KNOCK ON WOOD

Knock on Wood is a high-energy acoustic folk-rock duo, featuring singer-songwriter Howie Newman on guitar, lead vocals and harmonica.

Howie is joined by Joe Kessler, Abe Dewing or Dave Talmage, three of the top fiddlers in the area. They also play mandolin and sing backup vocals.

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The duo performs Classic Rock covers (list below) and funny original songs (suitable for all ages). It's a very lively show with great musicianship, nice vocal harmonies and a little humor here and there.

When appropriate, they play a few children's songs and music for senior citizens.

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About Howie Newman
www.howienewman.com

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One of the most engaging performers on the local music circuit, Howie combines music, comedy and audience participation to provide a truly unique entertainment experience.

His amusing compositions are up-tempo and catchy, and he keeps things lively with funny between-songs banter and short comedy bits.

Howie has opened for Tom Paxton, Vance Gilbert, Brewer & Shipley, Pure Prairie League, Bill Staines, Lui Collins, Don White, Modern Man and many others.

He has released six CDs, receiving national airplay on National Public Radio and the Midnight Special as well as dozens of other North American outlets. His music has also been aired in Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

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About Joe Kessler

Joe Kessler, who plays fiddle and mandolin, has an energetic improvisational style that includes folk, rock, jazz and bluegrass. He is also an outstanding backup vocalist.

Joe has toured extensively throughout the United States and Canada as well as eight other countries. He has performed with Morphine, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, the Boogaloo Swamis and many others.

Joe has played in bands that headlined at the Montreal Jazz Festival and Winnipeg Folk Festival.

Locally, he has appeared at the Paradise Rock Club and the New England Americana Festival.

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About Abe Dewing

A versatile performer with a wealth of diverse musical experiences, Abe Dewing adds his own personal touch on fiddle and mandolin. His style is a combination of folk, pop, bluegrass, jazz and classical.

As a member of the Greater Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra, Abe toured in Great Britain, Austria, Hungary and Yugoslavia. He went on to form the Fusion String Ensemble – an energetic combo that blended rock, pop and jazz – and Deceptive Lemons, a bluegrass band.

Abe has performed at Gillette Stadium and LeLacheur Park (Lowell Spinners) as well as Symphony Hall and Lincoln Center.

About Dave Talmage

Dave Talmage is a talented and versatile performer who plays fiddle, mandolin, banjo, guitar and a host of other instruments. He is also a fine lead and backup vocalist.

Well-versed in many types of music, Dave lends his unique style to country, folk, rock, Irish, blues and jazz.

He was the long-running host of the Stone Church Bluegrass Jam and Lonesome Lunch, weekly events that were community hot spots and musical gems.

Dave is a past winner of the Tennessee Songwriters Competition and runner-up in New England Banjo Championship.