"Beatle" Benefit Concert Later this Month

The following press release was issued by Kathy Sands-Boehmer:

Fans of the Beatles, young and old alike, will be elated that the Unitarian Univeralist Church of Marblehead is once again hosting a benefit concert that will include some of region’s most talented musicians.  This year’s benefit is called “All Together Now.”  The benefit takes place on Friday, June 24 at the UU Church of Marblehead on Mugford Street.  Part of the proceeds from this concert go directly to a special fund to send musicians into local schools for workshops and concerts as well as to benefit programs at the UU church.

This year’s lineup includes a variety of musicians who will be sure to delight everyone.

New England based Americana singer-songwriter, Amy Black, is a headliner at this year’s WUMB Music Festival. Her newest CD, “One Time,” has been critically acclaimed one because of its “beautifully imagined sound and soul.”    With Amy Black, storytelling – and true Southern tradition – is in her blood, arriving with an undeniable sense of history, an irrepressible passion for performing, and a whole lot of authentic soul. Another powerful female musician, Sarah Blacker, adds her immense talent to the benefit.  Her music is a unique blend of acoustic rock, folk, and jazz with stand-out vocals and quirky yet catchy songwriting, that set her apart from other female singer/songwriters in her genre. She is regularly compared to Natalie Merchant, Joni Mitchell and Regina Spektor, yet is consistently told that her sound is all her own.

Another talented musician in this year’s troupe: Laura Bullock is a Boston-area songwriter, through and through.  Literate and modern, reflective and relevant, she writes and performs in a style that has become characteristic of the Cambridge folk music scene. Laura’s unique and exhilarating Beatle song interpretations have been heralded by many.

On stage, Laura weaves each song together with humor and stories, connecting with the audience like two friends over tea. Ryan Fitzsimmons is another outstanding musician who is a favorite in the Boston / Cambridge music scene.  He’s been steadily building his reputation as a fantastic singer and songwriter and his stage performances are undeniably beyond memorable.

 Connor Garvey’s songs are like placing folk-funk guitar & ukulele, soulful vocals, and paradoxical metaphors in a juicer- you’ve never tasted it before, but it’s intriguing and delectable so you have to keep drinking.  His clever rhythmic string foundations provide a medium for his most prominent instrument, his voice. His renditions of Beatle songs will surely be captivating.  Another stellar musician on this year’s bill is Stuart Ferguson. Winner of the 2009 Boston Folk Festival songwriting competition, Ferguson plays many local gigs in the area.

 The Boston Phoenix calls Brendan Hogan a “distinctive new musical voice” and his debut CD, Long Night Coming has won rave reviews and has received substantial airplay on many radio stations.  Brendan’s Beatle hooks will be memorable and tinged with his mainstay blues-tinged vocals. Kirsten & Dave’s diverse backgrounds are the key to their success at performing a variety of musical styles. Beatle benefit favorites, their love for music is obvious. Playing a variety of instruments, Kirsten & Dave swap off melodies and harmonies as they play their music.

 Marbleheader Kat Quinn is making her Beatle benefit debut.  Kat (aka Katherine Feeley) graduated from Marblehead High in 2006 and has recently relocated to New York after a sting in Nashville.  She’s recently recorded a special Celtic-tinged song for her alma mater, University of Notre Dame. Scrambled Eggs (Mike Birch, Grady Moates, Lin Sprague, and Kevin Wall) have perfected their well-crafted harmonies and spot-on interpretations of Beatles songs.  Sprague and Moates are Beatle benefit veterans and have expanded their band this year.  Come find out why they’re called Scrambled Eggs---yes, there’s a Beatles reference. Special Beatle surprises and raffles will take place at this year’s show.

All are welcome to come out on Friday, June 24 at 8:00 p.m. to support the Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead as well as all of these wonderful musicians who have donated their talent and their valuable time on a "gig night" to help with this benefit. Last year the UUCM sent Chris and Meredith Thompson to the Glover School for a well-received “Sound Science” workshop in which they demonstrated and sang about a variety of different musical instruments.  The UUCM also sent singer-songwriter, Anais Mitchell to the Marblehead Community Charter School about a concert and discussion about her folk opera, “Hadestown.”  Tickets are available on the church website: www.uumarblehead.org. or at the door.  Adults: $20, Student: $10, Children $5.00 or Family package: $45.  Refreshments will be served throughout the evening. Contributions can also be made out to UUCM  and sent directly to the church at 28 Mugford Sreet, Marblehead, MA 01945. For additional information, call 781-631-1215.

Calendar / PSA:

An evening of Beatles covers done by a variety of acoustic singer-songwriters from far and wide will be happening at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead on Friday, June 24 at 8:00 p.m.  The sixth annual benefit features the talents of Amy Black, Sarah Blacker, Laura Bullock, Ryan Fitzsimmons, Stuart Ferguson, Connor Garvey, Brendan Hogan, Kirsten and Dave, Kat Quinn, and Scrambled Eggs.  Proceeds of this concert will go directly to a special fund to send musicians into the schools for workshops and concerts and also to the UUCM.  The UU Church of Marblehead is located at 28 Mugford Street, Marblehead, MA.   For information, write to info@meandthee.org or call the church at 781-631-1215  Tickets are available at www.uumarblehead.org or at the door.