June Newsletter 2026

Hello Friends,

First up, a huge heartfelt thank you for all the kind words, help, and follow-up in the recent months. In February, my healthy, ever-wonderful, loving mother passed away suddenly. Six weeks later, her husband (my step-father of 40 years) passed as well. He'd recently taken ill, and was working on gaining back his strength, but news of my mom took the wind out of his sails. They are a primary reason I have been playing music for so long. Mom taught me how to play guitar, and all three of us played the weekly Catholic folk mass at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Swartzwood, New Jersey. We all have or will experience loss. These recent months have been a good reminder of how we can all care for our neighbors, have some patience and understanding, because we never know what someone may be or has been dealing with in their personal lives. Heaven got a bit more heavenly this year! <3

*** TIMKO 250th Commemorative License Plate

Get your TIMKO 250yr Mass Commemorative License Plate Souvenir!

Limited Supply. Free shipping in continental US. It's the new Mass license plate with "TIMKO" on it. Perfect for your coolest decor.

https://timkomusic.com/gift-shop

*** Brussels Street Farmers Market Needs Performers

The Worcester based farmers market has paid openings for music performers. Sundays, 11am-2pm. If you've been to Porter Belly's open mic, you'll know our friendly bar manager Mark Gawlak. He is also owner of Courthouse Brew Co., which is a part of this farmers market!

Apply here.

https://www.brusselsstreetmarket.com/performer-app

*** Hugh O'Neil's Open Mic to Pearl Street Station.

Due to World Cup viewing, veteran open mic host, Jeff Munro has moved the popular Wednesday open mic from Hugh's to Pearl Street Station on Summer Street. in Malden. 7:30pm - Midnight for the duration of the WC games.

*** Lockheart Restaurant Open Mic Summer Hours

Open Mic will be held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month during this summer. Lockheart in Wellesley has a lower speakeasy room with a popular open mic hosted by Steve Robb. 6:30pm-10pm

*** Melrose Farmers Market

I used to book the Melrose market music, but this year is just too busy, so I've passed the torch. Their season is mostly booked by now, but you could always apply to be a performer in the event that they have an opening or cancellation. The market is on Thursdays from June - October. Apply here: https://melrosefarmersmarket.org/livemusic

*** Porchfests!!!

The season is afoot. Check out all the opportunities here:

https://bostonlovesmusic.com/porchfests

Let us know who what when you're playing here, and we'll list it.

https://bostonlovesmusic.com/gig-submissions

> FOR SINGER/SONGWRITERS

*** NERFA Conference

Northeast Regional Folk Alliance. Set for November 12-15th, 2026 in Albany, NY. This is a great place to network, meet our regional industry peeps, and see how the inner system music world works. Early registration for better pricing and best room locations! (Let me know if you plan to attend. It's on my radar.)

https://nerfaconference.org/

*** BACA (Boston Area Coffeehouse Association)

These folks have their thumb on the folk/songwriter scene! Get to know them.

https://bostoncoffeehouses.org/

*** Folk Alliance International

This is the mothership of the regional folk alliances, such as NERFA.

https://www.folk.org/conference

> OPEN MICs, (Hosted by TIMKO)

*** Mondays at 7:30pm

at Porter Belly's Pub, 338 Washington St., Brighton, MA 02135

*** Wednesdays at 6:30pm

at Ward 4, 277 Auburn St, Newton, MA 02466