Check out this terrific piece on one of my absolute favorite singer-songwriters, Neko Case, following the release of her newest album: “Hell-On.”
Neko Case on Her New Album, Her House Burning Down, and Her Futuristic Feminism
Join us at the Route 20 Bar & Grille this Thursday night, 5/3, for a cold drink and some live music!
5:30pm-7:30pm for cocktail hour!
Friday night, 5/4, club members may enjoy live music with Yours Truly in the clubhouse at GreatHorse! Music starts at 7pm!
Friday night, 4/27, at Teresa’s Restaurant in Ware, 7pm – 10:30pm!
Saturday night, 4/28, at Nathan Bill’s Bar & Restaurant in Springfield, 7pm – 10pm!
Great food, beverages and service to be had at either of these fine venues! Join us for a cold drink, a bite to eat and some live music this weekend!
Happy Friday! Come celebrate the start of your weekend with us over at Casa Bella in Hampden – Stop in for some dinner, stay for the tunes!
Live music starts at 7pm!
Join us tomorrow night at the Route 20 Bar & Grille for a drink, some fine pub fare and my debut performance!
Live music starts at 5:30pm!
2341 Boston Road, Wilbraham, MA
“Local musicians telling the stories of their lives in music.”
Join us Friday night, March 30th, for a special presentation by Lattitude Restaurant in West Springfield!
The “Storyteller’s Unplugged” series features local musicians and their original works along with the stories that accompany those songs.
I will be offering a mixed set comprised of the songs that I’ve written along with a collection of covers of the lesser-known songs by the artists I love most.
These artists are the ones whose songs have had a considerable impact on my life, a major influence over my own musical expression and over my feelings toward the world at large.
I hope you will come and share in this exposition of carefully curated musical selections.. and perhaps enjoy a cocktail as well!
Music starts at 7pm and runs til 10pm!
Stop by Nathan Bill’s, the neighborhood’s favorite bar, tomorrow night!
Saturday, 3/24, come enjoy a cold, craft beer and some live entertainment –
Music starts at 6pm!
Tomorrow night! Friday, 3/23, come to the New City Brewery in Easthampton to see me, Craig MacMaster and Jonny Taylor play a special set among this awesome lineup of local bands, all of whom will be performing original music!
Get your tickets now and we’ll see you at 8:00pm!
Ticket Link: Valley Music Showcase
Great Original Music to Listen & Dance to- SUPPORT the BEST in NEW LOCAL MUSIC; See them BEFORE they BECOME FAMOUS!!
SPECIAL MUSICAL GUEST: SNOWHAUS! (Winner of the January 2018 Valley Music Showcase!
CONTESTANTS: Merrill Shepard & Friends, The Heavy Calm (new addition!), The Pilgrims, The Screaming Hearts
GUEST JUDGES: David Sokol, DJ on WRSI’s “Sokol Heroes”; Dean Cycon, Deans Beans; & Mark Sherry, Producer VMS
TICKET LINK: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/valley-music-showcase-march-2018-best-in-original-local-music-tickets-43540701410
Special Musical Guest- “SNOWHAUS” (Winners of the January 2018 VMS) will play the show’s opening & closing sets
Style/Genre: Shred-pop Hometown: Hadley, MA
Songlink: https://snowhaus.bandcamp.com/
Snowhaus is Hadley MA shred-pop band. High energy entertainment that’s bound to put a smile on your face and a rhythm in your feet. You’ll be humming the songs all week.
CONTESTANTS (in order of appearance)
1) MERRILL SHEPARD & FRIENDS
Style/Genre: Indie/folk Hometown: E. Longmeadow, MA
Song Link: https://merrillshepard.com/
Merrill has been singing her whole life. At 16, she picked up a guitar and at 27 began a solo career performing acoustic covers in the local bars and restaurants. Now, having found her voice as a songwriter, she joins forces with acoustic guitarist & singer Jonny Taylor, & bassist Craig MacMaster, who has performed with Merrill as a member of the AJ Rubino Trio & as a member of the Pecos River Band.
2) THE HEAVY CALM
Style/Genre: Progressive Rock Hometown: Hartford, CT & W. MA
Songlink:https://open.spotify.com/track/4ARKHgJc9SADxVDztZGnTi?si=O9oPe0DwTpOCZmnstLEVtg
Bending genres around carefully sculpted melodies, The Heavy Calm blends together the worlds of folk and soul with high energy progressive metal. This group prides itself on melodic soundscapes, ear-catching choruses, and cinematic storytelling, all while seamlessly incorporating heavy grooves and breakdowns.
3) THE PILGRIMS
Style/Genre: Rock and roll Hometown: Windsor, VT
Song link: https://pilgrimsvt.bandcamp.com/album/no-focus
It’s 2018 and the The Pilgrims have been around for 8 years. That’s 8 years and 6 records and 100 shows since The Pilgrims started in an office space turned apartment in Windsor, VT. 2017 finds the six person starting lineup squeezing their sweat streaked rock n roll into ten tracks aptly titled ‘No Focus’. No Focus is the first full length in the six man Pilgrim lineup – that’s Chris, Davis, Chris, Kiel, Chris and Brendan.
4) THE SCREAMING HEARTS
Style/Genre: Alternative rock Hometown: Southampton, MA
Song link: thescreaminghearts.bandcamp.com
The Screaming Hearts has taken people by storm with the breathtaking poetry they display. Bringing together elements of rock, folk and pop they leave the crowd with an unforgettable showcase of musicianship and artistry. Kelsey Veillette- Lead Vocals; Tanner Watson- Guitar/Backup vocals; Joe Eichstaedt- Bass; Brian Morris- Drums; Alan Matte- Guitar
We’re halfway to Friday! Come out for a drink and a bite to eat at Uno’s Pizzeria & Grill on Boston Road, featuring live entertainment tonight with Yours Truly from 6pm – 9pm!
Merrill Shepard Solo Acoustic 