FREE
Each May the Me&Thee offers a free concert to the folk community at large. “We see this is a gift to those who have supported us throughout the year and a way to invite new folks in the door so they can discover what’s so special about the Me&Thee coffeehouse,” says Kathy Sands-Boehmer, one of the many volunteers at the coffeehouse. “We are also interested in promoting acts that might not otherwise have a chance to be booked at the coffeehouse. We get tons of CDs sent into us for consideration. It’s very difficult to make a decision about who gets to play and who doesn’t, so it’s a real pleasure to be able to present this year’s chosen few: Thea Hopkins, Satch Kerans, John Gerard, and City of Roses.”
Thea Hopkins has won her share of prestigious awards and accolades from music critics and fellow performers alike. In February 2005, the nationally syndicated radio program “Acoustic Cafe” selected Thea’s music for their monthly feature devoted to a new artist, “One To Watch.” Thea was named as a finalist in the 2004 Boston Folk Festival songwriter contest. There were 350 entries; she won second place. Her song “Jesus Is on the Wire,” a topical ballad about gay hate-crime victim Matthew Shepard, was included on Peter, Paul & Mary’s album “In These Times.” The famed folk trio have performed the song at every one of their concerts in the last three years and it has been recognized by music critics around the nation the most powerful new song in their repertoire. Peter, Paul & Mary had this to say of its composer: “Thea Hopkins is one of the most poetic, literate and powerfully moving of the new singer/songwriters to emerge on the scene in the last few years.”
Swampscott special education teacher Satch Kerans is a product of a classic music background — classic rock, that is. "I learned my first chords on guitar when I was around 10, but I didn't really pursue it." He actually released a record and appeared in the 'BCN Rumble in 1987. Danvers-born Satch and his band got to open for some of their musical idols: Little Steven Van Zandt, NRBQ, South Side Johnny and The Asbury Jukes. As a member of the North Shore based Catalinas, perhaps his biggest thrill was opening for Roy Orbison at The Channel four days before Roy's untimely death. Satch's first solo CD, "Elliot Street," was recorded at Witch Doctor Recording Studios in Salem. He says the songs are about characters who are ''down on their luck, just barely hanging on to jobs, relationships and society, yet somehow finding hope." The title track of the CD was chosen for the NPR program, "All Songs Considered Open Mike." As Metronome magazine says of Kerans: "Sounding like a cross between Tom Petty and Marshall Crenshaw, Kerans displays a flair for jangling pop rock numbers that stick with you like a good home cooked meal."
Born in Paris, France, John Gerard grew up listening to Billy Joel, The Police, and Serge Gainsbourg, “the dirty mouth of French pop.” After moving to Massachusetts at a young age, John was introduced to Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Minor Threat, and Iron Maiden. These new sounds became an escape from what John would later draw inspiration from. After forming a band at the age of 14, John played his first gig one year later. This was the starting point for many bands to follow. Now a solo musician, John has released four recordings and has shared the stage with both local and national musicians. He has captured audiences with his ability to keep his performance raw and tangible. This emerging artist resonates with the passion for storytelling and brutal honesty. His energy is contagious and his true talents of expressing emotions are evident. Gerard was named one of Central Massachusetts’ “20 Names to Know in Folk Music” this year. singer/songwriter Tom Driscoll says, “This guy has a voice that will blow you outta your seats! Powerful. John doesn’t give casual performances.”
With heartfelt vocals and knock-your-socks-off harmonies, City of Roses is rapidly becoming one of New England’s premier acoustic acts. Their sound flows smoothly from folk to rock, country to blues, reminiscent of CS&N, Emmylou Harris, Maria Muldaur and Manhattan Transfer. “Do Whatcha Do” is the name of their debut CD and, as the title implies, this trio does it all. Linda (Blaze) Picceri (lead guitar & vocals) is a veteran of the Boston music scene, having performed with the Allen Estes Band. She is a proficient picker and a dynamic singer who has opened for Tom Rush and Livingston Taylor. Her songwriting tells stories of love won and lost and her warm yet powerful vocal style runs the gamut of emotions. Michelle Tanguay (guitar & vocals) hails from New Hampshire, where she began her career as a solo artist. She attended Berklee College of Music and became involved in the Boston folk scene. Her vocal style, likened to Alison Krauss’, is soulful and lyrical. Stephen Gilligan (bass guitar & vocals) has had quite an illustrious career in music. As an original member of The Stompers, he spent much of the last twenty years recording and performing with these perennial New England favorites. Come hear them sing “Pleasure Island Road,” which evokes memories to all of us who grew up on the North Shore and remember our childhood good times at the popular Wakefield amusement park.
See you in the fall for Steve Forbert, Geoff Muldaur, Jake Armdering, Raymond Gonzalez, Eric Andersen, and Neal and Leandra!
