P.O. Box 92398
Rochester, NY 14692
www.goldenlink.org
Media contact (not for publication): Dave Townsend, (585) 467-8690
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 16, 2022
Golden Link presents Dead to the Core: An acoustic celebration of the Grateful Dead
Rochester, NY – Dead to the Core is a collective of singer-songwriters and acoustic musicians who pay tribute to the music of the Grateful Dead. Featuring Jefferson Hamer, Ryan Fitzsimmons and Laurence Scudder, and Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers with Wendy Ramsay, the group celebrates the band’s music not through note-for-note re-creations but by playing the songs their own way – letting them grow and evolve collaboratively in the true spirit of the Dead. They will be performing on Saturday, October 8, 2022, at 7:30 pm at our new concert location at Greece Baptist Church, 1230 Long Pond Road, Rochester NY 14626. See below for Golden Link’s COVID safety protocols.
Before the concert, Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers and Jefferson Hamer lead Grateful Dead for Acoustic Guitar, a workshop on how to play Grateful Dead songs. Registration for the workshop is separate from concert tickets. See details below.
A Dead to the Core show is an experience unlike any other Grateful Dead tribute: a night of deeply personal performances that illuminate the masterful song craft of one of America’s most original bands. Interspersed with the music are clips from Rodgers’ own interviews with Jerry Garcia and Bob Weir, in which they reflect on the roots and evolution of the music.
Jefferson Hamer is an internationally touring songwriter, guitarist, and traditional musician based in Brooklyn. He performs with The Murphy Beds and Session Americana, and his guitar work and vocals are featured on Sarah Jarosz’s Blue Heron Suite, which was nominated for a 2022 Grammy. Hamer’s Child Ballads album with Anaïs Mitchell earned a BBC2 Folk Award and was named one of NPR’s top-10 folk releases of the year.
Ryan Fitzsimmons and Laurence Scudder are fixtures of the Boston roots-rock scene and frequent collaborators. Fitzsimmons, a Syracuse native, has built a reputation as one of the Northeast’s most compelling songwriters and, in the words of Red Line Roots, “a brutal force of nature on acoustic guitar.” Violist/songwriter Laurence Scudder toured and recorded for seven years with the Ryan Montbleau Band, and currently performs with Spotted Tiger, Danielle M and the Glory Junkies, Thank God for Science, Brothers McCann, and other bands.
Syracuse-based musician Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers is a grand prize winner of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, founding editor of Acoustic Guitar magazine, and author of a best-selling video series teaching his acoustic arrangements of classic Grateful Dead songs. Joining him is multi-instrumentalist/songwriter Wendy Ramsay, his partner in the duo of Pepper and Sassafras.
“Rodgers doesn’t tap the legion of dedicated Grateful Dead tribute artists for these concerts…. Instead, he seeks out songwriters and musicians who have developed their own voices and styles, though they are very much inspired by – and fans of – Garcia and the Dead.” – Arts Fuse
Online ticket sales end at midnight on October 7.
General Admission: $25 ($27 at the door)
Golden Link Members: $20 ($22 at the door)
Students: $10
Children under 12: $5
You can also bring classic Grateful Dead songs to life on acoustic guitar in a special pre-concert workshop with Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers and Jefferson Hamer. You’ll learn how to play the chords and create powerful grooves in songs like “Friend of the Devil,” “New Speedway Boogie,” and “Brown Eyed Women,” plus add cool embellishments and riffs inspired by the Dead’s performances. The songs covered will depend on the group’s interest. The session from 4:00-5:00 pm is oriented toward guitarists but open to other acoustic instrumentalists who’d like to jam along. Workshop seats are limited so be sure to register online only at www.goldenlink.org by Thursday, October 6 at midnight. The cost of the workshop is $15.
* Current Concert Regulations Due to COVID:
• Tickets can be purchased at the gate. We still encourage purchasing in advance through the website to expedite your entry into the concert. And purchasing in advance will save you money!
• All attendees must provide Proof of Vaccination at the gate, along with a Photo ID
• Starting in December 2022, we are no longer requiring Proof of Vaccination at the gate.
• Masks are recommended, but not required while in the building.
See below for a calendar listing of this and other upcoming concerts.
Phone or email interviews with the performer(s) can be arranged.
Photos of the performers are available at:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1a_Dh4Mg9T-3l07dKaxNrU2fgpCFx1saF?usp=sharing
Founded in 1971, the Golden Link Folk Singing Society is dedicated to presenting, promoting, and preserving folk music in the Rochester area. Golden Link is a volunteer-operated and member-supported 501(c)3 not-for-profit arts, cultural, and educational organization.
CALENDAR LISTINGS
Dead to the Core
An acoustic celebration of the Grateful Dead
Saturday, October 8, 2022, 7:30 pm
Greece Baptist Church, 1230 Long Pond Road, Rochester NY 14626
Dead to the Core is a collective of singer-songwriters and acoustic musicians who pay tribute to the music of the Grateful Dead. Featuring Jefferson Hamer, Ryan Fitzsimmons and Laurence Scudder, and Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers with Wendy Ramsay, the group celebrates the band’s music not through note-for-note re-creations but by playing the songs their own way – letting them grow and evolve collaboratively in the true spirit of the Dead.
Proof of vaccination is required for everyone in attendance. Masks are recommended, but not required. Advance ticket purchases are recommended, but tickets will also be available at the door.
Tickets: General Admission: $25 ($27 at the door), Golden Link Members: $20 ($22 at the door), Students: $10, Children age 5-12: $5.
For more information and tickets to concerts, visit www.goldenlink.org.
Grateful Dead for Acoustic Guitar Workshop
Saturday, October 8, 2022, 4:00-5:00 pm
Greece Baptist Church, 1230 Long Pond Road, Rochester NY 14626
Bring classic Grateful Dead songs to life on acoustic guitar in a special pre-concert workshop with Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers and Jefferson Hamer. You’ll learn how to play the chords and create powerful grooves in songs like “Friend of the Devil,” “New Speedway Boogie,” and “Brown Eyed Women,” plus add cool embellishments and riffs inspired by the Dead’s performances. Workshop seats are limited so register online only at www.goldenlink.org by Thursday, October 6 at midnight. The cost of the workshop is $15.
Lynne Hanson
Saturday, November 19, 2022; 7:30 pm
Greece Baptist Church, 1230 Long Pond Road, Rochester NY 14626
Too tough for folk and too blues-influenced for country, Ottawa-based musician Lynne Hanson’s brand of porch music can turn on a dime from a sunshine, blue sky ballad to a full-on thunderstorm of gritty Americana swamp from one song to the next. Her hard living music has garnered her the nickname “Canada’s Queen of Americana.” And while her deep, bluesy croon has drawn comparisons to Lucinda Williams and Gillian Welch, it’s the poetry of her lyrics that really sets her apart. Joining her in concert is Blair Michael Hogan on guitar.
Proof of vaccination is required for everyone in attendance. Masks are recommended, but not required. Advance ticket purchases are recommended, but tickets will also be available at the door.
Tickets: General Admission: $25 ($27 at the door), Golden Link Members: $20 ($22 at the door), Students: $10, Children age 5-12: $5.
For more information, visit www.goldenlink.org.
Joe Jencks: On A Midwinter’s Night
Saturday, December 10, 2022; 7:30 pm
Greece Baptist Church, 1230 Long Pond Road, Rochester NY 14626
Internationally acclaimed songwriter, performer, and recording artist Joe Jencks offers a special holiday concert. A 25-year veteran of the international folk circuit, Jencks is known for his unique merging of social consciousness, spiritual exploration, and musical beauty. On A Midwinter’s Night continues in that vein, while focusing on songs of the holiday season, songs of history and humanity, as well as some winter favorites. Blending well-crafted instrumentals and vivid songwriting, Jencks serves it all up with a lyric baritone voice that has the edgy richness of a good sea-salt caramel.
Masks are recommended, but not required. Advance ticket purchases are recommended, but tickets will also be available at the door.
Tickets: General Admission: $25 ($27 at the door), Golden Link Members: $20 ($22 at the door), Students: $10, Children age 5-12: $5.
For more information, visit www.goldenlink.org.