Graham Parker &_Professor Louie Will Lead A Local ‘Evening Of Woodstock’

Bob Dylan turned 60 in May and the ripple effect is about to hit Edmond Town Hall.

Decades ago, Dylan disrupted the typical music/money business by creating a big market for the powerful lyrics of the singer-songwriter. What will take center stage at Newtown’s town hall on Thursday, June 14, will be examples of Dylan’s heritage: tight playing and original songs by highly-regarded musicians brought together from widely scattered regions.

“An Evening of Woodstock in Newtown” will feature prominent musicians who live in Woodstock, N.Y., and will benefit listener-supported radio station WPKN-FM (89.5). Doors open at 7 pm, with showtime of 7:30 pm.

The first electric backers of Dylan that emerged on their own was The Band. In the 30-plus years since its first album was released, The Band’s line-up has had many revisions, and various members played the benefit for WPKN last spring.

Jim Weider, who replaced Robbie Robertson in The Band as lead guitarist, will be in Newtown will his band, The Honky Tonk Gurus (drummer Randy Ciarlante, bassist Malcom Gold and keyboardist Jeremy Baum, all veteran musicians who have performed with a similarly all-star group of musicians). Weider, formerly of The Hoo Doo Devils, has his own following as a skilled sessionist and band leader.

Heading the concert will be Professor Louie & the Crowmatix, featuring founding member of The Band Garth Hudson on keyboards, saxophones and accordion. Professor Louie is Aaron Hurwitz, the versatile musician, singer and songwriter who served as co-producer of the last three albums by The Band. He also performed as a duo with the late Rich Danko, the bass player for The Band, and has produced, recorded and toured with other acts.

The Cromatix features bass player Mike Dunn, singer-songwriter Marie Spinosa, drummer Gary Burke, and jazz guitarist Mike DeMicco.

Headlining this year will be a British addition to this aggregate of folk rockers: Graham Parker. Probably the most commercially successful solo player of the evening, Parker emerged from the same pub scene in London as Elvis Costello and Joe Jackson, who were also successful in the States in the late 70s. Parker has never left the US, and was a featured member of Dylan’s birthday tribute last month.

Tom Pacheco’s surprising appearance in Newtown last year created one of the evening’s most exhilarating memories. It was a great moment by a driving troubadour with a fierce spirit, who will be returning Thursday evening, this time as the opener for the show.

If last year’s concert for WPKN — and fans of true singer-songwriter talent — is any indicator, Thursday should provide another good opportunity to hear honest music in a small venue. And if the above-mentioned musicians are all on the stage, who knows who will be making a surprise appearance this year.

Tickets for “An Evening of Woodstock in Newtown” are $20 per person and are available at Newtown General Store, 43 Main Street in Newtown; in Bethel at Disc & Dat, 107 Greenwood Avenue; in Brookfield at Gerosa Records, 246 Federal Road;  in Danbury at Trash American Style, 12 Mill Plain Road; and Woodbury at New Morning Natural Foods, Middle Quarter Mall, Route 6/Main Street South.

Any remaining tickets will be sold at the town hall’s box office the night of the show. For more information, call WPKN at 203-331-9756.