Guy Davis and show opener Larry Kyle make their appearance at the Oswego Music Hall on Saturday, March 11. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. in the McCrobie Civic Center, 41 Lake St., Oswego.

A two-time Grammy nominee for Best Traditional Blues, Guy Davis is a musician, actor, author and songwriter. He uses a blend of roots, blues, folk, rock, rap, spoken word and world music to comment on and address the frustrations of social injustice and touch on historical events and common life struggles.

His performances feature a mix of his original songs and cover songs by Muddy Waters, Howlin Wolf, Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan, Mance Lipscombe, Blind Willie McTell, Leadbelly, Blind Lemon Jefferson and many others.

His background in theater is pronounced through the lyrical storytelling of songs “God’s Gonna Make Things Over” about the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. His storytelling is sometimes painful, deep and real. It is meant to create thought, an earthy contrast to modern-day commercial music, underlined by gentle tones from his guitar or banjo fingerpicking.

Davis won the “Keeping the Blues Alive” award and was nominated by The Blues Foundation for Best Acoustic Album of the Year, Best Acoustic Artist of the Year, and Best Instrumentalist. In fact, he’s been nominated nearly two dozen times by the Blues Foundation.

A self-taught “Renaissance man,” Davis first heard the banjo at a summer camp run by John Seeger, the brother of the American Folk musician Pete Seeger, and soon asked his father for one. Davis sings and plays six and 12-string guitars, the five-string banjo, harmonica and didgeridoo.

For details, go to http://guydavis.com/wp/ or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUor5JPlZto.

A veteran and friend of the music scene, Larry Kyle has performed over six decades, starting in 1977. He released five original albums with his blues group, DAMDOG. He shines as an acoustic solo and in the duo brother act where he incorporates guitar, harmonica, vocals, foot percussion, slide guitar, kazoo and more to create a unique live show. With over 190 dates a year under his belt, his passion still burns hot. Go to https://www.facebook.com/larry.kyle.37 for details.

Oswego Music Hall shows start at 7:30 p.m. and doors open at 7 p.m. for all National Stage concerts. For a complete performance schedule and ticket information, go to https://www.oswegomusichall.org/ or stop at the river’s end bookstore, 19 W. Bridge St., Oswego. 

The Oswego Music Hall’s winter/spring season continues with Deeper Than Skin with Greg Greenway and Reggie Harris on Saturday, March 25. Concerts featuring Jonathan Byrd and the Burns Sisters Band are scheduled for Saturday, April 15 and Saturday, April 29, respectively. The Oswego Music Hall’s season finale features Annie Sumi & Travis Knapp on Saturday, May 13.

Ticket prices for the National Stage range from $15 to $20 at the door. Admission is half-price for children aged 6 to 16 and free for those aged 5 and younger. Tickets can be purchased at any concert, online or at the river’s end bookstore in Oswego.

The Oswego Music Hall is located in the McCrobie Civic Center, 41 Lake St., Oswego, and is wheelchair accessible. It is adjacent to Breitbeck Park and overlooks Lake Ontario and the Oswego Harbor. The atmosphere is intimate with candle-lit tables surrounding a small stage. Light refreshments will be available.  

The Oswego Music Hall is a family-friendly, non-profit organization that has been run entirely by volunteers from its inception over 40 years ago. Volunteers can earn admission to shows through various tasks – from running the sound board to making popcorn. Students can also earn credit for community service. To volunteer, email Volunteer Coordinator Michael Moss at ocpaoswego@gmail.com.

The Oswego Music Hall pays close attention to federal, state and local COVID-19 guidelines to do what’s best for performers and patrons – being mindful of everyone’s safety and their enjoyment of the show. Masks are now strongly recommended and will be available at the door. Should conditions warrant, precautions may revert back to stricter requirements without notice. Please check https://www.oswegomusichall.org/ for updated information.

Find more information about the Oswego Music Hall, visit www.oswegomusichall.org/ or email ocpaoswego@gmail.com.

Oswego Music Hall concerts are made possible in part with funding by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the governor and New York Legislature. Other major supporters are the City of Oswego and Shineman Foundation. 

DAVIS TAKES THE STAGE AT OSWEGO MUSIC HALL – The Oswego Music Hall welcomes two-time Grammy nominated musician Guy Davis on Saturday, March 11. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 7:30 p.m. at the McCrobie Civic Center, 41 Lake St., Oswego. For tickets and details, go to www.oswegomusichall.org/ or visit the river’s end bookstore, 19 W. Bridge St., Oswego. Photo of Guy Davis provided by artist.