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Virtual Music Festival begins Wednesday with Tad Robinson
The Greencastle Virtual Music Festival launches Wednesday, Aug. 19 at 8 p.m. with a one-hour live stream performance by Blues legend Tad Robinson and his band.
This new series of interactive live-streamed performances featuring artists from Putnam County and the rest of Indiana will be available at greencastlemusic.org and www.facebook.com/GreencastleVirtualMusic/.
The Greencastle Virtual Music Festival is co-sponsored by Greencastle Music Inc., (the parent organization of the Greencastle Summer Music Festival), Gobin Memorial United Methodist Church and the Putnam County Convention and Visitor Bureau.
Except for the COVID-19 situation, the Greencastle Summer Music Festival would be concluding its 16th season of free live concerts dedicated to “bringing the community together with friends making music for friends.”
Robinson and his colleagues (Paul Holdman on vocals and guitar; Brian Yarde on drums, Dave Murray, bass guitar; and Kevin Anker, keyboards) were scheduled to perform the final concert on Wednesday, which is now the Virtual Music Festival’s opening.
Eric Edberg, the founding artistic director of the summer festival, says, “I’d hoped, perhaps naively, that the coronavirus situation would pass and by now we’d be back in Gobin with live performances. It’s clear now that it will be sometime in 2021, maybe even 2022, before we can have live indoor concerts with people seated closely together.
“Meanwhile, I’ve been watching as other concert presenters have turned to online streaming events. It turns out that one of the great things about virtual concerts is that those attending live can post questions for the performers, and those who can’t make the live performance can watch it at another time. So we’re going to give this a try, with additional events to be announced soon.”
Performances will be underwritten by a grant from the Putnam County Convention and Visitor Bureau, an endowment at the Putnam County Community Foundation, donations from individuals and businesses, and will be streamed from Gobin Memorial United Methodist Church, some performers’ homes, and possible other locations.
“As a touring musician, who happens to reside in Greencastle,” Tad Robinson says, “I have watched for years with great admiration as Eric Edberg has created a community and a unique space and experience for local music fans who have far flung and eclectic tastes in music. It’s very meaningful and exciting for my band and I to be asked back, to be part of this new virtual chapter in the life of such a vital music festival. I can’t wait to rock Gobin.”
From his New York City roots and his Indiana and Chicago musical upbringing, Severn Records recording artist Robinson has caught the attention of the music world with his eight Blues Music Award nominations (the Grammys of blues music) and his rich catalog of blues and soul recordings. He’s a veteran of countless national and international tours, including performances at many of the most important international blues festivals.
With harmonica chops schooled by blues greats Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson, Junior Wells, James Cotton, among many, and vocals that compare to Otis Redding, Al Green and Teddy Pendergrass, Robinson ranks as one of the most unique and talented members of the soul and blues communities.
Future Greencastle Virtual Music Festival performances will be announced soon.