Please remember that all concerts are funded completely by your donations! No tax dollars are used to support the concert series. Please be generous, the donations that we receive before the concerts will allow us to book the bands, pay the band deposits and advertise.

Name as it should appear in the Program:

___________________________________

Name:______________________________

Mailing Address: _____________________

Email:______________________________

Amount of Donation:__________________

We update our donor list in the concert program weekly! It isn't too late to send in your donation.

Mail the form and your donation to:

East Haddam Parks and Recreation

P.O. Box 278

East Haddam, CT 06423

All FREE concerts are held on Monday nights from 6:30-8:30 pm on the green of the Goodspeed Opera House. If it rains, the concerts will be moved to the High School Auditorium-call (860)873-5058,  check www.easthaddamrec.com or our Facebook page if weather is questionable. Great food and drinks are available to purchase at the Gelston House, or bring a picnic dinner. Free parking is available in the Goodspeed Opera House parking lot with additional parking and a shuttle bus from Eagle Landing in Haddam. The Music on the River site is made possible through the generous support of Goodspeed Musicals.  All  children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. No dogs, smoking, vendors or soliciting  at the concerts and no parking on residential streets are allowed.

We hope you will join us!

July 17, 2017 PLYWOOD COWBOY
Formed in 2015 in the Connecticut River Valley, Plywood Cowboy is poised to rewrite the Great American Songbook. Bottle fed on roots music, multi-instrumentalist, singer/songwriter Steve Dedman and his band strike deep at the soul of American music with songs about hound dogs, heart strings, and the vice of the bottle. "With great harmonies, clever songs & tasty guitar pickin', Plywood Cowboy is one of the best new bands on the Americana scene."
July 24, 2017 SHOREGRASS
ShoreGrass is a bluegrass band from the Connecticut shoreline comprised of Frank and Barbara Shaw (banjo and guitar), Paul Pozzi (mandolin), Scott Freemantle (bass) and Stacy Phillips (fiddle and Dobro).  Performing locally as well as around the Northeast since 1996, their music is a lively mix of traditional bluegrass, old-time, early country, gospel and folk songs as well as original pieces reflecting their roots in contemporary music with a local flavor.  The group has several singers who alternate leads on 3-part vocal harmonies, all delivered with the special sense of humor that marks all ShoreGrass performances. The band has released four albums, including "In Connecticut" (2001), "Songs of the Civil War Era" (2005), “Going Home” (2007) and “Hummingbird” (2014).  Bluegrass Unlimited magazine called their music "a pleasant collection of down-home music that should attract considerable attention for the band."  More information is available at www.shoregrass.com or www.facebook.com/shoregrassbluegrass.
July 31, 2017 DIZZY RIVER BAND
The Dizzy River Band, play a broad eclectic mix of originals and covers. With guitar, bass, drums and  beautiful harmonies, Dizzy River draws liberally from music spanning decades, from all across the musical spectrum,  turning it into something uniquely their own: pure, sweet, joyful. Best of all, the Dizzy River Band is organic and locally grown in the lower CT river valley.
August 7, 2017 NEAL AND THE VIPERS
NEAL & THE VIPERS are a Rhode Island based band, playing American Roots Music encompassing blues, rock & roll, rockabilly, and surf, entertaining their fans for over 30 years!  You can feel the chemistry as they play original hits songs from their multiple CD's as well as covering the classics. Neal Vitullo as well as the Vipers have shared the stage with many music legends such as B.B. King, Roy Buchanan, John Lee Hooker, Bonnie Raitt, Albert Collins, Greg Allman, Jimmy Vaughan, Willie Dixon, Johnny Copeland and Robert Plant.
August 14, 2017 DON BRYANT
Raised in the bosom of the church, Bluff City, Tennessee native,  Bryant began his career performing with his brothers and later with the Four Kings. Following, Bryant began working with Hi Records impresario Willie Mitchell. Singing for Mitchell’s band and as a solo artist on Hi in the late 1960s. For the past few decades, Bryant has played the role of songwriter and supportive husband, turning the spotlight to his wife and fellow Hi great Ann Peebles. Bryant wrote or co-wrote signature hits for Peebles including “I Can’t Stand the Rain,” “99 Pounds” and “Do I Need You.” Moving behind the scenes, Bryant worked as a songwriter for Solomon Burke, Albert King, Etta James and others. But love, and his biggest commercial success, would come in 1970, after he partnered up with Peebles. Bryant returned to a solo career, doing some guest appearances with Memphis retro R&B band the Bo-Keys, and ultimately culminating in his first secular album since the 1970s.
August 21, 2017 Harbor Moon
Harbor Moon brings original songs with a flavor of the tropics, along with classic rock, reggae and country covers, to our quintessential riverside venue.  Harbor Moon was recently nominated as Best New Act at the Trop Rock music awards held in Key West, Florida.   Featuring local musicians from the shoreline, their music transports you to your favorite island vacation spot. 

Welcome Back!

      Music on the River is back! In 2016, we welcome a healthy mix of returning and new artists all chomping at the bit to show off their musical talents here in East Haddam. Our first show on July 11th will feature Livingston Taylor, a sibling of the talented James Taylor! While the two brothers have similar sound, Livingston uses a mix of personal stories, anecdotes and a warm personality to create a musical experience you cant find on a daily basis! Bring the family, pack a picnic, and come enjoy the weekly music this summer! Can't wait to see you all there!  

Occidental Gypsy

Thank you to the crowd who braved the heat last week for one of our more popular shows this season Red Molly. They put on a great show and we received many, many positive comments - we are glad you enjoyed the show!
This week we welcome Occidental Gypsy to our stage. This will be a fun night for sure. The band, who's style can best be described as jazz, gypsy swing and a little bit of world music is well known around the country for their eclectic mix of music which has brought them accolades from around the world.
As always, we will be doing our best anti-rain dance so we can enjoy this fabulous group down by the river. Bring your picnic dinner or enjoy the fine offerings from our biggest supporter, The Gelston House and enjoy another great show - see you there!

Next up - Red Molly

What a great show last Monday night - thanks to all who came out to support our local group Bluesberry Jam. Where else are you going to hear a song about a trip to the transfer station??
This week we welcome recording artists Red Molly to our stage. This is one of their last shows before they go on hiatus so please come out and give them a warm East Haddam/Moodus welcome. Their beautiful Americana style & gorgeous harmonies is guaranteed to make it beautiful night down by the river. We are doing our best "no rain" dance -  please join us Monday night down by the river!

We Be Jammin'!

Thanks to all who turned out for our first night - a great success and good time. For the second show we welcome back local band Bluesberry Jam! Come out and enjoy jam music cut from the same cloth as The Allman Brothers, Grateful Dead and Widespread Panic. This group got rained out last year and still put on a great show at the high school auditorium. We can't wait to hear them down by the river - see you there!

We are back for 2015!

Welcome to the 2015season of Music on the River! We have another great year lined up. Join us for our first show on July 6, 2015 with Nashville recording artist Charlie Allen. Charlie posses a down to earth sincerity and southern charm that is communicated through his song writing & rich vocals. he delivers a traditional country sound that connects with audiences of all ages.
Join us for our wonderful first show!

Take the bus!

What a great series we've had so far this summer!! And bigger than usual crowds. Please see the exciting announcement from East Haddam Parks & Rec Director, Tiffany Quinn.


We have arranged for a shuttle bus on Monday in anticipation of the larger crowds this week to see the New Riders of the Purple Sage! Please consider parking at Eagle Landing on the Haddam side of the swing bridge and the bus will bring you directly to the Gelston House between 5:30-7 p.m. Return trips will be made as well at the end of the concert. Please do not try to walk across the bridge- this will only slow the traffic down. Thank you to Marie Nichols and Nichols Bus Service for helping us arrange this service for our concert attendees.


So if you don't want to deal with parking for the New Riders of the Purple Sage show on Monday night - take the bus!

Rain, Rain Go Away!

So far it's looking okay for the show to be held outside tonight. As a general rule, the show is moved indoors if there is a 50% chance of rain or bad weather after around 2:00pm. So it can rain this morning  but will need to dry out this afternoon.


Tiffany Quinn will  be discussing MOR on the radio around 9:00am this morning - here is the station information. She'll be interviewed on the Travel with Kal show.


Tonight's show is the U.S. Coast Guard Academy Dixie Land Jazz Band. Bring your dinner or buy some great food from the Gelston House & join us down by the river for a wonderful night of music!

Welcome to 2014!

We have another great line-up for 2014 Music On The River season! Thanks to all who turned out for our first concert of the season, B. Willie Smith. We had one of the biggest crowds we've ever had! A wonderful night of music to be sure.


The second show was a rain out on the river but a hot show at the high school. Thanks to all who showed up to support our local band, Bluesberry Jam. They were awesome! For those of you who didn't brave the weather, here is a great clip of what you missed. (You can see another clip of the show here.)



Hopefully we'll have great weather for Monday's show - Tom Rush. So bring a picnic dinner, buy some great food from one of our biggest sponsors Iso at the Gelston House & join us down by the river for our 3rd show of the season!



It's Going To Be a Beautiful Night!!

It's already time for the last concert of 2013 season - hard to believe!

This show promises to be great and the setting down by the river will be perfect to enjoy some traditional Cuban music! Join us for Qimbombo!

Quimbombó is a groove oriented band with a musical base in the Cuban són (the contagious dance music championed by Buena Vista Social Club that is the main ingredient in salsa); they always maintain strong elements of improvisation and spontaneity in their sound.

Quimbombó (pronounced keem-bohm-BO) is the title of a classic Cuban són popularized by Conjunto Chappotín in the 1950's; a word of Congolese origin, it means "okra" or "gumbo" in Spanish.

The group's lively and unique sound has excited audiences at many venues including Lincoln Center's Midsummer Night's Swing, The River to River Festival, SOB's, the Brooklyn Museum, La Belle Époque, and Gonzalez y Gonzalez. They have recorded two CDs, Quimbombó, released in 2004, and Conga Electrica, released in 2008.

Zero Chance of Rain - YAY!

What a great night we had last week! A very big thank you for all who supported Hot Club of Cowtown - they put on a great show. Tonight please welcome local talent The Tom Sanders Band http://www.reverbnation.com/tomsandersband
"Tom Sanders Band formed in 2003 as the result of a recording project. The band unites veteran musicians from some of Southern New England's best blues, rock and r&b bands, including The Hornets, Smokehouse, Chris Tofield & The Bluesbenders and Whiskey River Band to name just a few. "

It's going to be a beautiful night - see you down by the river!

Hot Club of Cowtown!!

Last week we enjoyed big band music, this week come on out and enjoy some Texas swing from Hot Club of Cowtown!

“This Austin-based western swing/jazz trio–violin, guitar and upright bass –will bring even the tamest audience to its feet. Plus, instrument aficionados will drool over the 1925 Gibson acoustic, 1937 Gibson amp and all the other classic gear that helps to keep Cowtown hot and hoppin’.”
-Chicago Tribune

 

This truly promises to be a night were everyone will be up off their feet! Its going to be a beautiful night, come on out and enjoy an event that helps make our community special thanks to your support - see you down by the river!

 

Join us OUTSIDE for some big band sound!

Last week was a great show - hot outside & hot music! Join us tonight for the Bob Button Big Band .

"For more than 35 years, The Bob Button Big Band has entertained audiences in the New York Metropolitan area with music from the Big Band Era. The Band has played at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York, The NY Athletic Club, Playhouse on the Green in Bridgeport, Connecticut Jazz Festival, Glen Island Casino, Hyatt Regency for the 2000 Millenium, and numerous summer concerts in Fairfield County, Connecticut."

Bring your picnic dinner or enjoy a dinner in the beer garden at Gelston House. Once again, PLEASE leave your pets at home.

Hope to see you tonight down by the river!

What a GREAT night!!

A very big thank you to all who turned out last night for Roomful of Blues - they put on a great show and it was a beautiful night!!

We hope you are looking forward to next week's show Chris MacKay & the Toneshifters; a band from New London. This band will entertain with a mix of blues, rockabilly, swamp & country swing - a little of everything and A LOT of great music.

It's wonderful to have such diverse support from the community but we would like to remind everyone to please, please, please leave your dogs home. We appreciate that people want to include their furry friends, but the only exception to this rule is for service dogs, all others will be asked (with their owners) to leave the green during the show. And it's too hot to put pets in the car (even with windows rolled down a bit)  while you enjoy the show so please leave them home.  Thank you for your understanding and we look forward to seeing you next Monday at 6:30 pm down by the river!

It's a New Season!

Welcome to 2013 Music on the River! We know you'll enjoy our great line -up starting this Monday, July 8th with Roomful of Blues.

 "Even though Roomful of Blues’ lineup has changed over the years, the band has always been one of the tightest, most joyful blues ensembles in the world. Currently an eight-piece unit led by guitarist Chris Vachon, the band has never sounded fresher or stronger. In 2010, singer Phil Pemberton took over the vocal duties, bringing his sweet and soulful vocals and adding another bright new dimension to the jazzy, jump-blues musical roots. Their winning combination of jump, swing, blues, R&B and soul remains their calling card, as does their ability to fill the dance floor. Along with new members, bassist John Turner, trumpeter Doug Woolverton, drummer Chris Rivelli, and keyboardist Rusty Scott, and longtime members baritone and tenor saxophonist Mark Earley, tenor and alto saxophonist Rich Lataille , Roomful keeps on rockin’ in 2013."

So grab your chairs, a picnic dinner (or enjoy a bite to eat at the beer garden at Gelston House),  and plenty of water for this hot show! See you down by the river - show starts at 6:30!

The last show will be OUTSIDE!!

Thankfully it looks like all the rain predicted for our area will be long gone for our last show so we will be outside on the Green!! Your support of this year's series has been fabulous and so much appreciated. Last weeks crowd was our largest crowd all year! We close the series with the upbeat, Latin Roots Rock of Santa Mamba. These guys are guaranteed to get everyone up & dancing! So come on down & enjoy the last show of the season - we'll see you down by the river!

It's going to be a beautiful night!

What a great series we have had so far!! A very big thank you to all who have attended the shows - the music has been wonderful & the support from everyone will continue to contribute to our future success. Tonight we are very pleased to welcome Aztec 2 Step. "Aztec Two-Step continues to impress audiences with intelligent songwriting, dazzling acoustic lead guitar, and inspiring harmonies, and remain one of acoustic music’s most popular and enduring acts."
Below are pictures from our previous shows, Basically Blues & Amy Gallitan.  This really is a special event and again we want to thank all of our wonderful sponsors who help make the whole series happen. Join grab a picnic supper or enjoy dinner at the Gelston House & we'll see you down by the river!

Riverside Band down by the river

Tonight is going to be a beautiful night to join us down by the river. Local favorites Riverside Band are excited to have such a great night to share their sweet harmonies with you. Thanks to all who showed up last week as well - it was a great show! So bring your picnic supper or enjoy a nice dinner at The Gelston House & we'll see you down by the river!