win the million-dollar prize on the popular talent show, Meola […]
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What’s Up Interview: Drew Becker, star of ‘Tootsie,’ playing PPAC through Sunday Oct. 30
Drew Becker is just the third person to play Michael Dorsey and Dorothy Michaels. He’s the lead actor in “Tootsie,” the musical playing at the Providence Performing Arts Center this week. Dustin Hoffman originated the role in the 1982 film. Santino Fontana originated the role in the Broadway musical, earning a Tony Award in 2019 […]
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What’s Up Interview: Matt Stubbs of GA-20, playing Narrows Center on Friday Oct. 28
You may not have noticed, but a Providence-based band is at the top of the music charts. (No, we’re not speaking of that part-time Westerly resident named Taylor.) We’re talking about the hard-driving Blues trio GA-20. I spoke to Matt Stubbs, lead guitarist and co-founder of the band last week as he was on his […]
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TICKET GIVEAWAY-What’s Up Interview: Marc Ribot, playing Newport’s Casino Theater Oct. 21
This Friday, October 21, the guitar-based duo of Marc Ribot and Sam Amidon will be performing at the Newport Casino in a show produced by Newport Live (formerly Common Fence Music). Both artists are highly regarded session players who tour regularly in a variety of musical settings. (We have a pair of free tickets to […]
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What’s Up Interview: Tim Brennan of Dropkick Murphys, playing The Vets Friday, Oct. 21
Known for hard-driving Celtic punk-rock, the Dropkick Murphy’s are shipping on down to the Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Providence Friday, October 21. But don’t expect a typical Dropkick Murphys concert – instead of the usual highly-charged show, the Boston-based band will be playing a full night of acoustic music highlighting songs from their new album […]
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UPDATED – What’s Up Interview: Jen Kearney, Boston singer-songwriter releases new album ‘Atlantic’
There are many professional musicians out there who defy categorization. Some boldly refuse to be corralled into a certain genre, an approach that undoubtedly has artistic merit, but sometimes has consequences on the commercial side of the business. Jen Kearney is one of those artists … highly talented, but difficult to classify. Her sound blends […]
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What’s Up Interview: Andrea Gonzalez Caballero, performing at URI Guitar Festival Oct. 21
The 7th annual URI Guitar Festival is returning to the campus of the University of Rhode Island during the weekend of October 20-23. The event brings leading names in the world of classical guitar to the state, as well as musicians who cross over into other musical genres. I spoke with one of those artists, […]
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What’s Up Interview: RI children’s author and musician Greg Lato
A Rhode Island based children’s musician and writer is currently ranked in the Top 10 nationally on the iTunes charts. Adults These Days is a new release from Greg Lato, his second children’s album. It follows the summer release of his second book, Everyone Needs Someone, based on a song from the album. We spoke […]
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What’s Up Interview: Glenn Tilbrook of Squeeze, playing Greenwich Odeum Thursday, Oct. 6
Another in a series of great concerts is coming to the Greenwich Odeum in East Greenwich on Thursday, October 6 when Glenn Tilbrook stops by for a solo show. Tilbrook is best known as a founding member of Squeeze, the much-loved new wave band that rode to the top of the charts in the late […]
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What’s Up interview: Ali McGuirk, releasing new album and playing Askew in Providence Sept. 30
Singer-songwriter Ali McGuirk has certainly paid her dues over the years, playing clubs, dive bars, and house shows, while frequently opening for more established artists around New England and beyond. This weekend, McGuirk takes center stage as part of a national tour with a stop at Askew in Providence. The show celebrates the release of […]
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What’s Up Interview: Eden Casteel – ‘Kahn Artist’
Eden Casteel has been a performer pretty much her whole life. “I was a piano player at the age of four,” she said recently, “and I started voice lessons at the age of 12.” She trained to be an opera singer. “If you haven’t noticed, there’s not a lot of demand for opera singers these […]
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What’s Up Interview: Piff the Magic Dragon coming to The Vets September 29
Piff the Magic Dragon’s genesis was strictly accidental. “I was a close-up magician,” said the comic magician during a recent phone interview. “I did parties, weddings, bar mitzvahs, but I kept getting fired. I looked too grumpy. I’m not really grumpy, it’s just my face.” Then one day, he was invited to a costume party. […]
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What’s Up Interview: Singer-Songwriter Drew Angus, playing Sound on Sound Festival in CT on Sept. 24
This Saturday, Connecticut singer-songwriter Drew Angus has an intimate little hometown gig … in front of 30,000+ fans! Angus is opening the inaugural “Sound on Sound Festival” which begins at Noon on Saturday, September 24 at Bridgeport’s historic Seaside Park. The festival features several familiar names, music superstars and indie heroes like Stevie Nicks, Dave […]
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What’s Up Interview: Ringo Starr, coming to PPAC Thursday Sept. 22
(Editor’s Note: Portions of this story were originally published on May 31, 2022, prior to Starr’s canceled June show at PPAC. The rescheduled show is Thursday, September 22.) When you get an opportunity to interview a Beatle, you don’t miss the chance. Even when it’s shared with dozens of other journalists, some on location at […]
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What’s Up Interview: Michael Timmins of The Cowboy Junkies, playing Narrows Center Sept. 22
One of the more innovative bands in alt-rock history returns to the Narrows Center on Thursday, September 22, when the Cowboy Junkies visit the Fall River venue. Comprised of Alan Anton (bass) and siblings Michael Timmins (songwriter, guitarist), Peter Timmins (drums), and Margo Timmins (vocalist), the band formed in Toronto, Canada in 1985. From the […]
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What’s Up Interview: Patton Magee of The Nude Party playing Greenwich Odeum September 11
Be ready to rock out this weekend in East Greenwich, but please keep your clothes on … On Sunday, September 11, The Nude Party will bring their modern garage rock sound to the Greenwich Odeum on Main Street. Yes, there’s a story behind the band’s name but that shouldn’t distract from the music. Fans of […]
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Concert Review and Photos: Rhythm and Roots Festival Day 2 – We interview festival organizers
Story contributed by Andy Smith CHARLESTOWN – Chuck Wentworth had just checked his heart rate at about 3 Saturday afternoon. “Normal sinus rhythm,” he announced. “At this point last year, I was at the opposite end of the spectrum.” Wentworth, founder of the Rhythm & Roots Festival, a South County fixture on Labor Day weekend, […]
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What’s Up Interview: Samantha Fish, coming to Rhythm & Roots Festival Sunday September 4
Rhode Island’s Rhythm and Roots Festival is known to support diverse musical styles. Genres from rock to blues, folk to zydeco, and more are part of the mix at the annual event in Charlestown over Labor Day Weekend. One 2022 R&R artist who is hard to pin down to a specific genre is singer-guitarist Samantha […]
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What’s Up Interview: Jim Weider of The Weight Band, playing Jane Pickens Thursday, August 25
You won’t have to “wait” much longer … another in a line of great concerts is coming to Jane Pickens Film and Events Center later this week when The Weight Band arrives in Newport. Fans of classic rock and Americana won’t want to miss this show. The band just released their second studio album, Shines […]