NORWICH – Thousands so far have enjoyed the Chenango Blues Association’s weekly Free Summer Concert Series in West Park, with performances by acts such as Eric Lindell, the Glenn Miller Orchestra, Nathan Williams and the Zydeco Cha-Chas and – last week – J.J. Grey & Mofro. Tomorrow, they’ll have one last chance to experience some national talent free of charge, as the New Riders of the Purple Sage take to the stage at 7:30 p.m. in the Entertainment Tent at the 164th Chenango County Fair.
Originally formed in 1969 – aka the Summer of Love – the band is still going strong despite the death of original leader and guitarist John “Marmaduke” Dawson in 2009. Now led by pedal steel guitarist Buddy Cage – who joined the band at the urging of original pedal steel player Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead in 1971 – the current line-up has been touring since 2005.
According to Eric Larsen of the Chenango Blues Association, it’s a show you don’t want to miss.
“They’ve always told me how much they enjoy the reception they receive here and, last year, they had more merchandise sales than at any other stop they made,” said Larsen of the band, which has performed twice before as part of the Summer Concert Series. “Normally, we don’t like to repeat acts, but they’ve always been so well received, particularly after such a successful show last year, we thought we’d bring them back for the fair.”
The group, added Larsen, has a wide fan base in Chenango County, from a Baby Boomer generation that remembers them from their college days to a younger generation that enjoys the jam band scene the New Riders helped to create. And the band isn’t one to rest on its laurels, so to speak, said Larsen. People can expect to hear a variety of new material, covers, as well as the a selection of the group’s popular hits, such as “Panama Red,” “Gypsy Cowboy” and “On My Way Back Home.”
“They’re just good guys,” said Larsen. “You certainly know what you’re going to get and it’s remarkable that they’ve retained such enthusiasm for the music. They continue to reinvent themselves and I think they’ve really kept it fresh, performing their old stuff as well as their new. I think their show is one of the more fun shows out there.”
Larsen said the Free Summer Concert Series has been a huge success this year, and he and his fellow Blues Association members are looking forward to providing more of the same next year from the new stage in East Park. They’ll continue to bring in big-time acts like J.J. Grey, Eric Lindell and the Glenn Miller Orchestra, he added.
“We had the most people we’ve ever had come down to the shows this year and we’d like to keep offering the community more of the same,” stated Larsen. “The crowds have been great and we really have to thank our sponsors, NBT Bank, Wells Fargo Advisors and Preferred Mutual Insurance, as well as the Greater Norwich and R.C. Smith Foundations, for all of their support. They make this possible.”
For more information on the Chenango Blues Association, the Free Summer Concert Series and the upcoming Chenango Blues Fest, visit www.chenangobluesfest.org. For information on the New Riders of the Purple Sage visit www.nrpsmusic.com.