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OUTDOOR ENTERTAINMENT

DON JOVI

THE ULTIMATE TRIBUTE TO BON JOVI JULY 11 | 8 PM | TICKETS

$25

Get ready to rock out to the #1 Bon Jovi Tribute Band! Covering classic hits like Living on a Prayer, Wanted Dead or Alive, and Bad Medicine. This is a show you don’t want to miss!

CHICKEN FRIED

A TRIBUTE TO ZAC BROWN AUGUST 1 | 8 PM | TICKETS $25

Join us for a night of country hits! Sing along to favorites like As She’s Walking Away, Colder Weather, Chicken Fried, and more!

CHICAGO TRANSIT

A TRIBUTE TO CHICAGO

SEPTEMBER 12 | 8 PM | TICKETS $25

This band is the first and longest running tribute to the band CHICAGO in the world. You will hear Make Me Smile, Saturday in the Park, If You Leave Me Now, and so many more hits.

Music Industry Veterans From Nashville Power Couple Michelle Nicolo Prentice And Watertown NY Native, Grammy Award Winning Producer And Musician Mark Prentice, Will Perform In Concert At Clayton Opera House Friday July 18

“Ms. Prentice’s voice is a wondrous instrument; beautifully recorded and sometimes reminding me of the moments when I first heard Linda Ronstadt’s wonderful take on ‘standards’. Streisand or Prentice? Give me Prentice any day.” David Mindel - Award winning producer and songwriter Music industry veterans and power couple Mark Prentice and Michelle Nicolo Prentice present a truly unique and eclectic collection of songs and stories that can only come from a lifetime of success and mayhem in the music industry. It is a evening and an experience you will never forget.

Michelle Nicolo Prentice

A singer of phenomenal range and talent, Michelle Nicolo Prentice has been described as “a singer’s singer” and “the voice of an angel.” Her extensive professional resume includes recording work with Rod Stewart, Bebe Winans, Dennis DeYoung, Wynonna Judd, Felix Cavaliere Lari White, Russ Taff.

that I’ve had anything to do with music. Perhaps I sound a bit over the top, but I don’t care. When something or someone touches you this deeply, it must be said.” Mike Reid - Grammy award winning songwriter, 12 number one singles, Nashville Songwriter’s Hall Of Fame

Mark Prentice

Michelle delivered a stirring performance with the Sarajevo Symphony to celebrate the anniversary of the Dayton Peace Accords, and sang “Somewhere” on the Original Cast recording of West Side Story with Kenneth Schermerhorn and the Nashville Symphony. She is a featured artist, along with Enrico Caruso and Leontyne Price, on the NEA’s Great American Voices CD.

“I wish I could tell you what hearing you sing means to me. It makes me glad

A native or Watertown, NY, Mark is a Nashville, TN based Grammy Winning Record Producer (Fairfield Four/Elvis Costello), and an in-demand studio musician, music director, and hit songwriter. His versatile and exhaustive music industry resume` includes recording and performance credits with renowned County Artists as well as various internationally known Pop, R&B, and Rock-n-Roll Artists, including: Elvis Costello, John Fogarty, Lyle Lovett, BJ Thomas, Alison Krauss, Ricky Skaggs, Olivia Newton-John, Amy Grant, Vince Gill, Johnny Cash, Earth, Wind and Fire, Don McLean, Crystal Gayle, Michael McDonald, Bruce Springsteen,and many others. Together, the couple has traveled the country and the world with many of entertainment’s most elite. The evening of artistry takes the listener on a musical journey unlike any other and culminates in a truly magical and unforgettable musical and emotional experience.

Read The Fine Print: A Cautionary Tale For Every Band

Christine Collins

I had a client once tell me about the first time their band got a contract. You’d think they’d just been offered a record deal, a stadium tour, and a catered rider with name-brand hummus. Four of them squeezed into a booth at a dive bar that smelled like ambition and expired beer, clinking glasses over a PDF titled “Performance Agreement.”

Their manager—who had far more experience in tequila inventory than legal nuance—squinted at it, shrugged, and said, “Looks standard.”

So, they signed it. Digitally. Like it was a Spotify terms of service.

Spoiler: it was not standard. It was a slow-motion disaster dressed in Times New Roman.

Load-out came, and the red flags started falling like confetti. The promoter vanished into a fog of “I thought someone else had the check.” The sound guy left halfway through their set to chase a food truck. The opening band was running their merch booth like it was Coachella. After playing their hearts out for over an hour, the band walked away with $42.18—post bar tab—and one very strong sense of betrayal.

It was all in the contract. And they’d signed it. Cue the montage music.

A few weeks later, battle-scarred but wiser, the band got another gig. This time: a college town venue, a little classier, a little cleaner, and definitely with better lighting. They arrived armed with pens, highlight -

ers, and the kind of intensity normally reserved for detective thrillers. They reviewed every word of the agreement like they were searching for clues—and, in a way, they were.

Start time listed as 7:30 PM, not 9. Net-15 payment terms. A 30% merch cut. And the cherry on top? A clause that let the venue cancel up to two hours before doors with no payout.

“Yeah, we’re gonna need to revise some of this,” said the same guy who once signed with zero hesitation— earning a barrage of side-eyes, sarcastic applause, and one slow clap from the drummer.

They sent back a revised contract. Immediate payout. 10% merch cut. Cancellation fee of 50% if the venue pulled a Houdini. The promoter didn’t even flinch. “Totally fair,” he said, sipping his coffee like he’d been waiting for someone to finally read the fine print.

The show went off without a hitch. Great crowd, competent sound guy, and not a single bar tab deduction in sight. They got paid. They sold merch. They even got invited back. Imagine that.

Then came the Big One: a regional music festival. Big stage. Bigger crowd. A real shot at exposure—the good kind, not the “we can’t pay you, but think of the Instagram content” kind. The contract? Fifteen pages long, and somehow still said very little clearly.

Enter the lawyer. Friend of a friend. Paid in drink tickets and gossip. She tore through the contract like a game show contestant on a time limit.

“No guaranteed soundcheck.”

“Payment tied to ‘satisfactory performance’—whatever that means.” “50/50 merch split?! Are they serious?” “No breach clause. Yikes.”

Emails flew. The festival organizers pushed back. The band panicked. Were they being divas? Were they burning a bridge before they even crossed it?

“Every deal starts with both sides wanting the most,” the lawyer reminded them. “You’re not being difficult. You’re being professional.”

They held firm. They signed the revised deal. The show was electric. And when a freak thunderstorm shut things down right after their set, they still got paid—because someone had finally taken force majeure seriously.

The final test came in the form of a trendy venue in a major city. A last-minute booking. Rumor had it a couple executives might show up. Pressure was high. The contract? A single-line email at midnight: “Artist agrees to all previously discussed terms.”

Old habits tapped them on the shoulder. Just sign it.

New wisdom said: Nope.

They asked for a proper contract. The venue ghosted.

And the band walked away.

Not from the gig—but from the idea that clarity is optional.

Because when expectations are vague, consequences are painfully specific. And no amount of potential “opportunity” is worth the fallout of a bad deal.

Here’s what they learned:

1. Read the contract. Slowly. Carefully. Like it’s written in invisible ink.

Christine Collins

2. Ask questions. You won’t look dumb—you’ll look employed.

3. Negotiate like your rent depends on it—because one day, it might.

4. If it’s not in writing, it doesn’t exist. Ever.

5. Call breach when it happens. Don’t wait till load-out.

6. Good contracts preserve friendships. Bad ones test your group chat loyalty.

When it’s done right, a contract is your best hype man: protecting your time, your money, your emotional bandwidth. When it’s done wrong? It’ll cost more than the check you didn’t get—it’ll cost momentum, trust, and your reputation.

So be thorough. Be bold. Be hilarious if you must—but above all, be clear.

Walk away when needed. Speak up every time. Protect your art like it’s your baby—and your business. Because it is.

Tuesdays | 7pm-9pm | Mid’s Park | Lake Placid

Tuesday, July 1

Salsa Night with Las Guaracheras

Tuesday, July 8

Progressive Americana Night with Nefesh Mountain

Tuesday, July 15

Newgrass Night with Sam Bush

Tuesday, July 22

Soul & Roots Night with Southern Avenue

Tuesday, July 29

Reggae Night with The Big Takeover

Tuesday, August 5

Local Rock Night with Rob Beaulieu Band

Tuesday, August 12 R&Bk Night with Cool

Free concerts with diverse music from Folk to Funk

Publisher/Editor/Advertising/Distribution/Marketing: Michael R. Scriminger

Layout/Graphic Design: Bill Kelley

Contributors: John Berbrich, Bill Baker, Christine

Monday Music On The Lake In Chaumont Continues July 21 With Celtic Rock And Folk From Knotty Paddy

By James Oliver Ryan

The Lyme Performing Arts Council’s Monday Music on the Lake concert series continues in Chaumont on July 21 with Celtic rock and folk from Knotty Paddy. All concerts in the series are free (donations accepted) and begin at 6:00 p.m. at Chaumont Village Beach, Rt. 12E (across from the Chaumont Fire Hall). Rain location is the Chaumont Fire Hall, 11385 Rt. 12E. Food and beverages will be available for purchase, with proceeds benefiting the Three Mile Bay and Chaumont Volunteer Fire Departments.

The Monday Music on the Lake concert series is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of

the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by the St. Lawrence County Arts Council. Donations from the audience and businesses also support the series.

Knotty Paddy is an Adirondack-

based, 5-piece band specializing in Celtic rock and speed folk. Their unique repertoire of jigs, reels, and ballads includes Irish, Scottish, and Canadian folk tunes, Americana, and originals. Formed in 2016, the band features Jamie Savage (acoustic guitar/lead vocals), Rick Kovacs (fiddle), Mike McBride (percussion), Doug Riley (bass/cittern/mandolin), and Riczi Kovacs (electric guitar/flute/whistle/ vocal harmonies).

Monday Music on the Lake will continue on August 18 with Dog Hill Road, performing acoustic Americana, folk, and bluegrass.

Other upcoming LPAC events:

• BBQ ‘n’ Blues: Sunday, Sept. 7, from 1-5 pm at the Chaumont Fire Hall. Entertainment will be provided by the Jake Lozo Band and the Tas Cru Band. Admission is free.

• Summer Send-Off: Saturday, Oct. 18, from 7-9 pm at the Chaumont Fire Hall. Featuring Skip Starr & the Renditions. Admission is free.

The non-profit Lyme Performing Arts Council (LPAC) is dedicated to providing live performances by skilled artists for the residents, both permanent and seasonal, of the Town of Lyme and surrounding communities.

Cape Vincent Arts Council Presents July “Concerts On The Green”

Music and art events in downtown Cape Vincent in July will delight audiences as the Cape Vincent Arts Council continues its Concerts on the Green series and presents its annual Riverside Music & Arts Festival:

• July 5 Concert on the Green with Skip Starr & The Renditions, 4-5:30 pm. This popular show band performs

a fresh, fun take on timeless ‘50s and ‘60s rock-n-roll classics. Greasers and bobby-soxers alike will shake, rattle, and roll when the Renditions take the stage.

• July 19 Concert on the Green with Simba Marimba, 4-5:30 pm. The group plays music from the repertory of the Kwanongoma marimba,

an instrument uniquely African and played in the Shona culture of Zimbabwe. Band members are students and alumni of the Eastman Community Music School in Rochester, led by percussionist Greg Doscher.

• July 26 Riverside Music & Arts Festival, July 26, 11am-7pm, featuring Northern New York musicians performing original music and regional artists displaying their talents on the Cape Vincent Village Green.

Concerts on the Green take place Saturdays from 4:00-5:30 p.m. on the Cape Vincent Village Green, 357 Broadway St. (Rain location is the Cape Vincent Fire Hall, 241 Broadway St.) Audience members should bring a lawn chair or blanket. The concerts are free; donations are welcome. For more information, visit capevincentartscouncil.org.

The 2025 Concerts on the Green series is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Leg-

islature and administered by the St. Lawrence County Arts Council.

The Concerts on the Green series will continue with the following:

Aug. 2 - Foolish Pride (blues/rock/ jam)

Aug. 9 - Blue Note (jazz/Latin/pop)

Aug. 16 - Ron Spencer Band (blues)

And on Aug. 23, CVAC will present its annual Stroll on Broadway Music Fest, 10am-6pm, with dozens of musicians performing throughout the day at local businesses along Broadway Street.

The Cape Vincent Arts Council is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization consisting entirely of volunteers. It is dedicated to providing opportunities for the public to enjoy and participate in cultural activities in and around Cape Vincent. Among the events it sponsors are the Concerts on the Green series, the Stroll on Broadway, the Riverside Music & Arts Festival, summer art classes, author presentations, art exhibitions, and the Thousand Islands International Piano Competition for Young People (Sept. 5-7, 2025).

Doobie Brothers – Walk This Road

---Bill Baker

I often wondered how a band that’s been able to maintain longevity through decades doesn’t falter. Many go the route of resting on their laurels, performing their hits night after night. It seems to me that it would be frustrating not to add anything new to their playlist. Musicians state it is the audience’s appreciation and reaction that keeps up the driving force, but where is the musician’s creativity?

No problem with the members of the Doobie Brothers. They are celebrating their 54th anniversary in 2025. Sure, they play the hits at their shows, but there has always been new music as well as new albums to keep it fresh and interesting.

The new release on Rhino Records is entitled Walk This Road and indeed they have. Founding members Tom Johnston and Patrick Simmons are joined by long- time band mates John McFee and Michael McDonald, along with a stellar cast of studio musicians including guitarist John Shanks. Shanks co-wrote all ten tracks with each of the Doobies. You could definitely say he is the fifth member of the band.

The California based band formed in 1970 has sold over forty-eight million albums. Their industrious career has earned them four Grammys, five Top Ten Singles, sixteen Top 40 Hits, three Multiplatinum, seven Platinum

and fourteen Gold Albums. The Best Of , alone has sold over twelve million copies. Along the way, the harmony laden, guitar driven rock and roll icons have earned a place in the Rock and Roll and Song Writer’s Hall of Fame.

This is an exciting new chapter in a storied career. The new album reflects both the classic trademark sound as well as an evolving creative spirit. The album opens with the title track Walk This Road featuring each vocalist, Johnston, Simmons and McDonald taking a verse with the legendary vocals of Mavis Staples. Each of the three main vocalists follow with their own unique style. Tom Johnston with the up- tempo rockers, “Call Me, “Here To Stay “and “New Orleans”. The Blueeyed soul of Michael McDonald with “Learn To Let Go”” The Kind That Last “and “Speed of Pain” and last but not least, the folk rock of balladeer Patrick Simmonds places his own stamp with “Angels & Mercy “and “State of Grace”. The album from start to finish is a diverse stylistic perspective of all three that molds into a cohesive body of work. The closing track is entitled “Lahaina”, which is part of the Hawaiian Islands. The Islands are also the home of Patrick Simmons and Mick Fleetwood, who plays drums on the track. The song was written to benefit the families and individuals affected by the wildfires in Hawaii in 2023.

To endure for decades a band must continue to raise the bar and surround themselves with the talent within. All the members of Doobie Brothers are of equals talents. No one has ever stepped forward to claim the leadership role. The sum of its parts becomes quite obvious on the new album. If you have been a Doobies fan in the past you won’t be

disappointed. Hopefully the new album Walk This Road will lead to a new generation of fans.

As always, if you like what I like, you should take a test drive with the latest from the Doobie Brothers - Walk This Road, available on CD, Album, Download or your favorite Streaming Device. Check out several videos available on You Tube.

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