FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 14, 2024
Media Contact: Gina Hyams, PR Consultant, 713-930-7554, ginahyams@gmail.com
Spencertown Academy Presents Johnny Irion Folk-Rock Concert March 30
Spencertown, New York–Spencertown Academy Roots & Shoots Concerts Series presents folk-rocker Johnny Irion on Saturday, March 30 at 8:00pm at the Academy’s Blanche Grubin Auditorium. General admission tickets (advance purchase: $25 public, $20 Academy members; at the door: $30 public, $25 Academy members) are available via www.spencertownacademy.org.
“Troubadour Johnny Irion is an American original. We are thrilled to present him at the Academy where he’ll be putting his unique spin on old classics and originals,” says Michele Quigley, member of the Academy Music Committee. “We’re looking forward to a fun evening of folk, rock, roots, and everything in between.”
Irion comes by his American roots bona fides honestly. He has performed and collaborated with Pete Seeger, Arlo Guthrie, Jeff Bridges and John Goodwin (Crazy Heart), Superchunk, The Jayhawks, Wilco, Glen Phillips, and Ramblin Jack Elliot and been seen on stages around the world, such as Royal Albert Hall, Carnegie Hall, Newport Folk Festival, Winnipeg Folk Festival, Royce Hall, and Byron Bay Blues Festival. Born in Columbia, South Carolina, Irion grew up in the restaurant business hearing the sweet songs of his grandfather, a singer-pizzaiolo and first-generation American who crooned as he cooked. As a teen, he cut his teeth on bass in a punk group with Zeke Hutchins (Sharon Van Etten, Leon Bridges) before going on to develop a unique voice all his own. He has a new album coming out early summer featuring Jeff Bridges, Chatham Rabbits, and members of REM and Wilco.
Roots & Shoots Concerts is an ongoing Academy series that showcases artists who reach back to earlier traditions in music (Americana, jazz, blues, rock, and world music) for inspiration while incorporating more recent forms and influences of the present.
This program is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
Founded in 1972, Spencertown Academy Arts Center is a cultural center and community resource serving Columbia County, the Berkshires, and the Capital region. Housed in a landmark 1847 Greek Revival schoolhouse, the Academy is located at 790 State Route 203 in Spencertown, New York. For more information, please contact info@spencertownacademy.org.