Into the Night – A Farewell to My Friend Benny Mardones
I first met Benny Mardones at a show in Rome at the Capitol Theatre in 2010. I was star struck to say the very least. I grew up singing his music and watching him on American Bandstand. Never in a million years would I ever have told my 16 year old self that I would […]
When the Stage Goes Dark
Guest Editorial by Diana Ladio – The Moxie Strings/Drriift Editor’s note: Diana Ladio is a member of the duo The Moxie Strings. While now based in Nashville, the Moxie Strings have a strong connection to Central New York, having performed at the Great American Irish Festival in Frankfort, the Syracuse Irish Festival and conducting several […]
Album Review: Maybe Sunday – ‘Above the Trees’
By Sean Nevison, Staff Writer Maybe Sunday declares themselves a “psychedelic, alternative, blues, pop, jelly” band. It’s easy to see why after listening to their new four song EP Above The Trees. Based in the Central New York regions of Rome and Syracuse, the band is composed of Bruce Flanders (guitar, vocals), Jim Grogan (drums, vocals), Julie Grogan (keys […]
The CNY Music Community Mourns John Prine
It has been two weeks since the world lost iconic singer-songwriter, John Prine. But his loss is still being felt around the music world. He was diagnosed with the coronavirus in mid-March and lost his battle on April 7. He was 73 years old. Following his death, musicians across the spectrum have expressed their sorrow […]
Looking Back on Leap Day 2020: Dustin Lynch at Turning Stone
Looking back on Leap Day 2020 at the Turning Stone Casino, we were lucky to have Dustin Lynch give Verona “one hell of a night” of country music. Dustin made the extra day of 2020 that much more special for all of those in attendance that night. Opening the show was county newcomer Travis Denning. […]
Hearing Aide – Roomful of Blues, In A Roomful Of Blues
Roomful of Blues, in over five decades of playing, have established themselves as one of the most accomplished blues bands in existence. Their latest release, In A Roomful Of Blues, released March 13, is their sixth recording on the iconic Alligator Records label and is available here. Roomful is an apt word to describe the […]
Robert Cray Proves He’s Still A Strong Persuader
A nearly full house greeted Robert Cray and his band on Sunday, March 8, in the Turning Stone Casino Showroom in Verona. Pre-show conversations indicated that many were long-time fans who had seen Cray multiple times, as the venue has become a regular stop on his tour itineraries. Touring in support of his twenty-fourth album, […]
Gallery: The Lumineers Visit Buffalo
The Lumineers visited Buffalo’s Keybank Center in support of their third album III Thursday night. The show opened with a video montage reflecting the stories within their album. The music within is moving, and the montage reflected these emotions. Every note this band plays is moving. The energy within the venue was warm and energetic, […]
The Old Main’s Bassist Exits in Style
Since forming in the wake of the Birdseed Bandits in 2014, The Old Main has slowly built a sizeable Central New York following and a reputation for highly entertaining shows. On February 15, the band entered a new phase of its career as bassist/vocalist Nash Robb has decided to leave the band to concentrate on […]
Central New York Irish Festival Announces Inaugural Event
On July 11, the Central New York Irish Festival will hold its inaugural event at MKJ Farm in Deansboro, New York. This rural setting will provide the setting to continue a favorite family tradition of music, camping, and fun celebrating the Mohawk Valley region’s rich Irish heritage. The event will begin at 12 p.m. and […]