Music

Do you have a youngster between 10-17 who thinks they might want to tread the boards?  NEXT STOP BROADWAY may be just the ticket!  With no experience required, all with an interest in a glimpse of a Broadway process are welcome. Headed by Broadway veteran Tony Parise, NEXT STOP BROADWAY is an intensive five-day workshop designed to give participants a look at what it’s like to be an ensemble member of a Broadway show.  Over the course of five days, they will sing and dance from 9-5 with 30 minutes for lunch and a 10-minute break. Each day, in groups …

Words by Rob Nicholson  The Psychedelic Furs have been touring since the late 1970s, except for a hiatus in the 1990s. Brothers Tim and Richard Butler have always been at the helm of the band as well as the founders Love Spit Love. Throughout their career, the Furs have continued to develop and progress. They seem to have had the ability to keep their sound fresh, while at the same time familiar and relevant.   I met Tim and Richard back in the early to mid 1990s during my stint as the afternoon drive guy on WCHZ in Augustine, Georgia when …

Words and interviews by Rob Nicholson Sara Evans began singing at the age of four. She is a multi-platinum, American country music singer, songwriter, record producer, actress and author. She has held the number one spot on Billboard’s country charts and has sold more than six million records and counting.  Raised in Missouri, she began singing alongside her siblings in the aptly named Evans Family Band. In 1991, she and her brother Matt put together their own band and headed to Nashville to start their careers in country music. Evans’ career soared in the early to mid-2000s with records like …

Words by Tysen Romeo  Billboard awarded her with Woman of the Decade in 2019. NYU gave her an honorary doctorate of fine arts in 2022. She is also a singer, songwriter, actress, businesswoman and a director. Long story short, Taylor Swift will go down in history for being one of the most successful artists of the 21st century. She has been a dominant force in the music industry and has grown a huge fan base, known as “Swifties,” who believe she IS the music industry.    Swift has released 10 full-length studio albums and two re-recordings of these albums in …

Words by Tysen Romeo  May 5 “Just Because” California singer-songwriter Claire Rosinkranz releases her second studio album, “Just Because.” Her music can be described as a original blend of indie pop and acoustic guitar.   Ed Sheeran releases his sixth studio album, which fans will not be surprised to learn is named after a mathematical symbol. “Minus” is said to be an acoustic album and was produced by Aaron Dessner.    Grandson is a Canadian-American singer-songwriter whose second full length album is titled “I Love You, I’m Trying.” He likes to write alternative hip hop/rock/rap music about modern-day issues that …

Through May 14 Romanza Festivale  Various locations, St. Augustine   May 2 Blue Jay Jazz Jam  Blue Jay Listening Room   May 3 Leonid and Friends: The World’s Greatest Chicago Tribute 2023  Florida Theatre   The Dreaded Laramie, Madison Grace and Giraffrica  Jack Rabbits   Gilberto 77  Underbelly   Leah Marlene  Cafe Eleven   May 4 Morgan Wallen: One Night at a Time World Tour  VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena   Sara Evans  Thrasher-Horne Center   Living Dead Girl, Haxprocess and Haunted Jack Rabbits   Mike Love with Dub Inc  Underbelly   Rio Grande  Colonial Oak Music Park, St. Augustine   …

JERSEY BOYS, The Story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, is a bounce-in-your-seat, hum, or sing-along, fun evening.  Three of the four core members were interviewed to write the play, and the primary writing duo for the band did the music (Bob Gaudio) and lyrics (Bob Crewe).  The show incorporates music from the group, which is used to this day in advertising and film productions.  In fact, Frankie Valli is still touring with The Four Seasons at age 88 and is scheduled to be in Jacksonville Dec, 2023. The show is told from the standpoint of being four seasons, …

Words by Rob Nicholson It has been over 35 years since Emily Saliers and Amy Ray teamed up to form what would become the Indigo Girls—or, as “Rolling Stone” has called them “ideal duet partners.” Together, multi-platinum, Grammy Award winners and ferocious songwriters. And they aren’t limited to the success of the Indigo Girls. Both Sailers and Ray have solo records and careers, working and collaborating on all kinds of projects including films and musicals. They are even the subject matter of a new documentary that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January called “It’s Only Life After All.” …

Words by Rob Nicholson With the Clay County Fair in high gear, it means plenty of live concerts through the event’s run April 9. As usual, fair organizers have booked an outstanding lineup this year, and one performer, in particular, is high on the list of can’t-miss acts: Ashley McBryde. McBryde’s duet with Carly Pearce, “Never Wanted To Be That Girl” (a song about being the other woman), went all the way to No. 1 and earned McBryde and Pearce a host of ACM and CMA awards, as well as a Grammy for Best Country Duo/Group Performance. By the time …

By Tysen Romeo   April 7 “Catching Rabbits”  Genevieve Stokes’ new EP includes four songs by the singer and songwriter, whose music is a mix of indie/folk meets bedroom pop and “reflects a change in [her] connection to reality.”   “Stereo Mind Game” The third studio album by indie rock/dream pop trio Daughter consists of 12 songs and will be their first studio album in seven years.    “SREMM 4 LIFE” Known for their work on “Black Beatles,” “No Type,” and “No Flex Zone,” the Mississippi rap duo reunites for their first project in nearly four years. It will be …