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: 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...

On Stage: For Segal, music led to recovery and soothing others with jazz

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Alan Segal Alan Segal had a life-changing event several years ago. Prior to the event, he had a positive effect on people financially – helping them navigate the world of personal finances. When Segal resumed activity after the event, he had a positive effect on people spiritually – not with religious topics but rather with soul-soothing music. Segal...