I had the opportunity to check in with Shawn Taylor, CT based singer-songwriter and creator of this project, to get a feel for how the Sandy Hooks Songs For Hope CD is coming along. We want to share Shawn and wife Amy’s story about Sandy Hook and the healing that has begun. Just a little more than 4 months ago, the Sandy Hook community faced tragedy and the loss of 26 precious souls.

Sandy Hook Songs of Hope CD Cover
Art Design by Matt Miklus

Shawn made it clear in our conversation, that he and Amy and their family are still healing. The community at large is rebuilding and renewing; a slow process, yet he expressed that positive thoughts, and positive works makes for stronger revitalized society. Shawn and Amy’s grassroots efforts are inspiring; bringing together communities as a whole, using music to uplift and strengthen hearts and give hope for better days to come. “We all want to help, but in moments as profound as these, it’s easy to feel helpless to do so. “Sandy Hook Songs For Hope” is our own little effort to bring people together, to do what we do, to make art and raise funds for charities that promote arts, education and healing throughout the greater Sandy Hook community.”

Sandy Hook Songs For Hope is a 26 Song Medicinal Compilation CD project to promote healing while raising funds for the greater Sandy Hook School Arts and Education Community. The project also involves the Sandy Hook Arts & Education Community, as well as the Folk community abroad.

How does the project work? “All profits generated by the sale of the CD will be divided among several local charities that support the arts, education, and or healing; throughout the greater Sandy Hook community. We will be presenting the money to the said charities in December 2013 and each December after, for as long as we have stock and turn a profit. We will be adding one or two more related (arts/education/healing) charities before the CD is released.”

Who are the recipients of profits? “So far we’ve named the following recipients;*Ana Marquez-Greene Music Scholarship Fund at Western Connecticut State University and *The Newtown Arts Commission.”

Who is involved with the CD and production? “Producing a CD is very expensive; let alone a double CD involving so many people. I’m happy to say that all of the tracks will be donated and that Paul Opalach of Long Hill Studios has offered to master it, eliminating a couple of large expenses from the start. Donating tracks so far, will be Brother Sun, Ryan Montbleau, Abbie Gardner, The Sea, The Sea, The Levins, Pesky J. Nixon, Danielle Miraglia, Kevin So, Dick Neal & Co., David Jacobs-Strain, The Nameless Trio, The Royal Din, Redstone Ridge, String Fingers and Wandering Roots. Trespass Music of Cape Cod, MA will manage radio promotion, Matt Miklus of Shelton, CT is designing the CD packaging. These donations and others in the works will make it possible for this project to turn a healthy profit for our cause.”

First fundraiser show held at the Outer Space in Hamden, CT which raised $1,600 towards CD production. Photo includes Shawn Taylor’s band the Wandering Roots joined by The Nameless Trio (Matt Miklus – also art designer – sitting with the dobro)

In the last few days we’ve all been rocked by the news of the Boston Marathon tragedy. Our Trespass Music family, echoes Shawn’s sentiments. “Our hearts go out to the victims of Mondays attack, to Boston, our Nation and humanity as a whole.

Now more than ever we need to put our energies into positive pursuits. Among those who were the first to offer help with the “Sandy Hook Songs For Hope” project were my Boston friends. We are looking into ways we can offer assistance to Boston arts, education and healing community as well. We are all in this together.

What we have to offer are songs. Songs are beacons of light in the dark and seeds for spiritual renewal. And if we put together a collection of uplifting songs and raise money to promote the positive forces of art, education and healing, then our project will be successful.

Guitar with Sandy Hook Memorial Ribbon Photo

We are now looking for songs to finish this project. Please visit our refurbished page for more information on that and the project as a whole. Thank all of you very much for your support in creating something beautiful.”

In the words of Leonard Bernstein, “This will be our reply to violence: to make music more intensely, more beautifully, more devotedly than ever before.”

If you’d like to learn more about “Sandy Hook Songs For Hope” please visit the website HERE

Contributions to “Sandy Hook Songs For Hope” can be made by visiting HERE

Connect with Sandy Hook Songs for Hope on FB HERE
Visit Shawn Taylor for fundraising shows with Wandering Roots HERE

WHO:CRAIG BICKHARDT
WHEN:FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2013
7:30 pm, doors open 7 pm
BYOB & picnic baskets allowed
HOW:$12 advance, $15 at the door
ADVANCE TICKETS AT www.brownpapertickets.com/event/313059
WHERE:Sandywoods Center for the Arts
43 Muse Way, Tiverton, RI
www.sandywoodsmusic.com
401-241-7349

Photo of Craig Bickhardt

From the boisterous club scene of Philadelphia to the country-rock milieu of Los Angeles to the picking parlors of Nashville, Craig has immersed himself in the sights and sounds of American music. His music reflects a life lived as a rock band lead singer, a solo troubadour, a dedicated songwriter, a husband and father. Dreams, heartaches and hard-earned lessons have fed his creativity. There is no other way he could have written the eloquent, often bittersweet songs that have become his trademark.

“I start a lot of songs because I feel conflicted,” he explains. “I may begin from a point of darkness, but I usually end up writing towards the light because, for me, hope is the thing worth singing about. The characters in the stories I sing aren’t heroic; they’re very ordinary. But they’re reaching for something beyond themselves, and I find nobility in that.”

Craig is a singer/songwriter of the old school – you can hear echoes of such ‘60s folk revival artists as Tom Rush, Gordon Lightfoot and Eric Andersen in his work. Added to this is the melodic sophistication of a Jimmy Webb or a Paul Simon, as well as a spare but telling lyric approach. Also crucial to Craig’s art is his virtuosic guitar work, interweaving folk, blues, country and ragtime influences into a unique whole: “The guitar isn’t just an accompanying instrument for me – sometimes it’s the front man and my voice is the accompanist.”

Craig secured an assignment to write and sing songs for “Tender Mercies,” a country music-themed film starring Robert Duvall. This led to a lengthy residency in Nashville, where he saw his songs recorded by such legends as Ray Charles, B.B. King, Johnny Cash, the Judds, Tony Rice and Alison Krauss. All the while, Craig continued playing his music live at the Bluebird Café and other clubs in the Nashville area. The call to the stage grew stronger after he released his first solo album, “Easy Fires,” in 2001. By the end of the decade, Craig had won a new legion of fans on the East Coast and beyond through opening gigs for the likes of Judy Collins, Kathy Mattea, and Billy Joe Shaver, and club dates of his own.

A Craig Bickhardt live set is a mix of absurd anecdotes and personal confessions, accompanying a well-stocked bag of original tunes and the occasional choice cover. His decades in music have given his performances the depth of experience. “I think people come to my shows to be reminded that there’s something profound in the small stuff we experience every day,” he says. “My goal is to get an audience to look deeper at the things we all take for granted.”

Visit Craig Bickhardt Website HERE
Connect with Craig on FB HERE

Sandywoods Center for the Arts Photo

SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 2013
at Sandywoods Center for the Arts LES SAMPOU
WHO:LES SAMPOU
WHEN:Saturday April 20 8 pm, doors open 7:30 pm
HOW:BYOB & food allowed
$18 advance, $20 at the door
ADVANCE TICKETS AT www.brownpapertickets.com/event/312975
WHERE:Sandywoods Center for the Arts
43 Muse Way, Tiverton, RI
www.sandywoodsmusic.com
401-241-7349

Les Sampou Photo (Courtesy: Ian Murray)

Her latest release “Lonesomeville” is a road diary. It takes you through lonely hotel rooms, endless highways, and the bedrooms of hard-living lovers. Jonathan Perry of the Boston Globe writes, “Sly, lived-in songs about mismatched lives, hard goodbyes, and honky tonk heartbreak – all of which makes “Lonesomeville” not such a bad place to be after all, especially if she’s playing there.”

This blues/rock musician got her start in the Boston folk scene and now has moved on to national prominence and acclaim. Les began playing in the streets “relatively late in life.” At 25, when all her friends were getting married, buying houses, and planning for kids, Sampou started hitting the pavement of Harvard Square, the tunnels of the MBTA, and anywhere else where she could open her case for coins and applause. It was there that she found her voice, polished her guitar playing, and wrote the first of her prolific collection of songs.

After cutting her teeth in the streets, Les began playing area clubs and then found the coffeehouse folk scene. She describes this period by saying, “Being in front of a listening audience scared me to death. My hands would shake and my voice would seize up. But I loved it and was hooked.” She overcame her stage fright and didn’t stop writing. Her 2010 self-released “Lonesomeville” follows four earlier, critically acclaimed albums. Les and her all-star band of Boston’s cream of the crop session players recorded “Lonesomeville” live in two days. Lyrically, “Lonesomeville” sums up what Sampou writes about best – love gone wrong. The lucky listener gladly goes along, following Sampou on this journey, getting lost in the sexy sway of her voice.”

Visit Les Sampou Website HERE
Connect with Les Sampou on FB HERE

Poster Jon Vezner ~ opener Jane Fallon and special guest Nancy Beaudette at Bull Run

What: Songwriting Workshop with Jon Vezner hosted by Nancy Beaudette’s label “Moonlit Pond Records”
When: Wednesday April 18 7:30-10:30pm
How: Email Nancy at contact@moonlitpondrecords for reservations $20 for workshop or $15 if you also purchase a ticket to the concert at The Bull Run April 18

Grammy award-winning songwriter, Nashville based, Jon Vezner is a tunesmith of rare sensitivity and dry wit. His catalogue of recorded songs, topped by the poignant “Where’ve You Been,” reflects his straight-to-the heart sensibility and emotional awareness. Vezner weaves the particulars of his own feelings with the lives of people he has known into universal themes that deeply touch listeners’ emotions.
Vezner was honored with a Grammy for “Best Country Song” and the Nashville Songwriters Association “Song of the Year” in 1990, for “Where’ve You Been”, the true story of Vezner’s grandparents, co-written with Don Henry, and recorded by Kathy Mattea. “Where’ve You Been” was also honored as “Song of the Year” by the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM).

Jon’s current album “Catz of the Colosseum” was released by Trespass Music and has garnered airplay around the world and received high praise by reviewers, including contributor to No Depression John Apice. John Apice’s in-depth front page feature review of “Catz of the Colosseum” raves about the title cut saying “The opening witty title track is framed by Pat Bergeson’s melodic harmonicas, some finger popping, Pat Wictor‘s dobro all rooted cleverly in a jazz groove. K.C. Clifford offers some savvy female background vocals to accentuate just below the surface of guitars. A heavy bass and playful piano swerve together in and out of the traffic of this catchy melody.If it’s a marriage of country style vocals, front porch dobro and cool jazz – it works beyond anyone’s imagination. More of this kind of country music and no one can call country a music for hicks and not for cool cats. This is cool for any cat.”

Opener: Jane Fallon is an award winning singer/songwriter with a smooth, rich voice who writes intelligent, well-crafted songs of unusual intellectual depth, humor and musicality. With vocals that have been called “angelic” and “mesmerizing”, (Metronome Magazine) her original songs “combine humor, intelligence, and deep musicality with an artfulness that is unusual.” (Wildy’s World).

Special Guest: Award winning Canadian artist, Nancy Beaudette, who has co-written with Jon Vezner, continues to engage and delight audiences in North America at venues throughout the country. “It’s rare to find someone with the level of depth and sensitivity in their songwriting… Nancy stands out above the crowd.” – Barbara Cloy

Visit Jon’s Website HERE
Connect with Jon on FB HERE
Tweet with Jon HERE

Visit Jane Fallon Website HERE
Visit Nancy Beaudette Website HERE

Loretta Hagen accepting Top Female Songwriter JAM Award, presented by Deena Shoshkes, and Lee Frankel.
Photo by Jon Fried

The Top Female Songwriter award was presented to Loretta by Saturday Afternoon Song Swap co-host Deena Shoshkes and Crossroads owner Lee Frankel. Both promoters have hosted Loretta at their events. Presenter Deena Shoshkes revealed
the Top Female Songwriter by reading, “For a songwriter who brings her songs to life with a gentle sincerity and tongue in cheek musings, in her depiction of the human experience. Her latest full length release is receiving praise among Roots and Americana circles nationally and we are proud to call her our own from New Jersey. The JAM Awards recognizes LORETTA HAGEN as Top Female Songwriter.”

Accompanying Loretta at the prestigious event was husband and guitarist Gary Hagen, who exclaimed “YOU WON!” Loretta was surprised and elated saying, “I was so shocked when I heard my name called for the award, I think my eyebrows touched the ceiling of the theater! Gary said he wished he got a picture of the look on my face at that moment! LOL! It was a wonderful day filled with great music and energy. It was an honor to receive the award among many great nominees. Thanks to the JAM Awards committee, MOAM and Kishore for a wonderful event and a memory I will cherish!”

Released by Trespass Music, Loretta’s new album “Mud and Stone” debuted at #10 for Top Album and #5 Top Song for the title track “Mud and Stone” on Folk DJ Charts. Loretta’s album debuted on the RMR Charts (Roots Music Charts) at #1 for the State of NJ, maintaining its place for several weeks, and reaching #5 for Top 50 Folk Albums RMR. Among Loretta’s many accomplishments in 2012 and 2013, she signed with the Trespass Music roster, shared the stage with Pete Seeger, Tony Trischka, Eric Bazillian and more, playing premier venues across the Northeast and making many Best of and Top Lists of 2012.

Photo of Loretta Hagen JAM Awards Performance
Photo by Mike Del Vecchio

Loretta is also the 2011 winner of the NJ Folk Festival Songwriter Competition, earned an Official Showcase at the 2012 Boston Mini NERFA and is a 2012 CT Folk Festival Songwriting Competition Finalist. Loretta has been invited as a panelist to speak about getting your music heard on radio in Rhode Island at the 2013 Mini NERFA June 1, and will perform at the NJ Botanical Gardens, Friday July 12 in Ringwood NJ.

The JAM Awards (Jersey Acoustic Music Awards) was “created to recognize local New Jersey original music acts. It has evolved over the years and continues to grow to be an awards program that represents original music throughout the state of New Jersey.”

Loretta Hagen on JAM Awards red carpet

Coming up!
Sunday, April 28 Loretta and many others join Mara Levine for her CD Release
Location – Borderline Folk Music Society ~ New City Volunteer Ambulance Corps 200 – Congers Road, New City, NY 10956

Saturday, May 18, 2013
Loretta Hagen Opens for Don White at Burlap and Bean!!
204 S Newtown Street Rd., Newtown Square, PA 19073
484-427-4547 Set: 8:00 PM
Doors: 7:30 PM
All Ages More details to come. Please check Burlap and Bean for ticket info coming soon http://www.burlapandbean.com/events.htm

Friday, May 31, 2013
Loretta Hagen Appearing at 17 State Street Cafe @ 17 State Street Cafe’
17 State Street, Newburyport, MA (United States) – Map
978.948.3456 Set: 8:00 PM
All Ages

Saturday, June 1, 2013
Rhode Island One Day Mini NERFA
More Info TBA

For more about Loretta please visit
Loretta Hagen lorettahagen.com
EPK www.trespassmusic.org/artists/lorettahagen/
JAM Awards www.jamawards.org
Trespass Music www.trespassmusic.org/
Purchase Mud and Stone on ITunes HERE
Read entire Feature Review by John Apice contributor to No Depression HERE

Loretta is available for interviews and “Mud and Stone” is available for review. Contact michelle@trespassmusic.org

Danielle is making the track available for a FREE DOWNLOAD TODAY ONLY!!

DJS radio ready MP3 is available ~ email tracey@trespassmusic.org or via Airplay Direct by clicking here

The FREE DOWNLOAD is AVAILABLE HERE

“The Heat of the Win” take a listen! CLICK HERE

Danielle Miraglia comes armed with a strong steady thumb on an old Gibson, an infectious stomp-box rhythm and harmonica. Her tunes range from heart-felt to socially conscious and will move both your heart and hips. The Alternate Root Magazine says “Danielle Miraglia’s guitar work keeps Delta traditions alive. Her steady thumb and playing style trace a direct line to the blues of the field and chicken shacks. Vocally, Danielle’s voice digs in, twisting within the delivery, seeming to break but more likely soaring before the fall.”

Danielle Miraglia (c) Denise Maccaferri

“Heat of the Win” is only available TODAY, and Danielle’s new album is slated for release late fall.

“The Heat of the Win” take a listen! CLICK HERE

Visit Danielle at her website HERE
Connect with her on FB HERE
Learn more about Danielle in Acoustic Live in NYC Magazine cover feature HERE

Grammy award-winning songwriter, Nashville based, Jon Vezner is a tunesmith of rare sensitivity and dry wit. His catalogue of recorded songs, topped by the poignant “Where’ve You Been,” reflects his straight-to-the heart sensibility and emotional awareness. Vezner weaves the particulars of his own feelings with the lives of people he has known into universal themes that deeply touch listeners’ emotions.
Vezner was honored with a Grammy for “Best Country Song” and the Nashville Songwriters Association “Song of the Year” in 1990, for “Where’ve You Been”, the true story of Vezner’s grandparents, co-written with Don Henry, and recorded by Kathy Mattea. “Where’ve You Been” was also honored as “Song of the Year” by the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM).

Jon’s current album “Catz of the Colosseum” was released by Trespass Music and has garnered airplay around the world and received high praise by reviewers, including contributor to No Depression John Apice. John Apice’s in-depth front page feature review of “Catz of the Colosseum” raves about the title cut saying “The opening witty title track is framed by Pat Bergeson’s melodic harmonicas, some finger popping, Pat Wictor‘s dobro all rooted cleverly in a jazz groove. K.C. Clifford offers some savvy female background vocals to accentuate just below the surface of guitars. A heavy bass and playful piano swerve together in and out of the traffic of this catchy melody.If it’s a marriage of country style vocals, front porch dobro and cool jazz – it works beyond anyone’s imagination. More of this kind of country music and no one can call country a music for hicks and not for cool cats. This is cool for any cat.”

Folk ‘N Great Music House Concerts is located in Rockville, Maryland “where you can enjoy talented musicians in an intimate, unamplified, smoke-free listening room. Folk ‘N Great Music is now at a new Rockville venue, where you can enjoy both local and nationally known folk and acoustic artists, several nearly every month. 100% of the suggested per person minimum donation goes directly to the performers. Folk ‘N Great Music is proud to have been the very first unionized house concert series in the country with a Collective Bargaining Agreement with Local 1000′s American Federation of Musicians.”
This is Folk ‘N Great Music House Concerts 11th year of presenting live music to friends, colleagues, and neighbors.

For tickets please visit Folk ‘N Great Music HERE or send an email to Reserve@FolkNGreatMusic.org **Please include names, phone numbers, and email of guests. The suggested contribution for this show will be $20 per person, although the very best seats are reserved for those who choose to pay $25. As always, 100% of the funds will go directly to performers. Directions to the new venue and other details will be sent a few days before the show.

Here’s what house concert audiences are saying about Jon Vezner ~ “Thank you for hosting a magical house concert with opening act Tim Hildebrandt, then Jon Vesner and Jeff Gilkinson. Jon, the world class Grammy winning songsmith, was accompanied so wonderfully by Jeff, who is simply masterful on his cello. Their banter and stories wove right in with the songs…” (Mark) “Wonderful house concert last night. My soul was renewed with wonderful music.” (Esther) “Great Concert..What a multi-talented duo!” (Agnes)”

For tickets to the April 13 showing featuring JON VEZNER and VICKIE RUSSELL visit Folk ‘N Great Music HERE

Visit Jon’s Website HERE
Connect with Jon on FB HERE
Tweet with Jon HERE