Here is a listing of Pennsylvania live music happenings for the weekend and week of Friday, January 15 through Thursday, January 21.
Due to COVID-19-related restrictions, many live music venues across the area are still not able to host performances at this time. The listing below includes both area live public shows and online live-streaming shows; keep checking back, as this listing will be updated as new shows are announced.
If you are attending a public show, be aware that seating and admission may be limited due to restrictions, and masks and social distancing may be required. Please respect others’ personal space if they wish to socially distance from others.
For online performances, if a “virtual tip jar” situation is available during live streams, please consider tipping these performers, and support them during this time when they cannot earn income playing shows at public venues. Websites for these performers are also listed; please consider purchasing their music digitally or via CD, which is another way to SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC!
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation and January typically being a slower season for live music, just a few scattered public live music events are taking place around the area this weekend. See the listing below for the shows that have been announced at this point; and check back, as additional public shows may be added as information about them becomes available.
As far as online live-streaming music options, Pittsburgh great Norman Nardini is back with his bi-weekly two-hour Friday night live-streaming presentation. Norman has diligently staged these events every other Friday since the COVID situation began last spring. He kicks off his “new” season this Friday night, billed as “He’s Not Alone Any More.” After doing his presentations solo during 2020, Norman now will be joined by an additional musical guest during his presentations in 2021; this week he will be joined by his longtime bass player, Harry Bottoms. The two will play a number of Norman’s original song creations; and of course, Norman will share his blend of musical insights, stories from throughout his career, and his trademark humor and wit. The presentation begins on Facebook at 7 p.m.
And legendary Washington, D.C.-based bluesmen The Nighthawks are celebrating 49 years of making music with a special Facebook live stream event on Thursday night. The original “Bad Boys of Bethesda” formed in spring of 1972 with remaining original founding member Mark Wenner on vocals and harmonica and Jimmy Thackery on guitar, plus Jan Zukowski on bass and Pete Ragusa on drums. The group released albums and brought their blend of blues, R&B, honky-tonk, rockabilly and more to audiences around the country. Thackery, a Pittsburgh native, left the group in 1986 to pursue a solo career. The Nighthawks continued on, making their music and supporting such acts as John Lee Hooker, Elvin Bishop and others. The current lineup includes Wenner, Mark Stutso on drums, Paul Pisciotta on bass, and Dan Hovey on guitar. The Nighthawks hour-long live-streaming event begins at 10 p.m. Thursday night, and is presented by the band, virtual blues venue Can’t Stop The Blues and the Washington Blues Society.
FRIDAY 1/15:
PUBLIC SHOW: Ed Varner at Bella Terra Vineyards (formerly Briar Valley Winery), Bedford (starts 6 p.m.)
PUBLIC SHOW: Chris Daugherty at The Break Room, Twin Rocks (starts 7 p.m.)
PUBLIC SHOW: Derek Heidel at Drake’s Bar & Grill, Huntingdon (starts 8 p.m.)
PUBLIC SHOW: Ricky Lee at Almost Home, Nanty Glo (starts 8 p.m.)
Berks County Quarantine Open Mic (various performers) (Facebook, starts 5 p.m.)
Norman Nardini live stream (Facebook, starts 7 p.m.)
(Website: www.normannardini.com)
Ted McCloskey & Molly Countermine live stream (Facebook, starts 7 p.m.)
(www.tedmccloskey.com)
SATURDAY 1/16:
PUBLIC SHOW: Playing for Pennies at Bella Terra Vineyards (formerly Briar Valley Winery), Bedford (starts 6 p.m.)
PUBLIC SHOW: Gallitzin American Legion Riders Post #174 presents Ricky Lee at Oriental Ballroom, Gallitzin (starts 6 p.m., also live streaming)
PUBLIC SHOW: White Shadow at Altoona Grand Hotel, Altoona (starts 7 p.m.)
PUBLIC SHOW: Ken & Andy (Kenny Jubas & Andy Lubert) at Heroes Tavern, Nanty Glo (starts 7 p.m.)
PUBLIC SHOW: Tim Schmider at The Break Room, Twin Rocks (starts 7 p.m.)
PUBLIC SHOW: Dr. Chance Bartleby & the ? with James Grove at McGarvey’s, Altoona (starts 8 p.m.)
Berks County Quarantine Open Mic (various performers) (Facebook, starts 5 p.m.)
Jack Servello live stream (Facebook, starts 7 p.m.)
Saturday Night Livestream with Kelly and Mark of Biscuit Jam (Facebook, starts 7 p.m.)
SUNDAY 1/17:
Jeffrey Gaines Facebook Live Concert (Facebook, starts 7 p.m.; tickets $9.99)
(Website: www.jeffreygaines.com)
MONDAY 1/18:
(no shows announced)
TUESDAY 1/19:
Brother Jack’s Happy Hour Live Stream (Facebook, starts 4 p.m.)
Chad Patterson Live on Facebook (Facebook, starts 7 p.m.)
WEDNESDAY 1/20:
PUBLIC SHOW: Jam Night with The Frick Brothers at The Break Room, Twin Rocks (starts 7 p.m.)
“Car-Tunes” with Charlie Barath Facebook Live Stream (Facebook, starts 6 p.m.)
(Website: www.reverbnation.com/charliebarath)
THURSDAY 1/21:
Berks County Quarantine Open Mic (various performers) (Facebook, starts 5 p.m.)
Bob Helbig Live Stream (Facebook, starts 7 p.m.)
Blues Society of Central PA Virtual Blues Jam (starts 7 p.m. at www.bscpblues.com)
“The Nighthawks: 49 Years and Counting” Live Stream (Facebook, starts 10 p.m.)
(Website: www.thenighthawks.com)
(NOTE: More shows may be added to this list as information becomes available. Feel free to check back.)
To report additional shows or corrections to this listing, email information to jptheprofessor@gmail.com. Deadline to submit information for the initial posting is each Friday morning at 9 a.m.