Write a commentThe Oswego Music Hall presents The Hook: Songwriters Concert Series on Friday, February 17, 2016 at 7:30pm. This innovative songwriter-focused concerts will feature Mike Powell, Bob Halligan Jr., and Gina Holsopple. The Hook is a concert series highlighting songwriters in a unique format, bringing the power of three individually talented artists into one space.
Mike Powell left the Town of Champion in 2001 and went on to Syracuse University where, in four years, he became the most decorated college lacrosse player in the history of the sport. After college, despite being the number one draft pick in both professional lacrosse leagues, Mike declined the offers to play professionally and instead packed up his guitar and hit the road to play music in coffee shops and folk houses all over the American west. He is an open-chested free spirit and an absolute prolific writer with over 200 songs already in his arsenal. His words are honest and his performances are captivating, intimate, and interactive. His powerful silky voice is oozing with blue eyed soul. He somehow blends folk with soul and country to create a sound that is as unique as his personality.
Bob Halligan Jr has written over 1,100 songs, 200 of which have been recorded by artists internationally with sales over 30 million units. Cher, KISS, Michael Bolton, Kathy Mattea, Rebecca St James and many others have helped put 9 Gold & Platinum records on Halligan’s wall, including the hit song “Don’t Close Your Eyes” by KIX. For 21 years he has led the Celtic pop-rock group Ceili Rain, and also portrays Paul McCartney in Beatlemania Stage Show. He’s recently developed a one-man show called Paul The Beatle. Bob has sung on recordings with Billy Joel, Joan Jett, Felix Cavaliere and Michael McDonald, and was nominated as a songwriter for a CABLE ACE Award for Original Song of the Year. He is an Adjunct Professor at Syracuse University, where he teaches songwriting, film scoring, music business and a Beatles class. Mr. Halligan was recently the only American invited to sing at a Papal gathering of 100,000 people in Italy, and met Pope Francis.
Gina Holsopple is a nationally award-winning songwriter, originally from Kansas and now residing in Palermo, NY. She keeps a full load of private music students and has a loyal following of Patreon supporters who were essential in helping her release her 9th album, “2015”, which was nominated for a SAMMY (Syracuse Area Music Award) as best folk album. Gina is a four-time winner of the New Song Contest at the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, KS, winner of the Wayne County Original Music Competition in Wayne County, NY, winner of the Performing Songwriter Contest at the Avalonfest in Paw Paw, WV, and the Schroeppel Songwriter Series contest in Schroeppel, NY. Her music, described as the illegitimate daughter of Melissa Etheridge and Joan Baez, continues to captivate and inspire wherever she goes.
Working with a local microbrewery, the Oswego Music Hall is piloting a program to offer several local beers and wines for purchase in addition to the usual pizza, coffee and other concessions. We expect to debut this program at this concert.
“The Hook” Songwriter Concerts are offered throughout the Oswego Music Hall 2016-17 season. This show is February 17 at 7:30pm at the Oswego Music Hall, McCrobie Building 41 Lake Street, Oswego, NY. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased at the River’s End Bookstore in Oswego, online at www.oswegomusichall.org or at the door. Doors open at 7pm.
The Oswego Music Hall is a trade name for the Ontario Center for Performing Arts, a 501 c(3) nonprofit corporation, serving the public in Oswego, NY.
