Shifting gears for the first show of 2024, we put together a phenomenal lineup of local artists with a bit of country twang for your listening pleasure. We welcome The Second Hands and Dustin Lowman for the first time on our stage while enjoying the return of Robbie Harte, Natalie Anne and the ever popular Gene Casey.
The premier barroom troubadour of Eastern Long Island, that includes Montauk, the Hamptons on up to Riverhead and any town with an Indian name! In the latter part of the last century, Gene Casey departed New York City and its Punk rock/New wave scene for Long Island’s East End. There, he formed the Lone Sharks, “the house band of the Hamptons,” where bars were plentiful and audiences – both the local and the celebrated – were robust and loyal. Over the course of the next few decades Gene and the evolving line-up of Sharks “played – and tore up – every roadhouse, bar, and honky tonk from Manhattan to Montauk” (Bop Magazine), sharing the bill and backing legendary roots rock & roll acts as Wanda Jackson, the Band, Bo Diddley, Sleepy LaBeef, NRBQ, and the Ventures.Gene’s original music met with great acclaim with local and international indie radio play. Several of his roots-drenched songs have been used in “A Prairie Home Companion” and on the soundtracks to television and feature films, including “Justified” and “Sons of Anarchy” ; the 2012 thriller “The Tall Man” starring Jessica Biel, the 2013 release “The Killing Season” starring Robert DeNiro, and Rob Reiner’s “Being Charlie.” Gene is also host of The Weekend Jamboree on WLIW-FM/
Robbie Harte is an Award-Winning International Country Music Recording Artist, originally from Montreal, Canada. Known for her warm, rich vocals, emotional delivery, Robbie is described by fans as compelling, inspirational, and powerful. Harte uses her inner strength and femininity to create music that connects and builds confidence in the listener. Her autobiographical stories often tell of overcoming adversity, turning her experiences into messages of hope that resonate with people everywhere. Following an incredible journey over the past five years, Robbie Harte put a stamp on the country music scene with the release of her single ‘17’ in 2020 after deciding to follow her dream of becoming a professional singer/songwriter. Since then, she has hit the number 1 spot numerous times, has been nominated for multiple Josie Music Awards, and in 2022, won the ISSA Gold Songwriter of the year, and Bronze Award for Single of the Year for “Outside My Window.”
In September 2023, Robbie’s song “Reason to Rise” won Social Stars “Best Original Single”. Robbie Harte is nominated for three 2023 Josie Awards, taking place at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville this October, and Five Who’s Hoo Country Music Awards.
Natalie Anne, she may be from San Diego, but her heart was born in country. The burning passion for country music began at age seven when Natalie received a Shania Twain CD for Christmas. The songwriters bug hit immediately as she found herself studying structures and writing her own lyrics to instrumental tracks. In 2016, Natalie moved to NY and created her first musical project called “Natalie & The Damn Shandys” or “The Shandys” for short. Her objective is to engage listeners with honest, heartfelt lyrics complimented by soaring harmonies and organic musicianship. Within the first year of releasing her music, the band was direct support for Chely Wright, Trace Adkins, Joe Nichols, Marshall Tucker Band and Corey Smith. CMT then premiered their single “Lay Eyes on You” in 2021. After a short break due to a paralyzed vocal cord, Natalie is now back and forth to Nashville pursuing her goal to be a professional songwriter.
Dustin Lowman writes antisensical songs: lyric-driven tunes that deconstruct the nonsense of living. He is a self-taught singer, guitarist, harmonica player, and lyricist who patterns his style on troubadour types — Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Aimee Mann, Adrienne Lenker, Cass McCombs. Based in Brooklyn, Dustin performs regularly at venues in the borough, and has also appeared at the Poetry Foundation in Chicago, IL; The Bitter End in Manhattan, NY; and the Levitt Pavilion in Westport, CT.
The Second Hands consist of Mattituck native Geoffrey Schroeder and southern transplant Laura Hoch sharing their love for music. They have been playing together since the day they met at an open mic night at Martha Clara Vineyards. Initially they started out playing cover songs at Greenport Market, "for sandwiches and tips”, but soon they started creating their own music. Their style is a mix of folk and country with influences like Graham Parsons, Gillian Welch, The Band and The Byrds. They have an original approach to lyrics, contrasting their diverse upbringings – he from the northeast, she from Florida.
Folkie Fest offers an ongoing concert series with local acoustic artists in the spirit of folk music as envisioned by the late Pete Seeger. We provide a listening space and support live, local, singer/songwriters sharing their original work. A portion of the proceeds are donated to the community center, and a 50/50 raffle is held to benefit Long Island Cares:The Harry Chapin Food Bank.
Facebook event page: https://fb.me/e/42lHMItJ2
