In May of this year, the music community lost Sandy McKnight, a beloved songwriter, mentor, and champion of original music in the Tri-State region. To honor his legacy, the Sandy McKnight Songwriters Fund has launched its first program: The Songwriter Series at Appetito Restaurant in Lee, Massachusetts. The series debuts this Friday, December 20th at 6:30pm, with performances by The Matchstick Architects, and The Sirens. Plus, special guests, and an open mic to nurture new voices in the local music scene.
The Sandy McKnight Songwriters Fund was created to honor McKnight, whose lifetime of work in music and songwriting inspired and advanced artists across styles, ages, and backgrounds. McKnight created opportunities for songwriters across the Tri-State region to learn the craft and get heard. He produced showcases and festivals, taught songwriting workshops, and mentored songwriters of all ages. Serving the local Tri-State Region, the Fund provides songwriters and performing artists opportunities to further their craft, showcase their work, and build community.
The Songwriter Series, the Fund’s first event, will showcase experienced songwriters and nurture new voices. Led by Liv Cummins of Lee, Tom Conklin of Pittsfield, Rosemary Starace of Pittsfield, and Peter Loboda of Peru – music artists and Sandy collaborators on myriad projects through the years – this event is the essence of Sandy McKnight, who was animated by creating and building community through music. “Sandy was all creation, all the time – not only songs and comedy sketches and films, but spaces for other artists to thrive,” noted Cummins. In 2016, McKnight and Conklin co-founded Berkshire Organization for Original Music (BOOM), which showcased singer/songwriters and original music acts at the BOOM Room, an intimate listening space on North Street in Pittsfield, and on BOOM-TV at Pittsfield Community Television. “The BOOM Room was an amazing demonstration of love and community through music, connecting people through the power of great songs. We think of the Songwriter Series as the BOOM Room 2,” explained Starace. All are welcome to share their original songs during the open mic portion of the Series.
Hear Liv Cummins and Tom Conklin chat with Dave Michaels about this event.
