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Woodstock 1999, Yasgur's Farm, Bethel N.Y. Part 176 (Michael Powers, Joey D., The Shadow) Video by Larry Blumenstein Video Productions. Contact: larryblumenstein@aol.com, 917-817-2112. (Copyright 1999) (c)
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Born & raised in Bayonne, NJ, Michael Powers toured with The AdLibs and his first recording was THE BOY FROM NEW YORK CITY, a song repopularized by Manhattan Transfer. He has since recorded, performed with, or opened for Johnny Winter, Pinetop Perkins, Buddy Miles, Expensive Winos, Stanley Jordan, Tom Jones, Bruce Springsteen, Chambers Brothers, Canned Heat, Gunhild Carling, Jackie Flavelle, Hubert Sumlin, HoneyBoy Edwards, John Lee Hooker, Cherelles, The Holmes Brothers, Buckwheat Zydeco and even James Brown.
In 1975 Murch records with The AdLibs, the cult hit: BOY FROM NEW YORK CITY
Bayonne is a global military oceanal. Working at his Dad's restaurant, on payday, Wolfsons Record Store is where Michael headed. He then traded records with Sailors from Liverpool England. Growing tired of cleaning up the straw from young Michael's "air guitar" on her broom, his Mom traded in her Catalogue stamps for his first guitar. While delivering soda to "Max' Tavern" for his dad, Michael meets performer JIMMY REED with his wife. Jimmy showed Michael his first "A-bare chord". His Mom recognized her Son's prodigy and sent Michael for guitar tuning at Piero's Music Store.
Summers spent with relatives in North Carolina on tobacco fields consistently exposed Michael to segregation, but evenings were filled with blues porchmen, their harmonicas and guitars.
Eventually little Murch's school band "Apple Core" opened for both "Steel Mill" (Bruce Springsteen) and headliner JAMES COTTON in the late 1960's. James Cotton hires Michael as guitarist.
Murch's early 1970's band "Red, White & Black" worked day jobs, but still played EVERY night - Personnel: Stanley Kasper, Michael Bernardski, Joe Scudder, Jimmy Rath & Sal Morinello.
Murch begins to co-compose music with his various bands. "Nineteen76" is dedicated to his late (first) wife Yvonne.
"Lookin For the Truth" is dedicated to his former band "Moonbeam" who performed extensively from 1975-1988, personnel: the late Michael "Beenie" Rachinsky (keys, bass), Dennis "Papa Bear" Doslick (drums) and Tony "Bug" Bugman (vocals, guitar). "Rock 'n Roll Sweater (now Bleecker Street Strut)" is dedicated to the Bayonne Beauties, Big Apple Lounge, Mr. L's Brothers Tavern and Max Tavern. 1977 Moonbeam Articles:
Murch's "Chelsea Blues Band" opens at Terra Blues club in 1989... Personnel: Steve Marshall-bass, harmonica and Jodi-drums/percussions. But it was his "Powder Keg Band" which stayed at Terra Blues for a decade, up until the 9-11 attacks.
Songs "Bluesiana" and "Street Corner Rhapsody" are Murch's POWDER KEG BAND and this recording is on the CD "BLUESIANA BREEZE 3 DECADES", dedicated to and named by his late mother. Personnel: Buddy Case-steel pedal g./courtesy Motown; Luigi "Shadow" Francicioni-drums; Vic Washingon-organ and Marco Petrilli-bass. Powder Keg also recorded some of same tracks on POWER STOMP LIVE
Michael signed with Smooth Records and records "Brick Wall" an LP, with The Brian Adams rhythm section.
2002 Michael tours Russia and "LIVE IN LATVIA CD" is somewhat recorded. Personnel: Joey Dee (bass); Stu Damm (drums) This CD is not for sale, it contains one original composition: "Revolutionary Boogie" and the sound quality is severely compromised.
In 2004 MICHAEL POWERS signs with Baryon Records and releases the ONYX ROOT CD in 2005 which garners two W.C. Handy Award nominations. In 2007 PRODIGAL SON is released, garnering three Memphis Blues Music Award nominations, including Song of the Year, as well as a pre-Grammy nomination, both for title track.
2006 Michael Powers receives the "Eddie Durham Living Legend-Master Guitarist" Award at the "Durham Centennial Festival" in San Marcos, Texas USA.
His Band "MICHAEL POWERS FREQUENCY" regularly performs at Terra Blues, with personnel: Barry Harrison (drums) and various bassists.
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Roy Howard was perhaps best-known for owning the home and land on which Max Yasgur lived -- just down Route 17B from where Yasgur famously welcomed half a million people to the 1969 Woodstock festival.
Howard and his wife, Jeryl Abramson, carried on that welcoming spirit, hosting Woodstock-themed "reunions" on their property that drew thousands of revelers -- and complaints from neighbors and the Town of Bethel.
"Roy and Jeryl" by their fans, ultimately adopted by news agencies and bloggers around the world.
Abramson said those efforts will continue.