Fred Raimondo Headlining Annual Songwriters Share Concert In Support Of The Retreat

Songwriters Share, the concert series that gives back, will return to Unitarian Universalist Meetinghouse in Bridgehampton on Friday, April 5. The fourth concert of the season will be headlined by singer/songwriter/storyteller Fred Raimondo, who will be playing for The Retreat, the East End’s sole domestic violence agency.

“Fred is a talented musician who shares his gift with our community by playing music on April 5th to benefit abuse survivors and The Retreat,” Loretta Davis, The Retreat Executive Director, shared. “Fred and the wonderful musicians who will join him will provide the audience with an engaging and moving evening of music.”

Raimondo, who has been penning lyrics for well over 30 years, is currently working on his third solo album. “Very excited about this one! I will be debuting new material from my upcoming release Cinema, as well songs from 2017’s Little Flower and 2014’s Stories From The Dark Heart Tavern,” Raimondo shared. “I will be joined again this year by Sarah Greene on guitar, Paul Brokaw on keyboards and Jean Schroeder on percussion.”

The East End favorite has performed at many local iconic venues – such as the Stephen Talkhouse, 89 North and 230 Down, and has been highlighted at the Songwriters Share, The Homegrown Music Cafe, Underground Sound at 230 Down, Nancy Atlas’ Songwriters In The Round, Original Voices at The Vail, and Cynthia Daniel’s Crossroads.

“Fred’s warmth and wisdom spill over into his music as his thoughtful lyrics paint a picture of a life well lived,” Nancy Remkus, who founded the series, expressed. “This is a venue where you can linger and listen to every word-hearing the stories of what inspired each song and having a glimpse into the songwriting process.”

In 2014, he released Stories From The Dark Heart Tavern, which earned a spot on numerous top 10 lists, including No Depression, a leading site on Americana and Roots music. It was also selected by WPPB’s Bonnie Grice as one of the top 5 albums of 2014. The album was produced by Raimondo, Pete Kennedy and Caroline Doctorow, and the trio reunited for Raimondo’s second solo album, Little Flower, which premiered in 2017.

“If you have never attended a Songwriters Share Concert please do-it will become a venue that you will want to return to time and time again. Concertgoers come together monthly to support and be a part of this vibrant musical community-in a warm and inviting space with wonderful acoustics,” Remkus noted.

In addition to performing locally, the musician has also toured throughout the Northeast, playing at clubs and colleges, and his songs have been featured on national, local and international radio music programs.

“Do not miss this opportunity,” Davis stressed.

Raimondo is also a member of Damaged Goods, an acoustic trio that has shared the stage with Jorma Kaukonen, Taj Mahal, Rick Danko, Maria Muldar, Joe Ely, Suzanne Vega, Roger McGuinn, Donovan, Aztec Two Step and The Marshal Tucker Band, and the cosmic surf band The Woodworkers.

The Cosmic Pioneers, led by Leah Kay and Dave Grube, will open. “The Cosmic Pioneers is a wonderful acoustic Americana combo that is opening,” Raimondo explained. “This year all proceeds of this event go to The Retreat.”

Established in 1987, The Retreat provides a safe haven for families in crisis. The non-profit has assisted over 6,000 individuals since its founding. Services offered include a 24-hour bilingual hotline, counseling, legal advocacy, prevention education, and emergency shelter. In 2017 alone, The Retreat reached 5,702 students with prevention education and responded to 3,467 hotline calls.

“I personally look forward to the evening and know how fortunate we are to have Fred’s tremendous support. He is such an advocate for us!” Davis added.

General admission is $20 and $15 for seniors and students.

Additional Songwriters Share headliners will include Gene Casey (playing for Turtle Rescue of the Hamptons) on May 3, and Nancy Remkus/Dan Koontz (playing for the Sag Harbor Community Food Pantry) on June 7.

“The Retreat is a vital part of our community-supporting many families in need of shelter and hope,” Remkus concluded. “As we come together to help these charities we build our own legacy of a society that looks out and cares for the needs of others.”

The concert begin at 7:30 p.m. and a complimentary reception will follow.

Unitarian Universalist Meetinghouse is located at 977 Sag Harbor/Bridgehampton Turnpike in Bridgehampton. For more information about The Retreat, visit www.theretreatinc.org.