The MFoA is proud to present two great Marblehead High School a cappella groups, The Jewel Tones and Luminescence. The High School’s first a cappella group was the Chamber Choir, founded in 2002. The select, co-ed group performed a wide variety of music including classical, jazz, and pop music. Inspired by the wealth of collegiate a cappella groups in the Boston area, the Chamber Choir evolved into a contemporary group and adopted the name, "The Jewel Tones," in 2004. As more and more students expressed a desire to sing a cappella music, it quickly became apparent that one group was not enough—thus Luminescence was born in 2005. The women's group proudly took second place in the state division of the National Championship of High School A Cappella. The two groups have performed extensively around Massachusetts and Connecticut and have collaborated with collegiate and professional a cappella groups from around the country. These groups have been “well schooled” by Amanda Roeder and thank their mentor for her guidance. Today we get to enjoy their performance on the big stage at Crocker Park.
Here is a listing of the performers and their class years:

Luminescence: Lauren Berardino '07, Amber Connors '08, Caitlin Davis '09, Anna Georges '08, Amanda Hebert '08, Tory Hermann '09, Vicki Morris '07, Caitlin Teague '08, Molly Thibodeau '09, Lauren Turner '10, Kristina Walker '07 Katie Wyman '08, Suzie Wyman '09 The Jewel Tones: Ben Dornbush '07, Kate Franklin '07, Jamie Hark '09, Danielle Langelier '07, Emily Morin '07, Ross Peterson '09, Chelsey Reardon '08 Chloe Rombach '10, Hannah Sands '10, Dave Thibodeau '07, Ben Treadwell '07 Jayne Wilhelm '07, Billy Wyman '10

Vein is Bob Kerr on Guitar & Vocal, James Christo on lead guitar, Randall Hopkins on bass and Cliff Goodman on drums. Formed in 1997 in Salem, the band plays unique originals with a sound all their own. Bob Kerr and James Christo have played music together for many years. Vein is fueled by a connection that blends a musical chemistry of rock and soulful sounds. Check out Vein and you’ll agree they’re one of the coolest bands around.

The MarbleHeadStones are all local veteran musicians keeping the classic sounds of twelve-bar blues alive and kickin’. The band features Donald McClennan and Ed Warnock on Guitars, Steve Cleary on Organ, Paul Lacritz on Drums and John Pfister on Bass. As they say, it’s only rock in roll, but we know you’ll like it! Come check out the MarbleHeadStones before they roll away!

Sal Baglio is truly New England Rock Royalty, and though the crown might be slightly bloodied from the wear of the road, it shines with the jewels of genius.

As a teenager in the 70s and early 80s, Sal formed and led The Stompers to the top of the local music scene, becoming one of New England's best loved rock and roll bands. With the Stompers, Sal wrote and performed two Billboard charted singles, "Never Tell An Angel" & "One Heart For Sale." His music has appeared on television and in movies including the John Sayles film, The Return of the Secaucus Seven; Fraternity Vacation; and Permanent Midnight, with Ben Stiller. As a guitarist Sal has been featured on recordings by Johnny Winter, Andy Pratt & Tom Hambridge along with many others. Sal has toured extensively for over thirty years throughout the United States, Canada, and the UK, including four shows at the Cavern Club in Liverpool. He’s shared stages with The Beach Boys, The J. Geils Band, NRBQ, U2, Bo Diddley, Carl Wilson and many, many more. Sal also has released two records under the name Rock E. Rollins, "The Post-Modern Adventures of 21st Century Rock n Roll Boy" in 2003, and “Superheterodyne" in 2005. Sal crafts truly memorable songs—each one feels like you’ve heard them before, even on the first listen.

Tonight Sal performs with his trio which includes Brad Hallen on upright bass and Seth Pappas on drums. A veteran member of the South Shore Southern Rock band Zachariah, Pappas made a two year pilgrimage to Nashville in the early 80s to tour with acts like The Dillards, Earl Scruggs, and Vassar Clements. Pappas also played with Dicky Betts, Linda Ronstadt, John Hartford, and the Charlie Daniels Band. He then returned to Boston to play with Little Anthony and The Imperials, The Drifters, The Coasters, The Marvelettes, and The Shangri-Las. Pappas then joined Barrence Whitfield and the Savages, making three records with the band and two with Barrence and songwriter Tom Russell. Seth has also toured extensively through Europe and the States and performed in the “John Peel Sessions” at the BBC in London.

Brad Hallen, on upright bass (eklektikus heterogeneous), has performed wth Hubert Sumlin, Roomful of Blues, Aimee Mann, Ministry, Pastiche, and Tom Hambridge. He co-produced and played on Sal's 2003 CD, Rock E. Rollins: The Post-Modern Adventures of 21st Century Rock n Roll Boy.

Though we list this show as Blues/Rock, there’s really no genre, no label that truly captures the music of Sal Baglio. He just does not fit neatly into any box…. but we think you’ll agree that’s a good thing!

Ernie Boch, Jr. is known for the automotive empire built over the years, originally by Ernie Boch Sr., the king of “Come on Down” advertising and a truly brilliant businessman. Since the passing of his father, Ernie Jr. has taken the business to greater heights through his dynamic vision and an innovative business model. Though fame and fortune have been the reward, his underlying passion has always been music. Ernie graduated from Berklee College of Music in 1982 and now sits on the school’s advisory board, staying closely involved with the musical community in Boston. And always, his guitar is never far from reach. In 2006, Ernie brought some very talented friends together to create a smokin’ blues-rock band, “Ernie and the Automatics.” Tonight, we invite you to see another side of the billionaire, now rock star, Ernie Boch, Jr.

To expand his automotive empire, Ernie hires the best. To build his band, he stuck to what works. After meeting Barry Goudreau at a Doug Flutie event for autisim, Ernie became friends with and eventually recruited the former lead guitarist with the mega-band Boston and founding member of the band RTZ to join the Automatics. Goudreau, a Swampscott resident, brings his unique style to give the Automatics blazing guitar solos and melodic groves.

Drummer Sib Hashian, a Lynn native, met Barry as a teenager and the two played together until Sib joined the Army in 1969. A few years later, Sibby returned to join Barry in the band Boston until 1982. Over the years, Sib has performed in a variety of venues across the country for charitable events and social causes. In 2002, Sib began acting in and eventually producing plays. His work as the “engine” driving the Automatics brings him back to his R&B roots.

Bassist Tim Archibald holds down the bottom for the Automatics. Archibald is a 1979 Berklee Graduate and three-time Boston Music Award winner as “Best Instrumentalist.” Archibald is a one of a kind player with a completely unique style both in his playing and his antics. A sought after session player, Tim is credited on an incredible variety of recordings. He also worked with Pete Wolf as a member of his “House Party Five” Band; was a founding member, with Barry, of the band RTZ; and has been the long time bass player with local great and Automatics keyboard player, Brian Maes. Tim’s day job is as an educator in the Boston Public School system. If you get the chance, ask him about his son Willie (who might turn out to be a better musician than he is!).

Rounding out the Automatics is local musician, singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and the nicest guy in the business, Brian Maes. Brian brings more than thirty years of performing to our stage. A 1979 Berklee grad, Brian has toured the world with a variety of bands including Robert Ellis Oral; Peter Wolf’s House Party Five; and, with Barry and Tim, as a founding member of RTZ, writing the billboard top 26 hit, “Till Your Love Comes Back Around”, sung by the incredible Brad Delp. For over twenty years, Brian has been turning out imaginative and rockin’ original music, releasing ten CDs, including a collection of lullabies after the birth of his daughter, Madeline. When he’s not banging the keys and singing lead vocals for the Automatics, Brian can be found performing around the region and nurturing other musicians through his record company, Briola Records, as producer, writer, performer and mentor.

Tonight, it’s our chance to say, “Come On Down” to “Rock Your Hubcaps Off” with Ernie and the Automatics (and maybe a few special guests too)!