Others can light up the skies this Independence Day weekend. Big E Talent Buyer John Juliano says he’s hoping to light up the ticket purchase phone lines when he announces a “major country act” who will join his 2015 roster “on or around” July 4.
In the meantime, Juliano was willing to speak Frehley — as in recently confirmed act Ace Frehley of KISS infamy.
“Ace is a guy I have been looking at for the past few years, and with his induction into the Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Fame with KISS, it’s a huge honor to have him perform here at New England’s Great State Fair Sept. 27,” Juliano reports.
And speaking of great states, both Southern-fried country boys Alabama (Sept. 20) and rock’s wayward sons, Kansas (Sept. 26) have also been confirmed for this 99th installment of the Eastern States Exposition. To purchase tickets or acquire more info, kindly point your browser to thebige.com.
Meanwhile, up in Hadley, celebrated saxophonist Charles Neville leads off the 34th season of the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Museum Wednesday Folk Traditions July 1. He’ll be accompanied by Grammy-nominated Senegalese master kora player Youssoupha Sidibe. The Crawler knows what you’re thinking — you’ve seen one Grammy-nominated Senegalese master kora player, you’ve seen them all. But trust him, this guy is really worth checking out. Tix for this show are $12 general admission, $2 for children 16 and under and available at pphmuseum.org.
The following week, July 8, Folk Traditions continues with the high-energy modern gospel ensemble the Kevin Sharpe Group.
Last but not least, while the event itself is still far off, the Crawler is discovering that many artists on the 2015 Green River Festival bill are feeling the excitement of the much-ballyhooed event.
“I’ve heard about [Rolling Stone and USA Today singing Green River’s praises] and I’m super proud,” says returning performer Heather Maloney, slated to play July 10. “I think a festival becomes a ‘must-see’ because of the music and the crowd it draws. For example, Green River’s crowd is hungry for music, but also intelligent and discerning. I love the bond between the audience [and performer] and am always amazed with the lineup.”
“It’s so satisfying when you see people succeed who deserve it,” adds fellow Friday night performer Eilen Jewell of Signature Sounds, the company responsible for Green River’s steady stream of music, and Jewell’s present label. “I’ve played there several times and always look forward to returning — even if it starts storming during my set, which it did a couple years ago. You’ll never hear me complain.”
The Green River Festival runs July 10-13 at Greenfield Community College. Among the other scheduled performers on the nearly 50-act bill are Steve Earle & The Dukes, J Mascis, Polaris, Rubblebucket and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, to name a choice few.•
Send correspondence to Nightcrawler, P.O. box 427, Somers, CT 06071; fax to (860) 394-4262 or email garycarra@aol.com.
