(BLAIRSTOWN, NJ) -- Roy's Hall presents Scott Sharrard and The Brickyard Band on September 15 at 8:00pm. The Atlanta Cafe Band, from Stillwater, NJ, will open the night. Tickets range from $27 to $32.
Scott began his music career in Wisconsin in the early ’90′s. He spent his teenage years attending Milwaukee’s prestigious High School of The Arts by day, while playing in clubs at night sharing the stage with local blues legends the Stokes, Willie Higgins, and Harvey Scales, as well as international blues and jazz luminaries as Buddy Miles, Melvin Rhyne, and Clyde Stubblefield.
At 19, Scott moved to New York City with his band, The Chesterfields releasing three albums, touring nationally, and received critical praise from the likes of Russ Titlemen, Rob Thomas, and Dr. John. Although highly acclaimed in the national press, the band dissolved in 2002. Scott then embarked on his career as a solo artist releasing three albums from 2002-2008. Dawnbreaker, Analog/Monolog, and Ante Up.
In the Fall of 2008, Scott joined the Gregg Allman Band as a touring guitarist, being hailed as “Gregg Allman’s secret weapon” by Glide magazine. He’s been called “One of the best guitarists in the country” by Billboard and “the next Eric Clapton or Mike Bloomfield” by the Indianapolis Star Tribune . Gregg Allman, has high praise for the guitarist. “I know all about guitar players —I’ve seen the very best — and Scott Sharrard is the perfect guitarist for my band. He understands that you don’t need to play just for the sake of playing; Scott isn’t one of those guys who thinks they’re getting paid by the note. He never steps on the vocals, and leaves plenty of room for everyone else to do their thing, but when it’s time to solo, Scott delivers, boy.”
Along touring with Gregg Allman, Scott continued to work on his solo career with his band, The Brickyard Band releasing a self titled debut in 2012 embarking on a national tour soon after.
Scott developed a close musical relationship with Allman over the years and ultimately served as Musical Director for the Gregg Allman Band co-writing several songs with Allman. Scott’s song, “Love Like Kerosene” was included in Gregg’s Live DVD release, Back To Macon in 2015 and on Gregg’s final studio album Southern Blood released after Gregg’s passing in 2017. Recorded at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, AL, Southern Blood, where Scott served as musical director and lead guitarist, received a Grammy nomination for Best Americana Album and song, “My Only True Friend” co-written by Scott and Gregg, was nominated for Best American Roots Song.
Over the years, Scott has had the honor of performing with such artists as The Allman Brothers, Levon Helm, Amy Helm, Jaimoe’s Jasssz Band, Jennifer Johns, Marshall Crenshaw, Kelley Hunt, Katy Pfaffl, Brian Charette, and Jay Collins & The Kings County Band.
Since the passing of Allman, Scott has been concentrating on the growth of his solo career while holding Gregg’s legacy near and dear as a guiding light and point of everlasting inspiration. His next album Saving Grace has been recorded and will be released in 2018.
The Atlanta Cafe Band consists of of 4 well traveled vets of the blues/southern/country rock scene who have been together for the past decade playing hundreds and hundreds of shows while at the same time receiving very respectable airplay and sales of their CD "Waiting all night." Their own compositions of blues/southern rock styled tunes along with a different take on selected covers has garnered them a dedicated following in the New York tri state area. Over the years the members have been in bands with players from .or in concert/festivals with many many national acts including: Blackfoot/Skynryd, Vanilla Fudge, George Porter, Jon Cleary, Tab Benoit, Marcia Ball, Anthony Gomes, The Good Rats, Mickey Gilley, Hank Williams Jr, Buck Owens, Willie Nile, Garland Jefferies, Tedeshi Trucks, Brewer and Shipley, From Good Homes and many, many others. They have appeared at The Highlands Fest at Waterloo, WNTI Stage Music Fest, Big Brew Fest, NJ Food and Music Fest, and Michael Arnones Craw Fish Festival where they conducted a masters session and shared the stage with Grammy award winners George Porter, Marcia Ball and Jon Cleary. They also have worked with Homegrown Radio NJ and WNTI at various events and benefits for the stations. Come on out to hear them as their music will put a smile on your face, a stomp in your feet and a boogie in your pocket!
Roy's Hall is located at 30 Main Street in Blairstown, New Jersey.
