Valentine’s Day is a day full of love whether you are with someone or single. So many people are divided about how they should feel on this day. For someone like me who loves holidays and live music, there was nothing better for me to do than to enjoy this day with my daughter, support the One Billion Rising March against abuse in Denver, and then seeing some of my favorite musicians performing their interpretations of one of my favorite band’s music.

Before I saw Joe Russo’s Almost Dead for the first time Monday night, I totally misunderstood the band’s titular pun. I can’t help but laugh at my sheer stupidity, but I thought it was a combination of  “Hey, we’re a Grateful Dead cover band” and “When our drummer parties, we have 911 on speed dial”. But just 15 minutes into Joe Russo’s Almost Dead's first set at the Boulder Theater, it dawned on me.

There is a slow pace and a sparse population in the Adirondack Park. We have approximately the same amount of year round residents in 2015 as we did in 1900. Having a music venue that is truly close to home is a luxury I no longer have. A fair concession for living here. Hopefully, this clarifies why I consider the Higher Ground in South Burlington, despite the 90 minutes it takes me to arrive from my doorstep, my home field.

How many more Dead tribute bands does the scene really need? There’s truly already plenty out there. Even if the music is structured to be boundless and open for continuation, it seems like bands could better serve the music with an improvisational spirit, but playing originals instead of Dead covers. Indeed it takes a special group of musicians who understand the music inside out and have the ability to diversify the extensive catalogue instead of simply parroting it.

The Royal Potato Family label is releasing Marco Benevento’s fifth studio album Swift on September 16, 2014.  Pianist Marco Benevento arrived in Denver as a trio -- with drummer and bassist – for two nights concert in Denver.  Opening with “Risd” from Benevento’s Between The Needles & Nightfall record was a catchy, upbeat song and you quickly get a feel for what Marco can concoct on a piano.   With a steady drum/bass beat in the backg

Marco Benevento spent 2013 touring behind his most recent critically-acclaimed album TigerFace. The pianist played over 150 shows in 2013, and before the year is over, he'll play four more. Along with his band featuring Dave Dreiwitz (Ween) on bass and Andrew Borger (Tom Waits) on drums, they'll headline Highline Ballroom in New York City on December 30 and The Midnight Ramble at Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock, NY on New Year's Eve.

On Wednesday, November 27 at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY, a star-studded lineup of musicians will pay tribute to The Last Waltz, the historic concert and legendary film by The Band.