Scott Tady: Ambridge winery & Economy brewery bring fresh entertainment; Hopewell singer shines

An Ambridge winery and Economy brewery add vibrancy to the Beaver Valley music scene in the next month.

Let's take a look:

Harkins Mill Wines, at 564 Merchant St., offers a full slate of live music including blues-rock ace Bobby Thompson on Jan. 12, acoustic-rockers Davis, Gray Band on Jan. 13, "one-man-band"/Austin, Texas expat Jesse James Armijo on Jan. 19, The Jive Daisy ("classical chops and jazzy swagger") on Jan. 20, "American Idol" Gold Ticket earner Eddie Erwin on Jan. 26 and Beaver County country stalwart Christian Beck on Jan. 27. Shows start between 5:30 and 7 p.m., with updates on the Harkins Mill Wines' Facebook page.

From 3-6 p.m. on Jan. 28, singer-songwriter Jenah Shank and Beaver County Musicians Hall-of-Famer David Granati host an open mic at Harkins Mill.

"What's great about an open mic, especially one Dave is involved with, is all the talent and encouragement gathered in one spot," Shank said. "For artists, it's a great platform to share your work. For listeners, it's a great chance to hear some really good music."

February entertainment at Harkins Mill includes the return of James Armijo (Feb. 2), acoustic guitar duo Straight Up, Ed & Gary (Feb. 3), classic-rockers The Project Band (Feb. 10), rock band Slap Shot (Feb. 16), Eclectic Acoustics (Feb. 17) and Blues Attack (Feb. 23).

On Feb. 9, Harkins Mill welcomes back "American Idol" alum/recording artist Morgan Gruber from 7-9 p.m. as part of a Galentine's Girl's Night 'Aht' celebration shared with Merchant Street next-door neighbors Slurp-N-Burst Boba Tea. Boutique shopping, charcuterie and mini massages will add to the enjoyment.

On Feb. 24, Harkins Mill hosts back-by-popular-demand saxophonist-singer Carlina Ricca, an Ambridge native and Los Angeles music theater student whose debut single "Summer in New York" is out on major streaming platforms with the follow-up, "Winter Blues," arriving Jan. 26.

While home for the Christmas holiday, Ricca made her Harkins Mill debut on Dec. 22. She describes her sound as pop with jazz and R&B elements, often featuring herself on the alto saxophone.

Phishy & NOLA fun in Economy

Find fun at Big Sewickley Creek Brewing, starting with a Pre-Mardi Gras Party Jan. 13 with music from blues duo Soulful Femme, authentic New Orleans cuisine from Roux Orleans and a chance to win two tickets to see Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue at the Roxian Theater.

On Feb. 17, the creekside Economy brewery hosts a bash called IcePhishin' with a Phish tribute band crafted specifically for the event. Calling themselves Fish Market Stew, the band features Eric Koester (The Other Bugs), Mike South (theCAUSE), Kevin Ward (The Argonauts), Steve Sacker (SamJamWich) and Alex Talbot (Al & Al/Taking Shapes).

Fish Market Stew commands the stage from 2-6 p.m., with bluesy-soulful cover band River & Root entertaining from 7-9 p.m.

Baribou Greek Gyro will be the food truck.

IcePhishin' is an indoor and outdoor event with the bands playing on the brewery's covered patio.

"We have tons of heat lamps, and three fire pits will be going, hence the name IcePhishin'," the brewery's events planner, Kristy Billeter, said.

Hopewell singer's strong new release

Hopewell Township singer Jordan McLaughlin resolutely taps into the blue-collar ethos on his radio-ready new single "Built for This" arriving Jan. 19.

Recorded at Al Torrence's Music Garden Studios in New Brighton, McLaughlin's vocals sound convincing and motivational, with relatable lyrics drawn from his own hard work.

Here's how "Built for This" begins:

"There's a rhythm in the soul of the working-man's blues

Weaved in denim and rundown boots,

Dignity in the dirt, melody in the noise

A symphony in the shift of the hardworking boys

I got a woman at home she's watching the clock

Hoping I pull in before the wheels fall off,

But I put that pedal through the floor with a head full of steam,

Maybe a little loaded down, but I'm driven by dreams

When I come home covered in concrete,

And my shirts soaked from the high-noon heat,

Like I drew down with the devil,

Well, honey, I never miss

It's the look she gives when I come clean,

When I smell a little less like gasoline,

It's that come and get me kiss,

Yeah, I'm built for this."

McLaughlin attains an anthemic, Rust Belt-rock power and grace backed by Torrence and fellow bandmates from the Allegheny High − the Beaver Valley group that's played Red Rocks and The Ryman backing rising country star Charles Wesley Godwin.

"I plan on getting back in the studio with the guys from The Allegheny High in the next month to cut a few more songs," McLaughlin said.

I asked McLaughlin about his inspirations and aspirations for his new single, which will be getting airplay on 97.7-FM The Rock Station in Butler.

"The song is kind of based on a true story," he said. "I started working a second job to achieve some goals my family has, and my wife was always telling me to let her know if I'm getting exhausted or run down, or whatever. "And I would always respond to her with, 'hey, I'm built for this.' Because when I'd look around me, I'd recognize that the reward is worth the work. Then I found out I was going to be working with The Allegheny High, and I knew I had to come to the studio with something new, and it just clicked.

"And I have the same aspirations for this song as I do with all my songs. I just hope it strikes a chord with whoever hears it," he said. "Maybe, for folks who are putting in the work day in and day out, it'll serve as a little motivator. For me, personally, when I look around at what the sweat and grind has given me, whether it be food on the table, a night on the town, or a new pair of shoes for my kid, I'm grateful and recognize that I am, in fact, built for this."

Rock posters

Longtime Pittsburgh concert promoter Jonathan Rinaldo announced he will sell vintage-style rock concert posters and fliers from local shows his Joker Productions company booked in the 1990s and early 2000s.

The first batch will include posters from 10 shows at the late Club Laga, including a 2000 show by AFI and The Distillers, plus one Metropol show (Blink-182 in 1998) and two Mellon Arena concerts.

"They will be serial numbered to 10. That means that only 10 will be made of each one," Rinaldo posted on Facebook. "Each flier/poster will be matted and framed. If the first batch sells well then I plan on releasing more."

Details on the full inventory are coming soon at jokerproductionspgh.com

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Scott Tady is entertainment editor at The Times and easy to reach at stady@timesonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Tady: Harkins Mill Wines, Big Sewickley Brewing bring fresh entertainment