Part of celebrating Independence Day is enjoying family and friends for a long weekend with barbecues, parades, fireworks and live music. Ketchum will begin its Fourth of July celebration with good friends Tony Furtado and the Kim Stocking Band at the Clarion Inn in Ketchum for an outdoor concert tonight.
Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., with the Kim Stocking Band taking the stage at 6:30 p.m. Furtado will perform at 8 p.m. Tickets are $11, available at the door.
"This year has been pretty good," Furtado said. "I have been writing songs for a new recording and will be producing the album in my hometown of Portland."
Furtado said he has never recorded an album in Portland and is very excited about it because he does not have fly around the country—he can just go across town when things need to be done.
"It's less stressful and I am co-producing, which is new for me," he said. "The songs I am writing now have a very particular vibe. I think I am evolving as a songwriter and this is the strongest music I have ever written."
Furtado said he would give Ketchum a taste of some of his new songs as well as some instrumentals and songs from his previous recordings.
"I love doing the outdoor celebration thing," he said. "I like Idaho because people come to my shows and everyone is nice. I dig it, and it's a beautiful place."
Furtado will bring bass player Eric Thorin and drummer Tyrone Hendrix to join him on stage. Hendrix played with Furtado last year at the same concert. He is a cousin of Jimi Hendrix and lives in Portland.
Furtado has toured for over two decades opening for musicians such as Greg Allman, Susan Tedeschi, Taj Mahal, Leftover Salmon and Eric Johnson. He has shared the stage with Sonny Landreth, Keith Richards, David Lindley, Derek Trucks and Norah Jones.
Furtado has impressive slide guitar skills and 25 plus years of banjo experience. Also, the Kim Stocking Band is a local favorite with front lady Kim Stocking as one of the most recognized voices and talent in the valley. The concert will offer food, beer and wine for purchase at the Blue Bird Day Café from 5:30-9 p.m.
Sabina Dana Plasse: splasse@mtexpress.com
Tony Furtado will headline a show with the Kim Stocking Band at the Clarion Inn in Ketchum tonight at 6:30 p.m Photo by
