OSWEGO – The Oswego Music Hall is proud to present Alice Howe and Freebo, with Cam Caruso opening, on Saturday, September 28. The venue is the McCrobie Civic Center, 41 Lake Street in Oswego. Show begins at 7:30 PM; doors open at 7.
Alice Howe and Freebo present a unique study in contrasts, bringing together a rising voice in Americana music and a venerable rock, folk, and blues icon. Each a compelling performer in their own right, they both lead and support each other in their well-crafted songs with flawless harmonies and tasteful instrumentation. They have worked as creative collaborators in the studio and on stage since 2017. Freebo weaves his unique fretless bass stylings into Alice’s superb vocals for a presentation with undeniable chemistry.
To hear Alice Howe sing is to be enraptured by the natural, unaffected beauty of her voice. There’s no artifice, no histrionics — just honest, authentic, emotionally resonant singing in the tradition of the roots music that shaped her. On Circumstance, her second and latest album, the Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter guitarist displays her vocal prowess and introspective writing in abundance, mining both her heart and her musical tastes for a deep, personal journey across an Americana soundscape dotted with blues, folk, country, soul and rock. Recorded in two sessions at the legendary Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, where Etta James and Wilson Pickett once shook the walls, the record channels their spirits with 11 stirring tracks that pull no punches diving into the vagaries of the heart and her own personal journey. As an old soul inside a 30-something millennial, Alice puts her stamp on Americana’s venerable strands with 10 standout originals evoking both the classic singer-songwriters and the seminal music that once filled airwaves, roadhouses and juke joints. “Howe’s voice is a marvelous instrument, strong and effortlessly musical, yet also capable of the sort of nuance that adds layers of meaning”, The Patriot Ledger.
Freebo is best known for his decade of touring and recording with Bonnie Raitt, and has distinguished himself as one of the great bassists of our time, playing on records with CSN, Maria Muldaur, John Mayall, Ringo Starr, Dr. John, and Neil Young as well as appearing on Saturday Night Live, The Midnight Special, The Muppet Show, and in concert with the legendary Spinal Tap. Not willing to simply rest on those achievements, Freebo delved more deeply into his creativity and has become a highly regarded singer/songwriter, now working on his 6th full-length solo CD. A multi award winner and finalist in numerous songwriting contests, Freebo’s music reflects his compassionate concern for the world and people around him, and his lyrics and open stage banter have helped him connect with listeners worldwide. A live musical experience with Freebo is astute, insightful, clever, and truly melodic. “Freebo, who performed with Bonnie Raitt, is a richly gifted and distinctive songwriter, as expressive in his writing as on a bass”, Paul Zollo, Songwriters On Songwriter.
Further information and videos are found at https://www.alicehowe.com/ and https://freebomusic.com/.
Cam Caruso is a singer, songwriter, audio engineer, and record producer from Oswego. He is a classically trained vocalist with a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Oswego and a master’s degree from Berklee College of Music. For the past decade, Cam has been writing songs and trying to find his voice. He’s also been working as a gigging musician since 2015. In that time, Cam has performed with some of the most respected musicians in Central New York, opened for nationally touring acts, and won a Syracuse Area Music Award for Best Singer/Songwriter Recording. In addition, Cam recently went home with a 2023 SAMMY award for the People’s Choice Best Artist/Band category. For more info, please visit www.camcarusomusic.com or www.facebook.com/camcarusomusic.
Shows start at 7:30 PM and doors open at 7:00 for all National Stage concerts. For a complete performance schedule and ticket information, visit the website at https://www.oswegomusichall.org/ or stop at the river’s end bookstore, 19 West Bridge Street in Oswego.
The season continues on October 19 when Peter Mulvey performs with Mark Wahl opening. Peter Mulvey has been a songwriter, road-dog, raconteur and almost-poet since before he can remember. Raised working-class Catholic on the Northwest side of Milwaukee, he took a semester in Ireland, and immediately began cutting classes to busk on Grafton Street in Dublin and hitchhike through the country, finding whatever gigs he could. Back stateside, he spent a couple years gigging in the Midwest before lighting out for Boston, where he returned to busking (this time in the subway) and coffeehouses. Small shows led to larger shows, which eventually led to regional and then national and international touring. The wheels have not stopped since.
Nineteen records, an illustrated book, thousands of live performances, a TEDx talk, a decades-long association with the National Youth Science Camp, opening for luminaries such as Ani DiFranco, Emmylou Harris, and Chuck Prophet, appearances on NPR, an annual autumn tour by bicycle, emceeing festivals, hosting his own boutique festival (the Lamplighter Sessions, in Boston and Wisconsin)… Mulvey never stops. He has built his life’s work on collaboration and an instinct for the eclectic and the vital. He folds everything he encounters into his work: poetry, social justice, scientific literacy, & a deeply abiding humanism are all on plain display in his art. Further information and videos are found at https://www.petermulvey.com/, or https://www.youtube.com/user/petermulvey43/videos.
Mark Wahl is a singer-songwriter, guitarist, and luthier. He has been around the local acoustic music scene for decades and is known by many as the former director of the Ontario Center for Performing Arts (the Oswego Music Hall). A graduate of the State University of New York College at Oswego, Mark retired from his business in design and general contracting to direct his full energies to his music, the Oswego Music Hall, and his luthierie shop where he produces and repairs fine acoustic instruments.
Mark’s songs are often poignant vignettes with powerful use of metaphor and simple, compelling melodies. Mark’s 2018 CD release “Circadia” was nominated for best Album in the “Americana” category of the SAMMYs (Syracuse Area Music Awards). Mark’s popular 2013 CD “Everything Returns” was recorded with his trio “Canvas Moon”. Visit https://www.markwahlguitars.com/music for further information.
Tickets are on sale online now at https://www.oswegomusichall.org/ ($17-$22), or at the rivers end Bookstore, 19 W. Bridge St., Oswego, although you may be able to get tickets at the door if it is not sold out. The community is encouraged to buy tickets early to ensure a seat.
Ticket prices for the National Stage range from a low of $17 to $30 at the door. Children 16 and under are half price and under 5 are free. Purchase tickets at any concert, online or at the river’s end bookstore. Tickets are cash or check only at the door.
The wheelchair accessible venue is located in the McCrobie Civic Center, on 41 Lake Street in Oswego. It is adjacent to Breitbeck Park and overlooks Lake Ontario and the Oswego Harbor. The atmosphere is intimate with candle-lit tables surrounding a small stage. Light refreshments will be available at reasonable prices.
Oswego Music Hall is a family-friendly, non-profit organization that has been run entirely by volunteers since its inception in 1977. Volunteers can earn admission to shows through various tasks — from event support to making popcorn. Students can also earn credit for community service. To volunteer, email Volunteer Coordinator Michael Moss at [email protected].
Find more information online at https://www.oswegomusichall.org/, on Facebook, or email [email protected].
Concerts are made possible in part with funding by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the governor and New York Legislature. Other major supporters are the City of Oswego and Shineman Foundation.
2024 Music Hall Events Calendar
Fall Season
National Stage 47th season begins
Sept. 14 Delaney Bros. Bluegrass
Sept 28 Alice Howe & Freebo w/Cam Caruso opening
Oct 19 Peter Mulvey w/ Mark Wahl opening
Nov. 2 Carsie Blanton
16 Abbie Gardner w/Ryan David Green (from Ryanhood) opening
Dec. 7 The McKrells
Open Mic Friday
Sept. 27 Jane Zell
Oct. 18 Steve Watson
Nov. 1 Bob Raymonda
Nov. 15 Rich Hart
Dec. 6 Marc Warner
Guest Curator Jazz-by-the-Lake
Oct. 26 Opus Back Trio (Jazz-by-the-Lake)
Nov. 23 Taj (Jazz-by-the-Lake)
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