Second Chance Brings New Sound to Local Music Scene

After a brief hiatus, the classic rock, pop and blues band  will be returning to stage this summer at Rentschler Field to help raise awareness for autism.

In June 2009, Maryanne Lauria and her daughter, Kristen, were performing at an open mic for the band ensembles. Following their performance, Maryanne was approached by some band parents who were interested in playing organized music again and wanted to know if she wanted to join them.

“Some of the parents thought it would be fun to get together and play,” Maryanne Lauria said.

In October 2009, The Second Chance was officially formed and would play at local fundraisers including The Special Olympics, and .

The Second Chance performed twice on Ralph Capenera's show "Ralph & Friends" in February 2011 and September of the same year. At the September 2011 show, Maryanne Lauria met Jessica Townsend, who was also performing on that evening. 

Townsend was looking to join a band at the time. Maryanne Lauria and the other band members thought she was talented, but there were no openings in The Second Chance at the time. 

In January of 2012, the band took a different direction and Townsend was named the new lead singer.

“Singing is nothing new for Jessica,“ Maryanne Lauria said. Townsend has auctioned for “The Voice” and “X-Factor” and has done fairly well, according to Maryanne Lauria.

The five-person band consists of Townsend, Maryanne Lauria on rhythm guitar and backup vocals, Dominick Lauria on bass, Steve Rovin is the drummer and newly acquired Mike Cancellaro is on lead guitar.

“The band is really different now,” Maryanne Lauria said about the current makeup of The Second Chance.

Before Townsend, The Second Chance was predominantly a classic rock and blues band. The band is infusing its repertoire with some newer rock songs, Maryanne Lauria said.

“We are updating our sound now,” she said.  

The band will feature songs from more current artists such as Melissa Etheridge. They are currently working on the song “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” by Pat Benatar.

On June 3, The Second Chance will be performing at the Seventh Annual Walk Now for Autism Speaks at Rentschler Field. It will be the second year in a row that The Second Chance has performed at the event.

“We will be the only musical entertainment for the venue,” Maryanne Lauria, who is also the band’s manager, said. Over 9,000 participants and spectators are expected to attend the event this year.

The band will be spending their summer at Blue Back Square and will do four performances at the venue from June to September, one per month.

The Second Chance will also be performing in the summer concert series at Babb's Park in West Suffield near Lake Congamond in August. The event is a fundraiser for group called the Citizens Restoring Lake Congamond, who hopes to raise funds to restore the Babb’s Roller Rink and Swimming Park.

For the second year in a row, The Second Chance will play in the Music Feeding Music summer concert series, which is being held in connection the  in downtown Niantic. The event helps raise funds to support shoreline schools music programs

“We have a busy summer ahead,” Maryanne Lauria said.

In the future, The Second Chance would love to play at more charity events, local bars and private parities, she said.

For more information about The Second Chance, email thesecondchancebandct@gmail.com and like them on Facebook to get updates on the band.

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