Howie Newman
MUSIC, COMEDY and MORE
KNOCK ON WOOD
Acoustic folk-rock duo
"They are highly accomplished musicians with a sound that is dynamic and delightful. As people, they are warm and genuine."
Marilynn Rea Beyer
Former on-air host, WUMB-FM, Boston Currently at WMFT-FM, Chicago
Howie and Dave Talmage
Howie and Josh Berlin
Howie and Joe Kessler
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, Dave Talmage or Josh Berlin, three of the top fiddlers in the area. They also sing backup vocals. Joe and Dave play the mandolin.
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.
About Howie Newman
www.howienewman.com
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.
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.
About Josh Berlin
Josh Berlin, an outstanding fiddle player and vocalist, has been entertaining audiences in the Boston area for more than 20 years.
With a sound ranging from country and Americana to folk-rock and blues, Josh brings passion, energy and spontaneity to his playing.
A longtime member of the Americana band Loose Change, Josh has also toured with the Matt Michienzie Band.
He currently plays with the Innocents and Buddy V's Black Wing Revue. Josh’s varied performances include many iconic local venues such The Middle East, as well as clubs in New York City.
SAMPLE SONGS
Tracks from Howie's last two CDs, featuring Joe Kessler on fiddle and mandolin
2024 CONCERTS
MORE TO COME!
Monday, March 4, 6-7 p.m.
8 Pleasant St., Spencer
Monday, March 11, 7-8 p.m.
21 Concord Rd., Sudbury
Friday, March 15, 10-11 a.m.
10 Wally Krueger Way, Bridgewater
Sunday, March 24, 2-3:30 p.m.
33 Walpole St., Norwood
Tuesday, March 26, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
2 Maple St., Georgetown
Friday, April 5, 7-8 p.m.
Old Town Hall
Monday, April 22, 1-2 p.m.
204 Elm St.
Wednesday, April 24, 6-7 p.m.
Hamilton-Wenham Public Library
14 Union St., South Hamilton
Friday, April 26, 12-1 p.m.
255 Hope St.
Monday, April 29, 9:30-10:30 a.m.
32 Essex St.
Wednesday, May 8, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Private performance
Monday, May 13, 1-2 p.m.
93 Winchester St.
Monday, May 20, 1-2 p.m.
20 Highland St., Whitinsville
Wednesday, June 12, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
9 Storer St., Kennebunk, Maine
Sunday, June 23, 6-7:30 p.m.
First Baptist Church of Melrose
561 Main St. (outdoors)
PANTRY OF HOPE BENEFIT
RAIN OR SHINE
Concert will be held inside
the church if it rains
Monday, June 24, 1-2 p.m.
1 Sally Sweets Way, Salem, N.H.
Tuesday, June 25, 5:30-7 p.m.
8 Fellows Rd., Windham, N.H.
Wednesday, June 26, 3:30-6:30 p.m.
39 North River Rd., Lee, N.H.
Monday, July 1, 3-4:30 p.m.
Newton Housing Authority
22 Brookside Ave., Newtonville
Tuesday, July 2, 3-4:30 p.m.
Newton Housing Authority
237 Watertown St., Newton
Wednesday, July 10, 6-8 p.m.
145 Main St.
Thursday, July 11, 6-7:30 p.m.
Whitman Ave.
Wednesday, July 31, 6-8 p.m.
6 Ballfield Rd., Lincoln
Tuesday, Aug. 6, 6:30-8 p.m.
Stoddard Park
880 Stoddard Park Rd., Holliston
Wednesday, Aug. 7, 6-7 p.m.
Bedford (N.H.) Town Common
15 Bell Hill Rd.
Thursday, Aug. 8, 6-7:30 p.m.
67 South Franklin St., Holbrook
Wednesday, Aug. 14, 6-7:30 p.m.
Fisher Hill Park
78-144 Fisher Ave., Brookline
Sunday, Aug. 18, 5-7 p.m.
Hopkinton Town Common
6 Hayden Rowe St.
Thursday, Aug. 22, 6-7:30 p.m.
53 Main St., Easton
Thursday, Aug. 29, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Ellis Park gazebo
Ocean & Railroad Aves., York, Me.
Sunday, Sept. 15, 12:30-2:30 p.m.
219 County Rd., Ipswich ($20 per car)
Sunday, Sept. 22, 2-4 p.m.
House concert, Woburn, $20
Email for more information
Monday, Oct. 21, 3-4 p.m.
Private event, Brighton
“What a delightful show! Their engaging performance had our feet tapping and our youngsters dancing. From covers of early rock ‘n roll favorites to humorous and touching original works, they had something for everyone.”
Peter Imse
Chair, Bow (N.H.) Rotary Concert Committee
“They are very talented and entertaining. And they really engage the audience, which makes the event even more fun.”
Cristi Collari
Outreach Director
Open Sky Community Services, Whitinsville
2023 CONCERTS
We performed 25 concerts in 2023. To see where we played, click HERE.
2022 CONCERTS
To see our 34 2022 concert dates and venues, click HERE.
Amesbury
Andover
Ashburnham
Bedford
Bedford, N.H.
Billerica
Canton
Chelmsford
Charlestown
Clinton
Concord
Everett
Holliston
Hampstead, N.H.
Hanover
Holbrook
Hooksett, N.H.
Hopkinton
Hudson
Ipswich
Kennebunk, Me.
Lancaster
Lee, N.H.
Lexington
Lincoln
Litchfield, N.H.
Lowell
Malden
Mansfield
Marshfield
Melrose
Mendon
Milford, N.H.
Millbury
Millis
New Boston, N.H.
Ogunquit, Me.
Plaistow, N.H.
Plymouth
Quincy
Raymond, N.H.
Revere
Rochester, N.H.
Salem, N.H.
Sharon
Sherborn
Southboro
South Hamilton
Southbridge
Stow
Sudbury
Swampscott
Topsfield
Walpole
Watertown
Wells, Maine
Weston
West Newbury
Weymouth
Whitinsville
Whitman
Wilmington
Windham, N.H.
York, Maine
FARMS
Appleton Farms
Ipswich
Kimball Farm
Westford
Atkinson, N.H.
Amesbury
Beverly
Braintree
Brockton
Brookline
Concord
Clinton
Dighton
Easton
Foxboro
Dighton
Durham, N.H.
Duxbury
Exeter, N.H.
Fitchburg
Georgetown
Gloucester
Hamilton-Wenham
Haverhill
Hopkinton
Hudson
Kingston, N.H.
Kittery, Me.
Lynn
Lynnfield
Lunenburg
Manchester, N.H.
COFFEEHOUSES
Marshfield
Mansfield
Middleboro
Milford
Millis
Milton
Byfield
Northboro
Norwell
Norwood
Pembroke
Randolph
Reading
Shrewsbury
Salem, N.H.
Southbridge
Spencer
Stoneham
Sudbury
Sutton
Taunton
Tewksbury
Walpole
West Roxbury
Wilmington
Windham, N.H.
NEW YEAR'S EVE
First Night Worcester
2016
Rockport NYE
2017, 2018, 2019
Cat in the Cradle
Byfield
Arts on the Green
Shrewsbury
Open Road Coffeehouse
Rockland
SENIOR/COMMUNITY CENTERS Click HERE for a list
LIBRARIES
OUTDOOR SUMMER CONCERTS
HERE'S WHERE WE'VE PLAYED
We play a wide array of songs and styles. Here's a sample of some cover songs:
Barenaked Ladies
If I Had $1 Million
Beatles
When I'm 64
Bob Seger
Old Time Rock 'n' Roll
Buffalo Springfield
For What It's Worth
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
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
Hank Williams
Jambalaya
Huey Lewis & the News
If This Is It
Johnny Cash
I Walk the Line
Ring of Fire
Kinks
Sunny Afternoon
Lola
Little River Band
Cool Change
Mary Chapin Carpenter
He Thinks He'll Keep Her
How Do
The Bug
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
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
PLUS ... Original tunes, children's songs, music for senior citizens and more (as appropriate).