Singer-songwriter Nancy Parent began performing on stage at the age of six and pursued her passion for singing and acting into college. In 1998, Nancy joined the folk-rock band The Rivergods as a lead singer, guitarist, and pedal steel player. In 2012, she released her solo album Vision of Angels on the Friday Night Folk stage. She performs solo, with her husband Ben, and with The Rivergods indoors and out as the seasons progress.

Parent’s strong soprano voice has been compared to those of Joan Baez and Judy Collins. Her lyrics are enriched by her keen interest in social justice, women’s issues, relationships, spiritual reckoning and her teaching as a social sciences professor at New London’s Mitchell College.

The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 10, at All Souls UU, 19 Jay Street, New London, CT. Tickets are $20 at the door, $17 reserved in advance, and $10 for students and active military with ID. Purchase advance tickets on Event Brite, or call 860-443-0316 and leave a request to be put on the advance price reservations list.

The Rivergods will make our debut at Bill’s Seafood in Westbrook Saturday, March 30! We’ll play two long sets start at 7:00pm. Mark your calendars. We’ll “sea” you there… !

We’re back at Daddy Jack’s Saturday, Feb. 23… mark your calendars! We’ll be going on early, at 7pm, so make your table reservation at (860) 444-8888. Oh, and it’s Ben’s birthday, so you never know what might happen… See you there! More info.

Happy 2019 y’all! Hope everyone survived the holidays. If so, or if not (!) join us Friday, Jan. 11 at Daddy Jack’s in New London, CT for some post-holiday new year cheer. 7:30pm start time, no cover. Great food, great atmosphere! See you there… more info.

Don’t miss our debut at Hog River Brewing Company’s ‘Twang Thursdays’ Thursday, Dec. 20! ‘Twang Thursdays’ features the best in southern New England Americana music every Thursday from 7-9pm, with no cover! Food truck on site to round out your delicious beverage consumption. And who knows? Maybe we’ll even throw in a holiday song or two… More info here.

Ben and Nancy will perform as duo for the 5th annual Pass the Guitar event Friday, November 2nd at 7:30pm at All Souls Unity Hall, along with a couple of dozen other southeastern CT musicians, to benefit the New London Homeless Hospitality Center. This year’s concert (Pass the Guitars, plural) will feature not one, but two guitars, for an evening of 15 duets and ensemble performances. Admission is $10 at the door, and light refreshments will be provided. Hope to see you there! More info.

PettyPalooza – Celebrating the music of Tom Petty

A year ago this month, we lost one of the great American songwriters… the inimitable Tom Petty. We’re not sure we ever met a person anywhere who didn’t like *something* by Tom Petty… his unique style cut across most ages and genres. His band, the Heartbreakers, were second to none… probably one of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll bands to have as long a run as they did (40 years) and a huge influence on our band and music. They got better and better with age, as did Tom.

On Saturday, October 20, what would’ve been his 68th birthday, Pettypalooza will celebrate the life and music of Tom Petty at Hygienic Art Park with sets by three great bands including the Rivergods, Learning to Fly and Slick & Slate (from NYC, featuring Earl Slick, former guitarist for John Lennon and David Bowie), playing one long celebratory night of Tom’s own music, and the music he loved. The show starts early, 6pm, and we will go on first, playing a bunch of Tom’s songs, and some by artists that he either took influence from, admired or played with.

Advance tickets for Pettypalooza are $15, on sale now at Hygienic.org ($20 at the door). A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Connecticut Humane Society. It should be a big night at the Art Park, so you may want to get tickets early.

Thanks, Tom, for all the incredible, inspiring songs… We look forward to celebrating and playing some of your music on your birthday!

-The Rivergods