John Hammond & Dan Hicks and The Hot Licks are musical legends who will take the Stage of the Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield, MA on Saturday, April 16 at 8pm.
These two leading lights of blues and roots music will perform in a concert that will bring back old times, explore new trends and – as always – delight and amaze an appreciative audience.
Grammy winner John Hammond is one of the premiere acoustic blues artists. Since his 1962 recording debut, Hammond has produced an unparalleled canon of music and recordings, racked up countless awards and gathered a dedicated following for his rich style of music.
His collaborators over the years include Jimi Hendrix (who was discovered while playing in John’s band), Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Duane Allman, Mike Bloomfield, JJ Cale, Tom Waits, The Band, John Lee Hooker, Dr. John and many more.
A tireless performer, he played his 4000th date as a Rosebud artist in June 2008 and continues to tour world-wide on an annual basis. On May 4th of this year he will be inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame.
“John’s sound is so compelling, complete, symmetrical and soulful with just his voice, guitar and harmonica, it is at first impossible to imagine improving it… He’s a great force of nature. John sounds like a big train coming. He chops them all down.” – Tom Waits
Beginning as a drummer in the seminal ’60s San Francisco rock band The Charlatans and continuing with his unique work with his band, the Hot Licks, Dan Hicks is widely acknowledged as one of the defining figures in American roots music. 
Throughout the ’60s and ‘70s there was no one who sounded at all like Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks, and nearly 40 years later there still isn’t.
The king of hipster-chic, Hicks has collaborated with the likes of Bette Midler, Elvis Costello, Tom Waits, Rickie Lee Jones and Brian Setzer, recorded ten studio albums that have become “must haves” for any music connoisseur and continues to tour relentlessly. Their latest release, Tangled Tales, was produced by Grammy winner Chris Goldsmith and features all new Dan Hicks original songs and special guests David Grisman, Roy Rogers, and Charlie Musselwhite.
If you want to know what the music writers have to say, well here are a couple of quotes. According to Daily Variety, “Dan Hicks is at the top of his game…unlike many pop artists today, a new studio album from Dan Hicks is like a new painting from Picasso.” Perhaps the Minneapolis Star Tribune sums it all up… “Dan Hicks is the eternal hipster, purveyor of the drollest and most swingin’ tunes the rock generation ever enjoyed.”
Tickets are $45 and $25 and may be purchased in person at the Colonial Ticket Office at 111 South Street or by calling (413) 997-4444 or online at www.TheColonialTheatre.org. The Ticket Office is open Monday-Friday 10am-5pm, Saturdays 10am-2pm or on any performance day from 10am until intermission.
