Here is a list of some venues at which I have been know
to perform. You'll find address & phone info, along with my "personal"
assessment on the club, staff, menu, what have you, basted, of course,
with my own cynicisms, as always.
If I have nothing to say about a venue, it is due to the
fact that I either have yet to perform there, or have nothing currently
booked.
Viewers are welcome to submit their opinions of these
various establishments, which I will gladly post so that we may eventually
accumulate a fine base of objectivity.
Bitter End
NYC, NY
1-212-673-7030
Once the coolest venue in
Greenwich Village - host to Neil Young, Joni Mitchell et al... nowadays
a front line venue for local and visiting musicians looking for a taste
of the NYC thang. I usually play early here - 8pm. A little dry for my
taste, but, hey, it's New York.
The
Burren
Somerville, MA
617-776-6896
This "true Irish pub" has championed the spirit
of the singer-songwriter longer than any other venue that I know of in
the Boston area. My hat's off to them for sticking to their guns - tis
an honor to play here. I don't get down to the "big city" very often -
come and visit!
Central Ave. Saloon
Central Ave.
Dover, NH
603-743-4489
A teeny tiny space for about
35 folks - the true mark of a good gig is it's intimacy , and this joint
has it!
The Common Man
Ashland, NH
603-968-3559
This has become one of my favorite
venues for ambience and, most importantly, acoustics. An extremely
comfortable space in which to hang and fully enjoy true stereo-scopic sound,
while basking in the wonderfully historic setting and attended to by the
most cordial staff around. This joint bears the closest resemblence
to my image of the "ultimate acoustic gig". A beautiful room - old,
wood, huge fireplace, couches and chess boards abound. Wicked comfortable.
Wonderful staff. Excellent victuals.
Superlatives abound!
Daniel's
Main Street
Henniker, NH
603-428-7621
This is a big old stone room
... very bright and vibrant, if not a little cold. Beers are very good
and expensive, so grab a few at the local Irish pub before coming - all
this aside, it is a great party room catering to the New England College
kids and working locals. The audience takes precedence here.
Delany's
Main Street
North Conway, NH
603-356-7776
This place rocks! A great
bunch o' folks - very few touristas in this group - Wednesday night is
the only night of the week they have music, and it's the ONLY place in
town with entertainment on this night, so all come out in force. Namesake
Dick Delaney and his lovely sister are your hosts - fine people. I highly
recommend this place... nice and loud!
The Dolphin Striker
15 Bow Street
Portsmouth, NH 03801
603-431-5222
My all-time favorite venue.
Ray
Brandon is the man behind the scenes here - a man with a good musical sense.
I know of several class-acts that perform here, so I'm in good company.
Listening atmosphere - upscale audience.
 |
ANYTIME these guys throw a party, GO. The best blockparties
of the year including "Brewstock" in Summertime and Winterfest" in winter
(... no kidding) I've been a regular at these things for years and hope
to continue. |
Kendall Cafe
233 Cardinal Mediros Hwy.
Cambridge, MA
661-0993
This place was once the
home of the folk/rock elite on Cambridge and
Boston. They could honestly boast playing host to some of the metropolitan
area's best performers, and I was proud to be accepted into the fold. No
longer offering live music and currently up for sale - this joint going
down is portentious of dark times - don't let it happen to any other venues
of the like - support live music!
Northeast Brewery
Commonwealth Ave.
Allston/Brighton, MA
617-566-6699
A respectable manifestation of the micro-brew
craze. There is a great choice of atmospheres here - the upstairs
"fireside" folk show has a real comfortable feel with couches 270 degrees
surrounding the performer making the stage an "insider's hang" or the more
typical, beer soaked
"Cask Room" downstairs - set up for a more
raucous night out. I'll be doing both!
O'leary's
1010 Beacon Street
Brookline, MA
734-0049
Delightfully close to home, this venue
can be a nice listening room if the audience contains a quorum of like-minded
individuals in attendance to hear the show. It is small enough that a small
group could easily dominate the ambience. Otherwise, the room is generally
inhabited by an older crowd of Broolineans in for a quiet dinner and offer
little interest in the live music presented. It is a shame considering
that, due to the efforts of booker Kevin McCluskey, this place plays host
to some of the best acoustic performers in the area.
| Club Passim |
47 Palmer Street
Cambridge, MA
617-661-1513 |
| Clearly the most prestigious folk venue in the northeast, Passim carries
on the tradition begun in the late fifties when the doors of Club 47
opened and invited folk musicians of the day, many of whom are now "legends"
, to grace it's stage and bring their music and inspiration to the people.
Any
opportunity to play here is a good one. This year (1998) I have been
honored by their invitation to partake in the celebration of "Fourty Years
of Folk Music" - a concert held at the austere Sanders Theatre in Cambridge.
If there is a Club Passim show on the upcoming agenda, you can be sure
I'll pushing it as a "must-attend" event. |
Patrick's Pub
18 Weir's Rd. Rte 11
Gilford, NH
603-293-0841
It has been repeatedly said
of Patrick's that it is the venue at which I "sound the best". Good acoustics
and a house sound system that augments my own provide for a room where
it sounds great wherever you sit. An affectionately cordial staff and good
business managers have made this one of my most anticipated shows. You'll
likely find me here once every month, often times on both Friday and Saturday
nights. I have had friends travel afar to see me here, and they have not
been disappointed.
Plough & Stars
Cambridge, MA
441-3455
Press Room
77 Daniel Street
Portsmouth, NH
1-603-431-5186
During the 70's and 80's,
the Press Room built up a reputation as one of the best folk venues in
New England. Still a tough nut to crack for aspiring performers.
Red Hook Brewery
35 Corporate Drive
Portsmouth, NH
603-430-8600
Home
of the Seacoast Guitar Society monthly open mic.
SHORTY'S
Manchester, NH
603-625-1730
What I primariy look for
in a venue is a welcoming staff. It doesn't matter if it's a major
concert venue presenting big names, or a small bistro with a lounge singer,
the fact is that everyone that's working the room is there for a unified
purpose. Managers should want the staff to enjoy their job and be confident
in their ability to perform it. The staff should be able to look to management
for leadership, advice, and above all, friendship. Anything less
than this will invariably cause situations which will adversely affect
the economics of the business. I have witnessed this so many times,
it amazes me how something so simple can be lost on so many. Shorty's
is an excellent example of how happy people
do good business. I love this place.
Stone Church
Newmarket, NH
603-659-6321
Under new management
Stonecutter's Lounge
Milford, NH
603-673-9900
This is the slum of slums
- a dark room filled with a tough bunch of mill-workers that start partying
right after work and don't let up until closing. A real workout! I have
met several of my favorite "Cageheads" here, sold a TON of cds, and have
achieved the dubious status of "Local Legend". You gotta see it once!
The Bluebird Cafe
4104 Hillsboro Rd.
Nashville, TN 37215
The Linwood Grille
69 Kilmarnock Street
Boston, MA
617-267-8644
Wolfy's
3513A Central Ave.
Nashville, TN 37205
615-251-1621