A storied musician and an acclaimed alternative rock band are this week’s MV Concert Series featured performers.
By Diane Alter
The Martha’s Vineyard Concert Series ushers in its third week with performances from Tom Rush and the Deer Tick, both on Wednesday, July 25.
Rush is a widely celebrated musician and performer with a distinctive guitar style and expressive voice. His charm, wry humor and warmth have endeared him to audiences around the globe. Every show is an experience in expert storytelling highlighted by heart-tugging ballads and soul-searching blues.
This legend’s musical career began in Boston-area clubs during the early 1960s, while Rush attended Harvard. Rush packed coffee houses during his university years. By the time he graduated, Rush had two albums to his name
An Evening With Tom Rush will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 25 at the Old Whaling Church In Edgartown. The concert is a benefit for MVYRadio: A nonprofit, listener-supported radio celebrating 35 years on Martha’s Vineyard now at 88.7FM and available streaming worldwide at MVRadio.com.
Performing the next town over at the Lampost in Oak Bluffs at 8 p.m. is the Deer Tick.
Deer Tick is an American alternative rock band from Providence, Rhode Island. A question always asked is how the band took its name. The inspiration for the moniker came the group’s singer-songwriter John J. McCauley came in contact of one of the insects after a day of hiking in Indiana.
The name seems appropriate as fans are always itching for the band’s next performance.
Making up the Deer Tick along with McCauley, are guitarist Ian O’Neil, bassist Chris Ryan, and drummer Dennis Ryan.
The group’s music has been described as rock with folk, blues, and country undertones—but don’t by any stretch call them country. “We’re proud not to sing with a twang,” the band has often stated.
Audiences are likely to be treated to unique versions of cover songs that range from Nirvana to Hank Williams to the Beastie Boys. At times the band’s sound is highly acoustic and delicate. Other times it is highly electric and rowdy. Either way, it is always highly entertaining.
Additional information and online ticket sales are available at www.mvconcertseries.com
