Phil Markert on ‘Bridge Street’ prepares Syracuse for his May 4 show at St. James Catholic Church

For oh-so-many years, Phil Markert was the man who could make Syracuse laugh in the morning. Generations of people would dial in to whatever station he might be on to let their friend share their morning. The talented piano player would enter their minds with good humor. From Markert’s mind came a mix of message…

Richie Havens gave his voice to the Woodstock generation and beyond

I remember Richie Havens’ voice booming over the phone. The singer, songwriter and guitarist was scheduled to play the M&T Syracuse Jazz Fest in 2004, and glad to chat about his life and times. I asked him what it felt like for an iconic folk singer to headline at a jazz fest. Havens laughed. Loud.…

New York Country Jam brings three days of music to New York State Fairgrounds

The New York Country Jam has changed location and massaged its format for year two of bringing country music to Central New York. The festival will run July 12 to July 14 at the New York State Fairgrounds’ Chevy Court. The fest, hosted by The Results Group of Syracuse, debuted last year at the Antique…

Doobie Brothers to headline night one of M&T Syracuse Jazz Fest; that’s just alright by me

Ready to spend your July Fourth evening dancing to the Doobie Brothers? The classic American rock band will headline the first of three holiday weekend days at the 31st edition of the M&T Syracuse Jazz Fest, founder and executive director Frank Malfitano announced this afternoon at a news conference in the title sponsor’s main downtown…

A pleasant surprise comes from Liverpool heavy metal band Blind Jaguar

Some teens still love hard rock music. Cool. In January, I sat on the judging panel for the Jewish Community Center of Syracuse’s annual battle of the bands. One of the outfits that filled the SPOT Teen Center in Shoppingtown with hopes and dreams that night was Blind Jaguar. The heavy metal band from Liverpool…

Syracuse bands will recreate the vibe that filled Watkins Glen in 1973

From the seed of the great Thanksgiving Weekend show by the Syracuse All-Stars recreating “The Last Waltz,” a big jam in Cazenovia will blossom. On July 28, popular Syracuse bands Dark Hollow, Los Blancos and the Barndogs will help music fans turn the calendar back exactly 40 years. They’ll play the music that drew 600,000…

The Thompsons come up from Nashville to warm up Central New York Guitar League’s eighth anniversary meeting

Add a very cool father-and-son team to the list of acoustic string players who can absolutely make your jaw drop. Tim and Myles Thompson helped the Central New York Guitar League celebrate its eighth anniversary to open April at the Clarion just west of Syracuse. Dad Tim and son Myles took the drive north from…

At Toby Keith’s joint in Destiny USA, you’ll find a good bar, tasty food and promising music spot

The waitress was well-versed on the beer side of the menu at Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar and Grill. Stella Artois, my dear wife’s order, was available in bottle. Fine for Karen, who prefers that vessel of beer delivery. For me, though, there was one and only one way that I was going to…

Justin Bieber isn’t perfect! Calm down and tell your kids to be themselves

So they’re reporting about Justin Bieber’s wild streak over in Europe on “The Today Show.” Breaking news. Canadian kid turns 19 and squirms under the spotlight that’s been following him all of his teen years. He acts out. The magnifying glass of our world tells all. He sings and dances for thousands of young people…

I welcome Sammy into my life

Through two decades, I’ve been on the giving side of the Sammy. Up to the stage the smiling winners would march. I’d hand over the shiny, black Syracuse Area Music Awards trophy to the rightful recipient of the Brian Bourke Award for Best New Artist, and all was right in my world. Heck, some years…