ROWLEY – Howie Newman and Joe Kessler, also known as Knock on Wood, have come up with a new approach to some classic old tunes, arranging them for acoustic guitar, fiddle and mandolin. The result is a lively show that features oldies, soft rock covers and little bit of country, lifted by excellent musicianship, pleasing vocal harmonies and … lots of fun.
Knock on Wood (howienewman.com/knockonwood) will be playing a free concert at the Rowley Public Library, 141 Main St., on Tuesday, March 31 at 1 p.m. Reservations are appreciated; call 978-948-7637 to reserve a spot.
This program is sponsored by the Rowley Council on Aging and is supported in part by a grant from the Rowley Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
“Yeah, we’re different from your typical oldies band,” says Newman, Knock on Wood’s guitarist and lead singer, “but our audiences have found it very entertaining. And we have a blast.”
The concerts also include some G-rated humor and plenty of audience participation.
Knock on Wood has been performing outdoor summer concerts and indoor shows in the Greater Boston area for the past 12 years. As an experiment, the duo started doing shows at senior centers in 2022.
It’s been a big hit and Knock on Wood now does 10-15 senior center concerts a year. If you’ve never heard Elvis Presley’s “Don’t Be Cruel” arranged for guitar and mandolin or the Drifters’ “Save the Last Dance for Me” backed by a fiddle, you might want to check it out.
Newman, who has a real knack for engaging audiences, will mix in a few of his funny original songs, too, including one about becoming a grandfather for the first time and another about spending a weekend at a yoga retreat.
“We’re not the traditional guitar-and-fiddle duo,” says Newman. “Joe and I like to keep things up-tempo, do some songs people know and get the audience involved. The idea is to play some great music and have fun.”
For more information about Knock on Wood, including videos music samples and photos, visit howienewman.com/knockonwood. ♦
