By Greg Pahl
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame legend Roger McGuinn will perform at 8 p.m. on Friday live at the Vergennes Opera House located at 120 Main St. in Vergennes. McGuinn is the co-founder of the 1960s folk-rock band The Byrds.
McGuinn was already a veteran of the New York and Los Angeles music scene when he co-founded the group that would become the Byrds with Gene Clark and David Crosby in 1964. Within a few months, McGuinn, Clark and Crosby were looking to expand their group.
Conga player Michael Clarke was recruited because he looked like two of the Rolling Stones. Mandolin player Chris Hillman was asked to join the group and learn to play the bass guitar. During a Thanksgiving dinner the band settled on the name “Byrds,” and success was just around the corner.
Columbia Records signed the Byrds in January 1965 and they recorded their first number one hit, “Mr. Tambourine Man.” In 1968 McGuinn and Hillman hired Gram Parsons and headed for Nashville where they recorded the now critically acclaimed “Sweetheart of the Rodeo.” McGuinn disbanded the Byrds in 1973 to pursue his dream of a solo career.
However, McGuinn rejoined Gene Clark and Chris Hillman in 1978 on Capitol Records for three more albums. In 1981 McGuinn decided it was time to return to his folk roots and began touring solo acoustic. McGuinn will bring his solo show to the opera house for an evening of his classic hits and traditional folk.
General seating tickets for $35 are available through the opera house, Classic Stitching in Vergennes and the Flynn Box Office. Tickets and information are available at 877-6737.
LIVE MUSIC IN BRISTOL
The WalkOver Concert Room, also known as the WalkOver Listening Room, in collaboration with Bristol Friends of the Arts, will be presenting accordionist/pianist Jeremiah McLane and guitarist/mandolinist David Surette on Saturday at 8 p.m.
McLane and Surette perform a unique blend of Franco-American and New England music that is exuberant and introspective, tender and passionate.
They place familiar sounds in unusual settings, and combine a unique gift of improvisation with a keen appreciation for the power of a simple melody. Their repertoire features dance tunes from New England, The British Isles, France and Quebec as well as original compositions.
Surette is highly regarded for his work on the guitar, mandolin, and bouzouki, in a wide variety of settings. As a soloist, he is nationally known as a top player of Celtic fingerstyle guitar. He is folk music co-coordinator at the Concord (N.H.) Community Music School, and has authored a book of Celtic fingerstyle guitar arrangements.
He performs regularly with his wife, singer Susie Burke.
McLane has composed music for theatre and film, received numerous grants and awards,including the Ontario Center for the Performing Arts, and the Vermont Council on the Arts. National Public Radio selected his second solo recording, “Smile When You’re Ready,” in their favorite picks of 1996.
His fifth release, “Hummingbird,” received the French music magazine Trad Mag BRAVO award for 2003. He teaches world music, accordion and piano at the State University of New York in Plattsburgh, N.Y. He performs regularly with Nightingale, Le Bon Vent, and The Clayfoot Strutters.
Admission is $15 and includes light refreshments. Tickets will be on sale at Bristol Cliffs Music store on Main Street, and at the WalkOver Gallery at 15 Main St.
LIVE MUSIC AT THE B&C
The Ball & Chain Café in the Briggs Carriage House Bookstore in Brandon will feature Snake Mountain Bluegrass on Saturday at 7 p.m. Celebrate May with this popular local bluegrass quartet, featuring Gregg Humphrey on guitar, Mike Boise on bass, Mike Connor on banjo, and Earle Provin on mandolin.
In between lickety-split pickin’ they might talk about the complex roots of bluegrass music, peppered with a few banjo jokes. Enjoy an evening of entertainment with wonderful musicians and good friends.
The performance is free. The Briggs Carriage House Bookstore is located at 16 Park St. in Brandon. Additional information is available at 247-0050.
STUDENT ART EXHIBITION
The 41st Annual Middlebury College Student Art Exhibition continues this week in the Pit Space and Atrium of the Johnson Memorial Building on Chateau Road off College Street. This year’s exhibition showcases the best thesis work by graduating studio art students during the 2007-08 year, and includes paintings, prints, photographs, and sculptures.
The exhibit, which runs through May 26, is free and the public is welcome.
TWO BROTHERS TAVERN
On Saturday, at 9 p.m., Hot Neon Magic will perform at the Two Brothers Tavern, 86 Main St. in Middlebury. Join this energetic 1980s cover band for a night of retro fun. There is a $3 cover charge. Additional information is available at 388-0002.