Songwriting team Tommy Acosta and Chickie Brooklyn with play at Ken's Creekside on Wednesday, July 8, from 7 to 9 p.m., with their full band Moonstone featuring Lyle Pratt on lead guitar and Rich Kiegly on drums, starting 10 p.m.

Ken's Creekside features Tommy Acosta and Chickie Brooklyn

Songwriting duo put on dinner show and full-band performance Wednesday, July 8.

SEDONA, AZ (June 28, 2009) - Continuing its fine tradition of featuring Sedona’s local talent in an elegant and classy atmosphere, the Gypsy Lounge at Ken’s Creekside will host songwriting team Tommy Acosta and Chickie Brooklyn Wednesday, July 8 for a cozy acoustic-dinner show 7-9 p.m.; and a performance by “Moonstone,” their full band, featuring Lyle Pratt on lead guitar and Rich Kiegly on drums, starting 10 p.m.

Orange Records recording-artist Tommy Acosta came to Sedona three years ago when the creative energies of the Red Rocks inspired him to return to the musical roots he left behind in New York City, where he played with such Bands like the infamous “Squirrels” and “David Peel &The Lower Eastside.”

The Squirrels were one of the top-punk bands in Manhattan where they were featured as regulars in such legendary venues as CBGB’s and Max’s Kansas City.

David Peel and Beatles member John Lennon cut an album together and Peel started Orange Records where Tommy recorded his rock opera “Rock “n” Roll Anything Goes.”

In Sedona, Tommy is the host of regular Monday Night Jams at Olde Sedona and plays bass for casino-act “Tom Tayback and the Daddy O’s,” “Cool Water,” and “The Red Rock “N” Rollers."

“For me, Sedona is the musical Mecca of the world,” Tommy says. “We got some of the best musicians anywhere and local venues like The Gypsy Lounge at Ken’s Creekside provide us opportunities to share our music in class-act environments.”

Chickie met Tommy while they lived in Ahwatukee. With Tommy hailing from The Bronx in New York and Chickie from Brooklyn, it did not take long for them to start writing songs together. Chickie also plays rhythm and bass guitar.

Mostly for fun, they shared creative energy but Sedona lured Chickie to its fold and now that he is here they decided to put an act together and bring their music to the public.

“We just want to get out there and play,” Chickie said. “There are so many great musicians in Sedona that we’ve met and enjoyed. We hope to become part of the mix.”

On lead guitar is Sedona music legend Keith Martini, who directs the cavalcade of performers to light up the entire house. The best music often comes from the most unexpected places.

Martini has previously hosted one the longest running open mics in Sedona before leaving Sedona to tour in Great Britain and France. Both a professional musician, guitar teacher and recording artist Martini has a degree in classical guitar from the State University of New York at Buffalo and has studied music and music business at Syracuse University and SUNY at Potsdam.

In Seattle, Martini worked as a studio musician and ran a 1,500-seat black box theater in the heart of the city.
Whether on stage plugged in an amp entertaining the entire room or behind the equipment helping other musicians play their best, Martini brings class and style to the stage.

Drummer Rich Keigly started playing with bands in Buffalo, NY. After studying with Johnny Roland of the Buffalo Philharmonic, he toured with Top 40 musicians up and down the east coast.

Moving to Arizona, Rich continued his studies with percussion Impresario Dan Tomlinson. In his travels he’s opened for the likes of Steppenwolf, Blue Oyster Cult, and Marshall Tucker.

To describe the original music of Tommy and Chickie, one has to combine the influence of The Beatles and The Eagles. The songs are melodic, catchy, with great hooks and harmonies.

Their songs stick in your head long after you’ve gone home – the kind of songs you wake up the next day hearing in your mind.

The Gypsy Lounge at Ken’s Creekside is their first official-public debut.

“We’re just proud to know the Gypsy is where it all starts,” Tommy said of the venue. “We are really looking forward.”

The Gypsy Lounge and Ken’s Creekside is located in the heart of Sedona’s Gallery District at 251 SR179. For more information call 928-282-1705.