Country artist Robbie Fulks will perform at the Westfield Woman’s Club March 15. (ROBBIE FULKS PHOTO)
WESTFIELD – From Celtic rock to bluegrass and country, Gaslight Entertainment has two live concerts this weekend at the Westfield Woman’s Club.
The Screaming Orphans, a pop/rock band from Donegal, Ireland, will take the stage March 13. Comprised of four sisters, the Screaming Orphans’ music is steeped in Irish tradition with folk influences.
The show will get the audience in the mood to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
On March 15, Robbie Fulks will bring his classic country and bluegrass music to the city.
Fulks is a singer, recording artist, instrumentalist, composer and songwriter. Originally from Pennsylvania, Fulks calls Los Angeles home, mostly.
“My life is in and out,” he said from New Jersey via phone earlier this week. “I’m on the road 90-140 days a year.”
SCREAMING ORPHANS
Growing up, Fulks lived in several cities on the eastern coast and enrolled in Columbia College in New York City in 1980 but dropped out two years later to pursue his music career.
Fulks was always surrounded by music.
“My parents played music,” he said. “We went to bluegrass festivals – it was the 60s – and I had it in my blood.”
It wasn’t until he was older and heard George Jones and Hank Williams Jr. that Fulks turned to country music.
Today, he plays a mix of country, folk and bluegrass and has 15 solo records under his belt. His latest album was 2017’s “Upland Stories,” which earned him recognition from NPR and Rolling Stone as well as two Grammy nominations. Fulks said the Westfield audience can expect to hear a mix of songs from all his albums, as well as a few extras.
“I have some new songs that aren’t on an album yet and I may play something by another artist that inspires me,” he said.
One thing that doesn’t inspire Fulks is contemporary country music. He said he’s more of a classic kind of guy but did applaud country artist Chris Stapleton.
“Chris Stapleton emerged about eight years ago and he’s one of the few contemporary country artists whose music I look for,” said Fulks.
For Fulks, a career in music is all about performing.
“I love performing, period,” he said. “I don’t enjoy socializing much, but I love the communicativeness of performing and interacting with the audience and telling stories.”
Fulks said if someone enjoys bluegrass flat picking and funny stories, they will have a good time at his show.
Tickets to Screaming Orphans and Robbie Fulks are available at westfieldconcerts.com Local favorite Sarah the Fiddler will open Friday at 7 p.m. followed by Screaming Orphans at 8 p.m. Fulks performs Sunday at 4 p.m. Tickets are $29 in advance and $39 at the door.
