Blackbirds sing at Boyertown expo

Richard Barnes, Media, and Michael A. Salsburg, Phoenixville, are two tenths of a group specializing in jazz, pop, swing and blues standards from the 20’s and 30’s.

The 2 to 10 piece Blackbird Society Orchestra takes its name from the Broadway show “Blackbirds of 1928” which introduced the song “I can’t give you anything but love”, but Barnes and Salsburg appeared in the here and now on East Philadelphia Avenue Tuesday.

The occasion was Boyertown’s 43rd annual Sidewalk Expo sponsored by the Berks-Mont Business Association attracting more than 5,000 to the borough’s downtown, according to organizers.

“It’s pretty comparable if not a little bit better,” said association vice president Matthew Robb of the turnout, adding that the expo had attracted more vendors—over 100—than in previous years.

The purpose of the expo, which featured booths sponsored by local businesses, food and street entertainment, is to promote local business in the community, Robb said.

Barnes and Salsburg found many interested in their performance including a few who stopped to sing old pop tunes from by gone eras that they could still recall.

Salsburg says he was first drawn to the style by jazz icon Joe Venuto while Barnes recalls playing in a variety of rock bands until seeing a performance by singer Leon Redbone that changed the course of his musical career.

“It’s just happy music,” said Barnes. “There’s no anger. It’s toe tapping. Everyone likes it everywhere we go."