John Beacher & the Common Ground to perform at Triumph Brewing Col
Published: May. 16, 2014, 10:57 a.m.
John Beacher and his band, the Common Ground, perform tomorrow night at the Triumph Brewing Co. in New Hope, Pa.
Lisa Rich/The Times
His energy alone can make an aspiring musician jealous.
Then consider his lyricism, sultry and smooth vocals, and refreshing rhythms.
They're enough to make a singer-songwriter swoon.
Bucks County native and singer-songwriter John Beacher knows his music. He knows what he wants, and that's to make the audience feel good while he feels good.
Though he delivers the occasional slow and somber tune, Beacher excels at the upbeat, inserting breaks and pauses and beats in unexpected places, and dancing girls typically follow.
Tomorrow night, Beacher and his backing crew, the Common Ground, take the stage at Triumph Brewing Co. in New Hope, Pa.
It's the perfect venue for getting up and moving, but also for hanging back and listening.
If you're familiar with the music scene in the area, you've likely seen Beacher in his element before this gig. Every Thursday, he performs at Karla's, right down the street from Triumph, and follows up his act with a "community open stage."
It's like an open mic for musical veterans.
He's also been the featured artist on Gene Shay's national show, WXPN's "Live at Lunch" with Helen Leicht, and is slowly mixing into WXPN's rotation.
He's shared the stage with greats such as Rusted Root, Marshall Tucker and Leon Russell, all the while holding his own.
You can download his songs off Spotify or check him out at johnbeacher.com.
For more information on Triumph or on upcoming shows, log onto triumphbrewing.com.
Talent is going to fill the room to the point where it creeps up the walls and into the windowpanes.
David Uosikkinen of the Hooters is a noteworthy drummer who has a knack for taking music to a different level. Over the past few decades, he's gained quite the crew of musician friends, who also bring with them a variety of skill and precision.
Tomorrow night, he brings part of his revolving cast of musicians to Havana in New Hope, Pa., to celebrate the release of his latest album, "In the Pocket," which features what he calls the essential songs of Philadelphia.
"Although it's not the end of the project, it's the end of this series of songs. I wanted to create a CD of all of the sessions and end with beat-up guitar because it's about a musician, his instrument and the city," he says in the official release statement.
"And for me, that's what it's all about."
Check out this lineup of artists sharing the stage with Uosikkinen during the show: Graham Alexander, who played lead role in the Broadway production of "Rain"; fellow Hooters Eric Bazilian, John Lilley and Fran Smith Jr.; Richard Bush of the Peace Creeps; Steve Butler and Wally Smith of Smash Palace; and Charlie and Richie Ingui and Bobby Michaels of the Soul Survivors.
Not to mention Greg Davis of Beru Revue, singer-songwriter Cliff Hillis, and T.J. Tindal, who has worked closely with Bonnie Raitt and Robert Palmer.
Havana is located at 105 S. Main St. You must be 21 to enter. Admission is $35 in advance and $40 at the door. For more information, log onto havananewhope.com or call (215) 862-5501.
Feelin' the itch to dance?
If you're in the mood to shake off the work week, Rho in Trenton is where it's at tonight.
In addition to hosting its standout happy hour, Rho will feature live entertainment. The Eddie Testa Band is performing at 9 p.m., and soon after, DJ Jimmie Palumbo will keep the floor going until 2 a.m.
Testa's Jersey Shore-based band is a living jukebox, churning out classics of ultimate dance, rock, soul and rhythm and blues. You can sample its repertoire of covers online at eddietestaband.com.
Rho is located at 50 Riverview Plaza off Route 29. You must be 21 to enter. For more information, log onto rhowaterfront.com or call (609) 393-7300.
John Beacher & the Common Ground
: 10 p.m. tomorrow
: Triumph Brewing Co., 400 Union Square Drive, New Hope, Pa.
: Free; (215) 862-8300 or
triumphbrewing.com
; age 21 and older only