The Buttonwood Tree on Saturday, July 12 @ 8pm
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| J-Cherry & The Strawberries |
“In the Belly Of The Beast” by J-Cherry and the Strawberries, is
the group’s first album, recorded before a live audience with Michael Arafeh of
The Coffeehouse. “In The Belly Of The Beast”, is part poetry,
blues, and roots rock. A critical look at life, politics, and the world we live
in. From “Lies”, to “Dirty Water”, the “Dog’s On Prozac”, and “The Illuminati”,
just a few titles on this 13 track record. Here’s what critics have to say
about J-Cherry and the Strawberries, “J-Cherry and the Strawberries took to the
stage and played to a house that overflowed the music room and spilled out into
the library. A local artist with a passion for music, lead singer J-Cherry,
a.k.a. Jennifer Shafer Wood, plays her own soulful style of blues, poetry, and
funk surrounded by an ethereal musical background.” David Gellar, Middletown
Patch.
J-Cherry
I wasn't always J-Cherry. I blossomed as a poet and singer later
in life. When I found my voice and the passion to be on stage, there was
nothing to stop me! Poetry has always been a source of refuge for me. It has
carried me through hard times, helped me to grow, and has changed my life in
ways I could not have imagined! Through
poetry I began to sing and write songs. I met my husband and band mate Tim
Sparks while producing ‘Anything Goes Open Mic Mondays’ at the Buttonwood Tree
now in its fifth consecutive year. From there we started to play music
regularly and started a band. The Strawberries are a band of multi-talented
musicians and poets that formed four years ago. Inspired by a night of music
under the full moon during a summertime festival, J-Cherry and the Strawberries
came to be. What's unique about the Strawberries is that they are a traveling
variety show. They come together as a band with J-Cherry and play original
songs written by Cherry and Sparks. The Strawberries also bring their own songs
and poetry to the group, making an eclectic arrangement of music and poetry.
J-Cherry is the producer and host of the popular radio show, VOICE of the CITY
airing on WESU 88.1FM, Tuesday nights from 8-9PM, and Cygnus Radio on
Wednesdays from 7-8PM. J-Cherry also produces the Annual Middletown Music
Festival now in its third year.
The
Strawberries
Tim
Sparks, Bandmaster/singer/songwriter/guitar/mouth
harp. Mr. Sparks brought his first guitar with money he saved as a young teen.
He's been writing and playing music ever since. A multi-talented artist, Sparks
writes music from the heart that touches social issues, and the cycles of life.
His latest CD, 'Color Outside The Lines', was recorded at Coffeehouse Recording
Studio. "Sparks began his set by testing out a yet-to-be-recorded tune,
then moved into the songs from "Color Outside The Lines," an album he
describes as a reflection on the journey of life. With soul-searching music
that paid homage to his daughter ("Avery") and the roots of our
country, Sparks' interesting and heartfelt folksy stories and strong and steady
guitar work captivated the house." David Gellar, Middletown Patch
Steve
Far, singer/songwriter/bass. Ordained with a semi-hollow
body Guild guitar twice as old as himself, Steve mixes everything from jazz to
garage rock, but uses changes in time and rhythm to separate himself from any
one specific genre. Under this guise, Steve explores his own journey through
time with a conversational lyrical style.
Phill Bullaro the elusive
cyberman...
Phill Bullaro, drummer/synth/eclectic instruments. Phill is a
multi-talented visual artist and musician. He likes to explore the far out
regions of sculpture, visual arts, and music, a skilled drummer, music maker,
and poet. Phill will take you on wild space jams to the other side the moon.
Sympetalous, the bard...
"A mild mannered reporter for The Subterranean Homesick News hears the
Call o' Fate and suddenly awakes some velvet morning when he's straight then
starts to sway and write this way for no apparent planetary reason save the
subtle motion of a Deep Blue Moon and the Red Dwarf Stars Illusory Time comes
and goes all the while our Whirling Earth performs One full ellipsis around our
Sacred Sun and soon bright pulsing words from the Pipes of Pan arise and soar
as they hang a bit about a pointed space filled with heat
and light and pairs
of eager ears open wide to vivid minds
some even willin to shoot the rapids
and then float
the calms of this Stream o' Con Ki-O-tay"
~Sympetalous~
