Country, Folk and Rock Nearby

As a onetime music critic, I look back fondly at the days when I would go out every night of the week for live music in bars, clubs and concert halls. I did the job for about six years and, to be honest, that was long enough.Since then, I have mellowed a bit as a listener, but my inner, jaded music critic remains intact. Has-beens, quarter-century-old tribute bands and perpetually second-rate folk artists can be forgotten so we can concentrate on fresh, energetic performances nearby.Like the two female artists coming to Infinity Music Hall in Norfolk. You will most certainly be floored by the sounds of Grammy Award-winning country music star LeAnn Rimes, who is performing a solo acoustic show on July 24. If you’ve ever heard this petite 28-year-old sing “Amazing Grace,” you know her giant voice will be a perfect fit for Infinity Hall’s spectacular acoustics and sound system.Rimes has made some headlines lately for Tweeting photos of herself looking emaciated in a bikini. The singer replied to an ensuing tabloid kerfuffle by saying she’s healthy and loves to eat. And she certainly can afford to after selling 37 million albums. Vince Gill is the producer of Rimes’ forthcoming album, “Lady and Gentleman,” a collection of country covers, due in September.July 26 at Infinity brings the hard-working Lisa Loeb, whose 1994 single “Stay (I Missed You)” made her the first unsigned artist to have a number one hit song. The tune was featured in the film “Reality Bites,” and Loeb toured relentlessly after scoring the hit, appearing in clubs across the United States for music showcases, festivals and radio-sponsored events. Loeb parlayed her early success into her own line of eyewear, based on her trademark “cateye” look, and into voice-overs for children’s audio books. Her latest CD, “Camp Lisa,” celebrates the innocence of childhood and features a lot of guest appearances by fellow 1990s artists, and Steve Martin makes an appearance, too.Additional shows of note coming to Infinity Hall are: The Rippingtons featuring Russ Freeman on July 28, Toad the Wet Sprocket on Aug. 5, Joan Osborne on Aug. 13, Colin Hay of Men at Work on Aug. 19 and The Baseball Project on Aug. 30. Go to infinityhall.com for information.If you’re looking for a bigger concert environment with an outdoor flavor, watch for this year’s many music festivals in and around the Tri-state area. Right off the bat, the 2011 Falcon Ridge Folk Festival is happening July 21, 22 and 23, featuring too many bands to name, right around the corner in Hillsdale, NY. The festival has played host to some of the greatest names in folk and blues, with emerging artists prominently featured alongside established favorites Mary Chapin Carpenter, John Gorka and CJ Chenier. In addition to the main stage, there is workshop stage with intimate performances and a family stage with activities for children. Go to falconridgefolk.com for a list of performers and ticket information.

Latest News

Tuning up two passions under one roof

The Webb Family in the workshop. From left: Phyllis, Dale, Ben and Josh Webb, and project manager Hannah Schiffer.

Natalia Zukerman

Magic Fluke Ukulele Shop and True Wheels Bicycle Shop are not only under the same roof in a beautiful solar powered building on Route 7 in Sheffield, but they are also both run by the Webb family, telling a tale of familial passion, innovation and a steadfast commitment to sustainability.

In the late ‘90s, Dale Webb was working in engineering and product design at a corporate job. “I took up instrument manufacturing as a fun challenge,” said Dale. After an exhibit at The National Association of Music Merchants in Anaheim, California, in 1999, The Magic Fluke company was born. “We were casting finger boards and gluing these things together in our basement in New Hartford and it just took off,” Dale explained. “It was really a wild ride, it kind of had a life of its own.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Robert Cray’s soulful blues coming to Infinity Hall

Robert Cray

Photo provided

Blues legend Robert Cray will be bringing his stinging, funky guitar and soulful singing to Infinity Hall Norfolk on Friday, March 29.

A five-time Grammy winner, Cray has been inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame and earned The Americana Music Awards Lifetime Achievement for Performance. He has played with blues and rock icons including Albert Collins, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, The Rolling Stones, Tina Turner, Eric Clapton and many more.

Keep ReadingShow less