June 21, 2001

Local Bands Play MASS MoCA July 21

As a songwriter, Bobby Sweet speaks volumes with simple, poignant songs inspired by the love and lives of those around his Berkshire home. He began performing in his father's band at age seven and has shared billing with some of the top country and folk artists including Vince Gill, Bill Morrissey, Deana Carter, Bryan White, Arlo Guthrie, and Jess Klein. He has accompanied George Jones, Asleep at the Wheel, Willie Nelson, The Bellamy Brothers, Waylon Jennings and many others. Sweet has co-written songs for the television series' Touched By An Angel, Walker Texas Ranger, and Judging Amy as well as the Danny Devito/Bette Midler movie Drowning Mona. The Berkshire Eagle calls him "a compelling vocalist." According to LIVE-105, Bobby Sweet "possesses a rare combination of innate musical sense and songwriting craftiness."

Adam Michael Rothberg began his musical career early studying piano at the Pittsfield Community Music School and violin at Dawes Elementary, eventually gravitating to guitar inspired by his musical parents who both played guitar. He has produced a host of new albums including Dar Williams' The Honesty Room, Pete Nelson's The Restless Boys' Club, Jaime Morton's That Wild Blue, and Bernice Lewis' Isle of Spirit. Dar Williams calls him "simply a genius" as a producer. He has toured extensively as a guitarist with Joan Baez. The Berkshire Eagle calls Rothberg "an incredibly versatile, intelligent musician who boasts technical mastery and a warmth of feeling and spirit."

Dr. Isosceles is an alterna-pop band whose music is a multifaceted mix of highly crafted, edgy, pop sensibility. Jamie Choquette (guitar, vocals) and Matt Jenkins (drums, vocals) first met in high school in the Berkshires when they played in the band Reptile House. Choquette went on to co-found Dead White Males at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. Russell Miller (bass guitar, vocals) has performed in Berkshire County clubs as a solo singer-songwriter and released his CD Springfield Mystery Plays just before he joined Dead White Males on bass guitar. Boston Sound Check Magazine has described Dr. Isosceles as "XTC meets Weezer, with John and John from They Might Be Giants on lead." Music Revue Magazine describes them as having "cool vocal harmonies and Harrison-like guitar licks."

Suitcase is an indie band who has performed extensively in the Berkshires including LaCocina in Pittsfield, River Front Grill in Housatonic, and Dream Away Lodge in Becket.

Lickety Split will serve barbecue starting at 6 pm when the doors open. Food and drinks will be available throughout the night. In case of rain the concert will move indoors to the Hunter Center.

Tickets for The Beat of the Berkshires concert on July 21 are $6. MASS MoCA members receive a 10% discount. Tickets are available through the MASS MoCA Box Office at 1040 MASS MoCA Way in North Adams from 10 am to 6 pm daily. Tickets can also be charged by phone by calling 413.662.2111 during box office hours or purchased on line at www.massmoca.org.

MASS MoCA, the largest center for contemporary visual and performing arts in the United States, is located off Marshall Street in North Adams on a 13-acre campus of renovated 19th-century factory buildings.

For Immediate Release
Contact: Katherine Myers
(413) 664-4481 x8113
katherine@massmoca.org