Patrick Fitzsimmons returns Feb. 3 for annual Pass It Along concert

Sparta - The fourth annual concert for Pass It Along will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 3, at the Lake Mohawk Country Club in Sparta. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for the event, a major annual fund raiser for Pass It Along. This year’s benefit concert brings back Patrick Fitzsimmons for the fourth year. Fitzsimmons will be performing with a full band - Tom Askin (keyboard), Loni Bach (cello), Ned Stroh (percussion), Leena Gilbert (violin) and Bryan Phil (bass). Originally from Sparta, Fitzsimmons was signed to RCA Records in the late 1990s with the folk/rock band, From Good Homes. He moved to Vermont in 2000 and started a solo career. Robert Resnik of Vermont Public Radio’s “All the Traditions” program wrote, “This man can really sing!” Relix Magazine called Fitzsimmons “one of the most captivating, if understated, songwriters around today”. Included in the evening’s lineup is Denny Tilton and Friends. Tilton, who has performed in the last two Pass It Along concerts, will be joined by Tom Askin (keyboard), Loni Bach (cello), Kel Pilshaw (bass) and Tom Delaney (mandolin and guitar). A native of New Jersey, Tilton has been performing for over two decades. He has performed at Falcon Ridge Folk Festival and appears regularly at the Blue Bird Café in Nashville. His latest CD, Shoulda Seen The Dream, was featured in Relix Magazine’s “On The Verge” section, and was also reviewed in Singer Magazine. A solo performance will be given by Tom Askin. Askin, a Sparta resident, was most recently a member of the rock band, The Samples, with whom he toured throughout the country. Prior to his tenure with The Samples, Askin was a member of the band, Alaskan. Tickets are $12.50 in advance; $15 at the door. A cash bar and appetizers will be available throughout the show. Advance tickets can be purchased at Black Bear Fitness in Jefferson, Trend Setters in Newton and both Greene Beans locations, in Hackettstown and Sparta. Advance tickets can also be purchased online at concert.kintera.org or passitalong.org. For information, call 973-726-9777.