BELLOWS FALLS — Bill Kirchen, whose Commander Cody classic Hot Rod Lincoln drove into the Top Ten in 1972, will play a concert on Sunday, Aug. 5, at the Lower Theater of the Bellows Falls Opera House. The show is presented by Vermont Festivals, LLC, in association with Flying Under Radar and Kicking & Screaming.
Known for his indelible Telecaster sound on Hot Rod Lincoln, Kirchen was a founding member of Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen. He's released eight critically acclaimed solo albums and he's toured internationally with Nick Lowe, and has performed with Doug Sahm, Gene Vincent, Elvis Costello, Dan Hicks, Emmylou Harris, and Link Wray.
Named “The Titan of the Telecaster” by Guitar Player magazine, Kirchen celebrates an American musical tradition where rock 'n' roll and country music draws upon its origins in blues and bluegrass, Western swing from Texas, and California honky-tonk.
His most recent album, Word to the Wise, includes collaborations with Norton Buffalo, Paul Carrack, Commander Cody, Elvis Costello, Blackie Farrell, Dan Hicks, Nick Lowe, Maria Muldaur, and Asleep at the Wheel alumna Chris O'Connell.
“We sent the tapes of Man in the Bottom of the Well to Vancouver for Elvis [Costello] to put his vocals on, but the rest of the time, we traveled around the country and collected those people,” Kirchen said.
In each case, the guests recorded their parts on top of basic tracks laid out by the core band of Kirchen, drummer/singer Jack O'Dell, bass player Johnny Castle, and keyboardist/guitarist/vocalist Austin de Lone, the former leader of pub-rock band Eggs Over Easy.
Tickets are available at Village Square Booksellers and Fat Franks in Bellows Falls, Turn it Up! in Brattleboro, Misty Valley Books in Chester, as well as online at www.brattleborotix.com.
The Bellows Falls Opera House is located on the Square in downtown Bellows Falls. Free parking is available at the Centennial and Elks Club lots. Doors open at 7 p.m. For more information, call 802-463-9595.