Shor’ty Billups
New Hampshire musician Dennis Martin will bring his Dr. Harp’s Blues Revue to the Londonderry Town Commons for a good cause. Martin, known professonally as Dr. Harp, will help raise money for homeless veterans.
Harp, who has shared stages with B.B. King, George Thorogood, Steppenwolf, and Big Joe Turner, will gather four other acts to join his band for the Londonderry Blues Festival.
A $10 dollar donation at the October 3, 2015 event at Londonderry Town Commons will go towards supporting the Liberty House, a Manchester-based non-profit that provides safe, supportive, substance-free house for homeless veterans in transition. (Rain date is October 4th).
This first Londonderry Blues Festival will run from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
“This Festival is all about helping Homeless Veterans, period,” said Martin. Aside from supporting a good cause, Martin has lined up the best local bands he possibly can. Sharing the bill with Dr. Harp will be Peter Hostage, Rik-Sha Blues Band featuring Shor’ty Billups on lead vocals, and Delaine Pickering.
Billups, a Boston, Massachusetts-based blues singer, has a powerful draw throughout New England. Billups has worked with many big names in the national music scene, including a stint in Wilson Pickett’s band many years ago. Billups will come on stage with the Rik-Sha Blues Band at 2:00 p.m. to sing lead vocals for that local blues outfit.
Promo poster
Mr. Billups, too, has a personal reason for helping out with this fundraiser.
“I’m a vet,” he stated flatly. Billups landed this upcoming Londonderry gig after meeting up with Rick Shaw, leader of the semi self-titled Rik-Sha Blues Band.
“I met Shor’ty just a couple of weeks ago and my drummer and friend Alan Trebat recommended him,” Shaw said. “His manager Hattie Barrett was with him and apparently they indicated that Shor’ty would be interested in performing, being a veteran himself.”
“I know that he is a legendary performer,” Shaw continues, “and has been in a few groups in the day and cut a record in the 60s, 70s.”
The event will be sponsored by Dunkin’ Donuts of Londonderry.
For more information, contact Dr. Harp at drharp@hotmail.com
Editor’s Note: Massachusetts blues fans might wish to check out Mack’s Apples on Mammoth Road to purchase, apples, pumpkins, or ice cream while in town.
