Greetings, and welcome to this week’s Reservoir Music Notes! Not a lot of earth shaking news going on in the music world, so we’re gonna get right to this week’s live music picks.

Wednesday, May 15 – I don’t usually recommend shows as far afield as Infinity Hall in Connecticut, but this week, I’m making several exceptions. Tonight, INDIGENOUS, a Native American blues rock band that I’ve known about for many years, is at Infinity Hall. The main attraction of this band is their amazing lead guitar player, who is the closest thing to Stevie Ray Vaughn that we’ve got left! Highly recommended! Also tonight, at The Highline Ballroom in Manhattan, the legendary ERIC BURDON AND THE ANIMALS will be performing their string of gigantic hits, as well as other, blues and rock based material. Thursday, May 16 – Back to Infinity Hall, where the great Western Swing band, ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL, will hold court. Closer to home, the REGGAE IN RESIDENCE series continues at The Bearsville Theater, and THE SLIDE BROTHERS, a sacred steel band sponsored by Robert Randolph will be at The Falcon in Marlborough. Downstate, we’ve got JOE BONAMASSA at The Beacon Theater for the first of three nights, and the kings of all reggae bands, THE WAILERS, at Irving Plaza.
Friday, May 17 – In the city, my first Pick Of the Week! The amazing Soul and R n B singer, BETTYE LAVETTE, is at Town Hall with the equally amazing BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA! Bettye’s been around forever, and she is one of the best! The fabulous SHEILA E is at BB King’s, and upstate, JIM WEIDER’S PROJECT PERCOLATOR is at The Falcon, and Punk/ New Wave stalwarts, THE FEELIES, are at Club Helsinki in Hudson.
Saturday, May 18 – The city of Beacon, NY is celebrating their centennial with something called BEACON ROCKS 100: A CENTENNIAL MUSICFEST, at Memorial Park. Don’t know who’s playing, but Beacon is a cool town, it should be a beautiful day for an outdoor event, so, why not? At The Falcon, ROB PAPAROZZI AND THE HUDSON RIVER RATS will tear the house down! Rob is one of the best harmonica blowers on the planet, and the only heir apparent to the late, great Paul Butterfield, who should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, along with all of his bands!
Sunday, May 19 – Two shows, one upstate, one downstate. Upstate at Club Helsinki, JAMES MCCARTNEY, son of Paul, will probably be worth checking out, and downstate, the 13th ANNUAL JOEY RAMONE BIRTHDAY BASH is at a new home at Bowery Electric. Doesn’t matter who’s playing. This is always a great event!
Monday, May 20 – Tonight marks the beginning of a 5 night run at The Beacon Theater for one of the most exciting, professional, and most rockin’ bands ever – TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS! If at all possible, catch at least one night. These guys are one of the best live bands around! The other dates are May 21, 23, 25, and 26. In case you didn’t figure it out, this is my #1 Pick of the Week!
Tuesday, May 21 – PETER ROWAN at City Winery and SHOOTER JENNINGS, Waylon’s son, at Bowery Ballroom.
Wednesday, May 22 – RAY WYLIE HUBBARD at Hill Country Barbecue, and something called STONES FEST NYC is at the Music Hall of Williamsburg tonight, and Bowery Ballroom tomorrow. Don’t know who’s playing or any more details, but, how bad could it be, right?
Thursday, May 23 – TOOTS AND THE MAYTALS acoustic at The Bearsville Theater, and GEORGE JONES TRIBUTE at The Rodeo Bar.

Gotta run. Have a great week!

Fred Perry is the owner of Reservoir Music Center on Route 28 in Kingston, and founding member of Alt-Country supergroup, The Brooklyn Cowboys, is from a 3rd generation musical family and lives in the Hudson Valley, where he does what he can to promote live music.