Featured Articles

Amy Fairchild is a music scene force to be reckoned with

Amy Fairchild is a music scene force to be reckoned with

Amy Fairchild is a phoenix on the greater-Boston music scene. After dropping off the radar screen for a few years, Fairchild, a 20 year veteran of the music business, is back with an exciting new CD. She’s been participating in a Linda Ronstadt tribute show, and she’s developed an interest in making music videos to accompany her songs.

Arthur James is standing tall after "third place finish" in Memphis competition

Arthur James is standing tall after “third place finish” in Memphis competition

The New England blues scene can proudly boast that New Hampshire’s Arthur James was “tied for third place” for the acoustic solo/duo portion of the International Blues Competition in Memphis last week. While there is no official recognition by the I.B.C. for third place finishers in the acoustic solo/duo contest, every blues fan from the New England blues scene, James’ home state of New Hampshire in particular, should be pleased to know he came pretty darn close to the top two spots.

Alan Arena hosts Hugs forLizbeth, with a little help from his musical friends

Alan Arena hosts Hugs forLizbeth, with a little help from his musical friends

Tomorrow afternoon, blues musician Alan Arena will host a benefit to raise funds for his wife, Lizbeth. Lizbeth is living with the progressive, incurable genetic disorder known as Huntington’s disease. Funds will go to offset the expenses to cover her care.

Holiday gift suggestions for fans of the New England music scene; buy these CDs right away

Holiday gift suggestions for fans of the New England music scene; buy these CDs right away

It’s that time of year where you’re scrambling to find gifts for the ones you love. If your loved ones are fans of the local New England music scene, you may wish to purchase CDs by their or your favorite local artists to stuff inside their Christmas stockings. Being one of New England’s more prolific music journalists, I happen to know of many bands whose CDs might make great gift ideas. Here are a few:

Jennifer Truesdale, Marcia Macres

Chick Singer Night teams with Burren for unplugged show; Robin Lane headlines

Marcia Macres and her Chick Singer Night co-director Jennifer Truesdale offer a whole different ballgame for this Fall’s Chick Singer Night/Boston presentation. Last spring, CSN presented their selection of notable female singers in a concert format at a local theatre. Their Fall presentation finds Chick Singer Night presenting as the lineup for the Sunday Night Acoustic Series at The Burren in Somerville, this Sunday night coming up, November 16, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Sean Fullerton brings his solo acoustic blues to the people

Sean Fullerton brings his solo acoustic blues to the people

Sean Fullerton is an old school solo acoustic blues musician, and, after playing out professionally for 20 years, that solo approach works just fine with him. Fullerton is, aside from a musician, a recording engineer, a singer-songwriter who plays blues and rock and roll and his own original music, and a finger style guitarist. He enjoys his multiple jobs in music and the multi-dimensional aspect of it.

Bobby Livingston comes into his own with release of original music

Bobby Livingston comes into his own with release of original music

Bobby Livingston is an intense man with a lot of things he’d like to get off his chest. Never having come to grips with the death of his parents and his divorce drove this music scene dabbler to become a respected singer-songwriter in his own right. “My parents died when I was young,” he said. “To this day, I’m still drowning in the sorrow of losing my parents. It’s just never gone away, and I never dealt with it. My father died when I was alone with him, all by myself, and it changed my life. I watched my father. It just; I can’t even fucking talk about it.” Livingston began choking up, sobbing intensely. “I can’t talk about it, man. This happened in 1982 so it’s still an emotionally powerful thing.”

Jenni Lynn Band takes New England by storm, still adding more venues to busy schedule

Jenni Lynn Band takes New England by storm, still adding more venues to busy schedule

The Jenni Lynn Band are celebrating their first year in existence under their current name and line up. And what a year it has been for Jenni Lynn and her band. Playing seven to eight gigs each month, success has emboldened them, prompting them to start unleashing more of Jenni Lynn’s original music.

Prolific guitarist Thaddeus Hogarth continues his amazing career

Prolific guitarist Thaddeus Hogarth continues his amazing career

Thaddeus Hogarth has been on the greater-Boston music scene for about 25 years now. Despite his ever increasing opportunities and visibility, he’s always kept his focus on the joy of playing music.

Heather McKibben gears up for the bluesy, groovy, giving HeatherFest20

Heather McKibben gears up for the bluesy, groovy, giving HeatherFest20

Heather McKibben never would have guessed 20 years ago that she’d be hosting HeatherFest20 this September 7th. What started it as a backyard party with a single blues band at her then Canton, Massachusetts home has become a mini festival, eventually named after her, in her backyard in Norton, Massachusetts. HeatherFest has been known to draw up to 3,000 people over the course of the day. A $25 donation goes towards charities supported by HeatherFest.