Bill Kirchen used to play for Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen. Maria Muldaur is memorialized in "Midnight at the Oasis." They are just two of the big names coming to the Bull Run Restaurant in Shirley, MA., and the opening act each time is contemporary Americana duo Ellsworth and Hicks - Ellsworth (George Tocci) was born and raised in Leominster, MA, and Phil Hicks now lives in Chelmsford, MA.

Clarinetist Phil Hicks was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio where he soaked up Traditional Blues, Country, Bluegrass, Gospel, Pop, and Rhythm & Blues. His musical training came from his father, who played clarinet in show and marching bands, and from his mother who taught classical piano. Phil Hicks was a Drum major in his high school band's Marching Cowboys, and at Amherst College he was a vocalist in the distinguished A Cappella band, the "Zumbyes."

Guitarist George Tocci (Ellsworth) hails from Leominster, MA, where he picked up the distant sounds of Blues and Country of 1960s radio stations. Piano lessons at age 12 almost ended his musical career before it began, but he taught himself guitar and began writing songs. Ironically, he wrote a hometown tribute "Moonlight Over the Factories" years before he knew he would be opening for Muldaur (Moonlight at the Oasis!).

Ellsworth & Hicks' CD, "Ask Around," was recently selected as one of the top five finalists in the national "Crossroads Music Awards 2000" for Contemporary Folk / Multiple Artist. They have been playing their unique style of music, blending vocal harmonies with acoustic guitar and clarinet for over 15 years. They refuse to fit into an established niche and their repertoire resists easy categorization, encompassing most American genres -- blues, folk, rock, country, alternative...

Ellsworth & Hicks open for Bill Kirchen and Too Much Fun on Friday, March 16 at 8pm, at the Bull Run Restaurant, rt 2A, Shirley, MA. Kirchen was the guitarist for Commander Cody's Lost Planet Airmen during those crazy "Hot Rod Lincoln" days. Tickets are $14 in advance. $17 day of show.

On Saturday, April 28, Ellsworth & Hicks open for Maria Muldaur, also at the Bull Run. Tickets are $15 in advance. $19 day of show.

Tickets are available by calling (978) 425-4311 and doors open at 6pm for dinner. More information and links to performers' bios are available at www.bullrunrestaurant.com.

The Bull Run Restaurant is a popular, historic New England concert venue and restaurant. The Guercio Family, Innkeepers for over 50 years, have maintained and enhanced the ambiance of this Pre-Revolutionary Tavern, and they attract top performing artists from New England and beyond, including Jay Geils, Tom Rush, Duke Robillard, Don White, Sleepy La Beef, Commander Cody, and many more.