Porchfest Nights One Week from Tonight!
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Porchfest Nights One Week from Tonight!
Wednesday July 30 Music Jam Features Tender Mercies
with Counting Crows’ Dan Vickrey and Jim Bogios
Exclusive Wednesday Evening Events Set Stage for
Second Annual Porchfest Benicia – Saturday, September 13
www.porchfest-benicia.com
23 July 2025 – Benicia, CA: The buzz is building for next week’s Porchfest Nights concert on Wednesday, July 30, featuring Patrick Winningham and Seth Affoumado from the acclaimed band Tender Mercies – a Bay Area folk/Americana group with deep roots in Counting Crows history.
Tender Mercies is a side project that includes two Counting Crows standouts: guitarist/vocalist Dan Vickrey and drummer Jim Bogios. The band’s origins trace back 20 years to when Vickrey first came to San Francisco and met Patrick Winningham, the then-manager of Hotel Utah, one of the city’s most beloved singer/songwriter venues. Together with bassist Kurt Stevenson, they formed Tender Mercies, blending heartfelt lyrics, stripped-down melodies, and a raw, soulful vibe that echoes early Van Morrison and The Band.
Tender Mercies sound is described by music critic j. poet as “haunting, powerful, and understated – from the celebration of love’s healing power in Safe and Sound, to the mystic country ballad Riding Blind, and the dark humor of Almighty Trial.” One of their songs, Four White Stallions, even made its way onto the Counting Crows’ album New Amsterdam: Live at the Heineken Music Hall.
“Having Tender Mercies at Porchfest Nights is huge,” says Mary Hand, publisher of Benicia Magazine and the creative spirit behind Porchfest. “It’s not every day you get up close and personal with musicians from a band as legendary as Counting Crows. July 30 is going to be something special.”
Porchfest Nights takes place at The Escape (4588 East Second Street, Suite E) in Benicia’s Industrial Park. Doors open at 6:00pm; music runs 6:30pm–8:30pm. Tickets are $18 and include a casual artist meet-and-greet. Beer and wine and snacks are available for purchase. The third and final Porchfest Nights concert is Wednesday, August 27 featuring Pardon the Interruption, a duo preview of the full band slated to play at Porchfest Benicia.
Porchfest Benicia 2025 returns on Saturday, September 13 with more than 40 performances across First Street and historic neighborhoods, from 1:00–5:00pm. Advance and VIP tickets are on sale now at www.porchfest-benicia.com. Proceeds from Porchfest Nights support the production of Porchfest Benicia 2025. Last year’s inaugural event drew thousands of attendees, transforming Benicia into a regional music hot spot. The Rotary Club of Benicia is acting as Porchfest Benicia and Porchfest Nights’ 501(c)(3) partner, so donations accepted are eligible for a tax deduction.
“This festival has truly captured the heart of Benicia,” said Benicia Mayor Steve Young. “It’s more than just a music event – it’s a community experience.”