{"id":30302,"date":"2016-06-23T09:10:00","date_gmt":"2016-06-23T13:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=30302"},"modified":"2016-06-23T09:00:22","modified_gmt":"2016-06-23T13:00:22","slug":"on-stage-the-mavericks-just-keep-on-rockin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=30302","title":{"rendered":"On Stage: The Mavericks just keep on rockin’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Also: WCU grad makes good with The Stray Birds<\/em><\/h2>\n

By Denny Dyroff<\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Staff Writer, The Times<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The Mavericks bring their genre-crossing sound to the Delaware Valley this weekend.<\/p><\/div>\n

When an American rock band can survive for more than a quarter of a century, it has proven that it has learned how to build a fan base and learned how to make great music to keep that fan base happy and intact.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Mavericks, who will be performing on June 23 at Fillmore Philadelphia (1100 Canal Street, Philadelphia, 215-309-0150, www.thefillmorephilly.com<\/span><\/a>), \u00a0are one of those bands.<\/span><\/p>\n

The quartet came together in Miami just over 25 years ago and immediately built a strong following with its eclectic mix of rock, country, Latin, rockabilly, standards and cowpunk.<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite personnel changes, financial difficulties, internal conflicts, a few periods in limbo and a variety of other challenges, The Mavericks are still going strong more than a quarter-century later. Last year, the group just released its eighth studio album \u201cMono\u201d (The Valory Music Co \u2014 Big Machine Label Group).<\/span><\/p>\n

Now, The Mavericks are still touring in support of their new disc \u2014 a tour that brings them to this area for a show this weekend. The current line-up of The Mavericks includes founding members Raul Malo (vocals) and Paul Deakin (drums). Jerry Dale McFadden has been the band\u2019s keyboardist since 1994 and guitarist Edie Perez joined in 2003.<\/span><\/p>\n

After releasing an eponymous album in 2003, the band did a support tour and then split up. From 2006-2010, Malo built a strong solo career and released several albums on his own. In 2011, a reunion, which was eagerly anticipated by fans, took place and The Mavericks have been on a roll ever since.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat was the catalyst for the reunion,\u201d said Perez, during a phone interview Tuesday morning from his home in Nashville, Tennessee. \u201cAll of us were feeling — is there something still there? Raul was on his own musical journey. I spent years touring with Dwight Yoakam. It took us some time to get maturity into our lives.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut, The Mavericks has always been a special thing. The music has gotten a lot richer — a lot more joyous. Still, the biggest reason for the reunion was that we all missed hanging with each other.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Now, they\u2019re hanging together a lot.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a glorious day here in Nashville today,\u201d said Perez. \u201cWe\u2019re on our way to the studio today. This far into our career, we\u2019re still in pursuit of that track — that thing we\u2019ve always been pursuing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn the last few months, we\u2019ve been working on a lot of different projects. We\u2019re working on a live record — a double-album on vinyl that we\u2019re putting the finishing touches on right now. We recorded a lot on tour last fall. This album is for the fans.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn the midst of doing the live record and all the tour dates, we\u2019ve also been in the studio working on new tracks for an album that we\u2019ll be releasing next year. We\u2019ve been recording in various places across the country. This started last year.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The Mavericks may not have had a chart-topping hit back in their initial incarnation but they still racked up a lot of impressive accolades \u2014 Academy of Country Music Awards\u2019 \u201cTop New Vocal Group\u201d (1994) and \u201cTop Vocal Group\u201d (1994 and 1995), Country Music Association Awards\u2019 \u201cVocal Group of the Year\u201d (1995 and 1996) and Grammy Awards\u2019 \u201cBest Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal\u201d (1995).<\/span><\/p>\n

The Mavericks released their first record on Valory-Big Machine \u2014 \u201cIn Time\u201d \u2014 on February 26, 2013. \u201cMono\u201d was released two years later almost to the date \u2014 February 17, 2015.<\/span><\/p>\n

A few months ago, The Mavericks took center stage at the Microsoft Theater during the Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony to perform \u201cAll Night Long,\u201d which scored a nomination for Best American Roots Song. The Mavericks also were nominated in the Best Americana Album category for \u201cMono.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

While in the studio to record \u201cMono,\u201d the band realized that the songs required a different approach. They felt drawn toward the idea of creating an album that shines through its songwriting and instrumentation in a singular mindset.<\/span><\/p>\n

So, instead of recording the new album in stereo with all the studio tricks that go along with stereo, the band made the new album in mono \u2014 monaural with just one channel. It was an experiment not without risk. But, the final result shows that it was a risk well worth taking.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe take our creative cues from Raul,\u201d said Perez. \u201cWe allow his creative energy to blossom. We used an old-school work ethic when we were recording \u2018Mono.\u2019 Now, we\u2019re using that same work ethic with our current projects.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe also have a Christmas project that we\u2019re doing for next year. For us, it\u2019s important to be motivated — to stay busy as a band and work on our craft. As a band, we live in a wonderland.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for The Mavericks — https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=YsK6vRVEVF0<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The show at the Fillmore will start at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $45 and $69.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s not that unusual to see actors attempt to also establish themselves as musicians.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Jonathon

Jonathon Jackson + Enation<\/p><\/div>\n

Hugh Laurie (\u201cHouse\u201d) has released two albums of blues music. The Bacon Brothers (with Kevin Bacon) have toured the club circuit a number of times.\u00a0 Johnny Depp has his band — the Hollywood Vampires.<\/span><\/p>\n

On the flip side, there now is a group called Jonathan Jackson + Enation — a band that happens to have two brothers who are established actors.<\/span><\/p>\n

The band includes Jonathan Jackson, a five-time Daytime Emmy Award-winning actor who currently stars as \u201cAvery Barkley\u201d on the show \u201cNashville,\u201d his brother Richard Lee Jackson, who played Ryan Parker on the NBC Saturday morning sitcom \u201cSaved by the Bell: The New Class\u201d and currently a recurring role on the Lifetime drama \u201cAny Day Now,\u201d\u00a0 and their friend Daniel Sweatt.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jonathan Jackson + Enation, which has a show on June 23 at the World Caf\u00e9 Live (3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, 215-222-1400, philly.worldcafelive.com<\/span><\/a>), just released their new EP \u201cBlame-shifter.\u201d The new EP was produced by Grammy-nominated producer Greg Archilla. The new songs will also be a part of their next full-length album which will be announced later this year.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOur dad was a country music performer when we were growing up so music was all around us,\u201d said Richard Lee Jackson, during a phone interview Tuesday as the band was heading north from Nashville to start the tour.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI started playing drums when I was about eight years old. A while later, I performed with my dad, who had a garage band called Scarlet Road. We had gigs in L.A. at big clubs like the Whiskey and the Viper Room.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy brother started playing guitar when he was eight. At some point, after I had been performing with my dad for awhile, my brother begged me to play together with him in a band. He was 11 and I was 14. Several years later, we met Daniel Sweatt and he joined the band. We started playing original music along with classic rock covers.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The meshing together of the three musicians was an immediate success.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRight from the start, there was good chemistry when we played together,\u201d said Jackson. \u201cJonathan has always been a songwriter at heart. We had a studio in Washington (State) and made four or five independent records. We were serious about our music and even started our own label — Hilasterion Records.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe recorded the new EP in Nashville at Chill Hill Studio. Greg (Archilla) is a great producer. We wanted to capture the live visceral energy of our live show. When we were recording, we set up the drums and Jonathan\u2019s guitar just like it would be at a show. It definitely helped give that live feeling to the tracks.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018Blame-shifter\u2019 is actually the beginning of our next full-length. We have the back half already in motion. All the songs from \u2018Blame-shifter\u2019 will be on the album. Bothe parts of the album should have a consistent sound because we\u2019re using the same producer and mixer.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Video link for Jonathan Jackson + Enation — https:\/\/youtu.be\/VgJ7byUxSfU<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The show at the World Caf\u00e9 Live, which has Beat Root Revival, as the opening act,\u00a0 will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $18.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The Stray Birds<\/p><\/div>\n

The Stray Birds, who are performing on June 23 at the 8, have their roots in nearby Lancaster County. But, just like real stray birds, these Stray Birds — Charlie Muench, Maya de Vitry and Oliver Craven — have migrated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cI still live in Lancaster but I\u2019m moving to Philadelphia soon,\u201d said Muench, during a phone interview Wednesday afternoon from a tour stop in Pawling, New York. \u201cOliver and Maya have lived in Nashville for a few years now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Their current flight plan brings them to the area on June 23 for a show at the Ardmore Music Hall (23 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, 610-649-8389,\u00a0www.ardmoremusic.com<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

The trio has its musical roots in acoustic music \u2014 Americana, folk and bluegrass. Prior to this year, the band released two albums and two EPs. The most recent album was \u201cBest Medicine\u201d was released in 2014 on Yep Roc Records.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re all from Lancaster County,\u201d said Muench, who graduated from West Chester University in 2011 with a degree in musical education. \u201cMaya and I went to Hempfield High and Oliver is from Ephrata. Maya and I were in a middle school orchestra together. Oliver and I met through mutual friends. Maya and Oliver were making an EP together in a basement in Lancaster and I played bass on a couple tracks.At the beginning of 2012, it became a three-piece band full time with Maya and Oliver as the songwriters. The band formed around playing their songs along with some traditional Americana, bluegrass and fiddle tunes. I got into bluegrass when I was in college. It started with listening to the Grateful Dead and that led me to Jerry Garcia\u2019s other band Old and In the Way. Maya has been playing old-time music with her family for a long time. Oliver was in a family band playing fiddle since his early musical days. The family-oriented nature of the music is great. Before there was recorded music, people would sit around and sing together.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The Stray Birds are ready to unveil their latest recorded work. The band\u2019s new album \u201cMagic Fire\u201d is scheduled to be released August 19 on Yep Roc Records.<\/span><\/p>\n

It was their first project with an outside producer, their first recording with venerable guest musicians, and their first truly collaborative songwriting effort. It is also an album of mosts — the most exciting and engaging music they\u2019ve ever composed paired with their most outspoken and insightful lyrics yet.<\/span><\/p>\n

Impressively, the Stray Birds made the record with legendary producer Larry Campbell and one of America\u2019s top engineers — Justin Guip.<\/span><\/p>\n

They went to Milan Hill, New York, a small town outside of Woodstock in the Hudson River Valley, and teamed up with the three-time GRAMMY Award-winning producer, who is best known for his work with artists such as Bob Dylan, Levon Helm, Paul Simon, and Willie Nelson. Guip is another three-time GRAMMY Award-winner who worked with the late Helm.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe met Larry in New York City a few years ago and stayed in touch,\u201d said Muench. \u201cWhen we were thinking about producers for the new album, he was at the top of the list. We made a phone call and he agreed to do the album with us.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt wasn\u2019t too difficult to arrange a time when we could work together. We booked two weeks in the studio last year after Thanksgiving. It was Justin\u2019s studio in the Hudson River Valley.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe stayed in a little town called Rosendale, which was about 40 minutes away. Justin and his wife made us food and that allowed us t concentrate on the music. It was a retreat-like environment.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The group spent 10 days together exploring and creating the music that would become \u201cMagic Fire.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe had a lot of the arrangements worked out before we went up there,\u201d said Muench. \u201cWe had a pretty good idea of how the songs would sound. We weren\u2019t going for any particular vibe. We had a lot of genres in mind — pop, country, Americana. The album was recorded live with the vocals layered on later.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for the Stray Birds — https:\/\/youtu.be\/7et_jJsVWnE<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The show at the Ardmore Music Hall, which has Evie Ladin Band with Keith Terry & Erik Pearson as the opening act, will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other upcoming shows in Ardmore are Swift Technique, Con Brio and Johnny Popcorn on June 24; New Riders of the Purple Sage and Hezekiah Jones on June 25; AM Radio on June 26; The James Brown Dance Party featuring Elise Testone (American Idol), James Casey (Trey Anastasio Band), and Todd Stoops (RAQ) on June 28; and Start Making Sense on June 29.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Nalani<\/a>

Nalani and Sarina<\/p><\/div>\n

Nalani & Sarina, 22-year-old twin sisters Nalani and Sarina Bolton from central New Jersey, have been steadily building a rather large fan base in the Delaware Valley and have played a number of varied venues around the area.<\/span><\/p>\n

The sisters, who are already experienced vocalists, songwriters, and multi-instrumentalists, played MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, 215- 925-6455, www.milkboyphilly.com<\/span><\/a>) in January and now are making a return appearance at the Center City venue on June 23. On June 24, they will be in Delaware for a show at Grain Craft Bar + Kitchen (270 East Main Street, Newark, 302-737-2931, http:\/\/www.grainonmain.com<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

Last year, Nalani & Sarina released an impressive debut record titled \u201cScattered World.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe did a lot of pre-production at Julian Herzfeld\u2019s studio in Wayne,\u201d said Nalani, during a recent phone interview. \u201cAfter we released our last album \u2014 \u2018Lessons Learned\u2019 \u2014 we just continued to write. We started making demos with Julian last summer.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen, we worked on demos ourselves and also with Greg Drew. Greg started off as our vocal coach when we were 16 and just getting started. He\u2019s always looked out for us and has been our manager for the last three years.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Sarina said, \u201cWe tested all the new songs before we recorded them. We\u2019ve learned that the best way to test a song is by the audience\u2019s reaction. Another test is the way it feels to us as we\u2019re playing it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf a song works out well live then we know it\u2019s a good song to record. We go with the mentality that you have to have 10 songs to get one good one. We\u2019re really hard on ourselves.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe just go and see where a song will take us. We want the song to direct the production. The band that we used in the studio really helped with how the songs sound on the album. We are huge fans of groove and funk and it shows on the new record.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Now, the twins are back in the studio.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cOur writing has been Stevie Wonder-driven,\u201d said Nalani. \u201cWe\u2019ve also been listening a lot to D\u2019Angelo. He\u2019s very funky but he has a different style \u2014 still old school and very funky. We listen to a lot of different music but James Brown, Stevie Wonder and the Rolling Stones are always in rotation in our car.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we\u2019re writing songs, there is no real method to our madness. If it\u2019s too planned, it doesn\u2019t seem natural. We\u2019ve done most of the recording at Carriages House Studio in Connecticut and we\u2019ve also done some with Julian at his Tardis Studio in Wayne (PA).<\/span><\/p>\n

With roots based in rhythm-and-blues, soul and rock, the sisters create vocal harmonies that only twins can make.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re sonically alike and there is this telepathy,\u201d said Sarina. \u201cWe\u2019ll be singing a new song and when one of us gravitates to a harmony, the other knows exactly where to go. We\u2019ve been singing together ever since we were three. Being twin sisters, there was nothing else to do. We started singing professionally when we were 15.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cClassical music and opera provided good basics for us. Our mom was a folkie so we listened to a lot of folk music when we were young \u2014 great songwriters like Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan. And, we\u2019ve listened to a lot of classic rock.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for Nalani & Sarina — https:\/\/youtu.be\/SBpqsaHYaRE<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The show at MilkBoy Philadelphia, which also includes Milano, The Lunar Year, and IVA, will start at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. The show in Newark will run from 9-11:59.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"popaPopa Chubby, one of America\u2019s modern-day blues-rock\/blues masters, has his home in the same area that the Stray Birds recorded their new disc. And, he has a new album — \u201cBig Bold and Beautiful: Popa Chubby Live,\u201d which was released in January on Cleopatra Records.<\/span><\/p>\n

Back in April, Chubby came to Berks County to perform at the 2016 Berks Jazz Festival in Reading. He liked Berks County so much that he is already up for another visit. On June 24, he will return for a show at Building 24 (1115 Bern Road, Wyomissing, 610-375-2700, bldg24live.com<\/span><\/a>)<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe played Berks County a few months ago and we\u2019re coming back,\u201d said Popa Chubby, during a phone interview Tuesday from his home in upstate New York. \u201cWe\u2019ve played Buiding 24 and it\u2019s a good club. It\u2019s a really nice place to hear music.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Actually, Popa Chubby has two new albums.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been working on a new album that should be out in October,\u201d said Chubby, who writes, sings and plays electric guitar. \u201cIt\u2019s called \u2018I\u2019m the Catfish\u2019 and it\u2019s about 80 per cent done. And, there will be a 3-D animated video of the title track.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe album still needs a lot of work. With me, it\u2019s a process. I have to let stuff breathe for awhile. I\u2019m a perfectionist. At this point, I\u2019m really out to make something the way I want — something I think is great. I have my own studio and that really helps. It helps me with the creative process.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI have a background in recording. I worked as an engineer and I started out working with tape. It\u2019s all digital now — but I have an analog way of getting in and an analog way of getting out. The best music for me comes from not making music. It comes from me jamming with myself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

For now, Popa Chubby is playing with his band arther than jamming with himself.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m still working the double live record,\u201d said Chubby. \u201cIt\u2019s a really great representation of Popa Chubby live — a lot of career highlights. It is three hours long with 28 tracks. We recorded it at four shows in France. I like to gve people real muasic. This album is nothing but four musicians playing at the top of thjeir gasme foer gour nights.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for Popa Chubby — https:\/\/youtu.be\/pj_6r0FNQuE<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The show at Building 24 will start at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"albumcover-hannahgeorgas-forevelyn-min\"It\u2019s takes less that 30 seconds of listening to Hannah Georgas\u2019 new album \u201cFor Evelyn\u201d to realize that your ears are in for something special. The Canadian singer-songwriter-electronic artist has again delivered an album that sonically stands head and shoulders above much of what is being recorded today.<\/span><\/p>\n

Georgas will be in the area for a live show at Underground Arts (1200 Callowhill Street, Philadelphia, http:\/\/undergroundarts.org<\/span><\/a>) on June 24 — the same day \u201cFor Evelyn\u201d is being released on Dine Alone Records.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI wrote the record in Vancouver,\u201d said Georgas, during a phone interview Monday as she travelled between tour stops in Portland, Maine and Providence, Rhode Island. \u201cI started writing for it in December 2014.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cThen, I went to Toronto last May. I started working on it with my producer. It was six months on and off. I also did some work on my own. I didn\u2019t finish it until January this year.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Named after Georgas\u2019 \u201ccompassionate, patient, kind and beautiful\u201d 98-year-old grandmother, \u201cFor Evelyn\u201d was produced by Graham Walsh, mixed by Nicolas Vernhes and features collaborations with Ryan Guldemond and Andy Shauf.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy method of songwriting varies,\u201d said Georgas, who was nominated in the categories of Best New Artist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year at the 2011 Juno Awards. \u201cThe natural tendency — I\u2019ll get a melody in my head. Or, when I\u2019m inspired, I\u2019ll write down thoughts. I\u2019ll develop lyrics and melodies and then head into an instrument.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe most natural way is to be inspired by a lyric and then the melody comes along. With this record, everything was written on keyboards first. In the past, I\u2019d fiddle around on guitar. For this album, I wanted to stay with keyboards and that informed the melodic feel.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Since her debut in 2009, Georgas has released two full-length albums — \u201cThis is Good\u201d \u00a0in 2010 and \u201cHannah Georgas\u201d in 2012 — and has had music featured on HBO\u2019s \u201cGirls.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just constantly challenging myself to be better and to progress,\u201d said Georgas, who also was nominated for Songwriter of the Year and Alternative Album of the Year at the 2013 Juno Awards.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI feel like this is a progression. I wanted to flesh out the demos more. There are songs that had a strong vision before I brought them to Graham (Walsh). Listening to the album now, I think it\u2019s definitely a progression from the last record.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn my live shows right now, I\u2019m playing mostly songs from \u2018For Evelyn.\u2019 I also play a few tracks from my last record but it\u2019s mostly the new material.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for Hannah Georgas — https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=L9w7WKEZddU<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The show at Underground Arts, which also features Boy & Bear, will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $18.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"kim

Kim Russo<\/p><\/div>\n

On June 24, the Colonial Theatre (Bridge Street, Phoenixville, 610- <\/i>917-1228, www.thecolonialtheatre.com<\/span><\/a>) will host a return visit from medium Kim Russo.<\/span><\/p>\n

When Russo, who is also known as Kim The Happy Medium, arrives in Chester County, she will have something new — a brand-new book titled \u201cThe Happy Medium<\/span><\/p>\n

Life Lessons From The Other Side.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy new book just came out,\u201d said Russo, during a phone interview Tuesday from her home in Long Island. \u201cPeople want to hear my story.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m very excited to share that with the world. I also provide answers to questions about paranormal activities. I think I packed a lot of information into this book. I\u2019m very pleased with the response it\u2019s been getting.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI actually had a very short deadline — three months to write the book. I finished writing the book last winter. It was a long process. It just came out on May 24 and I\u2019ve already done a lot of book signing events. Now, I\u2019m about to fly to California to be on Entertainment Tonight.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Russo is currently the host of the weekly running series \u201cThe Haunting Of…\u201d on The LMN channel. She has appeared on A & E\u2019s hit show, \u201cParanormal State\u201d and the hit TV show “Psychic Kids”. She has also appeared on The Biography Channel\u2019s \u201cCelebrity Ghost Stories\u201d featuring the country music legend Loretta Lynn.<\/span><\/p>\n

Russo has been able to see the world of spirit since she was a young child.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was around nine years old when it started to happen,\u201d said Russo. \u201cI just remember having a crowd at the foot of my bed. There were men in black suits and fedoras and women in long black dress with laces on their heads. They had distinct faces \u2014 and distinct positions where they stood every time.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy sister and I shared a room. There was a street light outside our room that allowed me to see these apparitions. My sister never saw them but she said she did feel a presence. That house was in Ozone Park in Queens (NY).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen, our family moved to Long Island. What was weird was that the spirits followed me. They were with me during the day. I could feel them with me when I walked to school. During my teenage years \u2014 the older I got, it was getting less and less.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

But, it was a case of gone but not forgotten.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI never thought much about it during my dating years. During my child-bearing years, it was as quiet as can be.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy husband and I moved back to that original house in Ozone Park and there were no spirits. Then, we moved to Long Island. After I had my third child, spirits came back \u2014 but not the same group. There were all kinds and they were insistent.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI saw an apparition of a 13-year-old girl \u2014 not solid but I saw everything. She didn\u2019t speak but I heard what she was telling me. She was from New Jersey and had died in a house fire. She said \u2014 you need to tell my parents I\u2019m O.K. Then, when she turned, I saw that her whole face was charred on one side.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFrom that point on, there have been floods of people. I don\u2019t see them all but I hear them all. I learned a lot about apparitions and did a lot of research.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Since then, Russo has been put through a battery of tests and has become a Certified Medium by The Forever Family Foundation and The Windbridge Institute for Applied Research in Human Potential. This foundation is dedicated and committed to proving the existence of life after death by integrating mediumship along with scientific studies.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn my shows, I do readings,\u201d said Russo. \u201cI can look at people and find the conduit. I might have to use an alternate but I rarely have trouble connecting. I interview the spirit and give the person getting the reading something to identify with. At times, I connect with someone they\u2019re not expecting.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI go out onstage and warm up the audience to get the vibration up. The work that I do depends a lot on trust. I talk about whatever moves me that day. I don\u2019t ever plan it. It\u2019s always different. Once I get the audience comfortable, I take the microphone and walk through the audience.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI allow the person getting the reading to stand up. I want the audience to know that there is no way Kim could have known about that family. If I weren\u2019t authentic, there is no way I could pull it off day-in and day-out. It\u2019s a demonstration of spirit communication.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Russo has been given insight into what transpires on the other side.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTime is not linear in the other world,\u201d said Russo. \u201cThere are several levels and dominions where souls go after they leave the body. Most of the energies I discover are earthbound. There are some who haven\u2019t gone in the light. A lot of time, spirits are earthbound and it\u2019s of their own doing. But, most people do go into the light. I\u2019ve studied a lot about near-death experiences too.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Video link for Kim Russo — https:\/\/youtu.be\/m6vs-VcwC9o<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The show at the Colonial will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $38 and $43.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Ben

Ben Arnold<\/p><\/div>\n

Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295,\u00a0http:\/\/www.kennettflash.org<\/span><\/a>) will present Ben Arnold and Davey Dickens Jr. on June 23, Trespass – The Music of Genesis – Featuring a tribute to the 40th anniversary of \u201cA Trick of the Tail\u201d on June 25 and Open Jam with Davey Dickens & The Troubadours on June 26.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Steel City Coffee House (203 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, 610-933-4043, www.steelcitycoffeehouse.com<\/i><\/span><\/a>) will host Ari Heist with Brian Dunne on June 24, Jonathan Edwards on June 25 and The Doubleclicks on June 26.<\/span><\/p>\n

Chaplin\u2019s (66 North Main Street, Spring City, 610-792-4110,\u00a0http:\/\/chaplinslive.com<\/span><\/a>) will present The Odyssey, Second Cadance, and Zack Van Sant on June 24 and Joint Custody Tour: CPTime & R.O.B. Axe Limbert on June 25.<\/span><\/p>\n

Doc Watson\u2019s Public House (150 North Pottstown Pike, Exton, 610-524-2424, docwatsonspublichouse.com<\/span><\/a>) will host Tommy Froelich Trio on June 24 and SLING SHOT on June 25.<\/span><\/p>\n

Valley Forge Casino (1160 First Avenue, King of Prussia, 610-354-8118, www.vfcasino.com<\/span><\/a>) will present Hot D on June 25.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Sellersville Theater (24 West Temple Avenue, Sellersville, 215-257-5808,\u00a0www.st94.com<\/span><\/a>) will have Pat Travers Band and Power Of Three on June 23, Professor Louie & The Crowmatix and Craig Thatcher & Nyke on June 24, Garland Jeffreys \u00a0and Greg Sover on June 25 and Dangermuffin on June 26.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Also: WCU grad makes good with The Stray Birds By Denny Dyroff,\u00a0Staff Writer, The Times When an American rock band can survive for more than a quarter of a century, it has proven that it has learned how to build a fan base and learned how to make great music to keep that fan base […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":30304,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8457],"tags":[8560,7426,8559,6966,8562,8561,5944,6289],"class_list":["post-30302","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-d-arts-entertainment","tag-ben-arnold","tag-featured","tag-jonathan-jackson-enation","tag-kim-russo","tag-nalani-and-sarina","tag-popa-chubby","tag-the-mavericks","tag-the-stray-birds"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30302","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=30302"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30302\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":30309,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30302\/revisions\/30309"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/30304"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=30302"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=30302"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=30302"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}