Tom Rush is a gifted musician and performer, whose shows offer a musical celebration…a journey into the tradition and spectrum of what music has been, can be, and will become. His distinctive guitar style, wry humor and warm, expressive voice have made him both a legend and a lure to audiences around the world. His shows are filled with the rib-aching laughter of terrific story-telling, the sweet melancholy of ballads and the passion of gritty blues

Tom Rush began his musical career in the early ’60s playing the Boston-area clubs while a Harvard student. The Club 47 was the flagship of the coffee house fleet, and he was soon holding down a weekly spot there, learning from the legendary artists who came to play, honing his skills and growing into his talent. He had released two albums by the time he graduated.

Rush displayed then, as he does today, an uncanny knack for finding wonderful songs, and writing his own – many of which have become classics re-interpreted by new generations.
(It is testimony to the universality of his appeal that his songs have been folk hits, country hits, heavy metal and rap hits.) Signed by Elektra in 1965, Rush made three albums for them, culminating in The Circle Game, which, according to Rolling Stone, ushered in the singer/songwriter era.

In the early ’70s, folk turned to folk-rock, and Rush, ever adaptable, saw more room to stretch out. Recording now for Columbia, he toured tirelessly with a five man band, playing concerts across the country. Endless promotional tours, interviews, television appearances, and recording sessions added up to five very successful but exhausting years, after which Tom decided to take a break and “recharge” his creative side at his New Hampshire farm.

Rush returned with a splash in 1981, selling out Boston’s prestigious Symphony Hall in advance. Time off had not only rekindled Rush’s love of music, it had re-ignited music audiences’ love of Rush.

He instinctively knew that his listeners were interested in both the old and the new, and set out to create a musical forum like the Club 47 of the early sixties to allow artists and newcomers to share the same stage. In 1982, he tried it out at Symphony Hall. The show was such a hit it became an annual event, growing to fill two, then three nights, and the Club 47 series was born. Crafting concerts that combined well known artists such as Bonnie Raitt or Emmylou Harris with (then) unknowns like Alison Krauss or Mark O’ Connor, Rush took the show on the road. From the ’80s to the present day, Club 47 events have filled the nation’s finest halls to rave reviews, and have been broadcast as national specials on PBS and NPR.

A live CD, “Trolling for Owls” released in 2003 and published by Tom’s NIGHTLIGHT RECORDINGS, captures Tom’s complete performance and includes, for the first time, some of the spoken stories that have endeared him to audiences.

“How I Play (some of) My Favorite Songs”, a DVD released in 2005 by Homespun Tapes. It shows how he plays ten of the memorable songs and guitar arrangements that have long made him one of America’s most beloved performers.

Today, Tom Rush lives in New Hampshire when he’s not touring. His voice has grown even richer and more melodic with training, and his music, like a fine wine, has matured and ripened in the blending of traditional and modern influences. He’s doing what he loves, and what audiences love him for: writing and playing …passionately, tenderly…knitting together the musical traditions and talents of our times 

DAMN THE TORPEDOES – A Live Tom Petty Concert Experience

DOORS: 6:00PM     SHOW: 7:30     AGES: 13+

Over the years Damn The Torpedoes has evolved with more committed member sand a deep understanding of the Tom Petty catalog. The current lineup has been in place for several years and demonstrates the unspoken chemistry that makes a great band. The signature riffs, harmonies and underlying parts of the music are all there—along with some fresh twists that are often inspired in the moment. The resulting performances have audiences smiling,singing, dancing and mourning the loss of this great artist

Rich Kubicz, who plays the role of Tom Petty in the show,has been playing guitar and singing since his early teens. By 2007, so many people had told him that he looked and sounded like Tom Petty that he decided to put together Damn The Torpedoes as a tribute to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

His goal was to play all of the studio hits, with live versions and some deep cuts to create the illusion of a Tom Petty concert performance. This meant that each band member would need to duplicate the sounds as found on the records

Lee Boice
(Mike Campbell… Lead Guitar)
Lee Boice is a well established guitarist from the NY City music scene and has played all over America and Europe. Besides being known for his exciting live performances, Lee is also a music producer and writer and is at home in the studio as well as on stage. With experience in various styles of music including Funk, Rock, Blues, and World Music, Lee has mastered many guitar styles and techniques.

Gary Castelluccio
(Benmont Tench/Scott Thurston… Keyboards, Piano, Guitar, Harmonica, Backing Vocals)
Gary has been involved with music and performing since the age of 13. He started with guitar and later learned to play keyboard and harmonica. Over the years, he has played in cover bands , original projects and studio sessions. His experience and versatility has helped him to become the consummate side man adding support and color to the bands he works with.

Jon Provan
(Ron Blair/Howie Epstein, Bass Guitar and backing vocals)
Jon caught the music bug young, playing and singing in rock bands, a cappella groups, sax quartets, theatre pits, recording studios and more. He has laid down his bass groove for many Indie and original bands. When not on with DTT, Jon is the musical director at a theater, a solo artist and a theatrical performer.

Ross Kantor
(Stan Lynch/Steve Ferrone…Drums/Percussion and Backing Vocals)
Ross is the quintessential percussionist and the driving force behind DTT’s tight rhythm section. His versatility allows him to play with the finesse of Stan Lynch and the power of Steve Ferrone while also adding polished vocals to an already very melodic harmony section. When Ross isn’t playing with DTT, he is an in-demand drummer for live events, indie bands and studio sessions.

Presented by TFM & ME Productions.