APRIL 2022 - The Conway Daily Sun - TOM EASTMAN

COLD RIVER RADIO FANS ... the news  you’ve been waiting for: The 10th anniversary season of the  COVID-disrupted variety show returns live to Mountain Top Music Center’s  restored Majestic Theatre this Sunday night, continuing Conway  Village’s renaissance and reawakening.

The  season kickoff show will feature host Jonathan Sarty, the stellar Cold  River Radio Band, blues diva headliner Toni Lynn Washington and her  band; award-winning author Annie Hartnett; comedian Elizabeth Hurley  Winifred in the local music spotlight; the Obs’ Dr. Peter Crane; and  special guest guitarist Mike Mele (whom Jonathan says will be sitting in  with the Cold River Band and Toni Lynn’s group — he’ll be filling in  for musical director/woodwinds player Mike Sakash with the as Mike is in  New York City with the Fryeburg Academy Jazz Band this weekend).

“We’re  looking pretty good with just over 100 tickets sold as of today, with  more expected as we head to Sunday,” said Sarty when we spoke Friday.

Jonathan  said all of this season’s shows will also be live-streamed so for those  who remain wary about going into large gatherings, out of COVID  caution, patrons will be able to still show their support and enjoy the  entertainment.

Jonathan said for a show to make money, they need at least 125 people per event.

Held  in the past at the Believe in Books’ Theater in the Wood, the move to  the Majestic was tried last September for the first Cold River show  since the pre-COVID days of 2019.

“We  know we have a lot of loyal Cold River fans from Jackson, Bartlett and  Intervale, so we will see whether they feel this is too far for them — I  have spoken with A.O. Lucy (of the Believe in Books Foundation) about  possibly doing some shows at Theater in the Wood, so we’ll see,” said  Jonathan, who added how appreciative he is of the support the community  has given to the series over the past 10 years.

“I  really want this to continue, so we’ll take a look at the end of the  year and see where we stand. ... It was definitely a big decision to  reinvent ourselves and adapt to unpredictability of the new nature of  public assembly in these pandemic times.

“But,”  added Jonathan, who has continued to perform solo at the Red Parka and  the Wildcat Tavern as well as at other venues, while also working days  as a contractor, “I have never been involved in a more rewarding and  meaningful musical project than the Cold River Radio Show, and I would  do it the rest of my life if the support is there.”

The  actual 10th anniversary show is set for Aug. 12, when Acoustic Nuisance  (Simon Crawford, Kevin Dolan, and Davey and Becky Armstrong) will play  their Celtic classics.

Shows are also planned for June 12, Oct. 11 and Dec. 11. For ticket and show information, go to coldriverradio.com and be sure to tune in on Sundays at 9 a.m. to WMWV 93.5-FM for taped shows.