C A L E N D A R

Wednesdays & Thursdays, 7pm, signup 5-7pm OPEN MIC NIGHT ~ The Towne Crier Cafe's Open Mics attract aspiring musicians from all over the Hudson Valley & beyond, having been referred to by many as the finest open mic in the northeast with its comfortable, respectful atmosphere and good sound. It attracts a range of musicians from budding 5-year-old beginners to musicians whose careers are starting to bloom!
all seats $4 | more/signup

Fri, 1/27, 8:30pm BLUE CHICKEN featuring JIM WEIDER; guest Nenad Bach Band
Blue Chicken is a roots-rock gumbo of all star musicians led by Jim Weider, featuring members of the current LEVON HELM Band and others: Brian Mitchell, Clark Gayton and Randy Ciarlante. :|: Jim Weider is a former member of the legendary group, THE BAND, as well as his own ensembles, including the Jim Weider Band, Project Percolator and the JW Blues Project. Jim is a master of classic Telecaster Guitar and is renowned for his rock & blues-based signature sound. Weider is among a select group of musicians with an endorsement from Fender. For the past three decades, Jim has earned enormous respect from fellow musicians as well as music fans throughout the world. :|: Jim Weider's home
$25 advance/ $30 door Buy TICKETS now!

Sat, 1/28, 8:30pm SLOAN WAINWRIGHT Band
Folk-pop artist Sloan Wainwright belongs to a musical dynasty of impossibly gifted singer-songwriters. Her family tree (brother and folk-music luminary Loudon Wainwright, sister-in-law Kate McGarrigle, nephew Rufus Wainwright, nieces Martha Wainwright and Lucy Wainwright Roche) reads like a who's who of contemporary folk music. Sloan's incredible gift is not only her unique songwriting ability but her dramatically voiced rendition of her original songs. "She's folk-influenced, obviously (you can't grow up in the First Family of Folk and not be, one imagines), but the real star here is her voice. Warm and smoky and smooth, it makes her earthy, ominous lyrics seem all the more intense." Defying standard categorization, singer/songwriter Sloan Wainwright consistently demonstrates her easy command of a variety of American musical styles -- pop, folk, jazz and blues -- held together by the melodious tone of her rich contralto. The end result, a unique and soulful hybrid. :|: listen ♪ | Sloan Wainwright's home
$25 advance/ $30 door Buy TICKETS now!

Sun, 1/29, 4 PM MATINEE SHOWCASE EVENING, featuring ROB MORSBERGER; KATI MAC; and CHRIS BROWN
This is a very special series of concerts in which we present some of the most exceptional performers from the wealth of regional talent around us. These are up-and-coming artists whom we know well through their work at Open Mic Nights or as openers for featured musicians. These evenings are an opportunity to see what could be fame in the making, as many of our patrons have experienced in recent years. Join us for a great evening with these gifted performers.
all seats $10 Buy TICKETS now!

Wednesdays & Thursdays, 7pm, signup 5-7pm OPEN MIC NIGHT
all seats $4 | more

Fri, 2/3, 8:30pm GARLAND JEFFREYS; guest Latini & Nowak
Garland Jeffreys has been called an edgy urban poet, the sound of New York, a confessional singer-songwriter and an explorer of the links between rock, race and rebellion whose work should be taught in schools. With songs covered by artists as diverse as punk pioneers The Circle Jerks ("Wild in the Streets") and the neo-folk band Vetiver ("Lon Chaney"), Jeffreys is truly unclassifiable. His new and highly acclaimed The King Of In Between is the distillation of a long career dedicated to addressing socially conscious themes across a broad range of musical styles, and has been on a number of year-end best of lists including Rolling Stone, NPR Music, NY Daily News, Sound and Vision and MSN Music. :|: watch ♪ | listen ♪ | Garland Jeffreys' home
$25 advance/ $30 door Buy TICKETS now!

Sat, 2/4, 8:30pm LUTHER "GUITAR Jr." JOHNSON & The Magic Rockers
Grammy and WC Handy award-winning bluesman Luther "Guitar Junior" Johnson's playing-style features a blistering blend of sharp single note leads with powerful chordal self-accompaniment, which has influenced such further influential guitarists as Eric Clapton and Mark Knopfler. After serving an apprenticeship alongside the late Magic Sam, from whom he inherited the west-side guitar-style throne, Luther gained an international reputation as a guitarist & vocalist in Muddy Waters' band. By the late '70s, Luther developed his own signature style, characterized by a strong rhythmic component and deeply moving vocal phrasings. You may also remember seeing Luther featured in the legendary Blues Brothers movie ... here's your chance to see him in the Towne Crier's intimate & respected setting! :|: watch ♪ | Luther "Guitar Junior" Johnson's home
$25 advance/ $30 door Buy TICKETS now!

Sun, 2/5, 2:30pm CHRIS CASSONE with The Street Kid Band; guest Green Haven
Songwriter, singer, actor, playwright Chris Cassone started his music career as chief engineer in Chip Taylor's North Lake Sound, working with Frampton, Dr. John, Ace Frehley, Mercer Ellington among many others. The doo wop group, The Earls ("Remember Then") asked him to sing baritone and with them, played every major arena on the East Coast. Their friend, Chazz Palminteri, had Chris record the music for his hit film, "A Bronx Tale," with Robert DeNiro. He sold out performances in the area of his one man musical multimedia memoir, "The Cakeman Chronicles," detailing his exploits growing up in his family bakery, J.J. Cassone's. Splitting his time between NY and LA, he became homesick for his Putnam County and wrote the rocker, "Route 22" which went viral on YouTube. On his new CD, "Memorial Day," he is backed by members of Chip Taylor's and Howard Stern's band. :|: watch ♪ | listen ♪ | Chris Cassone's home
$15 advance/ $20 door Buy TICKETS now!

Wednesdays & Thursdays, 7pm, signup 5-7pm OPEN MIC NIGHT
all seats $4 | more

Fri, 2/10, 8:30pm STEPHANE WREMBEL & The Django Experiment
Born in Paris and raised in Fontainebleau, home of impressionism and Django Reinhardt's music, one could call Stephane Wrembel a nomad...a gypsy...a world traveler; for the music he plays and his lifestyle are expressions of the gypsy way of life. Classically trained in a music conservatory starting at age four, Stephane's life took a decisive turn in his late teens when he first discovered the music of Django Reinhardt and the Gypsies. He spent the next ten years of his life learning, playing, and expanding on this musical tradition. This hard work gave Wrembel the technique, but the time spent playing around the campfires and trailers of the Gypsies gave him the soul -- both necessary ingredients for him to master his art form. Stephane's education continued at the Berklee School of Music, graduating summa cum-laude. Soon after, Stephane made New York City his home base from which to continue his career, highlights of which include scoring the theme to Woody Allen's 2011 smash hit, Midnight In Paris; composing soundtrack music for Vicky Cristina Barcelona; and touring with Mark O'Connor. Stephane also headlined to a capacity crowd at Lincoln Center. :|: watch ♪ | listen ♪ | Stephane Wrembel's home
$25 advance/ $30 door Buy TICKETS now!

Sat 2/11, 8:30pm CHRIS SMITHER
Renowned as an extraordinary guitar player, and for songwriting talents that display a real feel for language, New Orleans-raised Chris Smither's soulful vocal style resonates from its finger pickin' blues roots. Self described as a singer-songwriter-guitarist who plays acoustic folk blues, or as a one man rock-n-roll band, Chris visits everything from obscure Chuck Berry to Tin Pan Alley corn with an uncanny ability to inhabit a song with his unpretentiously charming personalty. Among other recognized tunes, Smither wrote the often covered Bonnie Raitt classics Love You Like A Man and I Feel The Same. :|: listen ♪ | watch ♪ | Chris Smither's home
$25 advance/ $30 door Buy TICKETS now!

Sun, 2/12, 7:30pm POCO; guest Matt Turk
Country rock pioneers, Poco, found platinum success early in their career; and four decades later Rusty Young, who wrote and sang the massive hits Crazy Love and Heart Of The Night, still leads the this incredible band. Other hits include Heart Of The Night, Keep On Tryin' and Good Feelin' To Know. The band continues to record and release new material including an unplugged CD, The Wildwood Sessions, and a critically acclaimed 40th Anniversary DVD. :|: Poco's home (includes audio & video ♪)
$50 advance/ $55 door Buy TICKETS now!

Wednesdays & Thursdays, 7pm, signup 5-7pm OPEN MIC NIGHT
all seats $4 | more

Fri, 2/17, 8:30pm CJ CHENIER & THE RED HOT LOUISIANA BAND
Our Annual Mardi Gras Celebration! ~:~ Creole dishes available
CJ Chenier, son of the late Clifton Chenier ~ "King of Zydeco" ~ is a living legacy, having joined his father's Red Hot Louisiana Band in 1978, then leading it before Clifton's passing in 1987. Long since dubbed "the crown prince of Zydeco," this is one prince that has more than earned his title. His commanding personality & strong voice combine with his great accordion playing to kindle the dancing spirit of zydeco wherever he performs. Zydeco does not only survive, it spawns new life in those who venture to experience Chenier's shows. :|: encyclopedic | watch ♪ | CJ Chenier's home (incl audio)
$25 advance/ $30 door Buy TICKETS now!

Sat, 2/18, 8:30pm PETER YARROW
Peter Yarrow's talents as a creative artist -- both with the legendary trio Peter, Paul & Mary and as a solo performer -- are frequently directed at using music to convey a message of humanity and caring. His gift for songwriting has produced some of the most moving songs from Peter, Paul & Mary, including Puff, the Magic Dragon. As a member of the renowned musical trio, Yarrow has earned multiple gold and platinum albums, as well as numerous GRAMMYs. :|: encyclopedic | watch ♪ | Peter Yarrow's home
$35 advance/ $40 door Buy TICKETS now!

Sun, 2/19, 7:30pm GREG BROWN
Greg Brown was born in the Hacklebarney section of Iowa – raised by a family that made words and music a way of life. His seasoned songwriting, storytelling and music are deeply rooted in that place. Brown's songwriting has earned him the sincerest form of praise: his songs have been covered by such respected songwriters as Willie Nelson, Carlos Santana, Shawn Colvin, Mary Chapin Carpenter and even Jeff Bridges. Greg's warmth, humor, thundering voice and his comfortable, spontaneous stage presence have earned him the status of practically "always welcome to the table" at festivals and radio shows across the country and around the world. Greg Brown is on practically everyone's short list as an example of a contemporary folk artist, embodying the genre as much for our generation as did legendary voices from previous generations. Greg started performing at the Towne Crier Cafe before either was a legend, and it's a treat to have him back to our intimate setting. "A wickedly sharp observer of the human condition." -Rolling Stone :|: listen ♪ | watch ♪ | Greg Brown's home
$40 advance/ $45 door Buy TICKETS now!

THURSDAY, 2/23, 7:30pm McKRELLS' Farewell Reunion, featuring Kevin McKrell, Pawling's own Chris Leske, Craig Vance and Sarah Milonovich
Join us for this special evening, as we say farewell to the McKrells' blend of Celtic, American folk, and bluegrass -- a truly unique musical experience. Their tours, radio airplay, television appearances and record sales earned them rave reviews & standing ovations throughout the United States. :|: Kevin McKrell has been a founding member of some very popular bands -- first and foremost Celtic group Donnybrook Fair and, of course, The McKrells! This singer-songerwriter has appeared on the stage of Carnegie Hall to standing ovations, and has shared other stages with the Furey Brothers, The Battlefield Band, Altan, Mary Black, Solas, Travis Tritt, Lonestar, Allison Krause and Sam Bush, to name a few, and his songs have been recorded & performed by many groups, including folk giants, The Kingston Trio. :|: Pawling's own Chris Leske (banjo, mandolin, vocals) won first place honors in New York and New England banjo competitions as a young teen in the early '70s. In 1984, Chris won First Place in the National Banjo Championship at the famous Walnut Valley Competition in Winfield, Kansas. Chris's abilities on lead guitar were featured on two European tours with world-renowned banjoist Bill Keith and Nashville producer Jim Rooney. He was accepted for a banjo seat at Opryland USA the same year, but declined - favoring a special opportunity to tour Europe. Chris also appeared at Carnegie Hall and toured Ireland frequently with The McKrells.
$22.50 advance/ $27.50 door Buy TICKETS now!

Fri, 2/24, 8:30pm CHERYL WHEELER; guest KENNY WHITE
Cheryl Wheeler has to be seen live to be appreciated. From Cheryl's albums you can tell that she is a gifted songwriter with a beautiful voice, but this does not prepare you for how entertaining a performer she is. She is a natural story teller with a fantastic sense of humor that will have you rolling in the aisles. The L.A. Times called her "Will Rogers with a guitar." She might then just as naturally sing a song that leaves you wiping tears from your eyes. Her entire concert is like that emotional roller coaster we call life. Even if you're not already familiar with Cheryl, you have probably heard her music. Mixing keen insight with humor and pathos, Cheryl's songs have been covered by artists as diverse as Dan Seals, Peter Paul & Mary, Kenny Loggins, Garth Brooks, Suzy Bogguss, Melanie, Bette Midler, Maura O'Connell, Sylvia, Kathy Mattea, and Holly Near. :|: watch ♪ | Cheryl Wheeler's home
$30 advance/ $35 door Buy TICKETS now!

Sat, 2/25, 8:30pm POPA CHUBBY Band; guest Myles Mancuso
Popa Chubby, an in-your-face blues/rock/R&B guitar slinger, says "The core of my music is about excitement. I think music should make people feel alive." The energy and showmanship of Popa Chubby's sets have earned him critical and commercial acclaim overseas -- even more than here. In fact, he's become a huge star in Europe, where he appears on the covers of magazines and routinely sells out major venues. :|: watch ♪ | listen ♪ | Popa Chubby's home
$30 advance/ $35 door Buy TICKETS now!

Sun, 2/26, 4 PM MATINEE BACK TO THE GARDEN 1969
Back To The Garden 1969 is comprised of a group of five musicians (two of which were at the original Woodstock festival) who have performed together in various combinations over the years, but joined forces specifically to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Woodstock Music Festival. This proved to be so much fun for everyone ~especially those who've come out to see them~ that there was no reason to stop! The band covers the wide variety of musical styles and classic sounds associated with Woodstock, including acoustic and electric rock, acid rock, folk music, and soul. Their musical performances are a tribute to the artists who helped make Woodstock the epic event that, to this day, remains unparalleled. So... break out your tie-dye, put on your sandals, and don't forget to wear some flowers in your hair! :|: watch ♪ | listen ♪ | Back To The Garden's home
$20 advance/ $25 door Buy TICKETS now!

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Towne Crier Cafe
Open evenings Wed thru Sun; Closed Mon & Tues
130 Route 22, Pawling, NY · (845) 855-1300