OSWEGO COUNTY– The Oswego Music Hall is proud to present Carsie Blanton, on Saturday, November 2. The venue is the McCrobie Civic Center, 41 Lake Street in Oswego. Show begins at 7:30 PM; doors open at 7.
Carsie Blanton is a songwriter with hooks, chutzpah, and revolutionary optimism. Inspired by artist-activists including Nina Simone and Woody Guthrie, her catalog careens through American popular song from folk and swing to pop-punk protest anthems. “She’s pure old-school cabaret showman, delivering spritely, soulful grooves with retro instrumentation and arrangements that would be at home in jazz clubs and revival tents alike”, AV Club.
With her unique mix of humor, soul, and political wit, and fifteen-plus years on the road, Blanton has amassed a dedicated fan base and a small menagerie of viral hits such as “Rich People” and “Fishing with You”. Her most recent album After the Revolution, produced by Grammy-winner Tyler Chester, was released in March, 2024.
Carsie Blanton is that rare artist who knows how to combine savvy stagecraft and airtight songs with a revolutionary spirit. Take her latest hit, “Rich People,” which swept TikTok by storm with over 3 million views and, true to its name, laid bare wealth inequality in the process. Blanton has been hailed as an artist who creates “beautiful, militant anthems,” with the ability to make” revolution desirable to your body, even if your head resists it” (NPR, American Songwriter).
Despite the struggles she readily acknowledges, Blanton retains a sense of hope, which shines through in her songs and performances. “When you spend your time watching the news or social media, people seem cruel and stupid,” she says. “But I think that by a wide margin, people are good, and want to take care of each other.” Her songs “Be Good” and “Lovin’ is Easy” are steeped in that spirit, inviting us to “love everybody alive.”
After keeping her band afloat throughout lockdown with live-streamed ‘Rent Parties’, going viral with a song memorializing John Prine (“Fishin with You”), and releasing a critically acclaimed mid-pandemic album (2021’s Love and Rage, “fighting fascism with big hooks and an even bigger heart” – American Songwriter), Blanton chose to bring some nuance to her success, with her recent exposé in The Nation, laying bare the economics of the modern-day music industry.
The galvanizing spirit of her work is backed up by expertise. Blanton and her impeccably dressed “Handsome Band” bring skills betraying their long tenure as live musicians. Accompanied by Joe Plowman on bass, Patrick Firth on keys, and Sean Trischka on drums, their performances are a rich musical gumbo of genres, meandering from Americana and rock to cocktail jazz, Motown, and pop punk. With three-part harmonies thickening their sound, and kazoos leavening it, her dynamic sets range from slapstick jokes to call-and-response protest songs, making Blanton and her band “a festival presenter’s secret weapon, guaranteed to win over the crowd” (Promoter Roger Menell).
Blanton makes no attempt to disguise her far-left political leanings, but at the heart of her music is love, and her songs are capable of tethering us to our shared humanity across socio-political lines. No matter where they begin, every audience leaves her show transformed into friends and comrades, united in laughter, camaraderie, and hope.
Further information and videos are found at https://www.carsieblanton.com or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16kNBkDIa9Q.
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 November 16 when Abbie Gardner appears on the Main Stage with Ryan David Green (from Ryanhood) opening.
Abbie Gardner is a fiery dobro player with an infectious smile. Whether performing solo or with Americana harmony trio Red Molly, her acclaimed tales of love and loss, both gritty and sweet, are propelled by her impeccable lap style slide guitar playing. Solo performances feature the dobro as a solo instrument, bouncing between a solid rhythmic backbone and ripping lead lines, all in support of her voice and songs. Her latest recording “DobroSinger” hit #11 on the Billboard Blues Chart. It’s intimate, real and raw – her dobro and voice recorded at the same time at home, without a band or any studio tricks to hide behind. You can hear every breath, every chuckle, as if you are in the room with her. Visit https://www.abbiegardner.com/ for further information and videos.
Ryan David Green’s music has been called “virtuosic acoustic guitar that is remarkably accessible”, with fast fingerwork that is always in service of unmistakable melodies. Performing a blend of instrumental guitar pieces and delicate vocal tunes, Green takes audiences to a place both otherworldly, and somehow surprisingly intimate. Visit https://ryandavidgreen.com/ for further information and videos.
Tickets are on sale online now at https://www.oswegomusichall.org/ ($25-30), 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. 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 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, Instagram, 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
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
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 Black Strings (Jazz-by-the-Lake)
Nov. 23 Taj (Jazz-by-the-Lake)
PSA/Calendar (continued):
On Friday, November 15th 7 PM (sign-ups at 6:30) at the McCrobie Civic Center, 41 Lake St., Oswego, the Oswego Music Hall continues its Open Mic Friday Series with opener Rich Hart. Info: https://www.oswegomusichall.org/
On Saturday, November 16th 7:30 PM (doors open at 7) at the McCrobie Civic Center, 41 Lake St., Oswego, the Oswego Music Hall will feature Abbie Gardner with Ryan David Green (from Ryanhood) opening. Info: https://www.oswegomusichall.org/
On Saturday, November 23rd 7:30 PM at the McCrobie Civic Center, 41 Lake St., Oswego, the Oswego Music Hall will feature Taj. Jazz-by-the-Lake. Info: https://www.oswegomusichall.org/
On Friday, December 6th 7 PM (sign-ups at 6:30) at the McCrobie Civic Center, 41 Lake St., Oswego, the Oswego Music Hall continues its Open Mic Friday Series with opener Marc Warner. Info: https://www.oswegomusichall.org/
On Saturday, December 7th 7:30 PM (doors open at 7) at the McCrobie Civic Center, 41 Lake St., Oswego, the Oswego Music Hall will feature The McKrells. Info: https://www.oswegomusichall.org/
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