Kenn Rowell Presents: Blank-Fest

12/24/2025

From Kenn:

Two Sundays ago - on December 14 - we had our 29th Annual Blank-Fest show. It was one of the best ones we ever had, but it didn’t come without challenges.

The weather sucked. A few key acts had to cancel and key players for a few acts that were already there had to cancel as well.

That goes for The Baghdaddios, too.

We were already without our lead guitarist. But we’ve been able to play without him in the past. We’d rather play it WITH him - the group sounds so much better as a full 4-piece. But we understand logistics, schedule, health and other factors. It happens.

But when our bassist, Rich, couldn’t get his car out of the driveway, we thought “game over”.

I turned to Neil and said “You know, it wouldn’t break my heart to not play”. He answered “Hey, if you’re ok not playing, I’m fine with it”. We were just both psyched that the show was such a success at that point. So we let the group that was supposed to go on after us - The Funky Cuervos - go on instead and decided we would end the show after that.

But then I started to feel bad. I had played at every single Blank-Fest since ‘97’s first show. It seemed a shame to end that streak. Oh, don’t get me wrong, technically I DID play the show when I backed Yvie on her incredible bilingual poetry set, earlier that night. And that means a LOT to me. But I hated for “The Baghdaddios” to miss it for the first time ever.

The feel-good vibe in the room was so strong that when the Cuervos ended their set, I turned to Neil and said “Let’s do Feliz” - our quickie punked out version that we put “out there” on our Seasons Beatings holiday EP back in ‘07 or ‘08.

He agreed, whereupon we staggered up - exhausted - onto the Hudson House stage, tore through a one-minute-and-twenty-three-second evisceration of this iconic Holiday classic, mumbled “gracias”, thanked everyone for coming out and unceremoniously left the stage.

And it RAWKED!

That night, Yvie showed me the footage she shot. Our dear Friend, Frank LoBuono sent me his copy of what he shot. I used AI to strip out the audio and separate the parts, mixed as well as I could on the fly and edited both versions together, shooting faux “closeup” off a plasma screen to mix it up a little and edited all last night. (I got done at 5:02 in the morning!)

It’s sort of like our band. And it’s sort of like Blank-Fest in general: it ain’t always pretty, but it gets the job done!

Thanks to my Love, to Frank and to John Sidoti for helping me get the files in pristine resolution format.

As we begin our drive into NYC to hand out over 400 blankets to those who need ‘em, dig the “Half-Daddios” systematically dismantling “Feliz Navidad”, live on stage! (You’re welcome!)

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU, one and all for help in making this happen.

Merry Christmas to all - and to all a good noche!

NYC's very own: The Baghdaddios wrap up yet another successful Blank-Fest - Blank-Fest XXI - by eviscerating this all-time iconic Holiday Classic.Wake the ki...

12/24/2025

From Kenn (founder):

Well, this is it. No more waiting.

“Go time”, part two.

After months of planning, we had one of our best Blank-Fests yet, despite the weather and cancellations (over 400 total donations, so far and STILL counting - and we haven’t even gotten the blankets we’re purchasing with the over $1,100 in cash donations - and NOT ONE DIME donated goes for anything else!)!

For all your selfless contributions and support, I, Yvonne (aka Mrs. Blank-Fest!) and all our volunteers (and that includes our incredibly talented acts!) thank you ALL for all of this and more!

We have one more hurdle to conquer: as soon as I pull my busted hump out of bed, Yvie and I are headed out to grab our rental SUV (yes, we found one at the last minute - and thanks to all who contacted me in private for all your suggestions/connections!). Again, I want to stress: NOT ONE DIME of any cash contribution went for this rental. This goes on OUR credit card - proudly - as our contribution. Everything donated goes to getting blankets and getting them to those who truly do need them!

Tonight we meet at Lucky’s at 168 Avenue B (between 10th and 11th Streets). We’ll meet with some amazing, giving people who will fawn out over the City to try and find people - literally - on our City streets who need something to keep them warm tonight. At the end of the night, we’ll head off to a nearby shelter and drop off what we couldn’t distribute.

And, no, our efforts don’t end there. We’ll be receiving more blankets in the next week or so. Those will find their mark, too. No, Blank-Fest doesn’t really end, ever - it just rests between sprints.

I know it sounds like a tired cliché, but without your support, this doesn’t get done. We are touched by your support - and likewise inspired.

We love you. Thank you.

Merry Christmas - and Happy Holidays from our hearts to yours! 💙 🤍 💙 💚 ❤️ 💚

☮️ 👊 ☮️

12/17/2025

Since this takes on PRIMO importance, we will be reposting every day until we get those blankets out to those who need them. You have our apologies in advance for the constant hammering. And to those we’re tagging, here: we won’t keep tagging you. You already know what’s up - front this point onward it’ll be the post, alone - no tagging - out there for all to see.

Pass it on!

Every year, Frank Wood organizes our volunteers to hand out the blankets we received at Blank-Fest across the 5 boroughs of our epic NYC.

If you want to be a part of this year’s Blank-Fest blanket distribution, mark your calendars:

We’ll be meeting at 8:00PM on Christmas Eve at LUCKY's, a cool little watering hole at 168 Ave. B on New York’s Lower East Side. Extra points if you have a car - but don’t worry, even if you don’t have a set of wheels, you can still take part!

We’ve got 7 DAYS before this happens. Spread the word - and see you there!

12/17/2025

In case you stopped reading after the first few paragraphs from yesterday’s post-Blank-Fest message, we’ll repost these latter points (because they’re so important!):

- 1) We need to get blankets from storage in Nyack down to NYC. We’ve got SEVEN DAYS to make this happen. The clock is ticking………

- 2) We need volunteers - preferably peeps with access to wheels - to help us get those blankets out to those on the streets of NYC on Christmas Eve.

- 3) Kenn needs to find an affordable rental or loaner car or van for Christmas Eve. His car won’t work. (Too many miles on our lease already.) ANY leads at all are more than welcome.

- 4) We need an attorney to help with some technical and contractual paperwork. No legal “trouble”, but we need to be super-cautious regarding the future of this charitable Event.

Please private message ONLY, regarding these.

Thanks.

12/17/2025

From Blank-Fest founder, Kenn Rowell:

Every year, Frank Wood organizes our volunteers to hand out the blankets we received at Blank-Fest across the 5 boroughs of our epic NYC.

If you want to be a part of this year’s Blank-Fest blanket distribution, mark your calendars:

We’ll be meeting at 8:00PM on Christmas Eve at LUCKY's, a cool little watering hole at 168 Ave. B on New York’s Lower East Side. Extra points if you have a car - but don’t worry, even if you don’t have a set of wheels, you can still take part!

We’ve got 8 DAYS before this happens. Spread the word - and see you there!

12/16/2025

A message from Blank-Fest founder, Kenn Rowell, after this past Sunday’s Blank-Fest XXIX Show:

Yvonne and I are still pretty much gassed from this past weekend. I know I say this every year but I cannot say this any more truthfully: THIS was one of the best Blank-Fests, ever. Twenty-Nine shows over 29 years. This one was pretty damned special. I’ll post more later (including our final numbers) - so much to say - but in the meantime, I need to regroup and take care of some business before I can even start to wrap my head around all the events, over the last 72 hours.

I WILL say this, though; we need to address the following:

- 1) I need to get a sh*t-ton of blankets from storage in Nyack down to NYC. I’ve got 9 days to make this happen. The clock is ticking………

- 2) WE need volunteers - preferably peeps with access to wheels - to assist us in getting those blankets out to those on the streets of our lovely City on Christmas Eve.

- 3) I, personally, need to find an affordable rental or loaner for Christmas Eve. Our car won’t work. I’ve already put too many miles on our lease already. In the past, Bruxelles - the now-closed club where we used to have our annual show - used to arrange a free or paid-for van or SUV for me to use. Those days are gone forever. Rental cars are way too expensive. ANY leads at all are more than welcome.

- 4) I need the assistance of an attorney to help me navigate the murky waters of technical and contractual paperwork. No, I’m not in any legal “trouble”, but I’m being super-caution regarding my moving forward with this charitable baby of mine.

I can’t stress this enough: for all of the above, please private message me ONLY, regarding these. I don’t want suggestions, comments or leads for any of this posted here, for everyone to read. I have my reasons, so I hope anyone responding will respect my wishes.

Ok, BACK to work - 8 days ‘til “Go Time” for blanket distribution. 9 days ‘til Christmas and 15 days to wrap up this year. No time to rest.

Time to dig in, now more than ever. I’m on it!

This is a great music mix of NFL coaches on how to play the game. You will love it.

12/14/2025

From Kenn:

Well, here it is: Go Time!

Blank-Fest happens today in Nyack, NY. As we’ve posted every day since Thanksgiving, it happens because of you. Without your support, this doesn’t fly.

We’ll be at the Hudson House at 134 Main Street in Nyack. Our first talented performer hits the stage at Noon, sharp and we go for at LEAST the next 10 hours, maybe longer. We just added the last act of the night - local standouts The Funky Cuervos - two days ago. They go on at 9:30. In between we have tons of talent generously donating their performances for FREE………20 acts in all!

All we ask is that you bring a blanket - nearly any condition - which is the suggested donation. NO $! For that you get to be part of a huge party where you can kick back and enjoy one fantastic show!

We in turn get blankets that we give - directly - to those living in the streets of the Greatest City in the World, starting on Christmas Eve.

Today’s clip was from a video shot 15 years ago, for Toronto’s Blank-Fest. After 29 years of doing this show, all I can say is that it’s been a blast.

Let’s make it one more blast for today, shall we?

See you all real soon! ❤️ 👊 🎶 ❤️

The first ever Blankfest Toronto took place in October 2010 during Indie Week. Founder Kenn Rowell made the drive up from NYC to play at the show with his ba...

12/13/2025

You knew we couldn’t let our pre-Blank-Fest ramp-up end without working in our fave NYC bilingual poet. This is “A Christmas In Time” by the one and only Ms. Yvonne Sotomayor. If it sounds a little sad, it’s because this should be a reminder to embrace each special moment. We’re all so grateful for what we have!

And it’s only apropos that we’re posting it the night before all-systems-go for this year’s Blank-Fest show.

ONE DAY BEFORE BLANK-FEST XXIX!!!!!!!!!

(See y’all tomorrow in Nyack!)

Premiered Sunday, December 19, 2021 at Blank-Fest XXV!

12/12/2025

We know we’ve been talking mostly about our upcoming Blank-Fest XXIX show at the Hudson House in Nyack, this Sunday, but today we’d like to redirect the focus on our wonderful satellite show that is celebrating ITs 19th year: Blank-Fest WI, in Racine!

Ron Purtee had been friends with Baghdaddios founding bassist John Sidoti, who had relocated to the Badger State several years prior. Ron is a comedian, writer, director, film maker as well as a social media presence and influencer. When John told him about Blank-Fest, Ron added ‘homeless activist’ and ‘organizer’ to his already-impressive list of accomplishments, organizing the first Blank-Fest WI in 2007. He partners with J.J. McAuliffe, the owner of the venue where this annual event is held every December. Yvonne and Kenn met J.J. (along with Ron), who is a tireless advocate for local and original music - which definitely resonates with our “Indie To The Death” aesthetic. They found him to be quiet, humble, but so passionate about helping the homeless, in addition to supporting his local music community. Unlike our show, which is a huge all-day blowout, the Wisconsin edition happens over three nights, starting tonight and continuing until Sunday at McAuliffe’s Pub (3700 Meachem Rd, Racine, 53405).

So today’s video clip is their most-recent appearance on the popular area morning show, Racine & Me, which is produced, shot and broadcast out of nearby Milwaukee. Every year, Ron and J.J. appear on this program and do a spot-on job of promoting this cause and getting our message out to the people. If you live in or near Racine, I strongly suggest that you stop in and support their selfless efforts!

And, of course, please note that here in good ol’ New York, it’s only 2 DAYS ‘TIL BLANK-FEST XXIX!!!!!!!!!

JJ and Ron made their annual trek up to Milwaukee to be on Racine and Me with the ever amazing Emmy Award Winning Alex Coradetti. Follow Ron on Social Media!...

12/11/2025

Kenn started writing this one in the margins of one of his college notebooks when he was 18. He finished it years later and recorded it a few years after that (thank you Kevin Lacey!). We finally got around to doing a proper video for it two years ago. Over the years he’s said that it’s his personsl favorite of all his holiday tunes. (Of special note, Kenn’s wife, Yvonne did the shooting for the video!) 🎄 👊 🎄

ONLY 3 DAYS UNTIL BLANK-FEST XXIX!!!!!!!!!

Yada Yada.........it's good, alright?!?Well, ok, I guess yer lookin' here because you want some info about the song, right. It's actually pretty simple: Ken...

12/10/2025

Interviewed on the Canadian National CBC radio network by Matt Galloway, Blank-Fest founder and Baghdaddios front man Kenn Rowell woke up that morning with less than 2 hours of sleep after a long drive up to Toronto from NYC to be a part of the first-ever Blank-Fest Toronto show. While the rest of his band were still sleeping he quietly got up and out during a chilling rainstorm, ordered a cab and made his way down to the CBC’s Radio One studio at the Canadian Broadcasting Centre in downtown “T.O.” while it was still pitch black out (check out the selfies at 20 seconds into this vid/slide show and later on at 4:43).

Although he said he was exhausted, it sounds here like he did a pretty decent job of hiding it during the interview. Kenn still remembers Matt looking at him when he first got there like “I’ve got to interview THAT?” (to be honest, by all accounts, Kenn DID look like hell that morning!) As he recalled, his only “f-up” during the interview occurred between 4:20 to 4:34 in this video when he tried to say that his response to people who asked him how he knew that the people they found in the streets weren’t “faking” being homeless was his reasoning that if you see someone lying on a bench or on a sidewalk at 2 o’clock in the morning on Christmas Day, chances are they’re not faking it. Instead, as Kenn explains it, his brain “apparently locked up” and he spit out “chances are they’re not homeless”. Rowell goes on to say that he was surprised that Matt didn’t call him out at the time to ask him to clarify and further adds “I only realized my mess-up after they sent me the audio, when I was back in NY”.

Other than that, it was a pretty solid feature, which really helped drive people to stop by the el Mocambo - a legendary Toronto hot-spot that they had been dying to play for years(!) - where the show was being held.

Even though Kenn’s name was all over the promotion for this we wanted to point out that this leg of the concert series was totally conceived, organized and expertly executed by Jon Asher of Asher Media, along with his music promotional partner David Chinner. The Baghdaddios were just happy to have been included and part of all the fun - but, to be clear, their sole contribution was them driving up from New York, playing as one of the many bands that performed that night - and of course lending a hand in helping promote the Event. The lion’s share of this effort was all Jon and Dave, with incredible help and support from Indie Week organizer and founder Darryl Hurs, along with Barbara Pavone.

It just stands as a testament to all the selfless and beautiful people that we’ve been fortunate enough to have met over these past nearly-30 years of doing this. Kenn, along with the rest of the band and volunteers from Blank-Fest in New York consider themselves “hella lucky”!

How can we conclude this post any other way except to say (drum roll, please………):

ONLY 4 MORE DAYS ‘TIL BLANK-FEST TWO-NINE, IN NYACK, NY!

The date: a rainy Thursday morning, 14, October, 2010. The time: approximately 6:15 A.M. Matt Galloway of CBLA-FM's Metro Morning interviews Blank-Fest foun...

12/09/2025

We’re always flattered when someone uses one of our recordings for nearly anything - be it an indie film or just a home-produced vacation video. That was the case here when writer Dave Knox used our high-octane version of Feliz Navidad for his Christmas-Day-Surfing-Off-The-El-Salvador-Coast video, from 12 years ago.

Enjoy the rush - and remember: ONLY 5 DAYS ‘TIL BLANK-FEST XXIX!!!!!!!!!

This was how I spent Xmas 2013 - surfing Sunzal Beach, El Salvador. Much love to the Baghdaddios for letting me use their tune!