Weekend - June 20, 2024

For

CELINE DION, WHITNEY HOUSTON: Michelle Brooks-Thompson to perform two shows at the Majestic Theater, D4

FREE MUSIC FRIDAYS: Zac N’ Fried, D4

MISTY BLUES BAND: Gina Coleman chats before Iron Horse show, D5

Green River Festival

3 days of music. 4 stages. See who’s on the lineup and when, Page D2

Green River Festival ready for year 37

By K eith O ’C onnor

Special to The Republican

This weekend’s 37th Green River Festival offers nearly nonstop music beginning Friday for three days on the Franklin County Fairgrounds alongside plenty of food for all tastes, a juried craft fair with handmade creations, and lots for the kids to do.

“There is so much excitement for the musical lineup this year that is a strong mix of indie rock, Americana, international stars, funk, reggae, pop and more. It’s going to be a blast,” said John Sanders, festival director and partner at DSP Shows, which purchased the festival last October from Signature Sounds Presents.

From left, Pachyman, Cake, and Joy Oladokun are among the acts performing at this year’s Green River Festival. The festival will feature music across multiple stages for three days on the Franklin County Fairgrounds. SEE GREEN, PAGE D3

Here’s when, where to find your favorite act

The Green River Festival will offer music acts across multiple stages for its three-day run. Here is a preview of this weekend's schedule and where and when to find your favorite act. Information is subject to change. For the most up-to-date festival information, visit the Green River Festival website at greenriverfestival.com.

FRIDAY, JUNE 21

Gates open at 3 p.m.

Greenfield Savings Bank Main Stage

• Oh He Dead: 5-6 p.m.

• Lawrence: 7-8:15 p.m.

• CAKE: 9:30-11 p.m. Dean's Beans Stage

• Bermuda Search Party: 4-5 p.m.

• Combo Chimbita: 6-7 p.m.

• Cimafunk: 8:15-9:30 p.m.

Back Porch Stage

• Fantastic Cat: 4-5 p.m.

• Twisted Pine: 6-7 p.m.

• The Nude Party: 8:15-9:30 p.m. Round House Stage

• NEPM's Fabulous 413: 3-3:45 p.m.

• Julia Pratt: 5-5:45 p.m.

• Fantastic Cat: 7-:45 p.m.

• Bermuda Search Party: 9:3010:15 p.m.

SATURDAY, JUNE 22

Gates open at 11 a.m.

Greenfield Savings Bank Main Stage

• Willi Carlisle: 1-1:45 p.m.

• Trousdale: 2:45-3:45 p.m.

• Bonny Light Horseman: 4:45-6 p.m.

• Joy Oladokun: 7-8:15 p.m.

• Fleet Foxes: 9:30-11 p.m.

Dean's Beans Stage

• Prewn: Noon-1 p.m.

• Snacktime: 1:45-2:45 p.m.

• Pachyman: 3:45-4:45 p.m.

• Speedy Ortiz: 6-7 p.m.

• Mdou Moctar: 8:15-9:30 p.m.

Back Porch Stage

• Love Crumbs: Noon-1 p.m.

• Tommy Prine: 1:45-2:45 p.m.

• Kelley Brennen, Melissa Willis

“Some of the festival’s biggest headliners ever will close out each day on the Greenfield Savings Bank Main Stage with Cake on Friday, Fleet Foxes on Saturday and Gregory Alan Isakov on Sunday. The feedback we’ve received from our community is they are stoked to see artists of this caliber headlining Green River,” Sanders said.

The Dean’s Beans stage at Green River has always featured a wide variety of international artists and this year is no different with what Sanders described as some “true global superstars who will keep the audience dancing all weekend long,” including Cimafunk from Cuba, Mdou Moctar from Niger, DakhaBrakha from Ukraine, Son Rompe Pera from Mexico, and Dobet Gnahore from the Ivory Coast.

“Green River is well known as one of the premier American Roots music festivals

and while each stage at the festival will feature its share of Americana artists, it’s the focus of the Back Porch Stage,” Sanders said.

S.G. Goodman, winner of the Emerging Artist of the Year at the Americana Music Association Awards, will close out the Back Porch stage on Saturday night. Other artists featured on this stage include The Nude Party, Joseph, Tommy Prine, Mon Rovia and many others.

In all, over 40 artists will be performing on four stages both day and night. For more information on the full lineup, visit greenriverfestival.com.

Sanders noted its investment in big headliners this year is driving more people to the festival. Last year about 13,000 people attended the Green River Festival and organizers are expecting over 15,000 this year.

“We’ve been tracking ticket sales, which are way ahead of last year, so we’ve added more food trucks this year to accommodate

a larger, hungry crowd,” he said.

A sampling of the many food trucks rolling onto the fairgrounds, who will be offering everything from ethnic specialties to everyday popular treats such as hamburg-

ers, French fries, hot dogs and more, includes Anon’s Thai Cuisine, All Things Maple, Binge BBQ, Bart’s Handcrafted Ice Cream, Broccoli Bar, Cousins Maine Lobster, Crooked Stick Pops, Dean’s

SATURDAY, JUNE 22

SATURDAY, JUNE 22

HANDS-ON FAMILY ACTIVITIES FREE WITH MUSEUM ADMISSION

HANDS-ON FAMILY ACTIVITIES FREE WITH MUSEUM ADMISSION

Clockwise from top left: Fleet Foxes, Trousdale, and Lawrence are among the acts playing this year’s Green River Festival.

Grayson Ty tying it all together at Iron Horse show

George Lenker LIVE WIRE

SPRINGFIELD

GRAYSON TY IS EXcited to be playing the Iron Horse in Northampton on June 28. But it’s not just the venue’s vaunted reputation. It also has deeper meaning for him: It was there that he met his wife, Laura Buchanan of the band Eavesdrop.

Fittingly, Ty’s band will be sharing the stage with Eavesdrop for this gig as well.

“It was eight years ago this past April that we shared that very stage with them in Northampton. It was also the night that Laura and I first met,” he said. “It feels very full circle and has forced us all to reflect on just how far we’ve come in those eight years.”

Ty talked about his music in a recent interview.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Zac N’ Fried brings country to Free Music Fridays series

By Ashley P otter apotter@repub.com

Performing cover music has been a big part of Randall “Randy” John’s life for the past 30 years.

John, who is the founder and lead vocalist of Zac N’ Fried, a Zac Brown tribute band that’s up next on MGM Springfield’s summer concert lineup, has also been the driving force behind The Zoo for the past three decades.

That band, whose accolades include winning MTV’s Ultimate Cover Band contest in 2003, and Zac N’ Fried have a couple of factors in common: talented musicians and a passion for music.

Zac N’ Fried is made up of John, founder and lead vocalist; Anthony Edley, lead guitar player; Robin Sarica, violinist; James Queiros, acoustic guitar; Kevin Wyman, piano; Matty Spence, drums; Hector Ares, bass; and the band’s newest member, Emmit Forester, percussion.

“I want people to literally watch Zac N’ Fried, close their eyes, and feel like they’re at Fenway hearing Zac Brown,” John said in a phone interview with The Republican.

Zac N’ Fried, a Zac Brown tribute band, will perform at MGM Springfield as part of the casino’s Free Music Fridays series.

(PHOTO COURTESY RANDY JOHN)

Zac N’ Fried, which performed live for the first time on March 4, 2022, is returning to MGM Springfield for the second time. They played the plaza during last summer’s Free Music Fridays concert series.

This year’s show begins at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free. John took time for a phone interview with The Republican before Friday’s show, speaking on his band, his musical career, and what audiences can expect at

Friday’s show. The following interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Q. Can you tell me a little bit about how the band got together?

A. I’ve been doing this a long time. I’m in a band called The Zoo, and we are celebrating our 30-year anniversary. I’m telling you this because it’s been so long that, over the years, just

Celebrating music of Whitney Houston, Celine Dion at Majestic

Michelle BrooksThompson will play 2 shows on Sunday

By Ashley P otter apotter@repub.com

Two weeks ago she was in Boston, performing the national anthem for the first game of the NBA Finals. Now the singer-songwriter is sharing her talent much closer to home — three minutes away from home, to be exact.

Michelle Brooks-Thompson is performing two concerts,

one of which is already sold out, at the Majestic Theater in West Springfield on Sunday. She will be singing songs by Whitney Houston and Celine Dion, including hits like “I Will Always Love You” and “My Heart Will Go On.” The show is being put on by Page One Productions, which is also hosting a Beach Boys tribute — The Driftwoods — for two shows at the Majestic Theater on Saturday.

“I am happy that I am getting the chance to perform for my local fans and supporters at the historic Majestic

Singer Michelle Brooks-Thompson is playing two shows at the Majestic Theater in West Springfield on Sunday. (DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN)

Beans Organic Coffee, Everything About Crepes, Fancheezical, The Food Booth, Forestopia, Ginger Love Café, Gonzalez Food Truck, Holyoke Hummus, Hometown Poke, Jamaican Jewelz, Katalyst Kombucha, La Veracruzana, LemoNates, Mach’s Woodfired Pizza, Mycoterra Farm, P’Frogi, Pinky Toe Chai, Riff’s, Roadhouse Grille, Shree’s Kitchen, Ting Ting Dumplings and Wake the Dead Donuts.

For thirsty festivalgoers, beverage stations will be located throughout the festival pouring different beers from New Belgium Brewers and Bell’s Brewery, as well as hard cider from 1911 Original Cider, wine and hard seltzers, and nonalcoholic beers. sparkling waters from Topo Chico and Culture POP probiotic soda will also be sold.

In between performances, festivalgoers can visit the Makers Market filled with craft vendors, many of whom are returning from last year alongside 10 new crafters. Shoppers can get in line for their popular flower crowns at Daisy Stone Studio, then peruse through the vendor row for unique gemstone jewelry, authentic Mexican leather goods, hand-printed T-shirts, creative beadwork, handblown glass art, wild tie-dyes, upcycled clothing, handmade pottery, colorful stickers, and much more. There will also be live glass blowing demonstrations all weekend with Juggernaut

Glass and you can treat yourself to some festival weekend flair with fancy hair braids, face painting, and henna body art, or sign up for a massage session after dancing all day. Sanders noted the Green River Festival has always been a family-friendly event with a newly expanded family entertainment area offering fun for both kids and adults.

The Art Garden’s tent and barn will be filled with free, open-ended activities for festivalgoers to create, explore, play, and make art. Art Garden volunteers have spent weeks preparing repurposed materials for creative reuse, including thousands of cardboard creatures for people to paint and carry in the Green River Parade.

Also, the Round House Stage will feature late morning and early afternoon performances on Saturday and Sunday, including CactusHead Puppets who will present “The Pied Piper of Hamelin.” Other musical performers include Little

Roots, Carrie Ferguson and The Grumpytime Club Band and In the Nick of Time.

The Kidway Stage, next to the Art Garden, will showcase the talents of Henry The Juggler and magician Jonas Cain. This year’s annual Green River Festival Parade will be led by Philadelphia’s beloved seven-piece band Snacktime, who blaze a path cut from their soul, funk, punk, jazz, hip-hop, and R&B influences. The parade will also feature puppets from Muzen Theater, who celebrate enlightenment, community and creative activism through large- and small-scale theater events. To join the parade, meet at the Art Garden at 6 p.m. on Saturday. Gates open at 3 p.m. on Friday with music beginning at 4 p.m., and open at 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday with music starting at noon. The music ends at 10:55 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and at 8:30 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets, available in advance from TIXR at tixr.

com/groups/greenriver festival/events/green-riv er-festival-2024-83013 or through a link on the Green River website, are $79.99 for Friday and Sunday and $89.99 on Saturday. Two-day passes are available at $145 and a three-day pass is $199. Kids 12 and under are free with two allowed per paid adult admission. Advance tickets can only be ordered until 11:59 p.m. on Thursday night, June 20. After that, tickets will only be available at the door at $85 for Friday and Sunday, $95 dollars on Sunday, $155 for two-days passes and $225 for threeday passes. VIP upgrades are also available. Three-day teen passes with proof of age required upon entry — photocopy of a birth certificate, passport or other form of age identification — are available for $99.99. On-site parking tickets are nearly sold out, however, the Town of Greenfield is waving all parking fees on-street and in municipal lots.

Free shuttle buses are available from Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center on 289 Main St. in the center of Greenfield. Shuttles will begin running one hour before gates open each day an continue to operate for one hour after the festival ends on Friday and Saturday, and only half an hour afterwards on Sunday.

The Franklin County Fairgrounds is located at 89 Wisdom Way in Greenfield. For more information on the festival, visit greenriverfestival.com.

Schedule

CONTINUES FROM PAGE D3

and Leigh Carper: 3:45-4:45 p.m.

• Willi Carlisle: 6-7 p.m.

• SG Goodman: 8:15-9:30 p.m. Round House Stage

• CactusHead Puppets: 11:15 a.m.-noon

• Little Roots: 1-1:45 p.m.

• John-Robert: 2:45-3:45 p.m.

• TBD: 5-6 p.m.

• Kalliope Jones: 7-8 p.m.

• Dari Bay: 9:30-10:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, JUNE 23

Gates open at 11 a.m.

Greenfield Savings Bank Main Stage

• Margo Cilker: 12:45-1:30 p.m.

• Josiah and the Bonnevilles: 2:30-3:30 p.m.

• Flipturn: 4:30-5:45 p.m.

• Gregory Alan Isakov: 7-8:30 p.m. Dean's Beans Stage

• Katy Kirby: Noon-12:45 p.m.

• Dobet Gnahore: 1:30-2:30 p.m.

• Son Rompe Pera: 3:30-4:30 p.m.

• DakhaBrakha: 5:45-7 p.m. Back Porch Stage

• Mon Rovia: Noon-12:45 p.m.

• Izzy Heltai: 1:30-2:30 p.m.

• Margo Cilker: 3:30-4:30 p.m.

• Joseph: 5:45-7 p.m. Round House Stage

• Carrie Ferguson: 11-11:45 a.m.

• In The Nick of Time: 12:45-1:30 p.m.

• Clover County: 2:30-3:30 p.m.

• Naia Kete: 4:30-5:30 p.m.

• Jobi Riccio: 7-7:45 p.m.

• Cloudbelly: 8-9 p.m.

Above, from left, Cimafunk, Bermuda Search Party, and Kalliope Jones are among the acts set to play this year’s Green River Festival.

From left, Carl Speed, Jayme Fraser, and Sala Acker at the 2019 Green River Festival. (ED COHEN PHOTO)

Majestic

Theater,” Brooks-Thompson shared in an email interview with The Republican.

Brooks-Thompson is a nationally recognized singer-songwriter who stepped into the spotlight after making it to the finals of “The Voice” in 2012. Her coach at the time, Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine, praised her “supernatural singing ability.”

Since that time, BrooksThompson has kept busy, performing the national anthem for a multitude of local and nationwide events. Her accolades include being honored with the 2023 Black Excellence on the Hill award, hosted by the Commonwealth; winning first place in the inaugural Unsung Heroes competition in 2022; and winning Keene Idol in New Hampshire in 2019.

In 2022, the singer released an original song, “Never Give Up.” In 2023, she was nominated in the Gospel Choice Music Awards for Contemporary Christian Artist of the Year, Female Artists/Vocalist of the Year (USA), Song of the Year and Urban Inspiration Artist of the Year.

Perhaps most appropriately, Brooks-Thompson has been referred to as the “Whitney Houston of Gospel music,” making this weekend’s tribute show the perfect fit.

The singer-songwriter took time for an email interview with The Republican prior to her two-show run at the Majestic Theater.

Q. How does it feel to be so close to home, headlining the Majestic Theater for not only one show, but one already sold-out concert and a second show?

A. I am very excited to finally do a concert so close to home … literally! I’m about three minutes from the Majestic so this is right in my backyard. I perform all over the country and I am often asked if I am performing in town. I am happy that I am getting the chance to perform for my local fans and supporters at the historic Majestic Theater. I’ve driven by it so many

times and often imagined the opportunity to perform there! I kept believing and hoping and now the time has come!

Q. You’re often referred to as the “Whitney Houston of Gospel music.” Is that a title you carry with pride, and would you like to speak more to your musical process that’s earned you such a strong title?

A. I remember the first time my voice was referenced to Whitney Houston. I was around 11 years old. I was singing in my room to a song by Whitney, “I Believe in You and Me.” The window was wide open, and the landscapers had stopped working to listen to me. My mom was nearby and overheard the landscapers say that I sounded like Whitney Houston. Another time was when I was 10 years old competing in a singing competition. I sung “I Will Always Love You.” I won first place and the people thought I had lip-synced the song. I’ll never forget my mom saying to everyone — “No she didn’t! She is just that good.” From that point on and throughout my life, I have always been told I sound and or my voice reminds people of Whitney Houston. I view it as a good thing because her voice was loved so much! It certainly set the standard for a lot of female vocalists, including myself.

Q. Has Whitney Houston always been a big musical inspiration for you in your journey, and how would you describe the legacy of Houston’s music and how it continues to this day, more than a decade after her death?

A. Whitney’s voice and music has always been inspiration for me. I was devastated when she passed away. Despite her personal struggles, which we all have, when it came to her timeless music, she was iconic. I liked the fact that she had class on stage. She was always so elegant, and she just opened her mouth and sang her heart out. She did not need any special enhancements … she just sang and it captivated people everywhere. And like Whitney,

I grew up singing in church and ventured out. My mother was a singer just like Whitney’s mother. When my mother saw that I had a gift, she began nurturing it and helping me grow in singing.

Q. Similarly, Celine Dion is another icon as far as women in the music industry are concerned. Most recently, she’s been in the news not necessarily because of her voice, but because of her health troubles. Has Dion also been a musical inspiration for you in your journey? And what made you decide to do both a Whitney Houston and Celine Dion tribute show?

A. I recall the first time I heard Celine Dion on the radio. I was like oh my goodness! Her voice is powerful. The song I heard was “Power of Love”! I started learning her songs in addition to Whitney and Mariah Carey, who is another favorite. I like them both because they have always been very classy and because their powerful and soul-stirring voices, they never needed any special effects to gain fans and have success! They both proved that when you have a true voice and talent, you do not need to dress provocatively or compromise your integrity. I really loved that about them.

Q. Do you, yourself, have a favorite Whitney Houston and Celine Dion song?

A. This is a tough question! I have so many favorites! If I was to choose a Whitney song, then it would be “Greatest Love of All.” My favorite Celine Dion song would be “Because You Loved Me.”

Q. I saw you just recently got back from performing the national anthem for Night 1 of the NBA Finals game. How was that experience?

A. It was indeed an incredible honor. It was my second NBA Finals Performance! The first was for Game 3 in 2022. I have performed for the Boston Celtics since 2014 and it never gets old!

Q. On your website and social media, you stress the importance of faith, and I saw you were also a participant in the Faith Over Fear conference earlier this month. Can you talk a little bit about the importance of faith, for you, and how you are able to communicate that spirituality through music?

A. As a Christian, my faith has been so important to me throughout my life. It has guided me and given me hope in so many difficult situations that I have had to face. I am talking about things like childhood trauma and detrimental situations that most people break from. It is easy to give up hope when things in life are tough because it is harder to fight and keep going. It saddens me to see so many people both young and old, rich, and poor, committing suicide due to pain and lack of hope. I often wonder if they lost hope in this life and or if they lost faith in themselves. I believe that the way I can help others overcome and give hope is through my voice and music. I always say that when I do sing — I sing on purpose! My purpose is to reach at least one person in the audience and remind them to keep going. Music reaches the souls and heart. Many of the songs I write are inspirational to remind listeners that they are triumphant and holding on to their faith will get them through. Also, to encourage people to not give up such as my song “Never Give Up.” This is why I enjoy going into nursing homes and rehabilitation centers to sing. I get calls often to perform for the residents which I do it with so much passion and joy. I have countless stories of the residents who come up to me after and share the inspiration they felt through my voice and ask when I am coming back?! I remember in June 2023 I was singing at the New Haven Arts & Ideas Festival. I closed out my set with my single “Never Give Up.” Shortly after I finished my set and was resting in my green room, one of my background singers came rushing into my green room to

tell me a fan wanted to see me. I hurried out of my green room to meet the fan. I saw a man sitting in a wheelchair crying and very emotional. Once I got to him, he began to tell me his story and how the song “Never Give Up” affected him instantaneously. The man had come to the concert as one last outing before returning home to commit suicide. He had written his suicide letter and left instructions for his family. But after hearing my song “Never Give Up,” it changed him. It gave him hope and it renewed his faith in God. He then asked if I could pray for him right on the spot … and I said yes! My background singers and I rallied around him, and I started to pray for him. What was so beautiful is the bystanders on the street joined in the prayer! It was the most heartwarming moment to see for this man who was down in his faith and hope. Before leaving I gave him my contact and told him to call me anytime he needed to talk. It was in August that I got an unexpected phone call from the same man! He called to tell me that he was doing good and thanked me for that day and the prayers I prayed for him. He let me know that he returned to church, and he is living life with hope! That day it was one person who was inspired to not give up. At my next performance it could be three people that leave motivated and inspired. I just keep on singing and using my voice and music to uplift anyone who will listen!

Q. Beyond the Majestic Theater shows, do you have anything else on your summer radar you can share, as far as upcoming music or shows that you might be excited about?

A. I get phone calls so often that my calendar is always expanding which is a good thing. I have some performances at the Apollo Theater in New York as I compete for a second winning title. I will be doing some concerts in Stoughton, Quincy, Worcester, and other cities out of the state. I always share concerts on social media so readers can follow me there!

Food trucks are sure sign of summer

THOUGH MOBILE FOOD vending in one form or another has existed throughout much of human history, the food truck phenomenon of today is a relatively recent development.

Most sources trace the modern food truck, with its specialization and focus on inventiveness, to the early years of the 21st century and to changing economic conditions in the restaurant industry.

By 2010, the contemporary idea of a food truck as a highly specialized outlets for often-unique food experiences had become well established; today they’re an almost-ubiquitous component of the food-away-fromhome experience.

Though food trucks might be a year-round presence, they’re especially visible during the summer months, dishing up their wares at fairs, block parties and even festivals built around food trucks themselves.

Here in Western Massachusetts food trucks are most commonly encountered in partnership with brewery tasting rooms, present at outdoor events and even showing up for “one night stands” in apartment complexes and residential neighborhoods.

What follows are just a few of the food truck “presences” on the agenda for the week ahead.

This year’s Manchester (Connecticut) Food Truck Festival is scheduled to take place June 21-23 at the Shoppes at Buckland Hills in Manchester.

The festival will play host to more than 20 food trucks along with craft vendors; live entertainment also will be featured.

Festival hours are 5 to 10 p.m. on Friday, June 21; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, June 22; and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 23.

The festival, which is organized by Connecticut Food Truck Festivals, can be reached by email at manches terfoodtruckfest@gmail.com.

On Friday, June 21, the Belchertown Cultural Council is sponsoring a Food Truck Friday event. To be held on Belchertown’s Town Common from 4-8 p.m., the gathering will bring together nine food truck operators as well as live music.

The June Food Truck Friday is one of three such monthly evens that the Belchertown Cultural Council has scheduled for summer 2024.

On Saturday, June 22, the First Congregational Church of East

Food trucks are a sure sign of summer, and Western Massachusetts has no shortage of opportunities to get your grub on.

(HOANG

Longmeadow will be organizing its second annual “Food Trucks of the Rotary.”

Held to benefit area food pantries, the food truck gathering will operate from 1-7 p.m. Information on food trucks, entertainment, and parking arrangements can be found at churchontherotary.org/ food-trucks-on-the-rotary.

Those attending are asked to bring a nonperishable food item as a donation to an area food bank.

Orange Solstice RiverFest is presenting its ninth annual festival in Orange this weekend. A street fair-inspired celebration scheduled for a 5 p.m. start time on Saturday, June 22, the RiverFest concludes at 9 p.m. with a Lighted Boat Parade on the Millers River.

Food trucks, live music, games and entertainment at Riverfront Park in Orange are among the other attractions that the RiverFest has to offer. More specifics can be found at the event’s website, orangeriverfest. com

Rain date for the RiverFest is Sunday, June 23.

Side Dishes

• One of 2023’s most popular downtown events, the Duryea Way Wine & Beer Garden, has returned for the 2024 summer season.

Promoted by the Springfield Business Improvement District and “poured” by Loophole Brewing of Springfield, the Wine & Beer Gar-

CONTINUES FROM PAGE D5

their vocal quality. For me it’s Bessie Smith, Koko Taylor, Big Mama Thornton and Big Maybelle,” she said.

Twelve of the band’s 15 recording projects, including their just released “Silver Lining” in May, are available on its official website at mistybluesband. com. According to the website, the new album “tells the story in the lyrical blues style of the band’s intrepid journey through the ups and down of the last 25 years as one of the hardest working musical groups in New England.”

“Silver Lining,” a celebration of the band’s silver, or 25th, anniversary was recorded at Studio 9Porches in North Adams in January.

den plans to operates Thursdays (except for July 4) through October. The weekly festivities begin at 4 p.m. and run through 8 p.m. on Duryea Way, an outdoor space in downtown Springfield that connects Worthington Street with Taylor Street.

More information about and a weekly calendar for the Duryea Way Wine & Beer Garden can be found online.

• The Uno Pizzeria & Grill in Sturbridge, in conjunction with Lord Hobo Brewing Company of Woburn, is hosting a five-course Brews & BBQ pairing dinner on Wednesday, June 26, starting at 6:30 p.m.

The barbecued-theme menu begins with an arugula salad garnished with grilled fruits; the second course is a deep-dish dill pickle pizza.

Grilled hot & sweet sausage precede the main course, which is barbecued chicken prepared with an IPA BBQ sauce.

An oatmeal cookie sandwich sundae will bring the meal to a close.

Five individual Lord Hobo brews will be served, one with each course.

The dinner is priced at $60; reservations can be booked by calling the restaurant at 508-347-6420.

• The Delaney House in Holyoke is offering an outdoor deal this summer; every Sunday, appetizers are 50% off when enjoyed out on the Patio.

This “Appy Hour” promotion runs from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., weather

The sessions were conducted as a recording retreat, with band members staying on the premises to be able to more fully live and breathe the tracks they were laying down.

This summer will also see the release of a second live tribute album, “I’m Too Old for Games,” to the legendary Odetta, the “Queen of American Folk.” The first, recorded in May 2023, spent 24 consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Roots Music Report Traditional Folk Album Chart.

Coleman met Odetta in the mid ’90s at the Bottom Line in New York when they were the guests of Arlo Guthrie, who was performing at the club.

“She was special and just magical. I titled the album after an exchange with a patron who came up to Odetta and asked, “Do you remember me?” to which she responded, “I’m too old for games.”

In addition to Coleman, Misty Blues includes the talents of Bill Patritquin on bass, trumpet and vocals; Rob Tatten on trumpet, trombone, drums and vocals; Aaron Dean on saxophone; Seth Fleischmann on guitar and vocals; and Diego Mongue on drums, bass, guitar, pedal steel and percussion.

Also on the bill with Misty Blues is LeFever, the Western Massachusetts duo of Dawn Lepere and Jeff Starns whose sound is distinguished by Lepere’s rich vocals, rhythm guitar and spoon-playing, and Starns intricate lead and finger-style guitar work. Their songwriting styles range from alt-blues to indie rock. LeFever are two-time Blues Foundation Blues Challenge Winners and 2024 International Blue Challenge semi-finalists. Their performance at the Iron Horse will also include local legend Frank Manzi on bass and harp, and his son Lucas Manzi on drums.

Tickets range in price from $20 to $30 and are available in advance at ironhorse.org or day-of at the show’s ticket counter.

‘LEON’ NGUYEN / THE REPUBLICAN, FILE)

Hugh Robert Off The Menu

3 rosé wines under $15 from around the world

SUMMER STARTS this week.

And when it comes to wine, nothing quite captures the spirit of summer quite like rosé wines.

They’re light, bright and refreshing.

No wonder so many people love them.

In fact, rosé wines have skyrocketed in popularity in the past decade worldwide and especially in the U.S. and Canada. Specifically, rosé wine sales increased by 1,433% between 2010 and 2020 in the U.S., according to Forbes.

I’m not surprised.

And anyone who dismisses rose wines as “pool wines” or something to slug back on the beach is missing out on some truly delicious, distinct wines. This is especially true when it comes to rosé wines from France’s Provence region.

A few years ago, I spent a week in Provence on a magical wine-tasting trip organized by the Wine Association

Menu

CONTINUES FROM PAGE D8

permitting, and reservations are accepted.

Contact the Delaney House at 413-532-1800.

• It’s strawberry season here in Western Massachusetts, and McKinstry Market Garden in Chicopee is celebrating with its first ever Strawberry Festival.

Scheduled to run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 22, the festival will offer live music and craft vendors as well as strawberry picking and strawberry-themed food. Admission to the event is free.

McKinstry operates MooMoo’s Snack Shack, which is open 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily offering breakfast and lunch menu options.

McKinstry Market Garden answers at 413-536-2043.

of Provence. Each day I was overwhelmed by the outstanding quality of the dry, complex rosé wines I tasted there.

Why do Provence rosé wines taste so great? I think it’s a combination of climate, blending and experience. The weather’s often hot and dry in Provence. By law, Provence rosé wines must be made with a blend of at least two grapes. Grenache is the most popular grape used to make Provence rosé wines. The other four grapes often blended with

• On Thursday, June 27, the Uno Pizzeria & Grill on Boston Road in Springfield will host a Mojito Tasting.

Scheduled to begin at 6 p.m., the tasting will cover the history of the cocktail as well as including a flight of four Mojitos to taste. Trivia and prices will be part of the fun; half priced appetizers will also be available.

Tickets for the event, which are $20 plus a convenience fee, can be purchased at eventbrite. com/e/918990514367.

Uno Pizzeria & Grill at Haymarket Square answers at 413-543-6600.

Hugh Robert is a faculty member in Holyoke Community College’s hospitality and culinary arts program and has more than 45 years of restaurant and educational experience. Robert can be reached online at OffTheMenuGuy@ aol.com.

SUMMER fun

the water is warming up, offering sunbathers and swimmers the perfect opportunity to dip their toes in the lake. Meanwhile, those who want to get lost in the woods will find countless hiking trails that lead to panoramic views from Adirondack summits. Need more thrills? Spend the day at a theme park or family fun center where there is no shortage of entertainment.

Ken Ross Wine Press

Moe’s Tavern in Lee a special bar for craft beer

IFIRST MET JOSH COhen, owner of Moe’s Tavern in Lee, 15 years ago on a beer sojourn to the Berkshires organized by Building 8 Brewing’s O’Brien Tomalin. Moe’s was still relatively new, having opened fewer than two years earlier.

I immediately fell in love with the craft beer bar, which combined friendly staff and regulars with great craft beer and an almost dive bar feel. It was clear that this place was special.

However, that last part of the description — the dive bar aesthetic — turned out to be more of a problem than a blessing, and while COVID hurt plenty of beer venues, Cohen used the shutdown to fix the problems at Moe’s. I asked Cohen about his journey into craft beer and how the new version of Moe’s is working out

“I first got into craft beer when I was at UMass in the late ’80s and early ’90s,” he said. “We used to hang out at all the usual bars — Twisters especially — but it was always a special treat to drive down to the Old Amherst Ale House and drink a Guinness or a Sam Smith or

Wine

CONTINUES FROM PAGE D9

grenache to make these wines are cinsault, mourvedre, syrah and tibouren.

And then there’s the experience part. Making great wine takes great skill. And many winemakers in Provence have been perfecting their craft for decades and elevating the quality of their rosé wines to dizzying heights.

Since then, the rest of the world has quickly caught up. And nowadays you can often find excellent examples of rosé wines from other parts of the world.

This week, you can learn more about rosé wines in general as well as tasting notes for three rosé wines for under $15 a bottle. One is from France’s Rhone region, the other from the French island of Corsica

one of the Sam Adams seasonals. We always thought that was pretty cool and fun to do.”

Growing up in Berkshires, Cohen said most of his crew worked in the service industry, and he wound up doing almost every job a person could do in a restaurant while working his way up towards bartender status.

“And then I ski-bummed it out West for a while, which also meant more restaurant work,” he said. “So I think I’ve always wanted to open up a bar.”

Cohen also had the good fortune to have gone to high school at Northfield Mount Hermon with Sam and Mariah Calagione from Dogfish Head, so he had a front row seat to the evolution of craft beer as we know it today.

“It was during that time we attended a lot of festivals, and the craft beer bars in the cities were popping up, and I said, “Oh, this is the theme for the bar I want to open.’ The rest is history.”

But Cohen also admitted he is not a brewer.

“I have never brewed a batch of beer in my life. I’m a retailer,” he said with a laugh.

and the third from halfway around the world in Argentina.

Hope you enjoy.

Why is rosé wine pink?

Many rosé wines are made with red wine grapes. So why do rosé wines look pink or lighter in color compared to red wines? After being picked, the grape skins in rosé wines are in contact for less time with the grape juice used to make the wine. As a result, the wines have a pink color instead of a dark red color. What grapes are used to make rose wine?

As explained above, many red wine grapes are often used to make rosé wine, including grenache, cinsault and mourvedre and syrah. Other grapes often used to make rosé wines include pinot noir and sangiovese. But, in theory, any wine grape can be

George Lenker Beer Nut

Cohen’s business model has (wisely) changed over the years.

“When we first opened, we were drinking beers from all over the country — California, Oregon, Colorado, Nebraska, Texas — pretty much looking for eclectic beers from all over the country. We opted for a mainly American theme and eschewed the Belgian and European products,” he said. “We also didn’t do much hyper-local beer.”

But Cohen realized that with today’s changing beer landscape and the direct competition from the breweries and the taprooms themselves it’s been increasingly harder to exist as he used to.

“We still have the same philosophies, but now most of

used to make rose wine.

What countries produce rosé wines?

France, Spain and the United States produce roughly two-thirds of all rosé wines in the world, according to the Wines of Provence. And among those three countries, France remains the largest producer of rosé wine. Other rosé wine-producing countries also include Chile, New Zealand, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria.

2023 Chateau Pesquie

Terrasse Rosé ($14.99 at Table & Vine in West Springfield)

Rhone region, France

Grapes: 50% cinsault, 40% grenache, 10% syrah

Tasting notes: It’s no surprise that France’s Rhone region produces outstanding, affordable rosé wine. The same region routinely produc-

“A lot of the excitement for the beers we sell is garnered from people hitting the road visiting these breweries and then finding them back at our bar.”

Josh Cohen, Moe’s Tavern in Lee

our beers are at least from the Northeast region. A lot of the excitement for the beers we sell is garnered from people hitting the road visiting these breweries and then finding them back at our bar,” he said. “I think one of the important things for most success is that we run pretty lean and tight; we aren’t locked in to any one particular brand or product, so we can shift with the winds as we please.”

Cohen also likes to keep the atmosphere as eclectic as Moe’s beer choices.

“We play great music. You might never have heard it before, but we’ve introduced many people to many new bands, so keeping current with the beer and the music has been a pretty fun thing to do. We like to play current bands you can still see touring ans drink beers from breweries you can visit,” he said.

es great, low-cost red wines using the same grapes, year in and year out. This particular gem from one of my favorite Rhone wine producers has a tart, bright, light finish with hints of peach, melon and strawberry. There are also vibrant, mineral-like hints with fragrant, floral aromas. Simply delicious.

2023 Domaine Petroni ($14.99 at Table & Vine)

Corsica, France

Grapes: 50% niellucciu, 35% sciaccarellu, 15% grenache

Tasting notes: You can practically taste the Mediterranean Sea in this bright, lively Corsican rosé wine. I especially enjoy its tart green apple-like flavors mixed with hints of sea salt and pear. The flavors here are more concentrated and dense, but still not overpowering or over the top.

The remodel was arduous but worth it, he said.

“When I bought the bar 17 years ago, the place was a disaster. Everything was broken, and every day I was like the boy with my finger in the dike trying to hold back the flood,” he said.

“The bar ran really well. It was really fun, but the infrastructure was awful. We thought about ideas for renovating but just didn’t know when we would close to be able to do it. Then the pandemic happened.”

The renovation basically turned a 12-seat, L-shaped bar into a 72-person capacity taproom. Another huge bonus was new bathrooms where everything works.

“So I’m not constantly going down to fix broken things every morning, which is nice for me and the staff,” he said.

Moe’s Tavern is at 10 Railroad St. in Lee.

Just the right combination for hot, lazy summer afternoons or slightly cooler summer nights.

2023 Domaine Bousquet

Rosé ($13 Suggested Retail Price)

Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina

Grapes: Blend of pinot noir, syrah and pinot gris

Tasting notes: Made with organic grapes by one of the best Argentinean wineries famous for making affordable wines, the flavors in this delightful wine taste like a combination of the first two ones recommended this week — hints of tart green apple mixed with dashes of sea salt, pear and peach. There are also lemon and lime-like flavors along with delicate, floral aromas in each glass. Yet another great rosé wine from another part of the world.

getting to know everybody in the industry and whatnot, I get calls all the time from people looking for bands. And if they can’t get The Zoo, they’re always asking, “Do you know anybody else?” For instance, yesterday I got a call for a calypso band. The last five years, I just kept getting calls for a Zac Brown tribute band. I’d be like “Well, I have a couple of friends that know him ....” And then I found out what was going on in the market. In the cover scene, tribute bands are getting a lot of money. People are loving to go hear the music that they’ve grown up with, you know, close your eyes and you might think they’re the band.

So, I said, “You know what?”

Since I wanted The Zoo to start merging into the wedding market and just doing weddings, I could make a Zac Brown tribute band and start doing festivals and tapping into the tribute band market. This is two years ago, 2022. We had our very first show on March 11 at a place called the Jameson Pub (in Watertown, Connecticut), where we opened up for The Zoo. I just started picking pieces here and there. I knew my guitar player (Edley) in The Zoo is a huge country fan and he’s just so talented. He’s the only member of The Zoo that’s in Zac N’ Fried, and I did that because I didn’t want people to look at Zac N’ Fried and just be like “Oh, this is just The Zoo doing country.” I wanted to make sure it was a completely different band, but I just couldn’t leave Shredley — we call him Shredley, because he shreds on guitar — out of it. I had my lead guitar player. I knew I needed a bass player, a drummer, a piano player, a banjo player, and a violinist. And I knew within those instruments that I wanted to have a female, to give (the band) a different dynamic, and I auditioned so many violinists. So, so many, and I just kept striking out. As I finally gave up on finding a female violinist — or any female musician for that matter — I

“I never take this for granted because I never wanted to be, I guess, ‘answering to the man.’ I just knew I wanted to play music, that’s all.”

RANDALL ‘RANDY’ JOHN, ZAC N’ FRIED

get a Facebook message that’s saying to check out this girl, Robin Sarica. I looked her up on Facebook and all I see is skateboarding videos and I’m like “This girl’s not a violinist.” And then I kept scrolling and the 20th post down is of her playing violin with her dad in a band. I was like “oh my god, she’s great.” I reached out to her and that’s how I found Miss Robin Sarica. She’s a young girl, she’s 23. I call her my “musical unicorn,” because how many skateboarding violinists can you find? (laughs) It’s really two different ends of the spectrum. The one thing about Zac N’ Fried is I knew my reputation would be on the line, so I only wanted the best musicians. I wanted people to look at this band and be like “Holy mackerel, every member of this band is really insanely talented.” I want people to literally watch Zac N’ Fried, close their eyes, and feel like they’re at Fenway hearing Zac Brown.

Q.

Zac N’ Fried is such a catchy name for a band. How did that name come about?

A. Oh, this is good. (laughs) You know when something just comes to you? I’m a little on the heavy side, which is going to change soon, but I’m a bigger guy and I was going to do “Fat Zac.” And then my wife is like “OK, you’re going to have your back surgery, and then you’re going to start dropping pounds, and you’re going to be Fat Zac forever?”

So, I started thinking, and I hear other tribute bands call themselves -—for instance, there’s a Pearl Jam band out there called Even Flow. So I figured Zac Brown’s No. 1 song is “Chicken Fried,” and I just put Zac in front of it. I was like, “what about Zac N’ Fried?” As soon as I said Zac N’ Fried, my wife put her fork down — we were at one of our favorite restaurants — and goes “That’s it. I’m telling

you now, that is it.” And everybody I’ve told Zac N’ Fried to, they’ve absolutely loved the name. I feel like I was really fortunate.

Q. A lot of tribute bands tend to be for older acts that are either no longer around or no longer touring. What difference do you think it makes in having a successful tribute show for a band that’s still active?

A. I think it’s very crucial to sound like the band. I guess I’m kind of an impressionist — I do different voices, so I really try to sound like Zac Brown. I think he’s got a pure voice, it’s great. And every member of this band is so talented that it’s like being hugged by a warm carpet, soto-speak — (laughs) a warm blanket, rather. Everybody’s just so good, and the harmonies — I’ve never been in a band where everybody sings. We have five and six-part harmonies and that’s so crucial because, also in Zac Brown, there’s a lot of members of the band that sing, and they sing harmonies. To answer your question, I feel like the main reason for having success in a tribute band is to sound as much like the band as you can. And make sure you’re having fun. When a band is having fun on stage and people see that, they say to themselves, “Oh man, I’ve gotta’ be having fun, these guys are great!” And the most important thing is never act as if you wrote the songs. Always be humble that there are people willing to come and see you perform your craft, and never take it for granted. Ever.

Q. You mentioned how having fun is so important. How is the energy at your shows?

A. Oh my gosh, yes. Yes, yes, yes, yes. I’m 50 years old, and I have 20-year-olds

in my band, and they are just having the time of their lives. Our violinist, Robin — I know I speak of her a lot, but by the end of the show, it’s like all of the braids on the bow of her violin are splayed everywhere. It’s so great. And then my bass player is back and forth, he runs everywhere. There’s a lot of energy on stage. And when I say energy, there’s no one that matches energy more than Matty Spence, our drummer. He’s incredible.

Q. What can people expect at the MGM Springfield show?

A. They can expect a lot of great music. That’s the obvious answer, but we do everything that Zac Brown covers, which is why I love Zac Brown so much. I was never a big Zac Brown fan; I didn’t know many of his songs. I knew “Chicken Fried,” as everybody did, but deciding to do this, I really started to love his music. I just couldn’t believe all the hits. I was like, “Wait, that’s him? Oh wait, that song’s his?”

So, getting back to your question, a lot of great music, but literally everything that he covers, we cover. You can hear Billy Joel. You can hear the Marshall Tucker Band. You can hear Kings of Leon, Dave Matthews, Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs, Garth Brooks, Bon Jovi, The Beatles, Sublime. Literally everything. Every song we do, he’s covered before.

Q. Do you have any personal favorite songs that you like to perform?

A. Yes, ma’am. I love “Colder Weather.” We put “Desperado” by The Eagles in front of it, and I love that song. I love “As She’s Walking Away.” The other song I absolutely love to do is “Knee Deep,” because all of the harmonies in it are just great.

Q. Aside from Zac Brown, who are your major music inspirations?

A. Jon Bon Jovi was always a big one for me. I grew up in the hair band era. I used to love, love, love Pearl Jam — I grew up on that. And again, being in a cover band for 30 years, you get to listen to everybody.

Q. Being a part of cover bands for 30-plus years, what is your biggest takeaway of that part of the music industry?

A. For one, I’ve been doing this for a living for 30 years. I could’ve gone originals, I could’ve gone that route and tried to be on MTV (John noted that The Zoo was on MTV in 2003), but I didn’t. I just knew that I wanted to be an entertainer, I knew that. This is crazy, but my mom and dad met through cover bands. My dad was in a cover band, and he met my mom at a show. It was one of those nights, like, “Can my friend come up and sing?” and she came up. He turned to his brother — my uncle — and said, “I’m going to marry this one.” They got married five months after meeting and they’re still today married. They just celebrated their 58th anniversary. I then met my wife in the cover band (industry). My wife has been with The Zoo since 1997, so almost 30 years. She’s been with us forever. I say all of this because I probably wouldn’t have met my wife if I wasn’t playing music. I never take this for granted because I never wanted to be, I guess, “answering to the man.” I just knew I wanted to play music, that’s all.

For more information about MGM Springfield’s Free Music Fridays, Summer Edition, go online to mgmspringfield. mgmresorts.com/en/ entertainment/freemusic-fridays.html

Q. Let’s start with how you first got interested in music, and particularly in songwriting?

A. Growing up, I immersed myself in a diverse array of musical influences, from classic folk and Americana to soul and R&B as well as pop. If a song resonated with me, it would inevitably find its way onto a mixtape or a burned CD. By my early teens, listening alone wasn’t enough to satisfy my musical craving — I wanted to create. At around 14, I taught myself basic guitar chords and started writing simple stories, some imagined and others drawn from my own experiences. I guess I haven’t really stopped since.

Q. Who are some of your influences?

A. I’ve noticed that my influences tend to evolve with different stages of my life. Recently, contemporary artists and bands like Sierra Ferrell, Colter Wall, and The Paper Kites have been significant sources of inspiration. Their unique sounds and storytelling resonate deeply with me. However, there are certain timeless influences that remain constant, such as Chris Stapleton, Al Green, Bright Eyes, Elliott Smith, Vince Gill, James Taylor, Sam Cooke, Michael Jackson, to name a few.

Q. Your sound seems like it comes more from Kentucky than your hometown of Williamsburg. How did that develop?

A. Well, Williamsburg is still considered a Hilltown in these parts, right? All joking aside, the development of my sound has been a journey of exploring and embracing different musical traditions. While I have roots in pop music, I’ve always been drawn to the storytelling and authenticity found in country and Americana music — especially as of recent. Spending time listening to and learning from some

“While I have roots in pop music, I’ve always been drawn to the storytelling and authenticity found in country and Americana music.”

Grayson Ty

of the heavy hitters within these genres has allowed me to incorporate their elements into my own music, creating what feels familiar, fresh, and honest to me.

Q. All five songs seem like they could be hits. How did you end up choosing “Distant Star” as the first single?

A. “Distant Star” felt like it embodied my transition into a more rootsy sound, setting the tone for the entire EP. It’s an upbeat track that invites listeners to move, which is always a plus. Though specific to my own story, the song’s themes of self-discovery and exploration of family lineage are really about connection and belonging, which is something I think we can all relate to.

Q. You’re also in a duo, SONAURA, with your wife Laura, which is also on the evening’s bill. Is she just coming up for a few songs?

A. Laura’s band, Eavesdrop, will be kicking off the night at the Iron Horse. They are a fantastic, women-led, seven-piece ensemble with harmonies that can mesmerize any audience. But yes, Laura will also be joining me during my set to sing a couple songs we wrote together from our duo project, SONAURA. SONAURA is a side project that Laura and I developed a couple years ago, separate from my solo project and separate from Eavesdrop. Together, we put out a 12-song album in 2023, which got a great response from both Grayson Ty and Eavesdrop fans alike. We figured the Iron Horse would be a great opportunity to give both our fans something special.