The Newports' roots are in Chicago's industrial south suburbs, and our playlist of soul, rock and blues has that distinctive Chicago vibe. The band's sound features a tight, soulful four-piece horn section under the direction of Sonny Lee Tritt, the harmonica magic of Jumpin' Gene Halton, R&B keyboard and vocal stylings of Eddie Beard, and the high-energy guitar and vocals of wild man Mark Rongers. We perform regularly in the greater Chicago area, northwest Indiana, and southwest Michigan. From community festivals to roadhouse bars to corporate gigs to our high-energy stage show, you'll experience a soulful performance unlike anything you've ever seen.
The Newports' debut album, The Newports Live! At the Acorn, was released in July 2019 on Cherry Ridge Records. Recorded at The Acorn Theater in Three Oaks Michigan last November, the ten tracks on the album range from reggae (Bob Marley’s “Is This Love”) to soul (“Low Rider,” “Knock on Wood”), to Hendrix (“All Along the Watchtower”) to blues (Gary Clark Jr.'s "When My Train Pulls In").
The CD version of the album is available at CDBaby.com, at Chicagoland's largest music store, Rolling Stones Records, and at the band's live performances. It is available for download and streaming at Apple Music, Amazon Music, Spotify, Pandora, Dweezer, iHeartRadio, and other major online music services.
The Newports are: Mark Rongers (vocal, lead guitar), Terry "Sony Lee" Tritt (tenor sax and musical director), Ralph Whipple (trumpet), Darryl Neil X (baritone sax), Jeff Sachs (trombone, guitar), Ed Beard (keyboards, vocals), Gene Nourie (drums), Jumpin' Gene Halton (harmonica), and Bill Bielby (bass and business manager). The horn guys -- Terry, Darryl, Ralph, and Jeff -- along with Eddie on keyboards got their musical start with the Thorntoneers jazz ensemble at Thornton Township High School in Harvey Illinois. Terry and Bill are from our original lineup. Bryan Salvage, our original vocalist/guitarist, joins us from time to time.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ALBUM RELEASE PARTY
THE NEWPORTS LIVE! At the Acorn Theater
Saturday July 6, 2019
Contact: William Bielby Phone: 312.497.9184
Email: NewportsBlues@gmail.com
Website: NewportsBluesRockSoul.com
[Three Oaks, Michigan, June 14, 2019—] The Newports return to the Acorn Theater in Three Oaks Michigan on Saturday July 6 to celebrate the release of their debut album, The Newports Live! At the Acorn. Recorded at the theater last November, the eleven tracks on the album range from reggae (Bob Marley’s “Is This Love”) to soul (“Low Rider,” “Knock on Wood”), to Hendrix (“Little Wing” and “All Along the Watchtower”) to blues, both classic (“Got My Mojo Working”) and contemporary (Gary Clark Jr.’s “When My Train Pulls In”).
The Newports’ roots go back to their teen years at Thornton Township High School in Harvey Illinois. Five years ago, on a hot July night, they reconvened for what they thought would be a one-shot open mic performance at the Acorn Theater in Three Oaks. Hoping for one of those Blues Brothers’ “getting the band back together” dreams come true, the night turned into so much more. With no time for rehearsal, the playlist consisted of classic rock tunes and blues standards that each of the guys had performed with numerous bands over the years. Everything clicked, and a few days later the headline in the Arts & Entertainment section of the New Buffalo Times read “Acorn the Scene of Jaw-Dropping Music by The Newports!” One thing led to another, and they’ve been performing regularly as a nine-piece blues/rock/soul ensemble ever since. It is fitting that the album release party is hosted by the venue that gave the twenty-first century version of the Newports their big break.
The Newports' playlist is much more eclectic now than it was at that open mic event in the summer of 2015: a mix of blues, rock, funk, and soul with a distinctive southside Chicago vibe. Since reuniting, The Newports have been performing regularly in the greater Chicago area, northwest Indiana, and southwest Michigan. From community festivals to roadhouse bars to corporate gigs to their high-energy stage show, they deliver a soulful performance unlike anything you've ever seen.
The Newports are: Mark Rongers (vocals, lead guitar), Terry "Sony Lee" Tritt (tenor sax and musical director), Ralph Whipple (trumpet), Darryl Neil X (baritone sax, vocals), Jeff Sachs (trombone, guitar), Ed Beard (keyboards, vocals), Gene Nourie (drums), Jumpin' Gene Halton (harmonica, percussion), and Bill Bielby (bass and business manager).
Joining The Newports on stage on July 6 is Funky Mojo Daddy. FMD performs regularly at House of Blues, Buddy Guy’s Legends, and other major blues venues in Chicagoland. These veterans of the Chicago blues scene bring a tasty mix of funk, roots rock, and soul to their show.
Showtime: Saturday, July 6, 8PM EDT
Tickets: www.acornlive.org
Acorn Theater, 107 Generation Drive, Three Oaks, MI 49128
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If you would like more information about this topic, please call Bill Bielby at 312-497-9184 or email NewportsBlues@gmail. Videos, music, and photographs can be found at the band's website, NewportsBluesRockSoul.com. Band members are available for media interviews and would be happy to arrange for a live performance as part of electronic media interviews.
Back at the Acorn, Saturday of Memorial Day weekend
Private event, high school reunion
Private party
Private event
We're back at the Acorn for our big holiday weekend show
30 miles due east of the Joliet correctional facility, where Jake and Elwood hatched their plan to get the band back together, The Newports bring blues, rock, and soul to Smokey Jo's, in Crete IL. We're kicking off our 2019 tour at Smoky Jo's on Friday, May 10. Music starts at 8:30 PM. See you there!
https://www.facebook.com/events/2249087018693158/
The Newports return to Elements Wine Bar in Valpo, outdoors under the stars.
Tickets $10 in advance or $20 at the gate. This beach party will rock til sunset. We will pop corks, tap kegs and pour spirits crafted by Southwest Michigans Makers Trail winemakers, brewmasters and distillers. Enjoy delicious local food and a fun lineup of regional music makers, too. Parking is free. Shuttles are free from parking lots and participating hotels. Get your tickets now!
https://www.facebook.com/events/375843673145473/
Back in the 'hood! The Newports at Grape and Grain in Homewood
Fireworks and fun at Idlewild Country Club with The Newports. Limited tickets available for non-members. Contact Jeff Sacks at sweatx@comcast.net for details
The Newports Live at the Acorn! ALBUM RELEASE PARTY
The Newports, Harbor Country’s favorite blues/rock/soul ensemble, returns to the Acorn to celebrate the release of their debut album “Live at the Acorn!”
Joining the Newports are Funky Mojo Daddy. These veterans of the local blues scene, who perform regularly at House of Blues, Buddy Guy’s Legends and other major blues venues in Chicagoland, bring a tasty mix of funk, roots rock, and soul into their repertoire.
The Newports' first appearance in the festive Sunday Summer Music Series at Founders Square Park in Portage Indiana. 90's alternative rock band Overdue is on at 3:30 PM, followed by Vintage Postcard at 5:30 and The Newports at 7:30. Food trucks, wine/beer tent, and plenty of room for dancing. Admission is free. Founders Square Park is a collection site for donations to Portage Food Pantry and Gabriel’s Horn Shelter. Feel free to bring canned goods, nonperishable boxed food items, paper goods, toothpaste, toothbrushes, paper towels, shampoo, conditioner, hygiene items, etc., or cash donations.
The Newports kick off the music at 1 PM Saturday August 10th at the 34th Annual New Buffalo Ship and Shore Festival at Lions Park down by the beach. .
A crowd-pleasing tradition for thirty-five years, the New Buffalo Ship & Shore Festival, August 9-11, is a three-day signature festival presented by the New Buffalo Business Association This family-friendly fest has landed in a perfect new location at Lions Park in New Buffalo, Michigan and will offer something for everyone…Not your ordinary street fair, Ship & Shore will feature curated bands from all over the Midwest, local cuisine, regional beer and wine, unique art vendors and breath-taking sights of Lake Michigan and much more!
30 miles due east of the Joliet correctional facility, where Jake and Elwood hatched their plan to get the band back together, The Newports bring blues, rock, and soul to Smokey Jo's, in Crete IL. Music starts at 8:30 PM. See you there!
The Newports, the boys from Harvey Illinois, continue their 2019 Blues • Rock • Soul tour in the south suburbs, back where it started all those years ago. Under the stars, weather permitting. Wear your dancing shoes!
Back in the 'hood! The Newports at Grape and Grain in Homewood
Back at our favorite wine bar, Elements in Valpo, outside under the stars weather permitting
Midlothian, Illinois
The Newports' first appearance at Valpo's cool hotspot, Duffy's Place. Join us!
It began as a celebration of Drier's Meat Market's 100th birthday in 2012, and the party has gotten bigger and better each year since. This is The Newports' first time performing at Wurstfest.
The 7th Annual Three Oaks Wurstfest!
Enjoy 40+ craft brews to savor (wine/cider too), food, vendors, classic cars, live music, and family fun for all in downtown Three Oaks. Free to the public...
Schedule for Wurstfest, Saturday Sept 21st
• Classic Car Show starts at 10am
• Vendors and kid's activities open at 11am
• Beer/Wine tent and live music starts a Noon
Benefit for the Michiana Humane Society
The Newports, Harbor Country’s favorite blues/rock/soul ensemble, returns to the Acorn with both new original songs and their own unique take on blues, rock and soul favorites. The Newports' roots are in Chicago's south suburbs in the mid-1960s, and their eclectic mix of blues, rock, funk, and soul reflects the south side vibe of that era. The band's sound features a soulful four-piece horn section, the harmonica magic of Jumpin' Gene Halton, R&B keyboard and vocal stylings of Eddie Beard, and the high-energy guitar and vocals of Mark Rongers.
Keith Scott is one of Chicago's most vibrant musicians. For the past twenty years he's built his reputation as a sizzling blues guitarist, dynamic performer, noteworthy songwriter and bandleader. Keith has toured the U.S. and Europe as a solo artist, with his band, and with blues great Jimmy Dawkins. He performs regularly at the Hard Rock, House of Blues, and Smoke Daddy's in Chicago and always attracts an enthusiastic crowd to his blues performances at Harbor Country music festivals. This will be Keith's debut appearance on the Acorn stage and one not to be missed!
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