issue 35 working_Layout 1 9/10/2013 2:33 PM Page 17
Songwriter’s showcase leaves audience begging for more!
Redington, Leone, Thayer and Thomas deliver incredible night of Brian Joy music, memories
The four took the stage, and while grabbing a drink at the bar I overheard a young lady, anticipating the evening bark out, “This is going to be so cool!” and she was right. For the next three hours, new interpretations of classic Vermont (and Mass) tunes spilled across the audience. Joey’s guitar work, Bow’s unique banjo, Rick’s gritty, passionate vocals and Tony’s driving bass lines created a whole new look on local song presentation. “It was mind blowing, just intense,” said Thomas. “I’m so humbled to even be on the stage with these guys. An incredible night!” When it was all said and done, the applause was hard to stop and the emotions ran very high throughout the building. “You practice, and you rehearse, but you never know how a show will be received,” said Leone. “I think we did a great thing here tonight, and we showed that artists working together is far more productive than artists working against eachother.” Will there be an encore? Only time will tell, but if this writer has anything to do with it, the unique concept of Joey Leone Presents needs to continue. For our music’s sake.
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As four incredible performers took the stage on August 30 at Tupelo Music Hall, most were not sure what laid in store. The premise was interesting enough. Four very talented songwriter’s and musicians all playing eachothers work, paying omage to the talent surrounding them. But what would happen would be far greater than what any patron could have expected. From the very first song, the crowd could sense what was in store. These four incredible artists slipped into character and delivered what was one of the most interesting and fun evenings to date in 2013. The idea for the Songwriter’s showcase began when long time Killington artist Joey Leone made the courageous and exciting decision to step into the realm of original music.
If you have ever been to Killington, you would know that the live music scene on the hill is predominantly driven by the “cover” ability of artists. Resort vacationers want music they can recognize, sing along to, and Joey Leone had arguably become the #1 appeal for a very “original starved” area. But in the past few years, the lack of originality has left Joey wanting. He has been writing music for his entire life, he simply wasn’t performing it. That has now changed, and Joey wanted a chance to not only showcase a few of his own tunes, but pay respect to the guys who have been doing original work in one of the hardest music scenes for success in the country. Enter Bow Thayer, Rick Redington and Tony Lee Thomas.