Blood, Sweat & Tears original Richard Halligan to visit Syracuse for lecture, show

I always knew that my good friend Bob Halligan Jr. put his blood, sweat and tears into his music. But not until he sent out a message this morning did I realize that an original member of the group Blood, Sweat & Tears was the Syracuse songwriter and musician’s first cousin. Richard Halligan is coming…

Hello ‘Big Sexy.’ Utica’s Shawn Smith sings his way onto ‘The Voice’

Central New York now has skin in this season of “The Voice.” A guy you can find pouring a drink behind a bar around these parts hit a last-inning vocal home run to earn a spot on CeeLo Green’s team. Shawn Smith was the very last singer to make it past the blind auditions. When…

‘Nashville’ returns with plenty of drama but not enough music

They dove right into the drama in the “Nashville” season two premiere last night on ABC. When last the fictional folk Rayna and Deacon were cavorting their way onto our flat screen they’d crashed the car in the midst of their biggest fight ever. Deacon had been drinking. Rayna knew that meant big trouble. Heap…

Musician offspring of Harry Chapin, Jim Croce to perform in Landmark Theatre in Syracuse

A generation ago, Harry Chapin performed a concert to help keep Syracuse’s Landmark Theatre from the wrecking ball. A citizen group had formed with the hope of purchasing the theater to keep it alive in downtown Syracuse. With the help of that sold-out benefit concert by the popular singer, songwriter and guitarist born in Brooklyn…

We wind up our New York State Fair 2013, and I get to talk to the goats

I checked off the last of my boxes Sunday as my dear wife Karen and I walked our way around the New York State Fair. My first two 2013 excursions were concentrated around the music at Chevy Court, and the shows by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals and Vince Gill both lived up to my…

With Vince Gill playing his country, it’s a graceful good time at Chevy Court

Vince Gill is popular in our household. Just a couple hours back from her annual women’s getaway, I gently reminded my dear wife Karen that Wednesday also marked the occasion of the country guy’s show at the New York State Fair’s Chevy Court. And she wanted to go. Bless her heart. It was a quietly…

With the big man himself on stage, consider Toby Keith’s Syracuse joint officially opened

The beer and whiskey has been flowing, bologna frying, guitars twanging at Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar and Grill at Destiny USA in Syracuse since spring. The official opening was at 4 p.m. today, Aug. 23. The big man himself strode from the wings, accompanying guitarist in tow, to perform three songs at His…

Maka Rouge discovers she’s got another round of ‘The Song Is Born’ in her future

When last we caught up with Maka Rouge, it was late July. The singer, songwriter and guitarist from Syracuse was preparing for her trip to Manhattan to take part in “The Song Is Born” competition. A month later she’s back home, still working hard on her words and music. At 5 p.m. this Tuesday, Aug.…

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals move the New York State Fair crowd to a joyful dance

Grace Potter had the big crowd singing and dancing with her Thursday night at the New York State Fair. Ooh-La-La, indeed. The singer, guitarist and keyboard player from Vermont led her oh-so-tight Nocturnals through a soaring set that hit all the right notes. The packed Chevy Court crowd was treated to a couple hours of…

It’s New York State Fair time, love it or hate it. I’m going opening night

You don’t find many people who live around Syracuse that put their hands palm up to gesture take-it-or-leave-it come New York State Fair time. The citizens of Central New York more likely fall into two distinct groups when the 12 days of midway, music, exhibitions, animals, food and drink descend upon the fairgrounds in Geddes,…