Singer-Songwriter Joan Osborne To Return To Ridgefield Playhouse

Press release from The Ridgefield Playhouse:

Sept. 21, 2020

After her sold out Dylanology show at The Ridgefield Playhouse in 2019, seven time Grammy Award-nominee and acclaimed singer/songwriter Joan Osborne, returns to The Ridgefield Playhouse for an outdoor performance with her first album of original music in six years!

The performance, part of the Pepsi Rock Series Powered by Xfinity, will be socially distanced with seating under a tent on the field next to the Playhouse on Saturday, October 17 at 7:30pm. Trouble and Strife, her 10th studio album, is a deeply engaging collection of new songs about “the crazy, chaotic times we’re living in” according to Osborne. Joan Osborne broke through 25 years ago with the multi-platinum Relish and its touchstone mega-smash “One of Us.”

Since then she has gone on to explore a diverse range of genres: pop, rock, R&B, blues, roots, gospel, funk and country – all of which can be heard on Trouble and Strife. Kicking off the night is singer-songwriter Stephen Kellogg. Over the last decade, the New England native has performed more than 2,000 concerts around the world, raised thousands of dollars for causes close to his heart, been named Armed Forces Entertainer of the Year, and penned singles for artists like platinum selling rock band O.A.R and American Idol winner Nick Fradiani. Stephen’s most recent writing work with legendary guitarist Robert Randolph, led to a Grammy nomination for “Best Contemporary Blues Record.” He has also had his songs covered by international major label acts and released ten studio albums of his own yielding hundreds of thousands of ticket and record sales.

Joan Osborne has never been an artist confined to one space. She has utilized her incredible voice through her own songs while also becoming one of her generation’s finest interpreters. Osborne has shared the stage with artists ranging from Stevie Wonder and Mavis Staples to Bob Dylan and Lucinda Williams and she continues to seamlessly blend into any genre. Osborne self-produced the new collection and penned all ten songs, with two co-writes. Trouble and Strife finds the gifted vocalist offering a strong yet uplifting response to some of the socio-political issues plaguing our nation over the last several years. Osborne beautifully balances the weight of her messages with solace and optimism. The new track ”Boy Dontcha Know” touches on the challenges of being a female in our society and why one might prefer to be male. “Hand’s Off” is a visceral reaction to the unchecked corruption that is happening before our eyes, while on “That Was A Lie” Osborne takes on the acceptance of misinformation and how it has been weaponized and normalized. Driven by an infectious 1970’s synth riff, “Never Get Tired (Of Loving You)” features a heartfelt message of reassurance for her teenaged daughter during unstable times.

Osborne offers a comforting song of hope on the beautiful lullaby, ”Whole Wide World” as she sings, “We could see the whole wide world from here, Lookin’ past the sorrow and the tears, Let me take you to that better place, Let me put that smile back on your face.” On one of the album’s most important songs, “What’s That You Say” Osborne focuses on immigration and the plight of Ana Marie Rea. Rea spoke in-depth with Osborne about the difficulties she and her family faced when coming to America from Mexico seeking asylum, and the challenges since. Rea’s words can be heard throughout the powerful song, spoken in her native tongue. Throughout her 25-year, multi-Grammy nominated career, Joan Osborne has never been an artist confined to one space. She has utilized her incredible voice through her own songs while also becoming one of her generation’s finest interpreters. On Trouble and Strife, her tenth studio album, the need for her voice and words has never been stronger.

For more information or to purchase touchless print at home ticket ($52 all seats) go online to www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org or, you can visit or call the box office (203) 438-5795. The Playhouse is currently doing socially distanced seating, all patrons will be seated by an usher on a first come first served basis and concession/bar can be ordered via our mobile site so that you can pick it up on the way in, or get notified when it is ready for you to pick up once you arrive. The Ridgefield Playhouse is a non-profit performing arts center located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street, Ridgefield, CT and is committed to keeping the arts alive and available to all.

This press release was produced by the Ridgefield Playhouse. The views expressed here are the author's own.