On Stage: Bill Toms and Hard Rain make music, no matter what

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times  Bill Toms and Hard Rain If you’re a fan of jazz or blues, you should check out the schedule every week for the shows at Jamey’s House of Music (32 South Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, 215-477-9985,www.jameyshouseofmusic.com). If you’re a fan of both jazz and blues, then you should know you’ll find a show to match your taste every Thursday, Friday,...

On Stage: Squirrel Nut Zippers are back and playing Philly

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times  Squirrel Nut Zippers There are three meanings for “Squirrel Nut Zippers.” “Nut Zippers” is a southern term for a variety of old bootleg moonshine. There was a newspaper story about an intoxicated man who climbed a tree and refused to come down even after police arrived. The headline was “Squirrel Nut Zipper.” Squirrel Nut Zipper is also...

On Stage Extra: ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ at Kimmel

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Richard Thomas as Atticus Finch “To Kill a Mockingbird” is an American classic – in many ways. It is an American classic as a novel. It is an American classic as a movie. It is an American classic as a Broadway play. “To Kill a Mockingbird” is a novel by the American author Harper Lee, which was published in 1960 and was instantly successful...

On Stage: Ben Brandt was born to play guitar

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Ben Brandt and the Soul Miners Union Independence Day Weekend has arrived — and so has an endless array of holiday celebrations. There are also many concerts on this weekend’s schedule – a wide variety of shows with something to please almost everyone. Jamey’s House of Music (32 South Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, 215-477-9985,www.jameyshouseofmusic.com)...

On Stage: Country stars get together as The Frontmen

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times The Frontmen When The Frontmen take the stage at the American Music Theatre (2425 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, www.AMTshows.com) on June 17, the three singers will be bringing a lot of baggage with them – baggage in the combined total of more than 30 Number One hits, more than 30 million records sold and more than 50 Top 40 hits. The Frontmen features...

On Stage: Stephen Kellogg revels in working solo

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Stephen Kellogg Stephen Kellogg has always maintained a dual career – as a solo artist and as a leader of his own band. He spent the first decade of the 2000s recording and touring with his band The Sixers. On June 4, Kellogg is returning to a venue that was the site of one of his first post-Sixers era shows — the Bryn Mawr Twilight Concert (9...

On Stage: Jefferson Berry displays folk roots in new tour

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Jefferson Berry Jamey’s House of Music (32 South Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, 215-477-9985, www.jameyshouseofmusic.com) is one of those venues where music fans know there will be great music every weekend. It doesn’t matter who is playing, the evening will feature top-flight acts performing in a comfortable venue with a great sound system. This weekend...

On Stage: John 5 shows his versatility

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times John 5 The Sellersville Theater (24 West Temple Avenue, Sellersville, 215-257-5808, www.st94.com) has a reputation for presenting shows stretching across a wide swath of genres. This week is a prime example. The Sellersville Theater will present The Security Project (high level tribute project for the music of Peter Gabriel), Crack the Sky (classic...

On Stage: Baxter brings deep history to show at City Winery

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times  Jeff Baxter It’s hard to imagine music fans heading to a concert by a member of the NASA Exploration Systems Advisory Committee. It’s hard to imagine a guitarist who has consulting contracts with the Pentagon’s Missile Defense Agency. However, if it’s Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, it makes sense. Baxter, who will headline a show at City...

On Stage Extra: Candlebox Unplugged at City Winery

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Candlebox Unplugged Brian Quinn is a busy musician. The King of Prussia resident is a talented guitarist who performs solo and duet shows locally on a regular basis – and he is a member of the veteran Seattle-based rock band Candlebox. Several area venues have hosted shows by Candlebox Unplugged, featuring Quinn, a guitarist originally from Pennsylvania’s...