Any venue would be excited to announce a Brad Tursi show.
But the Levitt Pavilion is particularly excited about the October 12 concert. The songwriter/guitarist with the multi-platinum, multi-award winning band Old Dominion is a 1997 Staples High School graduate. (Sports fans remember him as a star on the ’96 state finalist soccer team.)
Tursi is debuting his first solo collection, “Parallel Love.” Created and released with the band’s full support, the project includes songs written with Stephen Wilson Jr., Dan Isbell, Jessi Alexander and Matt Jenkins.
Tursi wrote 3 Number 1 songs, been named AIMP Artist Writer of the Year, and co-written hits for Kenny Chesney, Luke Bryan, Tyler Hubbard, Josh Turner, Darius Rucker, Cole Swindell and others.
Brad Tursi
Recalling his youth on Bulkley Avenue North, Tursi says, “I found my father’s guitar in the attic when I was 13 and never put it down. That guitar set my life on a path that I am still walking today.
“My last 30 years have been spent playing lead guitar in bands, and I hope my next 30 will, too. The brotherhood that is formed in a band is a true lifeline, a second family of sorts.”
That family has blessed “Parallel Love.” He calls it “a collection of songs that have been written over the course of 10 years that are still relevant and representative of where I am now. I’m a musician, lover, friend, thinker and feeler. I hope you come along for the journey and enjoy the music that came from it.”
Click here for tickets, and more information.
Brad Tursi, this past New Year’s Eve on CBS.
Tursi is not the only homegrown talent on the Levitt state this year. Chelsea Cutler appears next Saturday (July 27, 6:30 p.m.).
Though not a Staples graduate (she went to Pomfret School), the platinum singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist/producer/engineer grew up here.
She’s generated over 3 billion streams, sold out worldwide tours, been named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list, and earned kudos from Billboard, Variety, the Wall Street Journal, NPR, the New York Times, Los Angeles Times and more.
Click here for tickets, and more information.
Chelsea Cutler
Meanwhile, there are 2 free shows this weekend. “American Idol” Nick Fradiani takes the stage tonight (Saturday, July 20, 7:30 p.m.; click here for free ticket information).
Tomorrow (Sunday, July 21, 7 p.m.), the Hot Sardines play “post-millennial early jazz.” Click here for free ticket information.
There’s always something happening at the Levitt Pavilion. (Photo/Alex Sherman)
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Very cool! With Kyle Martino also starting on that ‘96 state finalist and FCIAC championship squad, I wonder if any other Staples teams had a pair of teammates who achieved such a level of prominence.
Here’s a thought Dan! Maybe George Barrett can open for Brad and it could be a night for two former soccer stars who found a life through music!!