Rockin' band, Wry Toast, to play Saturday at Newton Day
NEWTON Influenced mainly by music from the early 1960s through the 70s, Wry Toast is a band made up of local, Newton-area musicians. They all have full-time jobs, but music runs through their veins. Their music spans a wide range of decades and genres which combines to make a energetic show. This Saturday, they’ll be performing in Memory Park as part of Newton Day. The band has been together for about three years but all the members have been playing since well ... let’s just say long enough. The band does covers but also plays a original music. The band’s members have performed with Ricky Skaggs, Poco, John David Souther, Bruce Springsteen, Dave Mason, Patti Smith and Christopher Cross. Fiddle/guitar/banjo/vocalist Gary Oleyar toured with Loggins and Messina and Bob Seger. Singer/songwriter/guitarist Brian McArdle has played such venues as the PNC Art Center, the Waldorf Astoria in New York City, the Bluebird Café in Nashville, Tenn., and has had his original songs cut by artists in the United States, Europe and Australia. Bass player/vocalist Walt Super was a part of the seminal North Jersey country-rock band, Hange Range, a band that was scouted and recorded by Cashman and West. Guitarist/mandolin player/pedal steel guitarist/vocalist Tom Delaney has been the fluid instrumental force for a number of Jersey’s top country-rock and southern rock bands. Nanette Beatty-McArdle has added her vocals to many three-part harmonies. Drummer Alan Jax Bowers plays with Jimmy Buffett’s lead guitarist, Peter Mayer. Last, but not least, Kate McArdle’s voice lends itself to the band’s tender ballads and foot stompin’ rockabilly. Newton Day is a favorite event of the band. The day kicks off bright and early with the Firehouse 5K Run, starting near Camp Iliff on Spring Street. At 11 a.m., Spring Street will transform itself into a street fair complete with crafters, vendors, food and street performers plus a musical gig by the Tran Whitley Experience. At five p.m., the festivities move from Spring Street to Memory Park for contests, games, inflatables, the Itty Bitty Fire Truck, and food and beverages with the finale in a fire works display and music by Wry Toast. For more information, contact the Greater Newton Chamber of Commerce at 973-300-0433 or info@greaternewtoncc.com. For more information about Wry Toast, visit http://www.brianmcardle.net/links.html.