Community News

     The Oswego Music Hall is delighted to bring to its stage John Cadley and Cathy Wenthen Cadley, one of our region's most entertaining and popular acoustic duos.

    Following in the tradition of great male-female duets like Ian and Sylvia and Emmylou Harris and Gram Parsons, they show how the simplicity of two voices and two acoustic instruments can produce powerful music. For this performance the Cadleys will be joined by bassist John Dancks. Lacey Lee will open the show with her remarkable electric folk harp.

     John and Cathy had each been playing music in the Syracuse area for many years before they combined their talents into a "new acoustic" duo featuring smooth duet harmonies supported by guitars and mandolin. John is currently the leader of John Cadley and the Lost Boys, voted Best Bluegrass Group of 2009 by the Syracuse New Times Readers' Poll, with two SAMMY-winning CDs of John's original material. John is also the writer of "Time," a #1 hit on the national bluegrass charts as recorded by Lou Reid and Carolina. John's original songs have been recorded by other national artists as well, such as Tony Trischka, Jim Hurst and Missy Raines.

     Cathy has deep roots in church music as music director at a church in Fayetteville. She has many years of experience playing, singing, arranging and conducting. Joining the Cadleys will be John (J.D.) Dancks on bass. J.D. has been a fixture on the Central New York acoustic music scene since his days at Syracuse University, when he played with banjo great Tony Trischka in the Down City Ramblers. He also played in the national touring act Country Granola with singer Danny Weiss, and remains in constant demand as the go-to man for solid, tasteful stand-up bass.

     John and Cathy's live concerts feature everything from traditional mountain ballads and bluegrass classics like "Bury Me Beneath the Willow" and "Blue and Lonesome," to Alison Krauss' "The Lucky One," and the Louvin Brothers' "Cash on the Barrelhead." And to enrich the whole performance, the Cadleys often sprinkle in a great acoustic rendition a song by Paul McCartney, a few of John's originals from his Nashville-produced solo CD, "The Closer I Get," and Cathy's knockout version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."

     Lacey Lee will open the show and add excitement with her electric harp. Lee left St. Louis to study harp at the Eastman School of Music and is doing a great job of expanding and challenging the perception of the harp as a strictly classical instrument. Though rooted in classical training, she has developed a modern-folk style, singing while accompanying herself on her electric harp. Achieving balance between the two styles, she has developed into a multidimensional performer and set herself apart as a versatile and expressive artist.

     Lee plays in many performing groups in the region and loves collaborating with other area musicians. Her music is an exciting mix of haunting and driving melodies juxtaposed with light and airy innocence. With singer/songwriter Zach Nowak, Lee recently recorded a CD of guitar and harp music titled "You & Me."

     You can listen to samples of these performers' music online at http://www.cadleys.com/, and http://www.laceyleeharp.com/. Then come to enjoy an evening with the Cadley's soulful duet singing and tasty picking on guitar and mandolin and Lacey Lee's expressive electric harp at the all-volunteer, family-friendly Music Hall – also known as the Ontario Center for Performing Arts. The venue is the McCrobie Civic Center, 41 Lake Street, Oswego.

     The atmosphere is intimate with candle-lit tables surrounding a small stage with omemade desserts, popcorn and beverages available for purchase.
     Tickets can be purchased on-line at http://oswegomusichall.org/ or at the river's end bookstore, 19 W. Bridge St.in Oswego. Holders of tickets purchased before 1 p.m. on the day of the concert will have preferred seating. After 1 p.m., seating will be general admission.
     Ticket prices are $14 if purchased in advance and $16 at the door. Children 12 and younger are half-price; younger than 5 is free.
     For information contact, membership secretary, Carol Forrest, at 343-2988.

     The Oswego Music Hall is one of those rare organizations that has been run by volunteers from its beginning, more 30 years ago. No one is paid on the board of directors or the upwards of 20 volunteers who run each performance. People interested in volunteering can find more information online or call the Music Hall at 342-1733 and leave a message. More bakers are particularly welcome, since the home-made desserts are popular. Anyone interested in baking in exchange for free admission can call baking doordinator, Betsy at 216-4931.

     The Music Hall's next and final concert this season will be its gala Season Finale, June 1, featuring Jacob Johnson and an Emerging Artists Showcase. Music Hall concerts are made possible in part with funding by the NYS Council on the Arts.
     For more information, call 315-342-1733 or access the Music Hall website at http://oswegomusichall.org/.