Weymouth's Jay Psaros returns to local music scene; hot dates with Jason Aldean, Lil Nas X

As the summer concert season winds into its home stretch, one local happening is starting to bubble up on the radar. Weymouth’s wandering troubadour Jay Psaros has been spotted in and around the South Shore again. Psaros, in fact, is back to hosting the Tuesday night open mikes at Lenny’s Hideaway in Cohasset and is headlining the Levitate Backyard in Marshfield this Friday night. The Levitate Backyard show runs from 7 to 9 p.m. with the Birch Swart Trio opening. Tickets are $10.

Psaros, as many fans know, has been in his RV and traveling most of the past year, and especially over the summer months, opening shows for his pals Three Dog Night, The Little River Band, and most recently opening 15 shows for Canadian folk legend Gordon Lightfoot. Those concerts have taken him all over the country and online fans have seen some incredible photography of the singer in epic settings, like South Dakota’s Badlands, or Nevada’s desert – thanks to his personal photographer and wife, Kayte Darling, who spent a month on the road with him.

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Psaros is back home and relishing the chance to decompress and get back to what he loves most, creating new music. Just last week, Psaros posted a new song to his Facebook page, asking fans and friends what they thought of it and what he might possibly title it. There was even a report he dropped into Jo’s Nautical Bar in Hull over the weekend and did a brief guest spot.

“The past year has been pretty busy and I am happy to be back, and have a chance to catch my breath,” said Psaros. “Mainly I am writing and working on a new album, but I am also enjoying keeping up with the local gigs. It is kind of weird – I’m not able to just go out and see too much music, because people want me to sit in and I won’t turn them down. I just recently saw two concerts, purely as a fan, in Phish and Jimmy Buffett, and they were both great – polar opposites, maybe, but both great.”

Besides his own work, Psaros runs a thriving booking business, as well as his own PB&J label and recording studio. None of that is easy to keep track of when he’s on the road.

“The booking business has been going crazy,” said Psaros. “I tend to think of the music business as a good indicator of the economy overall. Because music is a luxury item for most people and if bars and restaurants are looking to have music again, that tells you they’re doing pretty good. The booking has been busier this fall than it has ever been, even going back before COVID-19."

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Easing back into the open mike scene and bringing a band to the Levitate Backyard is a terrific way for Psaros to unwind and refresh his perspective, he noted.

“I’ve been in the RV so much of the last year,” he said. “I took my wife out with me in July and we spent 25 days in the RV, which was awesome. But it was also grueling, and I don’t think she anticipated how much of a grind it can be. I was even on the hook for some Collective Soul and Switchfoot dates that didn’t come through or I’d have been even busier. But it has been a crazy year where I have felt like I’m in constant motion all the time."

Psaros’ cross-country summer as an opening act has meant all solo appearances. He’s especially excited to be able to re-convene with his band. The quintet includes Norwell’s Sam Chase on guitar and vocals, Hanover’s Steve Davis on bass, Brad Gaff on keyboards and Matt Heisler on drums. Molly Kupris, from Nashville via Woburn, will guest on vocals on several songs.

“I love playing solo, but this is the band I’ve always wanted,” said Psaros. “We like being together as much as we like playing together. All of these people have their own things going, their own musical careers. Our idea is to not do this to the point we burn out on it, but to keep it limited, so that every time we perform it is fun and special. I’m ready now to stay home a while, and get a new album ready for next year."

Tedeschi Trucks Band drives on

There was news last weekend of a longtime staple of the Tedeschi Trucks Band, fronted by Norwell’s Susan Tedeschi and husband Derek Trucks, moving on to retirement. The TTB wrote in a tweet: “It is with both sadness and everlasting gratitude that we recently put our longstanding tour bus, Old Red, out to pasture. (The) Derek Trucks Band bought the 1995 Prevost XL back in 2001 from country music legend Ray Price. Between DTB and TTB, she totaled well over one million miles, with an average of 200 days a year, every year for close to 20 years, spent in her friendly 383 square feet. The band never missed a gig due to her breaking down, even in her advanced age. Farewell, Old Red.”

Ozzie returns

There was a minor kerfuffle about music at last Thursday’s NFL opening game, when Buffalo defeated the L.A. Rams. The halftime entertainment included a two-song set from Ozzie Osbourne, only his second live performance in the past three years, as he battles Parkinson’s disease and other health woes. But the NBC telecast showed only 10 seconds of Ozzie doing the title cut for his new album, “Patient Number Nine,” which was released the next day. Ozzie then went on to sing “Crazy Train” with guest Zakk Wylde, pleasing fans in SoFi Stadium. Ozzie needed a metal brace to help him stand during the mini-set, but there was nothing wrong with his voice.

Rockland's Townson headed south

Former Rockland resident Drew Townson, the dynamic guitarist behind The Derangers and Los Texicanos and a foundational member of Joe Fitz and the Dented Cans, as well as noted record producer, is relocating soon to Florida with his wife, Lori.  Townson is the biggest Buffalo Bills fan in Massachusetts and he reports he has already located a sports bar close to his soon-to-be new home in Sarasota that caters to Buffalo fans. After last week’s demolition of the Rams, Townson is predicting this is the year for a Bills return to the Super Bowl, and his many local friends and fans wish him luck with that.

Hot dates: Jason Aldean, Lil Nas X and more concerts on tap

Thursday is exciting, with My Morning Jacket at Leader Bank Pavilion. British soul man James Hunter headlines City Winery (and The Narrows Center on Friday). G. Love and Special Sauce hit the Levitate Backyard. Omah Lay gets down at Big Night Live. They Might Be Giants celebrate the 30th anniversary of their “Flood” album at Royale (through Friday). Vundabar heats up The Sinclair for two nights. Clutch, with Helmet (and doesn’t that sound like hard rock?) shakes up the House of Blues. And the always fine Michelle Branch visits the Paradise.

Friday finds Willie Nelson’s Outlaw Festival touching down at the Xfinity Center with The Avett Brothers and Larkin Poe on the bill. Zucchero heats up Berklee Performance Center. In This Moment rocks MGM Music Hall and The Edwards Twins take over The Spire Center through Sunday with their tributes to Cher, Celine Dion and many more.

Saturday has Roxy Music grooving at MGM Music Hall while Jason Aldean gallops into the Xfinity Center and Protoje gets down at the House of Blues. The Afghan Whigs have a new CD to celebrate at the Paradise, and Richard Thompson’s show at The Narrows Center is sold out.

Sunday's lineup includes rap/country star Lil Nas X making his MGM Music Hall debut while upstate New York rockers The Felice Brothers return to Brighton Music Hall and Julia Jacklin sings at the Paradise.

Monday night catch The Pet Shop Boys and New Order at Leader Bank Pavilion or try The Paper Kites’ more alternative fare at Somerville Theatre. Wednesday offers Echo & the Bunnymen at The House of Blues. The National rocks Roadrunner on Sept. 22 and The Jayhawks arrive at The Narrows Center on Sept. 23.

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This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Weymouth's Jay Psaros returns local music scene; Jason Aldean upcoming