By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Colin James, Matt Andersen & Terra Lightfoot
There are several upcoming shows at area venues that feature three or more interrelated acts.
One features bunch of local musicians and the other showcases a trio of top-flight Canadian acts.
On May 5, the Sellersville Theater (24 West Temple Avenue, Sellersville, 215-257-5808, www.st94.com) will host the “Coast to Coast Tour — Colin James, Matt Andersen & Terra Lightfoot.”
James, the headliner, was on tour last fall when tragedy struck.
“That was the original ‘Coast to Coast Tour,’” said James, during a recent phone interview from his home in Vancouver, British Columbia.
“The tour had just gotten underway and then I got involved in an automobile accident.”
The veteran blues-rocker from Canada’s West Coast was injured in a car crash while on tour on Monday September 15.
James played at the Niagara Falls Blues Festival in New York on Saturday night and was due to play at Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club in Portsmouth, N.H., on Monday night.
Fortunately, James’ injuries weren’t life-threatening but were serious enough to necessitate the suspension of the remainer of the tour.
Now fully recovered he’s bringing his exciting blend of blues and rock music to fans in the States with the upcoming “Coast to Coast Tour” in April and May.
Joining him on the tour are Andersen and Lightfoot to celebrate the rich legacy of electrifying Canadian blues and roots music.
The “Coast to Coast Tour” brings these friends and fellow musicians together for an 18-city US Spring 2026 cross-country tour celebrating blues and folk to rock and soul.
Audiences can expect powerful individual sets and inspired collaborative performances from three of Canada’s most acclaimed and distinctive roots artists.
The “Coast to Coast Tour” honors the enduring power of music to cross borders, generations, and traditions – live on stage.
“A year ago, I put out the ‘Chasing the Sun’ album,” said James. “I was touring in support of the new album when the accident happened.
“I injured my foot and my wrist. It was a rigorous recovery for my foot. I was using a scooter and was on my way to buy a helmet and was the victim of a hit-and-run. I got nailed on my way to buy a helmet.
“With my wrist, I needed a screw on my Scaphoid bone.”
The scaphoid bone is a small, boat-shaped carpal bone on the thumb side of the wrist, crucial for wrist stability and motion.
“The bone and screw were on my playing hand,” said James. “When I was able to resume playing, I started back with a mandolin because if the smaller fret.”
James, 60, has been a performer for 40 years and produced 21 albums. His track record includes 21 studio albums, eight JUNO Awards, 31 Maple Blues Awards and multi-platinum record sales.
He has worked with some of the world’s most revered artists including Bonnie Raitt, Albert Collins, Pops Staples, Robert Cray, Albert King, Keith Richards, Lenny Kravitz, ZZ Top, Mavis Staples, Carlos Santana, and Buddy Guy.
His latest album, “Chasing The Sun,” features guest appearances from Lucinda Williams and Charlie Musselwhite.
The tour package features three of Canada’s most innovative musicians.
New Brunswick native Matt Andersen, who now lives in Nova Scotia, is one of the most accomplished Canadian singer-songwriters and powerhouse vocalists active today.
A multiple Maple Blues Award winner, multi European Blues Award winner and JUNO nominee, Andersen was the first Canadian to take home top honors at the International Blues Challenge.
Terra Lightfoot, a native of Ontario and two-time JUNO Award nominee, has drawn musical comparisons from Dusty Springfield to Van Morrison.
Her decade-plus musical evolution has included touring four continents alongside Willie Nelson, Bruce Cockburn and the all-female revue The Longest Road Show.
“Terra is an awesome guitarist and songwriter,” said James. “And Matt – Matt is a killer guitarist.
“They will do shorter sets and then I’ll do an hour set with my trio. I have a bunch of iterations with my band.”
James has been a Vancouver resident since the early 1980’s.
“I was born in Regina, Saskatchewan,” said James. “When I was 16, we moved to Winnipeg. Then, I lived in Montral for a while until moving to Vancouver in 1981.
“I had really musical parents. They took me to music festivals when I was young, and I was nun my first band when I was around 12.
“I used to play more bluegrass than anything else. Then, I saw James Cotton play when I was 16 and that changed my life.”
Blue music and Colin James was a match made in heaven.
James’ debut album was the self-titled LP which came out in 1988.
The album featured several hit singles, including “Five Long Years,” “Voodoo Thing,” “Chicks ‘n Cars (And the Third World War)” and “Why’d You Lie.”
The album earned James a Juno Award for “Most Promising Artist” and 15th best-selling Cancon album in Canada of 1989. The album was certified Double Platinum in Canada in 1994.
It won him his first Juno and an opening spot on tour with Keith Richards. His second album, “Sudden Stop,” featured his hit “Just Came Back,” which reached #3 on the U.S. radio charts and earned him the Juno Award for “Single of the Year.”
James hit the ground running when he started out — and he hasn’t eased off ever since.
His latest album, “Chasing the Sun,” was co-produced by Colin Linden. Guest artists include Americana icon Lucinda Williams, bassist Darryl Jones and drummer Charley Drayton (a rhythm section that has backed Miles Davis and The Rolling Stones), American harmonica ace Charlie Musselwhite and gospel greats Ann and Regina McCrary.
“We recorded the album at Colin Linden’s studio in Nashville,” said James.
“He put together an incredible band with guys like Charley Drayton and Darryl Jones. Like all my records, it’s a mix of originals and covers.
“I always find it pretty easy to sing and pretty easy to play – but writing songs is hard. I keep track of melodies and keep notes on titles.
“Now, after having to cancel shows last year because of the accident, it’s going to be great to get back on the road.
This will be my first time to play the Sellersville Theater. I’m looking forward to it.”
Video link for Colin James — https://youtu.be/3EQSJ8uECvo?si=4kT-OaVxo4OQ_rUB.
The show at Sellersville starts at 8 p.m.
Ticket prices start at $32.
Other shows at the Sellersville Theater over the next week are Melissa Manchester on May 1, The Sounds of Philly starring Greg Hill’s Blow Your Mind Experience with The Reflections on May 2, Girl Named Tom: “Dust to Dust” The Trio Tour on May 2, Peter Fogel’s ’Til Death Do Us Part…You First! on May 3, Ottmar Liebert & Luna Negra on May 3 and The Machine Performs Pink Floyd: Unplugged on May 6.
In Chester County action, Steel City Coffeehouse (203 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, www.steelcityphx.com) will host the “Sirens of Spring Tour” on May 2.The “Sirens of Spring Tour” showcases women whose voices captivate with enchanting sweetness and power. Listeners will be treated to a night of original music from singer/songwriters Mama’s Black Sheep, Regina Sayles, Colleen Clark.
This year, the “Sirens of Spring Tour” carries special meaning as it honors the legacy of musician friend and founding member of the tour, Christine Havrilla.
Havrilla lost her battle with breast cancer in 2025.
According to the event website, “Christine’s music and spirit touched countless lives, and we are proud to celebrate her through song, community, and love.
“In addition to performing some of Christine’s songs, the tour will raise funds for the Christine Havrilla Scholarship Fund, continuing her legacy of uplifting and inspiring the next generation of artists.
“These will be unforgettable nights of music, friendship, and heartfelt connection, we hope you can join us.”
Havrilla was a Philadelphia-area native with more than 25 years of touring experience who described her own music as a blend of “NeoFunkadelicFolkPopTwangRock.”
She released more than a dozen studio albums and, in 2024, dropped the EP, “None of You.”
Her resumé of live performances includes XPoNential Music Festival in Camden, New Jersey; Milton Theatre in Delaware; The Queen in Wilmington; and Ladybug Festivals in both Wilmington and Milford.
She also performed on WXPN Studios for a Key Studio Session, which is featured on NPR music’s Live Sessions.
Mama’s Black Sheep is the soulful collaboration of singer-songwriters Ashland Miller (guitar/vocals) and Laura Cerulli (drums/vocals).
For more than 15 years, this dynamic duo has been blending genres and crafting unforgettable songs, creating a blend of hit-worthy originals and covers with a unique spin.
Regina Sayles is an Ohio native currently based in East Stroudsburg. The talented singer/songwriter has built a strong regional following.
In addition to her work as an artist, Sayles is also a passionate educator, a supporter of women in the arts, and a strong advocate for the LGBTQ+ community.
Colleen Clark is a musician and audio engineer in Salisbury, Maryland.
Clark played guitar with Christine Havrilla & Gypsy Fuzz.
In the past, she has also performed with Mama’s Black Sheep, Red Letter Day, the Zen Monkeys, Wicked Jezabel, and SONIA disappear fear and worked as producer and recording engineer on a variety of projects, including two full-length albums of her own music.
The “Sirens of Spring Tour” at the Steel City Coffeehouse will start at 7 p.m. on May 2.
Tickets are $30 Advance General Admission, $35 Day of Show and $36 Reserved Seating.
The Colonial Theater (227 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, thecolonialtheatre.com/events) will host Van Halen Nation
on May 2
Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295, http://www.kennettflash.org) is hosting Kofi Baker’s Psychedelic Trip on May 1, Jagged Little Thrill: The Alanis Experience on May 2, The Legendary Kennett Flash Open Mic Night hosted by Jac Conner on May 3 and Richard Shindell on May 6.
Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center (226 North High Street, West Chester, www.uptownwestchester.org) is hosting Laugh Lounge on April 30.
Jamey’s House of Music (32 South Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, 215-477-9985, www.jameyshouseofmusic.com) is presenting “Tribute to Old and In The Way” on May 1, Ghost of the Mill on May 2 and The Philly Blues Kings with Clarence Spady on May 3.
Elkton Music Hall (107 North Street, Elkton, Maryland, www.elktonmusichall.com) presents West Texas Exiles w/ special guest Red Birds on April 30, Graham Parker on May 1, Will Hoge on May 2 and Howie Day on May 5.
