{"id":44421,"date":"2025-06-12T09:48:45","date_gmt":"2025-06-12T13:48:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=44421"},"modified":"2025-06-12T09:48:46","modified_gmt":"2025-06-12T13:48:46","slug":"on-stage-philly-singer-songwriters-come-home-for-shows","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=44421","title":{"rendered":"On Stage: Philly singer-songwriters come home for shows"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"elementToProof\"><strong>By Denny Dyroff,<\/strong> <em>Entertainment Editor, The Times<\/em><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\n<div id=\"attachment_20630\" style=\"width: 360px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20630\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-20630\" src=\"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/KATE-GAFFNEY-SWEETWATER-01-24-19-0280.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"350\" height=\"233\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-20630\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Kate Gaffney<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The Philadelphia area has for a long time maintained a tradition of producing top-flight female musicians \u2013 from highly-sought L.A. session bassist Lynne Davis and jazz vocal extraordinaire Billie Holiday to pop\/rock singer P!NK and punk rock pioneer Joan Jett to legendary R&amp;B\/soul singer Patti LaBelle to world superstar Taylor Swift.<\/p><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">Included in the roster of area talent are two singer-songwriters who will be performing at Jamey\u2019s House of Music (32 South Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, <a id=\"OWA60ed64de-f181-777e-5262-88498b497fdf\" class=\"OWAAutoLink\" title=\"Protected by Outlook: http:\/\/www.jameyshouseofmusic.com\/. Click or tap to follow the link.\" href=\"http:\/\/www.jameyshouseofmusic.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">www.jameyshouseofmusic.com<\/a>) \u00a0over the next two days \u2013 Kate Gaffney on June 12 and Meghan Cary on June 13.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">And there will be a bonus with each show \u2013 three new female artists introduced by Gaffney and the one-night return of a local favorite with Cary.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">Tonight, Jamey\u2019s will host the inaugural edition of \u201cKate Gaffney\u2019s Corner.\u201d<\/div>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">According to Jamey\u2019s website, \u201cThis immensely talented and rave reviewed singer-songwriter invites you into her &#8220;living room&#8221; for some musical conversation over dinner and drinks. As a regular monthly &#8220;Second Thursday&#8221; event, some nights will feature a full performance by Kate, some will start off with Kate followed by an open-mic, and others will feature guest artists.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cThe musical theme will focus on what is currently called Americana, which is a melange term embodying folk, blues, country, singer-songwriter, roots and some low-key electric fare.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">Kate is an incisive and engaging artist and has a large and loyal national following. Her music is heard worldwide, and we are so happy to offer her a regular platform to connect with her fans. Please join us!\u201d<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">From now on, the second Thursday of the month belongs to Gaffney.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cJamey called me two weeks ago and asked me if I wanted to host and curate an Americana\/Folk\/Roots night,\u201d said Gaffney during a phone interview Wednesday afternoon from her home on Montgomery County.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">Gaffney agreed but had something in mind more than just an evening of her playing acoustic American music.<\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cThe show will be loose in format,\u201d said Gaffney. \u201cHe (venue owner\/manager Jamey Reilly) has given me carte blanche to plan the evening.\u201d<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">Gaffney has taken the ball and run with it \u2013 considering she is a former field hockey player, it might be better to say she has taken the ball and dribbled downfield with it.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">According to Gaffney, \u201cI thought it would be nice to feature some artists who are either just\u00a0getting started or don\u2019t play out solo very much.<\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cI\u2019m excited to feature three songs each by Kimberly Heinreich (a young folk singer who volunteered with\u00a0me for Pennsylvania Folksong Society), Laura Kellogg (a lovely woman who is married to my producer Barrie Maguire and local to area) and\u00a0Autumn Walden (the fantastic singer from the band Kicking Down Doors who also sings amazing Grateful Dead music). All three of those lovely ladies are excited to play some music for us!<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cI will open and close the night with sets of my music.\u00a0 And the three mini-sets will sprinkled throughout. Open Mics can be intimidating, and this is a wonderful way to sweep them up on stage. It should be a great night.\u201d<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">It will be a great introduction for the artists.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cKim is 18 and in high school,\u201d said Gaffney. \u201cI heard her at a Philadelphia Folksong Society Open Mic and she was really great. I\u2019m here for support and to mentor her.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cLike Kim, Laura sings and plays guitar. She\u2019s played open mics but I think this show will be a first time for her. Autumn is really good \u2013 solo or with a band.\u201d<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">Gaffney\u00a0is a singer\/songwriter\/guitarist who was born in Lansdale and then moved west. She recently has been performing with Bob Beach.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">Beach is a harmonica player from Philadelphia who moved west when he was a young man.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">Now, both have returned to this area \u2013 Beach from the Pittsburgh area to Philadelphia and\u00a0Gaffney\u00a0from Pacifica, California to Schwenksville.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">The friends from decades ago were reunited last summer.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cI ran into Bob at the Philadelphia Folk Festival last summer,\u201d said\u00a0Gaffney\u00a0in a phone interview Wednesday afternoon.<\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cWe stayed in touch. I saw Bob play at the Lansdowne Folk Club earlier this year.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cThen, Bob called and asked me if I wanted to start a new project. That was such an honor. I just want to play.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cI moved back here to put music first in my life \u2013 to reunite with my connections and get back into the local music community.\u201d<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">Her \u201curge for going\u201d has taken her back and forth across America and provided ample fodder for interesting songs.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cI was majoring in human development\/family studies at Penn State and went to San Francisco for an internship during my final semester,\u201d said Gaffney. \u201cI was working with a music teacher at a group home for kids.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cI came back for graduation but went out to California again because my boyfriend at the time was living in Sacramento. I got a job as a social worker there.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cI was playing music a little but not much because of my workload. It was horrible. I was really overworked \u2013 we all were. I got so stressed I couldn\u2019t think. Finally, I said \u2018enough.\u2019<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cI took temporary jobs and focused mostly on my music. I played a lot of open mic shows. I started writing songs and performing my own material. I was going back and forth between San Francisco and Sacramento and then decided to move back to Pennsylvania.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cI have a lot of experience. Now, I\u2019m devoting my life to focusing on my own music. And I want to help others.\u201d<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">That\u2019s exactly what she\u2019ll be doing tonight on the stage at Jamey\u2019s.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">Video link for Kate Gaffney &#8212; <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/EObnXPx4-ts\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/EObnXPx4-ts<\/a>.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">The show on June 12 at Jamey\u2019s will start at 8 p.m.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">Tickets are $25.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\n<div id=\"attachment_20631\" style=\"width: 210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20631\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-20631\" src=\"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/cary-200x300.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-20631\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Meghan\u00a0Cary<\/p><\/div>\n<p>When Meghan\u00a0Cary\u00a0shared the bill with Marion Halliday at the now-closed Living Room and Cricket Caf\u00e9 in Ardmore just over a year ago, it was be a party \u2013 a farewell party.<\/p><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">Back then, Cary said, \u201cThis special concert is not just a musical experience, but also a heartfelt farewell celebration for Marion, who is bidding adieu to Philadelphia.\u201d<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cMarion is moving back to Kentucky &#8212; back to her \u2018Old Kentucky Home.\u2019 This is her big goodbye party.\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">Now, Cary and Halliday have adjusted their schedules so that they can do a one-off show at Jamey\u2019s as part of a trip to the Northeast by Halliday.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cI booked this show at Jamey\u2019s late last year,\u201d said\u00a0Cary, during a phone interview Wednesday afternoon from her home in Springfield (Montgomery County).<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cI stay in contact with Marian, who lives in Louisville. We were jonesing for a show together.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cShe moved away and now she\u2019s back for one night. She said she could put this show together on her way back from Maine.\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">Halliday, a native Kentuckian,\u00a0is proud purveyor of her own special blend of bluegrass and bourbon-infused, original, women-powered Americana.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">While a highly regarded lead\u00a0singer for many years in\u00a0various Irish bands, Halliday began\u00a0focusing on performing her original music in 2016. \u00a0She released her debut solo EP,\u00a0\u201cRings Around Saturn,\u201d\u00a0in\u00a0July 2019.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">That month, both the album and the artist landed at #3 on the US\/International\u00a0Folk Radio\u00a0charts. Two songs from the album also landed\u00a0in the Top 10.\u00a0The album was included by FAI in its\u00a0\u201cTop Albums of 2019\u201d list.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">This will be the first time the two will perform together locally since that show at the Living Room.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cShe\u2019ll do the opening set, and I\u2019ll follow,\u201d said Cary. \u201cBut we will be playing in each other\u2019s set. She has a beautiful voice. She can sing such rich harmonies.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cI\u2019ve worked with Marion a lot. She\u2019s a wonderful performer and songwriter. We\u2019ve shared shows a lot. We\u2019ve mashed our bands together a lot.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cShe\u2019ll have Bob Beach on her set. He plays flute, harmonica and sings and I\u2019ll sing. On most of the songs, Peter will play keyboards and sing.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cOn my set, Marion will then return the favor, adding her soaring vocals to my songs.<\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">Peter is Peter Farrell, Cary\u2019s husband who will accompany her during her set. They will also be joined by their son Quinn Farrell on drums.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cOur son Quinn will be playing drums again,\u201d said Cary. \u201cHe\u2019s 16 and attends Springfield High School. Quinn is one of the best drummers I\u2019ve ever listened to.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cHe has his own band called Bird Strike. They play Green Day style music. With my stuff, he plays great singer\/songwriter drums.\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">Cary\u2019s music has been\u00a0hailed as healing, inspiring and infectiously joyful.\u00a0Named\u00a0Billboard\u2019s\u00a0\u201cCritic\u2019s Choice\u201d for her debut EP,\u00a0the stage actress turned folk rocker\u00a0engages listeners with masterful storytelling and anthemic songs.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">Cary\u00a0found solace in words and music after her fianc\u00e9 unexpectedly passed away \u2014 and turned that passion into a platform to empower others to speak their truth by bravely sharing her own.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">A frequent performer at venerable festivals and music venues around the country,\u00a0Cary brings a message of unity and the power of raising our voices together. Her song, \u201cSing Louder\u201d, has become an anthem for the music-loving community.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">Many people have favorite mantras.\u00a0Cary\u2019s favorite \u2013 and very own \u2013 mantra is \u201cSing Louder\u201d \u2013 and for good reason.<\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cSing Louder\u201d is one of her most popular songs. It was the title track on an EP \u2013 \u201cSing Louder \u2013 the Festival EP\u201d in 2015. It is also the title of her latest album.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cThe \u2018Sing Louder\u2019 album came out in November 2017, but I think of it as a 2018 album,\u201d said\u00a0Cary. \u201cMy book \u2013 \u2018Sing Louder \u2014 Stories Behind the Songs\u2019 \u2013 is all about the songs that inspired the \u2018Sing Louder\u2019 album \u2013 10 first-person stories.\u201d<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">Cary\u00a0explained the inspiration for the book.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cI share a lot of my stories on stage,\u201d said the veteran singer-songwriter. \u201cI do a lot of storytelling in my shows \u2013 but it\u2019s also a concert. My band would go crazy if I talked too much between songs.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cAfter shows, people ask me to tell them more about the songs. I\u2019m a firm believer in sharing my stories \u2013 not only for the stories but also to help other people. People come up to me after shows all the time and say things like \u2013 I just lost my mom and didn\u2019t realize that it was still affecting me.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cWhen I was making the record, I said I was going to write a book and let people pre-buy it. That way, I wouldn\u2019t let other things get in the way. I knew I had to write the book and get it finished.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cThere I one story for each song on \u2018Sing Louder.\u2019 It\u2019s pretty straightforward. I think it\u2019s a good read. The book I\u2019m working on now is a companion to my first album \u2018New Shoes\u2019 from 1998. It\u2019s about how I began my music career.\u201d<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">Cary\u00a0is ready to make a new LP.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cLately, I\u2019ve been doing singles instead of a full album,\u201d said Cary. \u201cHopefully, I\u2019ll start making a new album at the end of summer \u2013 an acoustic album. I just want to get it out there.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cI have a new single, \u2018Raise your Voice,\u201d said Cary. \u201cWe did the single in April and made the video in May. It\u2019s a song about hope and unity and the power of raising our voices together.\u201d<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">Even though \u201cSing Louder\u201d dates back almost a full decade, it is still fresh and vibrant when\u00a0Cary\u00a0performs it onstage.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cThe song \u2018Sing Louder\u2019 is a fan favorite \u2013 and very uplifting,\u201d said\u00a0Cary. \u201cThe key line is \u2013 \u2018if you don\u2019t know the words, sing louder\u2026sing stronger\u2026sing louder, sing stronger for all of the world to hear.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cWe recorded the album at Morning Star Studio with producer Glenn Barratt. Glenn\u2019s input on production is amazing. \u00a0We even brought 48 people \u2013 fans and friends \u2013 into the studio to sing on the title track.\u201d<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">Cary\u00a0is also a veteran actress who performed in the musical \u201cPump Boys and Dinettes\u201d and, more recently, performed a one-woman play she wrote called \u201cOn the Way to the Waterfall!\u201d<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">This autobiographical play with music\u00a0was originally created as a short piece for E.A.T.\u2019s One-Woman Standing play festival in NYC in 2013 and was developed into a\u00a0full-length play this past summer by Hypothetical Theatre Company.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">Two years ago,\u00a0Cary\u00a0performed it in the Boulder International Fringe Festival\u00a0and received overwhelmingly positive feedback from both the audience and the critics.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cWhen I lived in New York, I used to help this playwright Tina Howe,\u201d said\u00a0Cary. \u201cShe heard me playing my music and told me \u2014 you have to write a play. I didn\u2019t know how to do it.\u201d<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">The play she was about to write was based on a personal tragedy.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">While performing in the musical \u201cPump Boys and Dinettes\u201d years ago,\u00a0Cary\u00a0met and fell in love with Matthew Black, one of the show\u2019s musicians.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">Cary\u00a0performed with Black as his backup singer with occasional solos. The pair became engaged, and things were going great. But Black died suddenly in 1995 and\u00a0Cary\u2019s life path took another unexpected twist.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cMusic carried me through that time period,\u201d said\u00a0Cary. \u201cMatthew and I made music together. When he died, I lost everything I had for the future. Music was something that I could keep. I wanted to keep making music. But I was writing songs with no intention of ever playing them for anyone.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cWhen I thought about the play, I knew had already written the story in songs. I had written music as a way to heal through this traumatic experience. The play is about going through the same thing \u2014 getting knocked off-course and ending up somewhere else.\u201d<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">When\u00a0Cary\u00a0graduated from Hershey High a few years back, she headed off to Duke University to major in biomedical engineering. But the path of life goes through many twists and turns and that\u2019s why\u00a0Cary\u00a0now wears a guitar instead of a lab coat.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">She switched majors at Duke and finished with a bachelor\u2019s degree in drama.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cI thought I wanted to be a biomedical engineer,\u201d said\u00a0Cary. \u201cI looked at Cornell, but it was freezing up there, so I chose Duke instead. I was on a pre-med track and then got interested in theater.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cI finished Duke with a degree in drama with a minor in chemistry. Then, I got my MFA (master\u2019s in fine arts) in acting from Florida State University.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cI realized back then that I wanted to perform. When I started, I wanted to do regional theater. I also did Off-Broadway shows and I\u2019m a charter member of New York\u2019s Actor\u2019s Shakespeare Company. I love Shakespeare\u2019s work. I love the way he used words.\u201d<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">Now,\u00a0Cary\u00a0has established herself as a singer, actress, songwriter, and playwright. She is also the mother of two musical kids who have already participated in making music with their family.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">Video link for Meghan\u00a0Cary\u00a0&#8212;\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/qDPX3Bn9gak\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/qDPX3Bn9gak<\/a>.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">Video link for Marion Halliday &#8212; <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/mgotNB4EACg\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/mgotNB4EACg<\/a>.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">The show on June 13 will start at 8 p.m.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Livestream tickets are $15.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">On June 14, the stage at Jamey\u2019s will belong to the Borderline Bluegrass Trio and the Lewis Brothers<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">The Borderline Bluegrass Trio plays bluegrass music with a great amount of passion, excitement, and drive. Combined with very professional delivery, their tight, three-part harmonies and hard-driving instrumentals are their trademarks.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">The Lewis Brothers (Wanamaker Lewis, Ron Greenstein, Larry Hunsberger, Peter Lorch) are a Philadelphia bluegrass institution.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">The show on June 14 will start at 8 p.m.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Livestream tickets are $15.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">On June 15, Jamey\u2019s House of Music will present Steve Shanahan\u2019s The Blues Muthas at its \u201cSunday Blues Brunch &amp; Jam.\u201d<\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">The open mic jam runs from 1-3 p.m. with the featured band playing a set from noon-1 p.m. Admission is free.<\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">When a band sends out an e-mail to fans with a message about an upcoming show, it\u2019s usually an invitation and\/or an update on concert details.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">Humbleman Band will be performing on June 14 from noon-4 p.m. at \u201cArt on the Ridge: Saturday Artist Market\u201d at Pocket Park\u00a0(6170 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, <a href=\"http:\/\/roxboroughpa.com\/\">roxboroughpa.com<\/a>).<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">On the band\u2019s website, it is asking fans to stay away from the event, which is billed as a \u201cA cultural initiative supporting local artists through rotating exhibits, pop-up markets, interactive installations, along with\u00a0sip, treats with live music.\u201d<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">The band has no problem with the promoter, the sound system or event vibe. It\u2019s just that the scheduling creates a conflict of interest.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">Here was the message from Humbleman Band \u2013<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\"><i>Shucks!<\/i><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\"><i>Don\u2019t come see\u00a0Humbleman\u00a06\/14, go to the \u201cNo Kings\u201d rally instead:<\/i><\/div>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-20629 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/image-350x186.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"350\" height=\"186\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\"><i>Go to<\/i>\u00a0<i><a id=\"OWA67cee6b5-cefb-911e-f924-cc87e392c0c4\" class=\"OWAAutoLink\" title=\"Protected by Outlook: https:\/\/humbleman.us11.list-manage.com\/track\/click?u=9fb35d6820245976c68c6c3f3&amp;id=6e1be47229&amp;e=34f6ae8847. Click or tap to follow the link.\" href=\"https:\/\/humbleman.us11.list-manage.com\/track\/click?u=9fb35d6820245976c68c6c3f3&amp;id=6e1be47229&amp;e=34f6ae8847\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the \u201cNo Kings\u201d rally. <\/a>\u00a0It\u2019s the thing to do.<br \/>\n<\/i><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\"><i>You can see\u00a0Humbleman\u00a0some other time.<br \/>\n<\/i><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\"><i>As a band we are committed to performing at \u201cArt on the Ridge: Saturday Artist Market.\u201d<\/i><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\"><i>But YOU should go to<\/i>\u00a0<i><a id=\"OWAf121d74f-008b-8b14-bb77-8f8b167f857b\" class=\"OWAAutoLink\" title=\"Protected by Outlook: https:\/\/humbleman.us11.list-manage.com\/track\/click?u=9fb35d6820245976c68c6c3f3&amp;id=cbc595c251&amp;e=34f6ae8847. Click or tap to follow the link.\" href=\"https:\/\/humbleman.us11.list-manage.com\/track\/click?u=9fb35d6820245976c68c6c3f3&amp;id=cbc595c251&amp;e=34f6ae8847\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the \u201cNo Kings\u201d rally.\u00a0<\/a><\/i><br \/>\n<i><\/i><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\"><i>In peace, love and RESISTANCE!<br \/>\n<\/i><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\"><i>Humbleman\u00a0Band<\/i><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\"><i>P.S. &#8212; mark your calendars for August 23rd, our record release at<br \/>\n<a id=\"OWAec3982a1-6b84-5da6-8cd2-8f377571ba45\" class=\"OWAAutoLink\" title=\"Protected by Outlook: https:\/\/humbleman.us11.list-manage.com\/track\/click?u=9fb35d6820245976c68c6c3f3&amp;id=b32b356b24&amp;e=34f6ae8847. Click or tap to follow the link.\" href=\"https:\/\/humbleman.us11.list-manage.com\/track\/click?u=9fb35d6820245976c68c6c3f3&amp;id=b32b356b24&amp;e=34f6ae8847\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Black Squirrel Club<\/a>\u00a0in Fishtown.\u201d<\/i><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cWe made the commitment to play \u2018Art on the Ridge\u2019 a while ago,\u201d said Humbleman Band singer\/guitarist Charlie Cooper, during a phone interview Wednesday afternoon from his home in Germantown.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cWe\u2019d much rather be at the \u2018No Kings Rally.\u2019\u201d<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">The Philadelphia edition of the \u201cNo Kings Rally\u201d is the flagship event for anti-Trump rallies across the United States, Canada, Mexico and Europe on June 14.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">Protesters are rejecting \u201cTrump\u2019s birthday parade\u201d as a \u201clavish display of dominance\u201d that strips Flag Day of its true purpose. The parade has an estimated $45 million total cost<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">Indivisible and the 50501 Movement, among other activist groups, are rallying against what they say are Trump\u2019s attempts to stage a spectacle of strength in Washington, D.C. during the Army&#8217;s 250th Birthday Parade.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">The <a id=\"OWA10fd5722-e102-a1e6-383d-807af42f48c8\" class=\"OWAAutoLink\" href=\"https:\/\/metrophiladelphia.com\/shapiro-democrats-fight-against-trump-agenda\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">anti-Trump<\/a>\u00a0nationwide movement known as \u201cNO KINGS Nationwide Day of Defiance\u201d coincides with Trump&#8217;s 79th birthday.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">There were more than 1,700 \u201cNo Kings\u201d protests planned in the U.S., the Virgin Islands, Mexico, Canada, Africa, and across Europe as of June 10.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">The Philly event will take place from noon-3 p.m. at LOVE Park, which is located at Arch and North 15th streets in Center City Philadelphia.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cWe just finished wrapping up our next album which has been two years in the making. We went into the studio a month ago.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cWe recorded the rhythm section in a big studio &#8212; Rittenhouse Soundworks in Germantown. Then we did the overdubs at our home studio.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cThe last recordings happened in March. Then we sent it to Rittenhouse Sound for mixing and it will probably be mastered there too.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cWe\u2019ll have a record release on August 23 at <a id=\"OWAbd2d8fe1-439e-0f8e-c064-9191dd2310f5\" class=\"OWAAutoLink\" title=\"Protected by Outlook: https:\/\/humbleman.us11.list-manage.com\/track\/click?u=9fb35d6820245976c68c6c3f3&amp;id=b32b356b24&amp;e=34f6ae8847. Click or tap to follow the link.\" href=\"https:\/\/humbleman.us11.list-manage.com\/track\/click?u=9fb35d6820245976c68c6c3f3&amp;id=b32b356b24&amp;e=34f6ae8847\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Black Squirrel Club<\/a>\u00a0in Fishtown. The people that run that club saw us at our recent show at the Mermaid Inn. They liked what they heard and sked us to play their club.\u201d<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">The album\u2019s title is \u201cLooking Up\u201d and it is well-named. The LP, which has an uptempo feel and an uplifting vibe, is the band\u2019s best recording yet.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cThe title track \u2013 \u201cLooking Up\u201d \u2013 showcases the group\u2019s optimism with lyrics such as, \u201cNot so bad, could be worse, could be surrounded by flowers in the back of some hearse\u201d and \u201cThings are looking more up, my friend, that\u2019s how I\u2019m feelin\u2019 today.\u201d<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">Like many of the songs on the album, the title track gets your lips smiling and your foot tapping.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cWe\u2019ll be playing some songs from the album this Saturday,\u201d said Cooper. \u201cOur current set list is 14 songs \u2013 old and new.\u201d<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">Humbleman Band is one of the Philadelphia area\u2019s longest-running rock bands \u2014 and a band which has been involved in projects all over the country.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">The talented sextet, whose members reside mostly in the northwest region of the Philadelphia area, will have the opportunity to play a gig in its own backyard this weekend.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">Humbleman\u00a0Band\u2019s current line-up is Charlie\u00a0Cooper\u00a0\u2013 writer, vocals, guitar; Wain Ballard \u2013 lead guitar; Kim Alexander \u2013 vocals; Boz Heinly \u2013 bass; and Buck Buchannan \u2013 drums.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cHumbleman Band\u00a0was formed in 1999,\u201d said \u201cCholly\u201d\u00a0Cooper, during a phone interview from his home in Germantown. \u201cI was in a band with our drummer Buck Buchanan. Three of us were living near each other in South Philly and we gradually picked up people.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cThe third guy was bassist Bruce Koch, who just died a year ago from a massive heart attack. That was a real loss \u2013 as a friend and as a bandmate.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cWe weren\u2019t sure we were going to pick up the pieces. We were using hired hands to fill in. We added a permanent bass player \u2013 Boz Heinly, who lives in Plymouth Meeting.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cWe get along really well musically and as friends. We have a lot of respect for each other.\u201d<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">Humbleman Band, which is billed on the Mermaid Inn\u2019s website as \u201cOrig blues, funk, rock &amp; reggae,\u201d is not very prolific when it comes to releasing albums.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cWe seem to have a cycle of putting out an album every five years,\u201d said\u00a0Cooper. \u00a0\u201cWe put out an album a few years ago called \u2018Least Bad of\u00a0Humbleman\u00a01984-2009.\u2019 That album was a 25-year compilation starting with our days in 1984 as a punk band called The Proles.\u201d<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">The band released its albums \u201cLate Bloom\u201d in fall 2014 and \u201cBeautiful Day\u201d in November 2018.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201c\u2018Late Bloom\u2019 was self-produced \u2013 and mostly D.I.Y.,\u201d said\u00a0Cooper. \u201c\u2018Beautiful Day\u2019 was also self-produced \u2013 and also mostly D.I.Y. We used REAPER.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cREAPER is a complete digital audio production application for computers, offering a full multitrack audio and MIDI recording, editing, processing, mixing and mastering toolset.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cAfter finishing recording it ourselves, we sent it out for the mixing. We had Scoops Dardaris do it. We were extremely happy with the mixing. We mastered it at Rittenhouse Soundworks in Germantown.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cJim Hamilton, a percussionist and tap dancer from the Kensington area of Philly who toured with Boyz II Men, put the studio together. He\u2019s a terrific talent \u2013 and he knows an amazing amount of people in the music world.\u201d<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">For the most part, Humbleman Band is O.K. with using a proper studio \u2013 but just for mixing and mastering.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cWe\u2019re still into D.I.Y.,\u201d said\u00a0Cooper, who was born and raised in Norristown. \u201cA few of us have home studios and we prefer working there. We still use DAW (digital audio workstation) REAPER.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">Humbleman Band, a rock quintet that is socially conscious, features songs that band members have written and arranged \u2013 songs with lyrics inspired by current events.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cWe went out to Standing Rock (Indian Reservation) in North Dakota,\u201d said\u00a0Cooper. \u201cThat inspired song \u2013 \u2018AIM \u201921.\u2019 The title stands for \u2018American Indian in the 21st century.\u2019\u201d<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">In July 2023, Humbleman Band posted the following on its website \u2013 \u201cOnce again, we will be taking skateboards to the Oglala Lakota Sioux tribe of Pine Ridge, South Dakota.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">The Sioux have managed to build a skate park with the help of some professional skateboarders and some corporate sponsorship. However, poverty is so pervasive there is little money for skateboards, pads, and helmets.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">The reservation is home to over 45,000 members; over half of this population is under the age of 18; over 80% are unemployed; over half are below the poverty level; and the reservation has the lowest life expectancy of any region in the United States.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">Dealing with epidemics of alcoholism, drug addiction, and depression affect the entire community.\u00a0I have seen the joy and the pride these kids get from skating. It is a healthy and positive thing for them, and I\u2019ve seen the passion with which they do it!\u201d<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">Humbleman Band released an EP, \u201cRuff Ups,\u201d in August 2012. The disc included \u201cTwo Fires Burning,\u201d \u201cSummer 2020 (The Other Side of This)\u201d and \u201cHomo Sapien.\u201d<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">The band\u2019s most recent single was \u201cTattoo Removal Man\u201d two years ago.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cOn \u2018Beautiful Day,\u2019 Kim (Epsom) wrote two songs, we did two covers, and I wrote the rest,\u201d said\u00a0Cooper.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\u201cThe two covers were songs by the late Gil Scott-Heron \u2013 \u2018Lady Day and John Coltrane\u2019 and \u2018Alien.\u2019 \u00a0Gil Scott-Heron was a very influential voice in music and activism and most-known for his song \u2018The Revolution Will Not Be Televised\u2019 and his poetry.\u201d<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">Humbleman Band has consistently delivered social commentary and positive messages, often with humor and a light touch, using spoken word lyrics, and generally delivered with dance beat arrangement.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">Video link for Humbleman Band \u2014 <a id=\"OWAa6343fdb-d0c3-5ee1-34bd-19686e50a807\" class=\"OWAAutoLink\" title=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/01Clk69MaAU\" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/01Clk69MaAU\">https:\/\/youtu.be\/01Clk69MaAU<\/a>.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center (226 North High Street, West Chester, <a id=\"OWAe44af861-862c-70c3-9077-7bfa543afd0a\" class=\"OWAAutoLink\" href=\"http:\/\/www.uptownwestchester.org\/\">www.uptownwestchester.org<\/a>) will present \u201cTribute to the music of James\u00a0Taylor &#8212; Sweet Baby James\u201d on June 13 and \u201cThe Absolute Brightness of Leonard\u00a0Pelkey\u201d on June 14 and 15.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295, <a id=\"OWAbdd95e2a-8178-770f-e839-0e0503ca3e55\" class=\"OWAAutoLink\" href=\"http:\/\/www.kennettflash.org\/\">http:\/\/www.kennettflash.org<\/a>) is presenting \u201cBETTER THAN BACON: 14th Anniversary Show!\u201d on June 13 and <a id=\"OWA8ddf77a4-a688-941c-1a30-789a7a4e4f57\" class=\"OWAAutoLink\" title=\"The George Crotty Trio\" href=\"https:\/\/kennettflash.org\/event\/the-george-crotty-trio\/kennett-flash\/kennett-square-pennsylvania\/\">The George Crotty Trio on June 14.<\/a><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">The Ardmore Music Hall (23 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, <a id=\"OWA6641b6be-3f7a-0841-ff6a-c27fbd4c7de1\" class=\"OWAAutoLink\" href=\"http:\/\/www.ardmoremusic.com\/\">www.ardmoremusic.com<\/a>) schedule is: June 12, North Mississippi Allstars\/Still Shakin&#8217; Tour with Jontavious Willis; June 13, The Reverend Horton Heat with Nathan &amp; the Zydeco Cha Chas; June 14, Chestnut Grove + JR Everhart (Cosmic Guilt) + Hezekiah Jones; and June 15, Todd Barry with Christine O&#8217;Dea.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">This weekend, the Elkton Music Hall (107 North Street, Elkton, Maryland, <a id=\"OWA3743485a-f715-b452-0690-0e698d31544d\" class=\"OWAAutoLink\" href=\"http:\/\/www.elktonmusichall.com\/\">www.elktonmusichall.com<\/a>) will host Montana Wildaxe on June 13 and TRO plays Queen on June 14.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">2025 Concerts Under the Stars series at the scenic Upper\u00a0Merion\u00a0Township Building Park (175 West Valley Forge Road, King of \u00a0Prussia, <a id=\"OWA3611bef0-aff2-623b-2891-a6f9954fc9e1\" class=\"OWAAutoLink\" title=\"http:\/\/www.concertsunderthestarskop.com\/\" href=\"http:\/\/www.concertsunderthestarskop.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">www.concertsunderthestarskop.com<\/a>) offers Steve Earle on June 13 and Aimee Mann on June 14<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">Bryn\u00a0Mawr\u00a0Twilight Concerts (9 South\u00a0Bryn\u00a0Mawr\u00a0Avenue,\u00a0Bryn\u00a0Mawr, <a id=\"OWAa92975e8-0682-4346-1b69-f52f8927cf2f\" class=\"OWAAutoLink\" title=\"http:\/\/brynmawrtwilightconcerts.com\/\" href=\"http:\/\/brynmawrtwilightconcerts.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">brynmawrtwilightconcerts.com<\/a>) has Rhett Miller on June 15.<\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">The\u00a0Rose Tree Summer Festival (Rose Tree Park, Route 252, Media, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.delcopa.gov\/departments\/parks\">www.delcopa.gov\/departments\/parks<\/a>)\u00a0schedule is: 12, The Fabulous Greaseband; 13, Minas Brazilian Jazz; 14, Rose Tree Pops; 15, Sensational Soul Cruisers; and 18, Jimmy &amp; the Parrots.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">Media\u2019s Twilight Music Series offers a free evening of music once a month on The Green (The Community Center Lawn, Monroe Street between 3rd &amp; 4th streets, Media, <a id=\"OWAec1e20fe-a0c9-452f-ea03-78924bb30a81\" class=\"OWAAutoLink\" href=\"http:\/\/www.mediaartscouncil.org\/twilight-music\">www.mediaartscouncil.org\/twilight-music<\/a>). The June edition will feature Steve Guyger &amp; The Excellos and will take place on June 13 from 6-8 p.m.<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times The Philadelphia area has for a long time maintained a tradition of producing top-flight female musicians \u2013 from highly-sought L.A. session bassist Lynne Davis and jazz vocal extraordinaire Billie Holiday to pop\/rock singer P!NK and punk rock pioneer Joan Jett to legendary R&amp;B\/soul singer Patti LaBelle to world [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":44418,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7529],"tags":[6518,14857,15181,6114,15182],"class_list":["post-44421","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-d-arts-entertainment","tag-featured","tag-humbleman-band","tag-kate-gaffney-sweet","tag-meghan-cary","tag-no-kings"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44421","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=44421"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44421\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":44422,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44421\/revisions\/44422"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/44418"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=44421"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=44421"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=44421"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}