Published: 9/18/2019 9:45:19 PM
Modified: 9/18/2019 9:45:09 PM
ATHOL — The Tool Town Live free concert series continues Saturday, Sept. 21 at Fish Park, near 200 Union St. The show will feature world-renowned blues guitarist Barrett Anderson and his band. The concert is from 7 to 9 p.m., and free for all ages.
A 17-year veteran of the scene, Barrett Anderson cut his teeth playing with members of Muddy Waters’ 1970s band, Pinetop Perkins & Steady Rollin’ Bob Margolin, in the late ‘90s. Following that, he spent a combined six years in the internationally-acclaimed blues bands Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters and The Monster Mike Welch Band. Barrett recorded his first recording (with neo-swing legend Jimbo Mathus producing) in North Mississippi in 2007. He returned to his native New England and quickly enlisted some of the world’s heaviest blues musicians — Ron Levy (organist for Albert King, BB King, Roomful of Blues, and countless more) and Per Hanson (drummers for Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters, Jimmy Rogers, David Maxwell, and more).
“He may have shared the stage with great bluesmen, but when fronting his own band and playing his own music he is his own man,” says Georgetown Fats, editor of the Boston Blues Society. Ronnie Earl says “He is a total wizard on the guitar!” And music critic Ted Drozdowski says “Barrett Anderson’s roots explorations are full of true to the heart playing.”
In 2013 Barrett’s second album “The Long Fall” was released, produced by Cambridge’s roots-rock king Dennis Brennan, and featuring the legendary organ trio lineup he had been working with all across New England. Barrett won a highly prestigious Boston Music Award, 2013 Blues Artist of the Year. Backing him up are reformed guitarist, now bassist Jamie Hatch; Doug MacLeod provides the central heartbeat for The Barrett Anderson Band, and Charlie Mallett has joined the group on rhythm guitar.
If there is a chance of rain in the forecast, the concert will be held in Memorial Hall at 584 Main St. Refreshments including hot dogs, popcorn, soft drinks, dessert bars and more will be on sale at the event. Scotties Potties provides facilities for Tool Town Live concerts. There will be free candy at the concert while supplies last, courtesy of the West Brook Tree Farm.
This program is supported in part by a grant from The Athol Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. Tool Town Live 2019 concerts are sponsored in part by Witty’s Funeral Home, Flint’s Auto Sales, Kessler Investments, Pete’s Tire Barn, Ethan Stone, LaBelle Roofing, Osprey Entertainment, Elwood Sound and Media, Flint’s Repairs, Adams Animal Hospital, Scooby’s Custom Cornholes and more, Al’s Quick Lube, Silhouettes Best Little Hair House in Athol, and West Brook Tree Farm.