Howie and Dave Talmage

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 or Dave Talmage, two 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.

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.

To see our 2021 concerts, click HERE.

Only five shows in 2020 due to the pandemic.

To see 2019 concerts, click HERE.

Eric Anderson photo

CONCERT VIDEOS

SAMPLE SONGS

Tracks from Howie's latest CD, When You're Happy, featuring Joe Kessler

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That Old Car

Low Tech

“They are very talented and entertaining. And they really engage the audience, which makes the event even more fun.”

Barenaked Ladies

If I Had $1 Million

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Beatles

When I'm 64

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Bob Seger

Old Time Rock 'n' Roll

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Buffalo Springfield

For What It's Worth​

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Dion
Runaround Sue

Dire Straits

Sultans of Swing

Walk of Life

Dropkick Murphys

Shipping up to Boston

Eagles

Heartache Tonight

Hotel California

The Long Run

Elvis Presley

Don't Be Cruel

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Eric Clapton

Lay Down Sally

Everly Brothers

Wake Up Little Susie

Fats Waller

It's a Sin to Tell a Lie

Frank Sinatra

New York, New York

Grateful Dead

Friend of the Devil

Guess Who

No Time

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Hank Williams

Jambalaya

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Huey Lewis & the News

If This Is It

Johnny Cash

I Walk the Line

Ring of Fire

Kinks
Sunny Afternoon

Lola

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Little River Band

Cool Change

Mary Chapin Carpenter

He Thinks He'll Keep Her

How Do

The Bug

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Pure Prairie League

Amie

R.E.M.

Man on the Moon

Rolling Stones

Jumpin' Jack Flash

Sympathy for the Devil

Steely Dan

My Old School

Stray Cats

Rock This Town

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The Cars

Just What I Needed

Tom Petty

Runnin' Down a Dream

I Won't Back Down

Yer So Bad

The Who

Won't Get Fooled Again