Iconic blues rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa returns to F.M. Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre on March 14, 2022
From a press release:
Today, two-time Grammy Award nominee, 24-time Billboard chart topper, and blues rock superstar Joe Bonamassa announced a run of shows for the spring of 2022, including a stop at the F.M. Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre on Monday, March 14.
The 24-date tour across the United States is in support of his highly anticipated album “Time Clocks,” which is set to be released on Oct. 29. The dates, which begin on Feb. 15 in Orlando, Florida, also feature the return of his Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea cruise from Feb. 21-25 and end in Washington, D.C. on March 21, 2022.
Bonamassa, who has performed at the Kirby Center (71 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre) several times, including in 2014, 2016, and 2019, is a virtuoso on guitar and will be backed by a stellar band of some of the top musicians around. Hailed internationally as one of the greatest guitar players of his generation and cited by Guitar World Magazine as “the world’s biggest blues guitarist,” he has almost single-handedly redefined the blues rock genre and brought it into the mainstream. On tour, he will play brand new songs from “Time Clocks” and 2020’s “Royal Tea” alongside career-spanning fan favorites with his incredible all-star band.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the concert starts at 8 p.m.
Tickets, which are $79, $99, $149, and $199, plus applicable fees, go on sale this Friday, Oct. 1 at 1 p.m. and will be available at the Sundance Vacations Box Office at the F.M. Kirby Center, online at kirbycenter.org and ticketmaster.com, and by phone at 570-826-1100. A Kirby Member pre-sale begins Wednesday, Sept. 29 at 10 a.m.
Joe Bonamassa is one of the most celebrated performing musicians today. As a Grammy-nominated artist who recently achieved his 24th No. 1 album on the Billboard Blues Chart (more than any other artist) with his last album, “Royal Tea,” he is only in his early 40s and has already become a living legend with an astounding multi-genre catalog of music.
Collectively, Bonamassa has over 40 albums to date, all on his own label J&R Adventures, including studio and live recordings, collaborative albums, and adventurous side projects. A prolific writer who is always on the hunt to expand his eclectic musical horizons, he has a limitless work ethic whether it’s in a studio, on the road, producing, or working with other artists to spur new music. He has been featured in many different publications, from Esquire, Wall Street Journal, and Parade to Rolling Stone and American Songwriter, as well as on the covers of Guitar World, Guitar Player, Vintage Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, and Classic Rock Magazine.
In addition to his music and shows, Bonamassa continues to crank out weekly programming for his radio show “Different Shades of Blue” for SiriusXM’s Bluesville channel. Last year, he kicked off a new at-home weekly video interview series, “Live From Nerdville,” which currently has over 60 episodes aired on his Facebook, YouTube, and podcast outlets. With a new episode each week, he has featured conversations with Neal Schon of Journey, John Oates of Hall & Oates, Glenn Hughes, Paul Stanley of KISS, Warren Haynes, Keb’ Mo’, Walter Trout, Steve Lukather of Toto, Todd Rundgren, comedian Jeff Garlin, esteemed singer/songwriter Dion, Peter Frampton, Brad Paisley, and many more.
Last summer, Bonamassa and his manager Roy Weisman debuted their new record label, Keeping the Blues Alive Records, by releasing music icon Dion’s critically acclaimed latest album “Blues with Friends.” In February of 2021, KTBA Records released Chicago’s reigning Queen of Blues Guitar Joanna Connor’s new album “4801 South Indiana Avenue,” which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Blues chart. Earlier this month, KTBA released Joanne Shaw Taylor’s highly acclaimed “The Blues Album” on Sept. 24. Dion has just announced his own upcoming album, “Stomping Ground,” set for release on Nov. 5.
Bonamassa’s new album “Time Clocks,” due out Oct. 29, is a testament to his credentials and a toast to his longtime fans. His new sound has a raw and vital flavor, combined with a resolute skill that can only be gained through years of perseverance and unyielding dedication. It’s Joe Bonamassa at his finest, ready to rock.
“What started out with the intentions of being a trio record turned into probably my most adventurous and involved record to date,” Bonamassa explained.
His longtime producer Kevin Shirley added, “I think Joe Bonamassa has made an album that is truly transitional. From a blues musician to a superstar artist, [and] I’m so thrilled to be along for the ride.”
They brought on the legendary Bob Clearmountain (Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones, Toto, Bon Jovi) to mix the epic tracks, who declared that, “This is one of the best albums I’ve mixed in years. Joe is not only one of the finest blues and rock guitarists of our time, he’s also a brilliant songwriter, [which is] impressively apparent on this record.”
Recorded in New York City at Germano Studios/The Hit Factory, the album rediscovers Bonamassa at a newfound peak with heartfelt songwriting and an unparalleled blues rock prowess. It was created with longtime collaborators Kevin Shirley as producer and manager/business partner Roy Weisman as executive producer. The band members include Steve Mackey (bass), Lachy Doley (piano), Bunna Lawrie (didgeridoo), Bobby Summerfield (percussion), and “Late Night with David Letterman’s” Anton Fig (drums and percussion), along with Mahalia Barnes, Juanita Tippins, and Prinnie Stevenson on backing vocals. The fantastic album artwork was created by famous graphic artist Hugh Syme (Rush, Aerosmith, Whitesnake). “Time Clocks” will be available on CD, vinyl, and digital via Bonamassa’s own record label, J&R Adventures.
See NEPA Scene’s photos of Bonamassa performing at the Kirby Center in 2016 here.
Photo by Robb Malloy/Moon’s Eye Media/NEPA Scene
