{"id":22782,"date":"2017-01-19T08:23:21","date_gmt":"2017-01-19T13:23:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=22782"},"modified":"2017-01-19T08:23:42","modified_gmt":"2017-01-19T13:23:42","slug":"on-stage-davy-knowles-returns-to-his-roots","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=22782","title":{"rendered":"On Stage: Davy Knowles returns to his roots"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><strong>By Denny Dyroff<\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span><em><span class=\"s1\">Staff Writer, The Times<\/span><span class=\"s1\">\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2981\" style=\"width: 210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"http:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Davy_Knowles_TMSCOM-6718.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2981\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-2981\" src=\"http:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/Davy_Knowles_TMSCOM-6718-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2981\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Davy Knowles<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">On January 19, two acts from the British Isles will be performing at venues in the area. But, neither act hails from a country that is part of Great Britain or the United Kingdom.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Davy Knowles, who will perform at the Sellersville Theater (24 West Temple Avenue, Sellersville, 215-257-5808,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.st94.com\/\"><span class=\"s2\">www.st94.com<\/span><\/a>), is a native of the Isle of Man. We Banjo 3, which is sharing the bill with Enter the Haggis at Grand Opera House (818 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware, 302-652-5577, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thegrandwilmington.org\/\"><span class=\"s2\">www.thegrandwilmington.org<\/span><\/a>), is a Celtic music band from Galway, Ireland.<\/span><!--more--><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The Isle of Man is located in the Irish Sea between Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales. The island is not part of the United Kingdom or European Union, but is a possession of the British Crown with an independent administration. The Isle of Man, also known simply as Mann, is a self-governing crown dependency. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title of Lord of Mann.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">For the longest time, its sole claim to fame musically was that it was the birthplace of the Gibb Brothers &#8212; better known as the Bee Gees.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">That changed about 10 years ago with the emergence of Back Door Slam &#8212; a young trio that played a scorching style of power-packed blues. The group released its debut album \u201cRoll Away\u201d in the states in 2007.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The driving force of the now-disbanded group was vocalist\/guitar ace Davy Knowles.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Early in 2009, Knowles released a statement from the band, stating that they had split up, and the band\u2019s members were going to begin to pursue their own separate careers in music. Later that year, he released \u201cComing Up for Air,\u201d his first album on his own, in 2009. He followed with \u201cThe Outsider\u201d album in 2014.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Now, Knowles is touring in support of his new studio album \u201cThree Miles From Avalon\u201d \u2013 a disc that is billed as a \u201creturn to his roots and the sounds that first ignited his passion for music.\u201d It was recorded at Shirk Studio in his adopted hometown of Chicago, the unofficial capital of electric blues.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cThe album came out October 14 worldwide,\u201d said Knowles, during a mid-December phone interview from his home in Chicago as he prepared for a trip to the Isle of Man for the holidays. \u201cWe also did a soft release elsewhere prior to that. The states is our major market.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cWe finished touring at the end of last month. We had a couple shows where we played the whole record. But, we like to mix it up as much as possible. We had played a couple of the songs live before we even recorded the album and some were brand new in the studio.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cThree Miles from Avalon\u201d packs a real punch.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">According to Knowles, \u201cI wanted to go back to the basics. The band and myself have racked up a lot of playing time together, and we have really started to gel. I wanted to capture that \u2018live\u2019 feel in the studio. My favorite sounding records are certainly older ones, recorded to tape, with minimal fuss or overdubs. I wanted that lovely warm, vintage sound that only tape and glowing tubes can do.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Knowles and his band didn\u2019t fool around when it was time to cut the new album.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cWe spent three-and-a-half days in the studio,\u201d said Knowles. \u201cWe didn\u2019t do much pre-production but we had all played together for a while. It was my live band. That\u2019s why we sounded like a unit.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cMy last album &#8212; \u2018The Outsider\u2019 &#8212; took a long time to record. \u201cThe new album was recorded it all to tape with no overdubs. It was all analog. We recorded all the instruments live and only did overdubbing on some vocals. It returns to the blues rock energy I loved as a kid. We tried to do this as old-fashioned as we could. It was quite liberating \u2013 much more my speed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">When he was still just a child, Knowles was exposed to blues music through his family\u2019s music collection. Over the years, he has become a die-hard blues fan who has fed himself a diet of music by blues artists such as Albert King, Otis Rush and Muddy Waters \u2013 as well as British blues practitioners like Eric Clapton and Rory Gallagher.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cThis is a real band playing live in a room,\u201d said Knowles. \u201cIt all just came together in the studio. I wanted to go back and make a record that had that real feel &#8212; and that live intensity. I think the fact that we toured so much really made a difference. It was just about \u2013 let\u2019s laugh, let\u2019s play, let\u2019s enjoy this. This music doesn\u2019t need to be perfect. It just needs to have character.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cThat\u2019s what I love about old recordings. Everything wasn\u2019t into being tuned to perfection. My favorite sounding records are certainly older ones, recorded to tape, with minimal fuss or overdubs. I wanted that lovely warm, vintage sound that only tape and glowing tubes can do.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Video link for Davy Knowles &#8212; <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/PjIPuLEAke8\"><span class=\"s3\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/PjIPuLEAke8<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The show in Sellersville, which has the Lawsuits as the opening act, will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $29.50 and $40.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Other upcoming shows at the Sellersville Theater are Lights Out on January 21, Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder on January 22, and Tinsley Ellis on January 25.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">There are a lot of different types of grass \u2013 from Bermuda Grass to Zoysia Grass to Kentucky Blue Grass.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><a href=\"http:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/we-banjo-3-album-cover.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-2982 alignleft\" src=\"http:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/we-banjo-3-album-cover-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/><\/a>And, there is another type of grass which probably is unknown to most botanists \u2013 unless they are fans of Americana and traditional Celtic music.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Celtgrass is a term used to describe the music of We Banjo 3, an award-winning traditional Irish music quartet. We Banjo 3 feature a seven-time All Ireland fiddle champion and another All Ireland champion on fiddle and bodhran.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The band\u2019s debut album \u201cRoots of The Banjo Tree\u201d was named \u201cTraditional Album Of The Year\u201d by The Irish Times and their most recent studio release \u201cGather The Good\u201d picked up four \u201cAlbum Of The Year\u201d awards.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">We Banjo 3 blends traditional Irish Music with Americana and Bluegrass to create its hybrid style known as \u201cCeltgrass.\u201d Featuring banjo, fiddle, mandolin, guitar, vocals and percussion, We Banjo 3 make a bold and extraordinary musical statement.\u00a0 Modern rhythms, traditional melodies, virtuosic technique and innovative arrangements of music and song add up to a blazing live show.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The band includes two sets of brothers, Enda and Fergal Scahill and Martin and David Howley. Collectively they are among the most celebrated and distinguished musicians in Ireland today. They have been at the forefront of Irish banjo and fiddle for more than 20 years.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Martin Howley is a seven-time \u201cAll Ireland\u201d Banjo champion while Enda Scahill, who is also an author on Irish banjo techniques, holds four.\u00a0 Multi-instrumentalist Fergal Scahill is one of the most acclaimed fiddlers in Irish music and an \u201cAll Ireland\u201d champion on fiddle and bodhran. Multi-instrumentalist David Howley is the group\u2019s vocalist and also provides the band with its rhythm section.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The band is currently touring in support of its fourth album \u201cString Theory.\u201d We Banjo 3 have released studio albums every two years \u2013 \u201cRoots of the Banjo Tree\u201d in 2012, \u201cGather the Good\u201d in 2014 and \u201cString Theory\u201d in 2016. The lads from western Ireland also released their \u201cLive in Galway\u201d album in 2015.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cThe new album came out the third week in July,\u201d said Martin Howley, during a phone interview last week from his wife\u2019s family home in Michigan. \u2018It\u2019s our first big U.S. release. In its third week, it reached Number One on Billboard\u2019s world music chart. We cut the album in Kerry in the south of Ireland.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">We Banjo 3 recorded its new album at Sonas Recording. Sonas is a top-flight recording studio based in Killarney County that specializes in recording acoustic and traditional music.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cIt\u2019s a beautiful studio,\u201d said Howley. \u201cWe have a lovely experience recording with engineer Terry O\u2019Flaherty. He\u2019s done all our studio albums. We had to do a few visits to the studio because we\u2019d been touring heavily but we were there altogether for under a month.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cThe other band members and I had written a lot of pieces together. Then, we got together and unraveled a mysterious ball of tunes to see if we could find a thread of an album. We\u2019d sit down \u2013 two, three or four of us \u2013 and work on an idea. It tends to come rathe organically that way. Other times, someone will bring a full piece to the band.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">We Banjo 3\u2019s history dates back to 2011.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cMe and my brother, we grew up in southern Galway &#8212; in Ardrahan,\u201d said David Howley \u201cThe two Scahill brothers grew up in east Galway &#8212; in Corofin. \u201cWe got to be great friends over a number of years. Our paths crossed a number of times a while back. They played a show at Siansa (National Concert Hall in Dublin) and we were mesmerized by their playing. Over time, we met each other at clubs and competitions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cOne year, I was playing guitar in a competition that had three rounds. In the first round, I had Martin play banjo with me. In the second round, I had Enda play banjo with me because Martin had gone on holiday. In the third round, which was the finals, I asked both Enda and Fergal to play with me.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cIt was strange to have two banjos alongside me. I won the competition and we realized it was a lot fun playing together. Me, Martin and Enda all play banjo &#8212; but in different styles. I play banjo like guitar.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">So, the four talented musicians continue to play together &#8212; and to expand the scope of their music beyond the shores of the Emerald Isle.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cWe had different levels of interest in Americana and bluegrass,\u201d said David Howley. \u201cA friend from Chicago sent us a mixtape of some bluegrass music. Prior to that, my dad had been a big fan of country music and bluegrass. So, my brother and I grew up with it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">In 2012, We Banjo 3 released its debut album \u201cRoots of the Banjo Tree\u201d and followed with \u201cGather the Good\u201d in 2014 and \u201cLive in Galway\u201d in 2015.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cOn the first album, we just explored the roots,\u201d said Howley. \u201cAfter that, we met a lot of bluegrass musicians when we were touring and that shaped a lot of the music on our next album.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">It\u2019s really hard to limit the music of We Banjo 3 to just one genre.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cBluegrass or Celtic \u2013 we probably don\u2019t make a conscious decision,\u201d said Martin Howley. \u201cIt depends on what feels right. It\u2019s really a fusion process \u2013 neither Celtic nor bluegrass.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Video link for We Banjo 3 \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/wMnTMJEC2l4\"><span class=\"s2\"><b>https:\/\/youtu.be\/wMnTMJEC2l4<\/b><\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Video link for Enter the Haggis &#8212; <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/iUbxtaEFGJ0\"><span class=\"s2\"><b>https:\/\/youtu.be\/iUbxtaEFGJ0<\/b><\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The show at the Grand, which is a twin-bill with Enter the Haggis, will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $32. The Grand will also host \u201cClassic Albums Live \u2013 Purple Rain\u201d on January 22.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">A while back, \u201cDon\u2019t trust anyone over 30\u201d was a popular saying for teens and those in their early 20s.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Now in 2017, is the question still relevant when a lot of top-selling bands have already celebrated their 30<\/span><span class=\"s4\"><sup>th<\/sup><\/span><span class=\"s1\"> anniversary?<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">More specifically, can a long-time punk rock band be trusted if it is just a year away from its 30<\/span><span class=\"s4\"><sup>th<\/sup><\/span><span class=\"s1\"> anniversary?<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2983\" style=\"width: 360px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"http:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/anti-flag.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2983\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-2983\" src=\"http:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/anti-flag-350x233.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"350\" height=\"233\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2983\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Anti-Flag<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">If that band is Anti-Flag, the answer is a resounding \u201cYes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Anti-Flag, which formed in Pittsburgh in 1988, has built a reputation for having a social conscience and engaging in political activism. The high-energy band from western Pennsylvania has set its sights on topics such as anti-war activism, Greenpeace, human rights, class struggle, Amnesty International and a variety of other socio-political activities. The band\u2019s roster features two founding members &#8212; singer\/guitarist Justin Sane and drummer Pat Thetic &#8212; along with guitarist Chris Head and singer\/bassist Chris Barker,<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">On January 19, Anti-Flag will return to Philly for an inauguration week show at Fillmore Philadelphia (1100 Canal Street, Philadelphia, 215-309-0150, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thefillmorephilly.com\/\"><span class=\"s2\">www.thefillmorephilly.com<\/span><\/a>)<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u00a0\u201cA few months ago, I thought we\u2019d be going after Hillary,\u201d said Sane, during a phone interview Tuesday from a tour stop in Silver Spring, Maryland. \u201cNow, with Donald Trump in office, we\u2019re going to be writing very different things. For example, I never thought that in 2017, I\u2019d be writing songs about a nuclear arms race.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Anti-Flag\u00a0has just released a revolutionary 360\u00b0 video for its song \u201cWithout End,\u201d a remix of a track from 2015&#8217;s\u00a0\u201cAmerican Spring,\u201d featuring assists from\u00a0Tom Morello\u00a0and\u00a0P.O.S\u00a0and mixed\/mastered by\u00a0Justin Francis. The video was directed and produced by\u00a0Doug Helmick\u00a0with animation and motion design by\u00a0Chelsea Jones.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">According to the band\u2019s press release, \u201c\u2018Without End,\u2019\u00a0both the song and the video, is a continuation of our band&#8217;s mission to speak truth to power. Black Lives Do Matter! The refugee crisis is a result of the war-hawk culture of DC and these are human beings we should have empathy towards! Climate change is real and we must begin the argument over solutions instead of continuing to give space to the rhetoric of deniers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cThe rights of the LGBTQ community deserve to be respected! Women deserve equal pay and the right to control their own bodies! This is 2016, not 1956, when America was, in fact, not so great. Our history will not be written by Donald Trump. It is important for us to speak out and organize when the future of fear and bigotry that he projects is not the one we believe in.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Anti-Flag\u2019s most recent album is \u201cAmerican Spring,\u201d which was released in 2015 on Spinefarm Records.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cMostly what\u2019s been going on with us is touring,\u201d said Sane. \u201cWe did a lot of touring last year and finished in Australia and Southeast Asia at the end of the year. We were off for the holidays and now we\u2019re on the road again. We\u2019ve been hitting it hard. We\u2019ve got a significant number of tour dates already lined up for 2017 \u2013 six weeks in the U.S., Europe in April, a few festivals, four weeks in the Warped Tour and then six weeks of festivals in Europe.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cWe haven\u2019t done any recording lately. But, we might actually put something out in the fall. We don\u2019t want to rush a rec.\u201dord. But, we might put something out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Video link for Anti-Flag\u2019s \u201cWithout End\u201d \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/p5t3KrOwrYw\"><span class=\"s2\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/p5t3KrOwrYw<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The show at Fillmore Philadelphia, which also features Rell Big Fish, will start at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2984\" style=\"width: 360px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a href=\"http:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/decades-rewind.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2984\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-2984\" src=\"http:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/decades-rewind-350x233.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"350\" height=\"233\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2984\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Decades Rewind<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Putting together a band that can perform a show that is a review of the most popular pop music from the 60s, 70s and 80s is a big task.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Decades Rewind, which accomplishes the feat, is a big band &#8212; a live 14-piece band performing medleys of hit songs spanning 30 years.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">This ambitious live concert experience features an eight-piece rock band and six vocalists surrounded by rock show stage lighting, relevant videos of American culture, and over more than 100 costume changes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">From Prince to Queen, the Beatles to Joan Jett, Michael Jackson to Janis Joplin, Decades Rewind, which makes its Philadelphia area debut at the Keswick Theatre (291 N. Keswick Avenue, Glenside, 215-572-7650,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.keswicktheatre.com\/\"><span class=\"s3\">www.keswicktheatre.com<\/span><\/a>) on January 19, pays tribute to the biggest and best hits from the early 1960s to the late 1980s.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The group\u2019s octet of musicians includes Peter Gatti, Keyboards; Mark Blinkhorn, Drums; Al Owen, Guitar; Jimmy Delisi, Guitar; Jeff Stoddard, Bass; Ryan Redden, Sax, Flute; Derrick Harris, Trombone; and Patrick McKenzie, Trumpet. The six singers are Jonathan Miller, Frank Edmonton, Coya Jones, Ashley Renee, Monica Cox, and Wade Whiskey.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cMe and the drummer were co-founders,\u201d said Gatti, during a phone interview Tuesday afternoon. \u201cWe were in a cover band together in Tampa. We had the same idea of being in a band that did the hits from the 60s, 70s and 80s. We told the idea to our friend Al Owen. We said we wanted to play clubs and he said theaters.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Owen got on board as the group\u2019s lead guitarist and music director. The band took shape and started booking theater dates.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cOur first show was in November 2015,\u201d said Gatti, a native of northeast Pennsylvania who graduated from Pittson Area High School and attended Luzerne County Community College. \u201cWe had started rehearsing a few months earlier.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cThere is good news and bad news with music from this era. The good news is that there are so many great songs. The bad news is that it is hard to decide which songs to limit it to. We do a lot of medleys. The songs have to be ones that fans recognize within the first 15 seconds. The very first show we did was three-and-a-half hours. That was way too long. Now, we do a two-hour show with a 15-minute intermission.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cWe have a big crew. There are 14 people onstage and 11 people offstage, including people who handle lighting, sound, video and costumes. We have over 100 costume changes throughout the night. Right now, we\u2019re in the first part of a national tour and a lot of the shows have sold exceptionally well. After the show, we come out for a meet-and-greet.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cThe show goes through different genres \u2013 starting with the 80s\u2019 pop rock like Bon Jovi, Journey and Joan Jett and then to 70s pop with artists like Michael Jackson and Prince. We have a \u2018riff rock\u2019 segment and then it\u2019s time for disco. The party really starts happening when we\u2019re playing disco hits. We go through a funk medley, arena rock, 60s Motown and British Invasion. We also have a \u2018hippie rock\u2019 medley.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Three of the shows major attractions are melodies, medleys and memories.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">\u201cThere are three words we hear a lot when we talk to fans after the show \u2013 fun, tears and memories,\u201d said Gatti. \u201cThat\u2019s our job.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Video link for Decades Rewind \u2013 <a href=\"http:\/\/danbauerpr.us14.list-manage.com\/track\/click?u=0675b6904957bcc93d23fba81&amp;id=ea72dbe6e1&amp;e=98b2b15563\"><span class=\"s3\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/yn90k8IbDUk<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The show at the Keswick will get underway at 8 p.m. Ticket prices range from $33-$48. The Keswick will also present Pat Metheny on January 21 and Kris Kristofferson on January 22.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2985\" style=\"width: 360px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"http:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/hot-club-phila-at-flash.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2985\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-2985\" src=\"http:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/hot-club-phila-at-flash-350x233.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"350\" height=\"233\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2985\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Hot Club Philadelphia<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.kennettflash.org\/\"><span class=\"s2\"><b>http:\/\/www.kennettflash.org<\/b><\/span><\/a>) will host Hot Club of Philadelphia and Kiki Villani on January 19; Dead Flowers on January 20; Big Daddy Graham on January 21; and Fresh Faces of The Kennett Flash &#8212;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Felicia Berrier, Olivia Rubini, Julia Johnson, and Kat Sottung on January 22.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Chaplin\u2019s (66 North Main Street, Spring City, 610-792-4110,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/chaplinslive.com\/\"><span class=\"s2\"><b>http:\/\/chaplinslive.com<\/b><\/span><\/a>) will have Shock Value, Egocentric Plastic Men, Cubbage, Sh\u2019bang and Gabbi Donnelly on January 20; The POF, Guilt Trip and Baloo on January 21 and Open Mic Night on January 22.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2986\" style=\"width: 360px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a href=\"http:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/rebirth-brass-band-at-ardmore.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2986\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-2986\" src=\"http:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/rebirth-brass-band-at-ardmore-350x233.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"350\" height=\"233\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2986\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Rebirth Brass Band<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The Ardmore Music Hall (23 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, 610-649-8389,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.ardmoremusic.com\/\"><span class=\"s2\"><b>www.ardmoremusic.com<\/b><\/span><\/a>) will present Rebirth Brass Band on January 19 and 20, Music for the Arts Benefit featuring Griz and Droppin\u2019 Deuce on January 21 and \u201cSatisfaction: Rolling Stones Tribute\u201d with special guest Newspaper Taxis on January 22.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Valley Forge Casino (1160 First Avenue, King Of Prussia, 610-354-8118, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.vfcasino.com\/\"><span class=\"s2\"><b>www.vfcasino.com<\/b><\/span><\/a>) will present Dueling Pianos with Howl at the Moon on January 21.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Burlap &amp; Bean Coffeehouse (204 South Newtown Street Road, Newtown Square, 484-427-4547,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.burlapandbean.com\/\"><span class=\"s2\"><b>www.burlapandbean.com<\/b><\/span><\/a>) will present the Joe Kenney Trio on January 20, and Ethan Pierce and Kirsten Maxwell on January 21.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Tin Angel (20 South Second Street, Philadelphia, 215-928-0770, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.tinangel.com\/\"><span class=\"s2\">http:\/\/www.tinangel.com<\/span><\/a>) will host Dar Williams on January 20, Jeffrey Gaines with Ashley Leone and Amy Fadden on January 21 and sold-out shows by Citizen Cope from January 25-27.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Denny Dyroff,\u00a0Staff Writer, The Times\u00a0 On January 19, two acts from the British Isles will be performing at venues in the area. But, neither act hails from a country that is part of Great Britain or the United Kingdom. Davy Knowles, who will perform at the Sellersville Theater (24 West Temple Avenue, Sellersville, 215-257-5808,\u00a0www.st94.com), [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":22784,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7529],"tags":[8434,7807,8435,6518,8437,8436,7386],"class_list":["post-22782","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-d-arts-entertainment","tag-anti-flag","tag-davy-knowles","tag-deacdes-rewind","tag-featured","tag-hoit-club-philadelphia","tag-rebirth-band","tag-we-banjo"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22782","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=22782"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22782\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22783,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22782\/revisions\/22783"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/22784"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=22782"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=22782"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=22782"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}