Treating Your Band And Art As A Business While Maintaining Direct Artistic Vision
Christine Collins
In the modern music industry, treating your band or artistic project as a business is no longer optional—it’s essential for sustainable growth, financial success, and longevity. Yet, it’s equally important to ensure that business strategies don’t compromise your creative integrity and artistic vision. Striking the right balance between business and artistry is key to maintaining both your financial viability and creative freedom.
Here’s how to treat your band or art as a business while staying true to your vision:
Establish a clear brand identity. Every successful band or artist has a distinct identity—both artistic and business-related. A brand identity isn’t just about logo design or album art; it’s the way your music, aesthetic, and message come together to form a cohesive package.
Branding for Business & Art
• Music and Message: Ensure that your lyrics, style, and musical genre align with your overarching message and artistic philosophy.
• Visual Representation: Your album covers, social media presence, and stage performance should reflect your sound and ethos. A consistent look and feel will make your brand easily recognizable to potential fans, and that recognition is part of the business side.
• Voice and Engagement: The way you interact with fans, whether it’s through interviews, social media, or live performances, should reflect your unique identity. A unified voice helps strengthen your brand and foster trust with your audience.
Create a strong business foundation. As much as the creative side drives your band or artistry, you need a solid business structure in place to support it. This doesn’t mean you have to dive into corporate bureaucracy, but it does mean managing your band or project like a professional enterprise.
The Essentials of Band Business Management:
• Form a Band LLC or Partnership: If you haven’t already, form a business entity like an LLC (Limited Liability Company). This ensures that your personal assets are separate from your band’s financial activities, and it adds a layer of professionalism when dealing with contracts, taxes, and other legal matters.
• Create a Business Plan: Define your goals, target audience, revenue streams, marketing strategies, and how you plan to grow. Even though you’re in the creative space, having clear business objectives will help guide your artistic decisions and create measurable milestones for success.
• Financial Management: Set up a separate business bank account, track your expenses and income, and consider hiring an accountant or using accounting software. A good financial structure ensures that your business side is running smoothly without taking away from your creativity.
Understand revenue streams and monetize your art. Treating your band as a business means understanding how to monetize your work without compromising your artistic values. There are numerous ways to generate revenue, and the key is diversifying
your income streams while maintaining your integrity. Attending conferences and classes is a great way to be introduced to new methods and teachings.
Key Revenue Streams for Musicians:
• Music Sales and Streaming: Digital platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Bandcamp are primary revenue sources for artists. While streaming payouts may be low per play, building a strong, loyal listener base ensures consistent income over time.
• Live Performances and Touring: Live shows are a lucrative income source for musicians. Touring allows you to connect with your audience in person, sell merchandise, and grow your fanbase. However, it requires significant logistical planning and financial investment.
• Merchandise Sales: From t-shirts to vinyl records, selling merchandise at concerts or online provides a profitable way to connect with fans and expand your brand’s presence.
• Sync Licensing: Licensing your music for use in TV shows, movies, commercials, or video games is a powerful way to make money from your art without sacrificing creative control. This is an area where many independent musicians overlook opportunities, but the rewards can be substantial.
• Crowdfunding: Platforms like Kickstarter or Patreon offer creative ways to involve fans in funding your next album, video, or tour. This gives you financial backing without giving up artistic control to a label or corporate entity.
Delegate and build a team that shares your vision. While managing the business side of things is essential, you don’t have to do everything on your own. Surround yourself with a team that believes in your art and will help you execute your vision without sacrificing it for profit.
Building a Supportive Team:
• Manager: A good manager is essential for helping you navigate the business world. They should be able to handle booking, contracts, and day-to-day operations so you can focus on the creative side. Make sure your manager understands your artistic vision and isn’t solely driven by financial gain.
• Publicist: A publicist can help you maintain a professional image, build relationships with the media, and secure press coverage, all while ensuring your artistic direction is represented accurately.
• Booking Agent: A booking agent handles gig bookings and tours, ensuring that you’re performing in the right venues to reach your target audience.
• Social Media Manager: If you’re
building a brand online, having a dedicated social media manager allows you to focus on creating music while they maintain your online presence and keep you connected with fans.
• Lawyer and Accountant: Protect your artistic and financial interests by having a trusted lawyer for contracts and an accountant for managing your finances. Lawyers are alway so important in music because of interpretive fickle nature and compositional competition. Let’s not forget, you want to make sure you’re well versed before you sign ANY contracts whatsoever.
Set boundaries and preserve your creative integrity - In the pursuit of success, it’s easy to get swayed by the pressures of the industry. The key to balancing business with creativity is setting firm boundaries that protect your artistic integrity.
Staying True to Your Art:
• Don’t Compromise for Commercial Success: While it’s important to remain financially viable, never compromise your creative vision to fit into trends or industry expectations. The most successful artists are the ones who stay true to their unique sound and perspective.
• Know When to Say No: You will be presented with many business opportunities, some of which may conflict with your values or vision. Learn to recognize when an offer or partnership isn’t in alignment with your brand.
• Creative Control: Retain ownership of your music, your image, and your intellectual property. You can hire a team or sign with a label, but always make sure you maintain control over the core aspects of your art.
Marketing and promotion: blend business with creativity. Effective marketing doesn’t mean selling out; it’s about communicating your art to a broader audience in a way that resonates. You will forever hear me say “Sales is the distribution of your product, marketing is the story about how you got there.” Marketing strategies should highlight your artistry while also making your work accessible to new fans.
Creative Marketing Tactics:
• Storytelling: Build a compelling narrative around your music, your band’s journey, or your personal story. Authentic storytelling will connect your art to potential fans emotionally.
• Social Media and Content Creation: Use social platforms to show the behind-the-scenes process of your music creation, rehearsals, or tour life. Fans connect with you as a person, not just an artist.
• Interactive Fan Engagement: Give your followers a stake in your success. Encourage them to share their experi-
ences with your music, run contests, or offer them exclusive content in exchange for support.
• Content Collaborations: Work with other artists or influencers in your genre to expand your reach while keeping true to your artistic identity. Collaborations introduce you to new audiences while maintaining your authenticity.
Adapt and evolve without losing sight of your vision. In the everchanging music industry, flexibility is important. Evolving your sound and your approach to business is necessary, but evolution should be intentional and grounded in your core vision. Don’t chase trends—stay true to your artistic roots while adapting to the business demands around you.
Evolving Strategically:
• Experimentation: Experiment with different sounds or marketing strategies, but always keep your core identity intact. Artistic evolution is important for staying relevant, but it should feel organic and aligned with your journey as an artist.
• Feedback: Listen to the feedback from fans, collaborators, and industry professionals, but use it to grow rather than to change for the sake of appeasing others.
Treating your band or art as a business is a crucial step toward building a sustainable career, but it doesn’t have to come at the cost of your artistic vision. By building a strong brand, managing your finances, protecting your creative control, and surrounding yourself with a supportive team, you can ensure that both the business and artistic sides of your career thrive. Balance is key—maintain your authenticity while strategically navigating the complex landscape of the music industry, and you’ll set yourself up for long-term success.
Christine Collins
The SLC Chamber’s 5th Annual North Country KIDS Expo
Returns To SUNY Canton On Saturday, March 8th
The St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to host the 5th Annual North Country KIDS Expo in the Roos House at SUNY Canton on Saturday, March 8 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Kids and families alike will experience a fun day filled with activities, play zones, on-site demonstrations, and the chance to gather information from local businesses, organizations, and vendors who cater to families of the North Country. Admission for adults and children over 13 is $5 –children 12 and under are FREE!
We are pleased to announce that Starcazia will be providing our entertainment. Kidz Bounce is a live, interactive, and energetic group of musical games featuring medium-high intensity aerobic dance, mime, improvisational play, and sing-alongs to old classics!
Confirmed vendors are: Adirondack Regional Technology Center TRAID Program; Applewood Orchards; Brie House Publishing; Candlelite Farm, Inc.; CASA – Court Appointed Special Advocates;; Children’s Miracle Network of NNY; Cornell Cooperative Ext. STLC – NC Clean Energy Hub and 4H; Crafting Towards Dreams; Deep Root Centers; Fidelis Care; Girl Scouts of NNYPENN; Kids Biz/Shawna Riley; Kids Biz/Fables Cool Creations; Kids Biz/Theo’s Crafts; Little River Community School; Nature Up North/ SLU; Nicandri Nature Center; North Country Prenatal/Perinatal Council, Inc – Family Opportunity Center and Health Families St. Lawrence; North
Star Health Alliance (NSHA); Rochester Regional Health – St. Lawrence Region; Scouting America, Longhouse Council; SeaComm Federal Credit Union; Sewing4U & More;; SLC Arts Council; SLC People Project; St. Catherine of Siena Academy; St. Lawrence Federal Credit Union; SLC Center for History & Culture; St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office; St. Lawrence County Public Health; SUNY Canton-WCIP; United Helpers; Victim’s Assistance Center Child Advocacy Center of NNY and WPBS-TV.
Anyone interested in being an exhibitor at the event or for event sponsorship opportunities can find more information on the St. Lawrence County Chamber website at www. VisitSTLC.com or contact event coordinator, Laura Pearson at Laura@SLCchamber.org, 315-386-4000 ext #5.
About STLC Chamber: The mission of the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce is to cultivate, develop and support Chamber members and other businesses by creating a vibrant business climate that encourages growth and enhances the unique quality of life in St. Lawrence County. The Chamber, through its designation as Tourism Promotion Agent, showcases St. Lawrence County to visitors in New York State and beyond, by promoting our natural resources, our museums and special events, and the magical quality of life that is so unique to our county. Learn more about the STLC Chamber of Commerce at VisitSTLC.com.
Joan Jett And The Blackhearts To Play The Stanley Theatre
UTICA, NY (February 18, 2025) -The Stanley Theatre is thrilled to announce that Joan Jett & the Blackhearts will take the stage on Friday, April 18, 2025, at 7:30 PM. Known as the ‘Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll,’ Joan Jett has captivated audiences worldwide with hits like “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll,” “Bad Reputation,” and “Crimson and Clover.”
Joan Jett, a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, has paved the way for women in music with her rebellious
1. Captain America: Brave New World
(PG-13) Anthony Mackie, Harrison Ford
2. Paddington in Peru
(PG) Hugh Bonneville, Emily Mortimer
3. Heart Eyes
(R) Alex Walker, Lauren O’Hara
4. Dog Man
(PG) Pete Davidson, Poppy Liu
5. Ne Zha 2
(NR) Joseph, Mo Han
6. Mufasa: The Lion King
(PG) Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr.
7. Love Hurts
(R) Ke Huy Quan, Ariana DeBose
8. One of Them Days
(R) Keke Palmer, SZA
9. Companion
(R) Sophie Thatcher, Jack Quaid
10. Chhaava
(NR) Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna
spirit and raw talent. With over four decades in the music industry, Jett’s influence spans generations, blending punk rock roots with classic rock anthems.
“She’s been the first to do many things, and not just as a woman – but just as a badass being on the planet,” said Miley Cyrus, who inducted Jett at her Hall of Fame ceremony. “There isn’t one other person on this planet that’s been an inspiration to me like she has.”
Jett’s career began with the groundbreaking all-female rock band, The Runaways before she launched her solo journey that would cement her as an icon.
She formed The Blackhearts in 1980, and together, they have toured the world, earning platinum and gold albums while staying true to their uncompromising sound. Jett’s music has been featured in countless films, television shows, and commercials, and her legacy continues to inspire artists across all genres.
Jett remains one of the most beloved and influential artists in popular music, with a fanbase that spans diehards who have been with her from the beginning to little kids who see her as a six-string-wielding superhero. She has been an inspiration for anyone struggling with industry stereotypes.
“You can’t let other people dictate your life to you,” Jett said. “Being told that girls can’t play rock ‘n’ roll— I mean, even as a kid, it was so illogical to me. It’s like, what do you mean? That girls can’t master the instruments? Other people have called me a rebel, but I just feel like I’m living my life and doing what I want to do. If I listened to everybody who told me I
couldn’t do it, then I wouldn’t be doing it.”
Tickets for this unforgettable night of rock will go on sale Friday, February 21, 2025, at 10 AM. Ticket prices start at $47.50 and will be available for purchase in person at The Stanley Theatre box office, by phone, and online at www.TheStanley.org.
About The Stanley Theatre
For nearly a century, The Stanley Theatre has brought the community together with live concerts, Broad-
way shows, musicals, ballets, movies, graduations and recitals. Today, The Stanley Theatre operates as a not-forprofit organization run by the Central New York Community Arts Council, Inc. Originally built as a movie palace, The Stanley Theatre opened its doors in 1928 with 2,963 seats, a grand entry staircase that resembles the main staircase of the Titanic, a gold leaf interior and a terra cotta and tiled mosaic exterior. The Stanley Theatre was designed by renowned architect Thomas Lamb.
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Layout/Graphic
Contributors: John Berbrich, Bill Baker, Christine
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Alice Cooper Returns To The Stanley Theatre
UTICA, NY -Rock and roll icon Alice Cooper is bringing his Too Close For Comfort Tour to The Stanley Theatre in Utica, NY on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at 8 PM!
With a career spanning over five decades, Alice Cooper is hailed as the architect of shock rock, blending theatrical horror elements with hard-hitting rock anthems. Rising to fame in the early 1970s with hits like School’s Out, No More Mr. Nice Guy, and I’m Eighteen.
Cooper redefined live performances with his elaborate stage shows featuring guillotines, snakes, and macabre storytelling. His influence on rock and metal is immeasurable, inspiring generations of artists with his boundarypushing style and unmistakable voice.
A Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Cooper has sold millions of albums worldwide and continues to be a dominant force in music and entertainment. Beyond his legendary discography, he has expanded his reach into film, television, and radio, including his long-running syndicated show, Nights with Alice Cooper.
With a career that bridges classic rock and modern performance art, he remains one of the most captivating and enduring figures in music history. Tickets are on sale now and are available in person at The Stanley Theatre box office, by phone at 315-724-4000, and online at TheStanley.org.. ####
About The Stanley Theatre For nearly a century, The Stanley Theatre has brought the community together with live concerts, Broadway shows, musicals, ballets, movies, graduations and recitals. Today, The Stanley Theatre operates as a not-forprofit organization run by the Central New York Community Arts Council, Inc. Originally built as a movie palace, The Stanley Theatre opened its doors in 1928 with 2,963 seats, a grand entry staircase that resembles the main staircase of the Titanic, a gold leaf interior and a terra cotta and tiled mosaic exterior. The Stanley Theatre was designed by renowned architect Thomas Lamb.
Comedian Nate Jackson Announces 2025 Super Funny World Tour
Stand-up comedian, actor, and viral sensation Nate Jackson is taking his signature high-energy comedy on the road with the Super Funny World Tour. Fresh off his latest Hollywood projects and fueled by an ever-growing online fan base, Jackson will bring his hilarious storytelling and dynamic stage presence to audiences across the country. The tour kicks off this March making stops across the U.S. in Atlanta, Minneapolis, Detroit, and more before wrapping up in San Francisco on June 28.
Jackson has rapidly become one of the fastest-rising names in comedy, amassing over 4 million followers and 500 million views globally through his viral content on TikTok. His blend of sharp wit, relatable humor, and unmatched physical comedy has made him a favorite both on social media and in live performances, where he sells out comedy clubs and theaters across America.
TICKETS ON SALE NOW www.asmsyracuse.com
Tickets can be purchased in person at the Solvay Bank Box Office at The Oncenter (760 S. State Street, Syracuse, NY 13202) or online at Ticketmaster.com.
*Tickets subject to applicable service charges. Price subject to change without notice.
TOUR DATES:
March 27| Syracuse, NY | The Oncenter Crouse Hinds Theater
March 28 | Buffalo, NY | Center For the Arts - University at Buffalo
March 30 | Washington, DC | Warner Theatre
April 17 | Orlando, FL | Steinmetz Hall
April 18 | Atlanta, GA | Tabernacle
April 19 | Memphis, TN | Graceland Soundstage
May 2 | St. Louis, MO | The Pageant
May 3 | Oklahoma City, OK | The Criterion
May 9 | Lexington, KY | Lexington Opera House
May 10 | Minneapolis, MN | State Theatre
May 16 | Grand Rapids, MI | GLC Live at 20 Monroe
May 17 | Detroit, MI | The Fillmore Detroit
June 5 | Boston, MA | The Wilbur
June 6 | Medford, MA | Chevalier Theatre
June 7 | Baltimore, MD | The Lyric
June 13 | Phoenix, AZ | Celebrity Theatre
June 14 | Tucson, AZ | Rialto Theatre
June 20 | San Antonio, TX | The Aztec Theater
June 21 | Houston, TX | Bayou Music Center
June 27 | Los Angeles, CA | The Wiltern
June 28 | San Francisco, CA | The Masonic
Jerry Cantrell – I Want Blood
---Bill Baker
Seattle-based band Alice In Chains entered the music scene with the inception of the Grunge Movement in the early 90’s. Jerry Cantrell’s song writing talents, guitar prowess and harmonizing vocals with front man Lanye Staley, brought their sound front and center to the new trend. Their debut Facelift earned Gold status, selling over five hundred thousand copies. They continued along the same successful path with five more albums, 2018’s Rainier Fog being their latest. To date, Alice In Chains album sales have exceeded thirty million units. Jerry Cantrell’s rhythm and lead guitar riffs led the way with a heavy metal edge which in turn created the band’s quintessential sound.
Cantrell has not sat back on his laurels. Since his solo debut, Bogey Depot in 1998, he has released three more solo projects, Degradation Trip 2012 / Brighten 2021 and his latest I Want
Blood, released in later days of 2024.
The unique grunge style he brought to Alice In Chains is ever present in I Want Blood. Cantrell’s prototypical dexterity of the wah petal and talk box, compliment his style of off time signatures. His creative abilities to shift gears with slowing tempos followed by intensifying the rhythmical flow has created his hallmark sound.
I Want Blood is a bit heavier than the previous album Brighten with a few lighter moments along the way. The harder edge sound is emphasized by the guest stars, including Duff McKagan (G&R) Mike Bordin (Faith No More) Robert Trujillo (Metallica) and Greg Pociato (Dillinger’s Escape Plan). Long time collaborator drummer Gil Sharone and keyboardist Vincent Jones fill out the lineup of talented musicians.
The solo work of Cantrell has Alice In Chains embedded deep it’s DNA. I personally don’t have a problem with
that. As stated before, the last release from Alice In Chains was in 2018. The album consists of mostly midtempo rockers. The powerful delivery on vocals, as well as the distinctive tonal contrast, the struggle between light and dark and brooding guitars are all part of the equation.
“Vilified “opens the album with Cantrell’s signature sound. “Off The Rails” is the heaviest track with stop and start power chords, the rhythm section of Bordin and Trujillo create an auditory assault within the track.”. “After Glow” and “It Comes” slows down the pace and provides haunting vocals drifting over eerie guitars. The title track “I Want Blood”, propels you from the start with a hard driving rhythm accented by resounding lead guitar licks. The struggle of losing a loved one is the essence of “Echoes Of Laughter “The composition features the harmonies of Cantrell and Puciato with the background of slow burn with melodic guitar soloing. “Throw Me A Line” has an irresistible groove accented by interweaving lead guitar riffs. “Let It Lie” leads with a power drone reminiscent of the band Tool, that continuously moves forward with a sinister tension. “Hold Your Tongue” confirms Cantrells’s song writing talents, featuring lyrics with the everpresent theme of today’s society. If you have been longing for new music from Alice In Chains, I Want Blood should fulfill that need.
As always, if you like what I like, you should take a test drive with the latest from Jerry Cantrell - I Want Blood, available on CD, Album, Download or your favorite Streaming Device. Check out several videos available on You Tube.
Photography by Stage Door Images.
Johnny B’s Music Box
King Crimson
---John Berbrich
The year was 1969. King Crimson exploded on the FM radio scene w/ their first album, “In the Court of the Crimson King.” The music sounded like it was from another century. The words were mostly ethereal fantasy w/ a steady grim message. The band’s later recordings never duplicated the profound effect of this first LP.
The list of personnel is pretty impressive. Greg Lake sings lead & plays the bass. Lake really sings on this recording, unlike w/ later Emerson, Lake, & Palmer, where he often seems to scold his listeners for not bring as smart as he is. Then there’s Robert Fripp, a wizard on electric guitar. Rolling Stone’s 2012 listing of the top 100 guitarists places Fripp at #62, his sound a “blend of distorted complexity and magisterial sustain.” Ian McDonald contributes reeds, woodwind, vibes, keyboards, mellotron, & vocals. Curiously, McDonald eventually left the band & in 1976 co-founded the popular metal band Foreigner. To find
two bands as different as King Crimson & Foreigner would be a challenge, yet McDonald was able to work well in each. And then we have Michael Giles on drums & percussion, along w/ backing vocals. His drums have this weird muted sound throughout that helps to give the album its distinctive sound. And we can’t forget Peter Sinfield, who writes all the words. Sinfield has a knack for conjuring a kind of fantasy landscape, gloomy, beautiful, & a little frightening. Okay, let’s do the songs. There are only five of them, but each is rather long.
Side one starts w/ a kick in the face; “21st Century Schizoid Man,” is about as abrasive & aggressive as you can get. It’s quite a prophecy, delivered over 50 years ago, an accurate prognostication of the random violence & senseless brutality of our 21st century world. The first stanza will give you an idea: “Cat’s foot iron claw/ Neurosurgeons scream for more/ At paranoia’s poison door/ Twenty first century schizoid man.”
This chaotic masterpiece is followed by the gentle, “I Talk to the Wind.” The final stanza contains a calm societal observation: “I’m on the outside looking inside/ What do I see/ Much confusion disillusion/ All around me.”
The music here is all flutes, soft as a spring breeze.
The funereal “Epitaph” ends side one. The music is big, orchestral, lots of kettledrums, woodwinds, & mellotrons. Again, the final stanza sums things up: “Confusion will be my epitaph/ As I crawl a cracked and broken path/ If we make it we can all sit back and laugh/ But I fear tomorrow I’ll be crying/ Yes I fear tomorrow I’ll be crying.” To drive the point home, that “I’ll be crying” refrain continues & continues & continues… Now to side two. “Moonchild” is a lovely piece, more flutes, mellotrons, & woodwinds. In the middle, a long instrumental section—roughly eight minutes—of mostly scurrying gentle guitar bits played against a frisky tapping percussion. I get images of moonlight on a pond, tiny creatures— froglets & glittering midnight fish— playing in the shiny darkness. The words are not grim: “She’s a moonchild/ Gathering the flowers in a garden/ Lonely moonchild/ Drifting on
the echoes of the hours.”
Which brings us to the majestic closer, “In the Court of the Crimson King.” You’re right there in the court w/ the purple piper, the pilgrim, the black queen, the fire witch, the juggler, & the rest, along w/ what sounds like a choir consisting of one-hundred deranged chanting monks. I don’t know who the Crimson King is supposed to be, if anyone, or whether he’s simply the sovereign of Sinfield’s fantasy land. He’s powerful, certainly, & perhaps unpredictable. The song’s conclusion: “The yellow jester does not play/ But gently pulls the strings/ And smiles as the puppets dance/ In the court of the crimson king.” This all sounds pretty harmless, on the surface. But that jester is so CREEPY, smiling as the other members of the court dance like puppets, playing their parts, to keep the king happy. Or is the smiling jester controlling EVERYTHING? It’s nuanced, subtle, & nightmarish. If you haven’t heard this record, you need to. And not at a party or while cleaning the house. Turn out the lights, relax, & allow the sounds to seduce you into this fantasy world. Oh, & the album has the most terrifying cover art ever.
Fairgoer Favorite Herman’s Hermits Starring Peter Noone Returns To The Great New York State Fair
For the 15th consecutive year, The Great New York State Fair will welcome back a fan favorite as Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone will play their hits on Chevy Court at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, August 26.
Known for hits including “I’m Henry the VIII I Am,” “I’m Into Something Good,” and “Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter,” Peter Noone and Herman’s Hermits rose to fame in the early 1960s. Since their debut, the group has amassed fourteen hit singles, seven gold albums, and sold more than 52 million recordings.
“Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone has been a staple at The Fair for nearly two decades because of their incredible ability to light up the stage and connect with audiences of all ages,” said Fair Director Julie LaFave. “Their music has withstood the test of time and they’ve drawn thousands of fans to Chevy Court every year. We’re so excited to have them back for another year and think that fairgoers will feel the same way.”
Following a successful career in music, Noone’s acting career flourished with guest-starring roles in primetime television series, including “Married with Children,” “My Two Dads,” “Laverne and Shirley,” and “Quantum Leap.” The Manchester, England native would go on to host VH1’s “My Generation,” which was the highest-rated halfhour retrospective of pop/rock music in history. Today, Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone remain active as the band plays more than 200 shows each year.
The Fair starts Wednesday, August 20, and runs through Labor Day, Monday, September 1. All concerts are included in the price of admission, which will go on sale later this summer. The Great
New York State Fair is the most affordable state fair in the country. Tickets are $8 for adults while admission is free for children under 12 and senior citizens aged 65 and older.
In total, The Fair’s 2025 Chevrolet Music Series will feature 41 national recording acts. There will be a daily 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. concert at Chevy Court (located near Gate 1), and an 8 p.m. concert each evening at Suburban Park (located on the western end of the Fairgrounds, beyond the Midway). The Fair will also host two special shows at 9 p.m. on Friday, August 22 and 29 at Chevy Court. All concerts announced thus far are provided below. Fair staff will also continue to update schedules on The Fair’s website at pages dedicated to Chevy Court and Suburban Park.
Chevy Court:
Thursday, August 21 at 6:00 p.m. • Cheap Trick
Saturday, August 23 at 1:00 p.m. • Kidz Bop
Tuesday, August 26 at 1:00 p.m.
• Herman’s Hermits Starring Peter Noone
Tuesday, August 26 at 6:00 p.m. • Sister Hazel
Suburban Park:
Sunday, August 24 at 8:00 p.m. • Busta Rhymes
Founded in 1841, The Great New York State Fair showcases the best of New York agriculture, provides topquality entertainment, and is a key piece of the state’s CNY Rising strategy of growing the Central New York economy through tourism. It is the oldest fair in the United States and is consistently recognized as being among the top five state fairs in the nation.
Kidz Bop to Transform Chevy Court Into Summer’s
Biggest Sing-A-Long At The Great New York State Fair
Don’t miss your chance to take part in what is sure to be one of the region’s biggest sing-a-longs this summer at The Great New York State Fair as KIDZ BOP will take the Chevy Court stage on Saturday, August 23 beginning at 1:00 p.m. The #1 music brand for kids will perform today’s biggest global pop hits for fairgoers, stopping at the Fairgrounds during their KIDZ BOP LIVE Certified BOP Tour.
KIDZ BOP is Aleah, Cliff, Shila, and Matty, and together, the family-friendly music group will captivate fairgoers of all ages with top hits, including “Dance the Night,” “Greedy,” and “Vampire.” Launched in 2001, KIDZ BOP continues to be an international phenomenon, currently recording in five different languages. KIDZ BOP has also been Billboard Magazine’s “#1 Kid Artist” for over a decade and has had 24 Top 10 debuts on the Billboard 200 Chart. Only three artists in history - The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Barbra Streisand - have had more Top 10 albums. Since its debut, KIDZ BOP has sold over 24 million albums and generated over 14 billion streams.
“We’re thrilled to have KIDZ BOP back again this year as part of their world tour,” said Fair Director Julie LaFave. “Our entertainment lineup has some-
thing for everyone, including familyfriendly shows for our youngest fairgoers. It puts a big smile on my face seeing parents and their children have the time of their lives singing along together to some of today’s biggest hits. The Fair is all about creating lasting memories and we’re grateful to be able to provide families with so many opportunities to come together and make great memories together.”
The music franchise connects with kids and families through its best-selling albums, music videos, consumer products, and live tours, including this year’s tour, with stops at major U.S. cities and concert venues. The brand has its own dedicated channel on SiriusXM—KIDZ BOP Radio (Channel 135)—where it’s all KIDZ BOP, all the time.
The Fair starts Wednesday, August 20, and runs through Labor Day, Monday,
September 1. All concerts are included in the price of admission, which will go on sale later this summer. The Great New York State Fair is the most affordable state fair in the country. Tickets are $8 for adults while admission is free for children under 12 and senior citizens aged 65 and older.
In total, The Fair’s 2025 Chevrolet Music Series will feature 41 national recording acts. There will be a daily 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. concert at Chevy Court (located near Gate 1), and an 8 p.m. concert each evening at Suburban Park (located on the western end of the Fairgrounds, beyond the Midway). The Fair will also host two special shows at 9 p.m. on Friday, August 22 and 29 at Chevy Court.
All concerts announced thus far are provided below. Fair staff will also continue to update schedules on The Fair’s website at pages dedicated to Chevy
Court and Suburban Park.
Chevy Court: Thursday, August 21 at 6:00 p.m. • Cheap Trick Saturday, August 23 at 1:00 p.m. • Kidz Bop
Tuesday, August 26 at 1:00 p.m. • Herman’s Hermits Starring Peter Noone Tuesday, August 26 at 6:00 p.m. • Sister Hazel
Suburban Park: Sunday, August 24 at 8:00 p.m. • Busta Rhymes
Founded in 1841, The Great New York State Fair showcases the best of New York agriculture, provides top-quality entertainment, and is a key piece of the state’s CNY Rising strategy of growing the Central New York economy through tourism. It is the oldest fair in the United States and is consistently recognized as being among the top five state fairs in the nation.
The New York State Fairgrounds is a 375-acre exhibit and entertainment complex that operates all year. Audiences are encouraged to learn more about The Great New York State Fair online, browse photos on Flickr, and follow the fun on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
The New York State Fairgrounds is a 375-acre exhibit and entertainment complex that operates all year. Audiences are encouraged to learn more
about The Great New York State Fair online, browse photos on Flickr, and follow the fun on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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Cascade Diner
Sister Hazel Set To Take Chevy Court During The 2025 Great New York State Fair
The Great New York State Fair has announced Sister Hazel will perform at Chevy Court on Tuesday, August 26 at 6:00 p.m.
Described by Performing Songwriter Magazine as “one of the Top 100 Most Influential Independent Performers of the last 15 years,” Sister Hazel burst onto the scene with their mega-hit “All for You,” which topped the adult alternative charts during the summer of 1997 and propelled their album “Somewhere More Familiar” to platinum status.
More recently, the group had success with their debut country album “Lighter in the Dark” after it reached No. 4 on Billboard’s Top Country charts. The band was recognized again following the success of its four-part EP compilation series titled “Elements.” In 2018, “Water” landed on the Billboard Country Albums chart at No. 9 while “Wind” achieved the top spot on iTunes’ country page and both “Fire” and “Earth” each earned a place on Billboard’s charts.
With nearly three decades of entertaining audiences under their belts, Sister Hazel has delivered some memorable shows at some of the most famous venues in the country, including The Grand Ole Opry and Red Rocks Amphitheater. The band recently released its 13th studio album in November 2024 entitled “Sand, Sea, and Crash Debris.”
“The Fair provides the perfect environment for people to come together to enjoy amazing entertainment and sing along to some of the biggest hits of their lifetime,” said Julie LaFave, Fair Director. “Music has an uncanny ability to instantly transport us back to a point in time where we can relive memories. Sister Hazel is a fantastic addition to our incredible entertainment lineup and I’m looking forward to seeing them take
the stage at Chevy Court.”
Beyond their musical activities, the band is committed to charitable efforts through “Lyrics For Life,” a non-profit founded by lead singer Ken Block, has raised over $5 million by bringing together musicians and celebrities for concerts and auctions to support cancer research and patient care.
The Fair starts Wednesday, August 20, and runs through Labor Day, Monday, September 1. All concerts are included in the price of admission, which will go on sale later this summer. The Great New York State Fair is the most affordable state fair in the country. Tickets are $8 for adults while admission is free for children under 12 and senior citizens aged 65 and older.
In total, The Fair’s 2025 Chevrolet Music Series will feature 41 national recording acts. There will be a daily 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. concert at Chevy Court (located near Gate 1), and an 8 p.m. concert each evening at Suburban Park (located on the western end of the Fairgrounds, beyond the Midway). The Fair will also host two special shows at 9 p.m. on Friday, August 22 and 29 at Chevy Court.
All concerts announced thus far are provided in the chart below. Fair staff will continue to update schedules on The Fair’s website at pages dedicated to Chevy Court and Suburban Park.
Founded in 1841, The Great New York State Fair showcases the best of New York agriculture, provides top-quality entertainment, and is a key piece of the state’s CNY Rising strategy of growing the Central New York economy through tourism. It is the oldest fair in the United States and is consistently recognized as being among the top five state fairs in the nation.
The New York State Fairgrounds is a 375-acre exhibit and entertainment
complex that operates all year. Audiences are encouraged to learn more about
The Great New York State Fair online,
browse photos on Flickr, and follow the fun on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Stick Clocks
In 1905, Albert Einstein published his theory of special relativity, teaching the world that time is relative. In the science fiction novel “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,” author Douglas Adams declared that “Time is an illusion, lunchtime doubly so.” And in March of every year, Daylight Savings Time begins, reminding us again that time isn’t absolute as we set our clocks ahead an hour.
Historically, there have been many ways to track time and account for the changes in daylight hours that come with the seasons. In some systems, the length of an hour could vary with the time of the year. In 19th-century Japan, stick clocks kept track of days and nights, each divided into six units called “toki.”
In spring and summer, a day toki lasts longer than a night toki, with the opposite in fall and winter. Clocks, therefore, had to be adjustable. Some had interchangeable front plates that could be removed and replaced at different times of the year. Others, like this one, which sold for $5,700 at Cottone Auctions, marked the toki with sliding plates. To a casual viewer, the set of thirteen plates down the front of the clock may not be as noticeable as the pierced scrolls and painted flowers and patterns that decorate it. A close look would show that those plates are numbered, and what’s more, they are not evenly spaced.
Q:Howcan I tell if my Tiffany’s lampshade is an original?
A:Louis
Comfort Tiffany’s lamps are some of the most famous and desirable pieces in American decorative arts, and they sell for high prices. Unfortunately, this also means that there are many reproductions and forgeries on the market. There are a few ways to check to see if your lampshade is authentic Tiffany. First, check the metal parts for a mark. Authentic Tiffany lamps are marked “L.C. Tiffany” or “L.C.T.” in capital letters. Check for materials like zinc, resin, painted glass, or plastic; you would never see them in an authentic Tiffany lamp. Take a close look at the glass. Authentic Tiffany glass will have tiny specks of color, called confetti glass. Gold-colored glass will have a translucent amber sheen. Fakes or reproductions will have a silver or greenish sheen. Remember that reproduction
and “Tiffany-style” lamps can still sell for high prices.
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TIP: A damaged porcelain clock face is difficult to repair. It will lower the price of a clock by 20 to 30 percent.
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CURRENT PRICES
Mercury glass, candlestick, column stem, knop, urn shape cup, round foot, 14 inches, pair, $190.
Firefighting, extinguisher, O.J. Child & Co., copper, brass fittings, stamped plaques, c. 1920, 24 inches, $495.
Picture, needlework, crewel, throne room scene, man and woman before seated king, reverse painted glass, carved and gilt frame, Harriet Webster, 1826, 31 1/2 x 26 1/2 inches, $550.
For more collecting news, tips and resources, visit www.Kovels.com
Photo Credit: Kovels.com
Cultures around the world and throughout history have designed clocks that account for the variation in day length across the seasons Stick clocks like this one were used in Japan in the 19th century.