Westmoreland Symphony names Natalie Ann Kasievich as new executive director
Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra has named Natalie Ann Kasievich as its new executive director. Kasievich comes to the Greensburg-based symphony from a position as an engagement leader for Thrivent Financial. She lives in the Gibsonia neighborhood that straddles Pine and Richland townships in Allegheny County. She also is the former board...
Exhibit dedicated to guitars set to open this month at Carnegie Science Center
Guitar enthusiasts will want to pay a visit to the Carnegie Science Center later this month when a new exhibition, “Guitar: The Instrument That Rocked The World,” takes center stage. The history of the guitar is a fascinating one and dates back further than most people may realize — the...
Wynonna, Ashley Judd accept Country Music Hall of Fame induction amid tears
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Ray Charles and The Judds joined the Country Music Hall of Fame on Sunday in a ceremony filled with tears, music and laughter, just a day after Naomi Judd died unexpectedly. The loss of Naomi Judd altered the normally celebratory ceremony, but the music played on, as...
Naomi Judd, of Grammy-winning duo The Judds, dies at 76
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Naomi Judd, the Kentucky-born singer of the Grammy-winning duo The Judds and mother of Wynonna and Ashley Judd, has died. She was 76. The daughters announced her death on Saturday in a statement provided to the Associated Press. “Today we sisters experienced a tragedy. We lost our...
No covers: Millvale Music Festival emphasizes original tunes
The classic rock cover band is a staple of community festivals, particularly in the Pittsburgh area. And looking at event calendars for a good many venues, it’s clear that music fans in the region don’t mind digging into the nostalgia that the genre provides. But even with more than 300...
Jefferson Starship founding member David Freiberg discusses band’s staying power,
lineup changes
Outside of the Rolling Stones, it’s difficult to think of a single rock band that’s kept going consistently since the mid-1960s. But Jefferson Starship, originally known as Jefferson Airplane, is one of those bands. The group has just released its first new studio album in 12 years, “Mother of the...
2Broke Country Girls planning farewell show at Irwin’s Lamp Theatre
It’s not a personality conflict or creative differences breaking up the 2Broke Country Girls act, it’s something even worse: Western Pennsylvania winters. Diana Lynn of North Huntingdon, the duo’s comedic half, is moving to Florida with her husband. Lynn and her performing partner, Lois Scott of White Oak, will bid...
Pittsburgh area concert calendar
Concerts scheduled for the Pittsburgh area: January 2023 Jan. 5: Judy Collins at Byham Theater Jan. 5: Billy Price Band, Bill Toms and Hard Rain at Jergel’s Jan. 5: Sierra Sellers, Cam Chambers, DJ Inception at Thunderbird Music Hall Jan. 6: Jim Donovan & the Sun King Warriors, Tres Lads...
The B-52s to launch a U.S. farewell tour this summer
NEW YORK — The quirky dance-pop outfit The B-52s are hitting the road one last time for a final tour this summer that will roam from coast to coast. “No one likes to throw a party more than we do, but after almost a half-century on the road, it’s time...
Lou Christie returns to Pittsburgh for ‘Rock ‘n Remember Live!’
The sounds of the swinging ‘60s will fill Pittsburgh’s Benedum Center on Saturday, as the artists who sang many of the era’s hits take the stage in Rock ‘n Remember Live! Allegheny County’s own Lou Christie will headline shows at 4 and 8 p.m., along with Gary Puckett & The...
Pittsburgh Opera’s ‘Blue’ explore themes of race, violence and reconciliation
Pittsburgh Opera will explore themes of race, violence and reconciliation in “Blue,” a contemporary opera inspired by current events and Black literature. “Blue” will be presented in five performances Saturday through May 1 in the August Wilson African American Cultural Center, at 980 Liberty Ave. in downtown Pittsburgh. The story...
Musical headliners announced for Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is promising one of the most diverse music lineups ever assembled for this year’s Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival. Running June 3-12, the free concerts will begin at 7 p.m. nightly on the Dollar Bank Main Stage, at the intersection of Ninth Street and Penn...
‘I want to leave a legacy’: Scott musician joined by plenty of friends on latest release
The name that Scott musician Dave Molter chose for his latest album drew questions of concern from at least one of his friends. “It’s a title,” he told her. “Don’t worry about it.” Actually, the idea for what to call the nine-song release came from Molter’s co-producer, Al Snyder, who...
Westmoreland Symphony to wrap 53rd season with ‘Beethoven’s Brilliance’
The Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra will conclude its 53rd season with “a brilliant, energetic, and touching musical document from the grand tradition established by Mozart and Haydn,” according to Artistic Director Daniel Meyer. The piece is Ludwig van Beethoven’s Mass in C, which will conclude “Beethoven’s Brilliance,” set for 7:30 p.m....
Neon Swing X-perience founder revives grandfather’s 1940s dance band
For 24 years, Neon Swing X-perience has been jumpin’ and jivin’ across area stages, playing a lively blend of vintage Americana music styles, including big-band, swing, rockabilly, hot jazz and blues. After a July 2 appearance at the Westmoreland Arts & Heritage Festival, the band will be no more. “I’ve...
Jack White’s ‘Supply Chain Issues Tour’ stops in Pittsburgh with no lack of sustenance
A week ago (Friday) Jack White released a new album, played the national anthem before the Detroit Tigers home opener, kicked off his “Supply Chain Issues Tour,” with a show at the Motor City’s Masonic Temple theater, proposed to his singer/girlfriend Olivia Jean on stage during the show and then...
Suzanne Vega talks ‘Tom’s Diner,’ ‘Luka,’ ‘Lover Beloved’ and playing in OakmontVideo
Suzanne Vega recalls sitting backstage at “The Arsenio Hall Show” in 1990 when her manager told her, “I need to play this thing for you.” The “thing” was an unauthorized remix of her a cappella song “Tom’s Diner.” Her record label, A&M, wanted to sue the two British electronic music...
Local music legend Bill Deasy returns for show at The Oaks, with new album online for free
Bill Deasy wasn’t planning on making his new album, “If the Creek Don’t Rise.” Nor was he planning on playing a show featuring his new and favorite songs at The Oaks on April 22. But Deasy — the longtime singer, songwriter, solo artist and front man of The Gathering Field...
Bluesman Kenny Wayne Shepherd brings 25 years of ‘Trouble’ to GreensburgVideo
The Palace Theatre is in the sweet spot of venues where blues guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd likes to play. “There’s something to be said for playing to 20-, 30-, 50,000 people that is an experience unto itself, but there’s something to be said for playing the more intimate venues,” Shepherd...
Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band returns to Pittsburgh in JuneVideo
Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band will play PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh on June 18, as part of the second leg of tour dates initially planned for 2020. The former Beatle and his supergroup originally were scheduled for a June 20, 2020, date in Pittsburgh that was canceled because...
‘Year of the Cat’ singer-songwriter Al Stewart performs Saturday at the Palace Theatre
Folk rock singer and guitarist Al Stewart remembers driving down Sunset Strip decades ago in the bright sunshine of West Hollywood, Calif., in a yellow Karmann Ghia. The year was 1976 and Stewart had a hit song called “Year of the Cat” — but he wasn’t fully aware of just...
Philly’s Boat House Row brings ‘yacht rock’ to Irwin’s Lamp TheatreVideo
Put on your Sperrys and Ray-Bans and sail away to the smooth sounds of yacht rock. Boat House Row will cruise from Philadelphia to The Lamp Theatre in Irwin for a show at 8 p.m. April 15, celebrating the soft rock that filled the airwaves in the late 1970s and...
Pink Floyd members reunite to record song for Ukraine
LONDON — Pink Floyd is releasing its first new music in almost three decades to raise money for the people of Ukraine, the band announced Thursday. “Hey Hey Rise Up” features Pink Floyd members David Gilmour and Nick Mason, with vocals from Ukrainian singer Andriy Khlyvnyuk of the band BoomBox....
Jazz musician Bill Heid to perform at Joey’s in ExportVideo
Bill Heid can remember being in his father’s studio, George Heid Productions, and seeing famous musicians like Billy Strayhorn, Henry Mancini and George Benson walk through its doors to record. “A lot of the Pittsburgh jazz greats recorded their first demo at my dad’s studio,” said Heid, who has been...
Ed Sheeran wins copyright case over 2017 hit ‘Shape of You’Video
LONDON — Grammy Award-winning songwriter Ed Sheeran won a U.K. copyright battle over his 2017 hit “Shape of You” on Wednesday, then slammed what he described as a “culture” of baseless lawsuits intended to squeeze money out of artists eager to avoid the expense of a trial. The British pop...
