Counting Cars reality television show star Danny “The Count” Koker, who usually restores vintage cars to their former glory in his Vegas hot rod shop, is looking to lead a classic rock revival.
Afforded the opportunity to perform at such high traffic venues as The Big E Court of Honor Stage by his small-screen success—as he and his Count 77 band did Friday, Sept. 12—Koker keeps to the same playbook that has gotten him this far.
Whether he wields wrenches or six-string axes, socket sets or drum kits, “The Count” smartly surrounds himself with top-notch talent. In the case of Count’s 77, that includes veteran guitarists Stoney Curtis and John Zito, bassist Barry Barnes and drummer Paul Disibio. Heck, even his keyboardist, Tommy Paris, claims a quarter-century of international touring, as he is the former frontman for Britny Fox.
His recent set included originals from his Shrapnel Records release like “Shame On Me” and “Love Ain’t Right” and classics like Joe Walsh’s “Rocky Mountain Way” and Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs.”
“As a fan of hard rock and guitar-oriented music, I’m always looking for a CD that rocks top to bottom,” Count’s 77 producer/Shrapnel Records label owner Mike Varney declares. “Count’s 77 combines gifted instrumentalists and a charismatic frontman with a strong voice that culminates for an uncommonly good, hard-hitting rock and roll record that is apparent from their first note.”
Other Big E acts slated to round out the final performance roster in the 2014 installment of New England’s “Great State Fair” include Grammy-Award winners Little Big Town (Sept. 27), X Factor alums Emblem 3 (Sept. 28) and 15-year-old guitar wünderkind Quinn Sullivan, performing twice daily at the Court of Honor stage.
And a program note: as announced last week, a hip injury forced Texas trio ZZ Top to drop from the “E” entertainment schedule at the last minute. Swooping in to fill the void is Lynyrd Skynyrd. Tix for this newly announced Sept. 26 show are $39 for floor, $29 for bleachers and available at thebige.com.
Last but not least, a few regional rising stars will touch down at Noho’s Iron Horse this weekend. This Sunday, Sept. 28, the Horse (iheg.com) will host the official CD release party for Valley Rising, Vol. 3—a compilation album to benefit the Northampton Community Music Center that draws its tracks from nearly 60 tunes entered into a judged review. Among those making the cut include Abe Loomis, Joshua Meltzer, Colorway, Bunk, Wishbone Zöe and Lisa Martin, to name a choice few.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for this 7 p.m. show and tix are $12.50 in advance, $15 at the door.•
Send correspondence to Nightcrawler, P.O. box 427, Somers, CT 06071; fax to (860) 394-4262 or email garycarra@aol.com.
