Would-be opening act for Dave Matthews Band

Acoustic duo Chrisie Santoni and Craig Smith to appear at Warwick Valley Winery Warwick — When Chrisie Santoni heard that one of her all time favorites, the Dave Matthews Band, was inviting fans to vote for the band they wanted to see open for them for their 2006 summer tour, she added a link to her home page, www.chrisiesantoni.com, inviting everyone to click on the link for [Chrisie Santoni Band Opens for Dave Matthews With Your Help] and fill out the form. “I didn’t expect to get so much attention. It started out lighthearted, but then the emails and votes came flooding in,” said Santoni. Now there is a real possibility the band may open for Matthews’ tour. The Chrisie Santoni Band’s latest release, “Puzzle,” has Craig Smith on drums, Gary Scannelli on upright bass, Kevin Conway on lead guitar, and Ron Alvarado on congas. Two of the songs are premiering in the film “Red Thread,” with executive producer Stratton Leopold, known for “Paycheck,” “The Sum of All Fears,” and “Bless The Child.” Gritty, real-life details fill the track of “Everything,” while dark poetry lends “Motor” artistic self-revelation. Santoni’s debut release, “Going Home,” announced her arrival as an artist, while 2004’s “Lover Fighter” displayed skills as a writer and vocalist. The songs “Mona Lisa” and “Long Gone” appeared in a film produced by Leopold and long time friend and director Teddy Sharkova. Santoni and Smith have been touring the North East in support of the new release, and gaining a fan base. Their live show combines music, storytelling, comedy, and audience participation. They have been known to compose a song during the show, using topics and subjects tossed at them by the audience. The acoustic duo Santoni and Smith will be performing at Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery from 2 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25, and again on Sunday, April 23. The winery, at 114 Little York Road in Warwick, is open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call 258-4858