On August 26, the music world lost an amazing musician, Neal Casal.
The New Jersey native was a staple of the rock/jam scene performing in Circles Around the Sun, Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Ryan Adams & The Cardinals, Beachwood Sparks, and collaborating with countless others.
Personally speaking, Casal was exceedingly kind to Pop Break having spoken with us about his solo work, Circles Around the Sun, and Chris Robinson Brotherhood. We also had the privilege of photographing Casal’s finale public performance at the LOCK Festival when he performed with Oteil Burridge, Bob Weir, and Eric Krasno.
To celebrate his work, the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, New York will hold a memorial concert on Wednesday September 25.
The show will be called “There’s a Reward: A Celebration of the Life and Music of Neal Casal” and will feature:
Beachwood Sparks
Chris Robinson Brotherhood
Circles Around the Sun
Joe Russo, Dave Dreiwitz, Tom Hamilton & Scott Metzger
Hazeldine
Mapache
Dave Schools
Citizen Cope
Jeff Hill
Bob Glaub
Dan Fadel
Davis Jaynes
Don Heffington
Dori Freeman
Jesse Aycock
John Ginty
Jon Graboff
John Lee Shannon
Kenny Roby
Leslie Mendelson
Rickey Medlocke
Robbi Robb
Zephaniah Ohora
Additional special guests to be announced shortly.
Tickets go on sale for the show on Friday September 13 at Noon EST. All net proceeds to be donated to MusiCares®. Click here for tickets.
In related news, Casal’s Circles Around the Sun will continue with the plan to release their new studio in early 2020. The album was completed a week prior to Casal’s passing. According to press release, the album’s producer Jim Scott will see the recording through to its completion with plans being made for its release in early 2020.
Also according to press release:
CATS also collaborated with drummer Joe Russo on an EP entitled ‘Circles Around The Sun Meets Joe Russo’ that was already set to be released October 18 on limited edition vinyl and digital formats. CATS had previously announced tour dates in October and December, while plans were in the works for the band’s busiest year yet in 2020. Casal left behind specific wishes for Circles Around The Sun to continue in his absence. The surviving members, keyboardist Adam MacDougall, bassist Dan Horne and drummer Mark Levy, have decided to honor that request and move forward together. A new guitar player will be announced shortly and all 2019 tour dates will go on as scheduled.
Circles Around the Sun Tour Dates:
October 16 – Seattle, WA – The Crocodile
October 17 – Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom
October 18 – San Francisco, CA – The Chapel
October 19 – Sacramento, CA – Harlow’s
October 20 – Los Angeles, CA – Zebulon
October 24 – Live Oak, FL – Hulaween
December 27 – Denver, CO – The Gothic Theatre
December 29 – Fort Collins, CO – Aggie Theater
December 31 – Buena Vista, CO – Ivy Ballroom
January 7-12 – Miami, FL – Jam Cruise
