Country / rockabilly band, Girls Guns and Glory, come to town

On Friday, February 20th t, Girls Guns and Glory, hits the stage at the me&thee. These four east coasters have toured and played on stages worldwide, five albums later they are back in Boston, for a night of old school “rock `n´ roll with a country-twist” at me & thee coffeehouse. Opening act is Susan Cattaneo, a Berklee College of Music graduate who, after graduation was asked to become a songwriting faculty member. Doors open at 7:30 PM for this 8:00 PM show at the me&thee coffeehouse which is located at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead at 28 Mugford Street.

“Boston’s rising stars, Girls Guns and Glory, have been making a name for themselves through relentless touring (about 200 gigs a year worldwide), the release of several critically acclaimed records, a slew of local awards, including being the Boston Music Awards first act of its genre to win Act of the Year, and international awards (Independent Artist of the Year at the French Country Music Awards). The hard-working band refined their focus to the roots of rock ‘n’ roll with a twist of country on their lates album, “Good Luck”.”

The foursome (Ward Hayden on vocals/guitar, Paul Dilley on electric and upright bass/piano, Josh Kiggans on drums/percussion, and Chris Hersch on lead guitar/banjo) found inspiration for this record from early ’50s rock ‘n’ roll icons such as Chuck Berry, Eddie Cochran, and Buddy Holly, as well as country greats like Hank Williams and Johnny Cash. The early rock ‘n’ roll inspiration is somewhat of a full circle moment for Hayden. “This style of music was in the house I grew up in. My mom was a fan of the earlier country music and early rock ‘n’ roll, but I didn’t have real taste for it until I was about 20. I had this beat up old Oldsmobile that didn’t have a radio, only a tape deck. My mom would lend me her tapes of Johnny Cash or Hank Williams so I’d have something to listen to. I fell in love with the sound; it was everything I had been looking for.” Hayden says.

Susan Cattaneo, originally from New Jersey, has now been a songwriting professor at Berklee for about 13 years. She’s written songs covered by numerous artists in Nashville, and her tunes helped launch the careers of Jillian Cardanelli and Erica Nicole. Cattaneo has released four albums of mostly upbeat, catchy pop-country music, ”“Brave and Wild,” in 2009, “Heaven to Heartache” in 2011 and “Little Blue Sky” in 2012 and “Haunted Heart” in 2014. You’ll hear a blend of country, rock and soul with sparkles of blues and folk – music that would slide into the comfort zone for fans of Bonnie Raitt, Emmylou Harris, Mary Chapin Carpenter or Sheryl Crow.

Tickets for the performance by Girls Guns and Glory with Susan Cattaneo opening are $16 in advance and $19 at the door. Tickets are available online at www.meandthee.org and can be purchased in person at the Spirit of ’76 Bookstore or the Arnold Gallery in Marblehead. The Landing Restaurant at 81 Front Street, Marblehead offers a 10% discount on dinner if you show your ticket or receipt. Enjoy a meal before the show! As at all me & thee coffeehouse events, refreshments are available, including homemade pastries, coffee, and teas. The me & thee has a handicapped-accessible entrance and an accessible bathroom, is a smoke-free environment, and is easily reached by MBTA bus. The me & thee is one of the oldest continually running acoustic coffeehouses in New England, and probably the country. It has been and will always be a volunteer, non-profit organization sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead. For information and directions, call 781-631-8987 or check the website at www.meandthee.org.

Next concert: February 27th- Liz Longley with opening act Jesse Terry