CALLICOON, NY — The Karen Hudson River Band will perform Linda Ronstadt’s classic 1978 album “Living in the USA”—and more—at Rafter’s Tavern from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, July 27.

In high school, Hudson idolized Ronstadt and sang those ballads in talent shows and for theater auditions in school. Hudson has worked as a recording artist and country rock bandleader since the ‘90s, peppering her sets with classic Ronstadt songs. 

So for Hudson, performing the album cover to cover was a bucket list item, and it took a lifetime for her to organize it. 

Last year she reformed the Karen Hudson River Band to cover the platinum-selling album, and they played to near sell-out shows at the Triad Theater in New York City. Band members include Mike Fornatale (vocalist/guitarist), Charly Roth (keyboard), Tommy DeVito (drums), Shu Nakamura (guitar) and Jeff Gordon (bass). Guest vocalist Alexis Schroeder sings a couple of pieces from Linda’s Mexican repertoire.

Linda Ronstadt is a ferocious, feminine force of vocal prowess and one of the best singers of the twentieth century. Ronstadt has inspired young women across the nation to become rock ‘n’ roll singers.

“Listening to Linda sing taught me how to sing,” Hudson said. “So many of us girl singers pored over her records in the ‘70s and ’80s; sang to them; cried to them—and the radio hits kept coming.”

Sadly Linda’s ability to sing has left her due to illness. We celebrate and honor her during her birth month of July.

Recorded at the Sound Factory and Produced by Peter Asher, in 1978 “Living in the USA” churned out hits across radio formats. And now the music will be a trip down memory lane. Look back to a time when things were cooler, radio was way better, and that California country rock sound warmed you like the summer sun.

To learn more about Hudson, visit www.karenhudson.com. 

Contributed by Karen Hudson.