Free outdoor concert series honors Tom Petty’s legacy, features curated lineup of up-and-coming songwriters

New York, NY (May 31, 2018) — Arts Brookfield and NewSong Music are proud to present the New York City summer outdoor concert series ‘Southern Accents: New original music inspired by the songwriting legend Tom Petty.’ The series features eight, free outdoor lunchtime concerts taking place on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, June 5-27 at two prime listening locations in Manhattan: One New York Plaza and Grace Plaza. The lineup features some of North America’s best up-and-coming acts playing original music inspired by the well-loved troubadour Tom Petty.

“NewSong is delighted to be partnering once again with Arts Brookfield to co-present and curate this summer’s ‘Southern Accents’ Series in New York City,” says NewSong music founder Gar Ragland. “The opportunity to invite this group of talented songwriters and performers to celebrate – through their own original material –  the enduring legacy of the late, great Tom Petty is something we’re honored and excited to help bring to life with our friends at Arts Brookfield.”

All of the performers featured in the ‘Southern Accents’ series are members of the NewSong artist community, and each musician will perform two shows: one at One New York Plaza in Manhattan’s financial district and the other at Grace Plaza, located steps from Bryant Park in midtown. These songwriters are a far cry from a Tom Petty cover band. Instead, all four acts share the common goal of celebrating the spirit of Tom Petty through original songwriting. Like Petty, musical stylings among the featured musicians draw from folk traditions, blues, rock and country.

All One New York Plaza shows take place on Tuesdays, 12:30-1:30 pm. All Grace Plaza shows take place on Wednesdays, 12:30-1:30 pm. See below for full schedule and lineup. Click show date for Facebook event. 

Beth Snapp — June 5 at One New York Plaza // June 6 at Grace Plaza

Beth Snapp (Kingsport, TN)

The music of Beth Snapp drifts across folk, bluegrass, pop, early R&B and jazz. Her new EP Don’t Apologize was recently recorded at Asheville’s Echo Mountain Recording Studios. Her band features some of eastern Tennessee’s most accomplished bluegrass and Americana players, who are joined by guest artists Dave Eggar (cello) and Cruz Contreras of the Black Lillies on the new recording. Bethsnapp.com

Andrew Scotchie & the River Rats — June 12 at One  New York Plaza // June 13 at Grace Plaza

Andrew Scotchie (Asheville, NC)

Andrew Scotchie performs most often with his band, Andrew Scotchie & the River Rats formed in Asheville NC as a street busking project in late 2011.  Revered for their high energy live shows, dynamic musicianship & Scotchie’s larger than life stage presence, the band has continued to craft their hard driving style of rock n roll and are dedicated to building their musical family. Consistent studio recordings, year round touring, earnest songwriting & sharing show bills with legends such as Sonny Landreth, Blind Boys of Alabama, Drivin N Cryin and Bettye Lavette has made Andrew Scotchie & the River Rats one of the industry’s fastest growing rock n roll bands. andrewscotchiemusic.com

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Farewell Milwaukee — June 19 at One New York Plaza // June 20 at Grace Plaza

Farewell Milwaukee (Minneapolis, MN)

Mainstays of the Minneapolis music scene since 2008, Farewell Milwaukee embraces the role that their Midwestern towns have played in shaping them artistically, garnering them fans through their authentic lyrics, lush vocal harmonies, and an honest sincerity at live shows. It is because of this, they have gathered accolades from local and national press, landed a song placement on major-network TV, opened for the Lumineers (among others), and are featured on compilations alongside Mumford & Sons, Adele and Amos Lee. farewellmilwaukee.com

Michaela Anne — June 26 at One New York Plaza // June 27 at Grace Plaza

Michaela Anne (Nashville, TN)

Upon releasing her 2014 album, Ease My Mind (Kingswood Records), singer-songwriter Michaela Anne garnered considerable acclaim for her introspective songwriting. The New York Times praised the “plain-spoken songs of romantic regret and small-town longing” and the Village Voice listed it among its Top 5 Country Albums of the year. Since then, however, this once-solitary diarist has transformed herself into a gregarious storyteller. Michaela Anne has discovered her inner extrovert. michaelaanne.com

About Arts Brookfield

Arts Brookfield presents exciting, world-class cultural experiences to thousands of people for free each year in both indoor and outdoor public spaces at Brookfield’s premier buildings in Denver, New York, Los Angeles, Houston, Toronto, Perth and Sydney. From concerts, theater and dance to film screenings and art exhibitions, Arts Brookfield brings public spaces to life through art. ArtsBrookfield.com

About NewSong Music

NewSong Music is an independent artist development and music production company headquartered at Asheville, NC’s Echo Mountain Recording Studios. NewSong’s mission is to build and support a community of performers and songwriters across all genres and levels of skill, and to identify the truly exceptional artists to introduce their music to a broader, international audience. Its programs include a record label (NewSong Recordings), artist management services, concert production and the annual, international NewSong performance and songwriting competition. newsong-music.com