Sean Kennedy -July 23 Featured Performer

Occasionally a performer will capture our attention very early on in their music career. This is exactly what happened from the first time we saw Sean Kennedy perform. He was about 14. At that time his style was just emerging, but already quite unique, capturing the audience’s attention with his intimate vocal style and interesting guitar phrasing.

Sean’s now 19. His progression as a musician has added a funkyness to his rhythmic stylings and he delivers them with artistry. As a vocalist, he serves his soul on a platter with breathy sincerity and vulnerability. It literally slows your heart rate and brings all your defenses down. You’ll forget what was on your mind before he started playing and find yourself wanting to hear more after his last note falls away.

Writing songs has become his passion. The sweet simplicity of the message literally floats above the technically interesting guitar work and melodic changes. Get a quick preview at:
http://www.myspace.com/seankmusic

Rick’s Music is pleased to present Sean Kennedy as our Featured Performer at Open Mic on Thursday, July 23. Admission is $3 per person. The show starts at 7pm. Sign up is at 6:30.

In Memory of Herb Mowry

On July 8, 2009 our music community was deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Herb Mowry, 81 of Norton, Mass.

Calling hours are Wednesday, July 15 from 5 to 8pm at Norton Memorial Funeral Home in Norton, Mass. His Obituary may be read at: http://www.currentobituary.com/Memory.aspx?Memory_ObitdID=66187
Directions are available at: http://www.shermanjackson.com/DirectionsN.html

IN MEMORY OF HERB MOWRY

An avid participant of our weekly Open Mic, Herb delighted the crowd every week with his clever wit and as Herb himself would call it, his “darned cotton-pickin’, finger-lickin’ finger pickin,’” often introducing us to two new bluegrass/country songs every week. Well, new to us, old to him… and recently he started writing some of his own tunes always received with roaring applause.

We first met Herb and his wife, Diana, about three years ago when they attended our Open Mic, just to check it out. Discouraged about the loss of sensation in his fingers, he was ready to sell his guitar and give up the music he loved so much. Then he read an article about our Open Mic in “The Hometown News,” featuring our eldest participant, Montana Cy, then 80. A bell went off for Herb right then and there. “If he can do it, so can I,” he thought.

His solution to his disability? Sand paper! He glued sandpaper to his picks so he could “hold on to ‘em.” Herb’s enthusiasm for playing returned with a vengeance, along with it returned his joy of life. And he thanked us weekly about the positive difference coming to our Open Mic brought to his life. You have no idea what that meant to us. Herb’s story is a testament to the wellness value of music for seniors. He became an inspiration to others, including us. He thrived and was thrilled at the invitation to join other musicians onstage, especially the younger people whom he admired so much. Herb and Diana have become much-loved members of our multi-generational Open Mic Family.

On July 30th, the members of Herb’s family will join us for an extraordinary Open Mic night dedicated to Herb’s memory. It will also be a special celebration of Herb’s music with the release of a CD featuring a compilation of his live performances and special Open Mic moments. Our Open Mic Family has chosen to offer the CD’s for $10 each, and as a show of love and support all proceeds will benefit Herb’s wife, Diana.

Herb once told us, “I treasure the friendships I have made though music.” Those of us who know Herb understand completely. He was our treasure and his memory will live on through us.

Rick & Robin Santos