Small town sounds

by Sean McCarthy

SINCE 1996, THE BENNETT FARM CONCERT SERIES HAS PROVIDED MUSIC FANS WITH AN INTIMATE SETTING TO ENJOY A DIVERSE LINEUP OF ARTISTS AND GENRES

Set on a 12-acre horse farm in Rochester, this year’s show will run from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. and will include an array of styles including folk, rock, Americana, pop, and country. The event draws artists from across the nation, from singer/ songwriters to full bands.

Located at 339 North Ave., the farm was the birthplace of musician and organizer Rebecca Correia . Now a resident of Nashville, Tenessee, Correia has booked performers for the show based on her vast travels as a recording artist. The concerts provide performers with a full stage and professional sound and lighting. “It’s special to be able to bring people into your own home and share this experience with them,” Correia says. “It’s helped to form me into the writer and artist that I am today.”

The event invites visitors to bring their own chairs, blankets, and food and drink for a picnic-style experience. This year’s concert will feature performers such as The Island Collective, a group of five musicians with ties to Martha’s Vineyard. In addition to Correia, the quintet features Kate Taylor, who received acclaim for her album “Sister Kate,” Isaac Taylor, Phil DaRosa, and David Saw. The group will perform in the format of a Nashville songwriter’s round, singing tunes individually and together. The set will include the song, “Love Is Contagious,” a piece written by Correia and Kate Taylor on Red House Records, which is available on all streaming platforms.

This year will include a performance by Jeff Cohen, who is responsible for crafting hit songs for Big & Rich and Sugarland. He has also written the theme for the children’s tv show, “Paw Patrol.” The event will feature Boston solo pop artist, TWAM, with other acts to be announced. The show traditionally includes a display of vintage hot rod cars.

“This is less of a backyard thing and more of a professional concert event,” Correia says. “We’ve grown because it’s a safe environment. It brings community together and unites people with a common interest. There’s a high standard of musicianship.”

Tickets for this year’s concert are $45 for General Admission ($50 at the door), and $75 for VIP ($100 at the door). The VIP tickets will include an appetizer and snacks. They can be purchased online at bennettfarmconcert.com.

The annual Bennett Farm concerts have been an opportunity for audiences to be introduced to artists who are in the early stages of success. Past performers have included Celisse, Javier Colon, Mieka Pauley, Kevin So, and the Adam Ezra Group.

“I’ve been very, very fortunate to be able to connect with a number of artists in my industry of entertainment and sports and beyond,” Correia says. “We’ve showcased some extraordinary artists throughout the years.”

Correia is an established artist in her own right, with four full-length albums to her credit. In 2019 she released the record “Grown Up Games,” which was produced by five-time Grammy Award winner Keb Mo. Mo also plays and sings on the album.

Born and raised on the Rochester farm, Correia’s connection to The Island Collective comes from her aunt, Lynda Simmons, who is a resident of Edgartown. Correia began collaborating with Kate Taylor in 2019 when they met at Leiper’s Fork, Tenessee, a town just outside of Nashville.

“I have huge respect for Kate. We’re kindred spirits,” Correia says. “We have the island in common, what it means to us and gives back to us. We’re all about love and kindness to each other. I really enjoy collaborating with these artists because they feel like home to me.”