Unity on the River - Music - Guests Musicians

Formally trained opera and spiritual singer Patty Barkus has been called “arguably Boston’s best…” by Steve Morse of The Boston Globe. Patty’s voice is, as her website says, “an instrument of passion, mysticism, and daunting beauty.” Her style is eclectic, as she had recorded and toured both nationally and internationally with alternative rock and acoustic performers.

MEG RAYNE

A mistress of ballads, both sultry and sassy and in tribute to feminine power, Meg has been playing the guitar since she was 12 years old. Meg recently released her new album “Let’s Put The Moon To Bed," which is a tribute to her dad in the romantic style of the 1940s. Curtis Haynes was co-producer of this CD.

SWEET WILLIE D

Sweet Willie D, who has been said to have “a wide smile and a smokin' style” in a recent review, is a favorite of the area, not only at Unity on the River in Amesbury, but also at The Grog and Glenn’s Cool Bar in Newburyport. He's been a Baptist Deacon, a farmer, a martial arts instructor, a barbeque gourmet, a military man, and a special education instructor. Sweet Willie D has brought the old-fashioned art of blues shouting to New England and has his own band, The Continental Walk.

LESLEY SMITH

Also known as the puppeteer for Sammy Snail and Friends, Lesley's early career was in theater, starring in many productions at Durham Center Stage, regional theater, commercials, and industrials. She has toured professionally as a lead vocalist and bass player in bands of every description, genre, and style. Lesley's passion is singing gospel and spiritual music in churches across the U.S., which she has shared with Unity on the River.

BRIAN DOSER

Brian has been has been performing throughout New England for more than two decades, cutting his teeth in Boston's open-mike, coffee house scene. With the birth of his sons, Brian turned his talent to updating children's classics. Whether it's a bluesy Itsy Bitsy Spider or an interactive Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes, Doser's original arrangements rouse both children and adults to "get up and dance."

VYKKI VOX

Singer and songwriter from Boston, Vykki has been called, “…a bombshell of atomic soul ready to explode…” Vykki has performed at Boston's Hatch Shell, as well as other festivals and music conferences, including Rockrgrl in Seattle, NEMO in Boston, Crossroads in Memphis and MobFest in Chicago. Vykki has shared the stage with Lynyrd Skynyrd, Jonny Lang, Les Paul, Tom Hambridge, Max Creek, the Indigo Girls, Cyndi Lauper, Ronnie Earl, Susan Tedeschi and CJ Chenier among others, and has been invited back to perform at Rockfest in Atlanta, GA and in Amsterdam.

LISAH PLUMLEY

Lisah Plumley has a passion for roots music, plays the harmonica and loves performing gospel, blues, appallachian mountain bluegrass, and celtic music. She is a gutsy, soulful singer, driving it home all the way. A country girl at heart, Lisah's own roots lie in Newburyport MA, and old West Newbury. As a spirit singer, she writes songs honoring the ancient voices of our ancestors, awakening divine connection. Lisah writes ambient meditation pieces using the ancient language of Aramaic. Painting and drawing being her first love, Lisah's mixed media expressions reflect her love for music, the healing arts, and an awareness of the inner journey...always, transending time and evoking spirit. She is currently writing and performing with creative partner, poet, painter, and fellow Temple Theive, Paula Estey.

NICKIE FARR

Nickie Sugana Farr is a singer/songwriter from the New Hamphire Seacoast Area, with a heavy country~blues influence. She is a true singer of the heart with a twist of twang! She spent many years starring in musical theatre in New York and New England, is an acting coach, and a singer with many Seacoast musicians. She currently lives in New Hamphire with her husband, who is producing her debut CD of original music, which reflects love, longing, loss and the balance of spirit within them. This album will also include some of the magical vocals that ignite when she and Lisah Plumley strike a harmony. She feels blessed to be one of the gospel singers for Unity on the River...her extended family.