TUNKHANNOCK — Two acclaimed singer/songwriters will join the 14th annual Gathering of Singers and Songwriters at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13 at the Dietrich Theater.

This free concert will feature four master singer/songwriters, including the dueling Lorne Clarke and Tom Flannery, who performed at the event all previous 13 years with their songs of protest, historical events and appreciation of life in northeastern Pennsylvania. Joining them this year will be Brett Alexander, of The Badlees fame for the first time at the Dietrich and versatile Hazelton native Shannon Marsyada, who will bring her own retro style to the mix.

Lorne Clarke is the master musician who organized the Lynn Church Concerts for years and brings free concerts to the Lynn/Lymanville, Pa., area and beyond. A Canadian by birth, Clarke brought to the community the most American of community gatherings at the Old Lynn Church. He is a resource for folk musicians in the area.

Flannery is a multi-talented playwright/musician/songwriter and an old friend of the Dietrich. Every year he has been on stage, if not as playwright, as an entertainer. His songs tell stories of injustice, heroism, loss, and love. He and Lorne are best of friends who love to verbally spar with each other, making for a lively and humorous time.

Alexander is a songwriter/producer based in Northeastern Pennsylvania. His career began as a studio engineer in the late ’80s. Here he met the members of what would become the band The Badlees. The Badlees were signed to Polydor/A&M in 1995, with Bret playing the role of principal songwriter/guitarist/multi-instrumentalist. Their self-produced album “River Songs” yielded two hit singles, “Fear Of Falling” and “Angeline Is Coming Home” in 1996.

Alexander has toured and shared the stage with Robert Plant and Jimmy Page, Bob Seger, The Allman Brothers, Edwin McCain, Live and others. His work has been featured on The Winter Olympic Games, MTV, VH1, The Real World, and many more venues. He continues to perform solo and with his new band Gentleman East, as well as producing, writing, and performing with several other independent artists.

Marsyada is noted for her retro sound mixed with a fun lyrical quality a la Annie Lennox and Amy Winehouse. She wrote her high school graduation song and many other songs to mark special events in people’s lives. She has four albums to her credit. She performs solo or with the Shannon Marsyada Trio composed of Michael Marsyada on drums and Lisa Welch on bass.

The concert is free and donations accepted. Tickets are available at the door, or can be reserved by calling 570-996-1500.

Shannon Marsyada
http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_ABJ-Gathering-Marsyada.jpg.optimal.jpgShannon Marsyada Submitted photos

Bret Alexander
http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_ABJ-Gathering-Alexander.jpg.optimal.jpgBret Alexander Submitted photos

Lorne Clarke
http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_ABJ-Gathering-Clarke.jpg.optimal.jpgLorne Clarke Submitted photos

Tom Flannery
http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_ABJ-Gathering-Flannery.jpg.optimal.jpgTom Flannery Submitted photos

For Abington Journal

Information provided by the Dietrich Theater.