Vance Gilbert is a versatile and influential acoustic singer-songwriter, performer, and coach. He has released 14 albums and performed at prestigious festivals and venues, and he’s performed at the Rose Garden probably a half-dozen times over the years. His latest album, “The Mother Of Trouble”, showcases his storytelling skills and diverse musical influences. Vance is the perfect musician to inspire our trio of songwriters participating that night in our 32nd Performing Songwriter Competition.
“If Joni Mitchell and Richie Havens had a love child, with Rodney Dangerfield as the midwife, the results might be something close to the great Vance Gilbert”, says Richmond Magazine.
Vance’s new album, “The Mother Of Trouble”, features Grammy winner Lori McKenna on background vocals, Juno award recipient and Bonnie Raitt Grammy hit song co-writer Joey Landreth on guitars, and Americana-Roots master mandolinist Joe K. Walsh. With 4 bullies, 4 deaths (3 of them murders), 3 moms, 2 accidents, 2 Black people, 2 dogs, 1 dog ball, 1 gay kid, and 1 missed flight thanks to gas station sushi, this album benefits from the gifts of time and experience honing songwriting skills that put this most vital of acoustic storytellers at the top of the game.
Oh, and Management wants to make sure to tell you that this is the 14th release for this acoustic stalwart.
30 years into his career, the songwriter’s influence can be felt all over the contemporary Folk and Americana realm as he has helped pave the way for many of the BIPOC artists who have followed.
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Singer/songwriter Robin Lane will open the show. She began her musical career singing with Neil Young on the Everybody Knows This is Nowhere album. In 1979, she formed the renowned band Robin Lane & The Chartbusters, whose hit single “When Things Go Wrong” was the eleventh video broadcast on MTV’s debut day.
Piano Men, The Music of Elton John & Billy Joel. Joe Boucher and Chris Eastburn are proud to present a truly dynamic and highly acclaimed concert that combines a four-piece classic rock band featuring Joe on piano/vocals backed by a string quartet led by Chris.
The performance is a tribute to the exhilarating music of Elton John and Billy Joel…and the concert could be unlike any you’ve seen before! It will combine a five-piece rock band featuring Joe Boucher on the piano singing lead vocal, backed by a four-piece string orchestra section arranged by Christopher Eastburn.
The music of “Piano Men” concentrates heavily on the recordings by John and Joel during their 1970’s heyday, when their many hit albums featured lush orchestrations. The concert opens with Billy Joel’s thrilling Prelude / Angry Young Man and works its way through a veritable hit parade alternating songs between the two composers.
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