The Lone Bellow - Fall River
2026-07-28 19:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Narrows Center for the Arts, 16 Anawan St., Fall River, MA
Fall River, get ready for a hometown-style night out as The Lone Bellow hits Narrows Center For The Arts in the heart of the city. This is the kind of local favorite that turns an ordinary weeknight into a memory.
Known for soaring three-part harmonies, rootsy rock grit, and stories that feel lived-in, the band brings a set that moves from hush to full-throated singalongs without losing an ounce of intimacy.
Narrows Center For The Arts offers a welcoming, close-up concert vibe with easy access around downtown Fall River, making arrival and settling in refreshingly simple.
Mark your calendar for Tue, July 28, 2026 at 7:00 PM and don’t miss The Lone Bellow – Fall River Fall River—secure your seats now for The Lone Bellow – Fall River Narrows Center For The Arts.””Fall River, get ready for a hometown-style night out as The Lone Bellow hits Narrows Center For The Arts in the heart of the city. This is the kind of local favorite that turns an ordinary weeknight into a memory.
Known for soaring three-part harmonies, rootsy rock grit, and stories that feel lived-in, the band brings a set that moves from hush to full-throated singalongs without losing an ounce of intimacy.
Narrows Center For The Arts offers a welcoming, close-up concert vibe with easy access around downtown Fall River, making arrival and settling in refreshingly simple.
Mark your calendar for Tue, July 28, 2026 at 7:00 PM and don’t miss The Lone Bellow – Fall River Fall River—secure your seats now for The Lone Bellow – Fall River Narrows Center For The Arts.

The California Honeydrops
2026-08-05 20:00 - 22:00
Wednesday, August 5, 2026
$65 Advance | $67 Day of Show
[all-in pricing, no additional fees]
Doors 7pm | Show 8pm
“The California Honeydrops…evoke the greasy rumble of Booker T and channel the spiritual ecstasy of Sly and the Family Stone.” –Rolling Stone
Formed in the subway systems of Oakland, retro-soul outfit The California Honeydrops are an electrifying group that defy convention at every turn. They’ve become a mainstay at festivals including Byron Bay Bluesfest (Australia), Outside Lands, Monterey Jazz, Lightning In A Bottle, and touring with B.B. King, Dr. John, Bonnie Raitt, Buddy Guy, and Allen Toussaint. Led by the enigmatic and energetic frontman, Lech Wierzynski, and percussionist Benjamin Malament, each member of the band is a virtuoso in their own rite — Yanos “Johnny Bones” Lustig on saxophone, Lorenzo Loera on keyboards/guitar, Beaumont Beaullieu on drums, Miles Blackwell on bass, and regularly accompanied by Oliver Tuttle on trombone, Leon Cotter on saxophone/clarinet, and Miles Lyons on trombone/sousaphone — navigating through a vast repertoire of original songs and timeless classics every night. But what truly sets them apart is their unwavering commitment to the art of improvisation – a skill so finely honed that they have completely abandoned the use of set lists and no two shows are ever the same. Off stage, their music has been streamed more than 200 million times, and placed in a variety of TV and films, including “Dead To Me,” “Alaska Daily,” “Black-ish” and more. Their new album Redwood Highway was released August 8, 2025.

Assembly of Dust
2026-08-06 20:00 - 22:00
Thursday, August 6, 2026
$43 Advance | $45 Day of Show
[all-in pricing, no additional fees]
Doors 7pm | Show 8pm
Reid Genauer, widely regarded as one of the most iconic and influential songwriters of his generation, leads Assembly of Dust, a band that embodies the spirit of American roots music. As a founding member of Strangefolk, Genauer’s career spans over two decades, with a distinctive voice and masterful storytelling that have drawn comparisons to legendary artists like Neil Young, Willie Nelson, and Paul Simon. Genauer’s songwriting is infused with poetic depth and emotional resonance, earning him a reputation as a songwriter’s songwriter. His lyrics are both deeply personal and universally relatable, making him a beloved figure in the music world. Assembly of Dust’s sound is rooted in the classic rock and folk traditions of the 1970s, with influences from legendary acts like the Grateful Dead, The Band, Little Feat, and Bob Dylan. They share a live energy with contemporary jambands like Phish, Widespread Panic, and Dave Matthews Band, and their focus on songcraft draws comparisons to acclaimed Americana artists like Tyler Childers, Sturgill Simpson, Chris Stapleton, and Jason Isbell. With their unique blend of rock, folk, and country, Assembly of Dust is a great fit for fans of Wilco, My Morning Jacket, and The Avett Brothers.

The James Hunter Six
2026-08-07 20:00 - 22:00
Friday, August 7, 2026
$54 Advance | $56 Day of Show
[all-in pricing, no additional fees]
Doors 7pm | Show 8pm
The James Hunter Six returns with their first album on Easy Eye Sound, delivering another dose of timeless rhythm & soul. British singer, songwriter and GRAMMY-nominated James Hunter has been a legendary fixture in the scene for over three decades with his gritty voice and sharp songwriting earning him acclaim around the world. This new record features a rare duet with longtime collaborator Van Morrison (‘Ain’t That A Trip’), marking a full-circle moment for the artist hailed by MOJO magazine as “The United Kingdom’s Greatest Soul Singer.”
Hunter and his six-piece band have toured the world for decades from tiny clubs to large festivals, with Hunter also sharing the stage to support legends including Mavis Staples, Aretha Franklin, BB King, Etta James, Bonnie Raitt, and Van Morrison. Whether belting out up-tempo R&B or crafting candle-lit ballads, James Hunter is a must-see artist who effortlessly draws from the depths of his musical well, leaving audiences captivated and craving more.
Set for release January 16th, ‘Off The Fence’ is a landmark album for James Hunter himself for a number of different reasons. In many ways it represents his past, his present and his future. The new album is the perfect amalgam of everything that is great about James Hunter’s songwriting, delivery and outlook. It also marks a fresh start. His first release on Dan Auerbach’s (The Black Keys) Easy Eye Sound label, 2026 is going to be a big year for Hunter, striking the world with music that matters. Get ready to ride with The James Hunter Six.

The James Hunter Six - Fall River
2026-08-07 20:00 - 22:00
Fall River music lovers, get ready for The James Hunter Six at Narrows Center For The Arts—one of the city’s most-loved spots for a night out. The James Hunter Six – Fall River Fall River brings the kind of R&B/soul show locals talk about long after the last note.
Hunter’s sharp, story-forward songwriting meets a tight band that hits like a classic revue: punchy horns, groove-heavy rhythm, and vocals that can turn a whisper into a shout without losing the feeling. Expect a set built for dancing and listening.
The James Hunter Six – Fall River Narrows Center For The Arts offers an intimate, waterfront vibe with easy access around downtown and a room that lets every detail land.
Make it your Friday, Aug 7, 2026—book your tickets and come be part of the sing-along.

Jontavious Willis
2026-08-14 20:00 - 22:00
Friday, August 14, 2024
$30 Advance | $32 Day of Show
[all-in pricing, no additional fees]
Doors 7pm | Show 8pm
Jontavious Willis is resolved in his mission: to reinvigorate today’s Blues with the spirit of the past. Inspired by a time when the Blues were plentiful and rhythm reigned supreme, Jontavious leverages his unique sound—a synthesis of his Georgia heritage and reverence for traditional Blues—to get the world dancing again. A Grammy-nominated musician and songwriter, Jontavious performs original, toe-tapping tunes in the style of Delta, Piedmont, Texas, and Gospel Blues. Dynamic vocals, technical prowess, and an abundance of Southern charm keep Jontavious sending jolts of vitality through the Blues community.
Jontavious was born and raised in rural Georgia, an environment with deep cultural roots that provides the inspiration he has continuously drawn upon to create his unique sound. He spent much of his childhood singing Gospel music at the Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church with his grandfather, which provided him his first setting to perform for an audience. An early phenom, his passion for the Blues was sparked at age 14 when he came across a YouTube video of Muddy Waters playing “Hoochie Coochie Man.” He achieved widespread acclaim when living legend Taj Mahal invited Jontavious to accompany him onstage in 2015, with Taj describing him as his “Wonderboy.” Jontavious was invited to open for Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ during their joint TajMo tour in 2018, giving him an opportunity to present his work on a national stage.
Blue Metamorphosis, his acoustic debut album released in 2016, garnered rave reviews in Living Blues and Blues & Rhythm and won the Blues Foundation’s International Blues Challenge 2018 Award for Best Self-Produced CD. His Grammy-nominated sophomore album, Spectacular Class, sees Jontavious survey an array of Blues styles with lively ensemble performances.
His upcoming album, signed with Strolling Bones Records, is a testament to his love for songwriting. With solo tracks as well as duo, trio, and full band works, he articulates a totally original take on traditional Blues.
Jontavious features prominently in shows and festivals across the world, sharing his unique blend of time-honored yet modern, intellectual yet danceable Blues with all.

John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band
2026-08-15 20:00 - 22:00
Saturday, August 15, 2026
$48 Advance | $50 Day of Show
[all-in pricing, no additional fees]
Doors 7pm | Show 8pm
The legendary Rhode Island multi-platinum rock’n’roll group JOHN CAFFERTY & THE BEAVER BROWN BAND began their career in 1973 and achieved mainstream success in the 1980s with the “Eddie & The Cruisers – Motion Picture Soundtrack”. The hit single “ON THE DARK SIDE” held the “#1” position on the Billboard Rock charts and the MTV video charts for five consecutive weeks. The album sold over 3 million copies and was certified triple Platinum by the RIAA.

The title track from the group’s 1985 follow-up album “TOUGH ALL OVER” became their second “#1” single on the Billboard Rock charts and the song “C-I-T-Y” reached the Billboard Top 20. John Cafferty’s solo track “HEARTS ON FIRE” was featured in Sylvester Stallone’s film “ROCKY IV” and he received his second double Platinum two million selling soundtrack award. Over the years John has placed 35 songs in major motion pictures.
Today John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band continue to tour and bring their exciting live shows to fans around the world. In 2012 they were inducted into the Rhode Island Music Hall Of Fame. 2022 marked the release of JOHN CAFFERTY & THE BEAVER BROWN BAND’S GREATEST HITS on Iconoclassic Records. A comprehensive collection of all “original recordings” from their hit albums and movie soundtracks. In the Spring of 2025 in celebration of their 50+ years together JOHN CAFFERTY & THE BEAVER BROWN BAND released “SOUND OF WAVES” a long awaited and critcally acclaimed album of brand new songs. The pre-released single “DAY IN THE SUN” has received 5 star reviews and is climbing the national classic rock radio and streaming charts. And following in the band’s decades long movie soundtrack legacy it is featured in the 2024 Peter Farrelly film “Ricky Stanicky” starring Zac Efron and John Cena. In 2026 SONY MUSIC released a digital version of JCBBB’s GREATEST HITS available on all major streaming platforms.

David Wax Museum & Lowland Hum present The Golden Hours
2026-08-21 20:00 - 22:00
Friday, August 21, 2026
$31 Advance | $33 Day of Show
[all-in pricing, no additional fees]
Doors 7pm | Show 8pm
Catch the unveiling of The Golden Hours, a new Charlottesville-based band formed by the members of acclaimed indie-folk acts Lowland Hum and David Wax Museum. These musicians have been touring and recording for over 20 years, featured on CBS Saturday Morning and NPR’s Tiny Desk, and lauded by The New York Times, Washington Post, TIME and Rolling Stone, among others. The Golden Hours’ debut record Terra Nova (to be released in 2026) includes “Day Wheel,” an NPR Music Song of the Day. The forthcoming album brings together the power of these four songwriters in an artifact that is simultaneously lush and distilled, emotionally probing, and conceptually expansive.

Take Me to the River Festival 2026
2026-08-22 16:00 - 21:30
Saturday, August 22, 2026
Tom Norton City Pier
FREE
4-9:30pm
The Narrows Center for the Arts and Mechanics Cooperative Bank proudly present Take Me to the River, an evening of music, food and fun at the Tom Norton City Pier on Davol Street in Fall River, MA. A collective of food trucks will be on site, along with delicious drinks available to purchase courtesy of Canned Heat and Party with Primo. This free concert features performances by Anders Osborne, Fantastic Cat, and Neal McCarthy.
Make sure to bring your favorite lawn chair and/or blanket and don’t forget to bring a friend! The Narrows will be providing free trolley service from parking lots in and around the area. We also encourage boaters to tie up at the new docks on the Tom Norton Pier or enjoy the view from the Taunton River.
A very special thank you to all Take Me To The River sponsors including Mechanics Cooperative Bank, BayCoast Bank, Aura Cannabis Co, Fall River Cultural Council, Bank5, and Senator Michael Rodrigues. This FREE event cannot happen without their generous support.

Rodney Crowell
2026-08-29 20:00 - 22:00
Saturday, August 29, 2026
$71 Advance | $73 Day of Show
[all-in pricing, no additional fees]
Doors 7pm | Show 8pm

On his vibrant 20th studio album, Airline Highway, Rodney Crowell explores love, memory, and musical kinship with a new generation of roots artists. Produced with Tyler Bryant and recorded live at Dockside Studio in Louisiana, the album captures a spontaneous spirit—blending Crowell’s storytelling prowess with contributions from Lukas Nelson, Ashley McBryde, Charlie Starr, and Larkin Poe. Inspired by the swamp-pop sounds of his youth and recorded in the heart of Cajun country, Airline Highway reflects on the past while celebrating the present. From the rollicking homage “The Twenty-One Song Salute” to the haunting closer “Somewhere Down the Road,” Crowell delivers a wise, joyful meditation on legacy and letting go.

Reverend Horton Heat
2026-09-10 20:00 - 22:00
Thursday, September 10, 2024
$50 Advance | $52 Day of Show
[all-in pricing, no additional fees]
Doors 7pm | Show 8pm
Special Guests: Messer Chups
Loaded guns, space heaters, and big skies. Welcome to the lethal littered landscape of Jim Heath’s imagination. True to his high evan- gelical calling, Jim is a Revelator, both revealing & reinterpreting the country-blues-rock roots of American music. He’s a time-travelling space-cowboy on a endless inter- stellar musical tour, and we are all the richer & “psychobillier” for getting to tag along.
Seeing REVEREND HORTON HEAT live is a transformative ex- perience. Flames come off the gui- tars. Heat singes your skin. There’s nothing like the primal tribal rock & roll transfiguration of a Rever- end Horton Heat show. Jim be- comes a slicked-back 1950′s rock & roll shaman channeling Screamin’ Jay Hawkins through Buddy Holly, while Jimbo incinerates the Stand- Up Bass. And then there are the “Heatettes”. Those foxy rockabilly chicks dressed in poodle-skirts and cowboy boots slamming the night away. It’s like being magically transported into a Teen Exploita- tion picture from the 1950′s that’s currently taking place in the future.

Listening to the REVEREND HORTON HEAT is tantamount to injecting pure musical nitrous into the hot-rod engine of your heart. The Reverend’s commandants are simple.
ROCK HARD, DRIVE FAST, AND LIVE TRUE.
And no band on this, or any other, planet rocks harder, drives faster, or lives truer than the Reverend Horton Heat. These “itinerant preachers” actually practice what they preach. They live their lives by the Gospel of Rock & Roll.
From the High-Octane Spaghetti-Western Wall of Sound in “Big Sky” — to the dark driving frenetic paranoia of “400 Bucks” – to the brain-melting Western Psychedelic Garage purity of “Psychobilly Freakout” — The Rev’s music is the perfect soundtrack to the Drive-In Movie of your life.
Jim Heath & Jimbo Wallace have chewed up more road than the Google Maps drivers. For twenty- five Psychobilly years, they have blazed an indelible, unforgettable, and meteoric trail across the globe with their unique blend of musical virtuosity, legendary showman- ship, and mythic imagery.
With special guests Messer Chups.

Josh Blue - Narrows Comedy Series
2026-09-17 20:00 - 22:00
Narrows Comedy Series
Thursday, September 17, 2026
$43 Advance | $45 Day of show
[all-in pricing, no additional fees]
Doors 7pm | Show 8pm
After his groundbreaking win on Last Comic Standing in 2006, Josh Blue has risen through the ranks to become a well-established headliner at venues throughout the world. In 2018, Josh crushed his set on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. In the same year, he was honored with a performance at the William H. Macy Gala at the prestigious Just for Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal, Canada. He wrapped up 2018 by recording his fifth hour special, Broccoli, at his home club, Comedy Works in Denver, CO. In 2021, following his 3rd place finish on NBC’s America’s Got Talent, Josh Blue hit the road with his As NOT Seen on TV Tour. Josh does over 200 shows a year, continuing to spread laughter and break down stereotypes of people with disabilities. His stand-up routine is in a constant state of evolution and his off-the-cuff improvisational skills guarantee that no two shows are alike.
Josh represented the United States in 8 countries as a member of the US Paralympic Soccer Team. Josh and his team were thoroughly disgraced in the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece by not scoring a single goal. He is a single father living in Denver, CO with his son and daughter. Don’t miss Josh as he travels to a city near you in 2026!

Check out more at www.joshblue.com

Josh Blue - Fall River
2026-09-17 20:00 - 22:00
Fall River, get ready for a night of laughs with Josh Blue at Narrows Center For The Arts—one of the city’s go-to spots for live entertainment. Join your neighbors for Josh Blue – Fall River Fall River and settle in for a show that feels like a hometown highlight.
Josh brings sharp, fearless storytelling and quick improvisation, turning everyday moments into punchlines that land with heart and surprise. His perspective is distinct, and his timing keeps the room buzzing from start to finish.
The Narrows Center offers an intimate, welcoming atmosphere with great sightlines and a comfortable setup that makes it easy to relax and enjoy the night. It’s a perfect Fall River destination for a fun evening out.
Mark your calendar for Thursday, September 17, 2026 at 8:00 PM, and don’t wait—secure your seats for Josh Blue – Fall River Narrows Center For The Arts.

Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys
2026-09-18 20:00 - 22:00
Friday, September 18, 2026
$31 Advance | $33 Day of Show
[all-in pricing, no additional fees]
Doors 7pm | Show 8pm
Since forming in 1988 in Southern California, Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys have become one of the world’s most beloved Americana/Roots acts, drawing from the deep musical waters that flow just beneath the surface of Rock & Roll’s fertile soil. A childhood passion for Country, Doo-Wop, and Rhythm & Blues 45s led Sandy (born Robert Williams) to pursue a singing career as a teenager, beginning a life in music that continues decades later. And as his personal record collection continues to grow (75,000 and counting), so does the depth of the musical influences that stream through his songwriting and singing style. A critically acclaimed tribute to Tex-Mex hero Freddy Fender, released at the beginning of the 2020 lockdown, points the way forward for Big Sandy and his Fly-Rite Boys as they continue on a path of musical growth. After nearly 35 years on the road, and more than two dozen releases to their credit, they remain key figures on the ever-changing Americana circuit, both on record and in live appearances

Big Sandy and His Fly Rite Boys - Fall River
2026-09-18 20:00 - 22:00
Fall River, get ready to welcome Big Sandy and His Fly Rite Boys to the Narrows Center For The Arts—one of our go-to spots for a night out by the river. Big Sandy and His Fly Rite Boys – Fall River Fall River lands on Friday, September 18, 2026, bringing serious swing to the South Coast.
This band doesn’t just play jazz and blues—they stitch together rockabilly snap, horn-driven jump, and dance-floor grooves with razor-tight rhythm and a frontman who knows how to work a room.
At the Narrows, you’ll love the intimate sightlines, warm sound, and easy access in the heart of Fall River. Big Sandy and His Fly Rite Boys – Fall River Narrows Center For The Arts feels tailor-made here.
Grab your friends, mark 8:00 PM, and book your tickets early—this one’s built for moving feet and big smiles.

Ana Popovic
2026-09-25 20:00 - 22:00
Friday, September 25, 2026
$50 Advance | $52 Day of Show
[all-in pricing, no additional fees]
Doors 7pm | Show 8pm
Los Angeles-based and critically acclaimed guitarist and singer Ana Popovic released her highly acclaimed album Dance To The Rhythm (Electric Heel Records) on September 26, 2025. Produced by Popovic and Buthel, the album showcases a groundbreaking fusion of groove, blues, funk, and soul.
Building on the success of her previous work, Dance To The Rhythm pushes boundaries, seamlessly blending infectious dance grooves (“Dance To The Rhythm” / “Sho Nuff”) with raw blues guitar and powerful lyrics. From the soulful “Soul’ution” to the funky “Hottest Ticket In Town” and the bluesy “Dwell On The Feeling”, “California Chase,” the album weaves a rich tapestry of musical styles, reflecting Popovic’s masterful versatility. The track “Sisters and Brothers” channels a Steely Dan-like arrangement, while “Hurt So Good” brings a contemporary mainstream flair. The ultimate jam comes in the form of a clever reimagining of Paul Simon’s “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover.”

Ana says: “One of my biggest strengths on stage is my ability to make people dance. Music should take you to a place where you can let go, feel the groove, and move. You want music to grab you, to have a pocket that you can’t resist. —everything else revolves around it. Blues guitar has never really been part of dance music before, and in that way, it’s revolutionary. Guitar plays a central role in these tracks, breaking down the boundaries created by time, culture, and musical traditions. With this album, I’m pushing those boundaries.” For Ana, blues guitar is the foundation of everything in her music. Yet, she masterfully blends genres, effortlessly shifting from blues to dance, jam band, funk, pop, and even gospel—it’s all part of her evolving sound.
A true pioneer, Ana combines her blues guitar roots with bold experimentation, redefining the intersection of blues and dance music. Her live performances, whether with her six-piece or eleven-piece funk band FUNTASTAFUNK, are electrifying, blending fierce guitar work with irresistible rhythms that compel audiences to move.
A multi-award-winning artist, Popovic has earned recognition from major outlets and industry figures, including Bruce Springsteen, who called her “one helluva guitar player.” She’s been nominated for seven Blues Music Awards, and her latest album POWER hit #1 on the Billboard Blues Chart. Ana has shared stages with legends such as B.B. King, Joe Bonamassa, Warren Haynes, Robert Plant, and Gary Clark Jr., and is an endorsee of Fender, D’Angelico, Jim Dunlop, and DR Strings.
Popovic’s commitment to her craft and fearless boundary-pushing ensures she remains one of the most dynamic forces in contemporary blues and beyond.

Ana Popovic - Fall River
2026-09-25 20:00 - 22:00
Fall River’s got a can’t-miss night on the calendar: Ana Popovic live at Narrows Center For The Arts in Fall River, a local favorite for top-tier entertainment. Join fellow blues and jazz lovers for **Ana Popovic – Fall River Fall River** on Friday, September 25, 2026 at 8:00 PM.
Ana brings a fierce, soulful guitar voice, razor-sharp band chemistry, and grooves that slide from smoky blues into punchy, modern funk—built for a room that listens close and cheers loud.
Narrows Center offers an intimate, great-sightline setting right in the heart of the city, with easy access for a smooth night out at **Ana Popovic – Fall River Narrows Center For The Arts**.
Grab your seats now and come be part of the buzz—this is one you’ll talk about all week.

Five for Fighting with String Quartet
2026-09-29 20:00 - 22:00
Tuesday, September 29, 2026
$55 Advance | $57 Day of Show
[all-in pricing, no additional fees]
Doors 7pm | Show 8pm
Opener: Lace & Lee
The only way for a story to progress is to turn the page.
John Ondrasik— the songwriter and performer known as the platinum-selling, Grammy-nominated, Five For Fighting—knows this well. In the two decades since his first major single, “Superman (It’s Not Easy),” hit the stratosphere, the artist has both evolved and come back ‘round full circle. Creativity, if nothing else, is paradoxical.

To date, Five For Fighting, has released six studio LPs, including the platinum certified America Town and The Battle for Everything; and the top-10 charting Two Lights, along with an EP and live albums. Ondrasik has penned major hits, including the chart-topping “100 Years,” “The Riddle,” “Chances,” “World,” and “Easy Tonight,” which have earned over one billion streams and place him as a top-10 Hot Adult Contemporary artist for the 2000s. The reflective “100 Years” has joined “Superman (It’s Not Easy)” as part of the American Songbook and continues to stand the test of time at weddings, birthdays, graduations, memorials, and many a home video. Five For Fighting’s music has also been featured in more than 350 films, television shows, and commercials, including the Oscar-winning The Blind Side, Hawaii Five-O, The Sopranos and the CBS drama, Code Black.
Referencing Fight For Fighting’s success in the 2000s, AllMusic called Ondrasik “one of the decade’s leading balladeers.” But perhaps his biggest achievement is performing “Superman (It’s Not Easy),” at the 2001 Concert for New York, a benefit show at Madison Square Garden that honored first responders and the fallen about a month after the tragic September 11th attacks. Ondrasik performed alongside other big-name artists like Paul McCartney, The Who, Elton John, Billy Joel, and dozens more.
Says Ondrasik, “It was a surreal experience. I was honored and blessed to pay tribute to the heroes who ran into those buildings at ground zero, and hopefully, through a song, provide a little solace to family members who’d lost loved ones.”
Now, though, what once was a dream is a reality. Buoyed by his unique falsetto voice and his prowess on the piano—a skill bestowed to him by his piano teacher mother—Ondrasik has made a solid reputation for himself in the world of songwriting and performance, selling upwards of three million albums over his career. Not only does he tour with his popular string quartet and play solo and rock band gigs, but he is also a high demand keynote speaker in which he combines themes of creativity and innovation with his business acumen. Along with his father, he has managed the family business throughout his musical career. As Ondrasik happily puts it, his company, Precision Wire Products, “makes the best shopping cart in the world!”
He’s presented at TEDx, The Salk Institute, American Cancer Society, and dozens more. Perhaps being the son of an astrophysicist dad and having a degree in mathematics from UCLA has something to do with it.
“Math was the Plan-B to get a real job when the music thing imploded,” says Ondrasik, with a chuckle.
But that doesn’t mean he wasn’t always a student at heart. As he wrote songs in his late teens and early 20s, the Los Angeles-born Ondrasik studied his favorite rock vocalists. Finding out that singers like Freddie Mercury and Steve Perry studied classical voice, he did too, even seeking out some of those icons’ former teachers. No stone unturned.
In September of 2021, Ondrasik released the powerful, “Blood on My Hands,” a protest song that takes a non-political, moral stance against the 2021 United States chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. While he’s well-versed in politics, he isn’t of a bickering mindset. For Ondrasik, it’s about the conversation. “Blood on My Hands,” the track, accompanying acoustic version, and docu-music video, “Blood on My Hands (White House Version),” has had millions of streams to date (despite little-to-no radio play). Like other protest songs of the past— “Ohio” by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young or “The Times They Are a-Changin’” by Bob Dylan—Ondrasik aimed to point out a problem. While it’s critical of President Biden’s administration, he says that if a Republican were President, the song would remain the same, only the names would change.
Thanks to the song, years later, Ondrasik is still working with evacuation groups that strive to help the American citizens left behind in Afghanistan by the U.S. government, as well as the Afghan people who remain there largely under the threat of terrorism. It’s a difficult, and at times a polarizing subject, but it’s one Ondrasik is not shying away from. Not because of any politics or partisan pats on the back, but simply because he knows it’s the right thing to do.
Ondrasik notes, “There has been a tradition of musicians speaking truth to power. In the current tribal culture, our freedom of expression has never been more critical.”
In 2022, Ondrasik released “Can One Man Save The World?” with a powerful companion music video, featuring the Ukrainian Orchestra filmed in Ukraine. The song, inspired by the courage of President Vladimir Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine, asks the nation, and the world, to stand up for core values of freedom and justice.
Moved to action that extended beyond songwriting, Ondrasik entered an area, outside of Kyiv, that had seen heavy combat shortly after the Russians pulled back from the capital with an American production crew.
“I was honored to perform my new Ukraine tribute song Can One Man Save the World? with the Ukrainian Orchestra in the ruins of the Antonov Airport – in front of the Ukrainians’ beloved Mriya, the world’s largest cargo plane that Russia destroyed at the outset of the war,” said Ondrasik. “In sharing this musical collaboration on such hallowed ground, I saw firsthand the fortitude and grace of the Ukrainian people, who whether playing a violin or driving a tank, will not be deterred by Putin’s atrocities and aggressions.”
Proceeds from the single and its companion video benefit the NGO Save Our Allies and further its mission of providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine and Afghanistan.
Throughout his multi-decade career, which began when music publisher Carla Berkowitz (now his wife of 25 years) discerned him in a dive bar, Ondrasik has been involved in multiple charity efforts. Along with supporting the troops via multiple USO tours, Ondrasik created “The CD For the Troops” project with song and comedy compilations featuring artists like Billy Joel, Melissa Ethridge, Chris Rock, and others, gifting more than one million CDs to veterans and military families. John has also been deeply involved with the ALS charity “Augie’s Quest.” and is an ambassador for his pal Gary supporting the Gary Sinise Foundation.
While he may not be as obsessive as he once was—writing upwards of dozens of songs per month, Ondrasik is more focused today. He knows who he is, as an artist and as a human being. His is a career molded by light and darkness. At one point, he’d been looked over by every publishing house and label out there. At another, he had one of the biggest songs in the world. Those extremes give a person perspective.
“I’ve been incredibly blessed,” he says. “I still pinch myself.”
As Five For Fighting, which is a professional hockey term designating a five-minute penalty for fisticuffs on the ice, Ondrasik has also developed a close relationship within the world of sports. He was a contributing writer for Sports Illustrated as well as for his beloved Los Angeles Kings. Five For Fighting was one of the first musical artists to perform on ESPN’s SportsCenter, and has played The Daytona 500, Monday Night Football, The Heritage Classic, the L.A. Kings outdoor hockey game, and more. Recently, John performed a version of 100 Years for CBS sports celebrating “100 Days to the Superbowl” and is routinely featured in Bally Sports broadcasts at the start of L.A. Kings hockey games.
“Singing from home plate at Dodger stadium,” Ondrasik says, “where, as a five-year-old boy, my dad and I would catch bleacher bombs during batting practice—that was a dream.”
Today, Ondrasik spends his time writing music, touring, working at the family business, supporting various charities, and enjoying life with his wife, two children, and dog Ender.
Through “What Kind of World Do You Want,” Ondrasik’s charity driven website – WhatKindofWorldDoYouWant.com – he has raised funds for Afghan evacuation organizations, refugees and Augie’s Quest to cure ALS. He continues to support Save Our Allies and the Ukrainian people through “Can One Man Save the World”, multiple charities fighting antisemitism globally, and looks forward to returning to Ukraine and Israel in the near future.
What motivates him musically now?
His latest three songs tell the story. He wants to promote dialogue. He’s set to speak his mind, with words, melody, and conviction.
Ondrasik doesn’t shy away from nuance. He embraces it and seeks it – just as he does the next chorus, the next verse, all the while searching for a bridge
It’s what artists and freethinkers do, after all.
It’s his gift to share.
His decided obligation, too.
About Lace & Lee:
Lace & Lee is a folk rock duo heavily influenced by the mystical wisdom of 60s and 70s storytelling, with a twist of humor and bard-like prose. Caroline Lace and Olivia Lee began their musical journey at NYU Tisch, and have since toured with Five For Fighting. Their ethereal vocals and risky harmonies carry the spirit and charm of Celtic music, often holding a mirror up to the 21st century.

Chris Smither
2026-12-03 20:00 - 22:00
Thursday, December 3, 2026
$49 Advance | $51 Day of Show
[all-in pricing, no additional fees]
Doors 7pm | Show 8pm

Born in Miami, during World War II, Chris Smither grew up in New Orleans where he first started playing music as a child. The son of a Tulane University professor, he was taught the rudiments of instrumentation by his uncle on his mother’s ukulele. “Uncle Howard,” Smither says, “showed me that if you knew three chords, you could play a lot of the songs you heard on the radio. And if you knew four chords, you could pretty much rule the world.” With that bit of knowledge under his belt, he was hooked. “I’d loved acoustic music – specifically the blues – ever since I first heard Lightnin’ Hopkins’ Blues In My Bottle album. I couldn’t believe the sound Hopkins got. At first I thought it was two guys playing guitar. My style, to a degree, came out of trying to imitate that sound I heard.”
In his early twenties, Smither turned his back on his anthropology studies and headed to Boston at the urging of legendary folk singer Eric von Schmidt. It was the mid-’60s and acoustic music thrived in the streets and coffeehouses there. Smither forged lifelong friendships with many musicians, including Bonnie Raitt who went on to record his songs, “Love You Like A Man” and “I Feel the Same. (Their friendship has endured as their career paths intertwined over the years.) What quickly evolved from his New Orleans and Cambridge musical experiences is his enduring, singular guitar sound – a beat-driven finger-picking, strongly influenced by the playing of Mississippi John Hurt and Lightnin’ Hopkins, layered over the ever-present backbeat of his rhythmic, tapping feet (always mic’d in performance).
Smither’s first albums, I’m A Stranger, Too! (1971) and Don’t It Drag On (1972) were released on Poppy Records, home of kindred spirit Townes Van Zandt. By the time Smither recorded his third album, Honeysuckle Dog with Lowell George and Dr. John helping out, United Artists had absorbed Poppy and ultimately dropped much of their roster, including Smither. Smither made his next record in 1985, when the spare It Ain’t Easy on Adelphi Records marked his return to the studio.
By the early ’90s, Smither’s steady nationwide touring and regular release of consistently acclaimed albums cemented his reputation as one of the finest acoustic musicians in the country. His 1991 album, Another Way to Find You, was recorded live in front of an in-studio audience with no overdubs or second takes. This would be the first of two albums with Flying Fish Records. His next recording, Happier Blue, was embraced by Triple A radio and received the NAIRD (now AFIM) award as Best Folk Recording of 1993. Up On The Lowdown (1995) marked the first of a trio of albums to be recorded with producer Stephen Bruton at The Hit Shack in Austin and his first of five albums with roots label HighTone Records. Up On the Lowdown rode the crest of the newly formed Americana radio format wave and sparked considerable interest abroad. A tour of Australia with Dave Alvin and extensive solo touring in Europe led to an expanding global interest in Smither. His song, “I Am the Ride,” from this album inspired the independent film, The Ride, for which Smither also composed the original score.
In early 1997 Smither released Small Revelations. It climbed the Americana and Triple A radio charts and led to concert dates with B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, Nanci Griffith, and the hugely successful, original Monsters of Folk’ tour with Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Dave Alvin and Tom Russell. Small Revelations also generated several film projects for Smither. Emmylou Harris recorded his song, “Slow Surprise,” for the The Horse Whisperer soundtrack on MCA. And his recording of “Hold On” was used in the indie feature film Love From Ground Zero. Smither also shared insight into his guitar style and technique on two instructional DVDs, available from Homespun Video.
His CD, Drive You Home Again (1999), garnered four-stars from Rolling Stone. And with it, Smither continued to tour world-wide. Shortly after, in 2000, Smither released his one-man-tour-de-force, Live As I’ll Ever Be. Recorded in-concert at various clubs and concert halls in California, Dublin, Galway, Boston, and Washington DC, it has proven to be a fan favorite, capturing Smither at what he loves to do: performing in front of an audience.
Train Home (2003) was Smither’s last record for HighTone and his first with producer David Goodrich. Over a six-week period, basic tracks for Train Home were recorded in the relaxed environment of Smither’s home near Boston. Working with new session musicians, the record is simultaneously sparse and assured. Bonnie Raitt graciously provided backing vocals and slide guitar on Smither’s cover of Bob Dylan’s “Desolation Row.” And Smither’s “Seems So Real” from the CD earned a Folk Alliance Award as “Song of the Year.”
In 2005, jazz great Diana Krall covered “Love Me Like A Man,” introducing what is now a blues standard to a whole world of jazz fans. Shortly after, Smither’s song “Slow Surprise” was included in the independent film, Brother’s Shadow. In addition, Smither narrated a two-CD audio book recording of “Will Rogers’ Greatest Hits.” Continuing to expand his creative horizon, Smither was invited to contribute an essay to Sixty Things to Do When You Turn Sixty, a 2006 collection of essays by American luminaries on reaching that milestone. In 2009, Melville House published Amplified, a book featuring 16 short stories by notable American performing songwriters. Smither’s story Leroy Purcell about a touring musician’s encounter with a Texas State Patrolman leads off the collection.
With the release of his 12th recording Leave The Light On (2006) on his own imprint, Mighty Albert, Smither began a new label relationship with the renowned acoustic and modern folk label, Signature Sounds. For the recording, Smither reunited with producer David Goodrich and session musicians Mike Piehl, Lou Ulrich and Anita Suhanin. As an added treat, Smither invited good friend and Grammy Award-winning multi- instrumentalist, Tim O’Brien, along with rising American roots stars, Ollabelle, to add their distinctive talents on several tracks. Smither followed this with Time Stands Still (2009), his most stripped down recording in some time, working with just two accompanists after the same trio had played a rare band performance – a non-solo setup required in order to play a Netherlands festival.
About the recording Smither says, “We’re the only three guys on this record, and most of the songs only have three parts going on. We had a freewheeling feeling at that festival gig, and we managed to make a lot of that same feeling happen in this record.” In 2011 Smither put out two fan projects: a collection of live tracks from newly discovered concert recordings from the 1980s-1990s titled Lost and Found and the rollicking EP, What I Learned in School, on which Smither covered six classic rock and roll songs.
Smither followed these fan-projects with Hundred Dollar Valentine (2012), a ★★★★★ (MOJO) studio record of all Smither-penned songs. With longtime producer David “Goody” Goodrich at the helm, this collection sported Smither’s trademark acoustic guitar sound and evocative sonic textures meshed with spare, brilliant songs, delivered in a bone-wise, hard-won voice.
In 2014 Smither released Still on the Levee (2014) – a double-CD retrospective. Recorded in New Orleans at the Music Shed, this career-spanning project features fresh new takes on 24 iconic songs from his vast career and some very special guests including the legendary Allen Toussaint and Loudon Wainwright III.
The coffee table style book Chris Smither Lyrics 1966-2012 and Signature Sounds’ Link of Chain – an all-star tribute record including a stellar list of artists offering their takes on some Smither favorites including Josh Ritter, Bonnie Raitt, Loudon Wainwright III, Dave Alvin, Peter Case, Tim O’Brien, Patty Larkin, and many others were fan-favorite accompaniments to the retrospective CD .
In March 2018, Smither released his eighteenth record, Call Me Lucky (Signature Sounds/Mighty Albert) once again teaming up with producer and multi-instrumentalist David Goodrich. Also joined by Billy Conway (Morphine) and Matt Lorenz (The Suitcase Junket), Smither recorded eight new originals along with some very special and surprising covers at the Blue Rock studios in the Texas hills in June 2017.
In October 2020, More From The Levee, the followup to the 50-year career retrospective Still on the Levee, was released. Said Acoustic Guitar: Smither sings about “the big things – life, love, loss – in a penetrating and poetic yet unpretentious way.”
The 20th release, All About the Bones (release date: May 3, 2024 on Signature Sounds/Mighty Albert, distributed by Redeye) is as elemental as the inky black shadows cast by a shockingly bright moon. Featuring eight brand new Chris Smither songs and Smither renditions of Eliza Gilkyson’s “Calm Before the Storm” and also Tom Petty’s “Time to Move On”, the listener is welcomed into some gothic mansion on an imaginary New Orleans street, and there in the lamplit parlor confronts the band, a minimalist skeleton crew: Smither’s inimitable propulsive guitar and rumbling baritone are joined seamlessly to producer David Goodrich’s carpetbag of instruments, Zak Trojano’s rock-steady, primal drumming, BettySoo’s diaphanous harmony vocals, and the flat, mournful flood of Jazz legend Chris Cheek’s saxophone. Recorded at Sonelab Studios in Easthampton MA by Justin Pizzoferrato All About the Bones has a feel that is somehow baroque and austere at once.
