They traveled down to Memphis to participate in the International Folk Alliance, showcased at the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance and hit D.C., New York and other destinations in recent months. Now Katie Clarke says that her Boxcar Lillies are setting a course home both for a highly anticipated local live show and to start the reels rolling for recording sessions that will hopefully spawn a new full-length CD come spring.
“It’s been an amazing year for us,” Clarke reminisces. “And we somehow managed to hold down our day jobs while stumbling further into our 40s!”
The Boxcars roll into Noho’s Iron Horse (iheg.com) this Sunday, Nov. 25 for what is becoming an annual post-Turkey Day full band performance. Valley veterans Jim Henry (all things with strings), Paul Kochanski (bass) and Rick Mauran (drums) will lend sonic support to what traditionally is just the trio of Clarke, Jenny Goodspeed and Stephanie Marshall for the live affair.
Shortly thereafter, Boxcar high-tails it to Chris Rival’s Middleville Studio to work with producer Lorne Entress of Lori McKenna/Mark Erelli fame.
“We’re very excited about it, as we plan to record our signature, original tunes plus a couple of few choice covers,” Clarke revealed, adding that attendees of this weekend’s show will hear several of the afore-mentioned tunes as well.
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In other news, no less than two acts of audio altruism are on tap for this week.
The first, slated for Nov. 21 at The Harp in Amherst, is a benefit for local bluesman Art Steele, aimed at defraying the ongoing medical expenses he incurs as the result of a car accident this summer.
The second, a Nov. 24 engagement at Ichabod’s Tavern (ichabodstavern.com) in Chicopee, aims to put toys in the arms of deserving tots this holiday season. Dubbed “Country Gives Back,” it’s an evening that will feature Grand Band Slam winners Truck Stop Troubadours along with King Kountry (Ray Guillemette, Jr., also known nationwide for his Elvis impersonations) and Cowboy Kittie.
The former event includes a buffet and begins at 6 p.m. with free admission. The latter runs from 6-11 p.m. and all guests are encouraged to bring an unwrapped gift to the show.
All donations and raffle proceeds are earmarked for Steele; those who cannot attend can contribute directly by writing a check to Art Steele, PO Box 345, Sunderland, Mass. 01375.
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Last but not least, celebrated Bay State crooner Brian Evans checked in to report that the recent wrapping of his At Fenway video proved to be both the culmination of a childhood dream and an unexpected memorial to his beloved mother.
The concept behind the shoot—having a “young Brian Evans” strike someone out in a fantasy sequence at baseball’s most hallowed hall (with none other than television icon William Shatner calling strike three in a cameo as umpire)—was created by Evans with his mother and friend Mark Andrew Blitz. Production began on Sept. 25 and concluded on Oct. 7. Evans’ mother, Helen Bosquet, passed away on Oct. 5 at Holy Family Hospital at the age of 62 from complications resulting from knee surgery.
“It was our idea, and we jumped through hoops to get it done,” Evans concluded. “The video is truly my life, and after my mother passed, it has become so much more to me.”
At Fenway will debut on the opening day of the 2013 baseball season—coinciding with the release of the new full-length album of same name.
In the meantime, the singer, who has shared stages with acts as diverse as Jay Leno, Social Distortion and Lou Rawls and even graced the small screen with appearances on Full House and Beverly Hills 90210, is slated to perform at Boston’s Wilbur Theatre on Wednesday, Dec. 19.
For more information on the artist, the impending audio or the area engagement, kindly point your browser to facebook.com/croonerman.•
Send correspondence to Nightcrawler, P.O. Box 427, Somers, CT 06071; fax to (860) 394-4262 or email garycarra@aol.com.
