Review: Craig Bickhardt:: Live at Sellersville Theater

Part 1 of 2 on award winning singer/songwriter Craig Bickhardt

At last week’s conference, one of the panelists shared a story.  Early in his career he had been a radio DJ, responsible for choosing the songs that were played.  “Used to be, we’d get so many records sent to us, we’d just pick ‘em by their covers. Eighty-five percent of the time we’d be right.”

Please Don’t Play Electronica at My Funeral

Following two recent exchanges with my children, I have begun to contemplate my own mortality and musical legacy.  Please allow me to explain.

New Year’s Eve with Ellis Paul, Neil Young and the Orthodontist

There was  no dawdling involved.  We opted for an early dinner at Capital Grille where the last available table sat window side and offered a full view of the whimsical dragons, pageantry and bright smiles of Boston’s First Night parade.  After dinner I did a furtive striptease in the parking garage, exchanging polyester for sequins while the motor idled, one eye on the rearview mirror and with a delicious sense of daring.  My date claimed to enjoy the pre-show.

A Holiday Gift for You

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Each year at this time, we remember our close friends and family with warmth and gratitude.  We consider all of you to be our friends, and truly appreciate the time that so many spent reading and commenting on this blog in 2011.  Thank you for your kind company and lively conversation!

Shea Rose Wins the Night at Boston Music Awards

In a building where secrets once lived behind locked doors, one truth was revealed last Sunday evening.  Her name is Shea Rose, and she is electric.

Adam Ezra Group Shines at ‘Ragtop Angel’ Album Release Show

by Holley Dey; photos by Louise Uznanski, Richard Uznanski, Holley Dey

Boston’s favorite roots-rock band, the Adam Ezra Group, celebrated the release of their new album Ragtop Angel last Friday evening at Brighton Music Hall.  The hometown concert was sold out in advance, and there was a buzz of eager anticipation as the band took the stage.  What followed was a good time performance that left everyone smiling, and many dancing, both on and off the stage.

OnTap On Tour: Taylor Hicks & Other Musical Troubadours II

Part 2 of 2: Takin’ Off Today
by Louise Uznanski for OnTapBlog

OnTap on Tour: Taylor Hicks & Other Musical Troubadours

Part 1 of 2:  Places I’ve Been
All photos and videos by Louise Uznanski for OnTapBlog

Travel is accomplished by bus, plane, car and van or a combination of all of these transportation modes. There are tweets about delays in the air and on the road.  Facebook posts asking fans if they know how to fix a bumper hitch on their van.  A scheduler with a little bit of larceny in his veins schedules an artist in Vermont one night and Virginia the next.  But, still they move around the country to play their music and it is what they love to do no matter the travel.

What Taylor Hicks and ‘Canada’s Got Talent’ Have in Common

by Caryl Zimmerman

Last night I sat in on a taping of “Canada’s Got Talent” in Calgary. I won two tickets from Tim Horton’s and City TV in a contest I found on twitter. Truth be told, I’m not a fan of CGT or its American version, but it sounded like fun to see how a TV show gets made.

Adam Ezra Group to Release ‘Ragtop Angel’ November 8

by Holley Dey; video by Richard Uznanski; photography by Richard Uznanski and Louise Uznanski

Adam Ezra Group has announced that the band’s new album Ragtop Angel will be released on Tuesday, November 8.  Recorded in Los Angeles, CA and Somerville, MA, the album includes ten original songs, all written or co-written by Adam Ezra Olshansky.  The album represents the culmination of a process that began with the Group’s winning entry in the 2009 “Pick The Band” competition.