*** New Year Outlook, 2026
Here's a reflection for us music artists, entering a new year, and inspired by some recent conversations I've had at the open mics...
At the 2024 NERFA, I attended a short seminar given by musician, songwriter, author, Tara Shannon. In her book, I found this eye opening, a-ha moment/revelation: "There is this collective expectation, that the journey of an artist is linear: a straight line forward that eventually leads to this mysterious place called "Making It". But it isn't. It is in fact, a circle. You do go around and around doing the same thing over and over again, but you have a strategy and focussed intent, and every time you loop that circle, what you create starts reaching more and more people; your music starts creating a ripple effect in the world that gets bigger and bigger with every cycle. It's like the rings of a tree growing outward, and expanding with time, until the presence of you and your music in the world is like a great big tree." - Tara Shannon, from "You and the Music Business"
https://www.tarashannonofficial.com/
*** Friends, I'm honored to be Master of Ceremonies for Billy Claiborne and the Five Believers celebration of Bob Dylan's Rolling Thunder Revue, 50th Anniversary. Myself and the talented Nathaniel Bradley, will open with a short duo set, and then later we'll jump in on a few tunes with the band for the big finale. So come hang out with Nathaniel and I for this fun Bob Dylan tribute. See you there!
Thurs. Jan 22., 8-11pm
Billy Claiborne and the Five Believers (w/ TIMKO & Co.)
Cantab Underground, Mass. Ave, Central Sq., Cambridge, MA
Save $ and get tix in advance ($10): https://tunehatch.com/shows/252586684
Here's YouTube Sampler of their Dylan sets
https://youtu.be/Be8p_-Nt60Y?si=EGes5CdHb5uq-xW_
*** Ward 4 Open Mic Update
We'll be ending the open mic at bit earlier (9:30pm) starting now, in 2026. Unfortunately, we cannot start earlier due to dinner business conflicts. Here are the new, official times:
Open Mic Wednesdays at Ward 4
Sign up: 6:30
Music starts: 7pm
Music Ends: 9:30pm
Ward 4,
*** Go Patriots!
> HAPPENINGS
https://bostonlovesmusic.com/happenings
*** Abe Dewing performing with Crush, a Dave Matthew's Tribute and (Steve Rondo of Devlin's open mic to open the show!)
Friday, Feb. 20th at Sinclair, Harvard Square. Cambridge, MA
https://www.axs.com/events/1216494/crush-a-dave-matthews-band-tribute-tickets?skin=sinclair
(Abe is our fiddling' friend from Porters and Ward 4 open mic, Zack Bolles Band, Tyler Casavant Band and more)
*** Don't Forget Your Art!
Saturday, March 21st
at United Parish of Auburndale.
This is a regular event series designed to give artists and performers of varying experience an opportunity to show their gifts in public. It seeks to raise money for a cause and provide a bit of money to artists and performers for their efforts.
More info: https://dontforgetyourart.net/
For future bookings, ask Eric at https://dontforgetyourart.net/
| Artist Name | Gig Date | Venue Name | Venue City | Start Time | End Time | Price | More Info |
| The Nick Haddad Trio | 01/16/2026 | Tommy Doyle’s | Newton | 9 pm | 12:30 am | None | Back where it all began! |
| TIMKO | 01/16/2026 | Hugh O'Neils | Malden | 8 pm | 12 am | None | |
| Billy Claiborne and the Five Believers (TIMKO) | 01/22/2026 | Cantab Undergroud | Cambridge | 8 pm | 11 pm | $10 online, $15 at door, 21+ | |
| Tom Balanda | 1/23/26 | Tommy Doyle's | Newton | 9 | close | free | covers |
| The Nick Haddad Trio | 01/24/2026 | Lookout Farm | Natick | 6 pm | 9 pm | None | |
| TIMKO | 1/30/26 | Tessie's | Waltham | 8pm | 11pm | Free | Upbeat Covers |
| Andrew Geano | 1/30/26 | The Stones Common House | Stoneham | 9 | 12 | Free | Covers |
| The Acemakers | 01/31/2026 | Morse Tavern | Natick | 9 pm | 12 am | None | |
| Wayward Vine | 1/31/2026 |
Square Root | Boston | 9:00 PM |
? | ||
| Brian Burrill | 2/13/26 | Tommy Doyle's | Newton | 9 | close | free | covers |
> SPECIAL THANKS
- Thanks to Abe Dewing for your double open mic kindness card/gift/and friendship
- Thanks to Kristen for introducing me to Pilates
- Thanks to the hosts and staff for stepping up and turning the KofC Thursday open mics into a "place to be"
- Thanks to Jen Osterhout for help with my websites and socials. (message me if you would like her to help you as well!)
> TIMKO Socials
Website
https://www.facebook.com/timkomotion/
https://www.instagram.com/timkomusic/
TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@timkomusic
> OPEN MICs, (Hosted by TIMKO)
*** Mondays at Porter Belly's Pub
338 Washington St., Brighton, MA 02135
Sign up 7:15pm, Music 8pm-11:45pm
2 song sets. Acoustic vibes, PA with 2 mics and 1/4" inputs
*** Wednesdays at Ward 4
277 Auburn St, Newton, MA 02466
Sign up 6:30pm, Music 7pm - 9:30pm
2 song sets. Acoustic vibes, PA with 2 mics and 1/4" inputs
*** Thursdays at KofC (Knights of Columbus)
23 W. Foster St., Melrose, MA.
Sign up 7pm, Music 7:30-10:30pm
Rotating hosts including, Mark T (1st), Johnny O.(2nd), Tom Ryan/TIMKO (3rd), TomCat (4th), Tom Ryan/TIMKO (5th)
3 song sets. Acoustic vibes, PA with 2 mics and 1/4" inputs, small drum kit, keys on request.
More info at:https://www.facebook.com/groups/musicinmelrose