Rhythm and Roots Festival: Friday, Saturday and Sunday. September 2 – 4, 2022. Rhythmandroots.com
Chuck Hinman: Tyler Grill runs a company called Goodworks Entertainment, and they’ve taken over putting on the festival. I talked to Tyler recently about how he got involved in saving Rhythm and Roots.
Tyler Grill: This past April, there was a local couple in town who did not want to see the festival go away. We had a mutual friend who made an intro to chuck, chuck and I started talking a great guy, amazing family, great operation. We had a lot of similar values, you know, community, family, small, intimate, comfortable performances, fan focused, band focused. And after probably a month or two of chatting back and forth and doing the kind of standard due diligence, we agreed that continuing the festival, and Chuck’s legacy made a lot of sense.
Hinman: That was such good news for all of us who’ve loved the festival over the years. I mean, this thing goes back to the early 80s, near the original Cajun and bluegrass festival. So it was really kind of sad to think that it would go away after all this time.
Grill: Yeah, absolutely. Our goal is to keep it small is to keep it intimate, is to keep it family focused, is to keep it community focused. But of course, we’re always going to look at how do we improve the fan experience. And then if there’s anything we need to, you know, tweak, we’ll make those decisions. But right now, we’re really happy with the way it’s been. It’s been going for, you know, 23 years, and this year, 24 years.
Hinman: So is this going to be your first time at the festival?
Grill: It is. Wild enough, it is. You know, we go from purchasing it to turning it around in three months to also go into it for the first time. So it’s a lot, it’s a lot. There’s not many festivals left that operate the way this one’s you know, operating and it’s it’s really cool to be part of that.
James Baumgartner: As usual, there’s a ton of artists lined up for this three-day festival. This year’s headliner include Little Feet, Grace Potter and Cowboy Mouth.
Hinman: Also appearing is New Hampshire’s Veronica Lewis. She’s still a teenager, and already a veteran of this and other festivals. I talked to her this week about her remarkable career.
Hinman: Are you tired yet of people just going on about how old you are?
Veronica Lewis: Oh my gosh, anyone who is supportive and, you know, loving the music that I’m making, I’m a fan of them and I love them all. And no, I mean… I’ve been doing it for so long, you know, I feel like it could be 100 years old. I’ve been playing and writing my whole life.
Hinman: Okay, so you would have been what, 14 when you played Rhythm and Roots the first time?
Lewis: Yes, I was part of the ‘future of roots’ in a special kind of showcase. And then I got the chance to play every year since then. I believe this is my fourth time playing at Rhythm and Roots.
Hinman: That’s amazing. A veteran at 18, 19.
Lewis: I’ve got to say Rhythm and Roots is still one of my absolute favorite places to play. Everyone at the festival, working behind the scenes is just the best. Really incredible.
Hinman: So how did you get involved in… well, blues, I can kind of understand, but boogie woogie, how did that insinuate itself into your life?
Lewis: Yeah, you know, that early rock ‘n’ roll style of piano. I listened to a lot of different kinds of things. And, you know, I didn’t necessarily know when I was five years old that it was any certain genre, but I immediately heard Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, Katie Webster, you know, this totally different style of playing piano. And I immediately just wanted to sit down and try to figure it out. So it came to me very, like, organically, it found me really.
Hinman: So you’re listening to Jerry Lee Lewis at five?
Lewis: Yeah. Honestly, I think it was five years old. And I was watching, you know, YouTube of, Jerry Lee Lewis playing Great Balls of Fire on one of those 50s TV shows, like, I think it was Ed Sullivan Show or one of those. And I saw him doing his whole thing, you know, bringing that piano right front and center, kicking that bench away, and just making it something different that I had never heard or seen before. And it was so exciting to watch and listen to and it’s it’s even more fun to play and write.
Hinman: When did you start writing songs?
Lewis: Oh gee, you know, I really taught myself how to play piano. So it really started as soon as I began playing, because I learned the 12 bar blues, and with that I was able to improvise and kind of experiment within that parameter of the blues, and rock and roll form. So, you know, whether it was just writing, you know, a two minute instrumental song when I was seven years old, it all started from just a place of trying to create ideas and songs, and I started singing when I was about 12. And that’s when it all started kind of gelling together, where I was writing full songs with lyrics.
Hinman: So have you got any new music coming out?
Lewis: We are in the process right now of recording on a lot of new material, you know, kind of indie roots rock for the next album. Still always always honoring, you know, where I’ve come from musically, blues, and, and the Cajun style and that early rock ‘n’ roll. And through the pandemic, I had the chance to really start experimenting and growing as a songwriter. So I’m very excited for everybody to hear the new music, hopefully next year as soon as we can get it out.
Hinman: Well that’s great. We’ll be looking forward to that. And also to your, your performance on Sunday. I think you’re on the rhythm stage, the main stage in the afternoon, right?
Lewis: Yes. It’s at 3:30 On the rhythm stage. And I’ll be playing at the route stage on Sunday as well at 6:15.
Hinman: Oh, great!
Baumgartner: Rhythm and Roots gets underway on Friday evening and continues on Saturday and Sunday in Charlestown. All the info you need is at rhythmandroots.com.
Hinman: And for now, enjoy this number from Veronica Lewis, “You Ain’t Unlucky” on The Public’s Radio.
