Aug 9, 2007
Doug Wahlberg aims high
but keeps his fans happy at ‘The Saloon’
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Music can often be heard wafting from the Georgetown Saloon, a restaurant and performance venue on the narrow stretch of Main Street, Georgetown. Since 1978, when Adam Lubarsky and Stephen Alward established the Saloon in the 100-year-old building, it has stood as a focal point for the local live music scene.
With six nights of live performers, it stands as a haven for music lovers and a launching pad for rising talent like the Doug Wahlberg Band. Although he sold the business several years ago, Mr. Lubarsky is still drawn to music and he’s actively involved in promoting the Wahlberg band.
When he opened the saloon, Georgetown and the surrounding areas lacked a dynamic, accessible music venue, Mr. Lubarsky recalled.
“There was a huge void of good music in the area,” he said. With the Saloon, Mr. Lubarsky sought to create a must-stop venue between the musical hotbeds of New York City and Boston. In the beginning, he catered to a distinctively country sound that aptly matched the space. Over the years, as the popularity of country music waned, the Saloon’s roster of bands evolved to a well-rounded representation of the area’s talent. Mr. Lubarsky, who grew up in Westport and lives in Weston, attributes his commitment to live music to the establishment of the Saloon’s endearing musical tradition.
“If you believe in something, you’ve got to stick to it. If you’re a true believer, things will come around,” he said.
He has stayed closely involved with the venue and its musicians as the manager of the Doug Wahlberg Band, a classic rock group that frequently plays the space.
Former Ridgefielder Doug Wahlberg (he now lives in Sandy Hook) has been performing most of his life. His first venue of note was his childhood living room, which housed his drum set. He started playing gigs before he reached the age of 18, which meant his mother had to accompany him to the clubs he was playing.
It was not long before he earned his chops opening for acts as noted and varied as the Ramones and Edgar Winter. He even played at pop art icon Andy Warhol’s birthday party at famed New York City nightspot The Underground.
“It was a dream fantasy that was very fitting for Andy Warhol,” he said.
Mr. Lubarsky first encountered Doug Wahlberg when he saw him playing at the Georgetown Saloon five years ago. He soon stepped in as Wahlberg’s manager and helped him assemble the rest of the band, which consists of bassist George P. Miller, drummer Rich Genovese, keyboardist Tim (T-Bone) Stone and guitarist and vocalist Rick Tedesco.
Mr. Wahlberg, who provides lead vocals and lead guitar for the group, says that fans identify his group’s sound with Tom Petty and the Beatles because of melodic similarities. He cites a personal love for classic rock groups like Led Zepplin and The Who. While the band’s 2005 album Party Boss channels these iconic influences, Wahlberg’s distinctive voice and the band’s smoothly integrated instrumentals provide a distinct perspective.
In the past few years, Wahlberg’s band has opened for increasingly higher profile acts, including Mountain at the Ridgefield Playhouse and The Guess Who at the Ives Center in Danbury. These successful stints have Doug Wahlberg excited for what the future may hold.
“Every year we go one rung up the ladder. I want to sell songs to people, do some national touring, get on the radio, get on the satellite.”
He also said that his group’s sound plays best in a large-scale venue. He has his sights set high there as well.
“I want to play Madison Square Garden,” he said.
No matter how big Doug Wahlberg and his band get, he said he plans to continue playing the Saloon, which he sees as an exciting venue for musicians and audiences.
“It’s similar to a New York City Club. You can see jazz and rock at the same club on the same night,” Mr. Wahlberg said.
Mr. Lubarsky agrees that the Saloon continues to provide the community with a vital musical outlet.
“It’s eclectic, unpretentious and proud of it. The music is both homegrown and international in acts that have visited and will always give its clientele the best the area has to offer,” he said.
The Doug Wahlberg band next plays the Georgetown Saloon on Friday, August 24. For more performance dates and band information, please visit www.dougwahlberg.com. For directions and information on the Georgetown Saloon, please visit www.georgetownsaloon.com.
© Copyright 2008 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers
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