If you are looking for some weekend fun that will include some of the finest local roots music and some foot-stomping dancing, look no further than the fourth annual Hilltown Hoedown. The Hoedown is presented by the Valley Twang Cooperative and the Shutesbury Athletic Club (SAC) and will take place at the club on Saturday (October 22) from 4 to 11 p.m. Music will be provided by local favorites the Cropdusters, the Green Sisters, Wild Bill and the Flying Sparks, and the Pistoleros.
The organizers of this mini music festival have assembled a bang-up lineup that features four bands that play music that is heavy on the twang yet also venture into other styles. In addition, they also share the common bond of creating music made for dancing. With a lineup like this, you can expect an evening that mixes original material with the music of some of your favorite country musicians.
Let’s take a more detailed look at what the Hoedown has in store:
The Cropdusters, who are newcomers to the Hoedown, are a quintet that includes Beck Mitus from the Green Sisters on vocals and rhythm guitar. The group states that their goal as a band is to play the best country and western music possible, and they do this by performing the music of Patsy Cline, Merle Haggard, Ernest Tubb, Clint Black, and so many more classic country artists. Although, this may be their first time at the Hoedown, it likely won’t be their last.
Beck Mitus will also be on hand to join her sisters when the Green Sisters wow the Hoedown crowd with their set of original tunes and select covers. The group’s popularity continues to grow – they have released two albums that are worth checking out. The sisters’ shows are marked by the spirit of fun and family they bring to the stage. Their sweet harmonies are the kind that can only be created by siblings, as is their humorous on-stage banter. Musically the quartet often switches styles as easily as they swap instruments. You’ll hear country, bluegrass, blues and even barbershop when Mel, Bets, Brie and Beck hit the stage.
Rounding out the lineup are bands that feature two of the event organizers: first there is Wild Bill and the Flying Sparks led by Bill Knittle, which also includes Peter Sikowitz on guitar and vocals. Sikowitz, along with musician Josh LeVangie, is the driving force behind the hoedown. Sikowitz is also the founder of the Valley Twang Cooperative, a group of local musicians committed to keeping roots music thriving here in the Valley.
Wild Bill and the Flying Sparks play a brand of infectious roots country rock that makes it impossible to sit still while listening to them. The group’s high energy, full rollicking sound has won them a loyal following here in the Valley. One of the area’s hardest working bands, the Flying Sparks are frequently found rocking out at a variety of local venues.
The last band for us to talk about is Josh LeVangie and the Pistoleros who specialize in outlaw country music which means you’ll hear plenty of Waylon, Willie and Merle. LeVangie has a look and a voice that sounds straight out of Nashville, not Wendell. He’s the kind of singer that can do justice to these classic songs.
According to Sikowitz, the Hoedown, which is clearly one of the twangiest events around, is one of the Shutesbury Athletic Club biggest draws in its 40 year history. Also, the organizers realize that Halloween is right around the corner, so costumes are very welcome.
The pandemic hit live music hard and in 2020 the Hoedown didn’t happen. When live music began slowly starting to happen again last year, the organizers decided to cross their fingers and host the third annual Hilltown Hoedown even though they had no idea if people were ready to go out and hear live music. They were pleasantly surprised when the 2021 attendance hit a record high.
“Every year the event has brought in more folks than the previous year,” said Sikowitz. “As we continue to live with and contain COVID, we’re happy to see the music scene gaining momentum after an extremely challenging time. Life goes on and so does music – it is fundamental. We are also delighted to be a part of the revitalization. And, of course, we’re pretty stoked by this year’s roster of performers.”
Ticket prices for the event are $18 in advance and can be purchased at the Shutesbury Athletic Club. $20 the day of the show. Children under 12 will be admitted free. The Club bar is cash only. Burgers, veggie burgers and hot dogs will be available. The Shutesbury Athletic Club is located at 282 Wendell Road.
Fans of Creedence Clearwater Revival (or CCR) will want to head to Bernardston tomorrow night (October 21) and catch Fortunate Sons Tribute, a Creedence tribute act who will be playing a benefit show for the Bernardston Unitarian church at the Unitarian Meetinghouse in Bernardston at 7 p.m.
Fortunate Sons Tribute are a relatively new band based in the Hartford, Connecticut area who play all the hits of the popular ‘60s band as well as some solo tunes from the band’s leader John Fogerty. “This band was formed as a post-pandemic effort to play music that a wide demographic of people could enjoy, recognize and dance to,” wrote band leader Doug Kupper in an email exchange.
“I always appreciated Fogarty’s writing, and singing. Even though CCR was around for a short while over fifty years ago, their songs have a timeless quality that has garnered interest from a whole new, younger audience,” he wrote.
At one point in the late 60’s CCR was the most popular band in America and in fact, even out-sold the Beatles.
“My background was as the owner/producer of a recording studio that knew most of the players in the area,” he added. “When I was looking for members for this project it was fairly easy to attract high quality musicians to this repertoire and we’re all pleased with the results.”
All the band members have played in successful Connecticut bands and in larger venues, and they hope as they move forward with Fortunate Sons Tribute to bring this music to larger audiences. Considering the way in which they capture the spirit and sound of the band, that is likely to happen.
“We named the band Fortunate Sons, and have tapped into our own sons (and daughters) to help with photos, video, social media and fashion advice, giving the name an added layer of meaning for us,” said Kupper. They tacked tribute on the end to differentiate a band in the Midwest that also uses the name.
“Song selection is always a major issue when a band is forming, and with such a deep catalogue of hits as CCR has, that problem was all but eliminated,” he added. Indeed, Creedence have an incredible catalog featuring songs like “Proud Mary,” “Bad Moon Rising,” “Who’ll Stop the Rain” and so many more – songs that even the most casual music fan knows by heart. So come out and sing along.
Tickets are $20 and available at World Eye Bookshop on Main Street Greenfield or at the door. The show will also be available to watch streamed on YouTube. Instructions for obtaining the password will be posted on the church’s web page www.bernardstonunitarian.org for the same donation as the live performance.
In other tribute band news, musician Chris Devine will bring his Jethro Tull tribute, Minstrels in the Gallery, to Hawks and Reed Performing Arts Center in Greenfield on Friday, Oct. 21. at 8 p.m. Devine debuted the group to a sold out crowd in June and that was such a success that he’s back for an encore. For this show he’ll have along a special guest, astronaut and Shelburne Falls resident, Cady Coleman, who is also a flutist and once played a duet in space with Tull frontman Ian Anderson. Tickets are available at HawksandReed.com or at the door. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.
Sheryl Hunter is a freelance writer who resides in Easthampton. Her work has appeared in various regional and national publications. She can be reached at Soundslocal@yahoo.com.