Singer-songwriter Tom Evanchuck is no turkey

Singer-songwriter Tom Evanchuck is no turkey

A veteran of the Cleveland music scene for the past few years, Perry native and Chardon resident Tom Evanchuck has been working hard at his craft. First as a solo artist and now paired with his cousin Anthony Evanchuck on drums in The Evanchucks, the folk-blues-Americana artist — who has shared the stage with folk legends Ramblin’ Jack Elliott and Carolyn Hester, as well as Akron’s own Chrissie Hynde — recently upped the ante with the release last month of an eye-popping three records. This includes a solo three-song EP, a solo acoustic album called Fadin’ Glow and an electric record called Tom Evanchuck is back as The Evanchucks.

“They were written the month before, and I wanted to put them out at the same time,” said 2007 Riverside High School graduate Evanchuck, who is influenced by the likes of Earl Hooker and Lightnin’ Hopkins, as well as quintessential classic rock. “I’ve been told as far as writing I sound like Paul Simon, [Bob] Dylan and recently there’s been a lot of soul remnants of Otis Redding just with the emotions in the song. I’m not mad about any of those comparisons.”

Originally content as a solo artist, a pragmatic decision making it easier to play out as an acoustic artist, Evanchuck said the notion of recording with his cousin came about six months ago after the two had written a batch of material. As for the EP, that’s a different story.

“The EP was a little more quick-picking like bluegrass-y, and it was different for me,” Evanchuck said. “There was a lot of stuff on the EP I wouldn’t do. I wrote three songs real quick, went into the studio and had a lot of fun with them. I did a lot with the recording as far as adding other instruments and sounds and things like that. It’s around the same lines as folky singer-songwriter stuff.”

While he enjoys the band shows, Evanchuck said his upcoming Beachland Tavern gig Thu 7/28 at the Cleveland venue marks his first solo outing in a while. He’s already toured the country, from New York all the way to Colorado.

“Right now we’re setting up to be out through the Midwest and out to California and back,” Evanchuck said. “Ultimately, my goal is to become that household name like Bob Dylan, Neil Young and Tom Petty. I mean, I want families to play my records during Thanksgiving dinner. It’s a weird thing to want, but it’s just respect, that kind of thing they give off to be that defining.”

With such lofty, holiday-esque goals, perhaps Evanchuck would be best served calling his next album “Turkey Blues.”

“Yeah,” he laughed, “I don’t know if I want to get grouped in with ‘Alice’s Restaurant,’ but you never know.”

Tom Evanchuck is scheduled to play at 8PM on Thu 7/28 @ Beachland Tavern, 15711 Waterloo Rd., Cleveland. Also playing: Michael Fracasso and Nate Jones. Cover is $10. Call 216-383-1124. http://TomEvanchuck.com.

 

Freelance writer John Benson spends most of his time writing for various papers throughout Northeast Ohio.

When he’s not writing about music or entertainment, he can be found coaching his two boys in basketball, football and baseball or watching movies with his lovely wife, Maria. John also occasionally writes for CoolCleveland.com.

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