Write a commentThe Oswego Music Hall will welcome performers Alice Howe and Freebo to the National Stage on Saturday, September 28th, with Oswego's own Cam Caruso opening.
Doors will open at 7:00 pm for the 7:30 pm show.
Alice Howe and Freebo present a unique study in contrasts, bringing together a rising voice in Americana music and a venerable rock, folk, and blues icon. Each is a compelling performer in their own right. They both lead and support each other in their well-written songs, with flawless harmonies and tasteful instrumentation. They have worked as creative collaborators in the studio and on stage since 2017. Freebo weaves his unique fretless bass stylings into Alice's superb vocals for a presentation with undeniable chemistry. Further information and videos can be found at https://www.alicehowe.com/ and https://freebomusic.com/.
IHeart Oswego was able to catch up with the duo recently as they took a short break from touring to visit friends on Martha's Vineyard. They'd been watching wooden sailboats racing in the waters off the Massachusetts island before we spoke.
"We have been on tour throughout the northeast for most of the summer," said Alice Howe. "We're based in Los Angeles, and left there in July to play at folk festivals in Kerrville, Texas and at Falcon Ridge in Goshen, Connecticut."
Freebo, a veteran of the Los Angeles blues and rock scene of the 1970s, said, "We also recorded songs for a live album during a show in Port Townsend, Washington. We'll more than likely be playing some of those during our show in Oswego."
Howe said the pair met at the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance conference in 2016, and hit it off immediately. Both are prolific songwriters, she said. "I've released two albums and an EP, and Freebo has five solo albums to his credit."
Freebo played bass in Bonnie Raitt's band from 1971-79, and also played on recordings by Crosby, Stills and Nash, Ringo Starr, Aaron Neville and John Mayall, among others. "My roots are in the blues, rock, country and folk," he said. "I love a well-crafted song."
Alice said, "I'm a millennial, and I grew up listening to my parents' records - mostly 1960's and 70's folk and blues, and also some old English music." Her most recent album, 2023's Circumstance, was recorded at Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. "Some of the most seminal music in history was recorded there," she said.
"We're really looking forward to our visit to Oswego," said Freebo. "I've never been there, but I knew a guy from Oswego when I went to Swarthmore College back in the 60s."
Howe hasn't been to Oswego either, she said. "We've heard a lot of great things about the Music Hall from other musicians we know who've played there."
Opening performer Cam Caruso is a singer, songwriter, audio engineer, and record producer from Oswego. As a classically trained vocalist, he holds a master's degree from Berklee College of Music. For the past decade, Cam's been writing songs and trying to find his voice while also working as a gigging musician since 2015. Cam has performed with some of the most respected musicians in Central New York, and opened for nationally touring acts. He has won a Syracuse Area Music Award for Best Singer/Songwriter Recording, and in addition, he recently took home a 2023 SAMMY for the People's Choice Best Artist/Band category. For more info, visit www.camcarusomusic.com or www.facebook.com/camcarusomusic.
The Oswego Music Hall is the performance space of the Ontario Center for the Performing Arts. It's located inside the historic McCrobie Civic Center at 41 Lake Street in Oswego. The venue is fully handicapped accessible. Staffed completely by volunteers, the Music Hall books national, regional and local performers from September through December, and January through May.
Tickets for Alice Howe and Freebo, with Cam Caruso are available online at www.OswegoMusicHall.org. Advance-sale tickets can also be purchased at The River's End Bookstore in downtown Oswego. Information on this and future shows can also be found on the website.
