THE KNICKERBOCKER MUSIC CENTER

Saturday, June 15, 2019 at 9:00pm

The Knickerbocker Music Center. 35 Railroad Avenue, Westerly, RI 02891

knickmusic.com/events/2019/6/15/ernie-smith-soulshot

Live Music

About Ernie Smith

Ernie Smith's professional musical career began with his first recording in 1967, an original composition - "I Can't Take It", later recorded by Johnny Nash as "Tears On My Pillow." Hits followed in quick succession, including "Bend Down," "Ride On Sammy," "One Dream," and "Pitta Patta." Duppy Gunman"

In 1972 at the World Popular Song Festival of the Yamaha Foundation in Tokyo, he won the grand prize competing with songwriters like Neil Sedaka, and Michael Legrand, with his original composition of "Life is Just for Living."

Ernie became the first Jamaican musician to win an International award. For this historic achievement, he became the first musician in the field of Popular Music to be honored by the Jamaican Government.

In 1976, Ernie was forced into exile in North America because of his controversial political commentary in the song, "The Power and the Glory". Ironically, the once-banned song is still relevant and even more popular. Today, twenty-six years after its release it is the battle song for all the talk shows and community activists.

In the first 3 of the 13 years in exile from his homeland, he thrilled audiences In Canada, where he resided for 3 years, and was a pioneer in bringing Reggae to the mainstream. Critics hailed his album "To Behold Jah" (1979) as "one of the most important albums to come out of Canada for [the] year [1979]."

Ernie has written well over 200 songs, some of which have been recorded by other artists, including Rita Marley, Chakka Demus and Pliers, Twiggy, Ken Lazarus, John Jones, Eddie Lovette, Yellow Man Johnny Nash, among others.

Ernie played on many of the world stages including repeat performances at Madison Square Garden, New York (1973,1974 and 1999); Place de Nacion, Montreal; Camp Fortune, Ottawa; Ontario Place, Alexandria Palace, Convocation Hall, Toronto; The Martinez Ballroom, Cannes, Disney World, France; Rio, Brazil; Expo 93, Taejon, and Muju Resorts, Korea; Nippon Budokon Hall, Tokyo, Japan; Henry J. Bean Club, Brussels; San Marino, Milan, Rome, Italy; other European venues including, Amsterdam, Switzerland Germany; the East Coast of the USA and middle America including July Jam Festival, Lincoln, Nebraska; Belize City, Central America; Georgetown, Guyana, South America several venues in the Caribbean including Barbados, Trinidad, St Lucia, St. Vincent, St. Maarten, Cayman Islands and Jamaica.

Artists with whom Ernie has shared performance stages:
Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, The Police, Jimmy Cliff, John Holt, Ken Boothe, Gregory Isaacs, The Mighty Diamonds, Byron Lee and the Dragoneers, Leroy Sibbles, Eric Donaldson, Toots and the Maytals, Carlos Malcolm, The Vikings, Fab Five, Bare Essentials, Carlene Davis, Freddy McGregor, Tony Rebel, Buju Banton, Beres Hammond, Culture, Hugh Masekela, Johnny Cash, Johnny Nash, Skeeter Davis, James Carr and many more.

About Soulshot

The Players—
David “Daveydread” Turano on bass, David Prout-guitar, Rob Liguori alto, tenor and flute, RJ Avalone on trumpet, Mark Berney on trumpet, Thom O’Brien rhythm guitar and vocals, Dion Knibb-vocals, Eric Williams-vocals, Ken Stewart on keyboards, Krys Jackson on drums and Papa Zeke on percussion.

Band Portfolios—
All the veterans have lengthy and impressive portfolios, the most notable that of Ken Stewart who has spent over 20 years as keyboardist and manager of the world famous SKATALITES, doing numerous recordings. Dion Knibb, son of the late legendary drummer Lloyd Knibb, has recorded in Jamaica with the Fab 5 and has toured the US with the SKATALITES. Thom O’Brien, singer/songwriter of the group, has penned over 100 songs, some of which appear on SOULSHOT’s SHOT HEARD ROUND THE WORLD album. Mark Berney also spent 3 years touring and recording with the SKATALITES. He also plays coronet for the Klezmer Conservatory Band and has performed with Izak Perlman and Aretha Franklin and many more.

Band History—
The band was formed in 2003, playing clubs and festivals around New England and the New York area. We recorded our first album, THE ECHOBASS SESSONS in 2005, recorded live to ¼ inch tape! In 2010 we released our second album, SHOT HEARD ROUND THE WORLD.
In 2008 Soulshot was invited to perform on the small stage at the Jazz and Blues Festival in Montego Bay, JA and so impressed the management that they were called back in 2009 to perform on the MAIN STAGE along side the likes of Lionel Ritchie, The O’Jays, Chicago, Maxi Priest and many more! While in JA, in 2008, Soulshot also appeared at the Black Mystery Concert in Kingston and at several other venues about the country.
Soulshot has been the backing band for Ernie Smith on many occasions and has also backed the legend Alton Ellis at the Rhode Island Reggae Festival, (Alton put a video from this performance on his website before he passed), Roger Robin from the UK, Doreen Shaffer, renowned Jamaican vocalist and touring vocalist with the Skatalites, and Dalton “Screwdriver” Lindo on several occasions.

Current News—
We have just released our third album, SOULSHOT and FRIENDS with original tunes by Thom O’Brien, Dion Knibb and Eric Williams and original material from guest singer/song writers Jonah Tolchin and Ernie Smith.

Show: 9p | Doors: 8p | All Ages

Tickets: $12 advance / $15 door ($2 Service Charge Included With Online Tickets. All sales are final, no ticket refunds or exchanges.)