The band Holdin' Back: The 60's won't be holding back the 60s music this summer

The Holdin' Back Band didn't say "Let it Be" at the end of last year, but heading into the 2023 summer bandstand season there's a new name and personnel line-up for the group that was originally founded in 2013.

Holdin' Back: The 60's will take the stage at 6 p.m. July 1 as the reconstituted ensemble begins its free summer bandstand shows, starting at the Gardner Bandstand at Gardner's Monument Park.

Holdin' Back had a repertoire that ranged from "Darktown Strutters Ball" (1917) to "Levitating" by Dua Lipa (2020), with lots of rock, pop, jazz and oldies music, especially 1960s music, in between.

'Nice, blended group of tunes'

Now, as the new name might suggest, the band is focused on the 1960s.

"Only '60s. That's all we're doing," said co-founder of Holdin' Back and now Holdin' Back: The 60's, Craig Smith.

"We're gonna move around the 60s. Mix it up, give it a nice, blended group of tunes they're all gonna recognize," Smith said.

The band's new lineup includes Smith (bass, keyboards, and 12-string guitar) and original member Dave Gozdur (drummer and vocals), both of Holden; and new members Joe Reidy (rhythm guitar/bass and vocals) and Ronnie Medeiros (guitarist and vocals), both of Westminster.

Changing times

All are veterans of the Worcester County music scene.

Gozdur, Medeiros and Reidy can all sing lead vocals on numbers or harmony. Gozdur has the higher voice. Smith does the introductions and narration between numbers.

Departing from Holdin' Back were band original Paul "Blakey" Blaquiere (lead and rhythm guitars/ukulele/vocals) of Holden; Emma Riffelmacher (vocals/rhythm guitar) of Holden and a band member since 2016; and Joe Ostrenga (drums/percussion) of Sturbridge, also a band member since 2016.

Gozdur had left Holdin' Back but returned to play drums on occasion.

Smith said last year, Blaquiere indicated that he wanted to retire from the band and form a performing duo with Riffelmacher, Blake & Emma. Ostrenga joined a band in Sturbridge. Smith talked to Gozdur about forming "a decent 60s band."

"We wanted to make sure we got accomplished guys," Smith said.

Gozdur reached out to Medeiros, an accomplished guitarist with Ravin’ Blue, and Smith added Reidy (Tornado Alley, Mike Girard’s Big Swinging Thing, Wachusett Jazz Quartet).

"The band was ready to roll," Smith said.

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A decade of greats

The decision on repertoire was influenced to some extent by the the fact that the local Beatles tribute group, Beatles For Sale, called it a day last year.

"They were our sister band, We shared bookings," Smith said.

Holdin' Back: The '60's will be filling part of the Beatles void left on the local scene by Beatles For Sale. "We do have a lot of Beatles tunes in the repertoire, so people will get their fill," Smith said.

Sets will also likely include Elvis, The Temptations, the Dave Clark Five, The Lovin' Spoonful, Procul Harum, Herman's Hermits, and much more.

Holdin Back's last show together was at the Sterling Fair last fall.

Sounds for the seasons

The name Holdin' Back was a bit of pun since most of the members were from Holden, and the band's first bandstand concert was in the town. The group's been coming back to Holden to be a part of its summer bandstand series every year, and Holdin' Back: The 60's will be there again Aug. 13.

Now there's a strong Westminster connection with Medieros and Reidy.

The band has been rehearsing at Medieros' studio in Westminster which was once a chicken coop, Smith said.

"Ronnie's got everything set up" musically speaking. Smith said.

Holdin' Back: The 60s will continue to focus on bandstands, major fairs and private functions– mostly outside venues. Smith said, "With this pedigree of talent plus Holdin’ Back’s  previous  track record (since 2013), the band was  booked for 2023 by late September ’22. Nobody had heard them yet."

During the fall and winter, the band plans to perform at reunions and places such as retirement communities and assisted living facilities. When it plays the Beatles at retirement communities, it is playing the music that many in the audience grew up with. Audiences there did not always respond to Holdin' Back's broader repertoire, but when it came to the 60s music it was another matter, Smith said.

'Up and bopping'

That was in evidence at the first show with the new lineup at a private event at the Briarwood Community in Worcester a few weeks ago. "They're up and they're bopping," Smith said of the audience.

Meanwhile, the all ages audience at the Gardner bandstand have always shown "they love their music," Smith said, looking ahead to July 1. "Gardner is one of our mainstays for seven years. They love to dance."

The Holdin Back: The 60s 2023 summer lineup of shows is as follows at the time of writing this story. Changes may be made. For more information, visit holdinbackband.com.

• 6 p.m. July 1 - Gardner Bandstand

• 6 p.m. July 10 - Sterling Bandstand

• 6 p.m. July 13 - Oxford Bandstand

• 6 p.m. Aug. 1 - Dean Park, Shrewsbury

• 6:30 p.m. Aug. 4- Rutland Bandstand

• 6:30 p.m. Aug. 10- Oakham Bandstand

• 6 p.m. Aug. 13 Holden Bandstand

• 6 p.m. Aug. 17 - Sturbridge Bandstand

• 5 p.m. Aug. 20 - West Boylston Bandstand

• 9:30 a.m. Aug. 26  – Holden Days, Main Stage

• Noon Sept 9 - Sterling Fair

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Holdin' Back: The 60's won't be holding back the 60s music this summer