The Blues Bash at Centenary College has a history of showcasing amazing talent, from national to regional acts. This year won’t be any different as in addition to The Edgar Winter Band and Kim Simmonds/Savoy Brown headlining the Hackettstown area’s premier winter concert showcase March 18 and 19, there’s plenty more to get excited about. 

Nationally known but with strong local ties, Bill Kelly will open the Bash Saturday alongside Andy Goessling.

On Saturday the very special guest openers for Savoy Brown will be locally known Bill Kelly and Andy Goessling! Kelly, a singer-songwriter, poet, and actor who has appeared in numerous high profile TV shows, and who has performed with many touring acts and with his own band, has opened up for a host of major acts over the years, and is formerly from Northwest NJ. He will be joined by the amazingly multi-talented Goessling, best known nationally for his work with Railroad Earth and in New Jersey, with Bill Kelly and the House of Cards and Blue Sparks From Hell. 

In addition, the other new acts added to the line-up are North Carolina’s Red Dirt Revelators on Friday night, on the Centenary stage, and Northwest NJ-based acts The Kim Brewer Band, Dan Fadel and Mike Tichy, Don Kincaid and Pierre Marceau, Zach Russack, and Jenny Cat are also slated to play as part

Mount Olive’s Kim Brewer Band will close the festivities at the annual wrap-up party at Marley’s Gotham Grill.

of the Bash festivities, some of which are free. Kelly, Goessling, Kincaid, Russack, Brewer, Tichy, Fadel, and Bernie Drury all have strong ties to the Greater Northwest Jersey area. 

The 7th Annual Blues Bash, held at the Sitnik Theater at Centenary College, has become a go-to event. On top of the Centenary line-up, there are free pre-shows at Marley’s Gotham Grill in Downtown Hackettstown Friday and Saturday, featuring Fadel and Tichy on Friday, and Kincaid with Marceau, and Drury, on Saturday. To cap things off, there’s the traditional post show party at Marley’s on Saturday night, this year with the Kim Brewer Band.

Zach Russack, of Hackettstown, will be playing the Blues Bash lobby stage Saturday.

The Edgar Winter headlines Friday night March 18 and Kim Simmonds and Savoy Brown, celebrating 50 years of music this year, leads the way on Saturday night March 19. Tickets range from $35 and up, with discounts for two-day flex passes. Opening up on Friday is North Carolina’s Red Dirt Revalators with their swamp style blues. Friday night’s Centenary show also showcases singer-songwriter Jenny Cat and Russack on Saturday. On Saturday night, it’s Bill Kelly and Andy Goessling kicking things off for Savoy Brown.    

Edgar Winter is best known for his mega-hits

Blairstown-based Dan Fadel and Mike Tichy will kick things off Friday during the pre-show party at Marley’s Gotham Grill.

“Frankenstein” and “Free Ride” and Britain native Kim Simmonds and Savoy Brown is now celebrating 50 continuous years, 45 albums, including their latest, “Devil To Pay.” 

Other related Blues Bash event information can be found at joehirshproductions.com or “like” the Blues Bash NJ Facebook Page. Tickets at http://www.centenarystageco.org. Click on Special Events for the Blues Bash ticket page (ticket price includes all fees). Parking is free. For more information you can email joehirsh@msn.com.