Saturday, Aug. 13 at 7:30 p.m.—BRANDON—“The Brandon Town Hall is a snapshot of Vermont history, but at the same time, it’s very much a living cultural center of the town as it is right now. That’s why we want to play here,” said Rutland singer-songwriter Phil Henry, explaining his choice of venue for a public concert and live album recording session. On Saturday, Aug. 13 at 7:30 p.m., the Phil Henry Acoustic Trio will perform in Brandon Town Hall on Conant Square, Route 7 in Brandon village.
“It’s a beautiful space, and we’d like to make it a part of our history, too,” said Phil Henry.
Henry has his own local history, also. He has been a Vermonter for the past 13 years, teaching K-12 music, chorus, jazz, and rock music at West Rutland School, and steadily building a catalog of his own contemporary folk songs. He has released three acclaimed studio albums during his time in Vermont and garnered praise for his writing and performance along the way. He was awarded grand prize in 2005 at Vermont’s SolarFest songwriter competition, and in 2009 at Maryland’s Susquehanna Music and Arts Festival. He showcased his music at national folk festivals such as the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival in New York and the Kerrville Folk Festival in Texas. Most recently, Henry won a Times Argus-Rutland Herald Tammie Award for Best Singer-Songwriter Album for his 2015 collection, “Aberdeen.” Henry’s narrative songwriting style was described by Seven Days as “vivid lyrical imagery that captures the imagination.”
Henry plans to record this performance, to be released as a live album this fall. It will feature the Phil Henry Acoustic Trio—or PHAT, as they’re known by their fans—complemented by hand percussionist Gary Moon and mandolin, accordion, and keyboard player Jeff Kimball. PHAT’s lush and groovy instrumentation, tight vocal harmonies, and irreverent stage interaction has made the band a favorite at coffeehouses and festivals across the Northeast.
Built in 1861, the Brandon Town Hall is a living example of 19th century American civic architecture, featuring full-height Roman columns in front and a lively acoustic auditorium inside. Closed between 1979 and 2006, it was reopened as a town center and arts venue, now hosting concerts, dramatic performances, meetings, and even silent movies.
The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 13 at 1 Conant Square, Brandon. The doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for students, seniors, and members of the military.
Submitted Photo
The Phil Henry Acoustic Trio
